The Beauty of Daughters!

Connecting with her Danish roots:  making Ebelskivers like Grandma Nielsen used to do!

 Sometimes the sun shines in our special places.....

 She LOVES her momma!

 She loves to sing, and we LOVE to hear her too!

...and a family dinner to wrap up her 12th birthday.

Our daughters are our world!  Precious, beautiful daughters.

Happy 12th Birthday to one of the most lovely people I know: Taylor Jae!

 We have waited and waited for this day to come:  Taylor turning 12 years old!  We decided on having a Luau-themed party.  I had all of the guest text me their shoe sizes for an activity I had planned (thank you Pintrist).

Before the party, we gave Taylor our gift:  concert tickets to see Taylor Swift in June!  YAY!  She was so excited!  The perfect gift for our 12 year old daughter.

The guests arrived at 2:00 for the party.  We sat around, ate and visited for a while.

 Outside, I had put up tables with flip flops and all sorts of decorations.  It was awesome!  The girls had a blast uniquely designing and decorating the flip flops.  Too fun!

 I had a few coconut relays planned as well.  The girls had so much fun with my crazy ideas. 

Then we hula-ed for a while to some fun music!

 While Taylor was opening her presents, a para-glider suddenly appeared behind our house.  There was cheering galore!

 Taylor's amazing primary teacher, Sister Sidwell, came over with a huge cupcake/cake for her birthday.  Wow- we sure are blessed in this neighborhood!

It was a super day for Taylor.  It is 11:22pm and she just arrived home from hanging out with more friends this evening.  We love her so much!  What a beautiful gift to our family-

Cutest brace face on the planet!

 BEFORE

AFTER

(Yup, green rubber bands)

Sometimes my kids take my camera.....

 .....and I don't know it!  The surprise pictures always make me smile. 

Track Meet at THS

 Both Austin and Jaxson ran track this past week.  Austin placed first in his heat and Jaxson second.  They are both so much fun to watch on the track.  Love my runners!

Our Soccer Girl!

 Alyssa has been ready to play soccer for about 1 year now.  I was lucky to get her onto a spring league.  She LOVES it!  For her first game, she made certain that we curled the back of her hair.  Most of her games have been in the cold and she has been a trooper about it.

(Cuddles with Grandma Barbie sure help a lot!)

Pinewood Derby 2013

Meet our new Bear, his speedy car and hot father!

Get your winter gear on: it's time for spring sports in UTAH!

 NOOOOO KIDDIN'!!!!!!  This 2013 spring weather has been crazy!  Some days, we are around 70 degrees and the next day, I am shivering in my ski clothes!

BUT, they are worth it!  Yes, all of my little athletes don't seem to mind the cold as long as mom, dad and their grandparents are there. 

So of course we live for and love each new season!

A 4-Day Birthday Celebration for the birthday girl!

 It really never ended!  It started on Friday, April 19th.  I met mom and dad at Red Lobster in SLC.  It hadn't been the three of us since..... probably my mission to Switzerland, so it was a special afternoon.  Mom gave me a priceless gift:  a biography of my youth.  I love it!  It is really one of the most special gifts I have ever received.  Thanks mom and dad for everything.  Simply, EVERYTHING!

 Later that evening, I went out for dinner with Dave, Jeff and Nicole.  They are always lots of fun to be with so I really enjoyed another birthday celebration.

Saturday night, it was La Jolla Groves with the Hults and Michelle (Dana and Yo had sick kids).  I love that place; even more, I love my friends!

Sunday night included cake, ice cream and fresh strawberries for me and little Luke Bingham.  Michelle was so sweet to make us both feel special!  Love her!

 Monday, April 22nd:  When I arrived at school, there was the nicest poster in the hall, hung by the sweetest kids for my birthday.  Students signed it throughout the day.  I loved it.

 Then came the most unexpected, random gift!  Madeline Udall, a 9th grade student, presented me with a gift she and her mother had put together:  "$1 for our German Thoughts" filled with notes from each student and a dollar too!  I was in shock!   I think I exclaimed, "Is this legal?"  The notes were just priceless.  The money was so sweet too but I was pretty certain it not legal to give teachers cash so I checked in with my principal.  He agreed with my concern and suggested I put it in the Alpine Fund and purchase something special for my classroom; then, when I leave OCJH, I can take it with me!  I have something in mind already:  a Schwibbogen!

My kids were cute, Dave and sweet too and Barbara wrapped up the birthday week with a yummy dinner at her home the following Sunday.  This IS my best year yet!  I am blessed beyond counting with people, health, freedom and religion in my life.  Yes, happy birthday to me.