S.I.X.

This is what S.I.X. looks like!

 We celebrated Brody's 6th Birthday(with his friends) the day before his actual birthday! Brody had taken a bath and was getting dressed. As soon as he was fully dressed, he turned to face John and I and looked at and asked, "Do I look like a 6 year old now?" Totally made us laugh out loud and then we told him he wouldn't look like a 6 year old until his actual birthday! I still can't believe that my baby is 6 years old.

Brody invited a few friends from his kindergarten class and we celebrated at BOUNCE U. They bounced and bounced. They jumped. They slid and they even bounced in the dark, with glow in the dark lights and a safety vest for the Birthday Boy. He is the crowd before they got wild.

 After and hour and a half of bouncing and sliding, we went into the party room to have cake and open presents.

The crowd goes wild and gets a little crazy!

Happy 6th Birthday to our sweet Brody!

12

It is so hard to believe that this sweet little guy/baby is 12 years old today.

Happy Birthday to our sweet, Car-Car!

He was up,dressed and ready for his special day by the time I got home from the gym(I attend the 5 am class). He woke up to his bedroom door wrapped and covered in birthday treats. John had already purchased his birthday donuts for the family to enjoy. He was patiently trying to to wait for me to get home so he could open his presents.

This is Carter opening the gift from GranRanSan(my parents-Randy and Sandy), he can already see what it is and he is one happy boy! It is a new 49ers hat. He was on cloud 9.

 Here he is opening one of the gifts from us. He is in shock because it is the baseball glove that he has been wanting/asking for. He had to start baseball practices without it because he didn't know he was getting it for his birthday!

 I love this photo! Brody had been busy creating presents for Carter. He he had even wrapped them all by himself. He had them placed on the kitchen counter with all of Carter's other gifts that had been arriving in the mail prior to his birthday.Carter opened up 2 pieces of birthday art from Brody! Carter made such a BIG deal about each gift. He ran right to his room to hang them on his bulletin board next to all of the other items Carter sees as important in his life(All Star photos, report cards, etc...).  It was very sweet.

 The birthday door. This is a fun idea that I got from my friend, Brenda! It is now a tradition that the boys looks forward to each year! We pick up a few of their favorite things and attach them to their bedroom door. A few of Carter's current favorites are : Licorice, sunflower seeds, Mio, gum, etc...

 I always feel bad about having to send them to school on their birthdays. I guess it is real life training though, right? We usually have to work on our birthdays in our adult years. John and I surprised him with lunch(Taco Bell) at school. He had baseball practice after school so I made his favorite chocolate crackle cookies to share with the team. He had Costa Vida for dinner, the birthday boys pick. We ended his day with cake, ice cream and really bad, obnoxious Happy Birthday singing  to this cute 12 year old! Happy Birthday, Carter!

37

Sigh! It is true. I am another year older. Guess what??? I am so okay with that. I am embracing my 30's and coming to terms with the fact that I am not 27 years old anymore. At age 27, I simply stopped counting my birthdays and left my age at 27. As I have enjoyed the last year, filled with some major changes in my world. I am looking forward to the year(s) ahead and the life I get to live.

I am truly thankful for the friends and family who showered me with so much love on my special day. I received lots of phone calls, FB messages, visits on my porch and many thoughtful gifts. I am one lucky girl. 37 is off to a wonderful start and I am saying "bring it on!"

Happy Birthday

Another birthday to celebrate at our house. Garrett is now 7. He reminded us several times a day, weeks leading up to his big day that all he wanted was a SF Giants jersey, a MLB SF Giants baseball hat and doughnuts. He was surprised to find his bedroom door wrapped with wrapping paper and presents attached to it. He tore it down before I could snap a photo of it, in fear of Brody snatching the candy and inhaling it. We hung it back up, hence the wrinkled wrap paper. I promise it looked nice when he woke up!






















Garrett's wishes were granted. We kind of threw him off by wrapping his presents(like the hat) in different boxes(like shoe boxes). He also received a Slip n' Slide, clothes, gift cards and cash. His birthday landed on a very busy Saturday(the older boys had a playoff game, team party and Mom had a wedding to attend). We made his morning fun and he ended his day with pizza,cake and ice cream. He loved the birthday phone calls from family and the Happy Birthday snail mail. What a great day! Happy Birthday, cute Garrett. We sure do love you!

another year older

{photo & cupcake courtesy of my super talented friend, Mer}

My 36th year of life is off to a great start. I was seriously spoiled from sun up to sun down. I was showered with yummy treats(see above cupcake...that was mine), flowers, texts, cards, emails, gift cards, homemade treasures,Facebook messages, photos in my inbox, and gifts. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and some pretty amazing friends. Thank you!
One of the best surprises was the birthday card/love note that I received via snail mail from John. He knows just how much I love happy mail. He timed it just right and it arrived in the mailbox on my birthday. I loved that!

Thank you for making me feel over the top, special!
I am anxious and excited to see what my 36th year of life will bring me.

Happy Birthday

I can't believe my baby boy is 3 years old today! We have been prepping him for his big day for the last month. He can tell you that his birthday is on May 14th and that he is going to be three. We have found him singing Happy Birthday to himself daily. It is a big deal...he is a big deal.

At age 3, here are a few of his favorites:
- he is enthralled with Toy Story 1 & 2.
- he informed us that he wants to go to cowboy camp (see above enthrallment).
- anytime we get in the car and the music is on,he will always ask you if it is John Mayer.
- ask him to sing you his John Mayer-Mayer-Mayer/ELLLLLLEEEEENNNN song. It is funny!
- he is always singing. oh how he loves to sing.
- he loves, loves, loves Books. We start each morning reading a few books. His favorite books today are the FROGGY books.
- he loves to play baseball. He has the catchers stance down to a "T" & loves to run the bases.
- he loves to dress himself and changes his clothes multiple times a day.
- he loves to count and sing his ABC's.
- he loves bubble gum...we just wish he'd chew it instead of swallowing it.
- he loves to be out front, riding his bike.
- he loves to go to nursery each Sunday.
- he can destroy his clean room in about 2 minutes flat.
- he is very independent. He wants to do everything by himself.
- he is bashful around strangers but once he warms up, he's your friend for life.

He is pure happiness in my world. He is my little companion on a daily basis. He makes me laugh and reminds to remember the simple things...like throwing pennies in the fountain and then falling in that same fountian :-). He reminds me that life is too short too stress over a messy little boys room.
Happy Birthday, Brody! I love you!

family fun

we had a super fun day with family. in honor of my mom's birthday, we made a day trip home to hang with the family & make my mom dinner. first stop, grandma & grandpa shores house. we sure enjoy visiting with them.














i had grandma pull out a few of her christmas cards so i could snap a picture. she sure enjoyed all of the cards that you all sent to her. she said that she has gained quite a few new grandchildren :-). thanks for helping to brighten her january.












next stop, my parents home. we enjoyed watching the kids play, we got to see malakai. he was injured in a soccer game the day before. he was casted from his thigh to his foot. we made dinner, watched my mom open birthday presents & enjoyed cake and ice cream.



















we are thankful that we are a short ( 2 1/2 hour) car ride from home. we all agreed that we need to get together more often, regardless of our children's crazy athletic events.

this weeks kit

here is a peek at this weeks, kit of the week. it is all about birthdays.i figured since tanner just celebrated his 11th birthday (and I took photos) that i better scrap his 10th birthday photos first...mission accomplished.


















even though my layout is all birthday, you could really use this layout for any occasion. it would be perfect for family photos, new years eve, park days, vacation and so on. in your kit, you will receive a whole package of luxe rub ons, thus allowing you to create the title of your choice. other products that were used in this kit are: american craft pattern papers, bazzill cardstock, creative cafe flocked brads, and my fiskars circle punches. this weeks kit is available at green tangerines (916-771-8010)
p.s. they will ship right to your door.

** Answer from previous post...the picture was taken outside of Green Tangerines -LOL. I wish it were from somewhere more exotic. We were running errands, picking up my pay check on Saturday night. The sunset, against the palm trees in the parking lot was amazing. Doesn't look like Roseville, does it?

From sun up to sun down, my birthday was fabulous. I have truly been blessed with wonderful family & friends. I was showered with phone calls, emails, snail mail, Facebook messages, gifts, visits on my porch & lots of LOVE...all day long. This package of green goodness from my parents/siblings arrived just in time for my big day. I love my new green purse that my parents sent me :-).

















My morning started with lots of this. Don't forget to pause the music(on the left).


Talk about melt my heart :-). He is still singing it every time he sees my Salt City candle burning on the stove.



I met my friend, Jan for lunch at Cost Vida, YUM!!! It is always fun to visit with her. We actually had lunch to celebrate both of our birthdays. Jan's birthday was back in August...life is just too crazy.





















{still working on those self portrait photos - note to self OPEN YOUR EYES, RAIMI -LOL}

I loved the treats & gifts that were delivered.So many fun thoughtful gifts.



I was able to sneak away & get my haircut today...a birthday treat to myself. I decided to chop my hair off & bring the bangs back. My friend, Susan did an awesome job giving me the haircut I envisioned. Thanks Susan!.

















The night before my birthday, I was watching TV in our room. I heard a bunch of noise out in the kitchen & I went to see what all of the noise was about. John was the one making all of the racket. He quickly kicked me out. Can you believe that... banned me from my own kitchen? I wish he'd do it more often :-)! I wasn't 100 percent sure what he was up to but once I caught a whiff of the sweet aroma, I knew exactly what he was doing. He was baking me a birthday cake...not just any cake, but a two layered cake. One layer was vanilla, the next layer was strawberry & in between was chocolate pudding. It was very Neapolitan looking & so yummy! I was very impressed. Thanks, John Boy!



















My boys were so excited to give me my gifts.




















I received New Moon movie tickets from John. We are seeing the midnight screening, on opening night -YAY! The boys picked out accessories(car charger, arm band for my treadmill) for my ipod & the new Tim McGraw CD. Love it all.

Seriously, I had the best day ever! Thanks for helping to make it SO WONDERFUL. I think my 35th year of life has gotten off to a great start.

Seriously, could he be any cuter?
My wonderful friend Amy offered to take some photos of Carter all dressed up in his suit to commemorate his 8th birthday & his baptism. When I saw these photos for the first time tonight, I could not catch my breath. He took my breath away(total proud mommy moment here). He is simply wonderful, inside & out. I am finishing up last minute preparations for his big day tomorrow. I am pulling the last batch of cookies out of the oven...chocolate crackles, they smell divine. I am tidying up the kitchen & completing his little sign in page(scrapbook style) for those who attend his baptism tomorrow. In case you haven't heard, it's going to be a BIG day around here tomorrow.

Happy Birthday (times 3)

Just wanted to wish a few special people a very Happy Birthday today!

Today is my brother, Tyson's birthday. He is the baby of the family. I still remember the day he was born. Amber & i had just returned home from school & knew something was up with our Mom. She hurried & got us ready for our ballet lessons. A friend of my Mom's picked us up & took us to & from ballet. I remember not wanting to go to ballet. I was very worried about my Mom. When we returned home from ballet, we discovered that my Mom had gone to the hospital. She had been in labor when we got home from school. Several hours later, we were please to learn that we had a new baby brother. Years later, I learned that my Mom almost lost her life while delivering baby Tyson. She had lost a ton of blood. I am so grateful that she recovered :). So grateful for both of their lives today! So today, I wish my baby brother, Tyson a very special Happy Birthday! We can't wait to see him & celebrate his BIG day next week.
{my brothers, Brandon & Tyson}

Tyson shares a birthday with my Aunt Carla.

{Aunt Carla is on the far left, then my cousin Kerstin & my Aunt Pam}
Carla is my Mom's sister. She has always been a 2nd Mom to me. I lovingly refer to her as the energizer bunny! She is constantly on the go & is always doing nice, wonderful things for other people. She ran a half marathon last week. Isn't that awesome for a 62 year old??? She really is a spring chicken. Love you Aunt Carla! Thank you for all you do for our entire family. We hope your day is great.

Last on the birthday list for Oct. 13th is Marie Osmond. I had the wonderful opportunity to work for Marie. I was the nanny for her children...back in the day when she only had 4 :). I lived with their family & traveled back & forth between Utah & LA with the kids while she worked on her sitcom, Maybe this Time. She is one amazing lady who never ceases to amaze me. She is kind, generous & just a really nice person! Happy birthday Marie!
I am not sure why this scrapbook page(from back in the day(we are talking 13 years ago) scanned in black & white instead of color-go figure)

October is a busy month with many birthdays! Please help me wish these amazing people very special Happy birthdays!

John's 40th Birthday Bash

John had an amazing 40th birthday! We ended up celebrating all weekend long. I hosted a FRIENDS party for him on Saturday night. We had dinner,dessert, & a great time chatting it up with good friends. It was nice to have a night among the adults. John received so many wonderful & thoughtful gifts from everyone. There were even a few gag gifts thrown in to help push him over the hill. I think the one that made us laugh the hardest was the dark, curly haired wig from Chris & Misty. John now has a full head of hair. Who would have thought at 40 he would have more hair than he knows what to do with :)??? I sent our guests home with a little goodie bag that had a few items that were invented in 1968:the aluminum can (soda), Post It Notes (the adhesive was invented that year), Hot Wheel cars & a CD we burned with music hits from that year. It was a fun night & we are so thankful to all who helped him celebrate.

Sunday was John's official birthday. We enjoyed having our families over for dinner & cake. We really appreciate our family members who traveled far to enjoy the afternoon with us. He was really spoiled by everyone this year. Thank you. I made him a scrapbook of his life (starting @ birth to the present) with some of the pictures I received from his sister. I will continue to add to the book & will post photos of that @ a later time.

I called John @ work this morning to see if he was surviving. we both agreed we need a nap. It was a great weekend! Enjoy your Monday!