Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day

Matt is 1 year older!

Today is a great day! Matt is turning 38. The kids and I woke up at 6 am to eat breakfast with him before he took off to work. Tonight, we will be going out to a restaurant that serves Chinese food (his favorite).

Not long ago, my brother in law did a blog for my sister in law on her birthday that had everyone who read the blog wish her a happy birthday and tell what makes her great. Today, I would love for all of you that read my blog to go and post a comment on why you love or like Matt and what you think makes him the great person that he is.

In this post, I have put pictures that represent why I love Matt!

Matt is very witty! He makes me laugh on a regular basis. His humor is a breathe of fresh air.


Matt loves his family very much. He loves his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, Mom, Dad, cousins, aunts and uncles. He understands the important family unit.

Matt loves me. He has always made me feel very loved. He thinks that I am beautiful and he inspires me to take care of myself for me and for him.

Matt loves his children. If he could, he would have many many children. They are everything to him. He is a wonderful father.

Matt will sit and play games with the kids when he is home. He makes up games and he participates in games they make up. He always brings enjoyment to the games we are playing.

Matt is romantic at unexpected moments. He has been surprising me since high school.

Matt loves to drive.

He loves to take family trips and see new places.

Matt is cautious, but he will give an adventure one shot. He loves to have fun and take the chance.

Matt is righteous. He walks the walk and talks the talk. He is a kind, loving, giving and a patient man. He does the right things towards others. He is good through and through.

He loves to ski with his kids. He enjoys being up in the snow with the kids when he has time.

He is oh so HANDSOME. Need I say more.

He is smart.

Matt can figure things out on the computer that baffle me. He is very detailed and oh so smart!!!

He loves to play football and oh yes, he loves to watch the DUCKS!

Matt is sensitive to others. He cuddles our kids and tells them that he loves them. The kids come to him at night and give him hugs and kisses. Even if he gets frustrated with the kids, he always reassures them that he still loves them. He not only tells them that he loves them, he shows it with his actions.

Matt loves the beach. He loves sand, water and the smell of ocean air.

Matt works very very hard for our family.

He never stops giving us his all. He is a very hard worker.

Matt is determined.

He stays focused on what has to be done in order to be prepared for an event. He gives life his all. We love you very much honey. Happy 38th birthday!

Start up your engines!

Last week the boys had their pinewood derby. They love love love their derby. Matt and the boys had worked for days on getting their cars ready. Hayden wanted to have a police car and Carter wanted a dragster. They sanded, painted and gloried in their cars. On the big night, we celebrated Carter's birthday too. This was Carter's last pinewood derby and so he wanted to go out with a big bang. He did a great job and had a very fun time.

Signing up for the pinewood derby.

Carter and Hayden racing each other.

Carter's dragster.

Hayden's police car.

Tricia and the girls came over to view their first pinewood derby. Mom and Dad did too.

They had a wonderful time (I hope!!).

Smile!!

All of the cars ready to race.

The boys with their wonderful dad.

Carter received his Webelos badge and Hayden received his Wolf badge and arrow points. This is their Cubmaster, Lorraine in the picture.

Matt and I giving a cheer for our 2 boys getting their awards.

Setting his car on the track.

Hayden's police car.

Yeah, Mom!!!

Carter and his buddy Ethan.

Hannah, Carter, Madalyn and Taylor.

Carter's car on the far side.

The boys had a great evening. Way to go Carter and Hayden!!

Carter is 11

Wow, I cannot believe that another year has past. Carter was very excited about turning 11. He kept telling me the daily countdown. I hope that his expectations were not dashed. Carter is a great son. He is very tender with children, he is smart, a good athlete, spiritual, sensitive to my needs, great friend, honest, very helpful, persistent and courageous!! We love you son and are so grateful you have come to our family and taught us so much. Happy Birthday.

For breakfast, Carter wanted hash browns (oh boy does he love hash browns), eggs, biscuits and bacon (because he knew that Bailey and Hayden loved the turkey bacon that I make).

Grandma, grandpa, Tricia and the girls all came to celebrate his birthday with us. He wanted to eat tacos for dinner. He loves his grandpa!

This is the cake that I made.

Right now he loves football. He got receiver gloves from his grandparents. The first night he got them he wore them to bed. When he woke up he told me that his hands were aching. I looked at his wrists and I said why do you have all these marks on your hands. He then informed me that he wore his gloves. Crazy kid. On his birthday, he wore them to school to play football with his buddies at recess. He loves them.

He got Star Wars, GI Joe toys, money, puzzle, gun and a DS game.

He was a very happy boy by the end of the night.

Running like a receiver!

OUR SON.

Pretending like he blew out the candles.

Happy Birthday CARTER.

Gannon's First TOOTH

The day has finally arrived. Gannon broke through his first tooth on January 19th, 2011. Then 5 days later he had his second one break through. He had been cranky and wanted me to hold him a lot, so I kept trying to figure out what was wrong and wala, it was a little tooth. The kids were so excited to see his little teethers (as I call them)! If you enlarge the first picture, you will see his cute teeth.

Look at those teeth. It was very hard to try and get him to stay still.

Baby blue eyes!

ZUMBA

So I did it!!! I went to a Zumba class at our local athletic club. I asked Madalyn to come with me and she was more than happy to shake her booty! I have been feeling like I needed to start working out and getting healthier for the last 3 months. During our time living here, I have checked out our athletic club 2 other times. This time I took the plunge and joined. Matt and Madalyn also joined. I had had a busy day yesterday and wasn't feeling like I should go and work out, but I knew that if I gave excuses, then I would never go. So, I laced up my shoes, and headed out the door to go to the gym. We had a great time dancing and sweating. You should all try it!!

This is Madalyn and I when we got home.

Matt stayed home with the kids and helped them with their homework.

You can see all of their backpacks on the ground. Thanks honey!!