Happy Birthday Mom!!

Last weekend my mom celebrated a milestone birthday and I threw her a surprise birthday party. It was so hard keeping it a secret from her and getting her there. Our dear friend Tara had invited mom over for dinner to celebrate Susie and Mom's birthday on Saturday night, the night of the party and mom told her she wasn't coming because her sister was in town. So Aunt Kris and I had to be super sneaky and creative to get mom to agree to stop by and wish Susie a Happy Birthday. I thought for sure the party was blown when some friends showed up at our house for the party and I had to redirect them to where the party was without mom hearing, but we pulled it off. Mom was completely shocked when she walked in and saw everyone and then she told me I was grounded for throwing her a party. I am happy to say she quickly forgave me once she started having fun. I didn't get a picture of it, but for her gift my aunt and I put together a scrapbook filled with stories and memories about her from all of her friends and family. It was a great weekend and I am so glad that Kris was able to join us, because before and after the party we got in lots of good girly time. Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!

Mom's Cake

The birthday girl's cakes.

Birthday girl's blowing out their candles.

Everyone waiting for mom to arrive.

Joseph, Lisa, Alvin and Collin

Heather and Kodi

Family and friends.

Ice Ice Baby!!

This past weekend Joseph and Ben spent the day with Brad and Sam while I was preparing for my mom's birthday party. The first activity of the day was to go ice skating. This was Joseph's first time and he was hesitant at first but after a few times around the rink he was loving it. He fell down a bunch of times, but he always got right back up and just kept trying. I am so proud of him. I was sad that I couldn't be with them, but Ben was good about taking lots of pictures for me. After that they all went to Big Time which is this giant play place with inflatiable castles, huge trampolines and a foam pit you can jump in to. The boys were all tuckered out Saturday night from their big day of fun, but Joseph and Brad had so much fun they were asking to go again. Those two would go all day and night long if we let them.  Joseph has also informed me that we are going ice skating again very soon and I have to put on skates. Yikes! I hope I don't make to big a fool of myself, I haven't been ice skating since I was a kid.

Getting ready to give it a try.

Brad and Uncle Sam

I am not so sure about this.

Brad and Joseph

CRASH!! While there were a few crashes, Joseph always got up and kept going.

Valentine's Day

We had a pretty quiet Valentine's day this year. I went to Joseph's school to help with his party and they were all so cute and excited for their valentine's treats. After school I took a friend of our's dinner who had just had a baby and then I came home and finished up dinner for us. My sweet valentine brought me home a yummy box of chocolates and I have been enjoying them and then we celebrated Ben's favorite way by watching the new season of Top Shot and Top Gear.

Joseph with his class listening to their Valentine's story.

Joseph working on his heart door hanger.

Joseph working on his ladybug and airplane valentine's.

Our House Guest

A couple of weeks ago we puppy sat for some friends of our's and we had so much fun. At first our dogs were not so sure about this little visitor and thought he was their new chew toy, but soon they were the best of friends. Anytime Hana or Boo would bark at him, George would bark right back and Hana and Boo didn't know what to do. I think they were shocked that this little puppy was talking back to them. Joseph loved having a puppy for the weekend and did such a great job of taking care of him.

George Michael

Joseph and George

Read and Romp

Two weeks ago we went down to the Colorado Read and Romp to help raise money to buy books for children who don't have any. It is a great cause and a wonderful way to spend the day. They had characters for the kids to visit with, a magic show,a catered lunch and tons of booths with activities for the kids and the activities all corresponded with the theme of the book. We will definitely go again.

                           The Berenstain Bears go to the Doctor: They put a cast on your finger.
                           My Daddy is a Pretzel: They had children's yoga.
                           The Magic Hat: You were given a balloon animal.
                            Harold and the Purple Crayon: The had all kinds of coloring sheets.
                           Harry and the Dinosaurs at the Museum: They had all kinds of  fossils and bones.
                           Eating the Alphabet: The kids ate their way through a hamburger. It was similar to
                           The very hungry Caterpillar.
                           The Curious Garden: They had all kinds of plants for the kids to touch and look at.
                           Frog and Toad: They had a lily pad ring toss.
                           Cars and Trucks and Things that go: They had a race track with cars.
                           Library Lion: The kids got to make a bookmark.
                           Reading Makes you feel good: This was story time and they had a dog to pet.
                           Fancy Nancy: They had tons of dress up stuff.
                           Hop on Pop: The kids got to run and jump on bubble wrap. This was a favorite!
                          

Joseph and Clifford.

Joseph with his block tower before he demolished it!!

Who doesn't love bubble wrap?

Ring toss

Joseph getting his snake balloon animal.

Joseph getting a "cast"

Checking out all the different plants.

Joseph got to help with the magic show.

Joseph brushing a dinosaur tooth.

Joseph, Kaylee and Abby coloring.

Father's and Daughter's

"Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter."

The other night I had the privilege of attending and helping out at the Stake Father/Daughter activity and what a fun night it was.The theme was Me and My Pop Under the Big Top and it was such a big hit. We had carnival games, face painting, a photo booth and lots of yummy snacks.  It was so great getting to see the girls interacting and having so much fun with their dads ,but I will admit that half way through the night it broke a piece of my heart. For the first time in my life I really started to feel as if I have missed out on a truly wonderful and special relationship. The older I get the more I wish I had, had the chance to have similar opportunities with my own father.

Only in Denver....

Can we have a beautiful sunny day in the 60's and the next day a HUGE snowstorm. It started snowing on Thursday night and by Friday morning we had a foot and then it continued to snow all day and night Friday. By Saturday morning we had two feet of snow!! Sam, Nat, Ben and myself passed the time Friday night by playing Pass the Popcorn. It is such a fun game and we had a great time.  Once we dug ourselves out on Saturday we took Joseph and Brad to a birthday party at Pump it Up where they jumped until the could jump no more. While they were at the party Sam, Nat, Ben and myself did a little window shopping over at South glen and the best finds of the day were the crazy camera on the Ipad and the super cozy comfy yellow couch. We rounded out our weekend by watching "Warrior" Saturday night and then having dinner with good friends on Sunday.

Our back patio.

Hana blazing a trail.

Brad taking Joseph for a ride.

Joseph just couldn't wait for the snow to stop before going out to play in it.

Anyone feel like jumping??

Best Buddies. These two played in the snow for hours, we were finally able to coax them in the house with hot chocolate.

Nat and Sam taking it easy.