HaPpY BiRtHdAy, Dad!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Dad....happy birthday to you! Today, December 27th, is my sweet Dad's 57th birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies! I have been blessed to call him Dad for the past 33 years. CRAZY!! Since we aren't going to be able to celebrate with him today (he is in Mississippi visiting Grandmother & Grandaddy) I wanted to dedicate a post in honor of his special day. Over the years I have grown to know and love my Dad and I would like to list some words that come to mind when I think of him:

Gary Puckett~cherry chocolates~friend~channel surfer~green toyota~training school~Dad~trivia~writer~son~listener~books~records~example~Pappy~pasta maker~sweatshirts~"for crying out pete's sake"~Utah Jazz~
guitar~tennis~music~moon pies~leader~inspiration~tennis shoes~David O. McKay~Dr. Pepper~books~Cosmo~Murphy's Law~crossword puzzles~M*A*S*H~Robert Frost~movies~poems~BYU~office~"allbedadgum"~educator~Beatles~winger's wings~turn tables~husband~funny~"smartest man I know"~trivia~Germany~blue~"I've got a chapter in my book about that"~brother~Home Alone~DAT~love~family.

Thank you, Dad for ALL that you are and for ALL that you do! I couldn't have hoped for better!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

i heart vacation

riding "collectivo" or the bus in cabo


enjoying authentic mexican food in puerto vallarta


this window shows the separation of the pacific ocean from sea of quartez


our last night with our hilarious waiters!


jackson and johnny "gettin down" at a camp carnival dance


a view from our glass bottom boat tour in cabo san lucas



cabo san lucas


jackson on the beach...i love this shot!


a fun filled day of camp carninval!


shopping in mazatlan


looking up from inside the ship


puerto vallarta


dolphins putting on a show for us. this is looking over board from the ship


our atv guide stopped so we could get the beautiful shot overlooking puerto vallarta


the streets of puerto vallarta


johnny's smile says it all!


our formal night


our cruise ship, the "pride"


they look good enough to eat!


the BEST burgers ever!!


the gang sightseeing in vegas!


picking up the kids from camp carnival....the BEST invention ever!


a gorgeous sunset in puerto vallarta. it doesn't get more beautiful than this!


me and my honey lounging on the lido deck:)


noey...my sista...my friend:)

So, we are back from vacation and I thought it was time to post a couple of pictures. We left on the 22nd of November and we got home on December 2nd. It was such a great time since we were able to share this vacation with Aaron's sister, her husband, and their two boys. In fact, we had such a great time we are thinking about making this a Thanksgiving tradition. The vacation started in vegas (just for an overnighter), then off to Long Beach for a seven day cruise. For all you Mom's out there, let me just say, a cruise is the only way to vacation! There are people to plan and cook your meals, drive you wherever you want to go, make your bed (with mints on the pillow even), and clean your bathroom! Now that's my idea of a getaway! Once we docked we stayed on in Anaheim for a couple of days so we could take the boys to Disneyland. They've been before, but having them a little older was so much fun! It makes it SO nice when your kids are not only tall enough to ride everything, but they aren't afraid to go on anything. And can I just say that if any of you out there are planning a trip to Disneyland, might I suggest the week AFTER Thanksgiving?! Our longest line was a 25 minute wait. Not only that, but the weather was wonderful! I felt so grateful to enjoy such a wonderful trip with my family! An all around great time!! Mexico was fun, but I sure am glad to live in the US of A. It's good to be home, but I still look forward to our next cruise! :)

blue vs. red...is there any doubt?!

I realize that this post is a couple of days early, but then again, it's never too early to start positive thinking when it comes to the Cougars! As most of you know, my husband is a HUGE BYU fan! Our lives pretty much revolve around the games, (home and away), when fall rolls around. Well, when we were first married Aaron worked Saturdays and missed pretty much every game. During that time, (7 years to be exact), he would remind me that one day he WOULD have season tickets. Needless to say, we have had season tickets for the past 3 years and he is loving every minute of it :) As much as he enjoys the games through out the season, the final Utah vs. BYU is BY FAR his favorite part of the season. He was able to get tickets the past two years and decided that no matter what, he would attend this year too! Turns out that he was able to snag a couple of tickets and was pumped and ready to go.....that is until he realized the day of the game is the same day we leave for our family vacation :( (boo hoo about missing the game...not about family vacation) So, he found a home for those tickets and we will be cheering the cougars on from our car. I don't even have to say I hope they win, because I already KNOW they will! What a perfect beginning to our vacation it would be. Let's hear it for our cougars and as my friend posted on Facebook, "may all of our dreams be blue!"

my new favorite thing!

You know when you find something good and you just want to share? Well, this past week I went to Costco and found these things called Bagelfuls. Have you ever heard of them or even tried them? Well they are a bagel with cream cheese already in the center. Great idea! If your mornings are anything like ours it can get pretty hectic and sometimes you just need to throw something in the microwave and go! Not so much for my boys (although, they do like them) they need more to eat in the morning. Me, on the other hand, am loving them. Seriously 20 seconds in the microwave and you have a delicious bagel without the mess. Crazy days when I am posting about a quick breakfast, or even snack, that helps make my life easier. Anyway, if you decide to try them, purchase them at Costco. You will get more for your dollar! Happy eating :)

a wise woman once said.....

I realize that this is a random post, but I was on my computer last night looking for a spiritual thought for our primary presidency meeting when I ran across this quote from Sister Hinckley. It really touched me and so I am going to share it.

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with the children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."-Marjorie Hinckley

I think we sometimes have this idea that life should run organized and perfect all the time. Life is messy, right? That's really hard for me because I do enjoy order, but last night reading this made me stop and think. I hope that those of you who read this will feel what I felt. She was such a wise woman and I still miss her testimony and the inspiration she was here upon the earth.

and the winner is......

Looks like it's official! We not only have a new President of the United States of America, but the first African American President of the United States of America. I keep trying to explain to the boys what an historical moment this is. I know they don't quite understand it yet, but this is what history books are made up of. It's weird listening to all of the opinions of the children floating around. I know that when I was growing up there wasn't this much concern or talk amongst children during a presidential race. I guess it just goes to show, yet again, that times sure have changed. So, after all is said and done, I feel lucky to live in a country where I have the right to have an opinion. It will be interesting to see the changes that are about to take place and what will become of the good ole US of A. Here's hoping for the best!

my little "bumpkins"

Since the boys have been bugging me all week to do pumpkins, I decided the night before Halloween was pushing it far enough. We did have good intentions to complete our project for FHE, but Johnny wasn't feeling so hot and we didn't want to leave him out. Oh well, better late than never is what I always say:) Anyway, it was worth the wait because they turned out super cute. We grew our own pumpkins again this year, and since our boys actually planted the seeds themselves it was quite exciting for them to see the finished product. It's hard to believe that we've already made it to Halloween. Before we know it we will be saying the same about Christmas. Time sure does fly and I've been trying really hard lately to make every moment and every memory count with my boys. I've realized we don't have many years left of them actually wanting and enjoying these projects as a family. I'd like to hope that these good times and feelings will go on forever! May we always remember the good times....

when you wish upon a star...

I am so incredibly excited about some recent news, I had no choice but to post! My sweet, intelligent, beautiful, and hilarious cousin Traci is expecting her first (maybe even second) baby!! After many years of trying, waiting, praying, and tears she was able to conceive through invitro. She will go in on October 29th for her 8 week ultrasound and find out if the cause of her high levels means multiples:) Can there be any better news than finding out someone you care about is about to experience the joys of motherhood?! Dan and Traci, we love you both tons and are beyond excited about your upcoming arrival. Congratulations and we wish you all the happiness that we know your lives are about to be blessed with!!

gone fishin'...

I guess it's been a little while since my last post. Lots going on, but I haven't been great about recording it. Anyway, Aaron was invited by Brother Coombs to go fishing this past Monday night. He got home, packed up the boys and all of their fishing gear, and headed out to a little pond in Herriman which is pretty close to our house. The boys were SO excited and couldn't wait to get out and brush up on their fishing skills. Brother Coombs is our neighbor and loves to invite my boys fishing. I'm grateful he enjoys spending time with them and is willing to extend an invitation. I asked Aaron how the boys did and he said that they were catching them left and right. In fact, it was happening so quickly that Aaron barely had time to bait his own hook when one of the boys would have another bite! The boys only brought home 2 of the many fish caught, and gave the rest to Brother Coombs. I'm sure we'll be planning a fish fry real soon:)

tag...i'm it!

So, my sister-in-law Heidi tagged me last week and I am just now getting around to it. I also just noticed that my last entry was forever ago! I've been kind of a slacker so I'm glad I have the excuse to update my blog.

These are the rules:

List 6 quirks about yourself and then tag 6 people by leaving a message on their blog that they've been tagged.

1- I CANNOT stand a mess! My ENTIRE house has to be in order at all times. I can't even sleep if there is a single cup in my sink. Not quite sure that's a quirk, maybe it's just obsessive compulsive behavior?!

2- I can't go to sleep at night unless I have chapstick on.

3- I have a fetish with numbers. I love to memorize numbers, dates, ages, etc. It doesn't matter who it is. If I find out their birthday or phone number I will never forget it. Kind of strange when you consider the fact that I not only HATE math, but I really stink at it.

4- I always start my day with soda. Not the healthiest, I know, but I can't seem to function without it.

5- I can't stand having water near my face. Of course I clean my face, but I do it quickly and then remove my face from the running water. Being ON the water doesn't bother me that much, but the fact that it is near my face drives me crazy!

6- Every time I eat a meal I immediately follow it with something sweet. Doesn't matter how full I am, there is always room to satisfy my sweet tooth.

I tag: Lora, Melanie, April, Becky, Jaime, Tracy

A Birthday Tribute

Aaron didn't have quite the birthday I was hoping to give him, but he and I were able to celebrate a little bit together. Mom and Dad took our boys last night and I drove to Logan to meet him since he was working there yesterday and today. It was a short but fabulous getaway. We went to a restaurant called the Copper Mill and had coconut shrimp and tenderloin. To die for! Then we just spent the rest of the evening hanging out..no agenda. It was so nice and completely relaxing. Since he has scouts tonight (on his birthday) I decided to pay a little tribute to him on the blog. Most of you already know him, and to know him is to love him, so I thought I'd list the top 33 things I love about Aaron.

1. He is passionate about EVERYTHING he does. His job, being a dad, serving in the church, being a friend, and being a husband.
2. He always gives 110%.
3. He is always on time, and that actually means ten minutes early if he can help it.
4. I love to watch him put on cologne. Super cute. He waits until he's dressed and then unbottons the 2nd button and sprays it just below his neck.
5. He makes me laugh when I am cranky.
6. He is a great brother. No doubt his sisters would kiss the ground he walks on.
7. He is a great friend. He stays in touch with friends from elementary school.
8. He is the funnest Dad. The boys love to be swung over his shoulders like a frisbee landing flat on the bed.
9. He is a huge BYU fan! That's not the part I love. I love that he will give up watching it live so he won't miss important events like his boys birthday parties.
10. He always puts everything away from traveling or campouts before he does anything else.
11. He loves shoes as much as I do.
12. He is a great provider for our family. He loves his job and works hard at it. He never makes me feel guilty about being a stay at home Mom.
13. He stays very connected with people. Meeting for lunch, emails, and phone calls on a regular basis.
14. He was a great missionary. He still speaks the language well and uses it often.
15. If he says he will do it he will do it, and do a great job at it.
16. If he says he'll be there he will.
17. He is the landscaper, the gardner, the snow removal crew, and maintainence crew to make sure our house looks great to all who pass by.
18. He always calls and checks in whether home or away. I always know where he's going to be and when.
19. He is a great son. I love the way he loves both of his Moms and the way he was a best friend to his Dad.
20. I don't think there has ever been anyone who doesn't like Aaron.
21. His confidence.
22. His smile and the way his eyes light up.
23. His time management. I don't think he ever gets overwhelmed because there weren't enough hours in the day. He gets up, gets it done and then relaxes with what time is left.
24. I love how he can let me talk his ear off whenever I need.
25. I love to hold his hand. Everything in the world is in perfect harmony when I'm holding hands with my best friend.
26. The way he shows me every moment I am with him that he would do anything for me and loves me whole heartedly.
27. He is not afraid of a challenge. If he doesn't know how to do something he jumps in feet first and learns.
28. The example that he is to the youth. He does a fantastic job teaching them what they need to become great leaders.
29. The way he asks me to get him something. "Do you have that remote?"
30. He will drop anything at a moments notice to help a neighbor or a family member in need.
31. He always has to sleep at an angle with his feet uncovered. He doesn't like to have his feet constricted in the sheets.
32. How he doesn't know the lyrics to practically any song. HIS lyrics are hilarious and it always makes me smile.
33. The way our boys look up to him. They could not have a better role model and I am so glad I chose him to be their father.

*Happy birthday, baby! I hope you enjoy your special day :)

"bigger pains"

Around 4:00 am this morning I woke up to the sound of the bathroom door closing. I waited until I heard the door re open and then got up to see who was awake. Turns out it was Jackson complaining of a stomach ache. I asked him all of the routine questions. Do you have to go to the bathroom? Do you feel like your going to throw up? Are you hungry? Well, he answers no to all of them so I tell him to go ahead and lay flat, that maybe it's just a cramp. After about 30 minutes of rubbing his belly he turns to me and says, "Mom! I know what it is. It's bigger pains." I'm thinking in my mind, "what is bigger pains?" I ask him and he says, "you know, I'm getting bigger and your body hurts when it gets bigger. And when I was in the bathroom just now it looks like I grew!" Isn't that so cute? I love documenting the innocence of kids. Anyway, after about 45 minutes he finally said he was ready to go back to sleep. He woke up for school just fine. I'll have to remember to tell him that he does look a little "bigger" today :)

the bounty of the harvest!

I can't believe how domestic we were this weekend. About a month ago Aaron informed me that he wanted a pressure cooker for his birthday. I fought him on it just a little bit because I wasn't sure we would get our money's worth out of it (just so you know, they run about $250!). Anyway, I agreed that it would be in our best interest to invest in one and start building up our food storage...again. Well, it finally arrived last Wednesday and just in time, too. Our beans, tomatoes, onions and jalepeno's were ready to be picked. We started Friday and were able to get the green beans done. We took a break on Saturday for Johnny's birthay party at Boondocks (post to come later on that:) and then continued through Saturday evening until 11:00PM putting up tomatoes and salsa. CRAZY!! I can see why people opt to purchase canned goods rather then put them up themselves. It is so much work, but the reward is so great. Not only do we get to benefit from our hard work over the summer, but the taste is incredible! If you ever feel that you should purchase I pressure cooker, I highly recommend it. You won't be sorry and you won't believe the multiple uses it has. FYI...we broke into a jar of salsa last night and it was delicious! A little on the hot side, but the flavor was unbelievable! I have to admit that it's nice to see our storage shelves looking plentiful again. I just can't believe the sense of accomplishment that is felt and knowing we are the following instruction that we have been given by our leaders. It's true what they say...nothing worth having in life comes easy.

it was six years ago today...

Happy birthday, Pork Chop! It's weird to think that six years ago today I was looking at an 8lb 9oz little boy laying helpless in the NICU of American Fork Hospital. I was so worried thinking when do I get to bring him home and will he ever get unhooked from all the cables and machines that were helping make him better? Fast forward six years and it's easy to see that his personality is the same today as it was when he was born.....determined! And if you know Johnny, that is exactly what he is. What a great day we had celebrating with our 6 year old. He got to start the day off with opening the present his brother bought for him (an Iron Man figure). We told him he would have to wait until later to open the gift from Mom and Dad and that was torture, I'm sure! His class sang to him and all day long was referred to in class as "birthday boy." He loved it! After he came home we baked cupcakes together and waited for Jackson to get home from school. Since Aaron couldn't get out of scouts tonight we decided to meet at the Olive Garden at 4:00 and have an early dinner. Johnny loves Olive Garden, especially the fettucine alfredo, which is what he ordered. Well, the plan was 4:00 so when Aaron was late to arrive I decided to give him a call. When I checked my phone I noticed a missed message from Aaron. He texted me "I'm getting a ticket!" I couldn't believe it. A few minutes later he walks in and says that he somehow smooth talked himself right out of it. I have never met anyone with his luck. Anyway, dinner finally got under way and after a short while we headed home for a little cupcake action and the unveiling of the "gift." Johnny FINALLY got the bike he has been bugging us for all summer long. All in all I think the day was a success. I wish I could say the celebration is over, but we get to continue the celebration all through the weekend. We've got the big Boondocks party on Saturday, and the family party on Sunday. Birthday's....literally the gift that keeps on giving :) We love you, Johnny and are so grateful to have you as part of our family. Our puzzle wouldn't be complete without you!