12 years and counting...

Okay, so it wasn't the most romantic day of our life, but we will be making it up another day! Sunday was our anniversary and we spent a good portion of our day cleaning up throw-up, monitoring temperatures, and administering cough and cold and fever medicine to several of our children. We did, however, get to drive TOGETHER and sit TOGETHER at church since it was Stake Conference, which was a total treat for me! And since most of our children were home sick, we only brought one child who ended up sitting with her cousin during the meeting anyway. Don and I got to just soak up the inspired messages and wonderful spirit of the meeting without any distractions. (Quite the opposite of a normal 2 hour Stake Conference meeting with 5 children, or a normal sacrament meeting with me as a single mother.) Don surprised me with tickets to Phantom of the Opera, which I haven't seen in 15 years! Anyway, I think I'll spare you all the mushy details, and just say, I love my husband more than I ever thought was possible. I am one lucky girl.

A Sunshiny President's Day!

We REALLY lucked out this year and actually got to enjoy a holiday while the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day. Still cold, but nevertheless, beautiful. We had a picnic with some friends and just enjoyed being outside. And if you can believe it, it has actually been sunny for over a week now. Talk about Spring Fever!

Day of Love

For Valentine's Day this year, Don and I decided to have a special family celebration and postpone our "romantic dinner out" to the weekend. We enjoyed our night, complete with heart-shaped pizza and chocolate fondue dipping. Gillian even decorated a special cake for us at Activity Days.






Don surprised me with THREE tulip vases to enjoy indoors. I love to watch them bloom, especially when it's so dark and dreary outside! The one on the left has white tulips that are just starting to bloom. And the best part... they last for weeks! They make me so happy.

To the love of my life...

Happy Valentines Day, to my one and only Valentine! You know, my older sister used to tell me that married life was the best, and boy was she right! ...especially being married to Don. He is seriously the ideal husband. He showers me with affection and love and appreciation and always treats me with respect. He is so darn good looking and makes me laugh everyday. He is wise and inspired and in tune and is sensitive to my needs in every way. He is a busy guy these days, but somehow he still manages to make me feel like I am the most important thing in the world. Some days, I just still can't believe I got him, that he is mine forever! I love you, Donny.

Winter Park Day

Today was supposed to be another rainy/snowy, dark and dreary, terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, but when I picked up the kids from school, the sun was shining and crazy things happen to me when the sun comes out. So, we went to the Marina Park and froze to death! We only lasted about 20 minutes, but it was exhilarating to be outside, letting the kids run wild and enjoying the sun on the water. It was beautiful. Can you tell I am done with this neverending winter and ready for summer? Who needs spring? I'm ready for summer.

Family Get-together OR Organized Chaos?

Every month or two our extended family gets together to celebrate all the family birthdays for that month and we all take turns hosting. There are 12 adults and 19 kids so it definitely gets a little crazy, but we love it!

Here you go...

Many have asked for a front shot of Gilli's new 'do, so here it is. It's been so fun to style and play with and she really loves it. The only thing that makes me sad is that all of her blonde shiny hair is gone! Hopefully it will lighten up again this summer.

The New Gilli!

BEFORE....

DURING....

AFTER....