Birthdays and Dreams

This year for my little ladies birthdays we decided that we wanted to give them each a special "experience" instead of the standard birthday presents. So we asked them if they could do anything in the world what would it be.

Emee choose to go to Horseback riding camp for 3 full days and had the time of her life. She learned a ton and LOVED being with the horses. I don't know if I have ever seen her smile so much.I was too sick to go and watch her so unfortunately we do not have a picture of her on the horse, darn it. But needless to say it was a cool few days for her!

This year we started the tradition that for the girls 12th birthdays they will have the chance to go on a special road trp with their Dad. We felt like it would give them some wonderful uninterrupted time together and would build some really fun memories. Hannah's dream ever since she could talk was to swim with the dolphins. So Eric and Hannah jumped in the car and drove all the way down to San Diego to Sea World so that she could have that chance. Hannah said that it was the best experience of her whole life, lol! Both she and Eric loved the whole trip!

Remembering our Little Hero:)

Well hello my friends! This week we have the opportunity to celebrate and remember my little "Peanut". I was thinking about it today and once again am so amazed at how quickly time passes!!!! It has been three years this week since his passing, which is actually longer than the time that we had him as a part of our lives. Sometimes it almost seems like his time with our family was like a dream. I can never think of him without smiling and remembering what a true joy and blessing he was to us. So little man... today we are sending hugs and kisses your way. We love you!

FINALLY! Our New Moon Extravaganza, Wahoo!

Oh My Lands! We had the FUNNEST New Moon Party back in November, and I am finally getting around to getting it all posted. We were lucky enough to have 74 of our good buddies, neighbors, and friends come and help us celebrate the new Twilight movie "New Moon". It was a blast and I loved every minute of it. (Oh I do love a good party, lol!)

We had the party at the very FABULOUS "Louie's Italian Restaurant" (in honor of the Cullens making "Italiano" for Bella) and the good people at Louies were better than amazing. Everything from the food to the service to the room itself was fantastic! So thank you to all of our new friends at "Louie's".

We had everything from the incredible Volturri Warriors who seated all the ladies as they entered the banquet room......(Thank so much to Austin, Aaron and Sulli! Aside from being extremely debonair and a little threatening, lol, you guys were such good sports and dealt well with all the screaming and giggling. We sure love you guys!)

to the fun raffle prizes.....





















to the quizes, and games.....


to all the fun decorations.....(By the way thank you to all my "Ladies" for once again helping me make this fun party happen, and to the "Hostess with the Mostess", for some fun ideas. I loved all the fun chats, shopping trips, late night phone calls, and most of all the decorating. You are truly the very best of friends and I love you all! OH I can hardly hardly wait for our next one, lol)

We also had the Twilight movie playing silently and the New Moon soundtrack playing, it was so much fun!

After our fabulous meal we all headed over to the theatre and the good people at the Regal Cinema allowed us to reserve 3 full rows of seats for our entire party.( I know, CRAZY) So thank you to the good people there AND to Chris for her amazing gift of influence with the staff there, lol!

Needless to say the night was perfect in everyway! Thank you to all you wonderful ladies who came and made the night so much fun! You all really made it so special, NOW on to the next party, lol! (Perhaps a Josh Groban themed party, lol. Now if I can only find a lifesize cutout of him:)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

Well hello my wonderful friends and family! I am finally making good on my New Year's resolution of being better at blogging, lol! I hope that you all had such a wonderful holiday season!

This Christmas was such an amazing and special time for me this year, and I think that I have felt so humbled to have been able to spend it once again with my little family. I have really struggled with my health these past couple of months and at one point lost the ability to walk for a short time. But as miserable as I have felt physically I can't help but feel like this Christmas was one of my most favorites!





















I loved EVERYTHING from the decorations to all the yummy smells.


To the Christmas jammies.




















From the fun gifts, to the kind acts of service that so many have given to us. (This year I made a special quilt for each of my little ladies. Each square had something special about our family. From pictures, to special songs, Caleb's favorite word, to our family hands. The rest of the squares were made up of all of Caleb's blankets. My hope when I was making them is that I could wrap my little ladies up in them so tight and that they would feel like they were getting a huge hug from each of us. So that each time I went to the hospital or each time we were separated they would feel their Daddy and I near them. They turned out so sweet. Tacky, but sweet, lol. By the way, thank you so much to all of my sweet "Ladies" who took so much time out of their own busy holiday preparations to make this dream of mine a reality, I love you!)





















And the daily reminders of why we celebrate the love the Savior has for each of us.


I was telling Eric recently that I am not so sure what made this Christmas so precious to me, I really can't think of one thing that really stands out in my mind. I just felt like EVERYTHING was so perfect, and I feel so grateful in so many ways!!!!

My good Bishop came by for a visit the other night and gave me some wonderful advice that I have been thinking about a lot lately. At times, I am a little ashamed to say that I have felt a little discouraged at some of the things that I am unable to do. Or when I don't have enough energy to keep up with all the ideas I am always having, lol. (And there seem to be many, lol)



But my Bishop told me that life is not about all the "BIG" things. The BIG parties, the BIG accomplishments, the BIG "Ah Ha" moments that sometimes are few and far between. But rather the little things that we stay consistent with every day. Continuing to do those small things every day that bring us closer to our family and to our Father in Heaven. In simple terms, "Slow and steady wins the race". So my "New Years" resolution this year is just that. To keep trucking along and to enjoy everything around me. To take those little steps each day, and not be overwhelmed at the lack of the BIG things.

So....Happy New Years my wonderful friends! I wish you all every bit of love and happiness that this year holds!!!!