One Year Older

On Friday, April 8th, Laura turned 11!! We had a lot of fun celebrating her birthday. She had her convention that day, but we did get to go visit her mom before and then we had a late dinner and birthday cake when she and I got home that night. She wore a blinking pin at the convention to let everyone know it was her birthday. It was awesome. On Sunday the grandparents came over for chili dogs and presents.
The next Friday we went to the Cheesecake Factory with two of Laura’s friends…
Laura, we all love you! You are a great sister, a loyal friend and an awesome daughter. We love you so much! You bring something so special to our family. Thank you for all you do. You are a beautiful strong girl who knows who she is and what she believes. Hold to that! You are going to go far in life!

Spring Break Break Down

I had 10 whole days off for Spring Break this year!! Woot Woot! The kids came down for the last half, during their Spring break. So here is a quick break down of our adventures:

(Big inhale here)

* Lilly brought a friend down for a sleep over on Wednesday night, they stayed up late watching movies. We won't discuss how late or how scary of movies.

*Wednesday night also involved meeting my cousin Katie and her 3 girls at Classic Skating for unlimited skating, laser tag, pirates cove and bounce toys. Pizza and sprite! So Kate and I USED to rock at skating. I had a little skating skirt and my own skates…the whole she-bang! We are not so awesome anymore. But we had fun. Luke had never been and he was awesome! He and Liz shared this little device to help keep them up and he ditched it towards the end of the night! GO Luke!

*Liz made all of us French toast! Thanks Liz-a-bean!! Thursday, Laura went to a birthday party. The twins, Lilly and her friend and I went swimming! This was a total blast! Liz decided she likes going down the slide with me, cuz I make her go faster. Fantastic.

*Thursday night, Lilly, Laura and I did a little shopping. Got Lilly an Easter dress and a few things for Laura’s birthday.

*Friday WAS LAURA’S BIRTHDAY!! Laura and I went to her dance convention, we stopped by her mom’s work to say hi before we went. Lilly and the twins got to spend some time with their cousins. Brandon cooked Laura and I dinner and made her a birthday cake.

*Saturday, Laura and I went back to her convention and B and the kids played at home.

*Sunday, we got a new fridge, went to church, had Laura’s birthday dinner (chili dogs) and went to Gramsy’s for dessert. Whew!

*Monday, the kids and I packed a lunch and went to see my mom and have lunch with her in her classroom and then it was off to see Amber and then to introduce them to my friends at work. We went home and worked on homework and goofed around before I had to take the kids home. I think we were all exhausted. It was so much fun!!

(Exhale here)

Lilly's new dress Liz making us breakfast!

Lilly and Emma At the Roller rink; Emma, Laura and Lilly BFF Cousins! Beautiful mom, Katie and her three girls! Playing with cousins... Cousins Doesn't Lincoln look "uneasy"???? Baby Saddie Laura and her cousin Lincoln

It's just like riding a bike? I don't think so....

Remember the old saying; "It's just like riding a bike"? Have any of you not been on a bike in litterally YEARS and then got back on one? Yeah....that saying is crap! I wobbled all over the place!So my mom bought the Sandall family bikes for my birthday! We went to he D.I. and picked them out. Brandon and the kids spent the majority of that Saturday cleaning them up and fixing them so they could ride them. I spent the day planting seeds for our garden! The bikes are one of the best gifts I have ever been given. The kids have been on them non-stop. I am so excited for wamer weather and bike rides!!

Jill-A-Palooza

Palooza - An exaggerated event

I think the above definition is way off. My birthday is not an exaggerated event. On April 1st I turned 31. 31 was more rough than 30. Why is that? I've noticed changes in my skin, metabolism, sleep, just about everything is changing! UGH. However, I feel the most comfortable in my own skin than ever. So bring it on baby! I went against my beliefs and worked on my Birthday this year. It was a lot of fun. Work got me a cake...that was inedible! See the below post. I was able to re-use their April Fools joke on the kids that night! The kids were with us for that weekend and so after getting the kids, we went to my mom's for dinner. We had ribs. Liz ate the most. And strawberry shortcake. Laura and Lilly decided to put 31 candles on my little cake. Funny. Not. For my birthday I got a new camera, a felt bunny, some FANTASTIC cards, and the whole family got bikes from the D.I. (umm...that place rocks!). It was a fun day/weekend and I plan to continue on celebrating for the month of April. Hence; Jill-A-Palooza.

Yes, we had a fire extinguisher handy...

Luke and Lincoln

Liz and Lincoln

April Fools!

"Jill! You need to cut your cake!" I am not entirely sure why I have to cut my cake at work today but I do. As I start to cut it, it seems sort of different. I think that maybe Vanette bought it last night and so the frosting was kind of crusty, so I push the knife in harder. Something is not right. Oh wait...My cake is made of styrofoam. Thanks Vanette!

Random Thought

On our way back from North Ogden and spending some time at the park with the kids last night, Brandon and I were talking about my job. For some odd reason, in that moment, it dawned on me just how lucky I am. I said to Brandon; “I’ve never reaized how many people watch over me”. And it’s true. Brandon says it’s because of what a great person I am. I question if it means I can’t take care of myself! Ha!

But regardless, I am blessed. I think I am blessed to work somewhere that I love what I do and where I love the people I work with. My friends at work have been in my life for a while now and looking back, they have been here through some of the worst and best times of my life. They all seem to hold me up. They probably know more about me than they want to!

So to my dear friends at work...I LOVE YOU! Thank you for all you do for me. Thank you for listening to me vent, crying with me, being honest, teacing me, sharing candy, loaning me buck for a coke. Thank you for laughing with me. I am taught by all of you on a daily basis. I don't think I have ever taken the time to truly recognize each of you and all you do for me. Know it does not go un-noticed! I'm a lucky and blessed woman. You each play such an important role in my life.

Thank you.