Happy Birthday Elena

Yesterday Elena celebrated her 16th birthday.  It was kinda hard to know what to do for her because she kept saying she didn't want anyone knowing it was her birthday, but then in the same breath said she would be kinda sad if no one said happy birthday to her.  So, we celebrated her day the way we celebrate the kids birthdays here in our house.  I waited until she went to bed, and then left several Happy Birthday signs about the house.  We let her open up her gifts before she left for school, and then had a nice dinner for her at the house and then had birthday cake for dessert.

It was fun having another person in the house to celebrate, and we enjoyed spending her special day with her.  I hope she enjoyed her day as well.   Happy Birthday Elena-  We Love You!!!

Fun with Grandparents

Grandma loving on some awfully cute kids!



If your wondering where Ellie is, she chose to stay home and watch TV instead of come have fun with us.

They sure are cute together.

My dad and step mom Anna May came for a visit this last weekend.  They came on Friday evening, and left Sunday afternoon.  We had lots of fun hanging out with them, creating memories.   Anna May taught me how to make a yummy white bean soup, and we enjoyed some shopping.  It was nice having them come up to our house, and the kids enjoyed getting to know a new grandma a little bit better.  Before they left Sunday afternoon I took them out to one of my favorite picture spots and took some pictures of them.  They turned out great, and I can't wait to enlarge one and hang it on our family wall.  The kids are looking forward to going to Southern Utah at the end of this month to see Grandpa and Grandma again.  I am glad my kids have a new grandma that they can make memories with.  They have both been pretty sad lately missing Grandma Oliphant and Grandma Westfall.  Thanks For the visit dad and Anna May, we sure love you guys!

Christmas Lights on the House

A few weeks ago Ray hung the lights on the house but ended up getting really sick, and was not able to climb back up on the house to plug them all in.  Sunday after my dad left Ray decided he was feeling good enough to get up on the house and get the lights all working.  Elena, Ellie, and Jake were as happy as could be when daddy told them they could get on the house with him and check out the view.  Jake acted like he won the lottery, it was so cute watching him strut his stuff up on the roof top. 

Ellie was too scared to move so she crawled to where she is in the pictures and stayed in the same spot the whole time the kids were on the roof.

Elena thought she was pretty cool climbing the latter.

Jake was so excited to climb the latter that he was giggling and squealing the whole time he was climbing up the latter!  :)

Withouth the flash in my camera

With flash

Thanks babe for puting up the lights, and for fixing them so they can be turned on this Christmas, even though you were not feeling well.  We sure love you and all you do for us!!!