Well, I am certainly not tooting my own horn, but it's my birthday weekend!!! My bday is actually on Monday, but we really like to spread these things out as long as possible, right? So- my wonderful husband is taking me to my first Imax movie tonight! We are going to see Avatar- he already took Calli to it, but loved it so much he wants to go again... and tomorrow his wonderful family is making me a big dinner up at Grandma and Grandpa's- I believe we're having prime rib :) jealous anyone? Sunday is going to be our relaxing day- probably watch a couple of movies and hang out with the kids- I just got this new game for the Wii called Just Dance- it is hilarious!! check it out online- any of you who have a Wii.... so Monday is the big day- finally passing the 30 mark and heading into my glorious 30's!! I've decided to embrace this instead of freaking out~ I love you all- just thought I would fill you in- adios

Girl's reunion, tea parties, Alyx, etc.....

Hey everybody! Sorry about the long lapse in blogs, but we have been quite a busy family in the last few weeks- and there's so much stuff coming up! So- we just got back from a lovely trip to Twin Falls to visit Marmee and GG, and Auntie Meg's family, and Alyx! I went down mostly to visit Alyx, but also because my friend Meredith decided to put together a reunion of some of our old friends, most of us have known each other since second grade or so! It was soooo funny- we watched old movies that we had made, our junior high school video yearbook, and exchanged life stories until 4 a.m. I haven't stayed up that late since I think the last time we all had a sleepover! So that was really fun to catch up with everybody, even though we were missing a few dear friends. After that, Marmee and GG brought my girls up to Sun Valley to pick me up. We had lunch at Gretchen's (just for the hot chocolate) and the girls watched the ice skating for a few. Then we got back in the car and headed to Meg's.... (we were in the car more than we weren't). We had a great time there, hanging out with our cousins. Peri is the silliest girl- she is an excellent ice skater! Tay and Calli were like best friends, and we got to see Ashton for only a bit the next morning. Thanks again Meg for taking the girls! So- in the meantime of all that, Mom and Dad and I went to visit Alyx in St. Anthony. I was pretty surprised at the setup- there are no fences, and it looks more like a big campus. She was having a hard day with her group, so we didn't get to spend very much time with her, as they kept getting called out to have a session. But, for the time we did see her, she was doing really well. We had some hard things to talk about, but she is really making progress I think, and she really wants to come home, of course! She sends her love to everyone, especially all her grandparents up here in CDA. Okay-long story short- we headed back to Twin, watched a very disappointing football game (we were rooting for Vikings), had a tea party the next morning and then got back in the car again to get to the airport! All in all- a wonderful trip and it was so great to see my family. I love you all- here's some pics of the whole thing!

Ahhhh- new carpet!

So, my amazing parents so very generously got us new carpet in the house for our Christmas gift this year- they never fail to amaze me..... but we just got it done yesterday, and I tell you- it's like having a brand new house! It smells like new house in here- the carpet is absolutely squishy and soft, and wonderful! Chris' good friend Dan has done flooring for 20 years or so, and he got us a crazy deal on the carpet- plus he came over and installed it for us! Thanks again Mom and Dad- what a gift to get! I put in some pictures of the whole house, because I know my sisters haven't been here forever and it's changed a lot! We also had Dan and his brother install a new entry with some awesome slate- I think that's my favorite part.... it was quite a day of work, what with moving the entire front room into the kitchen, moving the kitchen into the garage, and then moving the entire upstairs from room to room to room! I still think it's funner to be involved in the whole thing though.... then you feel more deserving! Love you Mom and Dad- it's fabulous!

For an absolutely wonderful Mom....

Happy Birthday Mom- what an amazing woman you are. Thank you for everything you have ever taught me. My favorite memory of you and I together is going to Nampa for violin camp, and reading books out loud together, although I have way too many good memories to list! My favorite funny thing you do is how you sing bee bop in the car, but also how you dig through the drawer in the car for your makeup while you are driving- which made all of us girls crazy!

I can't imagine any other mother than you, and my sister's and I are truly blessed to have you raise us.... I love you and hope you had a great day!