Great weekend, but glad it's over

I am sitting here in peace and quiet, and LOVING it. We had some company over this weekend, and had a WONDERFUL time with them all. We had great visits. They have several kids and other brethren came over that had kids, so my house was a mad house last night. I REALLY DID enjoy them all, but it was definitely a little chaotic. We all acted VERY goofy, especially while playing : (which by the way is the FUNNEST game on Earth!) It was all great while it lasted, but then there's the mess to clean up! That's what I'm doing today, but I got a little tired and am taking my break ;)

Time flies!

I was reminded of how much time has flown in the last few years. My sweet nephew, Samuel turned 3 today. My BABY is going to be 6 in about 6 weeks! And my little baby girl is going to be 8 in 3 months! Both of them are into the opposite gender. They are both so shy around the boy/girl that they "like". I remember liking boys at age 8 and I just don't think I want my little girl to be liking boys already, hehe. I seriously just have no idea where time has gone. I want to cherish these years and they are just passing by! It is kind of sad. I see my sister, Sue and her husband, Steve, and they are basically alone now. Steph is married, Shane lives at college in GJ, and Savanna is getting married, but is always gone (mostly working). Taylor is halfway to driving age! I want them to be babies again, I miss that. I miss them NEEDING me, and the bond we had (mainly while I was nursing them). It is just unbelievable to me how fast life is going.

Taylor, born in 2000

Blake, born in 2002

My Dad

I lost my dad 3 years ago today. I still miss him so much and think about him EVERY day. I know that some of you have lost a parent, or two, and I don't mean to sound like it is harder for me than you, because I know it isn't. I'm not out to get attention either, I just really felt like doing this. I just grieve differently I guess. I have made a slideshow as a tribute to him. This song was really perfect, because one of my favorite features of my Dad was his hands. He was a cabinet maker and he worked SO hard. But he somehow managed to always keep his hands as soft as a baby. I miss holding those sweet soft hands.

I'm so excited!

Ryan and I's 9th anniversary is coming up in less than 3 weeks. On our 4th anniversary, we went to Dallas and went to 6 Flags. It was so much fun! Well we've been wanting to go again, and have been planning for our anniversary to go. More than likely, I'll either be pregnant or have a little one on our 1oth anniversary, so really this may be the last chance for a fun anniversary for a few years. Well, we went ahead and put in an offer on Priceline for a Hotel room. We put in for $50.00 and our price was ACCEPTED by the Arlington Hilton (that's where we stayed on our 4th)! The normal price was $129.00 per room! The Hilton is RIGHT across the highway from 6 Flags. On our 4th anniversary, we had a room on the 20th floor that faced 6 Flags, so it was fun to stare at it out of our window. I hope we get a similar room this time! We're going to go to 6 Flags 2 days, Friday and Saturday. I'm really looking forward to this! I kind of want to also go to this Renaissance place (dinner and theater) called Medieval Times. They serve a renaissance style dinner and they have a show that includes knights fighting and that type of stuff. I'm not sure that we'll get to go to that, but it is an idea. Also, I'm REALLY looking forward to going to church in Dallas. There is A LOT of brethren that are from Colorado that live in Dallas now, plus others that I've known basically my whole life. It has been SO long since Ryan and I got to go away together and it is definitely going to be a lot of fun!

Here is the HiltonI took this picture of 6 Flags from our room windowRyan getting ready to do the Skycoaster

He couldn't get me to go on that thing. He still wants me to, but this I'm REALLY scared of, so I don't think he will succeed.

My cousins had their baby!

My cousin Jimmy was my BEST friend growing up. He married a SWEETHEART named Angela. They got married 3 weeks exactly before Ryan and I. In fact, their 9 year anniversary was YESTERDAY! They then had their first baby, Traci, 2 weeks before we had Taylor. Do you see a pattern going? HEHE. But then, we broke the pattern. We had Blake 2 years after Taylor. They still just had Traci. Then when Blake was 3 years old, they finally had their second baby, Bethany. They now had 2 beautiful girls, one with brown hair and brown eyes, and one with red hair and blue eyes (EXACTLY like our kids ;) But I always thought they needed a little boy also. Well, I was shocked to find out that she was expecting again (a few months ago) and this morning, she had a baby boy! I don't know his details yet, maybe Joann can fill in the details ;) But I'm just so happy for them! Oh and Joann: I'm JEALOUS that you get to hold him before me, LOL. I just felt like spreading the joy. Welcome baby!

P.S.- Joann just called me (thanks Joann!) and told me that his name is Kyle Douglas. He weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 ".

Here is Jimmy, Angela and Bethany (Traci not pictured).