Happy 40th Birthday Kara!

On August 19, 2010, I reached the 40th milestone this summer.  I had mixed emotions about it 1)I really couldn't change it. 2)It means you are really not too far from 50. 3)It also means you've found yourself and are okay with yourself.  Overall I was excited for my birthday (although I usually am!).  Shalise and Todd planned a lunch on Tuesday August 17th with April, Maureen, and Shalise.  It was a great surprise and something I really enjoyed.  I wanted to do something big for my 40th birthday but didn't really have anything I was dying to do until...I was on facebook after my birthday lunch and I saw that a friend from high school was trying to sell some tickets to...

I had wanted to go to the Lion King from the moment I heard it was coming to SLC.  I checked into the prices and saw that tickets were $200 -- that wasn't going to happen!  I didn't think about going again until I saw the post on facebook.  The seats were balcony seats and $40.  I contacted him and Todd and I were on our way to The Lion King on Wednesday afternoon.

The Lion King was simply AMAZING!  I would go again and again and again and I would now probably pay the higher ticket price to get a little bit closer.  Our seats were fine and with the help of binoculars, I didn't feel like I missed anything.  It was a wonderful birthday present and a great date night with Todd.

On my actual birthday, Shalise made sure everyone at work knew about my big day by bringing me 3 large bouquets of black balloons.

I only took a picture of one of the bouquets but all were were this size!

It was great 40th birthday -- maybe I'll turn 40 every year!

Happy Birthday Todd!!

Today is Todd's 46th Birthday. Todd doesn't really like his birthday - in fact he actually hates his birthday but he tolerates it so the boys and I can have some fun.

46 Interesting Things about Todd--

1. He loves to tease.

2. He enjoys horse riding

3. He works hard for our family.

4. He puts up with my continual "decorating or re-decorating."

5. He has a degree in elementary education.

6. He has a great sense of humor.

7. He likes to go 4 wheeling

8. He loves to eat hamburgers.

9. He does not like seafood.

10. His favorite color is blue.

11. He is the second oldest in his family.

12. He makes me laugh.

13. He honors his priesthood.

14. He is a great father.

15. He is my best friend.

16. He likes to take Sunday naps.

17. He served a mission in Minnesota.

18. He doesn't like the water (ie swimming, boating etc.)

19. His favorite church calling is the back row usher.

20. He has a soft spot for his parents.

21. He loves his 1988 Truck --- Lazy Jack.

22. He doesn't like to mow the lawn.

23. He likes to paint ceramic horses.

24. He collects Bryer horses.

25. He is very organized with his farm records.

26. He likes to watch American Idol.

27. He loves to listen to George Strait.

28. He thinks Carrie Underwood is "HOT".

29. He doesn't like when I cut my hair too short.

30. He is very thoughtful.

31. He is very sentimental.

32. He doesn't throw anything away!

33. He's very good at saving money.

34. He loves his 10:00am morning break.

35. He always has a tan line around his watch - year round.

36. He loves traditions.

37. He hadn't been farther south than Provo (to the MTC) when we got married.

38. His favorite snack is potato chips.

39. He can tinker for hours on Saturdays.

40. He has never broken a bone but has had a total knee replacement.

41. He gets very excited at sporting events.

42. He likes to have fun.

43. He hasn't shaved his mustache (except to trim it) for 14 years.

44. He sleeps with a C-Pap machine.

45. He likes frosty's for a treat.

46. I LOVE HIM!!!

Happy 12th Birthday, Tyler!

Happy Birthday Tyler! Can you believe he is 12. This freezing rain was exactly what happened 12 years ago. We lived up a dirt lane and ended up having to spend what was supposed to be our first night home, at my parents house because the lane was a complete sheet of ice and being two, paranoid, new parents we decided not to drive the lane. Anyway --

Tyler loves life, he enjoys hanging out with friends, watching tv, playing football and basketball, riding four wheelers, and his cell phone!

Tyler is excited to finally be 12and to move on from Primary and start a new adventure in the Young Men's Program. Passing the Sacrament, Scout Camps, Baptisms for the Dead, Standards Night, etc. will all be new things at our house.

I can't really believe Tyler is 12. I know people say all of the time "Enjoy your kids while they are young, because they grow up so fast." When I stop and think 4 years until a drivers license and dating, and 6 years until a mission, I know how fast those years will go.

Today Tyler has a basketball game, he wants to eat at Mandarin Gardens and then go bowling. Tomorrow, Todd will ordain him a Deacon and then we will have a small family dinner after church.

Happy Birthday Tyler. We Love You!!!

Catch Up

A week has past, the birthday celebration is over, Tyler's doctor appointment at Primary's is over, and General Conference is over. I got so caught up in the activities of the past week I've neglected my blog. Here's a quick run down of last week --

Wednesday - Kody's birthday. He was thrilled with the cupcakes at basketball practice and then is little birthday party. About a month ago, we were at Smith & Edwards (Todd's favorite "shopping" trip!) and Kody found some Healy shoes that were marked 75% off. To my surprise, they had his shoe size. He has wanted some for a long time but since they are about $75 a pair I wasn't going to pay that for a pair. (I don't pay that for MY shoes, and I LOVE SHOES!!!)
He got some golf stuff, some build-a-bear items, and some new clothes. I think he had a good day and enjoy his various activities.

Thursday - did yard work before weekend storm arrived.

Friday - Tyler had a doctor's appointment at Primary Children's Hospital -- a pediatric dermatologist for some warts he has (and that keep coming back) on his face. I had been to visit patients at PHC before but have never been a patient. I was so impressed with the facility, the doctors, and the staff. I have figured we could be there for a couple of hours but we were in and out in a total of 30 minutes! The doctor understood our situation of not wanting to go to SLC everytime he has a wart, so we are going to try a topic cream and see how that works. We do have to go back in a couple of months just for a follow-up but if things look good then we won't have to go again. After the doctor, we went to the Gateway. The boys played arcade games at the Sky Box, Todd sat and watched them and I went shopping. Shopping for levi's is one of my least favorite activities but I tackled it head on and found a pair that fit right and that I love. I just wish I would have bought two pair instead of just one -- I guess another trip to the Gateway is in the works!!

Saturday - was General Conference. I got up early and cleaned the house and started my MOUNTAIN of laundry (how do 4 people acquire so much laundry?). By the time conference started, I had most of my "have to" list completed and was able to watch/listen to conference. Such calming and reassuring messages were given.

Sunday - General Conference. Great day. Great talks. Great family time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KODY BEAR!!

Today is October 1, and it's Kody's 9th Birthday. He has been counting down the days for weeks now. We went to his basketball game last night and then went to Maddox to eat dinner with Scott, Marci and their boys. When we got home, there was a big orange banner hanging on our fence (Thanks April and Brooklyn) that said "Happy Birthday Kody". That made him sooo happy. The first thing he did this morning was check to make sure it was still there -- like it would really go anywhere overnight! Kody has basketball practice today so I'm going to take cupcakes to his practice and then we'll have a little celebration with grandparents and close friends at our house later tonight.

Kody is a kind, soft-hearted, and gentle kid. He loves to play basketball, baseball, and golf. He likes to play with his friends and can often be found living at the Godderidge's house. He loves to give and receive hugs, he always tells us he loves us and will blow me kisses when I drop him off at school -- how many more years will that last? He has deep, deep dimples that light up the room when he smiles.

Kody was due on Oct 12, but from the very beginning I felt like he would be born on Sept 30. If the nurse at the hospital would have called the doctor when I told her I was ready to have a baby, Kody would have been born on Sept 30 but instead we all waited, not so patiently, for the doctor to arrive. By the time he arrived, the clock had struck 12 so Kody was born just after midnight on October 1st.

Kody acquired the nickname Kody Bear from the very first time I saw him. It just seemed to fit him and his little personality. We often call him Bear at home and him will often sign little notes to us "From your Kody Bear".

We LOVE Kody and are so grateful that he chose to come to our family. We hope he has a great birthday.