Happy 11th Birthday!

Jordan always looks forward so much to her birthday...and this was a whole week full or celebrations for our 11 year old!  It started on Monday (the day before her actual birthday) with lunch at Burger King!  She almost finished her whole Whopper but let Luke help her with the last few bites.

That night was the college football championship, so we had a half time break to sing happy birthday and enjoy some treats on birthday eve.

These two couples are so special to Jordan, and we love having friends help celebrate.

The next day was the BIG day!  I actually had to sub, so we were up very early to take a few pictures and get the day off to a hoppin' start!

This year she was all about the UnderArmour...thanks to some awesome friends with some connections, we are able to hook her up with some gear.

For birthday dinner, we headed to Texas Roadhouse...just Tod and I and our Jordan...what a treat!!

We sure love this girl, and she is just the best company...so much fun to be with...and she really enjoyed the rolls at Roadhouse.

Finally, when we got home, it was time for presents...and the annual scavenger hunt.

 Could not resist this perfect wrapping paper....

 A special surprise gift from Dad...

There was one main thing she really wanted, and she got it...an ipod of her own.

I love this note that Ashton left for her sister.  It gives me hope because oh man, can they ever fight!

Anyway, we love our January birthday girl.  She is really something.  Eleven things to love about Jordan:

1.  She has always been and is still very helpful.  I do not know how I could survive without her!  She is my right hand man in the morning and is just always willing to help out.

2.  Jordan is really organized and efficient.  She keeps track of her things and keeps stuff really nice.  She can clean and organize any room or area so well.

3.  Jordan is a very good student.  She works really hard and excels in all her subjects.  I know her teachers really enjoy having her in class.

4. She is super sporty and loves to be on the go.  If it involves a ball, she will love it.  She plays basketball, soccer, and softball, and is always up for trying something new.  Go #8!

5.  She loves her friends.  She has been blessed with a really strong, great group of girls to hang out with.  They call her "Snarr".

6.  Jordan is really fun to talk with.  She has interesting insights and original ideas.  She is someone that I really enjoy spending time with.

7.  Jordan is very determined and a very hard worker.  She has been taking pitching lessons this past year and has been working so hard to improve.  She practices almost every day and even puts up with her Dad's "helpful" criticism!

8.  She loves Casey's pizza!

9.  Jordan is mentally strong.  She is wise beyond her years and has real spiritual strength.  She knows what is right, and she does it.

10.  She has a really fun sense of humor.  She thinks lots of things are funny and is always quick to see the positive side of things.  When I picture her, I picture her laughing.

11.  I could go on and on about this girl.  Tod and I just so proud of her.  There are many times when she sacrifices her own desires for the good of the family.  And she is always trying to keep Luke happy.  I tell her that she is going to make a great mama.

Happy Birthday Beans!  We love you so much.  Looking forward to a fantastic year.

Quick Utah Get-Away

I had the chance to escape to Utah for a few days to visit my sister and her family last week.  I had a really big adventure getting there...but once I finally made it, it was well worth all the trouble!

I was supposed to leave on Monday night...but then a huge snowstorm hit, and I couldn't get out until the next afternoon.

And then I made it to Denver, only to get stuck there for the night!  By the time my sister picked me up on Wednesday morning, I was so thankful to see her and be done with flying!!!
I took a selfie with my nieces Skye and Haven to celebrate me finally arriving.  They had been so patient!  I think they thought I was never really going to come!

My sister had a baby in September but this was the first opportunity I had to come and see her and her clan.  We had so much fun.  I loved seeing their daily life and routine and just spending time together. I think the only time Mel and I stopped talking was for the few hours we slept each night.  Otherwise, it was non stop visiting!!!!

This is my oldest niece Maya.  She has grown into such a delightful little lady, and I am so proud of her!

Here we are back in 2005!  Love her!

And now the same pose with new baby Tyce who is so adorable!

We had a great few days together...and I loved having time to spend with my dear Mellie.  I miss her so much and living far apart for these years and years has been so hard.  It was so fun to have time to reminisce and catch up.  And of course, do some shopping.  I always rely on my sisters for fashion sense!  I am so proud of this girl.  She is an amazing wife, mother, and woman.  I always learn so much from her.

My niece Skye is such an artist, and we spent hours crafting together.  She is so fun and kept me laughing the whole time.

I could not get enough of this face.

The weather was amazingly nice for a Utah winter..and I loved the mountain views.

And look at this little miss...she is something else!  So cute and keeps everyone on their toes!

On Friday night, we were able to meet my brother Chris and his family for dinner.  It was so great to see them all, and we had a wonderful time.  They are such an awesome family.  Of course, we were really missing Katy and family.  Our time together was short, so I am really hoping to see more of the Andersons in 2015.

Although I really missed my family (thanks to Snarr for being dad of the year and taking on the five for the week!), leaving these kind of trips is always so hard.  It feels cruel to spend a little time together and then be a part again, but I was so thankful for the opportunity and it is always great to return to Utah.  In many ways, I will always be a Utah girl at heart!  Thanks Walker family for an excellent trip.

Welcome 2015!!!

Wow!  It is 2015!  I love a New Year and a fresh start.  On New Years Eve, we headed down to Des Moines to visit some good friends.  We were so excited to see them again.  The Hamiltons have been our friends for many years, and we have kept in touch through lots of moves and changes...and now that they are back in the country, we could not pass up the chance to spend some time together.  It is wonderful to have friends who love you, understand you and accept you for who your crazy family can be!  We always have a really good time.  We are so grateful for their friendship.

The Hamiltons have a great New Years Eve tradition of fondue...it was a big hit, especially the chocolate dessert part.  Thanks to Laura for the great pics!  It was so delicious!  I think it is a tradition we may have to "borrow"!

A few of us made it to midnight to officially ring in the New Year!  Napoleon Dynamite helped keep us awake!

I made a few goals and resolutions for the New Year, but mostly we are just looking forward to another great year.  Welcome 2015!!!