19 Years and Counting!!

Phil and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. I can't believe I've been married for half of my life. If doesn't seem like that long, but at the same time, it's so normal and comfortable that it's like we've been together forever. I'm so grateful for him in my life and the love and support he gives me. We have a great family together and I can't imagine my life any other way!
We went out to celebrate on our anniversary and had dinner at Happy Sumo and went to a movie. As we were on our way home, we were in the mood for something sweet, so we stopped at the bakery and brought home cake to celebrate with our kids. Because what better way to celebrate a wedding anniversary than with wedding cake??

Christmas Events

This Christmas came and went so quickly this year that I'll just highlight some of the events:


Choir Concerts





Looming Hats



Gingerbread Houses




We had such a great Christmas with Phil's parents and brother, Dan. We had a great Chistmas Eve dinner and enjoyed sharing Nativity and scripture stories, songs and laughter together.






The kids enjoyed opening presents Christmas morning and seemed thrilled with all their gifts. We had a wonderful weekend watching movies, playing with the new gifts (lots of Epic Mickey Wii), and the beautiful lights at Temple Square. We're so thankful for friends and family that make our lives so richly blessed. It was great to spend the holidays with family!

Sally Foster is over! (I think)

This is the 7th and last year that I have been the Sally Foster fundraising chair at the kids' elementary school. I have enjoyed volunteering and helping the school earn money for their PTA activities. However, with this being Natalie's last year in elem. school, I am done! It's been a hard year with Sally Foster changing their program, but I've always loved their products and have enjoyed making some new friends who've helped throughout the years. But I am happy to say that it is over! (Well, we're still waiting for product to be shipped and hope it comes soon!)

Halloween with teens

Halloween this year was a litle different than in previous years. All our kids had their own parties and friends to be with, so Phil and I stayed home by ourselves. It was kind of a crazy day since Phil decided to paint and fix our front door and when the kids started trick-or-treating, we had a blanket hung where our front door should have been. We were able to finish the door project and rehang the door before the evening was over, but the kids that came to the "blanket" door thought it was for Halloween. Nope. That's just my husband and the way he works when he gets a project in mind. Doesn't matter what day it is - he has his own agenda.



We did take a few minutes and went to visit Grandpa Hutchinson. It's always a tradition to see him and show off the kids each year. We love visiting him and we know he's always excited to see his grandkids.



James had a blind date with Landon and some girls he knew and went to a corn maze and haunted house. He decided to dress up like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. He had a fun time with the girls and decided blind dates weren't too bad.



Lauren went to a party with her girlfriends and dressed up as if she'd been electrocuted. It was a fun and interesting idea that came from her brother - he used this costume last year because his "bed head" hair when he wakes up looks naturally like he's been electrocuted.





Natalie went trick-or-treating with a bunch of friends in the pouring rain, but had a fun time anyway. Aunt Carri came up with her witch costume. She was also a cheerleader for her daddy/daughter party and a volleyball player at her dance party. She just couldn't decide on one costume this year!

Fall Recitals

The kids have been doing really well in their music classes this year and all had recitals in October. Lauren loves to play the piano, and Natalie is working on it. She still complains that she has to take lessons, but is continuing to improve. James still loves to sing and is auditioning for the school musical this week. We're keeping our fingers crossed - less positions available and more boys trying out. He really is getting to be a great singer, though, so we're hoping for the best.

Back to School Again

I can't believe school started today! I know I haven't blogged all summer, maybe sometime soon I'll fill in those months, but life has been so busy that summer went so fast! I was not at all ready to start back into the homework filled afternoons full of schedules and activities. But most of all, I can't believe another year has gone by and my kids have grown up even more! It's amazing that James is starting his jr. year, Lauren's in 9th grade, and Natalie is finishing up her last elementary year as a big 6th grader. I do love to watch my kids grow, and I love being involved in all they do, it just seems that time keeps going faster and faster,and I'd love to just hold on to some moments forever. But...ready or not, here we GO...


James

Lauren

Natalie

Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival

Lauren has really enjoyed her art class this year. So much so, in fact, that she is taking 2 art classes next year. Today her class went on a field trip and were able to participate in the Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival. She worked on a project with four friends, and they made the coolest art display! It was fun to walk around and see the amazing talents, and I have to say that my daughter's work was one of the best. (That couldn't be any bias, could it?) Lauren loves art and hopes to be a Disney caroon artist someday. I love her creativity and talent. She does amazing work!

My Quilt is Finished!!

I have been working on a quilt for quite some time. It really hasn't taken very long, it's just been hard to find the time to work on it. SO...this morning I finished it! I am so happy to complete this project because I am NOT a seamstress. I have really bad memories of my high school sewing class where my teacher told me to have someone else finish my project and turn it in for a grade, because I have no sewing abilities. Anyway, 20 years later, I am enjoying using a sewing machine, and it doesn't even scare me anymore. Thanks, Wende, for starting me on this project. I look forward to making more quilts, and who knows? Maybe I'll tackle some other sewing projects - but I'm not getting too far ahead of myself. I still know my limitations! But it is a GOOD day to say I completed this quilt!





Sewing the strips together



Working on the white ovals



Just before completion

Invention Convention

Each year the 5th graders participate in the "Invention Convention". The idea is to take a problem, and create a solution for it. Natalie chose the "Late Night Book Light" as her invention, because she likes to read in bed at night, but hates to hold up the book and get out of bed to turn off the light. Phil helped her create this invention, and it was a huge success. People seemed quite impressed by Nat's idea.



Thanks, Dad, for helping with the parent project! Mom is very appreciative! And way to go, Nat! Great idea!

PROM!!

James went to Prom last Saturday night and it was so fun being a part of this big event in his life! He looked so handsome and had a great time. 10 couples went on the "Day Activity" and they did a Photo Scavenger Hunt around the town trying to find specific items and places. James said it was a lot of fun. They came home and got ready for the evening, then went to Moore's home for dnner. There were four couples at dinner: James and Ashley, Taylor and Hailey, Andrew and Tiffany, and Landon and Maria. The moms made dinner for them and it was fun to see and watch them.:) The girls looked beautiful and were so sweet and appreciative. They all just giggled and joked throughout the evening and seemed to have a great time. We served them a 5 course meal with strawberry appetizers, salad, homemade breadsticks, chicken parmesan and vegetables, and a yummy dessert. Wende took pictures of them at the park and then they went to the dance. All 10 couples went over to Landon's after the dance and played Disney Scene It, before taking the girls home. It seemed like a great night and James really enjoyed it. Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Mother's Day

I'm usually not the greatest fan of Mother's Day - I don't love the expectations of it, and would rather it be a spontaneous day to celebrate the Moms you love than for it to be "required". However, this Mother's day has been great. My family really showed me how much they love me and it was truly genuine. Phil made me breakfast in bed - I have the greatest husband! :) The kids helped Phil make dinner and decorated the table with candles and presents. Phil suprised me with a beautiful watch from Brighton and the kids gave gifts of cards, candles, and school made books. It was so fun to be celebrated, and to top it off, the Red Sox beat the Yankees tonight, too! What a great day! I sure love my family!!



The yummy dinner my family made for me!



My beautiful family taking care of me today



My new watch!