Happy Birthday To James!!

Yes, this post is late as well....too much going on in December I can't keep up. James turned 33 on December 23. I feel that this is a perfect opportunity to say a little something about the amazing man I am lucky to be sharing my life with. He has so many great qualities. Among them are his dedication to his family, his sheer willpower to never, not ever give up, his great love for his Saviour, his never ending generosity. He is so patient with our kids which in my book makes him an amazing father!!He loves life, he is not afraid to try the new and unknown. If he commits to anything he will put his whole heart and soul into it. He knows what is truly important. He leads our family in faith and with great humility. He has a great love and respect for the gospel. He is very, very playful. He loves to tickle and tease (ok, so maybe there are times I wish he would tone down this great "quality"). He is always willing to help out, whether it be with the cleaning, cooking or helping the kids with homework and never does he complain. He willingly sees past my faults (which are many I'm afraid) and continue loving me anyway. He is ALWAYS paying me compliments...I LOVE it! He is very affectionate and romantic. He does everything he can to make me happy...and I am. Happy Birthday to my sweet husband! I don't have very many pictures of James as a child but have posted the few that I do have. He was such a cute kid! No wonder he's such a hottie now!!

James and his sister Monia. James is 2 here.

James with his mom and sis at age 3.

James age 4
James at age 14 on a scout trip in Mexico...see if you can find him.

James in his "Glory Days". Who says, "White Men Can't Jump?" (He's the one catching the ball)
The Temple Wildcats went to state that year and had the opportunity to play in Texas Stadium...which is now no more.

James at age 20 on his way to the MTC, with his favorite cousin Becca.

James and his friend Ashley in the airport getting ready to head to Brasil.

James served the first half of his mission in Brazil...he said he felt tall there.

After contracting multiple parasites in Brasil he left the beautiful 3rd world coastal lands of Brasil.....

To finish up his mission here in Canada....needless to say it was a bit of a climate change.

James and one of his most favorite people, his grandma. Ruth was always so good to James. We miss her very, very much.

James at his UNLV Dental School Graduation

James and I this month. We always enjoy spending time together. We do this as much as we possibly can. James says it's one his most favorite things to do. I agree.

Just before he became dinner :-(
Poor, poor Mr. Lobster....

James and I on his birthday. We had a great evening. We went to Red Lobster, where James consumed more seafood than I thought possible for one single human being, while I dutifully held my nose and smiled. ( I hate seafood, and especially the smell) We then went and did a little shopping before coming home to open his gifts. It was just the 2 of us this year but we had a great time! James got his much coveted PS3, some games to go with it...namely Call of Duty (thanks mom and dad) which he has spent little time away from. I also gave him a Banzai Olive tree, a statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and clothes. Happy Birthday James!!

Happy Birthday Levi!!

Yes, I know that I'm a few days late with this post. However, we want to wish Levi a very Happy Birthday! His birthday was on the 20th and he turned 6 years old!! Levi is such a fun kid. Lately he says the funniest things, and the best part is he's dead serious so we must try our best not to laugh. His teacher tells me just how funny he is in class as well. Levi started Kindergarten this year and loves school and his sweet teacher Mrs. Taylor (homework, not so much). Some of the things Levi enjoys are playing...anything...with his brother. Also, he loves the wii and has started playing basketball and loves it. He is such a happy little boy and his most favorite thing in the world right now is his DAD. He follows him around and whatever James is doing, Levi wants to be a part of it. We love our little Levi and want to say a big Happy Birthday!!

Levi and his mom.
Levi, Halloween 2004.
Levi and his grandpa Mallory
Levi loved Circus Circus where this was taken. Oh, and ice cream too!!
Levi and his most favorite person...his daddy.
Levi loves swimming, this year he learned to swim without the life jacket!! We were so happy!!
I had to post this picture because one of the funniest things about Levi is that he falls asleep EVERYWHERE, we constantly find him sound asleep in the strangest places.
Levi on his first day of kindergarten.
Happy Birthday to our sweet, funny little man!!

Christmas Party

Last weekend James and I flew to California for the PDS owner doctor Christmas Party. We had a much better time than expected. The hotel was beautiful and right on the beach. I just wish it hadn't been so cold and rainy. We enjoyed good food, good company and we even did a little dancing.

Summer and I on the plane.
James and Steve Thorne

James and I with the Ashton's and the Cockrell's

The best part however was the raffle. Upon arrival we were both given 5 tickets each to place in whichever drawing we wished to enter. There were 5 or 6 categories and James placed all of his in electronics and I (knowing that Steve Thorne was a Lakers fan) placed mine in the sporting events. The first raffle was the electronics and James was the second one called!! He won a digital camera.

Joe and James with their raffle prizes.
Joe, Patty, James and I

However, while James and I were out dancing the waiter threw my tickets away, so when they did the raffle for the sporting event I had no idea if they called my number or not. (There were 2 numbers called that went unclaimed and I'd like to believe one was mine) The doctor sitting behind us, Dr. Pham, won one of those prizes and sure enough....Lakers tickets. Not just any tickets, 18th row from the floor and to the left of the basket, 4 of them. Oh and did I mention they're playing the Jazz? I told James to ask Dr. Pham if he would be willing to trade. James asked but Dr. Pham said no. So I went over and asked just to see the tickets. We talked for a bit about the Lakers and what a fun game it would be and I congratulated him and left. A few minutes later however he came back and said he'd be willing to trade!!! It totally made my night!! A big, big thank you to Dr. Pham. I will be giving the tickets to my dad for Christmas with one stipulation, he has to take me to the game. James and I had a wonderful trip and are grateful to be a part of the PDS family.
Dr. Pham, me and the Lakers tickets!
James and I in the courtyard of the hotel.

Cabin Fever

We had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Flagstaff at a friend of James' family cabin. It was beautiful!! We had such a great time. My parents, grandparents and aunt and uncle and their kiddos were all able to join us. We fished, rode quads, played outside, ate lots of yummy food, even played a little pool. Most of all we just enjoyed being together. There was a little one room shack that was built in the 1800's on the property and we decided that this would be a great place to take some fun pictures. Of course I took a million and tried my best to narrow it down. A big thank you to the Laizure family, we had an amazing time.

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!!!

My baby girl turned 10 yesterday! I wanted to post this yesterday but alas, I was all partied out and wasn't able to get to it. Anyhow, I CAN NOT believe she is 10. As I was looking through old pictures I was reminded of all the fun stages of Brooklyn's life. Brooklyn has always been such a joy. I could not remember a time in her life that she was difficult. Wait! Yes, there was a time...she refused to come out! She decided to grace the world with her presence 10 days after her due date. I guess if that is all the trouble she ever causes I'll take it. In all seriousness we have been blessed to have this kind-hearted, beautiful, gracious, intelligent, dramatic, dependable little girl in our home. While I don't look forward to her getting older, I can't wait to see the amazing young woman she will soon be. We love you Brooklyn!! Happy Birthday! Here are some pictures of our sweet girl through the years!

Brooklyn was born at 10:03 a.m. at UMC in Las Vegas. She was 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 in. long. Among the people present at her birth were her Great Grandma and Grandpa Quillen, Great Aunt Beck, Grammy Suzie, Aunt Charity and of course mom and dad! Brooklyn was both the first grandchild and great grandchild (as was I).

My little cheerleader! Although she has no interest in that now. She loves to play volleyball.

Brooklyn at age 1.

No one could pout like Brooklyn. But, of course at 2 that's a given!

Brooklyn at age 3. This was one of my favorite costumes on her. She was such a cutie!!

She has been the best big sis! Brooklyn insisted on staying the night in the hospital with us. She was so excited to have a little brother.

Love this picture! Age 5


She loves dressing as a witch, she does it almost every year. Age 6

Dancing Queen!! Age 7

I wanted to post these 3 at age 8. The best thing about her turning 8 was her baptism and I wish I had those pictures to post. Her dad has them and I know he will give me copies as soon as he can (hint hint Chris). As you can see, Brooklyn decided to cut her hair. Not because she wanted shorter hair but to donate the hair to Locks of Love. I had my very good friend Staci, a cancer survivor herself, do this for her.

She looks so grown up here. She's aways been very tall. I'm pretty sure she's going to pass me up here in a few short years!

And here is our Birthday Girl sitting with the goods. I think her favorite gift this year was the purple iPod her daddy gave her. Happy Birthday to our Beautiful little girl!