Beauty & Culture

We had two concerts back to back last week.  This was the gorgeous view on the way into the high school where Danny's Jr. High orchestra was performing.  It took my breath away.  Watching my sons musical performances was pretty awesome too.  It makes me so happy that they love music and that they are trying to be well-rounded.  They do it because they want to.  :)

Danny in the 8th grade orchestra for Greenfield Junior High

Alex on the right in the back.  He is in the Concert Choir for Highland High School.

Kirk Jones

Mike Plowman, Brad, Steve Mousser, KIRK JONES, Mike Ward, John Davis

We had a dear friend pass away a couple of weeks ago.  He was only 53 years old.  His name was Kirk Jones and he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  I have thought about Kirk and Karen a lot this last couple of weeks.  It is impossible to summarize his life in just a paragraph or two, but I just wanted to share how much he touched our lives.  And by "our" lives - I don't just mean my family's, but our whole "ward family".  Kirk and Karen moved into the ward 2 1/2 years ago.  They knew something was wrong and suspected ALS, but got the formal diagnosis soon after they moved in.  The thing that struck me so much about him was his friendliness and how happy he seemed.  Over the last couple of years, we watched his body wither away, but we were also privileged to watch his spirit grow brighter and stronger.  

He served as Executive Secretary to Brad while he was Bishop and was just released on October 31, 2010 with the rest of the bishopric.  He was so good at names.  I think he knew everyone and had the gift to make us all feel special and like he was our best friend.  Our ward had the opportunity to serve him and his family over the years, but I feel like what we received from Kirk was definitely more than we gave.  I know that he blessed my family's life greatly and we are so thankful that we got to know him.  We will miss him dearly.

Luckiest Boy in the World!

Danny went bowling for a friend's birthday.  Each boy was given a $5 card to use on some of the other games that were there.  Danny used that and $2 of his own and came home with a 16 gig Ipod Nano!  What?  That just doesn't happen!  He played one of those stupid chance games that I hate so bad, but it also had to do a lot with timing . . . which Danny obviously had :)  I am really happy (and jealous) :) for him that he won it - but now my boys are gonna think those games are even cooler.  It's a little too much like gambling for my taste so we usually try and stay away from them.  It's really ironic because ever since we have had kids, their dad has really discouraged them from playing those games - always telling them "you never win!"

Pinewood Derby 2011

 This week has really been a full one.  Brad and Ryan spent President's Day making Ryan's Pinewood Derby car.  Ryan really did a lot of the work and he loved it!  He LOVES spending time with his dad and he loves cub scouts.  He finished up his Wolf last month and is now a Bear.

 Here he is with the finished product - The Hotdog Mobile!  Aren't they cute?!

 Ready for the big race . . . can you see the excitement?

 Getting ready to push the button . . . 5-4-3-2-1!!!!!

 Ryan and Quinn

I Feel Like Super Mom!

 

This is the awesome quilt that I made for Emily's birthday!  It is made up of t-shirts that she has saved for YEARS - I'm talkin' some from 4-6th grade.  There are shirts from "Battle of the Books", "Jump-Rope-for-Heart", church girls camps, band, choir, you name it, it's there!  I am so glad that she saved all of those shirts.  What a great way to keep some memories :)

I am really proud of myself for making it!  I have tied quilts here and there, but never started completely from scratch.  It was a lot of fun and I am so glad that she loves it!

First Date

Tonight is the 25th anniversary of my first date with my hubby.  25 years . . . a quarter of a century - that is a long time!  But what's funny about it is that it seems like I have been with him for longer - forever in fact.  And I definitely mean that in a good way :).  It is sometimes difficult to really remember what life was like before Brad.  I remember things, but it seems like it was another lifetime.  This one, the one with him is the one I always dreamed about as a little girl.  I can't believe I get to live my life with him.  The best part is that if we live right, we will get to be together forever.

For posterity's sake I will recall the details of that night!  We went to BYU's production of "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat".  It ended way sooner than we expected so we went to Brad's apartment and hung out.  We watched an episode of Taxi and chatted with roommates.  That's it - but we were together pretty much every day after that!

Brad, thank you for finding me and loving me.  Thanks for being my best friend and the one who I always would rather be with.  Thanks for putting up with all my flaws :)

First Born

THAT is the number of years ago that my first-born and only daughter Emily was born!  Emily was born on February 19, 1988.  I want to dedicate this post to the wonderful sister that she is to her FOUR little brothers.  Every time we had a baby, she would be sooooo excited and always hoping for a little sister.  I have to admit that she cried a couple of times when she found out each time that we were having a boy.  But...I do have to say that there was never a better sister ever.  When she was little, she made do with Taylor and conned him into playing dress-up with her and even barbies!  Taylor was given Ken and the "beast" from Beauty and the Beast so he would play with her!

She has always been so good to play games with them and hang out with them.  Especially since she has been gone for 5 years now.  She makes the most out of every minute she is home and the boys love it.  A week or two ago, she wrote the sweetest blog post about being a sister.  You can find it here.

 San Diego

 Washington D.C.

 Taylor and Emily Band Buddies

 Ryan HAD to be in the Senior Prom picture

Danny leaving Emily at her dorm at BYU - 4 1/2 years ago!

 Em had just gotten back from Mozambique

 Leaving Taylor at the MTC

Alex & Emily at Christmas

Nothing better than siblings :)

We love you so much Emily!  We are so glad that you are our daughter and sister.  You set such a wonderful example for us.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Birthdays & Disney Magic

I always knew that I have the best husband in the world - but gee whiz - he still catches me off guard.  January and into February was one of our worst on record.  I was sick for a whole month.  I had bronchitis and a sinus infection and then Ryan got sick.  He had a high fever and got sicker and sicker.  Four days in, I finally took him to the doctor and he said he had a really bad flu and that we would probably all get it.  This is where I proclaim what a bad mom I am, because I know I am supposed to get flu shots for myself and my children because we have lung issues in our family.  What can I say?  I just never found the time?  I don't know what the reason is, but I didn't do it . . . and can I just say that I will NEVER make that mistake again.  

That very night, Danny and I came down with the flu - on top of my bronchitis I already had.  I was the sickest I can remember being for a long time.  I literally did not move from my bed except to use the bathroom for 4 days.  It was horrible.  Then, poor Brad got sick on Friday night.  So, we all managed to get the flu except for Alex . . . go figure because he always gets sick.

The problem was, I just couldn't seem to kick everything even with antibiotics.  My birthday was coming up on February 5th and Brad started acting weirder and weirder.  Since he is notorious for fabulous birthday surprises, I asked him if he had plans.  He finally broke down and told me that he had been planning a surprise Disney trip since Thanksgiving.  Emily was even gonna fly down and drive over with us and then fly back to SLC from California.  Brad was struggling wondering if he should cancel everything.  With more confidence than I actually felt, I told him that things would be fine and we should just go.  I was surprised and excited, but boy was I worried.

Things turned out a lot better than I had hoped.  I stocked up on my cough meds and my breathing machine and off we went.  I'm embarrassed to admit it, but Brad rented a wheelchair to push me around the park.  I was just too weak and sick to do all the walking that Disneyland required.  Anyway, it was a WONDERFUL surprise and a much needed break in the sunshine for me and my family.  I love my awesome husband more than anything.  He is the best!!!!

 Waiting in line for the Matterhorn

 The longest line the whole time was for Toy Story Arcade.  Ryan got tired of standing :)

 Space Mountain

I LOVE the miniature villages in Storybook land!!

Alex and Danny look thrilled don't they?!

Ryan was so excited to be able to ride everything and to "drive" the Indiana Jones car

I love these kiddos and it sure makes me miss Elder McBride :)

Ryan's Birthday Re-visited in Pictures

 Ryan and Nana

 Ryan wanted "hot wings" aka buffalo wings for his dinner

The coveted Nintendo DSi

 Murphy and Danny getting a little too excited!

9 birthday candles!

I'm the Lucky One :)

I don't know how I got so lucky to have 2 sweethearts on Valentines Day.  But I am so very lucky.  These 2 cuties are who I get to share it with (besides my 4 other wonderful kids):

 Ryan was born on Valentines Day 9 years ago!  I can't believe that my little guy, my tail end of the family is already 9 years old...where did the time go?  He was my little sidekick for years, but he is growing up enough that he wants to be close, but not too close!  I took Taco Bell and some balloons to him for lunch today and got to hear all the kids in the cafeteria sing to him - it was great!  I love this guy so much and I am so happy that he came to our family.  He is such a happy spirit and brings sunshine wherever he goes.  The thing I love best about him right now is that everything that he does: every food that he eats, every activity that he does, is the "best thing I ever ate, or "the funnest thing I ever did"!  Wouldn't it be great if we all lived life like that?  Happy 9th birthday and Valentines Day Ryan :)

Now...this guy is my real and forever Valentine.  Did I already say that I was lucky?  Well, I'm not just lucky, I am sooooo blessed to have this guy as my sweetheart.  I don't think there was ever in the history of man, a husband that treated his wife with as much love and respect as mine does.  Even my mom points out to me how lucky I am!  I'm not trying to be mushy and over-the-top, but I am totally serious.  I married waaaayy out of my league.  This guy is the real thing and I get him FOREVER!!!  Love you Brad :)

December 2010

December came and went in a flash.  I have been so bad at keeping up with my posting.  I hope to do better next year.  Here are just a few photos and thoughts that made up part of December.  I still need to go back and post-date my thoughts on my dear husband getting released as Bishop . . . which is hard to do because my feelings are so jumbled.

 Alex & Friends before Winter Formal

We met up with the Patterson Family to go see the temple lights and Luke 2.  We love these guys and wish we could figure out how to do more together.  Cole is leaving in a week for his mission to Germany!  He gave a fabulous talk last Sunday.  Taylor can't believe that they won't see each other for 3 years and 3 months! 

 Here is our smaller family at the same time - minus Emily and Taylor :(

We had our annual Christmas Eve with the McBrides and the Mooneys.  It was wonderful like always.  Lots of good food and good family makes awesome memories!  These are the McBride/Mooney girl cousins:  Becky, Diana, Melissa and Emily

Here are the McBride boy cousins minus Elder Matt Mooney and Elder Taylor McBride:

Danny, Sam, Max, Alex, Isaac, Cole and Ryan.  Cole is getting baptized this Saturday!

After we are all done with our celebrations, we come home and do our own thing.  The kids usually get jammies, but this year they got Snuggies!  If you look really closely, you can see that Murphy has his own version of a Snuggie.  Alex bought him a little vest for Christmas :)

Elder McBride on Christmas Day!  We had the BEST talk with him.  I still say that missionary phone calls are the best gifts ever!  He is doing really well.  He loves being a missionary and is having a great time being in Santo Domingo finally.  He has been in the boondocks for all of his mission up until now.  He is living in a ghetto/gang area, but he loves the adventure of it.  Here he is with all of his little gifts including an awesome apron that Sister Sunderhaus made for him.  I think she made matching aprons for her son (his last companion) and Taylor!

This picture says it all for me.  The joy of being able to talk to your missionary on Christmas Day!  This is Ryan in his Snuggie talking to his big brother!

I hope that everyone had a great December like we did.  It is always such a frantic, busy time of year - but it is still my favorite!  We are so thankful for the birth of our Savior - the best gift of all.  We love Him and hope to be able to be able to show Him that love by serving others better this year.

2010: Rewind

Thanks to Emily for showing me this :)