HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON --12 YEARS OLD!

Today is Brandon's birthday! Yipee!! I LOVE birthdays.....not just mine, but anyone's! So of course I'm thrilled when it's one of my kids' birthdays. It only comes once a year, right? So we have to make it the best day ever!

Brandon actually spent last night at a scout activity. He came home at around 2:00 pm. today. I had sent up a birthday letter for him to open this morning, with a picture of a beach on it. Poor kid wasn't at the beach at the time. It was raining and muddy and COLD! (All of this was on purpose, of course---my twisted sense of humor). :) And he told me when he got home that he said to his friend, "See this picture on the front? We sure aren't there, are we? She sent this to me for a reason..." I can't even fool my children; they know me all too well....

He opened a few presents when he got home, relaxed a little, then we went to Spaghetti Factory for dinner. My kids beg to go there frequently, but because it's so expensive, we don't go often---maybe once a year. But we had a great time and the kids commented over and over how yummy it was. (Dallin ate more than anyone---2 bowls of spaghetti, apple sauce, 2 drinks, and ice cream---holy cow!)

Here are a few pictures of the day.

I told Eric that when he finally gets around to dating, he shouldn't eat spaghetti like that.....he just rolled his eyes, in his typical teenage fashion....

Brandon got a new watch. Now he has no excuses for being late from a friend's house....

King for the day!

I love this picture of Brandon and me. It's probably hard to tell, but I think Brandon looks the most like me than any of my other kids. I mean, seriously, can you see our noses? They're like 2 peas in a pod (poor kid)....but we even have dimples in the same place. (that one I'm proud to pass on...) Oh yeah, and in the picture, "peace out man."

All in all, the day was a huge success. Tomorrow he will be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. I can't believe it. I am so proud of you Brandon. You are one awesome young man!!! Keep it up! We love you!

Easter 2009

So much to blog about and so little time. Here are a few pics of our Easter holiday!

Coloring Easter eggs on family night....

Kyle even took a picture of me. He did a pretty good job too....

We always celebrate Easter on Saturday morning....the bunny part, at least. It just seems easier, so we're not going to church with full, sick stomachs from far too much candy that the Easter bunny just couldn't resist to leave. Plus, on Sunday we just get to concentrate on what's REALLY important.

All of the kids got foam swords (even Eric), which they all loved (even Eric!). Although I couldn't get a picture of him enjoying said sword! (But take my word for it, he was loving every minute of it....weren't you Eric?)

The Easter Bunny strikes again!

We had a great Easter celebration on Saturday and a nice Easter Sunday as well. Todd came home at 2:00!! That is unheard of around here, but we enjoyed the day together as a family. (He even got a nap)...I wish I would have thought to take a pic of that. HA!

Brandon became a little wise this year to the fact that we have the Easter Bunny come on Saturday and not Sunday and he started to ask questions......such as: How is it that the Bunny comes on Saturday for us and Sunday for so many others? Ummmm, well.....what was the question?

I've actually been thinking for awhile now that it is probably time for Brandon to know the "secret" of magical creatures that come on certain holidays or for certain occasions (like when we lose a tooth, for example), but I haven't had the heart to tell him. I want them ALL to believe....for as long as I can get away with, at least. But when he started asking questions, I figured it just might be time to "break the news." And the kicker was when we had a conversation that went something like this:

Brandon: (after the initial question about our Saturday celebration)....Mom, this is serious. When I grow up and I get married and have children of my own, I need to know this stuff. I need to know if I'm supposed to be the Easter Bunny. If it's supposed to be me, and my kids don't get anything, that will be just sad!

Me: (laughing out loud). Good point, Brandon!

It was pretty funny. We then had a little talk about it. And it's sad to me now that 2 of my kids know the "truth." (big sigh) Except that I refuse to say that Santa and the Easter Bunny and the like don't exist. I am a believer, and I want you all to know that. But there are certain "details" that must be told, unfortunately, in order for some of the magic to stay strong!

P.S. And one more thing......completely unrelated. Do you know Michele Ashman Bell? Well, she is an LDS author and I love her books. I recently reconnected with a friend from high school and it just so happens that she is her sister-in-law. On my profile, I have her listed as one of my favorite authors and my friend noticed it and mentioned it to her. Well guess what? Michele Ashman Bell actually went to my blog and made a comment to me! If you don't believe me, it's on my previous entry. It made my whole day. And now I'm practically FAMOUS!! Cool, huh?

Jr. High Assembly

Remember when Eric sang in a band in front of the whole school not too long ago for the jr. high talent show? Well, he was asked a couple of weeks ago to do a few more songs for an assembly. That assembly was today!

I must admit, I slept a little better than last time, but the all-too-familiar NOT singing in front of me still occured and even though I had heard him once before, I was still anxious to hear the new songs. I listened intently over the past few days for any "silent" rehearsing on his part and even heard a few notes along the way.....but not much!

I wasn't as nervous driving to the school today as I was the first time, but was excited with anticipation once again. I even sat quite camly through the assembly waiting for his time to perform. Alas, the time came and do you think I controlled my emotions this time?

NOT A CHANCE!

I still cried like a baby and the camera shook as it did before. And I was so proud!

He was originally supposed to do "snippets" of a few songs, but in the end, the band only did one at the end of the assembly. And of course it was wonderful!

This was taken before the assembly began. I guess he was a little stressed. Actually this is just a really horrible picture. He really is quite charming, for the most part! :) But I've got to say that he hasn't slept much the last couple of nights.....(maybe he's a little more like me that we previously thought).

This is a little dark, but you can see the two guys on his sides playing the guitars. I didn't get the drummer in there. What is wrong with me? Maybe if he does it a third time, I'll finally get a few decent pictures of the event.....but don't count on it! I'm too much of a mess during these times....

But, hopefully, we'll both sleep better tonight!

P.S. Eric is in a play at the end of the month titled, "The Paper Bag Bandit Rides Again." And guess what part he is playing? Yep, the Paper Bag Bandit.....will I survive it, do you think? The million dollar question.....don't hold your breath!