It's ELKE's birthday!!!

ELKE!!!! I am so thankful that you are my sister! Happy birthday I miss you! I hope today you will eat lots of yummy food, take a nap, shop at all the good stores, and know how wonderful you are! I remember when Alan started dating you! I am so glad I was around to watch some of that and see how not only Alan, but the rest of us fell in love with you. I love how you laugh at everything, it makes everyone feel so funny and good about themselves :) We know we'll always get a good laugh from you. I love your creativity, your hard work ethic, your love for your family and your honesty! I always wondered if the girl Alan married would ever feel like my sister and I can definitely say you feel like my sister and I cannot imagine my life without you in it! I love you Elke and I wish you the happiest of birthdays today! Now....go check your email for your present... :)

Happy Birthday Kendra

Kendra, I love you and am so glad you are a part of our crazy family, I cannot think of a better caboose than you! I remember the day you were born, crazy to think how fast it has gone and I cannot believe how old you are. You are a beautiful girl and I miss you all the time. I remember when I was in high school and had your carseat in the back of my car and would drive you around while I babysat you. I really can't believe how grown up you are. I love you and Happy birthday!!!

Ella the big Kindergartener

Not sure if I'm aloud to post the proof. But hopefully this isn't illegal. LOL. How cute is she! I cannot even believe that she is already taking kindergarten pictures! I know all I do is blog about all my nieces and nephews but I love to brag about these gorgeous kids! I just LOVE them!

Proud Aunt

I love being an aunt! Today I am especially grateful! I have prayed for this little one for months now. Prayed that he would be healthy, prayed that he would come when it was his time, prayed that he would know as soon as he entered this world how much his family loved him and how much I already loved him as his aunt. I have been waiting anxiously all day to hear about his little entrance. I am so glad he is here and can't wait to love him to pieces just like I do my other 18 nieces and nephews. I am so thankful that I get to be an aunt to these wonderful kids. They mean the world to me! So...until you are named little one....I love you "baby boy!"

I love them

Homesick for....

home.
football games and the smell of dusty pom poms.
everyone talking at once in the kitchen.
holding baby nieces and nephews.
padres games.
jumping off the deck.
grandma reeves Saturday morning scones.
the smell of grandpa jacks red sweater and sound of his "hole in the head"songs.
reading scriptures around the couch.
someone laughing during prayer.
the sound of the wheat grinder in the garage.
the pit.
hiking the rock.
alans red truck.


Growing up I took so many things for granted. Being away from them I sometimes find myself so homesick for them. Life is good and there are a million things I am grateful to have in my life now and I am not saying I don't enjoy living in this moment as well, but when I have a moment to stop and think about everyone and everything back home I simple miss things. Tonight is that moment. I just think it's important to remember memories that helped shape me into who I am today. I am grateful for them. I am grateful for the chance we have to make memories in every year of our lives. I'm sure in the future I will look back and be homesick for the memories I am making now....but today I am enjoying thinking about home.

Happy Birthday Dallin

Dallin!!! Happy Birthday!!! This little man is a ball of energy! I had the opportunity to babysit him for a little less than a month last year and he kept me on my toes. However, I managed to fall in love with this little guy because he really is the sweetest kid! At the time he loved to lick...and he would lick me any chance he got...makes me laugh thinking back on it. He also loved to run, he kept me movin'!! Dallin and I would play cars and sing songs. I miss those nights when I would lay in bed with him singing primary songs trying to get him to fall asleep. He became my little buddy. I miss you Dallin, but I hope you had a very happy birthday! You are a wonderful little boy and my buddy! I can't wait till I get to see you again soon!!!! here's a little song for you because I know you love it!