Happy Birthday!!

Yes, Happy Birthday to myself! I don't know why, but I love birthdays. It's the one day that is all about you. I know that sounds selfish, but I love to get the phone calls and the cards and hearing it, especially from my children. It's my very special day!! And, I am 31 today. That sounds so weird. I am in my 30's now! Yikes!!

(My birthday is January 31st and yes I am posting this late Wednesday night {the 30th}!!!)

President Hinckley

I am so saddened by this news. Our dear prophet has passed away. We received a phone call from a family member in Alaska asking us why we didn't call to let her know about his passing. Well, that was the first we heard of it. We really didn't believe it, for some reason. We started looking it up on the internet and finally found confirmation of this. Then came all the text messages. Word travels fast. He was such a wonderful man. I feel very blessed to have heard from him this month in our multi-stake conference. What an amazing man. He will truly be missed.

As I was searching the internet for this information, I noticed that there were comments at the end of the articles. I can't believe some of the things that people are saying. I won't post anything because their words aren't worth repeating, but it's really sad to read what people have to say against our Church. Very hurtful. But, anyone that knew or heard President Hinckley knows what a wonderful man he was and how he has really helped our Church to grow. Good-bye President Hinckley...you will be missed!

Garth Brooks

Tonight my favorite male country singer (Tim McGraw is a very close second) is on TV live tonight. I am so excited to watch him! I wish I was at the concert, but the last time he did a live show, I was actually there! I love it! He is such a great performer!! I can't wait to watch!!

Heath Ledger...you will be missed!

Can you believe this? I really enjoyed watching him as an actor. One of our favorite movies of all time is "A Knights Tale". Plus, how can you not like him in "10 Things I Hate About You"? He was a beautiful man. I can't believe this tragedy! He was only 28!! Good grief! I look forward to seeing him in his last movie "The Black Knight". Sigh...Heath!!

My apologies...

I have to take a moment and apologize for not updating my blog. I am guilty of looking at everyone's blog all the time and getting bummed when there are no new updates. So, I guess I know how you all feel for looking at mine. I will try to be better!! I have done a few posts, so now you won't be disappointed!!

Pinewood Derby

Wow!! I remember going to the Pinewood Derby with my brothers...a long time ago. I can't believe that I am now going with my son! Ryan & Evan went to the Church at 8 in the morning to build the car. Then we all came back at 1:30 to watch the races. His car didn't do too well (Ryan was quite confident at building it, but after he saw it race, he says he knows EXACTLY what to do for next year!), but he was sooo happy! And, if any of you know my son, you know how much he loves cars. He had so much fun. I think he came in 3rd once and 4th all the rest of the time. But, every boy got an award. He received the award for the "Coolest Pinewood Derby Car". So, who cares that he didn't win, he had the coolest car!!

Scrapbooking!!

I have really enjoyed getting back to scrapbooking. I am trying to do it once a week with a few friends. The one scrapbook that I have really kept up on is my wedding one. At all of our siblings weddings, we take a million pictures. So, when I first decided to start scrapbooking...ever, this was the album that I started with.

Since my brother just got married a couple months ago, I thought I would get started with them, and I absolutely love their pages!! I always use the colors of the wedding. I thought I would post a few. I am really excited to show them how they have turned out!!

Dresses

I know this dates back to Christmas, put I had to post these pictures. I decided to make dresses for my girls and my nieces for Christmas this past year. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work. They turned out really good...if I do say so myself! The older girls had the pink dresses and the little girls had the yellow ones. I also made matching purses. I hope you like them!!

Random Facts About Us!

I was tagged by my sweet sister-in-law...love her!! I like these things!! Here we go...

1. How Long Have You Been Together? 11 1/2 years (we will celebrate our 11 year anniversary in April...time flies!)

2. How Long Did You Date? Dated for 3 months, engaged for 6 months

3. How Old Is He? Almost 35

4. Who Eats More? Ryan

5. Who Said "I Love You" First? I did, of course. Do guys actually say those words? I mean, without a little help from us?!?!

6. Who Is Taller? Ryan

7. Who Is The Better Singer? I would have to say that would be me. I love to sing. Although, Ryan does have a good voice!

8. Who Is Smarter? My kids! hahah!! I swear, I need to go back to school to learn what they are learning. But, overall, I would say that Ryan is smarter.

9. Who Does The Laundry? I do.

10. Who Does The Dishes? Both. Ryan surprises me sometimes and when I wake up in the morning, the dishes are done. Awwwww!

11. Who Sleeps On The Right Side Of The Bed? Looking at the bed...that would be me.

12. Who Pays The Bills? I did for the longest time, then Ryan started paying bills online, but now I am back to paying the bills.

13. Who Mows The Lawn? We have gardners...included in the rent.

14. Who Cooks? I do. I make lots of casseroles.

15. Who's More Stubborn? I really don't know. Probably me more so than him.

16. Who Kissed Who First? On the first date, he kissed me on the forehead. Does that count? Real kiss...probably me. I don't even remember.

17. Who Asked Who Out? He asked me out. I did have the feeling he was going to do so though. I had plans with a girlfriend, but told her we would have to cancel if Ryan called. Sure enough, he clicked in while we were talking!!! Oh, but he did have a little help. My sister and I heart-attacked his car and told him that I wanted to get to know him!! :-)

18. Who Proposed? He did. He even practiced/told his brothers about what he was going to do. And, he asked my parents permission first!!! What a guy!

19. Who Is More Sensitive? Me Probably....I'm a girl after all (ditto!)

20. Who Has More Friends? I have friends that I still keep in touch with that have moved away, so I would probably have to say me.

21. Who Has More Siblings? Ryan...he is the oldest of 6, I am the oldest of 5

22. Who Are You Tagging? Jenny, Carrie, JoEllen, Marianne

New Years

Well, it looks like most people stayed home for New Years. A couple of you even slept right through it. As for us, we went next door, played Scene It (fun game) and counted down the New Year with all the hyper kids and teenage girls! We had our Sparkling Cider and watched the ball drop. If was a fun time! Thanks to our good friends!

I Love This Musical!!

Ryan and I for our Christmas present to each other, went and saw Wicked. It is unbelieveable!! I truly loved it!! Ryan has never seen anything like this before, so it was fun to see his reaction. He really liked it and would go see it again!! The end of the first half just leaves you with this "wow" feeling. It is so amazing and creative!! I got the CD in my stocking for Christmas and I am hoping to get the piano music maybe for my birthday (which is in 30 days!!). If you have seen this musical, then I am sure that you loved it as well. If you haven't, well, then, what are you waiting for?!?!?!