Happy Anniversary!

Happy ninth anniversary, Pete! I can't believe it's been nine years! Our love has grown and become stronger through four kids and moving away from our families! I love you! You are my best friend and confidant! Thanks for always making me laugh and helping me to not take life too seriously! I love you with all of my heart!
XXXXXXOOOOOOO

Tag you're it!

I have been tagged by my two nieces, Liz and Kristy (and yes ladies technically I am your aunt even though we're all close to the same age)! :)

Here is Kristy's tag

7 Things about....Stephanie

1.I love to play board games. My favorites are Ticket to Ride and Puerto Rico. I also like Settlers of Catan, but it's really looooooooooooong!

2. I love to go shopping with friends! I especially love to go to Gymboree much to Pete's chagrin! Shaylee is always dressed to the nines!

3. I get up at 4:30 am to go to the gym 5-6 times a week! Thanks to my workout buddy, Amy! I've gotta lose this baby weight! :(

4.I love to talk on the phone when I'm cleaning, especially mopping the floor. I could relate to you on that one Kristy!

5. I love the Jazz! I am a basketball fan! It is so much fun to watch and play. Yes, even us short people can play basketball, too. My favorite all time player is John Stockton. I love Jeff Hornacek and Karl Malone, too. On this new team my favorite player is Ronnie Brewer. He is such a hustler! I'm so sad they didn't get to the Western Conference finals. Next year is their year!

6. I love my husband and children! I married the most awesome guy around! He puts up with my whining and temper and all my crap. He's fabulous! Really they should be at the number one position!

7.I hate math! It just goes right over my head! I had to study super hard to get decent grades in math.

Here is Liz's tag

Answer these 15 questions about yourself and tag five other people at the end of your post by leaving them a comment on their blog.

Joys
1. My Husband! and Children!
2. Going to Utah and spending time with my fam!
3. Baking (especially cookies)

Fears
1. Someone I love dying too soon :(
2. My children going astray
3. Heights!

Goals
1. Raising a righteous family
2. Getting my house organized from top to bottom
3. Reading the Book of Mormon by November (Stake Conference)

Obsessions/Collections
1. Shoes and purses (Pete thinks I have way too many of both!)
2. Shopping
3. Bow making

Random Facts About Me
1. I hate a dirty kitchen floor. I used to mop a couple times a week, but now that I have four kids it's more like once a week. But it drives me nuts until it's done.
2. I love being short! I know lots of short people don't, but I think it's fun!
3. I hate cooked fruit (i.e., fruit pies, cobblers, tarts, etc.)

I tag Gina. Aren't you glad you're my sister? I always tag you, Marci, Rebecca, Christie, and Melanie.

Mother's Day Tea

In the Kindergarten here the kids always have a Mother's day tea for their moms. I was able to go last year with Brandon and this year with Kenyon. Kenyon was so excited to show me all that he did for me. He wrote me a poem that he decorated and then I got this gorgeous hat that he made me. It was so much fun! The class sang us a song about mother's and then they served us cookies and punch. It was so cute to see how seriously he took my order and then got exactly what I wanted and served me! I loved it! He is such a sweet, funny and wonderful little boy. I am so grateful that I am his mommy!

Dairy Day

On Tuesday, May 6th, I went on Brandon's field trip to Dairy Day with him. We learned all about cows. The different kinds of cows, how to take care of them, how to milk them, where the milk goes, etc. It was really fun and Brandon loved it! I kept telling him that Grandma had cows when she was a little girl and she knows all about them. After learning about cows we ate icecream and then we had lunch together. It was a lot of fun. I love to be able to be with my kids when they go on field trips.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I just wanted to post a message to my mom and mom-in-law.
Mom- until I became a mother, I never knew the sacrifices that you made for me, my sisters and brother. Now as a mother I am amazed at all you did for us. I have no idea how you were able to raise six kids, a lot of it on your own in different countries, where you didn't know the languages or customs. You are amazing. You are also the most amazing grandma and my kids adore you! Thanks so much for your love, support, and utter devotion to your kids! We always knew we were number one in your book! I love you with all my heart!



Kathy-another amazing woman who raised ten kids who are all such wonderful people. Thank you for being such a great mother to my husband and a great grandma to my kiddos. You raised a man who is my best friend, the love of my life. Thanks for always being there for him and giving us such loving support! I love you!

A Perfect Day

On Sunday we had Stake Conference and we went to the ten o'clock session since one o'clock is so hard for my two nappers. Since we were done at noon we decided to take a picnic lunch to the temple and enjoy the beautiful weather. The kids love to go to the temple and see all the beautiful flowers and the fountains and pools. We had a wonderful time walking around and enjoying the peaceful feeling you have at the temple. There were two ducks at the reflection pool that were enjoying the temple as well. The kids enjoyed looking at them, but they were kind of afraid of them as well. It was such a fun day. I love to be able to just do simple things like that with my family that build memories, but don't cost money and don't take tons of effort. It was a perfect day!

Recital and Talent Show

Brandon started taking piano in December from my friend Karen. We are trading piano lessons for reading lessons. She teaches Brandon piano and I teach her daughter, Rachel to read. Brandon loves piano and is doing very well at it.

When Karen asked me if we would like to join some other women in the ward who teach piano and were having a recital on April 19th, I thought it would be a great opportunity for Brandon. He was going to play Star Wars in his school talent show on May 2nd, so adding the recital in would be good practice for him.

At the recital he played "Ode to Joy" and "Star Wars" he was nervous, but he did a good job! I was very proud of him.

On Friday he played for his talent show. He first played for the school at an assembly and then played that night at the High School for parents, friends and relatives. He did a wonderful job and he really enjoyed doing it.

Way to go Brandon!