What a way to spend a...

This year Easter and my birthday fell on the same day. I recieved an email a couple of weeks ago that said that Easter coming this early is very rare. It hasn't happened in 95 years and isn't supposed to happen again for, like, 220 years. Add on that this was kind of a milestone birthday for me (30 years) and I guess it was supposed to be a pretty special day.
Then, life happens!
I got seriously ill the Friday before. I won't go into the gorey details, but let's just say I lived in the bathroom for the better part of 3 days. My birthday became an afterthought as I tried to figure out how NOT to spoil my children's Easter. Originally we were going to drop the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa Pingel's house on Saturday while we went on a double date with some neighbors to a play at BYU and dinner and then spend the night with the Pingel's and have grand Easter celebrations the next morning. After church Easter day was going to be a scrumptious birthday dinner and cake. We sadly cancelled on our friends. Bret took the kids to the ward Primary Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning and then we loaded up and headed down to Salem. I slept the better part of the day (man that phenergan stays with you). That night as I was starting to feel "on the mend" Bret started to complain that he didn't feel really great. Yep, you guess it! He spent the entire night in and out of the bathroom. As hard as he tried to be a part of things he slept through most of Sunday morning. The kids enjoyed a great egg hunt and looking through their baskets. I did my best to look like I had some energy and also to explain the REAL reason we have Easter. Thankfully Christopher "got" it and retained the story. Xander knew that we had Easter because of Jesus, but didn't really retain the reason. Darci just liked the eggs and treats. We got the kids all dressed up and did Sacrament Meeting in Salem and then went home and slept some more. Bret and I nibbled on birthday dinner and expressed our deepest gratitude to Karen and Jerry for helping the kids have a fun weekend (REALLY, thank you so, so ,SO much Mom and Dad). We looked at my baby book and pictures a little. I had a special moment with my dad feeding the horses some apples. And then we headed home to get the kids to bed and crash into our own.
Thanks to everyone who left birthday wishes on the voice mail and computer. It will definately be one that I'll never forget.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We have had a wonderful Christmas. Sunday, Dec. 23 we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas program at church and Darci was gorgeous in her dress from "Aunt" Janet.

Christmas Eve Bret had to work until the afternoon, but Marissa spent the day cleaning, cooking, and wrapping. That evening we went to Grandma and Grandpa Armstrong's house and enjoyed pizza and visiting. We had to leave early, though. The kids needed to get into bed and asleep so that Santa could come.

Christmas morning the most exciting gift was a little dog named Yoshi. The kids just love him and Bret and Marissa are happy that he is really a very good dog. He'll be a wonderful addition to our family.

Darci's first Christmas has been really fun. She's loved the lights and the trees and the music. She enjoyed ripping wrapping paper and playing in it, and she seems to like her new toys. Mostly she just LOVES Yoshi. She follows him around making funny noises and loving on him.

Xander got the Pirate Ship he asked Santa for and can't wait to try out his new Cars racers.

Christopher is happy with his "Plug N Play" game. And, even though they arenn't Legos, he likes his Spiderman Mega Blocks.

Brett and Shendi Pingel joined us this morning to celebrate and we love having them.

Happy Halloween

We celebrated Halloween today for the first time with a school age child. Christopher had a parade at school and then Marissa was a "room mom" for his Halloween party. She read halloween stories as they finished their crafts.
Marissa took all 3 kids trick-or-treating while Bret stayed home and passed out treats. The kids did more homes than we expected them to and even Darci was a trooper. Everyone enjoyed our little Disney characters. Christopher was Dash from the Incredibles. Xander was Buzz Lightyear. Darci was Tinkerbell. Marissa was a witch. Please no comments from the Peanut gallery that it's fitting.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!