FHE

Last night, Anne and Justin invited us over for FHE. Since they are moving also, we had a "photo scavenger hunt" around saint cloud. We picked 4 places that our families have liked to visit while we lived here...we didn't win. We had seven people to get in and out of the car and they only had five, but the kids had fun anyway. Here are three of the four places we went....Dairy Queen, the lake front park, and Chimentos. (check out Jett's racing gear...those sweat bands crack me up!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

So my honey celebrated his 38th birthday on Sunday. He started the day off with breakfast in bed and many MANY renditions of "happy birthday". Even Josie had her own version which consisted of her repeating "happy happy happy daddy". We had the family over for cake and ice cream. I made the family favorite, tres leches and then some delicious fudgy chocolate cake. Then opened his presents among which was a new bathing suit, $$, and shuffle ipod. For 38, he looks dang good-AMAZING actually, and can out run, out lift, out just about anything, guys WAY younger...just ask my 19 year old brother who works out with him every morning! So I love you babe...happy birthday!

my new favorite person!

"MY LIFE!"

So yesterday this conversation happened after church (and afternoon naps)
Duce: "Mom, do you know why I love my life?"
me: "Why is that?"
Duce: "Because of my life! I love my brothers and sisters and my mom and dad. I love my life!"

Now that is what a mom LOVES to hear!

Virginia is for lovers.....

....and the Anderson's. Last week, Tyler received a phone call from the head football coach as Southern Virginia University and was offered the offensive coordinator position. (apparently, he will be the head track coach, too!) He readily accepted. He has been itching to get back into college coaching and this is his chance. We will be moving in June. It is bittersweet for me. I am dying at the thought of leaving Florida. I love the weather. I love our house. I love our friends. But the hardest thing BY FAR will be moving away from all my family. The only thing keeping me sane and knowing I will have my little brother Jordan and is new bride, Shanda. We will keep you all posted.

Now begins the killer task of selling a house, buying a house, packing a house and then unpacking a house.......UGH!

(this is the main hall of the university....beautiful!)

I did it!

Laura, Lisa, Kara, Me, Shelly, Anne, & Emily!

So I did it. I certainly didn't break any records, but I crossed the finish line. There were time that I thought I could walk faster than I was jogging, but I kept on going. I told everyone our group that they will all be happy to know that I would be pulling up the rear in this race...no one needed to worry about being the last. That was my place! But for running the first mile in my life a little over two weeks ago, I am pretty pleased with myself.

Becuase I was in the back of the pack, I had the professional photographer to myself for a good 30 feet....so I gave him a show. Hey, I give the people what they want!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSIE

Today is Jo's 2nd birthday. Some of you are familiar with her many nicknames. My favorite is Jiggity Jo. It evolved from the Mickey Mouse Club song, "Hotdog hotdog hot diggity dog" Jo's version became "Fat Jo fat Jo fat Jiggity Jo" She was A CHUNK BABY (all my babies have been) She has since dropped the "fat jo" name but the Jiggity part remains strong (with a Jiggy here and there) She has had a busy year....learning to talk, becoming a big sister, throwing away her pacifiers, losing her "saddlebags" (well, some)....its a lot for a little girl to handle, but she has taken it all in stride. Here are some favorite pictures of her....ENJOY! We sure have!

Our little litter of critters!

Our french bulldog, Chanel, had puppies about 4 weeks ago. They are getting so big and beginning to growl and bark and play around. She had five, 4 boys and 1 girl. We will have them for four more weeks until they can go home with their new families. So if any of you know of someone who would like an adorable frenchie....let me know. They are kinda spendy, but if you're getting a frenchie, you are prepared to spend $!

Austin and Josie are holding two of the boys and Avery has the little girl.
Avery got this toy and they all started barking at her. She got such a kick out of it and kept saying, "Mom, they are barking. They are barking!"

Our saturday!

Josie, Avery, and Austin had so much fun running around the splash pad at grandma's house! (check out austin's speedo!)

After the splash pad, I went out front to see what the boys were up to. They started off fishing, but decided "dock jumping" would be more fun!

Duce has excellent pencil dive form.

Jett was the first to jump of the railing. It took Duce a while to build up the courage to jump that high.

I'll finish or die trying!

So we have been talking abou doing this for months now. My sisters have been seriously getting ready for it. I didn't really think I would do it...after all, I still have a brand new baby, right?! Well a week ago, I decided I would and I signed up. So for the last week I've been running (i say running lightly....some people could probably speed walk the pace I run). Lets rememebr, I'm NOT a runner! I never have been a runner! So I have one more week to get ready! I may not run it all, and I may get beat by the geriatric walkers, but I will cross that finish line.

blog headache!

So I was trying to update my blog and make it "pretty" and somehow managed to erase ALL my blog links. I was able to put some back on, but there are a few I don't have...if you notice your name is missing, please let me know so I can add you back on.

178th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

So for only the 15th time in the history of our church, we will have the chance to sustain a new "prophet, seer, and revelator" at General Conference this weekend! There isn't an official picture of the new presidency, but this was a snapshot taken at a press conference. I love this because it is a candid shot and I feel like you can really see them at ease instead of the posed pictures. Anyway, hope everyone is planning on watching, listening, or attending. It's hard to pay attention with little kids, but we will do our best!

My Ironman!

So Tyler has gotten into doing triathalons...duathalons...etc. This was a race he entered with three of his friends. He got third in his age division. Yeah, babe!

Me and the kids came to cheer him on. The kids had fun watching all the people pass by.....me too. I do love to people watch!