Happy Birthday Mom

I love you.

Alli's B-day

Alli had a birthday last week--she's 6! The excitement leading up to her birthday was unmatched by any other birthday of any of my other kids. I'll let the photos do most of the explaining, but she had a great day.




Alli is funny. She is my child who says her legs hurt too much to walk three houses down the street, yet her favorite thing in the world to do is rock climb! So when I found a party at the Lehi Rec Center that included a rock wall that was affordable, I booked it. She and 12 other kids had a blast--I thought an hour climbing would be sufficient, but they proved me otherwise. Three, four, even five climbs up the wall for some of these kids wasn't enough. Sheesh, talk about muscle! Thanks to everyone who came and made her day special--she really had a great time. Note: I did decide, however, after this party that we will keep parties to the even years only, meaning a party every other year. It's too hard to keep doing these kinds of parties!





Alli is such a sweet girl and I'm so glad her spirit chose to come to our family 6 years ago. Each child of mine is so different, yet adds so much to our little family and I can't imagine ours without her. Love you, girly.

Uh Oh Folks!

He has officially discovered his nose!!!

Shoo Fly!

So this afternoon I got in the car and had just gotten the boys buckled. We started to leave, when I noticed a pesky fly in our car, the one that likes to buzz right into your face every two seconds. I flicked my hand across my face and said, "SHOO FLY!" and I heard Andrew's small voice from the back sing, "don't bother me." I glanced back, smiled and decided to play his game:
Me: "Shoo fly!"
Drew: "Don't bother me."
Me: "Shoo fly. . . "
Drew: "Don't bother me."
Me: "Shoo fly. . ."
Drew: "Don't bother me."
Me: "For I belong. . ."
Drew: "To bumblebee!"
I laughed hysterically, while Drew looked at me a smiled, totally unaware of what was so amusing, but perfectly content with the fact that it was his fault that I was laughing.

Happy 10th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Mel! Wow, I can't believe it has been 10 years, where has the time gone? I want to tell you how much I love you and appreciate all that you do for me. Here are the top 10 things that I love about you.

1) You are Beautiful
2) Wonderful Mom
3) Spirituality - you love the gospel
4) You like to stay active - Triathalon, biking, etc...
5) You think of me and the kids before anything else
6) You make our home beautiful
7) You push me to be a better person
8) Beautiful smile
9) You love a good deal
10)You put up with me and all of my issues

I love you! Thanks for all you do. I look forward to many more years with you.

Love, Todd

Daddy

Today marks 25 years of my father's death due to a plane accident. Dad, here's a few memories for you today, one for every year you've been gone:

I remember dancing on your feet.
I remember the smell of Old Spice.
Stubble on your face.
BIG hugs.
Silly faces--all the time.
Your amazing magic trick of pressing a penny through the table! Still don't know how you did it!
Your ability to scare all us kids half out of our skin.
I remember your straight, white teeth.
Your stiff hair after a day at work, in front of the camera.
Your perfect enunciation.
Your big smooth hands.
Safe, strong arms.
Your daily, and then some, kisses for Mom.
Your utter appreciation for the outdoors.
Camping and having our own outdoor sacrament meeting.
I remember your beautiful singing voice--you loved to sing.
I remember the same lullaby that never got old.
Your love and respect for your mom. . .and your dad.
Your crooked smile.
Man, were you a tease!
You had lots of made up, silly words.
I remember worrying about you as you lay on the couch for days after our bees attacked your foot.
You never got mad, upset or angry.
I remember you holding my pudgy hand.
I remember you loved us more than life.

I love you Daddy. I miss you every day.

Family and Fall

Fall is my favorite time of year. The painted mountains, the scent of crisping vegetation, the breeze that carries a hint of chill and the sun that holds off that chill from reaching your bones. Refreshing.
I met my sisters and their families at South Fork in Provo Canyon on Sunday to take in the beauty of the earth. I forgot how much I really enjoy this spot. It's where I used to come to contemplate life, to pray, to focus and find peace. Todd and I had one of our first dates here with a group of friends, where there was singing, guitar-playing, campfire, marshmallows, chocolate, ahhhh. This mountain park was my literal "mountain of the Lord" pre-temple years. In fact, it was over 10 years ago that I knelt and prayed here to ask if I should marry Todd. I already knew and my Father confirmed it. Glad He approved. Now, seeing our children's faces, we realize we aren't the only ones who really enjoy this place. And there's nothing better than sharing in it with family.