Halloween

We're lucky to have a grandma who makes Halloween easy for us:

We put in our costume orders in September and voila!

Even Paul sort of dressed up.

He went along with his Pirate Queen and Pirate Princess..

 Halle wanted to be a BYU cheerleader-

Go Cougars!

The girls are happy to pose!

Afton and her friend Mallory went as 80s prom queens

Ahoy Pirate Princess Nora!

and Matthew wanted to be a WWI flying ace.

This is the only picture he'd give us.

Grandma really came through this year with our variety of requests!  The kids love coming up with ideas and knowing that Grandma will make it happen!

Bragging about my awesome husband on his Birthday!

I have been a blog slacker (as my family kindly reminds me)

but I wanted to make sure everyone knows what a wonderful husband I have-

and today is his birthday.

There's not much in the gift department that he wants, 

so I'm publicly giving him the recognition he deserves!

 He is constantly thinking about other people.

There is not a selfish bone in this guy!

He is a hard worker and is excellent at what he does-

people like working for him and he consistently delivers results.

(which also benefits me in terms of work incentive trips!)

Paul is a faithful priesthood holder and constantly magnifies his callings.

He is serving as Bishop right now and sincerely loves the people he serves.

(there is his, bishopping in the background)

He is an awesome, fun dad.  The kids love him and they love to be with him.

Paul recognizes the influence he can have with them and strives to be a great role model and example for them.  Even though his time is precious, he makes sure they know how much he loves them!

And Paul is fun!  I love to be with him. And so does everyone else!

(yep--Chad too!)

I feel so incredibly blessed to have Paul has my husband and best friend.  

He is a caring, devoted husband who always puts me first.  

 Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Paul!

Happy Birthday to the best husband and dad out there!

He works hard to make sure we have a great life

He's been especially busy the past year, but makes sure we're his number one priority.

We love you!

My Summer Happenings...

Our summer vacation to Utah was cut shorter than usual because Paul and I were headed on Pioneer Trek

 Our awesome family!

We had great kids in our group--lots of hard-workers and positive attitudes!

Playing Ninja tag before we headed out

We stopped along the handcart trek to listen to pioneer stories

This was our first day of 7 miles

beautiful weather and scenary

Our great kids pulling the family handcart.

It was a tough three days, physically, but a tremendous spiritual journey.

I love trek and all that we learn from stepping into pioneer shoes for a moment.

 My other big project this summer...

After days of trying to motivate Nora to use the potty,

I turned it over to Afton.

Potty-training done.

Nora is super proud of herself and likes to announce her bathroom activities to anyone and everyone!

 We also had a fun activity in downtown Chicago with our good friends.

Bev wanted to do an "adventure-race" for her birthday

We had clues to find landmarks and photo ops around Chicago

I will say that Bev and Michelle definitely had this down better than me and the guys...

This made me laugh--a "pre-broadway" show called Kinky Boots

The boys decided that we should ditch the race and head to Rosebud Prime for a leisurely afternoon lunch.

I think next time Bev might want to be more selective in picking her teammates!

Hawaii

Everyone asks how my trip was and all I can say is that I wasn't going to come home.

Paul made me.

He also said the kids needed us.  I told him he could fly home and bring them back to Hawaii.  No go.

I am back in Chicago and back to "normal" life.

Running errands, refereeing, cleaning, cooking, laundry.

It is not nearly as much fun as:

surfing, paddle-boarding, snorkeling (although I had a panic moment), shopping, going to a luau, experiencing the polynesian cultures, and checking out the north shore.

In short, we had a blast!

The lagoons in front of our hotel.  Very peaceful

 I loved the Polynesian Cultural Center.  It was so fascinating to me.

Paul was bored most of the day, but humored me.  Until I asked if he wanted to learn how to hula.  So I learned a song on the ukelele instead.

 The USS Missouri (nickname Mighty Mo) 

This ship was not stationed in Pearl Harbor during the attack, but was the site of the Japanese surrender .

It also served during the Gulf War and is now decommissioned.

I didn't know anything about it, but found it so interesting.

the USS Arizona Memorial

very inspiring and sacred.  I was so glad we spent time here

Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling

 Best Shaved Ice ever in the town of Hale'Iwa.

Super fun surfing town.  

We also enjoyed some fresh shrimp and delicious fruit from roadside stands.

The Laie, Hawaii temple is gorgeous.

I think if this is what paradise will look like, I will be happy!

I probably should have put a lei here before my surfing lessons!

Yes, I know there are no pictures of me and Paul together.  We were together for the entire time.  

Paul's not much for being in pictures and I'm too chicken to ask people to take one for us. 

We are not a good picture pair! 

Valentine's Day

It's easy to love Valentine's Day when you have a Valentine...

It's been 14 years since our first date.  

I'm just glad it all worked out, or this day might not have such good memories attached.

We celebrated early with a week in Hawaii, which I'll have to write about later.

It's hard to come back to reality and it's taking me awhile to get back to it all.

I also have to say that it's even more fun to celebrate with my little Valentines...

I get to help out in Matt's class party today.  

I think he's excited even though he's playing it cool.  

I am excited to be there with him for his last Valentine's class party.

Next year he'll head to middle school, which means no more class parties.

We all had chocolate chip pancakes with cherries and whipped cream, 

opened Valentine's surprises and then Dad drove them to school today.  

It's already been a love-filled day!

Lucky 13!

Today we're celebrating our 13th anniversary

We've done a lot together in our married life.  We are coming up on 10 years here in Chicago.  We've earned degrees, enjoyed promotions, served in church callings, and grown in many ways.  

The best thing we've done together, though, is these four...

It's certainly been a lucky 13 years!

Happy Birthday Paul!

I am a day late on this post.

Let's just say our Saturday and Sunday were not very restful.

Paul went out to St. George to run the marathon,

and the heat really did him in.

Luckily, I made him this for his birthday...

A Peanut Butter Cup Trifle

It is dangerous.

Brownie layer, peanut butter pie layer, peanut butter cup layer, chocolate mousse layer.

Repeat and top with whipped cream and more peanut butter cups.

I even put all of the necessary candles on top for him!

He almost got them all out.

Paul doesn't care if we celebrate his birthday or not,

but I love to do it!

He is a great dad and husband and he deserves to have a great day!

He's been especially busy lately, but he tries hard to make sure we are the "big rocks" of his day!

Thanks for all you do--we love you!