Happy Birthday Mark!

I figured I better to a blog about your Birthday because I did one for my dad and sister! I Just want you to know how much I love you. You are a great husband and dad. Through our ten years of marriage you have taught me so much and become a great person to.

I thought I would list ten things that I love about you and embarrass you at the same time.

1. You are giving. If anyone you know is in need of anything you are the first to want to help them out.
2.You are a great dad! I watch the kids when you get home from work and they get so excited to see you. You take the time to play with them and it is nice that you put Josh to bed now.
3. You watch good shows. I love sitting down at night together and watching our favorite shows and getting excited for the next episode after seeing the previews.
4. You are a good husband. Mostly because you spoil me rotten. I think anything I want within reason you have gotten it for me. You even get me what I want when you know I am being manipulative. You also take good care of me and are always looking out and worrying about me.
5. You are a hard worker. You amaze me because you work full time, go to school, and on the side you do book editing and write white papers for my company and still have time to spend with me and the kids.
6. You are smart. Whenever I need to know how to do something or just need to know something, I know I can call you and you will know the answer. If you don't know the answer you act like it so I will think you know everything.
7. You are clean. I don't think I know anyone that showers as much as you do.
8. You are a great example. Every week you go to church and get us there on time. Before I married you, I went to church but if I missed it was not a big deal. You have been strong in the church and it has been an example to me.
9. You are a good son and brother. Whenever your parents or family needs you to do something for them or be there for them you are always there. You are always supportive of all of your siblings.
10. You love me. I have never had to worry if you love me. You treat me good and I know we will be together for eternity. I know it is not easy to put up with me, but you do and I know you always will.

I hope you have a good Birthday. You are a great person and I probably don't tell you that enough. I am glad I married you and have a family with you. Also try and not get to big of a head from this blog. Happy Birthday Mark. I love you!

Happy Birthday Big Sister!

Today is my sister Michelle's birthday and I wanted to wish her a Happy Birthday publicly. I have to make up for what I did earlier today. I had called her to see why she was not working and she said she was taking the day off and I said well fine you slacker. I continued on talking and then got off the phone with her. It is not that I forgot what day her Birthday was, but I forgot what day it was all together. It did not even click with me as to why she had today off even though on Saturday she told me she might take it off for her Birthday. I am an idiot.

So I was on the phone setting up a DNS for one of our employees phone line and he said okay it will be ready to go on January 7th, which is today. My stomach sunk and I wanted off the phone with him immediately. Once off, I called my sister and wished her a Happy Birthday and apologized for being such and idiot.

Well Michelle I just want you to know how much I love you and appreciate you. We never got a long growing up, but you are my best friend now. I love that we talk everyday on IM and phone pretty much all day. Even if it is about nothing. I love that we like to watch the same lame shows. I love that you look after me and I look after you. I love that it is just you and me as sisters so we don't have to fight with other siblings. I honestly don't know what I would do without you. Your are the best sister ever! I know mom would be proud of the life you have made for yourself. You are a great cook, mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. Happy Birthday!

Christmas 2008

I just wanted to post some pictures of the kids from Christmas. We had a great Christmas. The kids got way more than they needed but it was sure fun. On Christmas Eve Ashlyn was confused because she came in and climbed in bed with us and said when can we go down stairs. She was pretty upset when I explained it was not Christmas until tomorrow. We had to go down stairs and open one present each. More disappointment came when she opened up her present and it was a shirt. We then explained that mom and dad do the clothes and boring stuff while Santa will bring her the toys that night.

On Christmas eve we went to Marks mom for a yummy meal. I made every one's favorite, twice baked potatoes. We had more food than I could even think about eating. After dinner we went to my nephew Mikey's grave and sang Christmas songs to him. We do this every year and it really is so special. I can feel the spirit so strong there and I never can sing. I get choked up and that is it for me. Mikey was a special boy and I love and miss him so much. No matter how hard it is for Mark and I, we know it is nothing that his parents feel each year as they miss him so much. I am thankful to get to go every Christmas Eve and spend a little part of Christmas with him and his memories.

After that we opened presents at Marks Parents house. Marks mom made the kids all blankets this year. They were so cute and nice. Ahslyn also got a doll that looks a lot like her and she sure loves it. Josh got a pirate ship that he loves as well. Well it was a long day for the kids so we went home and put them to bed. We had a lot of work ahead of us. Did I say a lot of work? What were we thinking. We bought the kids a play kitchen from Costco and it took us until 2:00 AM to put together. The other toys were easy thank goodness but never again. Everything will be put together next year.

On Christmas morning, Mark and I woke up before the kids because we were so excited. We waited for them to wake up and then took them downstairs. Their faces were priceless. We went to my dads on Christmas and they were equally spoiled there to. Josh got a Tool table with all sorts of fun things to build with. Ashlyn got her Easy Bake Oven that she has wanted forever. All together the kids had a great Christmas and mom and dad have entertained kids for a few months until they are bored of the toys. To spare all of you a longer blog than it already is I will just post pictures.

Pictures

New Things and Updates

Just an update on the new things in out lives. First and foremost we got a new camera. Not the nicest one we have ever owned but it works so we will take it. It will be nice to be able to take pictures of the kids again.

We also got a new puppy last week. It is a White pure bred Lab. His dad and Grandad have champion lines in them and they are really good looking dogs. Mark did not want to get another black one because it would remind him of Boston so we went with the white one. He is really cute and very mellow for a puppy. He mostly sleeps right now and when he is awake he is not too hyper. We almost have him potty trained. He is really smart. He just goes to the sliding door when he needs to go. His name is Gauge. Anyhow the kids love him and have been taking good care of him.

Ashlyn got new bedding and decorations for her room. My aunt Brenda gave us her my cousin Morgan's old stuff from Pottery Barn. It is really cute. Ashlyn just adores it. When she first got it she took it all out of the box and laid it all out to look at it and admire it. She is pretty happy about it because she had been asking for new bedding. Ashlyn is also doing well in school. We got her report card and she scored above average in almost every subject. I know it's only Kindergarten but as a mom I am still proud. She also sometimes tries to fake sick from school but I am catching on to that one and still making her go. Mark and I are just amazed at how funny she is. She really does say some of the funniest things I have heard. I can't think of them right now but she sure is funny.

Josh is definitely in his terrible two's. He has stopped taking naps which I am not happy about because I like my quiet hour. Ash still takes a nap after school everyday do its hard when the one that needs the nap won't take it. Josh is a total boy. He loves playing with his "yucks" He pushes his two big trucks around all day long. He can entertain himself quite well with toys. He also loves the dog. This dog is a lot more patient with him then the last. Gauge just hides under something if he is sick of Josh. Josh also does not know the meaning of no. I have told him in so many ways and he just ignores me and keeps on doing what he wants. He is one extreme and Ashlyn is the most behaved kid ever. He still loves a bottle and I am not sure how to wean him off that but I plan on it by the end of the year.

Mark and I are doing good. Mark keeps busy with working, school, and working some more. He is currently gong to BYU, getting his MBA. He also works full time and works part time for my company. He is editing a training manual for them and making it look nice and snazzy. I am just being a mom and working from home. I love being able to be home with the kids and also to be able to provide some income as well. I am excited to start playing Basketball this January. I need the exercise badly. Anyhow I think that is all for now. Hope all is well with all our friends and family.

Happy Birthday Dad, Grumpy, and Bumpy!

I just wanted to do a posting for my dad and tell him Happy Birthday! I know its late but I was out of town last week. I want to thank my dad for all that he has done for me in the past and present. He has always been there for me and my sister as a great dad and he has often times had to be the mom to. Not many dads would go to the store and buy things for their daughters that he had to go and buy. I am so glad that I got you as my dad and that my kids have you as their Grumpy and Bumpy. They both love you so much and get so excited to come and see you. Here are 10 things we love about you!

1. You are always Happy
2. You are always supportive of the kids, Mark, and I.
3. You are an awesome cook
4. You are thoughtful
5. You are forgiving and loving
6. You taught me to be good at sports
7. You make my kids happy
8. You always call me on Mondays
9. You dress good
10. You are very thoughtful

Dad I love you and I appreciate all you have done and do for me. You are the best dad and mom ever! (I hope you don't take that the wrong way)

Halloween

I thought I would post some pictures from Halloween of the kids. Oh but wait, I don't have a camera anymore. Thankfully other people took pictures for me to post. I did however buy a disposable camera so once those are developed we can add those as well once we scan them.

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. We went to four Halloween Parties. The first one was at my aunt Linda's. We ate yummy Taco Soup and lots of treats. Ashlyn carved her first Pumpkin all by herself. She is very good at that stuff. We played some fun games that brought me back to my childhood as well. We even got to meet a lesbian with big boobs. It was quite the night.

Then the next day we went to my dads house for a party. We carved pumpkins there as well but this time I ended up carving the Pumpkin because Ashlyn wanted to play. Most of the pictures that are posted are from my dads.

The next party we went to was to the Holley's. They rearranged the party so that we could make it to this one. They were going to have it on Saturday and at the last minute changed it so we could all be there. We made homemade donuts, played games, and watched the kids dance for an hour. Ashlyn led the brigade in her dancing tactics and it was quite the show.

The last party we went to was at Marks Grandma's rest home. They had a fun party with a balloon guy, limbo, fishing for a prize, tattoos, and a coloring table. Josh won the costume contest there four kids that one and he definitely got the loudest cheer. His costume in the pictures above got dirty so I pulled out the Peter Pan costume. He looked so cute with it on. I will post those as soon as they are developed. After all the festivities they had trick or treating. Josh and Ash really enjoyed it and they came out with a lot of candy.

Then there was Halloween Day and Night. Josh and I went to Ashlyn's school parade (I can't believe they still do those) and then afterwards I helped out in her class for the class party. Everyone sit for this. They had like six activity stations and I was the reading station. I read a Halloween story to the kids and it was really fun. I met all of the kids Ashlyn talks about and got to know them a little. It was a lot of fun.

That Night I made homemade chili and put it in bread bowls that were colored orange with a green stem so they looked like pumpkins. We had that and donuts. I have to say I make some delicious chili. I then took the kids trick or treating while Mark handed out candy. Josh was a trooper and walked for about 45 minutes and then pooped out. I think Ash for the first time could have gone all night and did not tire. They made out with way too much candy and I will probably end up throwing most of it out but it was very fun. The end.