Another Birthday...

We had a fun-filled week. Scott wasn't able to go to his game convention because of the Parade of Homes and the fact that it is our business' biggest week of the year. We usually get a few build jobs from it and anything right now is a blessing! So, he decided that he wanted to have the first annual "SADACAD Game Convention" at home. So, Monday he took off work early and we played game tournaments with the boys, winning cash prizes and adding a little something if they were able to beat me or Scott. Alec and Calvin got the bonus. Anyway, it was REALLY fun and it was much needed. I am pretty sure this is the start of a new tradition.

We had Dallen's birthday this week. He turned 9 years old. It is weird to see him as the tail end of kids and how it just seems to be going fast. People used to tell me all the time that I should just enjoy them when they are little because it will go by fast. Now I am starting to see their point. On Monday, most of the family in town was nice enough to come over and celebrate both Dallen and Ashton's birthdays. Then on Thursday, it was Dallen's actual birth day, so he wanted to go to "Pirate Island Pizza" for his birthday. I think we have gone there every week for the past month. Anyway, it is like a Peter Piper (pizza and archade), but it also is totally decked out like the Pirate ride at Disneyland. It's a fun and different place. The boys and Scott and I gave all our archade tickets to Dallen and he ended up with 2,750 tickets! It was fun. He bought a lava lamp. He also got a leopard gecko for his present (cage and everything), and then with the money he got for his birthday, he bought another gecko so that the other one wouldn't be lonely. He carries them around everywhere. We have to keep telling him that they need their heat lamp and they need to be in their cage for the most part. Anyway, above are some pictures of his day. Scott decorated his cake because I had to go somewhere and it has just been crazy trying to squeeze in working at the Parade of Homes because it is 3 hours out of our day that is already packed!

On Wednesday, Calvin and the other Young Men at church, made their parents a steak dinner and served us to say thank you for helping with all their scout stuff. I am not sure I have really helped, but I do make sure that they go to all the weekly stuff. Anyway, it was good and then it was funny because as soon as the parents were fed, the boys CLEANED HOUSE with all the rest of the food. I am sure Calvin ate the same as what Scott and I had together! It was fun, though.

One last thing that happened this week is that I chopped my hair to a bob, just above my shoulders. My friend cuts hair and I had wanted it the week before, but usually when I am in that mood, it passes and I am okay with my hair again. Well, this time it went on for a week and I had told her that I almost called her, so she texted me and asked if I still wanted it cut because she had some time this week. I realized I still wanted it cut and so I went for it. Scott had no idea and to my surprise was a little sad, but he is okay with it now...what could he do? I love it, though, because I finally have a cut that I can wear my hair curly (I have tons of natural curl, if you didn't know), and I don't feel like a frizz ball. Maybe I'll take pics. I hate taking pics of myself, but I might get brave!

He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not...HE LOVES ME!

Last week I felt like I was in a funk...we all were in a funk. The kids were on one and I was telling Scott that I just wanted ONE DAY where the house stayed clean and there was no fighting and we could all just have a great day. Well little did I know that he had this already in the works. Monday morning I woke up, as usual, at 6:00 am to get the kids ready for school. Got them going, and then ate and then I went upstairs to shower and get ready for the day. I walked into my room and the bed was made and there was a post-it note telling me how much I am appreciated and loved, from Scott. It was short and sweet. I thought, "wow, that was nice". Then I walked into the bathroom and there was another one on the mirror! Then when I came out of the shower, Dallen had left me three on my bedroom door. They seemed to be everywhere! I was starting to feel like a princess instead of a servant. Then I went downstairs and the whole downstairs was spotless. The dishes had been completely done, counters clean, floor clean, table wiped, etc. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was seriously a dream come true. How can your day go wrong when it starts like that? I kept asking myself if it was a holiday I had forgotten...nope it was just a day. Through out the whole day I kept finding post-it notes filled with appreciation and love and flowers on my desk at work. I felt very loved and appreciated by the end of the day (Scott even made dinner and I wasn't allowed to do anything...I almost didn't know how to act...almost!). Above is a picture of all the post-it notes I had found throughout the day...it was a great day.

Then a couple of days later, Wednesday, Ashton had his 11th birthday. We were looking at pictures of Alec when he turned 11 and can't believe the difference in how he looks and can't believe Ashton is growing up. Anyway, Ashton is into Legos and so I had fun building his cake topper because he was at school. We took him out to lunch at Panda Express, his favorite. I felt bad for him because Wednesday is our busiest day of the week. We have Scout night and Scott and I take a class. Anyway, at around 8:00 that night we were finally able to have cake and ice cream. He had a little friend (Jessica) over to help celebrate. Anyway, he says he had a great day. And thanks to the Grandmas who gave him money...he is already planning what Legos he wants to buy at Wal-mart.

Well, this next week will be good...for Scott. He gets to go to a game convention in L.A. with some friends from Las Vegas. He is really excited and I am excited too because he always comes back with some new, fun boardgames to play. Also, it is the start of the St. George Parade of Homes. Our company, Sunwest Development, is doing something totally different this year and they are parading the Beehive Cottages that we have built for those who can live on their own, but need an extra eye watching them (so-to-speak). Anyway, I'll let you know how those things go. Have a great week!

January is over!

I was talking with some friends at church (one of them is named Amy) and she had mentioned that she was just glad that it was finally February. I thought about it and realized that it just seemed like January dragged on. Now the year seems to be moving!

We have excitement in the air around our house. Ashton turns 11 on Wednesday. He is so excited and keeps asking me to get him brick master from Lego. I love that he is still young enough to make it fun. The older three are just..."I'll just take the money", and it is no fun. I guess I was that way, too.

Since the last time I blogged...we went to Phoenix for Scott's sister's wedding (Jennie)...hence the pictures. These are pictures of the three oldest when we sent the couple off, of Jennie and our nieces, Katelyn and Megan, Wes and Jennie and me doing the girls' hair...I'll get to that! We are so glad to have Wes officially ours. Jennie was beautiful and Wes was crying and it was just awesome. I got to do my niece's hair, and that was quite the experience. The girls were a maid of honor and a flower girl. I have NEVER done girl's hair, and told my sister-in-law that she had the wrong person, but I couldn't say no to the begging and confidence she had in me. So...I gave it a whirl. It was fun, and the girls were patient with me. Megan is the older one and Katelyn is the younger. We had a really great trip and were wondering why Thanksgiving can't be that great. We had an adult luncheon and that was really fun...I think that is what we need more of! Anyway, it was fun.

Scott and I then went to Vegas two days after we got back from Phoenix to the International Builders Show. It was disappointing in the fact that it was so small, and there really wasn't much there for us as a business. But, getting free bags and goodies is the highlight for me and there wasn't any disappointment there...except you couldn't just grab and go like we used to be able to!

Derrek starts DRIVERS ED tomorrow. I am actually really glad because I am tired of saying "Derrek...Derrek...DERREK!" I am hoping that all the little things that I have to teach him will happen in this class and not in the car with me (like making sure that you have completely passed the person before you get back into the lane...he almost clipped someone on the freeway going 75 miles and hour and it freaked me out!). I am hoping that the freaking out will calm down. The thing is that he is really a good driver. I can only imagine having to do it with the rest...I am sure I will be wishing for Derrek! It's fun and exciting.

Well, that is all for now...I am glad it is February...one step closer to spring and being outdoor more and all the fun things that happen. Have a great week!