Memorial Day Weekend

We packed up the kids and headed south for the 3 day weekend! Mike had been in Denver on Thursday and Friday, so we had to leave early evening on Friday. We, of course, hit the horrible traffic in Utah County and after driving for 3 hours, we were only in Fillmore! But, eventually we made it to our 'old house' as Brandon says. He thinks we used to live here!
Saturday morning, we got settled and then headed over to Snow Canyon. We did the little hike over the lava fields and climbed around in some caves. The kids did really well considering they were very tired from being up late the night before. We went back to the condo and had some lunch and a little rest. Then, we headed downtown to find the splash park. The kids LOVED this and it was hard to get them to leave.

We also let them swim in the neighborhood pool which isn't heated. Sydney was sooo excited about swimming she said she was going to be the first one in. We unlocked the gate, she ran through and did a cannonball in the pool! When she came up, she realized that it wasn't as warm as she had hoped! But, she didn't say it was cold until she convinced Amanda to jump in!

A trip to the movie theater to see the second 'Night at the Museum' and finally a visit with Bud and Kay wound up our weekend!

Bud and Kay are always so generous when we come to see them. They fed us a great bbq lunch and let the kids swim. I love their backyard. It's an oasis in the desert and they have gorgeous views! I could sit out there forever! The kids were having a blast and then Max decided he needed to walk on the concrete barrier that separates the hot tub from the swimming pool. It wasn't long before he fell in! It was the funniest sight! He kept getting braver and braver and even fell into the hot tub. We all thought this was hilarious! So another wonderful St. George weekend is in the books! Bring on summer!

Just a thought about Jay Leno

Last night was Jay Leno's last night on The Tonight Show. I like Jay Leno. I watch when I can stay awake. He shares some mannerisms with a former boss of mine, Bart. I like Bart. He is a good guy. Bart's brother was also our Bishop. Those two brothers had the most opposite personalities, but Mike and I like both these men. Back to Jay.

As Jay was signing off and thanking people he said that he has been asked what he wants his legacy to be from The Tonight Show. He laughed and commented that he's just making jokes and it's hardly a legacy.

But as he thought about it, he started mentioning how many staff members had met and gotten married while working at The Tonight Show. He named them off and there were more than a handful.

Then, he brought out the first baby ever to be born to a staffer once he took over the show. She came out with cookies for him. He told the audience that she had made him cookies once a year since she was 4 years old. She is now 17 years old.

So, then he said that he wants his legacy to be this. That so many people met, fell in love, and had babies during his tenure. Open the stage curtains to reveal 68 children. He beamed as though he was their father. Even tickled one little toddler as he was running around the stage.

I thought to myself, I know he and his wife don't have children. I was always under the assumption that it was their choice, but I don't know the reason. I don't judge them for not having them. But I thought it was fascinating that here is a man, height of his career, all the fame and fortune one could ask for and yet, he wants people to remember all of the children that were associated with him during this time.

As I am trying to savor each moment with our children right now, I am constantly being reminded that family is the most important thing you do in life. Jay gets it. People on their death beds are saying they wish they spent more time with their families. Time goes so fast! I stumbled across some pictures this week as I was spring cleaning of Amanda as a 3 year old. Full of life and wonder for what lies ahead. Big brown eyes and a beautiful smile! She is almost 11 years old! I blinked and we are in the pre-teen years. And she is still beautiful!

Another picture was of Sydney as about a 1 and a half years old. Cute baby chubby with strawberry blonde curly hair. Bottle stuck in her mouth. How she loved that bottle! The baby chub is gone as well as the strawberry blonde hair, but our love for her keeps growing. As overwhelming as the days were with small children, I think I feel more overwhelmed now.

One more thing that touched me from Jay's show last night was that he said, 'I am leaving the dance with the same girl I came with 17 years ago' as he pointed out his wife sitting in the audience. Amazing in this day and age, especially for a Hollywood couple. (Sadly. amazing for a real-life couple).

I feel so blessed to be given my family! As I am reflecting a bit this morning, I just always knew I would have a family. But, as time goes on, I feel more and more appreciative of what my Father in Heaven has given me. Not only am I lucky with Michael and our amazing children, but I have fabulous parents and brothers, who also gave me fabulous sisters and nieces and nephews. I am so blessed to have wonderful in-laws and brothers-in-law, who also gave me more wonderful sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. How does one girl get so lucky!?

Syd sings!

In line, waiting to get on stage!

On Thursday, Sydney had her first grade program! Mike was in Denver, so we decided to video tape the performance for him. I took the girls to school so I could get a seat. After standing for the 4th grade program (our school is new and doesn't have anywhere near enough chairs), I didn't care how long I had to wait, as long as I had a chair. Even with me going about a half hour early, I was still about 6 rows back. No problem, though....at least we all could sit!

I kept Amanda with me so that she could help tape and keep Brandon happy. About 20 minutes into their program, she remembered there was testing this morning, and ran to class. Brandon lost it about 15 minutes later....so I let him take pictures with my camera.Before the meltdown

Now, Sydney did GREAT! It was a long program and they sang about 30 songs! She knew every word and smiled. Sydney loves to perform and she had a great time. I was sad when they whisked the 1st graders off to class at the conclusion of the program. I wanted to give Syd a big hug and tell her good job! We had a good time!

the Day at last!

Like I said before, for about 2 weeks prior to his birthday, Brandon asked me everyday if he was four yet! He woke up early...before his sisters....and needed his birthday present! So, Mike & I sat in the family room with our baby and gave him his brand new scooter! Now he wouldn't have to ride his sister's scooters anymore.

He immediately went outside to give it a spin. We saw the McCleary's about to go on their run, when Brandon yelled out, 'Hey, I am four now!' They were cute with him as they came over to see his present and wish him a happy birthday.

Yahoo! Look at him go!

Later that night, we celebrated with our little family. We had quesadillas (his choice-I also can't spell it correctly) and our famous, Mrs. Backer's cake! Happy Birthday, Brando!

We love you!!!

More partying...

I can't believe he's four!!!!

I am having a rotten, horrible, no good, very bad day (is that how the title of that book goes?), so I thought I would post more of our beautiful baby's birthday celebrations to try to cheer me up!

On Monday night, we had the Grandparents up to celebrate Brandon's birthday! It was a nice day, so we ate out on the patio. Mike made a peach cobbler in his dutch oven. It was really good! (Some lucky neighbors got the left-overs) It was fun to visit with our parents. We don't usually get time 'alone' with them. Usually we are at their houses that are bustling with our siblings and their cute children. It was a nice night!

The Grandparents did a great job getting Star Wars presents for Brandon! The Gibs gave him Star Wars legos and the Arvs gave him 2 Star Wars ships! He was so excited and we had to play with them immediately!

Thank you for spending a fun night with us!

Start the party!

It's Brandon birthday week! For two weeks everyday he has been asking me, 'Am I four yet?' I love how confused little kids are when you have a birthday party on a day that is not their actually birthday! It's impossible to explain it to them!

This past Friday we had a little friend party for our B.

We were completely Star Wars themed! I made an invite with a clone trooper inviting young Jedi's (13 of them) to come to Brandon's party. Brandon wanted a 'red planet' cake and so I just made a cake with orange frosting and a volcano with red lava! I put 2 of his Star Wars figures on top. When he saw that, he went and got about 7 more! I was teaching piano that day and when I came back into the kitchen had seen what Brandon had created-it was breathtaking. There was only minor repair work to be done on the cake!

I know...don't be jealous of my cake decorating skillz!

I made lightsabers out of pool noodles and each boy had to complete Jedi training. We had an obstacle course, they had to keep a balloon in the air by hitting it with their lightsaber (which turned into balloon popping) and they popped a Death Star balloon that had candy in it.

Cousin Zach about to cream that red balloon!
The candy came in handy while watching Brandon open gifts. Kept them quiet and sitting!

Cute Amanda being a big help to Brandon!

The boys while Brandon was opening gifts! And Aunt Kat & Uncle Dan

While they were waiting for the Storm Trooper to come out, they attacked Uncle Danny who had for some reason laid down on the grass.

(the girls behind the fence are Activity Day girls who were picking up trash on the common area and came over to watch! I'm sure we were quite the spectacle!)

Even our girls got in on the action.
Here is Mikey aka Storm Trooper fighting the newly graduated Jedis. These boys get a little aggressive and were hitting Mike in the head a lot! Amanda taped it with her camera....it's pretty funny! Thanks for being a great sport, Daddy!

When Dad was done being hit, we stopped and had the cake and Yoda Soda (lime sherbet and 7Up) and some homemade rootbeer that Mike made. That was a big hit!

We stopped using the lightsabers after awhile because they kids would gang up on one kid (who would have thought they'd do that!)! So, we played Duck, Duck, Goose or Darth Vader, Darth Vader, General Grevious until the parents came for the boys! It was a fun party! Thank goodness it was a nice day. I can't tell you how loud it was even outside!

After the party we had to go check out a ward member's property for the ward campout. Not long after getting in the car, I looked back and saw our exhausted birthday boy!Here is Sydney sitting in the porch swing at the cabin. Their property is amazing. In the family for generations. It's outside of Kamas. They own 1600 acres. It's all mountains and just beautiful! The cabin is really nice and I worry a little about bringing the ward up. I hope they respect the fact that we don't want people running through their cabin. Anyway....fun day!

Cute Sydney!