Surprise Birthday Visitor

Alexa asked if I would take Brownie Sheetcake (her favorite) to her Seminary class on her birthday. I made 2 sheetcakes and headed to her class. After her class sang to her and as we were handing out pieces of cake a surprise visitor arrived.
Yep! Cletus Eagle walked into the class with a huge bouquet of birthday balloons! It was quite a shock to her. He proceded to wish her a happy birthday and then preached a bit and had the class cracking up. He finally turned the time over to 'Preacher C' (The Seminary teacher). Alexa was a great sport with it all. She went along with it and didn't get upset by the visitor.

The best part was that her classmates were shocked by this added interuption of their class time.

This was not her first birthday embarrassment either. The day before her birthday the school had an away basketball game. Uncle Mick, one of the coaches, hadn't been able to attend her party on Sunday night. Alexa and Mick have a very complicated love/hate relationship (just kidding - they just LOVE to give each other a hard time). Alexa had told someone he was a 'loser' and didn't come to her party. Mick decided to make it up to her. After the game, on the way back to the school, Mick got the attention of everyone on the bus. He then proceeded to explain that he had been unable to attend a party and wanted to make it up to someone since she was saying 'hurtful' things about him. He then led the basketball team, cheerleaders and officers in Happy Birthday and passed out donuts for everyone!!!

Way to go Mick! You got her good!!! Between Mick and Cletus Eagle I don't think she will soon forget her 15th birthday at school!!!

Our Sweet Baby Jaymes is 15!!!

Well, as of 2 days ago we are now parents to a 15 year old!!! That is scary stuff!!!
Actually, it isn't that scary! She is such a great kid! What is scary is how fast the last 15 years have gone by.
I still see her as my beautiful baby girl that we waited SO long for. Or I see her as my goofy little toddler walking around at 10 months old. In my mind I still see her holding up 2 fingers and telling people she was 'terrible two' when asked how old she was. I see that little blonde head bobbing up and down as she followed her Daddy out in the yard mowing the lawn.
Where did all the time in between go???
It is a bittersweet event for me. It is exciting to watch her dive in head first to all the experiences that are hers to have. It is also sad to know that in a very few years she could realistically be living away at school and no longer at home with her bright smile and mischievous nature.
Happy Birthday Alexa! We love you so much and we are so proud of the person you are and the adult your are growing to be!!!

Great to be 8!!!

Ally and I just got home from the "Great to be 8" meeting at the church! I can't believe we are already at this point in her life! She is growing up much too fast!!!
It looks like she will get to be baptized on her birthday! So family, keep that date in mind! You will all be invited.

Catching up!

Here's a very fast summary of the past few weeks.

* Christmas was great!!! It wasn't as big (gift-wise) as Christmases past, but it was one of our best Christmases ever. We really enjoyed spending time with each other and our families. Having a healthy Grandpa Hunter to celebrate the day with was the best gift of the year!

* Happy New Year!!! Cade, Hunter & Allyssa all had a great time at the annual New Year's Eve sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa Holmes house. They look forward to that party every year. This year Cade and his cousin Madi were the oldest ones there. Wade, Alexa and I along with 3 of Alexa's friends headed to Hyrum for a Sweet 16 Birthday/ New Years party. My nieces, Brooke and Brittany had a great party to celebrate their birthday and to bring in the new year. It was fun for everyone! We definitely saw a LOT of dancing and silliness by lots and lots of kids! (Tyson - I still want to know where you learned your dance moves!!!) We also got to hear Tyson and Brooke perform. We have some VERY talented family members!!

* Christmas Vacation: Each of the kids had a party with their friends. That means that 4 different nights our house was rockin' and rollin' with a houseful of kids! I have to say that I love all of the kids being at our house. They are always entertaining!!! Alexa's party continually grew in numbers. What a great group of kids to have in our house!

* Unfortunately our Holidays ended with the stomach flu coming for a visit! Hunter finally went back to school today. Wade plans on going back to work tomorrow and Alexa says she is going to school tomorrow no matter how she feels. (End of the qtr next week - not a good time to get behind). Now Cade, Ally and I are using the mind over matter technique. We keep telling ourselves that we are NOT going to get sick!!!

* I FINALLY got our Christmas cards in the mail yesterday! WooHoo! As long as they are rec'd before next Christmas, right? Pathetic, I know...

Over all, we had a great holiday season. Sadly I must confess that I am glad to have it all behind us. 2008 has been a rough year in many different ways for our family. I am looking forward to a new year and a happier year too!!!