BiRtHdAy WeEk!!!

With having two birthdays one day after the other, I really feel like we have an entire week of birthday celebration. It is all kinds of fun, and it tests my willpower as well. So here is how our Birthday week went this year.






On Tuesday I took Saige out for her birthday lunch. For those of you who know us well and you are looking at the calendar I am sure you are thinking, "why on Tuesday, her birthday is not until the 11th." Let me elaborate on the reason. We were taking a trip down to the valley on Thursday and so I wanted to make sure that Saige got her one-on-one time so she got to go out two days early. Saige picked to go to Sonic. She got chicken strips, tots and a PB CUP blast. She is such a fabulous little girl and I am so thankful that Heavenly Father sent her to me. She is such a joy!

Wednesday morning I woke up and made Sierra's requested breakfast of Breakfast Burritos.




At around 11AM I took Sierra out for her birthday lunch. She also went to Sonic where she ordered popcorn chicken, fries, and an oreo blast. We then drove over to Subway so I could get something to eat. Sierra is truly heaven sent. It amazes me how the Lord does know what he is doing. I definitely would not have chosen to have my first two kids so close together, but I know now it was perfect timing.

At 2:00PM I took Sierra's class Rice Krispie Treats. They totally loved that!!!




On Wednesday night we had Sierra's family party. She got to open gifts before dinner. She was totally excited to do this. She loved getting this chair. She has wanted one for about a year. She was saving her money for one that Wal-Mart had, but by the time she had enough money Wal-Mart had no chairs. So when Blake & I saw this chair we knew we had to get it and save it for her birthday.






Sierra's requested dinner was Sloppy Joes. Dessert was Marshmallow Brownies. YUM!!!!

On Thursday morning I got up and made Saige's requested breakfast of pancakes, sausage and eggs.

That afternoon I took Saige's class Rice Krispies Treats for birthday treats. I then checked her out of school and went over to the other school and checked Savannah & Sierra out of school.


We rushed home so Saige could open her gifts. She was so excited to be able to open her gifts in the afternoon cause usually we have to wait until dinner time. After opening gifts we crammed into the van and drove down to the valley because I had a business meeting to be to.






Because of that trip Saige did not get to blow out candles on her birthday, though her grandmother did make an amazing pineapple upside-down cake. So on Friday night we had her confetti birthday cake and she got to blow our her candles. She is still waiting for her requested dinner. Perhaps tomorrow night.


On Saturday we had a surprise birthday party for Sierra, since she did turn 10 on the 10th. I think she had her suspicions but she was really happy about it.


They played musical chairs, they made personal pizzas...


opened gifts....


had brownies and ice cream, played several other games and had so much fun being together. We had 13 kids in the house and no one got hurt.

So after a week like that I am so tired and ready for a restful week this week.

Where have you been????

For all of you out there wondering if I am still alive...... I AM!! Life has been such a blast since I last posted, thus I have been out living it, instead of blogging about it. The quick version of what we have been up to goes like this.


Sedona turned TWO YEARS OLD!


We drove to Utah to spend Christmas with my family. My mom organized this awesome activity with Santa (cause Grandma's got strings they can pull). The kids had a blast with this and they also go to put together gingerbread houses.








While we were there we went ice skating with Nate & Dodie's family, and Robert & Zach.






Thanks to Tyson & Dee who fed us and let us sleep at their house. We had an incredible Christmas morning with them. All in all we only had 8 kids there so even though it was crazy I could not help but think about the craziness that went on at my house growing up with 11 kids.


On Christmas Day we went and saw The Princess and The Frog (no pictures, just want to remember we did that) with just about everyone. If nothing else there was a lot of us there. After that we went to see the lights at Temple Square. Even though we lived in Utah for 5 years, we never once took our kids. So I wanted to make sure we did that while we were there. Poor Savannah & Sierra they just brought their new jackets so they were FREEZING!!!!




On Sunday before we went to church we were able to all get together and have a massive family photo shoot. Now I want you all to know that I LOVE MY FAMILY!! I especially love the fact that there are so many of us. So when I refer to things in large numbers it is truly a positive thing.




After church (where Whitney's baby was blessed) we gathered at my parents place for dinner and the official gift exchange. It was a mad-house to say the least (again this is a term of endearment). We had such a blast with everyone!!

We spent New Year's Eve at home with the kids. We invited a few friends over and just played and ate (I did not take any pictures of that, but it was fun none the less).




With the kids back in school they got their awards for the second quarter grades. Both Savannah & Sierra made it on the Superintendent's list. Way to go girlies!!!


Blake & I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. Yahoo!! I am so thrilled to be married to such an incredible guys. I am just thankful he has not figured out that I have him under a spell.





On January 22nd we had a snow day. So the kids had no school. So before the snow melted away we took advantage of our cliff in our backyard and went sledding. We also invited our neighbors over to enjoy it as well. Then we brought them all inside and warmed them up with HOT COCOA!!!


Savannah turned 11 YEARS OLD!!! We had a wonderful breakfast.




For lunch we have a tradition that I take the kids out to lunch, just me and them. So I took Savannah to Eva's (the best Mexican restaurant around).


We then rushed home and picked up the two pans of Marshmallow Brownies that I made for her class and took them to school. All the kids enjoyed the break and the treat.


Since we are not doing birthday parties this year (just way to much going on) Savannah had two friends over for dinner and a movie. Savannah picked to have Waikiki Meatballs and the two friends are Kaitlynn and Kiley.




Dessert was Mississippi Mud Pie. It took a little mishap when some younger sibling was being helpful by taking it out of the fridge. But it tasted DELICIOUS none the less. And....


the candles stayed up so Savannah could blow them out. Which she did. She was a little nervous on if she would be able to blow them all out since she did not get to blow out ten candles last year (she had dutch oven dessert last year and therefore we could not put the candles in it).






At the start of the year we implemented "Kid time" (I am still looking for a great name for this, so if you have ideas send them my way). Anyway, since I have five kids and there are five week days each day I (or Blake) gets to spend time with that one kid for an hour, doing whatever they choose. Saige picked to practice cartwheels. So I put tape on the floor and tried to teach her how to do it. She got better as time went on.


Blake and I got to go to another ACN training event. It was absolutely incredible. This company amazes me as to where they are going. We are thrilled to be a part of it.


Oh, and one day I am going to be as incredible as this lady. For those who don't know (which is most of you reading this) this is Mindy Deeble, my mentor.

After our last training session we hopped on the train and went to San Fransisco.


















We walked all the way from the train station to Pier 39. It was raining most of the time, but it was not too bad. We saw so many people running in it. Talk about motivated! It was such a blast! I have to give some praise to my amazing husband he was such a trooper. He was the only guy and had us four ladies on this trip. We did travel with some great ladies though, so that makes it easier.




Here is some of the beautiful scenery on the 14 hours drive back home. Things are green right now in California.