32 years ago...

...a healthy, happy, baby boy was born.
Dan was welcomed into this world!

Well, time flies and Dan has grown up...

Today is HIS day and we want to make him feel special. A guy of his stature, needs to know that he is loved and that we are thankful for him.So, C&C and myself surprised Dan at Dogwood today with lunch, balloons, cake, and great company.
I want Dan to know we love him and wish him a very happy 32nd birthday...

...and yes, I know he is a great guy... for he is letting me leave on a girl's only weekend to Cali. tonight on his birthday!

I know, I owe you big Babe and enjoy YOUR day!

It comes yet only once a year!

Party Hardy!

Time to celebrate!

7 years ago, our little Miss Delanie Grace was born and today is her day to celebrate!
She picked Pizza Factory for dinner with a little help from me (Her first choice was at Burger King, wanting to eat inside and play on the toys. I was not excited about that.)

After our dinner of over 2 hours of waiting, we finally were able to go home and open presents and eat cake.

Delanie was excited to open her gifts; where she opened Disney Dollars, (for our upcoming Disneyland trip) a PINK ipod Shuffle, the Hannah Montana movie, an ISpy DS game, a fancy hat and birthstone necklace from the Livingstons, and a bling set of starfish earrings.

Time to eat Cake...where Lanie got her very own Tinkerbell cake.
All and all, Lanie had a special day. Full of fun, family, food, and friends. What more could a little girl ask for??? Not much, because when she went to bed, she thanked both Dan and I for her birthday presents and a big kiss.

Lanie, we love everything about you and can't believe that you are now 7 years old. You are sweet and full of life. A big helper and can make others laugh. You are smart and your smile can light up the room. You love your family and friends. You are a good girl and are an example to others. You are a beautiful girl with a whole life ahead of you. You are creative and a prefect addition to our family.

We love you!

Happy Birthday to you dear Delaine...and many more!

The Springers VS. the Wilderness

Really? Already?

We get into the car after the girls had gotten home from school and Mackenzie tells me the following:

"Mom, a boy really likes Lanie."

"What!?! Who?" I ask.

The boy told everyone that he wanted Lanie to "become his wife"

"WHAT!?!"

Niether of the girls knew the boys name, "but he rides our bus" they informed us.

Really??? This already???

It has only been the second day of school and boys are already after the girls!

I know that I am NOT ready for this...

when boy meets girl.

Let's blow off some steam...

My Anniversary card from Dan!

Gotta LOVE Him!
(but this Tin Man has a heart!)

Back to School:

So, School officially started today!

Nothing like getting up at 7:oo to start the day off with breakfast, getting dressed, and we can't forget pictures.

Here is Mackenzie, heading off to the 3rd grade.

Here is Delanie: Headed off to 1st grade; she will be gone ALL DAYThe girls are really growing up.

This morning, I gave each of them a present to open, when they did they found a necklace to wear.

Lanie's was a penny that had the word LUCKY punched into it. She was to touch it when she would a little scared at school and know that she had luck on her side.

On Mackenzie's necklace, it reads BE YOURSELF, with a bee charm hanging from it. It was a reminder that no matter what others may say and do, she just needs to be her self and she will fun happiness.

The girls were both tickled with their new gifts. We made it out the door by 9 and still had time to get a few more pictures.
By this time, Kenzie was long gone with friends that she hadn't seen all Summer and told me that "it was good to get her feet back on school ground." She really missed school.

Lanie on the other hand was a bit more reserved. I think fear was starting to set in. I was able to sneek this darling picture of her and Dan. I am sure having to spend all day at school it a lot to handle

I have to admit, I was glad to have my sun glasses, I started to tear up watching her, but I wasn't going to let Lanie see.

Here is Miss Berry: Kenzie's teacher.

Here is Mrs. Thompson: Lanie's teacher

I know the girls are going to have a blast this school year.

Now only if, Carson and Cassie could go...

You do the MATH:

5,259, 487.66 Minutes

8,765.1277 Hours

3652.421 Days

521 Weeks

120 Months

10 YEARS

1 Decade!

Today Dan and I have been married for a LONG time!

We are celebrating 10 YEARS of love, support, challenges, fun, laughter, romance, tears, and fears. Time goes by so fast and life gives you ups and downs, so I am lucky to have my best friend to share it with.

I knew that from the moment I first meet Dan (he came over to my apartment at Ricks to see who was getting flowers delivered...it was me from another guy I was currently dating) there was something special about him and I knew that he was going to be in my life.

We both were dating other people, so there was no pressure except to become best friends. I was the first one to ask him out to a girls choice dance and the next thing I knew is that we were spending more time together.

January is when we first started dating seriously and Dan clams that he was the first one to say "I love you." Our first kiss was in the lounge of my apartment and it was magic.

School got out in April and we had to say goodbye. I went back to Oregon and he went back to Utah. I thought for sure I was going to get a ring while I was at Ricks, but nope. I was scared that this is where the romance would end but...

...nope, nothing like having a long distance relationship! Talking on the phone every night and taking trips back and forth to see each other.

May comes and so does a RING! Dan came to Oregon to propose. I got the coolest, prettiest, most impressive Happy Meal toy ever from Micky D's.

We planned the wedding. I remembering even buying my wedding dress before I had a ring, but living in Oregon, you need to have time to plan things out.

August 20 1999 came and we were married for time and all eternity in the Portland Oregon Temple. One of the most special days I will remember.

Who knew that fairy tales could come true!

The rest is just history...

Here's to many many more years of love, support, challenges, fun, laughter, romance, tears, and fears.

Dan, I love you with all my heart!

From Here to Eternity

It can only mean one thing...

The girls got new haircuts...

...backpacks are ready and packed...

...Dan has given the girls their spacial "Daddy Blessing"...

...lunches are made...it is now 9:00 PM...
...it can only mean ONE thing...

SCHOOL starts TOMORROW!

Summer is officially OVER and the school year has come and is ready to start.
No more sleeping in. No more playing all day with friends. No more staying up late.
Let the school year BEGIN!

I DID IT!

Tonight I hit a Major milestone in my life:

I RAN a NON-STOP MILE!

I know, People do this all the time and a mile is nothing, but to me, it was a time to circle the date on the calendar and celebrate.

I can't remember when the last time I ran a mile, but Eliza and I set a goal of when we ran a mile, then we deserved a pedicure.

Well, Summer is just about over and I was getting worried that I was going to go the entire Summer without even one pedicure (see Liza earned hers a couple weeks ago) SO I changed my goal and I said that I was allowing myself to get a pedi when I lost the extra 3 pounds, making my total weight lose of 20 lbs.

Well, Tonight I started walking the first mile, then the second mile was about to start and I started to jog and realized that I kept going, running past stop sign after another.

(Nothing like running to Josh Groban and Clay Aiken to slow the my jog down so that I could actually finish the mile.)

I could see the end in sight and I called Liza (which she couldn't even understand me, she thought my kids were hurt) to meet and celebrate the finish of my mile with me. Thank goodness it was dark, so no one could see tears run down my face for the happiness I was feeling.

I finished the third mile, but cooling off (and catching my breath) and was walking on cloud nine.

I DID IT!

I get my pedi and when the last three pounds come off, you bet I will get another pedicure.

Here's to setting goals and even more importantly, accomplishing them!

How does your garden grow?

Well, the kids would be the best ones to answer that one...
...but by looking at the garden, I would have to say it's doing GREAT!

We got the call from Opa saying the garden was ready and to come pick away.

This year the kids were even more excited to go see what the garden had to offer; if you can remember as far back as the early part of May when the kids went to help Opa plant the garden, they took pride in their work and now they want to see what a afternoon of hard work pays off and looks like... ...here it is!

All the tomatoes, cumbers, corn, green peppers, you could pick, and even a few raspberries were left.
With a little hard work, some watering and sunshine, and a few months of waiting, the end result is well worth it.
Good job kids (and Opa too)

A Count Down till School:

With only a week left till school starts, I have to stop and think where did Summer go?

Feeling like I let Summer just slip by, I thought I should take the kids to the pool, so that when the teacher asks the kids that famous question "What did you do on your Summer break?"

I am hoping my kids will not give a dumb stare and say nothing,

for we did the following:

* played with friends from sun up till sun down

* Went to Newport Beach, CA. for a week

* Went to the pool once a week

* Slept in (or at least I got to)

* went to a rodeo

* had Nana and Paps over and played with them

* Went to the park weekly

* got to walk through the temple as a family

* Went on our daily Sonic drink run for sluchies

* Stayed up super late

* Went to the movies at least 3 times

* Ran through sprinklers and ate Popsicles as if they were health food

* Went to a major league baseball game

* Made a campfire and cooked smore's in the back yard

* go boating on the lake

* played city league sports

* Visited the M&M/Coke store in Las Vegas

* BBQ at least once a week

So when the kids teachers ask "What did you do this Summer Break?" My kids better have a lot to write about, because even though the Summer has come and gone quickly this year, we sure have enjoyed it lots!

Small Town USA

Everyone has to get away from everyday life from time to time and where do we escape to when we want to get away; that would be Coleville, Utah:

* A place where you seat on Main Street and watch the parade go by the first time and then it will turn around and you get to watch the entire parade again.

* A place where you get 10 lbs. of candy thrown at you during the parade.

* A place where everyone knows everyone else

* Where people sit on their porches all day long and wave as you walk by.

* A place where memories are made and traditions start.

* A place where "real" cowboys get together and ride in the rodeo.

* Where long walks are priceless.


* A tiny 2 bedroom cottage is a cozy place to stay and is a perfect get-a-way from everyday life

*A place where a family can have a weekend of fun.

* Where horses and four wheelers rule the roads more than cars.

* Where they can charge almost $3.00 a gallon for gas and people have to pay it.

*Where boots are mandatory

* The only place where Navajo Tacos taste good to eat.
* The breakfast company is worth getting up early and sharing the morning with.

* Where people talk a little bit slower and time seems to stand still.

*A place where the smell is quite overpowering with nature's wildlife

* Where you can relax anything and just crash...a bed is not needed

* A place where Fathers and Sons can share both a smile and a treat

* Where sitting on hard cold bleachers can be fun and entertaining

* Where you can be grateful for loving invite from your Opa who isn't embarrassed by the chaos one might encounter.

* Where Opa will fit the bill for dinner

* A place where dust, wind, smells, can only make your food taste a bit more better.

* Where there is not one stop light in town, but the restaurant serves both Mexican and American food.
*Where Wrangler butts are the cutest things ever.

Now you know why we Love Coleville and hold it close to our hearts.

Small Town USA is a place I don't mind visiting, but I need my hussle and bussle as well.

Small Town USA: There is no place like it.

"Mom Award"

With school starting in a few short weeks, I am realizing that Summer is just about over, so I wanted to make this morning different then other mornings...

...See, the kids will get up and get breakfast for themselves allowing me to sleep in; which they enjoy, having full rein of the kitchen, I thought I would be "mom" for one morning and take the kids by surprise.

I fixed them Pancakes!

BUT with these pancakes came no rules except for having fun...

...I brought out the whipping cream, sprinkles, syrup, and the powdered sugar and let the kids make their perfect yummy pancakes.

There were NO RULES but LOTS of SMILES.

Who would have known that a simple "chore" and being a "mom" would make the kids so happy. I could have gotten the kids to do anything after that breakfast...

...in fact, when the batter was gone and their tummys were full, the kids wanted more. They wanted me to "make more tomorrow" and went on some cleaning frenzy.

Carson came up to me while everyone was cleaning and said, "Mom you are the best and your pancakes made me happy. You should get an award."

Who knew that something I actually made in the kitchen would turn out to be a positive thing and not get people sick, maybe I will try "surprising" the kids more often. ;) especially if I get them to clean afterwards.

Being a mom has it's rewards!

I thought I "saw" it all!

(pun totally not intended, but it totally made me laugh)

Really??? I thought I saw it all!

I was watching TV tonight and and found myself watching this show on ABC.

Strangely enough, I watched it and honestly, I kinda liked it.

3 guys and 3 girls are put into a dark room where they can't see anything at all...Nothing!

The 6 talk and try to get to know each other all in the dark.

Then each one picks a person to "single" date in the dark and then one thing goes to another.

The funny part is when the lights are turned on each person one at a time where they get to see the person for the first time.

The hour goes on and with the end of the show, the people are standing on this balcony where they wait to see if Love is Blind.

They get to choose if they want to meet on the balcony for another date or walk out the front door to not see the person again.

I have to admit that I am kinda into this show and I can't wait to see it again next Monday.

It is kinda funny to watch people and see what really is important to them...Looks or Chemistry?

Love is Blind for some. Do I dare ask what will they think up next for the dating world.

I am sooooo glad that I am not in that stage of life anymore. I am in love with the best guy out there. Dating is FUN, but being married is even more fun; a whole lot better!