Fourteen

This handsome guy . . . 

. . . turned 14 years old today.  I can't believe it.

Dave & I took him to lunch at Plucker's and then let him skip his last two classes . . . he was thrilled!  He's having a friend party on Saturday. 

 Tonight, we opened presents . . . 

 He's been wanting an official referee penalty flag because he likes to pretend that he's a referee.  It's actually pretty funny because he goes outside and pretends to referee a pretend football game!  He gets on his referee shirt and , if you watch thorough the window, you'll see him throw down the flag, wave his arms around, and yell at imaginary players!  He had made his own flag out of his old scout handkerchief but now he will have an "official" one!  We all tease him but he thinks it's the funnest thing ever!  :)  I actually think it's pretty cute and am thrilled that he still uses his imagination!

After presents, we ate hamburgers (Carter's favorite) and ice cream cake!

Happy Birthday Carter!  We love you!

Homecoming Dance

Last Saturday night was the Homecoming Dance.  

Taylor went with a bunch of friends!  

They all came to our house to get ready before the dance.  

Emily did everyone's hair, and Taylor did all of their make-up . . . 

Dave said, "I feel like our house has been taken over by girls!"  

Lauren LOVED watching them get ready!  They looked so pretty!

The whole gang . . . 

 They had a great time!

Sixteen

 Taylor turned 16 years old on Sunday.  I can't believe it.  There's something about that number.  She seems so grown up, so old, it's surreal.  

She had two friends spend the night Friday night.  

 Then, on Saturday, she met some friends at Jason's Deli for lunch.  Afterwards, they went to a local park to play volleyball for a couple hours.  

 Taylor showed us her mad ice cream cone making skills!

I found this recipe for a tye-dye cake on pinterest.  I made it Friday night to bring to the party (it looked super cute on Friday night).  When we woke up on Saturday morning, it had split into pieces and slid all over the plate.  The mistake I made was not trimming off the tops of the cake to make them flat before I stacked them.

  

Oh well, it still tasted good . . . and the inside was pretty!  :)

 Sunday, we went to church and then celebrated as a family.  

 Happy sweet sixteen Taylor!  We love you!

Never, Ever . . .

Taylor, Lauren, & Lauren's friend, Emily, made another video that I thought you might like! 

What do you think?  Pretty cute, huh?!
(FYI, they use "stage names" in the credits!)

Beautiful.

Taylor loves all things make-up related.  She is getting really good at applying it to herself and others.  Recently, she taught a make-up class to the young women at church and did a fabulous job.  Lauren loves to be her "model" and will let her "practice" on her any time!  While Dave & I were on our date tonight, they did just that and then took pictures.  These are a few of my favorites . . .

First Day of School!

Taylor's church leaders left her a little surprise . . . 

 It said, "Taylor, Arise and shine forth today and all year through!"  Our sprinklers got them a little wet, hence the "curling effect".

Taylor is a Sophomore this year.  I can't believe it.  In less than a month, she'll be 16!  

Carter is in the 8th grade . . . 

and Lauren started middle school this year!  She's in the 6th grade.  

I can't believe all my kids are out of elementary school.  I love the new schedule as I feel like I have more time than I've ever had before but I have started working for Silencer Shop so that "extra time" is already filled. :)  Here's to a great year!

Gout . . . a.k.a. g"OW"t

The past few weeks, Dave has been struggling with a Gout flare up.  It started when he had to fly to Europe for work.  Evidently, long plane trips can cause a flare up.  Can you tell which foot is hurting him?

Poor guy.  He's been pretty miserable.

Brace Face

This guy . . . 

now goes by "brace face" 

 or "metal mouth".  You choose.  :)

My Mom . . .

* she's beautiful

*she's smart

*she's classy

*she's brave

*she never gives up

*she has taught me so many things

*she is spiritual

*she's a goody two shoes :)

*she is scared to death of spiders

*she LOVES dessert

*she's patient

*she's a good listener

*she is the best Grandma ever

*she is creative

*she is kind

*she is witty
*she gives the best massages

*she  hates dislikes animals and most music :)

*she's caring

*she is always willing to help

*she's a good cook

*Carter said, "she always has a smile on her face"

*she is a t.v.-aholic

*she likes to watch movies

*she china paints

*I now realize that she gives good advice (like "tell them who your dad is!")

*she is a saint for putting up with my dad!

*she is emotional

*she cries watching commercials

*she has a great sense of humor

*she's calm

*she's clean

*she's irritating  interesting to "house hunt" with

*she's a retired speech therapist

*she's a mom to three & grandma to six

*she's pleasant

*Lauren said, "she's awesome!"

*she's the most Christ-like person I know

*she's funny

*she can laugh at herself

*she's a good example

*Taylor said, "she endures to the end"

*she is easy going

*she's a good friend

*she's talented

*she never complains

*she's fun to shock

*she is loved by many

*she is sixty something years old today!

*she's generous

*she's thoughtful
*she's sentimental

*she's the best mom ever . . .

. . . & I'm so thankful that she's my mom!  I love her.  

Happy Birthday!  We miss you.

Kittens!

Our kittens . . . 

. . . Cinnamon & Ginger, have settled in nicely.  

(We've changed their names from Nala & Kiara to Cinnamon & Ginger.  I wanted Sugar & Spice but the kids wouldn't go for it.)  We love them!

We had them de-clawed, so they had to wear cones for a few days . . .

 It didn't seem to faze them at all.  

They like to sleep in Maggies crate . . . 

and play in our shipping supplies . . . 

We think they're pretty cute!

Dave's back . . . finally!

After two weeks in Europe, Dave finally made it home!  He got home just in time to celebrate our 18th Anniversary.  It was the best. present. ever!  We really missed him.  The kids made him . . . 

 . . . a welcome home sign!

We're so glad he's back!

18 Years . . .

Eighteen years of memories.  Some of my favorites . . .

*  On our wedding night, room service entered our suite unannounced.  They got an eye full.  We were mortified.  :)

* Getting asked (& paid $10) to pose in a Motel 8 brochure while we were on our honeymoon . . .

~ Isn't he dreamy! ~

* Our first apartment in Rexburg, Idaho.  It was the dead of winter, we couldn't afford to run our heater all the time but we would turn it on long enough to change for bed or to shower.

* After a very long labor, Dave was admiring our first born.  Our friend, Tonia, was in charge of the video camera.  She was commenting on how cute Taylor was.  Dave wasn't so sure.  Tonia said, "Well if she were 16 and looked like this..." when Dave interrupted her saying, "If she were 16, she'd be in special ed whether she needed it or not!"  Yes, I have that endearing comment on camera!

Don't worry, she got much cuter!

*  In our church, babies are given a name and blessing usually within a couple of months after they are born.  Dave blessed Taylor that she would, "be a good person, and always be strong in the Church, that she would be able to get married in the temple to a decent person ~ a guy."  I think we all heard chuckles in the congregation!

*  Watching Dave's sweet bond with Taylor develop . . .

I chose a good man to be the father of my kids!

*  My parents were on their way to our house when I went into labor with Carter.  Dave wanted to make sure everything was done so that my dad wouldn't try to "help out" while we were at the hospital.  (We love you dad!)  So, Dave was frantically cleaning the garage, mowing the yard, changing the oil in the car.  Meanwhile, I was inside dying.  I don't think either one of us realized how far along I was.  I'll never forget the look on Dave's face when my water broke.  He was as white as a ghost! We barely made it to the hospital in time.  Carter was born 7 minutes after arriving.  I remember Dave saying, "He looks like a Vinnie!"

*  Dave was on a business trip.  He was working for a company called Net Schools.  They were setting up for a conference and were all working hard, except this one guy who was sitting down with his feet up.  Dave was irritated that he wasn't helping and said to him, "What are you somebody important or something?"  The man smiled up at Dave and handed him a business card.  It read, "Tom Greaves, President & CEO of Net Schools Corporation"  Dave replied, "Oh!  I guess so."  We still laugh about that to this day.

* Watching Dave with our kids.  He's such a great dad!

* Taking the kids to Disney Land . . .

and Disney World . . . 

*  Dave teaching our kids how to make the best faces . . . 

*  After living in Utah for 8 years, Dave got a great job opportunity in Texas.  So, we decided to move our family.  We have loved it here and consider it our home.  Lauren fit right in as a Texan!  :) 

 And we have been fortunate to live close by the kiddos cousins . . .

* Trips to Oregon to visit Dave's Family . . .

* And trips to Wyoming to visit my family . . .

* Dave & I completed the CERT training program and got to participate in the Fire Academy Training as well!

* To celebrate our 15 year anniversary, we took an amazing cruise to Alaska.  It still ranks as one of the best vacations either one of us has ever been on!

We highly recommend it!

* Starting our own business, Silencer Shop, has been a crazy, fun, and stressful ride but I am so proud of Dave.  It has been a neat thing to see unfold.  He has always been a hard worker.  That is one of the things that I love most about him!

* Our trip to Maine last summer was another high light for us!  

We drove to Washington D.C. then on to Maine where we spent a week on our friends island.  We left Maine and headed to New York City, Niagra Falls, Missouri, and home! 

I am so grateful for all of the wonderful memories.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I love you Dave!  Happy Anniversary!