Happy Birthday Dad!

Last week was my father's Birthday! He is now 51 years young!! We got together for our Sunday family dinner. We had his requested dinner of Hawaiian Haystacks (Thank you Sandy) and white cake with chocolate frosting (I made with the help of the kids) It was all so yummy and we had a wonderful evening. The kids all made him cards. They really enjoyed putting them together.

We gathered together and chatted. The kids were being silly.

Then during the week we met with my Dad and ALLOT of his family at Olive Garden for dinner. I am sorry, I did not get any photos. But, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed that dinner. Now, those that know me, you know that Me and my Dad have had our battles. He has made some big mistakes in life. There has been allot of hurt. We have been working on our relationship this last year. It is getting better, it really is. Forgiveness has always been my flaw. I am working on that every day. But as I sat at that table of about 25 people. I saw how much support my father has. There was so much LOVE around that table, supporting my dad. With all that they know about my dad and what he has done......they love him so much. They support everything he does. I am truly thankful for that because that has made him who he is today. I look at my father and I see a different man. The father I knew as a child has been gone for some time. But over the last couple weeks we have gathered as a family to support him and I see that father itching his way back. He has made such a difference in his life. I can not take any credit for that and that makes me sad. I was not there to help him. I banished him from my life and my kids. Then I see how his family reached out to him. That amazes me, makes me want to be a better person. They truly look at him with such love. My dad enjoys every minute he spends with them and talks about all of them often with such happiness. I am sorry that I was not there for my dad. At that time it was what was best for me. And now I think this is how it was suppose to happen. He has found help in the gospel and prayer. Never ever thought I would ever see my dad seek help there again. And that is the special gift that his family gave him. He has been praying to his Heavenly Father and fasting. He has witnessed how those 2 things can help him. That makes me so happy. I love my dad. I always have. I am proud of him. And I thank his family, I do not know where he would be today without them. Thank you.

I hope he had a wonderful birthday, and I hope to spend many more birthdays with him. Happy Birthday Dad! Love you.

COLBY MVP!!

Colby had his first game of the season last Saturday. It was suppose to be a couple weeks ago but there was a mix up with registering the boys. I do not like to brag....but he kicked some butt! I was so proud of him. That had to of been his best game ever. He has always been an awesome player but he would never really get aggressive. But Saturday, I guess he decided he was going to get that ball. He had more rebounds then we could count and he made 12 POINTS!!! My Dad and Sandy were also there to cheer him on. He rocked. They won...30-28. They had a good lead, then the other team caught up and then it was tied...and with a few seconds left we made a basket. I am so proud of you Colby. It was a great game. You are my Most Valuable Player! He usually gets self cautious about the player he is....but he woke up Saturday.

Check him out!.....NBA here we come!

Every year he has been the boy to throw the ball too. It feels good when you hear the whole audience screaming "Pass it to Colby!" It is an honor to be his mom. And his height does not hurt either. Every year he just gets better and better. The teachers have always said he is the most popular kid in the class. It is wierd to go places and have strangers (kids and adults) say..."Aren't you Colby's Mom?" Everybody knows and loves Colby. He has made me proud.

Happy Birthday Charlie Brown!

Denny's (I call him Charlie Brown) Birthday was on January 10th....let me rephrase that, Denny's Birthday was the week of Jan. 4th- Jan. 11th. Every year his birthday is a WEEK long celebration. It really is. I baked him a cake and we sang Happy Birthday to him with my Dad, Sandy, Lindsay and her girls, Alyssa, and D.J. at our Sunday Dinner.

That's right...there is 31 candles on that cake. He actually made me take most of them out. It would have been really hard lighting all those candles.

So we decided to have 3 candles and then 1

This is the face of a Birthday Boy that has EVERYTHING....trying to make a birthday wish. Lindsay kept teasing him on how long it took him to think of a wish. Amy was like..."Uncle Denny, it is like this--you just blow them out!"

Then on his actual birthday, Me and Denny like to make a tradition every year to have a date night. We usually go out to a movie and dinner of the bday person's choice. He decided he wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse.....Surprise! Surprise! We go there for every birthday I swear. Can you tell it is our favorite? As a matter of a fact we get the same waitress every time. She made me get on the saddle for my bday, then my Aunt Kristi for her bday, now it is Denny's turn!

Getty Up! (sorry it is a picture from my phone)

Then he chose to go and see the movie "Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" with Brad Pitt. Can I just say Happy Birthday to ME! Wow he was so hot in this movie....not as hot as my birthday boy...but still pretty hot! I recommend this movie. It was a great movie. We loved it. Here is a little of Brad Pitt for you....enjoy!

THEN on January 10th was it not only my hubby's birthday, but it was also my mom's hubby's birthday. It was popps birthday! It is funny, Denny Ray and Steven Ray have the same bday and middle name. So on Sunday we celebrated their birthday with family. Denny wanted Strawberry Shortcake. Yummy!

Happy Birthday Popps and Charlie Brown! I love you both so much! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

It's Mason's turn to play Basketball!

Mason has decided he wants to play basketball this year. He has never ever tried any sport. Colby has always been the athletic one. I was a little worried....due to the fact that he is sooooo sensitive. But, I was very proud of him. He put in a great effort and even made a basket (too bad it did not count). As I watched him play, it made me sad to see how much he has grown up already. Time is going by so fast. Denny was not going to coach this year because of them both wanting him to coach...but then they called him and asked if he would coach Mason's team. Mason is pretty excited about that. It was a close game. We lost in over time. The score was 8 to 10.

Don't tell anyone I said anything.....but I think Mason has the sexiest coach!

After the game, Mason felt really cool and grown up. The next morning he says "Mom, me and Colby are growing up really fast huh!" I was like....I know! I know! and it makes me sad.

We are going to party like it is 2009!

We had a mild New Years Eve party. It was nice. We had a good time. My Mom, Popps, Kristi, her boyfriend and our kids were there. I feel like it has been a constant party since Christmas at my house....which I love. But it was nice on New Years to be a little smaller. I feel like I have been eating non-stop now for 3 weeks!

CHEERS! Mom, Me, and Kristi with the yummies punch ever. I think it was called Rainbow Punch. It was a hit. I found it online. It was a mixture of orange juice, sprite, Hawaiian punch, and sherbet....it was really good.

We played spoons. All of us. I love it when we are able to do things that involve the whole family.

Whoever lost that round had to wear Denny's hat. Some of you may recognize it from his surprise party I through him last year when he turned 30. I lost this round.

Denny showing some pride as the looser!

Kristi's girl Sophia....she was watching movies while we played games. She looked very comfortable.

Colby and his BFF Christian

I can not believe that 2008 is over....we hope everyone has a WONDERFUL 2009! Happy New Year Everyone!!!!