730 Days

It is crazy to think that I have had this little guy in my life for a whole 730 days!

For all you non Math whizzes out there...it has been 2 years.

(Saying 730 days just makes it seem longer)

We plan on celebrating with extended family tomorrow evening.

Today our little family will shower him with attention and love.

Tomorrow I will reflect on how he came to be in my new segment

Feel free to join in with me.

It doesn't have to be a birth story.

Just a moment in your life that has had impact either for good or bad.

I can't wait to curl up and read about your stories!

Girly Time

Dear Sydney,

Today I turned 30! That is the age that seems to make people feel REALLY OLD! You wanna know a secret? You aren't really old when you turn 30...in fact it is almost the opposite. I am so thankful to be the age I am because that means that I have you. If I was still in my early twenty's I would be enjoying life with out you in it.

Instead I was able to enjoy my birthday by taking you along with me. We went and got haircuts and pedicures. It was so much fun.

I loved being able to sit and talk with you about "all the pretty colors."
I loved seeing your big smile when when we chopped our hair.
I loved watching you suck on your 'yummy' sucker waiting patiently to have my hair done.
I loved watching you grin ear to ear, and stare at your fingers as they were drying in the pretty pink shade.

Life at 30 is great. In fact it is fabulous. I have a wonderful husband, 2 handsome sons, and a very beautiful daughter....by the way...that is you. I am so thankful that I continue to grow up. That I get to spend my days helping you and your brothers. So many things would not be possible if time stood still. Aging is a wonderful thing. I am just thankful that I can share it with you!

I love you so much my lil' Syd.

Love,
Mom

In Honor of my Birthday

Today I am 30! I still can't believe it, but I am looking forward to what life awaits for me. It is hard to believe that I am what I thought was soooo old, but here I am. I feel young, and happy. I am thankful for what I have experienced this far.

Since I have been a lazy blogger I thought I would repost this from last year. Enjoy!

I thought I would share the email that my sister Nancy has compiled. She sends this to everyone a little bit before their birthday. It is stock full of all the different things you can get for free on or around your birthday. It is great because it means we get to celebrate all month long! Alot of these are here in AZ, but there are still some that are available in other areas. Just check to see if there is a location near you.

I.D.’s or birth certificates are usually checked and you must do these on your actual birthday:

Hollywood Video: free video rental
Joe's Real BBQ: free lunch or dinner
Joe’s Farm Grill: free lunch or dinner up to $10
Korean BBQ on Northeast corner of Alma School & Guadalupe: free meal
Outback Steakhouse: Free Blooming Onion - W/Photo ID
Krispy Kremes: Free Dozen Donuts (right now the only one open in AZ is at Power & the 60)

I.D.’s are not usually checked:

Most restaurants will give you a free dessert on your birthday so I don’t usually list those unless it is a little different

Red Robin: free birthday sundae plus free dinner if you are signed up for their email list below
Mi Amigos: free dessert with a Polaroid picture of you on your birthday.
Chevy’s Fresh Mexican: free dessert, song, and sombrero
Claim Jumper: Free mudpie
Macaroni Grill: free chocolate cake and Italian opera singer to sing Happy Birthday
The Gilbert House: Free dessert
Oreganos: Free Pizookee (half baked cookie with ice cream on top)

Some websites that have sent me freebies on my birthday (What’s great about these is you usually don't have to use them on your birthday -allowing you to spread the freebies out longer throughout the month- most give you 1-4 weeks to use them):

Register at any Danny’s Family Car wash for their rewards program and you will get a free birthday car wash, a free wash for joining plus other goodies!

Register for the Abuelo’s e-Club and they will send you a card for a free appetizer just for registering and then a free entrée on your birthday and on your anniversary!

Register for the Golden Spoon eclub and you will get a free frozen yogurt coupon emailed to you on your birthday plus other coupons throughout the year.

Register for the Dukes email club and you will get an email for a free meal on your birthday, they will also send you other freebies throughout the year. All of their locations are in Washington – works out great if you are in the Seattle area.

Register at Arizona Auto Wash and get a free car wash on your birthday-you can register the day of your birthday too!

Register for Z'club at Z Tejas and they email out a coupon for a free meal or $10 off your order.

Register for the email club at Pasta Pomodoro and they email out a coupon for a free entrée.

Register for the Souper Fresh Club at Souper Salad and they email out a coupon for a free buffet.

Register for the Birthday Club at The Keg and get a free prime rib dinner on your birthday- you have to register at the restaurant and they send you a postcard by mail. (This is by far the best one on this list! The meal is worth $30!...and the food is amazing!)

Register for the Club at NYPD Pizza at any of their locations and they will email you a coupon for a free dessert on your birthday.

Register for Marie Callenders at a location and they will send you a coupon for $5 off an entrée and a free piece of pie.

Register for the eclub at Red Robin and they will send you a gift for signing up and then a free burger on your birthday (which you can use on any of their entrees.)

Register for the mailing list for Malees and they will send you an email good for an entrée up to $19 for free!

Register for the email list for Maggiano’s and they will send you a coupon for $10 off of a $20 purchase.

Register for the free birthday dinner at The Vine Tavern & Eatery and they will send you a postcard for a free dinner up to $10

Register for the Sonic Cruisers Club and they will email you a free cream slush coupon on your birthday.

Register online at Damon's Steakhouse Buy 1, Get 1 Free Entree, Birthday song and More!

Register online at Daphne's Greek Café, Join their eClub and get a free meal on your birthday as well as other discounts

Register online at Quiznos Subs and get a Birthday Gift

Register online for Rockfish Restaurant and get a Free Item near Birthday - Locations: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina

Join the Pig Club at Famous Daves and get a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY GIFT ( maybe a piece of birthday cake, an appetizer, some ribs, or even an All-American Feast! )

Register for Buca di Beppo’s e-club and receive a free dessert

Register for the Subway Birthday club and get a free 6 in. sub for your birthday

Register for the Juice it Up! SmoothE club and get a free birthday gift.

Register for the Peter Piper Pizza eClub and you can sign your kids up for the birthday club to receive a postcard for a free kid pizza

Register for Auntie Anne’s perfect rewards club at and you get a coupon every month.

Just for kids:

Baskin Robbins Birthday Club: get a free ice cream cone

Marble Slab Creamery: for a free ice cream cone (kids under 12)

California Pizza Kitchen:free kids meal

Medieval Times (they send you a free kids admission ticket): this is offered at the Dallas Texas location email dallassecretary@medievaltimes.com your childs name, complete mailing address, and date of birth to join the kids birthday club.

Bob Evans Restaurant Birthday Club: free kids meal coupon

Chevys Fresh Mex Restaurant: you have to register at the location and they send you a card for a free kids meal on your birthday.

Burger King: Join the BK Kids Club at any location you can get an application and they will send you a coupon for a free kids meal in the mail.

Sonic: Join the birthday club for a free wacky pack kids meal on your birthday at

Bookmans: Join the Kids Club at any Bookmans and receive $5 postcard for your birthday plus 10% off all year plus a membership kit with cool stuff.

Denny’s: For kids under 10 – you can get the form at Denny’s or on the web, mail it in and you will get a free entrée and sundae on your birthday.

Let me know if you find any other great freebies to add to my list and have fun!!

A Disney Birthday

My love,

On June 12th you turned 31! You decided you wanted to go to Disneyland for your birthday. We made a short trip out there, and stayed with Derek and Shannon. It was great to see them again after reconnecting with them at the Spain Mission reunion.
I still can't believe that we now are what we thought of as 'OLD' when we were young. Oh how naive we were. It is great to realize that our life, in some ways, is just beginning. We are still young, and have so much ahead of us.

As I sit here, I am so grateful that you were born. How different my life would be if you weren't in it. You have enriched my life in so many ways. Thanks you for being you...here are a few reasons why you are so great.

• making me laugh each and everyday
• giving me 3 of the most beautiful children.
• living worthy to hold the priesthood
• being so smart when it comes to finances. I know I complain alot about your 'frugality', but I also find so much comfort in knowing we will never stretch ourselves beyond our means.
• your passion for politics. It may seem at times that I tune out the shows that you watch, but I try to pay attention.
• your dedication to your job, and providing for me and our family. You really have given me more than I could have ever asked for. I am so thankful that you go to work every day, and work so hard. I have no clue and can't begin to understand exactly what you do, but I know that you are valued. I am thankful that you are in a job that appreciates your efforts.
• I love dancing with you. We don't do it much anymore...but I can still picture in my mind the first time we met. You are one crazy dancer
• Your voice is one of the most heavenly sounds ever.
• blue eyes
• dimples
• computer skills
• exercising...I have been so proud of your dedication to running everyday!
• your ability to drive and put your shoes on at the same time. It freaks me out, yet makes me laugh at the same time.
• watching you do you "big splash". The kids and I look forward to it every day.
• seeing you nap on the couch after a long day at work.
• letting me have some one come and deep clean our house. It truly is the best gift ever.
• going to the movies with me...yes we do it alot, but I still love it.
• hearing you laugh. It is as infectious as listening to our kids giggle.
• The silly faces you make...especially this one.

Happy Birthday My Love
I hope you had as much fun as I did!

I think he liked it

On Saturday we had a party to celebrate for Thomas.

We had lots of yummy mexican food.

Thomas got lots of fun toys (what he liked) & lots of cute clothes (what mom liked)

We then sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

Which made him cry (Sydney did the same thing!)

Then it took him a bit to calm down, but in the end...I think he really liked it!

Yummy!

Dear little man,

This time last year I looked like this...

Only a few more hours and we were "Surprised" by your entrance to this world. Everyone thought I was crazy for carrying around that envelope, but it really just made me grin every time I saw it. In the end I really didn't care if you were a girl or a boy. I knew I would love you no matter what....and I was right. I really can't get enough of your infectious grin. My heart melts each time I hear you giggle. You are the most content and happy baby. I love you more and more each day. My how you have grown!!!! Here is a little blast from the past!

Happy Birthday Thomas!!!

We love you, and are so thankful to have you in our family!

Cakes

When I was working on the kids latest birthday post, I was going through lots of photos. I ended up looking at alot of their previous birthdays, and seeing the variety of cakes that I have made for them over the years. I thought I would share with you my 'sucesses' and 'failures'.

When Caden turned 2 we had a 'duck' party. This was a bath tub...the center had blue jello. The kids got a kick out of it.
This was for Caden's 3rd Birthday...Didn't quite turn out how I would have liked. It was supposed to be a Firetruck. :) Atleast Caden didn't realize how bad aweful it looked!
Sydney's First Birthday and also my first attempt with fondant. I was really happy with the results.
This was the year Caden turned 4 & Sydney turned 2...I was lazy and made only one cake.
This turned out okay...I ended up running out of time, and wasn't able to frost it until during the party! Considering how crazy the day was...I was pleasantly surprised.
This was the latest cake. I used a Wilton cake pan. Sydney loved this one & I was really happy at how well it turned out.

Do you make or buy your kids cakes? If you make them...I would love to see some pictures. Does anyone know of a good cake decorating class? I would love to learn more!

Birthdays

On the 13th of September our Caden turned 5!

He had his very first 'friend only' birthday party.

I hadn't seen him so excited about a party ever.

The Superheroes all had a wonderful time

The following day the family got together for more cake and ice cream.

He ended up with a new bike, and a whole bunch of new goodies.

Then on the 29th of September our little Sydney celebrated her 3rd Birthday.

I still can't believe that this little girl is 3.

It has all passed by in such a blur.

She is a true princess in every shape and form.

Since Caden got a bike for his birthday...we had to get one for Sydney too.

Whenever we asked what she wanted all she would say is 'a bicycle!'

After gifts we blew out the candles on her Ariel cake.

She couldn't have been any happier!

Having birthdays so close together make things pretty crazy. I think we are going to have to start implementing a rotation so that I am not having to do double birthdays every year.

Do you have a big birthday party every year for your kids? Or only on certain years?

29 Years

On Thursday, July 3rd, I celebrated my 29th birthday! I still can't believe that I am 'that old'. Really, I don't feel old, but I remember when I was younger anything over 22 was 'really old'. It is funny how perspective changes things. I have so much more life to live, and really life has just begun!

My day was pretty relaxing. My mom and little brother Michael came over in the morning. They helped me clean my house. It really wasn't that dirty, but it was nice for the help. We ended up going out to lunch with my parents & Michael at Olive Garden. Shawn had worked from home that day, but had a conference call when we were going, so he had to stay home. I could have gone to Joe's Farm Grill for a free meal, but Olive Garden sounded better...and my dad picked up the tab...so it was free anyway! It was nice to spend some time with my parents and my little brother.
After we ate, we swung by Krispy Kremes. I am so glad that someone was smart enough to open them up again. Before they closed a few years ago, on your birthday you could get 6 free donuts and a mug filled with your choice of beverage. Since it was owned by someone new, I didn't know if they still did that. I went through the drive-thru, and told them it was my birthday. All I had to do was show some I.D. and they gave me a DOZEN FREE! They were heavenly!
We ended the day by going to good ol' Joe's Real BBQ with our little family. I love the food there! It is all fresh and homemade....and yes, on your birthday...they give you a free meal. We left stuffed and fully satisfied! Kinda silly, but I look forward to it every year.
Caden is going to help me pick out a new watch for his gift to me. Any suggestions of where I should look for a good one? Shawn always has a hard time figuring out what to give me he referred to my 'list' that I had made last year. We got a laptop! I am excited to have one that is actually mine (I have been using one that one of Shawn's clients has lent him...so it may get taken back.) It is just nice to have something that is portable so I can keep an eye on the kids while I am on the computer! (I am actually trying to convince him that this gift was not really for me, but for the family...and want to get a mixer....I hope I can find one.) It was a great day. A clean house, great food, and lots of phone calls through out the day wishing me a 'Happy Birthday'...who could ask for more!