Two surprises and a birthday

I've been 50 for a whole three days now, and I've decided it's not much different from being 49.  Haha.  I sure have had a wonderful several days.  Last Thursday the 9th,  Kylee asked me to get something for her out of the front hall closet, and when I opened the door, there stood Jessica saying "Surprise!"  I was completely and totally shocked!  She and Brad are living in Houston this summer while he sells security systems for Vivint, so I didn't expect to see her until the end of August.  Kylee had picked her up in SLC when she went down for a doctor appointment that afternoon.  It was so wonderful having her home, knowing we would be able to spend our birthday together on Monday and keep our streak alive of never being away from each other on June 13.  This is the best present she could have given me!

Friday night and Saturday morning I enjoyed spending some time with three of my sisters and Mom.  We  missed having Janet there.  We ate out at Elements, then went to Mom's to look through some old pictures and letters.  Saturday morning we went for a walk along the Logan River trail, ate breakfast at our house, then made some cards and gift tags.  The girls and I then spent another hour making more gift tags. This is what each of us ended up with.  I love having these on hand!

Sunday the 12th, we all (except Kylee who went to Brody's Mom's for dinner- or so I thought. . .) went to Tom and Freda's for dinner.  After dinner I was just relaxing and visiting with everyone, minding my own business, when all of the sudden, Mike was putting a blindfold on me and whisking me off to show me something for my birthday "real quick." Everyone seemed in the dark about what he was doing, and told him to hurry back because we were just getting ready to have dessert. . . After driving around for about 30 minutes (I had no idea where we were going, and Mike wasn't dropping any hints) we finally arrived at our destination.  After he led me from the car and took off the blindfold, I was totally shocked to see this little scene set up in the park near our home (Ky had been here setting up with the Skeens & Petersens help instead of having dinner at Brody's parents.)

 I couldn't believe I had no idea this was happening.  All of Mike's family was there except Sadie, Derek and Isaac, and from my side there was Mom, the Skeens, Von, Caspersons, and Petersens.  Kylee had been planning it all since February, and in the last few days had help from Mike, Jessica and several others.  It was so touching to see all the work and detail she put in to making a fun and memorable surprise for me. Mike was in charge of blowing up 25 balloons and getting helium in the other 25.  He typed up a list of 50 things he loves about me, cut them up, and put one in each of the balloons. It was so fun popping them when the party was over and reading them all.  It was so sweet.  We ate several varieties of cookies, oreo pops, cake and milk. Ky planned two games to see who knew me best- the first one being 25 questions about me with multiple choice answers.  Ann won, with Von, Mom and Mike coming in one point behind.  Then everyone had to guess the age of me in 25 different photos.  Stacie and Mom tied for first. (I don't even think I would have won that one. . .).  It was just such a fun surprise!  I loved it so much.  It was fun to talk about everything Kylee had done to keep it a surprise after we got home that evening. 

 I love how Kylee took charge of the party, standing up on her platform so everyone could hear her.  She put so much time, thought, creativity and effort into this party I just can't get over it. And if that wasn't enough, she also made me this T-shirt quilt, a DVD to music w/ pictures of me and the kids through the years, the birthday banner you see hanging at the party w/ the materials to make one w/ everyone's name on it, and a calendar she made!  I'm thinking next year just a card will be more than enough!

The next day, on my actual birthday, I woke up to see these lovely decorations in the front yard. . . Thanks to my friend Janae for garage sign, and cow and signs (aren't they creative?)  Ky and Jessica did the sign above the door and the balloons.

The girls and I left at 9:00 to drive to SLC to shop a little at the Gateway and have lunch at Thaifoon.  Delicious.  The tom kah gai soup was to die for.  It's my new favorite food.  We dropped Jess off at the airport to fly back to Houston then Ky and I went to the best bakery in SLC called Ruby Snap.  It only sells cookies, and they also are TO DIE FOR! They are way better than any I make- if that tells you anything.  Ky and I met up with Ann in Ogden to do a little shopping, go for a walk along the bulging Ogden River, and eat dinner at Sanora Grill.
 

Home at 8 to finally see the boys and Mike for the day (I did see Cam and Mike in the morning before we left) and open a bunch of awesome presents.  Mike gave me a Garmin Forerunner which is a watch that tells time, distance, pace, heart rate, calories, and has a GPS.  SWEET. I've been wishing for one for awhile. I already mentioned what Ky gave me,  Jess gave me the gift of her- flown in from Houston, and the boys gave me a costa vida gift card and candy.  I also got great gifts from extended family and a few friends.  It was so much fun!  I loved everything about the whole weekend, even if it all means that I have to be 50
now. . . Thanks to everyone who contributed in making this the best birthday!

Happy birthday to me!

I'm turning an age this year that I've been giving a lot of thought to.  For quite awhile now.  It's kind of freaking me out.  But I'm trying hard not to let it.  I've been doing a lot of thinking about all that has happened in my life since my last big birthday - which was 10 years ago when I turned 40.  That's right, I'm 50 today.  AHHH!  I've decided to be really positive and happy about being 50 and concentrate on embracing all the wonderful things that come with being this old, and be happy for all the great experiences and life lessons I've learned along the way.  I'd especially like to focus on some great events and accomplishments that have happened to me just in the past 10 years. I've broken them down into several categories. . .

PHYSICAL FEATS
* 3 sprint triathlons
* an olympic triathlon 
* a 10k, 8k, 5k run
* 2 top of Utah half marathons
* LOTOJA bike race with Mike (I did 50 miles, he did 130)
* 2 biathlons (5 mile run, 16 mile bike)
* 4 Little Red Riding Hood bike rides of varying distances, the longest being 70
* biked around Bear Lake two times (50 miles)
* did many hikes in the valley including: Crimson Trail several times, wind caves, Jardine Juniper, Temple Fork Saw Mill three times, Cherry Peak, Mt. Naomi twice, White Pine twice, Blind Hollow, Green Canyon over  to the Wind Caves twice, Saddleback mountain twice,  and from Avon to Liberty.  Out of the valley: Timp Cave, Stuart falls three times, the "Y" mountain, and Multnomah Falls in Oregon,

VACATIONS
Family Vacations to:
*Camping to Arches, four corners, Colorado
*Mesa 3 times
*Las Vegas
*Bryce Canyon/Zion National Park
*Disneyland
*Camping to Yellowstone
*Camping to Jackson Hole
*NYC & Washington DC, Niagara Falls, Ohio
*Cruise to the Mexican Riviera
*Camping to Provo Canyon
*Bear Lake
*Washington/Oregon

Other Vacations:
*Me to Vegas with Ann & her girls & husbands
*Cruise for me and Mike with my extended family
*Me and Mike to Mesa for his 40th BD
*Me to Mesa for a winter visit 6 times
*NYC for me with Freda, Teresa and Michelle
*LA and Vegas for me with same three girls

BIG EVENTS
* Jake's baptism
* Moving into this house
* Cam's baptism
* Kylee's LHS & USU graduation
* Kylee and Brody's wedding
* Jessica's LHS graduation
* Jessica and Brad's wedding

WORK
LOTS of painting:
*most of the Skeens house in Liberty (and lots of outside work)
*carol's house
*several rooms in Mom's house, Janets house,  Lindseys house, Sara and Jamies houses.
*this whole house (including the garage), with every room but Jake's and our master bathroom getting a second painting 5-6 years later
*ky and Brody's basement apartment, and their house on the island

*Job at Prince Gallery for 10 months
*ESL aide at Mount Logan Middle School for 5 years

PHYSICAL CHANGES
*I know these are pictures that cover more than just the past 10 years, but I thought it would be fun to look back over the past 4 decades and see how I've changed. . . lets start with me in 5th grade at age 10. . .

 Age 20.  Attending Ricks College.

 Age 30. Living in Mesa. I'm 5'10", 6'3" with the hair. . . haha

 Age 40.  Living in our house previous to this one.

 Age 50.

WEDDINGS & MISSIONS
We've attended most (if not all) of the weddings and missionary farewells and welcome homes (and or receptions) of many extended family members.  It's always a joy to be there and share in the happiness of the day.
*Cody & Sara, Lindsey & Ryan, Jamie & Ryan, Dustin & Daelynn, Nick & Tina, Jordan & Jake, Claire & Rich, Stacie & Rick, Tommy & Jessica, Dave &  Courtney and Syd & Adam.  I'll add Ky & Brody and Jess & Brad even though they already got mentioned in the big event category.  Since they're my own kids, I guess I can mention them twice!  I'm so impressed that although these weren't all temple marriages originally, they are now.   With missionaries: Jordan, Nick, Dave and Andy. 

CALLINGS, TECHNOLOGY & MISC
I've had 4 callings over the past 10 years, and they've all been rather time consuming, and way out of my comfort zone.  But I've learned something from each one.
*Counselor in Stake Relief Society Presidency
*Young Women President
*Cub Master
*Secretary in ward RS presidency

In the past 10 years, I've gotten a CELL PHONE (really? That's amazing), digital camera, DVR, and flat screen TV.

Two other highlights I wanted to mention.  Mike and I got to attend the Martin's Cove Trek with our stake along with both the girls the summer after Kylee graduated from high school.  It was a life changing experience for me, and I have a greater love and appreciation for our pioneer ancestors than ever before.

A couple summers ago, while helping Gary and Nancy with one of the Operas, I had the great opportunity (along with Ann, Trace and my friend Janae)  to shake President Thomas S. Monson's hand and talk to him for a short time.  What a great blessing that was.

I can't imagine how the next 10 years can be as full and exciting as the past 10 have been, but they just might as we (hopefully) have grandchildren to look forward to, missions, more graduations, weddings, vacations, family time and service opportunities.  Thank you all, my wonderful family and friends for everything you do and have done to make my life so wonderful.  I love and appreciate you all more than you'll ever know.