Its April...Have you done YOUR Xmas shopping yet?

Ok Family,

I figured I would have to post this at least a dozen more times to avoid the emails, calls, text messaged, homing pigeons, Jedi mind tricks, etc. that head my way each year as you guys (and I mean that literally SIL's) frantically try to get your shopping done.

So this will serve as #2 in the dozen times that it will be sent prior to the December 24 deadline. After all, let's face it. If you have not done it by then, you'll be like Jon and Heidi waiting for thier present in April. (and yes, that would be my bad...although there IS a story behind the tale- theres ALWAYS a story...). So this is as much for my benefit as it is yours. Here is the list for 2010.

*as a side note, if you have not deciphered that Dad honors me with the "list making" each year. You might want to think about who you want to give or be giving to you in 2011. I accept cash...although am not below other forms of bribery. ")

On to the LIST:

Jon/Heidi Charity & Artyom/ Ryan & Tonya

Dave/Krystal Paul & Liane/ Russ

Charity/Artyom Paul & Liane/ Russ

Ryan/Tonya Jon & Heidi / Dave & Krystal

Paul/Liane Charity & Artyom/ Dave & Krystal

Russ Ryan & Tonya / Jon & Heidi

More Family Time!

Seriously, I have some great family here. Tonight we celebrated my Aunt's Birthday. As we walked into Olive Garden to greet the rest of the clan, Sofia made our prescence known to the entire restaurant with both hands in the air exclaimed, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!!! WERE HERE NANA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" And if you know our Sofia, you know that she does not have the quietest voice...The whole area just started to laugh.
Ahh Sofia. She was so excited about the birthday party since I told her. She could not wait. She even started us all off with Happy Birthday (we practiced a few times on the way over). She even helped Nana blow out the candles. Heres a few pics that once again I have cousin Josh to thank for!

Frosting...with just a bit of cookies.

It was a family day today! My Aunt (who the girls call "Nana") and one of my cousins, Jessica were nice enough to take the girls so I could get my haircut (which another cousin, Jenny did) and while the girls were there, one of the many fun things they did was make Easter Bunny cookies. The girls basically ate frosting with a bite or two of cookie. And with help of yet another cousin, Josh I got a few (ok...a lot) of great pics to show the "fruit of thier labors"

The Red Flame turns 32!

Happy Birthday Artyom! I am sorry you had to go to an emergency Dentist appointment on your special day, and even more sorry at the bill that followed...boo. HOWEVER, you showed me your true colors when I asked what you wanted to do, and you put us first. Saying we should take the girls to McDonalds and let them play. I was glad we went to Paul and Liane's instead and just played! Thank you Pablo for the wonderful Twinkie tiered b-day cake with match candle. Hilarious!

Thank you for being such a wonderful Dad. The girls and I adore you.

Cousins

We had a family get together for 6 birthdays!! It was fun to get some of my cousins and the second generation (our kids) all in the same house and watch them play together. My cousin Josh got some great pics!! I have so many posts of my kids on here, I thought cousins should be included as well...Ok. not sure why that line is there. Sorry.

I mentioned this was for 6 b-days right? That equals ALOT of cake!!

Cute one of Sam (Justin and Anna's son) and Ella. Justin and Anna are expecting again by the way. #2 due in October.
Sofia giving a cheezy grin.
Sofia and Ella- cutie sisters.
Another one of Sam Pederson
Ella reading the Ensign...or maybe just looking at the pictures.


Cutie pa tootie Mady (Paul and Liane's who are ALSO expecting #2 in June). Starting to see a pattern here?

Sam's close up.

Aunt Charity reading with the girls.

*Matt (another of my cousins0 and his wife Veronica are ALSO expecting #2 in October as well I think. And another cousin is also expecting. Ryan and Tonya just had #5 so including the newest addition Brooklyn, were set up to have 5 new second generation cousins this year!!! Our own mini Baby Boom. Sadly, I am not one of them. In case you were wondering.

In case you need convincing

http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

JUST in case;
you need convincing that there is a higher power.
you have ever made a mistake and wondered if you were the only one.
you need to be witness to a modern day healing.
you have not had a tear day in awhile. Grab the tissues, you'll need em.
you need to understand that sometimes bad things happen to good people...
and sometimes miracles do too.

I found this blog through another, blog hopping. What an amazing story. What an amazing family. What an amazing reminder.

I have posted the link to the first post. I let you decide how much you read into it. I check it every other day.