Birthday events and wishes

Although I've written about having a birthday, I haven't mentioned anything that I did! So here you go, pictures and all! The night before the big day, Brannon took me out to dinner at The Garden Restaurant at the JSMB! I love the fried pickles they have and of course you can't pass on dessert!
Tavan was nice enough to watch Holland while we were at dinner that night and asked me what I was doing for my birthday. I didn't have any plans because Brannon had to work so she invited me to go to lunch! Grammy came along as well so I had something fun to do on the actual day!

Last night, we went to my father-in-laws and had a really nice dinner and of course chocolate cake! yummy! We opened some gifts and hung out, which is what I love doing with the family! Tonight we are going to dinner at my parents and if we get some pictures I'll post tomorrow!
And last but certainly not least I have to close this month out by giving a shout out to those family members that had birthday's and I failed to "shout" on their given day. So here's to Jordan(3rd), Ethan(26th), and Annie(31st)! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Random thoughts

I'm sitting here on the night of my 28th birthday, appreciating my life. I'm grateful for so many things... simple things like having a home, food to eat, clothes on my back. I'm also grateful for the things that many of you are grateful for as well in your own lives, such as children, parents and an amazing husband. But as I sit here I'm thinking about the things that I usually don't think about.

*My parents... my mother who is the strongest woman I've ever known. Making a very difficult decision because she loved my father and had faith in him. A woman who loves where she came from, and wants to know her ancestry.

*My father, because he believed he could change and set out to do just that. He stopped the cycle. He believes in me and knows that I am good. He's proud of me, and makes the effort in telling me he loves me.

*I'm grateful for a sister that is true to her faith and never faileth.

*For a brother that tries so hard to be good for his parents.

*I'm grateful for a father-in-law who loves me, and knows the potential I have.

*For a sister-in-law that is my friend and can tell when I need something, even just lunch.

*For a girlfriend that was everything I needed when I needed it.

*I'm grateful for two little girls that continally show me unconditional love even though I could be so much of a better mother to them. Girls that know when I'm sad to just come and hug me.

*I'm grateful for a husband that works so hard to give me everything I want. A man that was first my friend, who listened because he knew I needed to talk, and continues to do so. He really truely loves me, even during times when I can be so unloveable, he does.

*I'm grateful for grandparents that came to America for a better life for their children, and in turn a better life for me.

*And I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves me, and knows me for who I am. For giving me all these incredible blessings to be grateful for.

*I'm grateful for all of you readers that listen to me ramble about things that aren't important and the things that are. I appreciate your comments, thank you for being a part of my life.

As I end my birthday... I'm happy with my life and the way it's going. I love my family. I love my friends. I love who I am and who I can become. Goodnight.

Holland Snores

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yes, yes I'm 28 years old, let's not dwell on it ok! I'm totally joking I love birthday's, and welcoming a new year to my life. I've had years of joy and years of pain. Years of adding to the family in more ways then having a baby. We'll see where this year leads me... because you never know what can happen! Thanks to all of you who make my life so completely worth living! I love you. Happy Birthday to ME!

The Fork Cam

Easter Egg "Roll"

These are pictures from our annual Easter egg "roll". I use quotations on roll because there will be no rolling at the event! We don't roll anything... we throw that egg, baby! Yes our family goes to Lindsey Gardens (used to be the capital building) and we each take turns throwing our easter eggs as far as we can without breaking them. Sounds weird? Well you wouldn't be the first to tell us that, we get it all the time. It does happen you know, an easter egg roll, President Bush holds one at the White House every year! So we are not weird, maybe you are for not participating in such a fun event!
Anyway, enough rambling. The girls enjoyed the Easter Holiday, but I'm sure felt a little overwhelmed by everything that's been going on. It's March, and as you can tell by the posts this month, it's a busy busy time for us. But we are enjoying our time together as a family! Thank you to all who have been with us through everything.

Holland is Two!

My baby is two! Wow, how time goes by. She is growing so quickly. Holland is so smart and does everything at her own pace! Unlike Alexis she took her sweet time in learning how to crawl, not doing it until she was 10 months old and walking just one week before her 1st birthday. She was in no hurry to get anywhere, completely comfortable with mom carting her around. She has turned into a girly girl following in her sisters footsteps. She loves to play dress-ups, barbies, baby dolls, running around the couch, reading books, and following her sister. She has the most beautiful blue eyes, which I never thought any of my children would be blessed with. Holland can count to twelve and say her ABC's! She can also recognize each of the letter's by site! Holland is a little recorder right now saying everything you say to her. You can see in her eyes that is learning more and more everyday. Sweetheart, I love you. Have a wonderful birthday!

Happy Easter!

More easter pics coming....

Here you go Pam! I told you I'd have it for you!

Roman Noodle Chicken Salad
2 chicken breasts (cooked)
2 Tbsp Sunflower seeds
1/2 C slivered almonds
1/2 head of cabbage (coleslaw mix works too)
4 green onions (chopped)
1 Pkg Roman noodles (beef)

dressing
2 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Vinegar
1/2 C Salad Oil
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 pkg flavoring from noodles

Chop cabbage and add in all ingredients. Break noodles dry (not cooked)

It's a Princess Party

Today we celebrated Alexis's 5th birthday! She got to invite some friends over for a full blown "Princess Party"! As the girls came in they got to put on some makeup and then everyone made their own crowns and wands! As we were in the middle of our crafts we had an unexpected visitor(no, not really). Cinderella's here! The girls all loved having an actual princess come to the party! Cinderella helped with our crowns and wands, opening presents, blowing out the candles, and played some games with the girls! After cake and ice cream everyone headed outside to play in Alexis and Holland's new playhouse given to them by their many grandma's and grandpa's, and aunts & uncles! In the end Cinderella sent each one off with their very own glass slipper filled with jewelry and goodies!
I thought having a Princess birthday party with some friends would be a blast and it turned out wonderful. I think everyone had a fun time, but I most enjoyed when everyone went home and I could relax. Planning a party is one thing, hosting the party and finding things for five little princesses to do... exhausting! I want to thank everyone that helped out, I needed it! Our birthday month is almost over....

Funny faces...

I can't help but laugh when I see these pictures. Alexis was showing Holland how to make a funny face! Words cannot even describe the laughter that filled the room while watching her attempt what Lexi was doing. Classic!

March Birthday Dinner #2

We headed out to dad's house last night for March Birthday Dinner #2! Which pretty much translates to Jordan's in town and we're off to the next house! We had lots of fun. Dinner and dessert and of course the entertainment: Holland running in circles! This picture is just to show the Richardson goofballs that attended the gathering. I always like to take the pictures that show the true nature of this family! So fun! Thanks for dinner!

March Birthday Dinner #1

We just keep right on going around here! Last night was March birthday dinner party #1, also known as Jordan is in town! Here is a picture of the March birthday people minus two! We were treated to dinner out at Texas Roadhouse, yummy and then cake and ice cream at Grammy's! Thanks everyone.

Alexis is FIVE!

My baby girl is FIVE, I can't believe it! I can still remember holding her in the hospital after she was born. I was completely thrown off by the amount of love I could have for another person, especially one I had just met. I never wanted to let her go. She has always been a "quick learner". She was crawling at six months and walking at nine months, much too busy to stay in one place. Alexis was always a happy baby and never minded where she was or who she was with. By the age of one she could carry on a conversation with you telling you everything she was thinking about. By two her world was thrown upside down, but she never let it bother her. Instead would welcome all that would come into her life. She has a large family, all of which love her very much. At age three she was telling stories, using her wild imagination. Age four she couldn't get enough friends to play with, and loved becoming a big sister. And at age five thinks that princesses are the most angelic people in the world. She loves horses, playing dress-ups, dancing, blowing bubbles, riding her bike, going to the beach, swimming, snorkling, reading, drawing, exploring, and being with her family. Alexis is smart, kind, compassionate, caring, imaginative, fun, playful, huggable, kissable, tender, affectionate, sympathetic, gentle, devoted, humorous, good-natured, bouncy, full of live, and extremely loving. On this day, her fifth birthday, I want to say.... Sweetheart, I love you so much. You are one of the greatest blessings I've ever received! You are and always will be my Princess. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Disney on Ice

It's become an annual event to go to Disney on Ice for Alexis's birthday! We all go to spend a day together as one family. Due to the theme, the girls decided they wanted to dress up in their princess attire! They were both Snow White! We start off at Village Inn for some breakfast!
Then we head off on Trax downtown to catch the show! This year was Princess Wishes, you can just imagine how much Lexi hated it!
We got to see Mulan, Aladdin & Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & the Beast, Ariel (the Little Mermaid), Snow White, and of course Cinderella!

We always have lots of fun and enjoy our time together. We hope that Alexis knows how much her family loves her.

Girls night out!

Rather than doing birthday presents and Christmas presents my best friend, Amber, and I buy season tickets to Hale Centre Theatre! Although I wasn't feeling that well yesterday I wouldn't miss girls night out! We headed to dinner at the Training Table, and then went and saw "Civil War". I don't think either of us were really wanting to see something so serious but it was wonderful! We always love musicals, and this was no different. I always watch in awe of the actors out there pretending they are somebody else. There were some amazing voices too. Of course the play was all about the civil war and slavery so it was very deep subject. We had lots of fun and can't wait for our next play in May!

Feeling yucky

Something's going around, and I've got it! Let's hope I feel better tomorrow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAVAN!

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY! WE LOVE YOU!

Lovin' the Sunshine!

The girls are loving that the sun is out making it warm enough to play outside! Today we went with bubble blowing! Alexis loves to play with bubbles, but it's a bit new to Holland. She just wanted to play in the bubble mixture and then see if it tastes as good as it smells!

Give away!

If you haven't visited my friend Tiburon's blog yet, you must! She just hit her 500th entry the other day and she is having a give away to one lucky winner who leaves a comment. The prize is wonderful so get on it now, and check it out!

Happy Birthday Aunt Tavan

Continuing on with the birthday festivities! Last night we celebrated Tavan turning....a number in her twenties! We went out to Dad's house to have dinner. We also walked down to the lake and fed the ducks! Afterwards she opened her presents, with the help of two little neices as you can tell! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (on Wednesday!)

Our Nana

When the day starts coming to an end and the girls and I start to get aggitated with each other the one thing we find in common is wanting to see Nana! Since Nana needed to write a talk for church on Sunday we knew we couldn't go and see her (too much distraction). So when Nana needed to take a break she came to visit us! The girls love to have Nana over at our house because they can show her all the fun things they have to play with in their room, and she always thinks it's so cool! Thanks for coming to visit us, we needed it! We love our Nana!

Mother-Daughter Date!

Alexis has a job chart that she gets to put on a sticker every time she does one of her jobs. When she gets 20 stickers in a week then she gets a mother-daughter date with me! Last week she earned it! She gets to decide what we do, so today we went on our date!
First stop was McDonald's! Although she always wants the same thing to eat, (chicken nuggets, fries & a chocolate milk) I'm pretty sure that's not why she chose this place to eat! She picks this place to PLAY!

After eating she chooses to go to Toys R Us! She has $10 to go crazy with! It's tough deciding how to spend that money, but she finally made her choice. She picked the glamour princess phone! Shocker!

We don't get a lot of one on one time so it's always nice when we can find some time to spend together. I had lots of fun with you today sweetie! I can't wait for the next time you do all your jobs! I love you.

Weighing Yourself Properly

Finally someone shows me how it's really supposed to be done! I can't believe I've been doing it WRONG all these years!

Cirque Dreams

Let the games begin! Last night was the first "birthday" event of the month! My mother-in-law bought us tickets to Cirque Dream Jungle Fantasy. Oh my heavens it was wonderful, and amazing! There were so many times that my sister-in-law and I were covering our mouths and gasping over what the characters were doing on stage! Unbelievable is all I can say. Although after watching we all felt very out of shape! Thank you Grammy for a wonderful night out!

Tagged...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
one. So ready to graduate.
two. Dating D.P., for the second time.
three. Scared to death to go to college.
four. Working at Baskin Robbins.
five. Playing with my friends.
*
5 things I was doing 5 years ago:
one. Having a baby girl! She’ll be five this month!
two. Living on McClelland Street
three. Working at Olive Garden
four. STRESSING over money.
five. STRESSING over my marriage.
*
5 snacks I enjoy:
one.Dr. Pepper
two. Ice Cream
three. Chips
four. Diet Coke with Lime
five. Sourdough Bread
*
5 things I did yesterday:
one. Picked up Alexis from her dads.
two. Cleaned my kitchen
three. Went to our Relief Society Birthday Dinner.
four. Took a nap with Holland.
five. Watched the Fox and the Hound with Alexis
*
5 jobs I've had:
one. America First Credit Union (met my hubby)
two. Olive Garden
three. Baskin Robbins: cake decorator, manager, assistant manager, shift lead.
four. sales associate @ Limited Too
five. Cashier at Emigration Market
*
5 things I would do if I had a million dollars:
one. Build a house in Daybreak.
two. Travel, travel, travel.
three. Pay off all debt, and never go back again.
four. buy myself a Honda Pilot, and Brannon a BMW mini
five. Pay of Brannon’s student loans and make him quite AFCU so he could finish school and do what he really wants which is something in the film industry.
*
5 tv shows I like:
one. Hereos
two. Super Nanny
three. Biggest Looser
four. Law and Order
five. Channel 13 morning news
*
5 things I hate doing:
one. DISHES!
two. Fixing dinner when I don’t know what to make.
three. Cleaning the bathroom
four. Grocery shopping
five. Waking up early

5 biggest joys of the moment:
one. Brannon
two. Alexis
three. Holland
four. Playing in the sunshine
five. Reading Twilight!
*
I tag: Anyone who wants to be tagged!

Living Planet Aquarium

Little Cowgirl

Alexis was lucky enough to go to Opa's "farm" on Saturday and play around with the horses! As if she isn't lucky enough for that she also got some new "cowgirl" boots and a new "cowgirl" hat! Although these pictures aren't of Alexis, she wanted me to show how cute Holland was in her new attire!