Cool Aunt Jen

When you are single and it's Valentine's Day how do you celebrate? By visiting your sister and her three boys. Cool Aunt Jen has been making plans to visit us for a while and was finally able to come over the Valentine's/President's Day weekend.

We love it when she visits. The boys got her a Valentine's card the described it the best. It said "You are a kid in a grown-ups body (that's a compliment you know)." And that is exactly what they love about her. She is always up for a rousing game of Junior Scrabble or a Friday night movie of Hulk with pizza and wings.

She even will climb up rocks with you that your mother says are not safe.

Then she will save you from your crazy mother, by taking her out shopping at H&M. She will even show how brave she is when on Sunday she is introduced to the greatest calling in the church, Nursery. And even has one of the boys saying groovy. Then on the last day of her visit when it rains cats and dogs, she takes you out to lunch at Chili's and to see "Hotel for Dogs". Is it any wonder that we call her Cool Aunt Jen?

Valentine's Day

Valentine's arrived this year with candy, flowers, and love notes. I bought the flowers, Cool Aunt Jen provided the candy, and everyone exchanged cards. A few years ago we started a family Valentine's Day tradition.

It starts with the Valentine's parties the boys have at school. Each year I make a treat for the boys to give to their class. This year it was flavored popcorn. This was perfect. It was quick, easy, and I could choose Valentine's colors.

On Valentine's Day, I make a warm breakfast. (A treat indeed) Then I usually pack the boys a lunch with heart sandwiches, strawberry applesauce, a little treat, and a note telling each of them how special they are to me. Since this year Valentine's was on a Saturday, the boys were on their own. But the big celebration is dinner. I pull out the silverware, nice dishes, candle sticks, and crystal glasses to set a nice table. Valentine gifts are placed on plates. Dinner of spaghetti with heart pasta, salad, and sparkling cider is prepared. And chocolate dipped strawberries top off the meal. The boys look forward to eating by candle light and using the adult dinnerware. But most of all it is about us enjoying each others company and showing love for one another.

Dan the 7 year-old Man

Danny turned 7 on Friday. The day started out with Mom singing happy birthday in her croaky, sick voice. Luckily this did not damper Dan's excitement about the fun to be had later. Dan had his 7 year old doctors appointment. Sounds like a lot of birthday fun, right? But he was able to have a pizza lunch with Daddy. Back at school he passed out cookies as his class sang happy birthday again.

As tradition in our family, Danny got to pick his birthday dinner. This year it was hot dogs, chips, and cherry 7-up (because he is 7). Finally, after staring at wrapped presents all afternoon he was able to open up four Transformers and a watch. Cake was next, Transformers of course, and one more singing of Happy Birthday. The brothers helped Dan open and transform all his Transformers. (It's a good thing he has brothers, I don't think I could have done it.) Last was another family tradition of family movie night. Dan got to choose because of his birthday. What was his choice? Transformers, what else!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Us

Danny and I get to share a birthday week. Mine is on the 3rd and Dan's is on the 6th. What does this mean...lots of cake, lots of wrapping paper, and lots of birthday wishes. Danny and I have enjoyed all the cards, calls, and happy birthday comments. It is so much fun to have a counter taken over with birthday cards

We are a Scouting family

Three weeks ago I was asked to be the Wolf Den Leader in the Cub Scout program. The request was pretty timid and who could blame him. He was asking a woman that freaked out when asked to be primary pianist and now served in the junior nursery. (I love the nursery, but I must admit a month of screaming will make anyone wonder what they were doing.) So after a promise from me that I would let the "powers that be" know if or when the two callings were too much, I dove into Cub Scout Leader education. How does one know so little about a program that one's children are involved in? Easy, there is tons to this scouting thing.

My first week was pretty easy, we had Pack meeting. Then about the time I was getting overwhelmed with what needed to be done, Doug was called to be my assistant. Yes, yes my assistant. When the bishop called, Doug tentatively asked if he was to have three callings (ward missionary, elders quorum teacher, and assistant leader). Panic was on his face. The bishop gracefully let him out of his ward missionary calling.

We have held two successful den meetings, I have had a uniform shirt flown in from Arizona for me (thanks Mom!!!), and we are getting ready for the Blue and Gold Banquet. We will have to take a picture of the whole family in uniform including Danny in his Scout Buddy shirt and hat. (We decided since Doug was always going to be coming from work in his Air Force uniform that would substitute for the official brown leader shirt.) Wish us luck!!!

Super Bowl Sunday

Let me start this post with saying that the Monday before the Super Bowl we had a Family Home Evening lesson on keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I just find it a little ironic honestly.

Usually, we don't watch the Game (that's game with a capital "G") and if we do it is only for the commercials. This is a house of racing and not that Nascar stuff. We do watch the Suns when we can, don't waste time on football (really, who do you cheer for when you're from AZ, well until this year that is), and baseball is only good in person. But if it has an motor and wheels we probably watch it (again we do exclude Nascar). Then the Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl and they were playing the Steelers (Nana's team). Well, in my boys mind that was game not to be missed. And what good is the Game without Game food. Wings, salsa, cheese and crackers, carrots (darn that mom), chips, and any other junk you can think of we had. The boys had a great time. In Nate's word's "I will never forget today. It was the best day ever."

Free

My boys make me old and young all at the same time. If you don't understand that idea, I suggest you have a couple of kids. There are times that I look at them just feel tired. Then there are other times that, because of their very nature, they make me feel exactly what they are feeling.

Just a few minutes earlier Danny was pouting and upset about something. The next thing he is jumping up and down for me. Look at his smile. He is flying. In that moment there is nothing better.