Happy 34th Mike!

My sweet handsome husband had another birthday. Mike was born in Aurora Colorado and his Mom always says he was the most beautiful baby. He was born with tons of blonde hair and all the nurses in the hospital were going crazy over him. Now he is 34 and people still go crazy over him but, especially me! Mike got a new tool chest for his birthday. My handy man can now keep all of his tools organized and together.

He had a busy day because he was training a new rep here in Salt Lake. So, it was work as usual and then that evening I took him out to dinner. We then headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Young's for cake and ice-cream.
One year older and wiser too..... Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

7 Year Old Pictures Anne

9 Year Old Pictures Jason

10th anniversary of the Salt Lake Winter Olympics

I loved having the winter games here in Salt Lake. Mike and I had just gotten married a couple of months earlier and Mike was up at the U of U going to school. Mike got the whole month of February off which was great. We went on a trip to California and then we enjoyed the Olympic festivities. Mike got to go to a hockey game with his family and then all of us got to go to a Para Olympic hockey game. We went down town a couple of times to enjoy all the events down there. It was such a fun time and I hope we get to have them here again some day.

So, now 10 years later the city is remembering and celebrating the Salt Lake Winter games. I wanted my kids to see and enjoy some of the fun so we headed down to the Gateway Mall where all the fun was happening. They had different games and booths of Olympic sports to try out. They Olympic athletes were everywhere signing autographs and showing medals. We got to hold a silver medal and that was cool.
All of us showing our muscles!



They had real bobsled sitting out to explore on.
Our family on the podium with our medals!
Jimmy Shea was there signing autographs. Our kids had it by then so, I just took a fast picture. You can see his gold medal in front of him.

It was a fun afternoon and Grandma Young and Jill came along for the fun. I really do hope the winter games come to Salt Lake again and hopefully, this time my kids will witness them too!

Happy 7th Birthday Anne

I can't believe that Anne is 7. We watched home videos on her birthday of when she was a baby. I can't believe how time flies and how big she is getting. Mike always tells her, " You have to stop growing!". He started saying that to her when she was 4. Anne is such a wonderful daughter and sister. She has a determination that I wish I had. She is an outstanding student and is above grade level in everything. She is loving to her younger sisters and is their second Mom. Often if I am not home they will run to her for comfort. She loves to be creative and just got into taking piano. She always wants to do what is right and is obedient to Mom and Dad. We love you so much Anne!
Anne got a new bike this year. We picked out a bike that she didn't like because it only had hand breaks. She wanted a bike that she could still break with her feet. We went back to the store and she picked out this beauty.
She got a new purse and some new clothes.

Eliza and I met Anne for lunch. We had fun sitting with her and after went out to recess to see her swing. She finally learned how to swing without being pushed.

That evening Anne chose to go out to dinner at Shakey's. Then it is was off to Trafalga
She loves to climb the big wall!

We played the glow in the dark mini-golf!
We then came home and had cake and ice-cream. I hope all your birthday wishes come true!

The Flower Ring

Last year when Mike went to Russia he had a lay over in New York City. While he was there he found a diamond ear ring. The diamond is in the shape of a flower and is really pretty. He picked it up off the road and brought it home. We look on all kinds of lost and found sites for New York City and no one ever posted looking for an ear ring. So, I have had the ear ring and we thought some day we would turn it into a ring or maybe keep the diamond for Jason's future bride.

So, on Valentines day this year while I am making dinner I look on the table and see a small white box with a letter. I call for Mike and he wants to wait for the kids before I open it. I sit down and open the white box to find the most beautiful diamond ring made from the flower diamond he had found. He then wrote me a note about what this ring means to him and tears are now freely flowing from me. The letter means so much to me and will always go with the ring but, he basically said that this flower represents how our love has grown and blossomed much like this flower through the years. There is no other ring like this in the world because Mike designed it himself! I will always love and cherish my wedding rings but, this ring I hope becomes a family heir loom and I hope as it gets passed down through generations it will remind them of the great love that Mike and I had for each other. I hope all my daughters and generations of daughters after that find a Man as wonderful as Mike. He doesn't have to buy me diamonds but, this will be a Valentines I will never forget.
I love you Mike!!!

Happy Valentines Day

We had a fun Valentines this year. The kids woke up to find special Valentines from Mom. I wrote the qualities I most admire in them on a heart in the kitchen. We had heart shaped pancakes for breakfast.
Eliza and Lucy helped me get ready for our special Valentines dinner that night. We made Chicken cord en bleu, cheesy potatoes, and salad. For dessert we made chocolate covered strawberries and Valentine sugar cookies. The kids all got Valentines from school and had fun school parties. Dad brought special Valentines for all his kids and a very special Valentine for Mom. Dad knew had to celebrate this year!
We always have a nice dinner on this night and I love this day to celebrate all the people I love! I love all of you my sweet family!!!

Neptune Park

We got a brand new park in Saratoga Springs and it's a really fun park for kids and adults. It has this huge climbing pyramid that all can climb on and up. This the first park like this east of the Mississippi! We go to this park at least once a week with our warm winter this year. We enjoyed some time one Saturday as a family.

Jason always climbs right to the top!

Loves this picture!
Mike and I laughed about this for hours. Eliza really wanted to sit in this swing. We are still not sure who this is built for but, she looked so funny and uncomfortable while swinging. She insisted that she swing for a while though. We love you Eliza May!

Knee Surgery

Mike finally had his knee surgery at the beginning of this month. He had an outstanding surgeon Dr. Cooley and he was in surgery for 40min. It went fast and smooth. He had a couple of days of pain from surgery but, his knees feel like brand knew. He isn't suppose to do much for a couple of months but, he can't wait to play some mean golf or basketball with his new knees!