Happy Birthday, Me!

I had a birthday this week... the big 3-0! I'm not sure what the big deal is about 30...I don't feel any different and really, didn't have any ruffled feathers about the whole day in the least.  Lucky me, I guess!

It pretty much was a birthday weekend.  Thursday, my actual birthday, two of my dearest friends and I met up at the park for a picnic lunch with all our babies.  We enjoyed yummy adult food while the kids ate sand (not really, but isn't that how a park picnic lunch sometimes feels?!) and enjoyed a walk down memory lane.  Can't believe where we are this many years after high school. Life has been good.

We had some family over for a Birthday BBQ in the evening and my heart was happy decorating the backyard with Katelyn. What a sweet girl she is.  Mike bought be a beautiful Tahitian black pearl necklace to remember the momentous birthday and I was showered with other gifts.  Birthdays are good things!

Mike also sent me to Womens Conference at BYU for part of my birthday. I got to go with another dear friend and spend the day on Friday at the old BYU stomping grounds. That place makes my heart happy!  Womens Conference was uplifiting and inspiring and fabulous--I can't believe I have never gone before, and I can see why people make it a tradition. I have lots of goals and ideas to put into place in my family after attending for just the day.

Saturday we got to go on a breakfast date and hike. So fun! Didn't make it all the way to the waterfall, but there is always another morning to try again!  We did some yard work, then played games and made BBQ with friends. It was the perfect end to a fabulous weekend.

Thanks everyone for your love, thoughts, and hellos!  May is a good month!

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter Weekend. Hope you did too!

 

Nerds for the Win!

Our Elders Quorum hosted a family Pinewood Derby night.  There were no rules.  Mike put his engineering mind to good use and made his Pinewood Derby car the FASTEST one there, by far!  I guess attaching an RC Jet engine will do that for you! :)  What a cute hubby I've got!

Here is a video the EQP put together for Mike.  
There is sound, just not initially, so don't turn your speakers up too loud or it'll shock you!

The kids made a car too--the Shark.  It was less fast--but super cute!

Happy Birthday Luken Guken!

My Lukey turned three!! Crazy!  Sure love this little dude!

It was spring break, so we got to celebrate with everybody! We had a Frozen party, a pizza lunch at the park, and we went to HollyWood Connection in the afternoon, and enjoyed a BBQ in the evening.  Such a sweet boy!

Lukey got TWO parties (we celebrated Sunday night with the Williams', and Monday night with the Cravens').  He got everything he asked for : Frozen and a Bubble spinner, and more! 

Conference Time!

We love Conference at our house!  Don't you?

I love that I have a system already in place for Conference prep--it makes FHE leading up to the fun weekend a breeze! I thought I would share it with you, since it's pretty much awesome (although, every last bit is stolen from Pinterest!)

First, though, some snippets from one of my new favorite books, "52 Life Changing Questions from the Book of Mormon."

"...Before Elder Neil L. Anderson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, he served as a member of the Seventy.  On one occasion, he found himself among a group of deacons in the southwestern United States.  'Who are your favorite ball players?' Elder Anderson asked.  The boys responded by telling him about every player on the Atlanta Braves baseball team. They knew the starting lineup, who the home-run leader was, the pitcher with the best record, and even those on injured reserve.  Elder Anderson then asked the boys if they knew the names of those serving in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  No response.  Elder Anderson recalled, 'Finally, the name of the prophet was spoken. With some encouragement, the last name of one of the counselors in the First Presidency surfaced. No other names were known.

      As fun and interesting as it is to follow the careers of professional athletes, we need to spend a little more time focusing on the players on the Lords team....

     

     If I were to hold up a picture of these Brethren, would you recognize each of them?  We rarely pay close attention to someone we do not recognize or know....

     ...Perhaps more important, could you share with me a recent decision where you changed something in your life because of counsel received from one of these 15 men...?"

So, here's what I did.  I found THIS blog on Pinterest.  She has a get to know you sheet and a picture for each of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.  I printed them off (saved them to my computer first) and laminated them.

Then I put them up a few weeks before Conference and we talk about them at dinner. Eventually all the kiddos will know them all.  For now, we are working on the First Presidency and President Packer.  Katelyn is going to learn a few more this year.

The kids love this.  We love to find which Apostles went to BYU, which Apostles have the same jobs as our Grandpas, which Apostles like to bake bread like Daddy, which Apostles speak another language. It's fun!

My Grandpa taught something powerful at our FHE this week. He said that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve have paid the price to know the Savior and be especially in tune to the direction we are to be given.  We should make sure we also make the sacrifices necessary to listen to their words, learn from them, and apply them--!

Happy Conference weekend, everyone!

There's No Place Like Kansas!

I was lucky enough to get to fly to Kansas to visit my sister, Brielle, and meet her brand new baby Jenson!  Jilli and I bought tickets last year on a smoking deal, and it was SO MUCH FUN!  We missed Chelsi and Mom, but I got to travel kid free and enjoy adult company for 4 straight days.  This just re-affirmed my need for a vacation...next time I am taking Mike with me! :)

We ate, chatted, played candy crush, watched movie, shopped, shopped, and more shopped.  Cuddled that sweet baby, went to church and saw church history sites, and just had a grand and lovely time.  I need to do this monthly, I'm sure!

I didn't take one single actual camera picture, but lots on my phone.  (Brielle...I need copies of the ones you took!).  

Enjoy a collection of Instagram memories!

We made it!

My first Charming Charlie's experience. Totally awesome.

Brielle had the BEST outlet mall nearby.  We did WELL there!  I was so happy I had saved my pennies for months to be able to spend like nuts!

 The Art Museum

 Lincoln Memorial

The Hallmark Visitors center.  "It's a tradition!"

 Twinners at Church!

Independence Temple.

 Independence Visitors Center.

 Liberty Jail.

Headed Home...

SHH! It was a surprise. We snuck Brielle home with us! Awesome!

Already planning my next trip!