Greg is over the hill

My baby brother turned 40 this year.  My mom put on a surprise party for him and it was fun to go down and spend some time with family and friends.  We had a Cafe Rio burrito bar and it was so yummy.  Lots of good toppings for that and for the ice cream sundaes we had for dessert.

Greg found out beforehand, so he decided to bring his craps table that he built himself when he was in college.  In fact, I think teaching people to play craps and then beating them at it is how he paid for his expenses while going to college.  So, he taught everyone who wanted to learn how to play, much to the dismay of this mother, my boys enjoyed it.

Temple Open House

For LaMarr's birthday this year, Sharlynn got us tickets to go with them up to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. It was so beautiful! It was the boys first time going to an open house and they loved it. They were a little leary about having to dress up in church clothes in the middle of the week, but they were all glad they went. Travis was a little concerned that there wasn't an aisle for the girls to walk down but then decided that the sealing rooms with the mirrors made up for it! It was a great experience. We also loved the refreshments and the refreshment tent was beautiful too! I've never seen a tent with chandeliers and a player piano. Tyrel said it was every boy scouts dream! Endless cookies and water and enough room to play football in! I really don't think the scouts will be getting a tent like that anytime soon though. We went with Diane and LaMarr, Sharlynn, Adam and Kristi, McKenzie and Alexis. Then we met up with the rest of the family and had dinner together for the birthday.

Sweet 16

Travis turned 16 a couple of weeks ago and I just got this layout done last night so I decided to post it. Isn't he cute, oops, I mean handsome? Just wanted to let him know how much we love him and that we think he is a great kid! Love you Trav! I'll post more about his party when I get the layouts done.

Tyrel is 14

We have had a busy birthday week at our house. Tyrel turned 14 on Tuesday and was ordained a Teacher today at church. We are so proud of him and the wonderful young man he is becoming.

14 things about Tyrel

1 - He honors his Priesthood

2 - He loves little kids and babies

3 - He is a wonderful athlete and we love watching him play basketball and soccer especially

4 - He loves to snuggle with mom and watch movies

5 - He likes to go for walks

6 - He is a good student, especially if he remembers to turn his homework in

7 - He likes hanging out with friends

8 - He works for us and he is a great little worker bee

9 - He is a Steelers fan - Bettis was his favorite player until he retired, now he loves Palomalu

10 - He is our best eater, there really isn't anything he doesn't like

11 - He loves popcorn

12 - He gives the best hugs

13 - He has lots of friends

14 - He is handy and likes to fix things

We love you Tyrel, Happy Birthday!

Turning 10 on March Ape

I can't believe my baby is 10 years old already. I can't believe how fast time goes. Trevin had his 10th birthday on March ape (that's what he used to say when he was little and people asked him when his birthday was). He and Tyrel wanted to get a Wii for their birthday as a combined present, so we went in on part of it and they all chipped in the rest. They have had fun with it. His birthday was on Sunday, so since we couldn't go out to eat for his birthday, he chose to have lasagne for his birthday. We also had chocolate bundt cake with chocolate glaze and ice cream. Grandpa and Grandma Nielsen came up for dessert and so did Todd, Haylee and their boys.

Here are 10 things about Trevin

1 - He sings and hums to himself when he doesn't think anyone is listening.

2 - He is a very good student (even though he forgets to turn in his homeowork)

3 - He picks good friends

4 - He is independent and can entertain himself

5 - He is perfectly happy to fix his own dinner and take care of things when we have YM/YW nights

6 - He has a strong testimony

7 - He obeys and respects us as his parents

8 - He likes to read and is an excellent speller but his favorite subject is Science

9 - He loves pizza and spaghetti (like most kids)

10 - He loves to play computer and video games

We love you Trevin. Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday To YOU!

I had this ready and saved as a draft and totally forgot to post it. I have been really busy this week, not that that is a good excuse, but it is the one I have. So, sorry Mom! Hope you had a great birthday! We love you and are grateful for all that you do for us!

Over the Hill?

I wanted to wish my wonderful husband a wonderful birthday today. I'll post layouts and details of his party later this week when I get them all edited, but today, I'm giving you the list of 40 things you may or may not know about Sean for his 40th birthday.
1 - Is a wonderful husband to his wife and father to his boys
2 - Knows how to play the guitar, trumpet, french horn, melophone, a little piano and the kazoo
3 - Loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and BYU football
4 - Served a mission to Michigan
5 - Likes to go camping, fishing and hunting
6 - Is a level 70 on WOW (World of Warcraft)
7 - Likes to ride his 4-wheeler, jeep, and go for Sunday drives in the golf cart
8 - Doesn't really enjoy reading unless it is the Rush Limbagh website, Ford Enthusiasts Website, or KSL.com
9 - Rush Limbagh is his favorite speaker
10 - Has 2 cute dimples on his face
11 - Earned his Eagle Scout award
12 - Used to have his own Landscaping business
13 - At one time owned 3 Jags
14 - Spent a few years as a cabinet builder and installer
15 - Enjoys playing golf
16 - Favorite question to ask his boys is "How'd you get so stinkin' cute?" And the response is supposed to be "I got my good looks from my dad."
17 - Doesn't really like Italian food - he thinks it all tastes the same
18 - Mt. Dew is his favorite drink - he wanted to have Mt. Dew fountain drinks at his wedding reception
19 - Is the oldest of 9 children
20 - Likes mission style furniture
21 - Loves chocolate - especially ice cream, and peanut m&ms
22 - His favorite season is Fall - he likes 70 degree temperatures
23 - Honors his priesthood
24 - Loves his Harley Davidson edition truck
25 - Likes to mow the lawn
26 - Thinks his wife looks good driving his truck
27 - Favorite room in his house is the covered deck
28 - Doesn't like to play board games but will occasionally play cards
29 - Hates reality TV shows unless it is sports or hunting shows or the Discovery Channel
30 - Dream job would be to build and sell computers for people but there is no money in that
31 - Went bungee jumping once
32 - Likes vegetables - even brussel sprouts, artichokes, and asparagus
33 - Is a good story teller
34 - Doesn't like to travel but does like to drive - at one time he wanted to be a long haul trucker like his grandpa
35 - Has only changed about 1/2 dozen diapers in his life
36 - Has always had the dream of retiring at age 50
37 - Likes sunflower seeds, beef jerky, pistacios, pine nuts, and black licorice
38 - Likes fireworks (watching them and setting them off)
39 - Likes pumpkin pie for his birthday instead of cake
40 - Hates watching a movie more than once

So how many of those things did you know about Sean?

Today's Your Birthday! Travis!

I can't believe my baby is 15 today! It just seems like yesterday they were handing you to me in the hospital. Your dad and I just want you to know how much we love you! Here are 15 things about Travis from dad and mom:
1 - I remember when they handed you to me in the hospital and I thought what a cute little nose you had and your skin was so pretty (I know cute and pretty aren't words you are supposed to say to a boy, but you were)
2 - We love your sense of humor and think you are funny although dad says that you are not as funny as the original (him of course)
3 - We love that you are very patient with all the little cousins
4 - It is great that you are a good example to your brothers, your friends, and your cousins
5 - We think you are a good swimmer
6 - We loved watching you play football and basketball this last year, it is fun to see how coordinated you have become
7 - We are proud of how well you do in school
8 - We think you have nice hair, although it needs cut
9 - We are proud of how far you have advanced in scouts (only needs to do his eagle project now)
10 - You are kind, obedient and respectful
11 - You get along well with others
12 - You are lots of fun to play board games with
13 - You have a good memory - unlike your father
14 - We love watching you learn new things and seeing the decisions you make, like when you were first learning to ride 4-wheelers, Mom hated to ride behind you because it made her nervous but Dad loved riding behind you and watching the decisions you made. He was proud of how well you did and that you were conscious of what was right and wrong and seemed to make the right choices and really thought about what you were doing.
15 - You are an all-around good kid and we love you!

15 things Travis says about himself

1 - I am scared of spiders

2 - I think I am the funniest guy I know (and he is humble about it too!)

3 - I am a very good swimmer (unlike my mom)

4 - I am tall

5 - I hate crunchy food like lettuce, celery, watermelon, and onions

6 - I am a cheese-a holic (like my mom)

7 - I love to play WOW (World of Warcraft) with my dad, I think I am the best player on my server (humility again)

8 - My friends think I am fun to be around

9 - I am really good at Guitar Hero

10 - I am excited to get my learner's permit

11 - I am girl crazy

12 - I like to watch movies

13 - I love ice cream and BTS cake

14 - I hate listening to Rush Limbaugh

15 - I love Italian Food (spaghetti, lasagne, pizza)

Update on Sean- went to the Orthopedic specialist today. They still don't know if he will need surgery or not but are thinking not. He has to go back next week again to see. Tyrel is spending the week in Leamington with Grandma and Grandpa Evers and his cousins Tyler and Kaitlyn. Lori was surprised on Friday evening with dinner at the Sauce Place with the Nielsen's. Thanks to all of those that helped with the planning. They gave me a plant (love it) and letters from each family which she cried when she read (thanks everyone). On Saturday we had a combined party for me and Travis with my parents. We went and saw Kung Fu Panda and then went out to eat. Mom is making me curtains for downstairs as soon as I figure out what fabric I want. Thanks to everyone for making it a great birthday!

The big 4-0!

I really dislike saying that! It is my birthday today and the facts are what they are. I can't really say I am excited about it though. I'd just rather not celebrate getting older, but as Sean says, "It's better than the alternative." I'm copying my SIL and making a list of 40 things you may or may not know about me, so here goes.

1 - I absolutely love being married to my best friend, Sean

2 - I have 3 boys that I adore

3 - I was born in Germany but don't remember being there. I would love to go back someday
4 - I am a reality show junkie (my fav's are Survivor, The Amazing Race, and American Idol) I love to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" but I detest "Dancing With the Stars"

5 - I like to play board games and cards

6 - I have a degree in business management

7 - I went to SUSC (now SUU) in Cedar City, Utah for college

8 - My high school mascot was a rabbit (don't laugh). I was on the track team and the drill team in high school

9 - I graduated with honors from both High school and College

10 - If I were to go back to college, I would either get a degree in accounting or go in to something medical (I almost changed my major to Physiology at one time)

11 - I love Travis' sense of humor and love watching him play football

12 - I love watching movies and taking walks with Tyrel, I also love watching him play soccer

13 - I love Trevin's giggle and love that he likes to sing when he thinks no one is listening

14 - I love to dance with my hubby

15 - I have been happily married to my sweetheart for almost 17 years

16 - I love mexican food

17 - I am a cheese-a-holic

18 - I love to go out to dinner to Ruby River and Tepanyaki's

19 - I love to curl up with a good book

20 - I love driving my 4-wheeler but don't like riding behind Sean. I especially like to ride in the fall when leaves are changing and in the spring when it is really muddy

21 - I love the waverunners but hate to ride in the boat (can you tell I'm a control freak)

22 - I don't think teenagers are all that bad (so far anyway)

23 - I love to watch professional football (and BYU football) but don't get in to watching any other sports except I do like to watch the Olympics.

24 - I love to eat popcorn with lots of butter

25 - I like to cook but I don't like to follow recipes unless I am baking (which means we get in ruts of eating the same thing all the time)

26 - I like to camp

27 - I don't mind spiders and snakes, but I really hate mice because they move too fast

28 - I love the smell of newly mowed grass and rain, I hate the smell of gas (fuel) I guess I don't like the smell of the other kind of gas either LOL

29 - I am not a morning person or a night owl, in other words I need my 8-10 hours of sleep

30 - I don't like pine nuts, black licorice, or pistacios but the rest of my family love all 3

31 - I'd rather get a house plant than flowers

32 - I like to golf even though I'm not very good at it, but think it is very boring to watch

33 - I love sitting out on the deck in the evenings in the summertime

34 - I'm not a very good swimmer

35 - My favorite day is Friday because Sean always takes me out on a date, my kids love it because they always get pizza

36 - I wouldn't make a very good sales person because I CAN take NO for an answer and I don't like to be on the phone so don't feel bad if I don't ever call you to catch up on things. If you call me, though, I will talk to you

37 - I was very shy in high school

38 - I like to have a plan (menu, shopping list, calendar, agenda etc) I am not really good at being spontaneous although I am better than I used to be

39 - I'm scared that Travis is almost old enough to get his driver's license and date

40 - I have been working in the banking/lending industry since 1990 and love that I can work from home and be a mom at the same time

Mother's Day and Dad's Birthday

I wanted to take a minute to tell my wonderful mother how much I love her. I appreciate all she has taught me through the years. My top 3 things I am most grateful she has taught me (at least at this point in my life) are:

To be organized - my mom is the most organized person I have ever met, she has lists and plans for everything. I'm don't keep as many lists as she does and I don't plan things out as well as she does, but I have learned to keep things on a calendar, make a menu so I don't have to go to the store so often, and stuff like that.

To serve others - my mom is always taking dinner to others and helping others out any way she can, I also love to take meals in to others and try to look for other ways I can serve others

To cook - I am so glad that I know how to cook. I have learned this from my mom also. We spent many years in 4H and I also cooked at home a lot under her helpful eye. Sometimes I wish I didn't cook well, then maybe I wouldn't eat so much and I could lose some weight, but I am thankful it is a skill I have.

I love you mom!

I also have to thank my wonderful mother in law for the things she has taught me. I don't know why people don't like their in laws, mine are wonderful. Top 2 things my mother in law has taught me:

To be spontaneous - this balances out my organized side, I have learned that it is okay to do things spur of the moment and it is even fun to do things you hadn't planned on. This was really hard for me when I first got married, but I have loosened up since then.

To Scrapbook - she got me started on scrapbooking and it is one of my favorite pastimes now. I love it.

Love you too!

I also want to say happy birthday to my dad. I'll save my top 3 things for him for Father's Day.

I also want to tell my husband how much I love him and my boys how much I love being their mother! I love all of you. They got my garden almost put in on Saturday (that is what I wanted for Mother's Day this year). I know it was a lot of hard work and you are all tired and sore, but I am grateful for your work!