Happy Birthday to my bro. Kendall

Kendall turned 19! shout horray! He is at BYUI and is getting ready to turn his mission papers. Happy Birthday Kendall!!!
here are some random Kendall facts:
1. Kendall loved to tell stories when he was younger. When began with "this one time" the were elaborate tales and very funny but never true!
2. Kendall has a funny sense of humor and always makes us laugh.
3. One year Kendall opened a bottle of shampoo for his one Christmas Eve present and exclaimed in dismay "shampoo???!!!!" we still get a good laugh out of that one!
4. He was the "favorite" child because of his red hair (until Travis came along!)
5. He loved playing soccer in high school and now plays on a rec team at BYUI.
6. In middle school he asked my mom if he could go by Kenny or Ken- she said no. (i think it is funny both that he asked and the she said no)
7. My nickname for him is Wendall. (i don't know why, but I have one for all of my sibs and my kids)
8. He is the most giving person- i love that about him.
9. He is a good and loyal friend.
10. He talked my mom into getting a dog when he was in HS. (my dad was/is totally against pets) she got it, he went off to school and the dog is still at home. There's irony for ya!
Happy Birthday! We love you!

Shout out to my cousin Brian and Bro-in -law Dave on their B-days

Sorry no pics for this one. I don't have any digitals and don't know how to scan the others yet. It is funny to have so many people born on NOV 1st!
Brian was one of my favorite cousins growing up. He lived in Idaho Falls (still does) so we didn't get to see each other much, but whenever we were up there for a visit- I spent every waking and sleeping minute with him. We would play all day and then all the kids would sleep on the trampoline in his backyard. It was a blast! We even went to Ricks (when it was called that) for a year together before he left on his mish. Good times!
Brian
1. Brian is the nicest person you will ever meet.
2. His room was SPOTLESS even in HS. I was amazed.
3. His "accident" stories are the funniest!
4. I would call his apt. at Ricks and leave singing messages
5. He drove me to the airport for my first ever plane trip. We almost died getting there (heading down the street with a big center divide) going the wrong direction is not a good idea!) and I was late. (and the whole time i was worried about the actual flight!)
I could go on and on, We have some great memories! Happy Birthday~ the big 3-0! YiKes! Love ya!

Dave
1. just the best Uncle- he loves all kids and they love him back
2. teases John (makes me laugh)
3. First Day Dave, sees almost every movie opening day- and is almost guaranteed to see most movies in the theater.
4. crazy driver (that is the truth)
5. He is anti-"rabbit food"and married Sarah who grew up mostly vegetarian. Ironic!
I am lucky to have great in-laws that I get along with and love. I wish I could post for all of them but there are a whole lot of them! But I am truely grateful for each and everyone! Have a great birthday Dave! We love ya!

That was no ANT!

Tuesday night (Sept. 30th) I was stung by a sCoRiOn on my baby toe in the kitchen when I was locking up the house. I went back to get a glass of water and I didn't turn the light back on. My first reaction was, 'I just got bit by an ant' (a big ant) but by the time I took the two steps to turn on the light I thought 'OWWW- That Was No Ant!' The little scorpion came running at me, the pain seared and I called for John to help. But he was sleeping and didn't hear me. So I ran and grabbed a shoe and killed the nasty little bugger. The affects were already taking over my leg. I crawled upstairs and woke up John. When he finally figured out what I was saying he ran downstairs to look for more (with the black light) He got me ice and water (since I never did get any) and some Advil. He brought the flashlight (blacklight) upstairs and shined it everywhere we went. It was a long night, but since I wasn't frothing at the mouth or experiencing blurred vision or paralysis (the symtoms to watch for!!!) I just hung out at home all night.
John has become the sCorPioN hUnTer! He has gone scorpion hunting every night since and has actually found a a lot of them- which really doesn't make me feel any better. But I guess at least there are less and less each night! SO if you see lights flashing around my yard, you'll know it is John on a hunt!
The blessings (in disguise); at least it was me and not one of my kids. And I would rather it be a scorpion, whose venom is a nuero-toxin (attacks the nerves) than a black widow or brown recluse whose bites are nasty with after effects that are nasty. Hense my acrachnophbia. Also I know a lot more about scorpions. (more than I ever wanted to!)

Happy Birthday Uncle Ricky!

My brother Eric turned the big 21 on Oct. 3rd. He is serving a mission in Denver Co. He is doing great and lovin' every minute. I am so proud of him and I love him and miss him tons.
Here are some fun facts:
1. I call him Ricky and my kids picked it up. It was a while before they realized his name was Eric.
2. Eric's alter ego when he was young was ZZhead, a name he gave himself. ZZhead displayed himself whenever Eric was hungry or tired!
3. Alexa couldn't say Ricky at first, so she called him "Rocky". He taught her to chant his name "ricky-ricky-ricky". Every once-in-a-while she will still give a Ricky chant.
4. Eric is an amazing baseball player.
5. He is an awesome artist (I am still waiting for my pictures- hint-hint)
6. He accidently memorized my musicals when I was in High School (not that he had a chance really) and he was like 9. The songs would get stuck in his head and drive him crazy. It was funny!
7. He is fun to be around and I like hanging out with him.
8. Eric loved candy when he was young and used to hide it all around his room. He could also be bribed with candy.(which sometimes came in handy)
9. He has a good eye and opinion about landscape and home intirior; color, furniture, layout, etc. Sorry future wife but Eric will definatley want a say in the home stuff!
10. He is a hardworker and a great missionary.
We love you and hope you had a great bIrThDaY!

Happy Birthday Justin!

Okay so I have some catching up to do!




Justin turned 6 on July 7th, and had a spy party. We had food, friends, spy training, and a spy cake. He had a great time.
Here are a few things about Justin: (keeping with tradition)
1. He LOVES airplanes and wants to be a pilot. (seriously every year he wants an airplane party and we watch the military channel for the planes- ever since he was 2 1/2, we have paper airplanes all over the house and lots and lots of toy airplanes and finally an airplane blanket that Grammie made him)
2. He loves to swim (good thing too b/c we live in the Valley of the Sun!)
3. He always wants to go somewhere and do something
4. He loves school
5. He loves going on bike rides (even in the blazing heat)
6. He is a great helper (when he wants to be) he empties the dishwasher and cleans his room on his own. When he is extra nice he will make Alexa's or my bed.
7. His favorite food is Korean and Pizza (not at the same time) and chocolate ice cream
8. His favorite movie right now is the Star Wars series. (I think it is all the flying- see #1)
9. His favorite colors are blue and red.
10. He is a Daddy's boy and follows him everywhere.
CCCCUUUUTTTEE!!!
We Love Our Justin! Happy Birthday Buddy!

So Sweet!

Tyson and Chelsie have a favorite blanket - it is the same blanket, one in blue and one in pink. Whenever we go into their room Tyson runs over to his crib and tries to pull it out through the slats. Sometimes he can get it but most of the time I have to get it for him. I aways change their diaper before naps and bed, and the only way to have Tyson hold still while I change him is to give him his blanket. The other day we went through the same routine. Get the blanket- change the diaper- then go get Chelsie for her turn. I layed her down and Tyson went and pulled her blanket out and brought it over to her. (The funny thing is sounded like he said "here-you-go!") So sweet- looking out for his little sis!

Birthday Girl!

It's June 2nd and Alexa turned 4! She has been partying for days, thanks to her birthday twin Jacob (our neighbor who's birthday is the same day and year and about 10 min difference!) We went to Chuck E. Cheese sat. for Jacob's party (they got Alexa balloons and made her feel it was her party too) and she got to pick out a new bike for her birthday, and with her party coming up- she is a lucky girl! In keeping with tradition here are 10 things from the past year about Alexa.

1. she is a chatterbox!

2. she is loves to color but somehow it always ends up all over her arms and legs, sometimes even clothes and the wall get in the way!

3. she hides her eyes when she is doing something wrong and I catch her in the act.

4. she LOVES baths and often takes 2-3 a day! (and she will sneak into any unsuspecting persons bath!)

5. she loves to shop and goes with me every time. (even the all-day marathon shopping). whenever we get into the car she asks if we get to go to the store. since the answer is usually no she asks the rest of the way if we can "please" go to the store.

6. she gets jealous when John holds my hand or hugs me. She pushes him away or pries his hand out of mine and then sits between us to make sure he doesn't sneak a kiss! (now we do it on purpose and laugh b/c she does it everytime!)

7. she loves to sing and dance around the house- so cute.

8. she is known to wear swimsuit and/or ballerina leotards all day long ~fall, winter, spring, or summer!

9. she changes her clothes many many many times a day and i find a trail of clothes all over the house

10. she is a snuggley cuddley bug and gives me hugs and kisses all day long

Alexa is a sweet and funny girl, and she makes me laugh all day long (most of the time!) we have a great time together. And we are so grateful to have her as a part of our family. Happy Birthday Alexa, We Love You!