Happy Birthday #18 Allyson

Our 18 year old!

18 YEARS

Eighteen years ago today Allyson Rae was born. I can't believe how fast these past 18 years have gone. It has been a fun adventure with Allyson. I am thankful for her and the good girl that she is and the fun and excitement she creates for our family. We are lucky to have Ally in our family and even though she is a legal adult, she is still my baby girl. Happy Birthday Allyson.

Book of Mormon

I am working on getting my personal progress award this year. In January I started reading the Book of Mormon. I read 10 pages a day and today I finished the Book of Mormon. I really got a lot out of it this time. I know that it is true. I am thankful that it has been translated and that I can use it to guide me in my life. I look forward to the day that I will get to meet Nephi, Moroni, Abinadi, Ammon and the other people in the Book of Mormon. I know that this book is more powerful than any other book on earth and I am thankful that I get to be a member of the church and have it in my life.

Runners feet

Ally has had this crack in her foot for the past few months. I took this picture so I could show Dr. Call. He Rx'd her some cream, here is to hoping that it will soon heal.

Counter full of Cookies

Tuesday we had the Spectacular Practice at the Stake Center. This is an amazing event. It is a little chaotic right now but I am sure it will all come together for July. We decided to make cookies for the kids after the practice so here is our counter full of cookies.

UVU Wolverines

Allyson made her decision...she is going to go to Utah Valley University. She has full tuition scholarship for academics and she has a housing scholarship for running. She is excited to go down there! Our next step is to find her a good place to live and some nice roommates. This is new territory to us.

Happy Valentines Day

This morning our kids woke up to the annual Valentine string treasure hunt and crepes for breakfast. I woke up to a heart attack from Brian.
We had family home evening at Rob and Heidi's house tonight and learned about being self reliant...food storage, growing our own food and using it. I need to do better with this, we'll have to make it a priority!!!

21 Years of Valentines

Brian and I have had 21 Valentines together. We have had Valentine get aways, we have been ready to have a baby, just had a baby. Brian got his tonsils out on one Valentines day. We have had Valentine scavenger hunts, candlelight dinners and heart shaped breakfasts. I think I have the best Valentine ever!!! Here are 21 reasons that Brian is the best Valentine a girl could ask for.

6th Grade Valentine Dance

Dustin had his big dance yesterday. I was in charge of getting the dance decorated and getting treats. It was amazing how hearing Mr. Weight's voice took me back to sixth grade. I can't believe that they still have him come back to do the dance.
Dustin is quite a good little dancer...I was very surprised that he really danced and that he asked girls to dance and that girls asked him. It was a very entertaining afternoon!

Youngwomanhood Award Dinner...Congrats Karlee

Karlee got her young womanhood award this year and we did a dinner for all the girls in our stake who received their award. Teri spoke at the dinner and did a fantastic job. It was a nice night, Karlee is such a blessing in my life she is a truly sweet girl.

Sunny California!!!

Today was a sunny day. I spent most of the day reading and sitting in the sun by the pool.
Brian has his own project 365...He is going to run every day this year.
We went back to LA Live today and ate at a restaurant that hasn't closed since 1924. The restaurant reminded me of a place that my Dad would like to go.
Tomorrow it is back to Utah and real life. I have had a good relaxing time but I am ready to head back and see the kids!

Yesterday was so rainy in Los Angeles!!! Brian had meetings all day so I read a book, exercised and relaxed all day. When he got back we went to LA Live and ate at ESPN Live, watched a cool 3D show, and then got some tickets to the Jazz vs. Clippers game. It was fun to watch a game in the Staples center, the Clippers don't have a lot of fans, we couldn't believe how quiet and empty it was. It turned out to be a good game, the JAZZ won, YEAH!

Universal Studios

Yesterday we spent the day at Universal Studios. We had a great time. Brian's favorite ride was the Simpson's (can you believe it?) I liked the show Waterworld. It was really interesting to see all the sets and the way they do special effects. It was a great day!

Sunday we had a busy day. Cody was put in the bishopbric in his ward and Brian ordained him a High Priest. Annie is going to be so busy with her boys!!! I will have to make them some Sacrament Meeting entertainment! We had about 2 minutes at their house before we headed off to the airport to fly to LA. We had a good flight and arrived at our hotel after a 65.00 taxi ride CRAZY!!!
We are here and it is a nice hotel...this will be our home for the next few days.

Karlee and Ally had the Sweethearts dance today. Karlee had dinner at our house, here are some of the photos. What a fun group!
I will have to get some pictures of Ally's group later, since I didn't get to see her before the dance.

Happy Birthday Lynzi #14...Look how Lynzi has grown up, what a fun girl!!!
Today we went to Toads and IHOP for her birthday. We had a great time with her buddies McKell and Bailey.

Date Night @ Hale Center Theatre

Last night we went to the play: The Importance of Being Ernest. It was kindof a silly play but we had a good time. We went to dinner at Olive Garden with Cody and Annie and Maxine and then went to the play. Brian and I had a good drive home because we had a chance to have a chat...we have to sneak those chats in every chance we get!

Dustin's last parent teacher conference in elementary school. Mrs. Warnes said that he is doing pretty good in school but he needs to stop talking. I can't believe the example his dad has set...you know Brian is such a talker!!!
It is weird to think that I only have 4 more months of elementary school. We have had someone going to Valley Elementary for the past 13 years. Crazy how fast these guys grow up!!!!

Ally to the rescue!!!

Yesterday I went cross country skiing. I went up to the waterfall trail and then down the skinny trail. Half way up I got hot and took my coat off and tied it around my waist. When I got back to the parking lot I felt in my coat pocket and my keys were not there. I called Allyson and asked her to ski where I skiied and look for the keys. She found them amazingly enough. What a crazy day. I am glad that it ended the way it did!
Visiting teaching this month is about living within your means. This is the little handout I made to give to my ladies. I love this quote that President Hinckley said. It could be my motto.

FISH Heaven....to COOKIE Heaven

Today Karlee's fish went to fish heaven. She was sad to flush the little fish down the toilet. I don't think she is the best fish pet owner. Maybe her next date won't answer with a fish.

I love to make sugar cookies for Valentines day. I found this bar sugar cookie recipe...sooooo much easier and still taste great!!

Happy Monday!!