Start Spreading the News!

For our 14th Anniversary, Harmon and I finally pulled the trigger and bought the piano I have always wanted (it hasn't been delivered because the room isn't ready for it yet).  As we walked out of the store, one of the salesmen happened to start playing, "Start Spreading the News" - they were in on the secret.  It was all I could do not to start laughing but Harmon didn't even notice.  I pulled a little present out of my car and handed it to Harmon.  He was a little put out because we had agreed that the piano was for our anniversary - and the rest of the holidays for the balance of our marriage...  A couple of weeks ago, I had to let him in on a little of my secret because he was trying to ruin it.  He thought that we were staying the night somewhere local on Saturday night to celebrate our anniversary.  I told him that the present was a little clue about this weekend.  I had wrapped this cute picture of Toby holding our Wicked tickets in front of his face.

Harmon unwrapped the gift and sat there and stared at this picture.  It seemed like the longest minute of my life.  I asked him if he had figured it out.  He finally said, "We aren't going to New York are we?"  I said, "Yes we are - TONIGHT!  You have a couple of hours to pack."  If you know Harmon, you know that he is not the most spontaneous guy.  His reaction was, "Tonight? I can't go tonight."  Once he realized that all of his conflicts were conflicts I had orchestrated, reality started settling in that we really were leaving to New York City that night.  I think all of the stress and excitement I had been carrying around with me for months transferred to him.  It was great.  That night was so much fun watching him walk around shaking his head at the realization that he had been duped!

Kate Turns Two!

Kate didn't quite understand that it was her birthday.  She knew something was special but she couldn't quite figure it out.  By the end of the day she was saying, "My Happy to You".  Too cute.

She got this funny little look on her face as we sang to her.

She stood there and blew and blew.  Someone finally had to help her.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.  We had to wake her up to open her presents.  Not a good idea but it didn't take her long to come around.

Nana and Papa gave her this cute little doll that giggles and a little puppy that barks.  She opened that first and it was hard to pry her away from them to open the rest of her presents.

If you don't know this about me, I have a bathing suit fetish.  I thought I was pretty good only buying her a few when I could have bought 20.  Nana and Papa got her the sunglasses and she wears them everywhere.  All in all, she had a great day and is such a cute 2 year old.  

Halle's Baptism

Halle has been counting down the days and minutes until her baptism for months.  I haven't seen anyone so excited to be baptized.  This truly is a miracle because at Lacey's baptism, three years ago, she let me know that she didn't ever want to be baptized.  It was a wonderful day and we are so grateful for all of the family and friends that were able to share this special day with her.

Halle looked so pretty and just beamed in her beautiful white dress.

The family.

Proud parents.

Halle with her Dad.  Harmon did a great job with the baptism and confirmation.  There was such a beautiful spirit there.

Mom and Dad with Halle.

Nana and Papa were here from California.

Grandma and Papa T. drove down from Idaho.

Sunny, Alex and Grace.

Another shot of the family.

Harmon and Kate.

Happy Birthday to Lou!

I always decorate the kitchen for each child's birthday.  I should just leave them up during the birthday season...

Lacey was happy that her birthday was on a Saturday so she didn't have to wait for Harmon to come home from work to open her presents.

I have made Lacey wait to read Twilight.  She got it for her birthday and was thrilled.  I hope it doesn't keep her up at night - she's a chicken...

Her other favorite gift is that we let her have a blog.  Check it and her fashion show out here . (I am impressed with myself - I've never done a link before. Hopefully it works.)

The day before Lacey's birthday, Harmon took her for her first official round of golf.  They both had a great time.

I think Lacey was most excited to wear one of her new golf outfits.  The girl golf apparel makes me want to take up golf...

Lacey concentrating on her swing.

Easter Sunday

We have 9:00 church, so Easter morning is always interesting.  We decided to do the baskets and hide eggs the night before so that we could enjoy it.  I was so proud of myself for having the kids fed and ready early Sunday morning.  We even had time to take a couple of pictures.  I should beware of pride, because as we were getting in the car to leave, we realized that Jack had locked us out of the house.  So much for being on time...

With four kids, it is almost impossible to get a decent picture of them at the same time.  This is as good as we got Easter morning.

Here are the kids waiting for me to hide the eggs...

Addie was so great to help Kate find the eggs at the hunt with all of the cousins.  

Weston helped Jack find lots of eggs.

Halle is happy that she is still young enough to hunt.

Halle's 8th Birthday!

Halle was so excited to turn eight.  She can't wait to be baptized.  This was a non party year, so she decided to go to a movie and then out to dinner.  We went and saw the Hannah Montana Movie.  I thought I was in for some torture but the movie turned out to be really cute and I actually enjoyed it.  When we got to the theater, there were police and news crews everywhere.  It turned out that Miley Cyrus was at the theater.  We were told that there was a chance that she would come into our show.  She ended up going into the 3:30 showing and ours was the 4:15 showing.  Bummer, but we still had a great time.

Halle in her new clothes and rollerblades.

Opening her presents...

Ski Weekend in Park City

It worked out that while my parents were in town we got a condo at the Silver Star in Park City for the weekend.  My parents hadn't been up with us before, so it was fun for them to see the project that Harmon has worked on for the last few years.  We had such a great time swimming, skiing, eating and  just hanging out.  My mom was such a good sport and watched the little ones while we skied.  My dad hasn't been skiing in over 20 years and gave it a try.  We couldn't have ordered in better weather for skiing and had such a great day.  My Uncle John met up with us and skied with us and then brought his girlfriend and went to dinner with us.  We really had a perfect weekend.

Here's the family before we left skiing.  Halle skis, but decided she would have more fun hanging out with Nana and swimming in the jacuzzi.

My Uncle John and I.  It was great to be with him for the day.  He is a fun uncle.  He and Harmon would break off here and there and race down the slopes.  He's a great skier.  Lacey was surprised when he told her that it was wine not water in his camelback.  Maybe I should try a little bit of that to help improve my skiing... 

Harmon, Lacey and I.

It was all I could do to keep up with Lacey.

Me tearing up the slopes...

Lacey has become a dang good skier and loves it.  She just bombs down the hill.

It was fun seeing my dad and John hanging out.  We don't get together enough.

Dad and John.  My kids all thought John was older - the couldn't get past his grey hair. 

Nana and Papa Visit

My parents came into town for a few days.  My kids so look forward to their visits.

Papa is always good for a snuggle.

Jack and Papa.

Jack with Papa's boots on.  He's got some big shoes to fill.

Happy 4th Birthday Jack!

For months, I have been trying to talk Jack out of turning 4.  He is at the greatest age.  I would like to bottle him and stick him on a shelf.  He brings such joy to our family and is most definitely my favorite little boy.  He will come up and ask me, "Mom, can I turn four?"  I'll sit and think about it.  Then he will always say, "I promise I will still give you lots of hugs and kisses when I turn four."  Then he offers me his little finger and says, "Pinky promise."  How can I resist?  I love, love, love that kid.  Now if I can just get him to stay four...

We started the day off with Jack's choice of breakfast - Special French Toast.  You can't sing and blow out candles too many times for a four year old.

Jack's best buddy, Chance, brought Jack a cool farm puzzle for his birthday.

I took Jack, Chance and Kate to Chuck E. Cheese (Jack pronounces it Chucky Jesus).  They went on this monster truck about 20 times.  The best part of the day is that they didn't know what the tickets were for.  They were so thrilled just to get them and stick them in their pockets.  I just didn't have the heart (or the desire to torture myself) by standing in line to redeem their tickets!

Jack at 4 pieces of pizza in honor of his 4th birthday. I swear that kid has a hollow leg!

That night we all went swimming at the rec center and came back for cake and ice cream.  Jack loved his cake.