Genetics

Genes are so fascinating. Every child I've carried has me wondering what they will look like. After they are born you wonder what they'll look like and who they'll look like as they grow and change.

Darci definately looks like my mom and I have the proof. Go ahead and look at the last several pictures I've posted of Darci and the picture I have posted here of my mom. If you can't tell... she's the younger of the two.

Happy Birthday Jenny!!!

Kip and his new girl ;)

The birthday girl opening presents

Kayla, Elise, Christopher, and Xander getting candles

Crystal and Darci

A little bit early. Her birthday is actually Wednesday, June 25, but we decided to go 2 days early to celebrate.

Jenny is Bret's older sister and she is such an example to me. Her faith is strong and she teaches her children right. She's a single mom, a Relief Society counselor, a school teacher, a helpful daughter and sister. She's been through some of life's hardest circumstances and still comes out on top. Her ex-husband is not a nice guy and really not a good father. He was a HORRIBLE husband. Yet she is so nice and wonderful and strong. I'm sure she doesn't always feel that sometimes. I hope she know how much a look up to her and that I think she's amazing for all she's been through and still turned out as good as she has. I hope that the future has nothing but happiness and blessings for her.

We met at Bret's sister's (Wendy's) house and had yummy pizza. The cousins (as always) enjoyed each other. Bret loved gabbing with his brothers. They are so funny together. They are sarcastic, funny, and you can tell they enjoy being together.

I really enjoyed visiting with my sisters-in-law. Crystal is Dustin's wife. I've always felt a distinct bond with her and I miss her when she isn't at family activites. She's pregnant with her first child and I couldn't be more thrilled for them. Jenny is so good at making me feel like I'm a part of the Armstrong clan. I don't have sisters and she gives me a glimpse of what it's like. Wendy is so generous and willing to give you whatever.

My favorite picture here is the one of Kip and Darci. Kip is Bret's youngest brother. He's single and gets a hard time for it. He's a good guy that will make some girl very happy someday. Darci has been really clingy lately and won't go to anyone but mom or dad. It takes a lot of effort and "warming up" for her to go see anyone else lately. She totally chilled with Kip. Sat still with him and acted like they were the best of friends. Says something about him, I think.

World's greatest fathers

Marissa and her Daddy 1982


Daddy and kids 2007

Grandpa Pingel and Xander 2005

Grandpa Pingel with Christopher and new Darci 2007

Daddy with Christopher and new Darci 2007

Daddy and new Xander 2004

I should have saved this post for tomorrow since tomorrow is officially Father's Day. But today is when I've had these thoughts.


My Grandpa Pingel... I've missed him so much since he's been gone. He was one of the sweetest men I knew. Every meal was the greatest he'd ever eaten. He never had anything bad to say about anyone. He raised 2 of the most amazing people I know. Between him and my grandmother there was a love of God and the gospel, an emphasis on hard work and working together, and a deep love and loyalty to family.


My Daddy... Today he and I went horseback riding, just the two of us, in the hills of Elk Ridge. The scenery was beautiful, the company GREAT! I've been quite down in the dumps lately and today my dad made me feel so much better. I don't know if my relationship with my dad is a normal one or if I'm just REALLY lucky. He and my mom are two of my VERY best friends. I'm his only living daughter. He is understanding of my flaws and helps me find and build on my strengths. My dad and I are quite a bit alike in personality. For some that makes for a clash of wills, but my dad and I really enjoy each other. My dad is the strongest man I know... physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am grateful to see him as often as I do and that my children will continue to grow with him in their lives. He has taught my brothers and I (along with my mom) a love of God and the gospel, an emphasis on hard work and working together, and a deep love and loyalty to family.


My Husband... the love of my life... the love of my eternity... my VERY, VERY best friend. He loves me no matter what. He thinks I am the most beautiful woman on Earth. He adores our children. I simply don't have enough of the right words to describe what an amazing husband and father he is. He finds such great joy in the time he spends with us. His favorite times (and mine too) are the ones spent within the walls of our own home when everyone is here together. He finds happiness in the laughter and happiness of our sweet children. He gives us all that is important in this life. He is understanding of my flaws and helps me find and build on my strengths. He helps our children find and build upon their strengths. He is teaching our children (and I hope I'm helping him) a love of God and the gospel, an emphasis on hard work and working together, and a deep love and loyalty to family.


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2008

HAPPY 40th Anniversary Dan and Rosemary!!!

The happy couple 40 years ago.


The big surprise

All the kids enjoying balloons

Kip and Jenny

Wendy and Marissa

Last night we celebrated Dan and Rosemary's (Bret's parents) 40th wedding anniversary. With a lot of work from our sister-in-law (Audra), Bret's sister (Jenny), and Bret's Aunt Judy we were able to throw quite the surprise party for Bret's parents. Bret spent a good chunk of the day helping to set up. I stayed home with the kids so that Darci could nap. It ended up being a good thing, because my stomach problems kicked in and I became quite ill for several hours.

The party took place up in Herriman, UT where Bret's parents and sisters live. We held it in a church cultural hall and decorated in Rosemary's wedding colors. I got to buy a pretty new dress for me and for Darci.

When Dan and Rosemary walked in we had it dark and all the grandkids yelled SURPRISE as the adults turned on the lights. The grandkids crowded around their grandparents and gave them lots of loves. Most of Rosemary's siblings showed up along with lots of members of their old Taylorsville ward that they lived in for 30 years. There was good food and visiting. The last hour Bret played beautiful music while couples danced.

The funnest part of the night was at the end when the kids were playing with the helium balloons. Uncle Dustin and cousins Cameron and Quinn were sucking helium and doing lines from Wizard of Oz and Looney Tunes. The smaller kids just ran and played and enjoyed balloons in a way only little children can. We love the opportunities for the cousins to play like this. They truly enjoy each other.

I signed Dan and Rosemary's card "All because 2 people fell in love". This is a favorite saying on the Pingel side. If they hadn't had such a loving and sweet relationship and raised their children right and in the gospel and in love... well, my wonderful, sweet husband wouldn't be the man he is. So, I am truly grateful for this 40 years of marriage.

Tae Kwon Do

Christopher started in Tae Kwon Do this week. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial arts form. We are hoping that Christopher will learn discipline, balance, coordination, and self-defense from this. So far he seems to be really enjoying it. His mom and dad are enjoying watching him improve every class.

We have all learned to yell "kee-up" when we punch and kick and change stances. Even Xander and Darci will join in practices at home.

Sorry for the new obsession

I'm enjoying taking some of these videos. I promise not to put too many. This is Darci singing and dancing while Bret plays the piano. One of her favorite past times.

Something New

I just recently learned how to work the video camera on our digital camera. I should have been doing this a long time ago. I can't tell you how many times we've taken the digital camera and had a moment where we wished we had the video camera. DUH!!! We had one right with us. Now I can show you how adorable my children are in motion ;).

Enjoy!

Meadow Elementary Dance Festival

Christopher had his dance festival today and they did a fun gorilla dance to the "Breaking Up the Camp" song from Disney's Tarzan. He did an excellent job and Xander and Darci had fun playing on the playground while we waited. Kindergarten was last, so we enjoyed watching all of the grades do their dances.

Happy 6th Birthday Christopher!!!

We've been celebrating Christopher's 6th for the past couple of days. His actual birthday was yesterday. I always find myself reflecting back on that day they were born on their birthdays. Sometimes I think birthdays affect mommies more than the actual birthday boy/girl. I told Christopher that his birth was so special to me, because he is who made me a mommy.
He got a trampoline from Bret, Xander, Darci, and I. We gave it to him yesterday morning before Bret had to leave for work. It was still in the box. He was so excited I just had to put it together for him. The instructions said it was a 2 person job, but I knew I could do it myself. 4 hours later Christopher and Xander were having a blast.
Christopher had Kindergarten in the afternoon and I got to bring treats for him. All the kids sang to him and enjoyed their cupcakes. I forgot until yesterday morning that the treats needed to be store bought and not home baked. I was lucky to find a large selection of cupcakes with plastic rings on them with Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, and Disney Princesses (for the girls).
This morning I woke up and started working on getting everything ready for Christopher's birthday party. He chose a cowboy theme and Grandpa Pingel ran with it. He brought one of his horses, bales of hay with lassos, and stick horses for racing. There were friends from the neighborhood and cousins and it was lots of fun. Christopher loved ALL of his presents. He's like his mommy and is just excited that his friends would get him ANYTHING.
A little later that evening his Grandpa and Grandma Armstrong came and gave him a gift and watched as he and Xander jump on the trampoline. This trampoline is already used more than I was hoping for and I'm thrilled.
It's been a fun 6 years and I feel so blessed to have a son as amazing as Christopher. Those that know him know how sweet and sensitive and caring he is. He is a very good boy and so very smart. He has a sensitivity to things of a spiritual nature and has started talking a lot lately about serving a mission when he's 19. He also takes his education very seriously and wants to make sure we do lots of reading and writing and numbers (his favorite) this summer. What kid does that!! I'd like to say I'm doing something really right, but a lot of it is just Christopher. He's a special and GREAT kid.

EGD

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy... that's what EGD stands for. I had one done today. They put you under sedation and put a camera down your throat. They look at your espophagus, stomach, and duodenum. I guess during mine they found a lot of inflammation in my stomach. They took a biopsy and I'm waiting for results now. I've been having stomach problems on and off for several years now and in the last month it has gotten pretty bad. I have horrible heartburn and stomach aches. I've taken every medication under the sun. Hopefully the good drs will find something that can be taken care of easily.