Krista's 18th Birthday

Krista turned 18 today.  I took her shopping which she loves and I generally hate but I had a good time wiht her, then we came home and had her birthday dinner (Bacon cheeseburgers with cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles) and then a little party with Cake.  

All the teenagers and YOUNG adults with the birthay girl

 All the children and adults with the birthday girl! 

 Kamryn loves Birthday Parties so she got to help blow out the candles...

...and open the presents.  Donelle and Jerry got her a Bath and Body Works Nightlight scent.

 When Krista and I went shopping, she tried on about 30 things and we narrowed it down to about five things that were her very favorite that I liked too.  This particular sweater was one of her favorites but I didn't like it particularly so I veto-ed it, but since it was her birthday, I secretly purchased it (she almost caught me) and I wrapped it up and gave it to her at the party.  She was vocally pleased!

Right before the party, Randy remembered that he had planned on getting her a new phone for her birthday, as her old one was on its last leg so he ran out to Wal-Mart really quick to pick it up. Since we didn't talk about it until then, Krista made out like a bandit for her birthday because I would not have bought her quite so many clothes if I had known that a cell phone was in the plans as well!   Lucky girl! 

Big Donuts, Little Feet

I took Kamryn to the store with me and she wanted the BIG donut and I caved!   Here are pics of Austin, Kyler and Kamryn trying to enjoy them!

 Then I saw Kenzie and took pictures of her CUTE LITTLE FEET!   I do love newborn feet.  Totally pure and undefiled.

My Angel Husband

At Christmas time, we showed a picture of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus to the primary kids.  When we asked the kids who was in the picture, one little girl, said "Mary, baby Jesus, and that other guy".   I have long admired Joseph so much.  He isn't the star of the show, he isn't in the limelight, but he was stalwart and strong and good to the core.  He took care of his wife, his family and was worthy to raise the Son of God.  Maybe he was the most worthy mortal male of all of God's children.   My Randy reminds me of Joseph.  He doesn't call attention to himself and he is the most unselfish person in our home.  He is so aware of all of our needs.  He doesn't need to be asked because he sees and then he does.  He has been my partner, my support, my anchor, and my rock.  He really has spoiled me rotten.  My siblings say that I was spoiled as a child (because I was the youngest) but I really think I have been more spoiled as an adult because I have such a wonderfully unselfish husband.    Today is just an example.  He arranged everything for Easter dinner yesterday (becuase I was just recovering from a cold) and cooked most of it today, including dessert.   Today, he taught Krista how to do Family Search Indexing and then when it was late, and I am sure he was tired, my mom kind of generally asked how she gets on FSI.  Not only did Randy get her on the program, but he spent hours helping her learn how to do it.

Thanks honey!  We all love and appreciate you.

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!   The kids woke up and found their Easter Candy which we put in bowls (not baskets) and hide around the house.   As the older kids (Kelsey, Zac and Eric) came over, we also hid their bowls for them to find. 

We enjoyed a wonderful Easter Sacrament meeting.  Krista spoke about the blessings of the resurrection at church.  Five men in our ward sang the most beautiful rendition of "This is the Christ", Paula Soderstrom gave the most wonderful talk about the atonement.  13-year-old Madeline Arnold played a beautiful piano solo called 'Beautiful Savior". I felt the spirit of the Holy Ghost so strongly in our sacrament meeting.

Kelsey, Zac and Kennady came over after church and the three older grandkids (not newborn Kenzie) had a little Easter Egg Hunt out back.   They all looked so cute in there Easter clothes.  We tried to take a picture of the four kids together.  Hard to get one with all of them happy and looking!

We have a new Easter tradition:  A singing Easter Bunny.  I had one for years that I used for work and I brought it out when Kamryn was old enough to enjoy it, then I bought another one last Easter.  Today I brought out a third one....it hops!   Three makes a tradition I think!   I also gave the grandkids a little "bunny bag" with baby-friendly candy and bubbles which may also be a new tradition!

We missed Ryan, who is in Japan.  Very weird not to have him home for Easter. 

Eric Gets His Own Apartment and The Room Changing Follows

Eric and Ryan have been sharing a room.  Eric has been working full-time, paying us rent, and is taking business classes at UVU.   He decided it was time to be all grown up so he found his own room in a 3-beadroom condo near UVU and moved out last Sunday.  I was sad to see him leave but I am very proud of him for making his own way in the world and taking the initiative to move out, even though it is cheaper to live at home.

It seems like everytime someone in our family moves in or moves out (and we have had a lot of that lately) somebody else shifts rooms.  This time, Katrina and Ryan moved out of the unfinished part of our basement into the room Eric had been sharing with Ryan (Moe) and Ryan happily agreed to move into the unfinished basement (Randy actually moved him yesterday as Ryan was in Japan).    Here is how things looked this evening (moved but not totally unpacked!

Brandon is Playing Rugby

Brandon decided he wanted to play Rugby this spring. It terrifies me. He seems to like it despite all the scrapes he comes home with. However, at this point, he likes football better. Suddenly, football seems like a safe sport.

Ryan leaves for 9 days in Japan

Ryan was so excited to go on a "Study abroad" for nine days with 8 freinds from school and his math teacher (who was born and raised in Japan).  I dropped them off at curbside at 3 AM this morning!.   We have heard that they arrived safely.  Ryan sent us an e-mail saying that he is having a great time!  Good thing as he will be working all summer to pay me back!   I am excited to hear all about his trip..

Sunday Traditions: Skype and Waffle Cones

Kylie is in Hawaii attending BYU-Hawaii, so we frequently skype with her on Sunday.  We all get a chance to say "hi", catch up on things, and sometimes she just stays on-line and joins in on whatever we are doing.   Recently, we have added another tradition of making homemade waffle cones. Today, the two traditions met!   

Kenzie Ryanna Seamons has Arrived!

We are so blessed!  Our fourth grandchild and third granddaughter was born safely and in perfect health on March 27, 2012.  Kenzie Ryanna Seamons was born to Katrina Renee Moe Seamons and Ryan Kent Seamons and joined her sister Kamyn Renee (age 3 years 8 months) and her brother, Kyler Ryan (age 23 months) to make a family of five!

I was so excited to be able to arrive just in time, with Kamryn, to witness the birth.  Kelsey, Zac and Krista were also witnesses of the happy event (and photographers!).  Kelsey is a labor and delivery nurse at the very hospital (not on duty) so she was able to provide expert support through much of the labor. 

Kamryn was very cute.  Her first comment after the birth was, "where are her clothes?". 

Krista's last General Young Women Conference

Krista and I drove up to Salt Lake and attended what would be her last General Young Women meeting.  How wonderful that the young women in our church have the opportunity to learn at the feet of the prophet and the general young women presidency and hear messages that are tailored just for them.   I can hardly believe that Krista is only about 9 weeks from her HS graduation.  Next Fall:  BYU-Provo. 

Austin's Eagle Project: Arbor Day 4th Grade Storywriting Contest

Austin's Eagle Project was a great experience.  He organized an Arbor Day Story-writing contest for all the fourth graders in our community which involved judging, prizes, assemblies (with Smokey the bear) and planting a tree at the Highland Schools.   Ryan served as Smokey the Bear.  Our neighbor, Rachel, served as MC (with assist from Kylie) and Kylie served as photographer.