Happy birthday to me.

That's it folks. I'm 32. My birthday was on Sunday, and it was a wonderful day.

First: I called my parents to congratulate them on my awesomeness!

Then I got this amazing card from my boys.

Ben is really good at making cards.

Out tuk ride to church.

Thomas and Jack wanted to try on my glasses.

They are so adorable.

 

I work with the kids between 18 months and 12 at church, and so I spend a lot of my time with these awesome kids.

After church, we played a very competitive game of Charades! It was the ultimate.

 

 

 

That was my special day. Oh, and I got to sleep in AND take a nap. It was pretty much perfection.

I think the only thing missing was a birthday treat, but I didn't mind- I wasn't really in the mood for a treat. However, I did ask my parents to celebrate with some pie from my favorite pie place. I also reserve the right to call on my need for a birthday treat at any time, cause that's how I roll.

 

P.S. The dog is on loan from a friend on vacation.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Here it is, at long last.

Here is my birthday video. 

Thank you for all who participated.  It was a lot of fun, and I look forward to next year.

Just so everyone knows, no children were harmed during the filming of this video.  

When you hear me say something about Thomas not touching the knives, the reason I was not worried was because there was an adult standing right next to him who felt Thomas would listen better if I was the one who told him.  

Enjoy.

Anja, Zoe, Jill and Anne- Thank you a million times, and your party favor will be on it's way shortly. 

Happy Birthday, Ben.

We celebrated Ben's birthday this year on two days.  The first day, Ben and I went on a date.  We went to dinner and a movie, and it was fabulous.  Then we had cake and ice cream with the boys when we got home.
The next day, Ben's actual birthday, we made a special breakfast of french toast and scrambled eggs.  As per Ben's request.  Then I took the boys to the pool so Ben could have a few hours to relax and do whatever he wanted to do.  When we came home, we opened presents; this year Ben wanted some University of Utah athletic wear, and a CD.  He is not very demanding for gifts, but I think he is saving up for some sort of tablet device.  We just have to figure out how to get it here, since we cannot ship such devices to ourselves.  That night we had some friends over from church for Family Home Evening.  We had more cake and sang, again.
He had a good birthday.

I am excited about this particular birthday because all year he has made fun of me for being so old, but now he is thirty as well.  He is no longer a young adult, but a full fledged grown-up.  Welcome to the club, husband.

I love Ben, and am so grateful for him, and all he does for me and our two boys.  He is a great man.

Interview with Jack.

Here is Jack's interview.  I loved how both of these interviews were completely their own, and showed their personalities.
When I interviewed Thomas, Jack said, I want to do one.  I told him we would do it on his birthday, but he wanted to do it right then.  So we did.

Jack is an amazing little boy.  We are so happy he is in our family.

Happy Birthday, Jack.

Here is the written interview.

1. How old are you?  Four, but I reminded him we were pretending it was his birthday, so he said five
2. Who is your best friend?  Owen
3. What is your favorite thing to do?  Play toys
4. What is your favoirte color?  Orange
5. What is your favorite food?  Pancakes
6. What do you like to do with your family?  Love them and be kind
7. What is your favorite toy?  McDonalds Decepticon
8. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Rescue Hero
9. What makes you happy?  Playing toys really nice
10. What makes you sad?  When Thomas hits me
11. What is your favorite show to watch?  Oggy and the Cockroaches 
12. What is your favorite book?  Spiderman
13. What do you love to learn about?  Star Wars stuff
14. What was the best part of your birthday?  (I reminded him to pretend it was his birthday)  Batman
15. Where do you like to go?  Toy Store
16. What is your favorite treat?  Caramel Hershey Kisses
17. What do you think about before you fall asleep?  Trying to sleep
18. If you could meet someone famous who would it be?  Chinese guy
19. What was your favorite birthday present?  A batman one.

Interview with Thomas.

Today is Thomas' 3rd birthday.  To celebrate, we ate cupcakes and ice cream, opened presents, and lit sparklers.  It was a good day.
My favorite Thomas quote, right before we lit the sparklers "Let's get this party started".


Happy Birthday Thomas.

In case you don't watch the video, here are the Q&A's from the interview (thank you pinterest for the interview questions)

1. How old are you?  Four
2. Who is your best friend?  Jackson
3. What is your favorite thing to do?  Play toys
4. What is your favorite color?  Blue
5. What is your favorite food?  Chicken Nuggets
6. What do you like to do with your family?  Play with my friends
7. What is your favorite toy?  Power Rangers
8. Wat do you want to be when you grow up?  Like Daddy
9. What makes you happy?  Playing toys
10. What makes you sad?  When I pull your skirt
11. What is your favorite show to watch? Hop
12. What is your favorite book?  Cars 2
13. What do you love to learn about?  My kids
14. What was the best part of your birthday?  Eating chocolate
15. Where do you like to go?  McDonald's
16. What is your favorite treat?  Hershey Kisses
17. What do you think about before you fall asleep?  Take a bath
18. If you could meet someone famous who would it be?  Read books
19. What was your favorite birthday present?  Nerf Gun

I did not prompt any answers, or correct wrong answers.  This is 100% Thomas.

Best. Party. Ever.

I have been planning a way to celebrate my birthday for a year.  After several different ideas that had to change because of work, schedules and other things, I finally decided to have a birthday party.  For the last month, I have been moving forward and planning.  Then, a week ago, another setback happened, and I was going to cancel my party.

The party was supposed to happen at my friends house in San Diego, however, last Sunday she found out that she had to attend a funeral and was going to be out of town for my birthday.  Very sad.  She said that I could throw the party at her house anyway, but she has cats.  Do you remember what happened last time we were responsible for someone's pet?  I was not up for losing another cat.

The only answer in my mind:  cancel the party.

Then Ben told me that we should have the party here, at our house.  The only bummer?  My friends in San Diego would not be able to come, so I was really disappointed.


Even though there were a lot of complications, it was totally worth it, because it was the best party I have ever had.

There was a photo booth, amazing desserts, fireworks, and excellent company.  Really, an amazing party.

If this party is any reflection of how my 30's are going to go- I am excited to see what happens.

My Life in PIctures from Loved Ones.

Thank you everyone for sending wonderful pictures.  I have been blessed with amazing people in my life, and I am grateful for the love and friendship I have been blessed with.

My mom and me. 

My dad and me.

Going away party before we moved to Moscow.
Summer 1998

The next four pictures are from my Snow College Days, sent to me from Anja.

Anja was my first college roommate.

Lindsey, Anja and me.
I look kind of scary in this picture.

Me and Anja

Anja and me.

Nothing like traveling to go see a school basketball game.

These pictures are from my days as a missionary in Rochester, New York.  The first two pictures are from my good friend Ashley.

Missionary meeting in the Sacred Grove. 

The day I came home from my 18 month mission.

Family Christmas pajama picture- 2004

These next pictures were submitted by my dad.  I had never seen them before, and absolutely love 

them.

We had a BBQ reception a few months after we got married, in Virginia.  We did not feel like getting dressed up again in the August heat, so we made it very casual.  

We didn't have wedding cake at our first reception, so we did the whole cake feeding thing.

Family Pictures, 2006

My grandpa's funeral in 2006.

Halloween Party 2008.  Some of my good friends from New Jersey.  I am the one in the red dress, red teeth and black wig.  My friend Melanie (who sent me this picture) is sitting next to me in the Olive Oyl costume.

This is the most creative picture.  One of my friends from New Jersey drew us in front of the church we went to.  We have both moved, but still keep in touch.

(Isn't this awesome?)

Thank you so much for sending in your pictures.  Just so you know, if you were thinking of sending pictures, but think it is too late- it is not.  I would love any pictures, at any time.

My favorite time of year and an assignment.

September has arrived, and it is one of my favorite times of the year.  Mostly because it is the month of my birth.

I am particularly excited about this year because I have a significant birthday coming up.  You know- the big 3-0.

Last year was an amazing birthday spent with all of my friends around the world.

This year I have another idea.

This year I am feeling a little nostalgic.  Most of my pictures are in storage, and I will not see them for a few more years.  So, this year, I would like pictures of you and me.  From the distant or recent past.

If you don't have a picture of the two of us together, how about a stick figure drawing or an edited photo to make it look like we were together at the Grand Canyon or on a hot air balloon or the Great Wall of China.  Anything.

I would like the pictures by the 26th of September.  That means you have time to search it out and find the perfect picture of us.  I am excited to see what you come up with!



You can e-mail me pictures benily05 (at) gmail (dot) com or if you want to mail them and you have my address, that will work too.


Just so you know-  I will be probably be putting them on the blog, unless you ask me not to.

It is going to be a great birthday!

Here are some pictures I found in the one album that is not in storage.

 First day of school 1991.

I am in the green and black.

Pretty sure I always thought I was cooler than I actually was.

Christmas 1987.

I am the child in the center surrounded by Jodie, Allen and my Grandpa.

What is going on with my hair? And my face?

 Sisters.  

Paige, me, Taylor.

Family picture 1983? 

I am the one in the stripes.

I love my parents' glasses.  

My aunt Jodie and me.

I think this is when she came home from her mission.

Happy Birthday Take Two or an Evening of Elegance.

We continued Ben's birthday celebration this week with a fancy dinner with some friends.  

It was a wonderful night.  We got dressed up, took some pictures, and went to dinner. 

We went to Ruth's Chris Steak House, and the food was AMAZING!  My favorite part (besides my hot husband) was dessert.  The Creme Brulee was to die for.  Seriously. Amazing.  I think the serving size was made to share, but I ate the entire thing. (Insert oink sound here.)

Thanks friends for an amazing evening.

The Ladies.

Another day to celebrate.

Yesterday was Ben's birthday. 

For the next two months, we are the same age.  It makes me feel younger.

I am grateful for Ben.

 Some of my favorite things about Ben:

He is my all-time favorite.

He is generous and kind.  

He is patient and loving.

He loves me a lot, and that makes me so happy.  

He is really good looking which makes me really happy.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Celebrate another year!

Our firstborn turned four today!

We are grateful for him and all the energy he brings to our family.

Happy Birthday Jack!

We had church in the morning, but we were able to open presents and play with them before we left. 

Jack did not get a party this year because next week he is going to Jedi Knight Camp!

Jack asked for a cake with a volcano and lava.  He also said that the lava had to be on the ground.
When I showed him what I had done, he said it was perfect!

 

Now for a trip down memory lane.

 

What a happy, handsome young man!