Dan Turns 33

Yesterday was a great day in our home. It was Dan's 33 Birthday! Of course the morning started early and we all wished him a Happy Birthday along with wonderful birthday beatings. The boys love to wrestle with their dad. Then I offered to make him anything that he wanted for breakfast and he graciously declined. Then I found him in the kitchen making his favorite sourdough pancakes (he usually raves about my cooking, I guess he didn't think I could makes his famous pancakes). Then he was off to work for a fun filled, horrible day. He said it was the worst day ever, but didn't elaborate on the details. The boys and I were so excited for him to come home for his birthday party! I cooked salmon, couscous, steamed broccoli and his favorite baked beans. We all know how much he LOVES CHOCOLATE!! So, I made him a death to chocolate cake with fudge drizzled frosting and fresh raspberries. I have to admit it was rather scrumptious. He opened his gifts (biking accessories) and then he played with the kids. When we told the boys it was time for bed, Adams response was, "that wasn't a very fun party!" Obviously he was waiting for me to hand out the party bags or something. I tried to explain to him that our parties were a little different than theirs. And that we really weren't interested in playing pin the tail on the triceratops. At this point both of my boys decided to roll their eyes at me in unison. Oh, the love of children.

Once the kids were all asleep, Dan and I then had to remove the old counter tops. They swore it only takes 10 minutes but we beat the record with 1 hour and 30 minutes. I'm sure this isn't what Dan really wanted to be doing, but our contractors are coming on Friday and he left today at 5:30am to fly to Houston for meetings and won't be back until Friday night. Oh, the love of a great husband! I hope you had a great birthday babe!! We love you!!

My New Favorite Things

On Saturday Dan and I went to dinner with some couples from his office. We decided to go for sushi, I have had a few sushi rolls before but I had never experienced all of the amazing varieties. I can now say that I am hooked! It was amazing! Most of the rolls that they ordered had cooked salmon, crab or shrimp in it but there were several that didn't. I told them not to tell me which one's weren't cooked because I was afraid I would chicken out. My favorite sushi roll had cream cheese, fresh jalapeno peppers and crab or shrimp then the entire roll was dipped in tempura batter and fried, then they drizzled it with this amazing sauce. I even had to use chop sticks, which I may add I am getting better with.

We are in the process of renovating our kitchen. We have added the back splash and changed out all of the lights and we are now in the process of installing granite counter tops. I am very excited, I have been wanting new counter tops since we moved in. Dan agreed that the update would help on the resale value of our home and so the granite is our anniversary gift to each other (I know, this sounds wonderfully romantic). But after 10 years of marriage and 3 kids later, what more could I ask for. We went to the granite gallery on Saturday and Dan and I chose Giallo Ornamental, it will go great with our dark cabinets, tan back splash and black fixtures. We are scheduled to have it installed on Friday 21st, but yesterday they called and said they were trying to push it to this weekend. I definitely wasn't anticipating this, but I will happily accept. It's not everyday that a contractor wants to come earlier than scheduled! I will post pictures after everything is all completed!

Halloween 2008

The kids had a great time with Halloween this year. Ethan wanted to be a green power ranger, Adam of course wanted to be a T-Rex and little Emily was a chick. The boys thought it was hilarious that Emily was all dressed up. On Halloween night, Emily had enough before the evening started and went to sleep, so we undressed her and but her in PJ's. I could tell she wasn't feeling well, but she is always such a happy baby I had a hard time telling if it was severe. Well, we went trick or treating and then after all of the candy fun, a friend of ours had a party at her house. It was great, we had chicken tortilla soup, doughnuts, drinks and a lot of socializing. The kids loved it, there were five families total with 16 candy wired kids between us, I believe there was only two girls in the mix (including Emily). Then on Saturday I awake early to Emily crouping and running a low grade fever. So, after Dan took her to the doctor we find she has an ear infection (YEAH!) Dan was amazing yesterday, I spent most of the day decorating the church for our Ward Harvest Carnival and he took care of the two boys and our sweet sick little baby. The Carnival was a huge success! We actually ran out of tables and chairs which meant we had over 215 in attendance.

Halloween Pumpkins

Dan and I thought we would do our traditional family Halloween activity and carve pumpkins with the kids, we carve pumpkins every year. I had been talking about it all day and the kids were really excited. Excited that is until they had to put their hands inside the pumpkin to remove all of the seeds and strings (this was not their first experience at this). But, Ethan and Adam both started freaking out, I think their comment was, "I'm not doing it, that's gross." At one point Dan put some string on Ethan and of course he went into mass hysteria, all the while Dan and I are trying not to laugh. Then it went on to, "I don't want to get my hands dirty." After this statement Dan turns to me and asks what I did to his boys. Ethan has never liked getting his hands dirty, I've even had his teachers tell me that they have to have paper towels ready when they are finger painting. Adam seems to mimic whatever his older brother is doing.

I never know what my kids are going to like from day to day!

Our 5 Month Old

Emily's 5 months old! I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She has started eating rice cereal and baby food and she loves it! Every time she sees someone else eating she opens her mouth and starts yelling until she gets to taste something. So far she loves squash, sweet potatoes, pears, baby yogurt, applesauce and drinking my flavored water. She also loves to chew on bread sticks.

We have also introduced her to the Mega Saucer which she adores. I think Adam loves it as much as she does. He loves it when she's playing with it because then he gets to play to. Whats ironic is he doesn't want the saucer unless she's sitting in it, and then of course he only wants to play with the toys that she is playing with. I didn't realize how soon sibling rivalry can start!

I'm an Esme

OK, so I took the Cullen Heroine quiz and they said "I'm an Esme".

Marcie and Amy, let me know which heroines you are!

Our Trip to San Antonio

Dan had a work convention/water conference last week in San Antonio. So, the kids and I tagged along and had a great time with Mike, Amy and the girls. We arrived Wednesday late afternoon at our fabulous hotel, the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk. Once we checked in the kids and I unloaded all of our things, relaxed briefly (all they wanted to do was go and see their cousins) and then said goodbye to Dan. Dan went to his big client dinner and the kids and I went to Mike and Amy's. I spent the next few days driving from our hotel to Mike's house where Amy and I were running errands, making cards, playing at the park, baking cookies, eating out and watching the kids go crazy over the Wii and the Nintendo DS. Friday afternoon Dan's conference ended and then he was able to hang out with us as well, then Saturday we all headed off to Sea World. Thanks Mike and Amy for letting us burden you. We had a great time!

Dan, Katie, Maddie, Ethan and Adam looking over the Sea World map.

Katie, Maddie and Ethan got soaked at the shamu "Believe" show, what did they expect they wanted to sit in the wet zone.

Emily at Aunt Amy's house hanging out.

Shamu - Believe show

Me and Emily at the park with everyone.

Me and Emily

Adam, Ethan, Maddie and Katie during one of the dolphin shows at Sea World (I love their facial expressions, they all have their mouths open in awe).