Happy Birthday to We

 

November is a good birthday month for our family.  It starts off with Mom and Merrill.

Sad that Merrill is far from us but happy he's doing so well.

 

It was fun to celebrate Mom's birthday with her and the family!

Love this lady like no other.

She's amazing in all things!

No, I mean really really amazing!

Marianne, Danielle and I went and got manicures and pedicures with her. 

So lovely.

We mentioned that we didn't have any memories of our mom doing anything like that for herself as were growing up.  She said that back in the day she didn't do anything unless it was necessary.  Things like that was just extravagant.  It's nice to see that now she's willing to put some care into herself and do things that are extravagant. 
She's quit a stylish elegant lady anyway and we encouraged her to keep up with that trend for herself.
It fits.

 My birthday fell on a Tuesday which made it hard to celebrate because of school and

busy-ness. 

This year I didn't feel like overlooking my birthday like usual.  I wanted to make a BIG deal of it and treat myself nice in a big way!  I deserved it!  I actually celebrated my birthday every day for a whole entire week... something special every day.  Tuesday: a Relief Society birthday dinner for me and a few others.  Wednesday: trip to the Temple.  Thursday: a Stake training meeting.  Friday: In and Out dinner and BYU basketball game.  Saturday: seeing a play with Jenny and Jackie.  Sunday: church.  Monday: FHE with the Stringhams.  Tuesday: Michael Buble'.

 

The kids decided to celebrate my birthday on Saturday and pulled off an awesome sign and special breakfast.

Kaden modeling the menu for breakfast.

I even got the special plate.

Later on that day we went to Rodizio Grill and stuffed ourselves til we couldn't walk.  It was delish and the kids were in heaven.

We went home the long way...

up and over Traverse Mountain.

the clouds were hanging real low and we had a hunch that snow was falling.

We were right... TONS of snow!  The first snow fall of the season.  It was nearly a white out and even though we weren't dressed for snow I made the kids all get out of the car for a photo.  When I said it was their birthday photo for me they did it with a smile.

Such good children.

On my actual birthday I knew it would be a crazy day.  I still wanted to be with my family so I invited EVERYONE over for Taco Tuesday, my treat.  It turned out perfect since Tacos are my traditional dinner to have on my birthday for as long as I can remember.  Why not just have the whole gang over to join us?  Perfect!

Me with my sign. 

Then Maryn and I were off to our date. 
(just for the record Maryn is NOT taller than me.  She is just wearing her ridiculously high shoes which she later changed and  thanked me for making her do so.)

Who could be a more perfect date than Maryn and Michael Buble' on my birthday?

We had the best time!

 

Emmy's birthday came next. 
She let me know loud and clear that she hadn't had a friend party in years and years. 
True.
So, I gave in and let her invite the nation to a party.  Seriously she invited about 25 girls and 17 showed up.
It went from 8-10:00.  They wore their jammies and we had waffles.

Happy Birthday to this awesome girl!

Ummm, the friends got a little carried away with the whipped cream.
A food fight was not on the agenda.

In order to keep things organized I had lots and lots of games planned,

however

the girls kind of took things into their own hands and were VERY silly.  They had a dance in the basement, they did a fashion show with their pajamas and they just wanted to talk really really loud.

presents galore.

loved my 2 adorable assistants.

The whole birthday party group!

Your welcome Emmy.  pure insanity but fun.

After Emmy's party we went to the park and did some birthday exercising.

That night Emmy invited all the family to go to Zupas for dinner.  She must be getting older because what kid goes to Zupas for a birthday dinner?

Love this girl SO much!  She keeps us all hopping with her quick wit and humor.  Her reading has developed her brain into a very clever one.  She is so smart.  She has a memory like no other.  She's a great writer and creative.  Besides all of that Emmy is very tender hearted.  She worries about people.  She doesn't like to be away from me for very long.  She won't go to sleep until I tuck her in which makes it hard for Emmy to go to sleep at night unless I am home with her.  We are working on that.   She is learning how to control her emotions because sometimes they get the best of her.  She is an amazing harpist and can learn pieces very quickly.  She does not like to be bored.  She paces when she talks on the phone or talks to anyone; walking in circles around the table when she is telling me about her day.  Sometimes I have to hold her face in my hands to get her to be still and to look at me... in my eyes to have a meaningful conversation. 
Emmy is zippy and peppy and happy and funny!
I LOVE HER!