Mickies and Minnie

I keep forgetting to post these pictures of the kids with their prizes that we bought them from Disneyland. It's what they wanted, so they were happy. Although, Tyson didn't like to keep his on, it was tricky to get a picture with it on his head. We even had their names sewn on the backs. They have had a lot of fun with them already.

A first for everything!

Yesterday I had a first. It was the first time in my life that I tested positive for Strep! Don't know how I got it, but I'm trying my hardest to keep it to myself and not share it with others. I thought I just had a sore throat and was drinking Air Borne night and day to get rid of it. It wasn't until Friday night that I had fever, chills, and ear aches, which equals not much sleep. So, Saturday morning, Brian talked me into going to the Instacare and getting checked out. When I learned I needed a prescription, I was glad that I went. Anything to help get rid of it faster. Brian has come to my rescue once again picking up my slack yesterday vacuuming, cleaning, and grocery shopping. Don't know what I would do without him.

Cali's Quilt

Last weekend when we had Ashlee's bridal shower, I gave in and decided to give Cali her quilt for her baby girl that is coming in June. I was trying to wait for a baby shower, but I was too excited for her to see it. So, here is the final product. I just loved how it turned out and Cali loved it too! The machine quilting is my favorite part. It was a small enough project that I was able to machine quilt it on my machine. For those of you who wanted the pattern, sorry, I don't have one. I cut my squares 9.25, 6.5, 4.5, and 2.5 inches. I think I bought 11 or 12 fat quarters (plus binding and backing) and I have a lot left over. I'll make another one someday....

CHA 2008

Brian and I were able to enjoy a week in the sun (well, partly sunny) to attend the Craft and Hobby Association Show to work our booth for Brian's business called Onlineitools.com. This is the first time that I was able to help with the business. We were able to talk to a ton of people and get a lot of new customers. We did a lot of advertising that really helped get people to come in and find out more. My favorite advertisements were the banners on 4 different shuttle buses.

We did find some time to play too! We enjoyed both Disneyland and California Adventures. My favorite rides were the ones that I had never been on before like Soarin' Over California, California Screamin' and the Grizzly River Run. We also rode the Tower of Terror for the first time, but I wouldn't put that on my favorite list. We got cute Mickey t-shirts for our souvenirs this time. Overall, it was a great trip and some good time spent with my hubby! However, I am really surprised I don't weigh more after eating so much good food!

A big thank you to my mom for holding down the fort at home. It was really nice for her to come to my house so that my kids could go to school on Valentines Day. Thank You!!

My Cute Baby

For the first time I haven't wanted to do a new post, since it would push Brian's cute post down the page. But, I couldn't resist showing you how cute my baby is. These are the 1 year pictures. I love how they turned out, but it also made me sad to see that my baby really isn't a baby any more! It was tricky to get good pictures, since he kept walking away, but we still got some good ones. Tyson is such a fun boy!

My Sweetheart

It's not often that I make a post on our blog, since Holly does all the work here including taking pictures, editing the XML template, writing the messages, and checking back often to see if anyone commented on her hard work. Now it's MY turn to write a few things that you will never get from her writing this blog.

Holly and I have been married nearly nine (9) years. It doesn't seem like we've been married long, but that number sounds big! With it came college, 3 kids, a handful of jobs and places we've lived. There has been laughter, promises, fun, tears, compromises and a feeling of satisfaction from having experienced our lives together so long and having a deeper rooted relationship founded upon love and eternal perspective. Having kids has definitely added challenges and complexity to our lives, but it has also defined us as a couple. We understand the difference between "us" time, "family" time, and "kids" time.

Holly has been the factor in my life to allow me to become who I am today: she is a supportive wife and mother who puts a lot of effort into taking care of the details around the house and with our kids so I can accomplish my duties as a provider. I especially appreciate the activities she does with the kids. Some days I will come home and she will say, "I was a really nice mom today." and then tells me what fun things she did with the kids for them to have fun playing outside, going out for lunch, or some activity that usually requires a lot of cleanup, effort or time (play dough, bike rides, parties).

As a wife and partner in this business of Family, Holly takes care of the family finances. She keeps the checkbook balanced to the penny, pays the bills, taxis the kids (Kaylee & Kyler) to school and activities, makes dinners, gets the kids ready for the day, holds down the fort while I'm at Scouts or on a campout, and helps our household run. She updates me on what's going on and reminds me of events I forgot to put on my calendar.

Holly truly cares about a lot of people which is evidenced by her thoughtfulness and service. When someone (usually a family member) needs some help mending some clothes with sewing, Holly steps in and saves the day. She loves to surprise people by helping them when they really need help most. She goes to great lengths to put together a mail package of fun things because she knows how excited the recipient will be to see and open the unexpected surprise. She is generous when it comes to payback. When she pays for services, she makes it well worth the time for the other person. She loves to pay babysitters well for their help -- so they will be excited when we call them next time. Instead of thinking "What is the least amount I can pay?" for a haircut, pedicure, or similar service, she instead asks herself "How much was that worth to me?" and "How can I make this a valuable exchange for both of us?" Her generosity extends into all her relationships and her friends and family know that she never wants to take more value from the relationship than she gives. She often feels indebted to friends who have helped her and she tries hard to find out how she can return the favor. From her actions we've learned that she gives to others what she most desires (her love language) - Acts of Service.

Who is Holly? She's a loving, talented, and cheerful wife and mother who we love to have in our lives. Similarly to how the popular "Stacy's Mom" song goes, "Kaylee's mom has got it goin' on!" We love you Holly and are glad you're in our lives!

-- Brian & Kids

This is my kind of service!

Our ward is participating in a stake humanitarian project. We are making over-sized bibs for rest homes to use. They were easier to make than I thought they would be. I just put bias tape around the edges and velcro at the top. It was nice to do something for someone else, and at the same time still getting to sew. I can't think of any service project that I have enjoyed more! :-)