Surprise Party!

The night before Delaney's birthday we threw her a surprise party. And she was definitely surprised, which is a miracle considering her younger brothers knew all about it...but they never let the cat out of the bag! The party was to the theme of the Twilight books, which was perfect because the 4th and last book in the series was just released the Saturday before the party. We got her friend Sade (Sha-day) to keep her occupied for a couple of hours while we decorated and did the last minute stuff. The party was set to be outside, and because the forecasted thunderstorm of the day never occurred, we got it all set up. Of course, just as the guests started to arrive the wind whipped up and ominous clouds rolled in, so we all moved the party inside. Turned out to be a good move, because as I picked up Delaney and Sade to bring them home the skies literally opened up and it began to pour. Rather than be dismayed, I was delighted as the Twilight books are set in the rainy town of Forks, Washington, so it was the perfect setting for our party! Delaney came home and was totally shocked to see all her friends screaming and shouting 'Surprise' at her. She and Sade had gone to the pool and Delaney ~ good sport that she is ~ didn't even bat an eyelash that she was not all gussied up for the party. She did quickly go changed into something red to go along with the theme and then was out in a flash to join the party. We played a Twilight Jeopardy game (those girls really know those books by the way!) And we had lots of great Twilight Tunes and munchies and cake as well as lots of talking and giggling- a dozen teen girls! - going on. It was a great night full of birthday and Twilight fun.

The setting...

The Invitations...

"Vampires, Werewolves, and Edward...Oh My!"

The guests wrote favorite quotes from the Twilight books or sweet notes on this banner

The Birthday Girl

Delaney greets her guests

Twilighters

Delaney ready to make a wish

Delaney loved the melting candles and had to have a picture

And on her actual b-day..

What a 14-year old Delaney looks like

Opening her presents
On our way out for a day with Mom

Happy Birthday beautiful girl...

August 6th, 2008

Today was Delaney's 14th birthday. The beautiful, tiny baby I gave birth to has grown into a beautiful, and still kind of tiny young woman. I love Delaney for all the joy she has brought to our lives, all the wonderful things she does, the talents she possesses, the compassion she bestows on others, and I love watching her life unfold and seeing her hopes, dreams, and mere possibilities become realities. Delaney ~ I could never have hoped for a better experience than I have had of being a mother to such an amazing daughter. I love you!

Boys, boys, boys...

At the end of July I had my nephew's Noah and Simon (Trav and Amy's kids) come for a visit. We had a lot of fun with them here. Noah is 6 and Simon is 4 so they are just the right ages to play with my younger boys. We kept everyone busy and they in turn kept us busy! We had fireworks at our house for the 24th of July celebration (Pioneer Day to you non-Utahns ~ the 24th is an actual holiday here!)...went to the Pioneer Day Parade in Monticello and the festival in the park afterwards with a cool fireworks show that night...there were trips to the local pool...they went fishing with Layne....there were two Nielson Family Reunion dinners ~ both Friday and Saturday nights...they caught grasshoppers...we took a trip up the mountain to look for deer...and there was just lots of playing with Transformers, playing on the slip-n-slide, and all sorts of fun things. Throughout all of the fun Brody finally lost his first two teeth ~ one Thursday and one Saturday ~ so the Tooth Fairy had to make two visits while tryint not to wake up all those boys! It was such fun to have the cousins here ~ we might even make it an annual tradition!

Everyone playin' tagSimon on the slip-n-slide Nash, Simon, Noah, and Brody checkin' out the loot from the parade
Pioneer Day Parade float
Noah bobbed for apples and won $1.00!
Noah and Simon at the edge of Foy Lake

Simon, Layne, Nash, Coop, Brody, Noah, Ev, and the lone girl - Delaney
Goofy Simon
Noah and Brody say goodbye

Layne's mom Glenice rides in the parade

Brody and his new smile

Simon and Noah loved getting to ride up the mountain without being buckled up!

Me, Simon, and Ev at Foy Lake

'Fireworks by Layne' Noah putting his grasshopper in the cage
Brody, Simon, and Nash checking out their grasshoppers
Cooper and Noah wrestling

The cousins together just before Noah and Simon went back to New Mexico

We met up with Trav in Durango, CO to give him back his boys...

Happy Birthday My Friend...

Today is my old friend Jessica's birthday. Well not my old friend...I mean my long-time friend. I met Jess on the first day of 5th grade. I was back at my elementary school after having moved to a different school for just one year the previous school year so I was feeling kind of like the 'new girl.' But Jessica was brand new at our school and she seemed kind of shy, so I got it in my head that I would be her friend and she could be mine! When we got into the classroom and were allowed to choose our desks I decided, unbeknownst to Jess, to discreetly choose a seat by her and I just knew we'd then become friends. Apparently Jess couldn't decide which seat was best, because after choosing one she then wandered around and chose another one. So yes, I followed her like a little puppy dog; thankfully she was none the wiser. I think it's kinda pathetic, but it doesn't matter because it worked and we became great friends all through our school years and now here we are 28 years later! Jess has always thought that story was extremely funny and I can see why. Another funny thing about that school year was that our teacher, Mrs. Baker, could never remember Jessica's true name....she was always calling her Jennifer and the whole class would say "Jessica!" whenever she did.

Things I love about Jess...

She used to write me funny notes in school (Santa Party Note)
She comes up with the best nicknames for her kids and her pets
I always laugh when we are together
We get each other's senses of humor
She is a good mom
She had a cool, peach VW bug in high school and always drove us everywhere
She is a loyal friend
She always knows how to make things look beautiful
She is forgiving...thanks Jess

Happy Birthday my Friend!

Jessica in 5th grade

Me in 5th grade

Shake...rattle...roll

Why I am glad I don't live in California - Reason #52

I am happy that I was not living in California for yesterday's 5.4 earthquake. The epicenter was in Chino Hills, which is the city Layne used to work in when we lived there. Yikes! Apparently the phones were out for a while and then the circuits were all busy, so I know I wouldn't have been able to get a hold of him. I do not miss that part of living in California. Even when they're moderate like Tuesday's quake, you don't know that when you are going through it. And then you spend the rest of the day, and usually the next couple of days, stopping for every little sound or movement that might be an aftershock, or even worse, 'the big one'! The thing that was always eerie to me is the sound that accompanies the quakes. Hard to describe, but there is definitely an earthquake sound.

I am pleased to say that I talked to my folks in both Placentia and Corona, and no damage - but stuff did fall over at my Mom's ~ quite a bit of stuff actually. And Joe said that at work the water sloshed out of the aquarium. Interestingly, the fish continued to swim near the surface of the water after it was all over. I asked him if they were 'swimming' upside down :) but he said no, just swimming near the top. Dont' know why. Hmmmmm......

Cool Nielson Family Birthday Stuff...

Layne's Grandma Nielson (who passed away before I ever met Layne) has one son and two grandchildren who were born on her birthday. Layne's dad, Steve, was born on March 2nd, 31 years to the day after his own mother was born. Then Layne, was born on March 2nd, again 31 years to the day after his dad was born. I always thought that was so interesting, but then after a Nielson family reunion tonight I found out that Layne has a cousin who was also born on March 2nd! Isn't that amazing? I think so. I also think Layne's grandma must have loved it! :)

My Cheatin' Heart...

I fell off the wagon...the Diet Coke wagon. It started with cheating by taking a couple of sips of Layne's soda on a hot day, and from there it just spiraled out of control. I was painting my living room and it was hot and I was thirsty and I just had to have an icy cold soda. And then another. And then on our trip to SLC this weekend, I totally caved. But now, it's Monday, I am back home, and I'm off the stuff. And as insurance I am posting my soda issues here so everyone knows what I am up to!