What do you want for your birthday?

"What would you like for your birthday?"

"I want a horse and rolls from Texas Road House." Susanna responded.

We thought she wanted to ride the saddle horse for those who have birthdays at Texas Road House.  So we took her, and she ate rolls in an attitude of bliss.

Then they brought the Saddle on the 2x4s for her to sit and get the birthday song.  Her eyes lit up, and she got the same look as the braid girls in Tangled.

We put her on the saddle, and then the confusion began.  She leaned forward, looked down at the floor and stared at me in horror, "What happened to the horsy's head!!!"

The she had a meltdown.

As the sobs began to subside, I asked, "Did you want a real horsy ride for your birthday?"

Sniffling, she responded, "Yes, a horsy or a unicorn."

So we called up a friend who has a very calm horse and arranged for her and her birthday party friends to meet at the local indoor barn to ride a horse for the party.

We expected a 16 hand horse would intimidate her, but as soon as "Gypsy" showed up, Susanna wanted to be in the Saddle.  Laughs and giggles ensued as the horse went around the ring.

Then the drama began.

The horse sneezed.

The shake threw Susanna off the saddle and to the ground.

Fortunately, there was about a foot of soft plush "dirt" in the ring.  Her love of horses.  Gone.

Our friend said that the best thing to do is to get kids right back on, but Susanna was not having it.  So David -who is allergic to cats and horses -got to ride holding a traumatized birthday girl.

After one lap, she was ready for friends and siblings to join.

Things turned out for the best.  On the car ride home she got a little teary-eyed, when we asked what was wrong, she replied: "I miss Gypsy."

Fireplaces are nice.

Presents

Last night we opened slippers.  Ami and Dad both received some with memory foam, comfy!  Pillow cases from Richard & Amy!  Sweet!
 

 Melissa felt that her stocking was not big enough, and never goes by the name Missy anymore, so she updated the stockings.  Hers was 2.5 by 3 feet.  98% chocolate?  Yep.

We kept the nice normal sized stockings for decor, but the rest of us also got an update.  Susanna could sleep in hers. 

What do you mean smile?  I am.  This is my up-all-night-decorating smile. Leave me to my eggnog truffles. 

 Future chocolate addict.

 Now we're talk'n!  A cold one in the morning. Just what the Dad ordered.

 What will we steal from Dad today?

YES! I LOVE TO EAT THOSE OF YOURS DAD!

 

Does she like Dora?  PJs.  Shoes.  Coloring book.

 

Fablehaven?  Finally!  I can read the rest of them.

 

Ami did not do anything with her other gifts, she went straight to the painting and making of cards. 

 

Susanna liked giving out gifts. 

 

How to Train Your Dragon series!

 

The History of the Legend of Zelda?  Ami's nonplussed. 

I don't care about your present, I do not like drum brushes.

A to Z Mysteries!

More drumsticks!

We decorated the children's rooms according to their wishes, all last night.  Tim wanted his room to be like outer space, so we painted the ceiling and put all the major planets, their major moons, and four of the dwarf planets scaled to proportionate size on his ceiling.

Cheat sheet to learn the different planets and moons. 

 

Maggie and Susanna wanted bugs and a pond.  They also received a wall of glow-in-the-dark butterflies and dragonflies.

 

What happened to my room? 

Religious mantis, a must have. 

 

Ami wanted fairies, so we made a vinyl scene from Pixie Hollow.

Holiday Greetings and Update

Dear Family and Friends,

[Yes, we think the chances of Rudolph being a dragon are probable.  Why do you ask?]


Last year many of our Christmas cards were intercepted in the mail system by some individuals who then tried to mine information, so we decided to forgo the traditional post and go digital.

This has easily been the most... adventurous... year for our family.  We write this blog to keep family updated on our lives, so for many of you, this quick review will not contain any new ideas, but we'll see if we can make it interesting and add a couple new thoughts.

The year in review by quotable moments:

"I think it's time for us to move." 
 So we did.  We built a nice new home with Ivory and sold (with a single day to spare) our last home.  Though we miss friends from our old ward, our new ward is incredibly talented and self-sufficient, full of quality, service-minded individuals.

"So that's what the sky really looks like?"
With some great assistance from a niece and some close friends in tow, we enjoyed Bryce Canyon National Park (great stargazing) for our big vacation this year.  We also stopped by and saw Mulan and Mary Poppins at the Tuacahn.  Mulan was phenomenal.

"What is this?  It is AWESOME?"
We introduced our children to Texas Roadhouse and a local Sushi joint as rewards for reaching their potential in their schoolwork. #deprivedasachild

"The good news is that it is not cancer..."
 Melissa's perpetual health decline included some amazing scares this year.  Since seeing the movie "The Croods" she gets up each morning and yells "Still alive!"

"I found that swimming works better when you close your mouth."
One of our children imparted this lesson to the other two who worked toward swimming proficiency with our water park passes we had this year. 

"What does your Dad do for a living?  Homework."
Apparently the children forgot David writes curriculum and teaches with all of his continued work on a PhD, presenting at conferences, passing classes, and going through tons of audiobooks while traveling.  We're grateful for reliable transportation.

 


"Move it! We're late for band/concert/lessons again!"
With Tim currently rock'n out with drum lessons, Ami performing with violin, and Maggie in band, we considered buying an extra vehicle and telling Maggie to learn to drive.



Thanks to all for dropping by, and an especial thanks to those near and far whose friendship means more than words.  May the Lord bless you and yours,

Sincerely,

David, Melissa, Maggie, Tim, Ami, and Susanna

You're doing it wrong.

We got ready to paint the ceilings.  By bumping the ladder, we painted the floor.

Yep.

The Carpet.

Sunshine yellow.

On brown and black carpet.

7 hours of scrubbing by three people later.

Now it just looks like a baby ran around without a diaper. 

Adventures in vinyl - Above the doors

Above the doors we placed vinyls of temples - hand cut by David.

 Provo

Jordan River

Timpanogos

Sacramento

Washington D.C.

Oakland

Rexburg

Boston

San Diego

Nauvoo

More adventures in vinyl - the story on the walls

Adventures in Vinyl - Background