3 B's: Birthday, Bethany, and Blake

My dad's birthday was yesterday.  He is one of the most talented people I know!  I love that he is always mastering a new skill.  I made this hat cake for the occasion.  He likes to play hearts, hence the cards on the cake.  Bethany gave him a card that said, "For your birthday, I'm giving you a new son!"  She and Blake are engaged!  They are great together and we're excited for them!

"Open up your chest and let it in... just let the love, love, love begin."

The title is from the song "Everybody" by Ingrid Michaelson.  I love it- such a fun song! 

The boys making Valentines for school.

On Friday night, Bethany and Blake came and watched our kids so we could go on a Valentine's date to Benihana's.

 They helped the kids make personal pizzas.  We ate steak and shrimp- yum!

On Valentine's Day, we had a family candlelight dinner.

For dessert, we made parfaits with brownies, whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles.

Since it was also family night, we had a little lesson.  Each person picked a heart from the basket and read a quote or scripture about love.

pretty flowers from Ray

2011 Hodge Podge

We spent New Year's with Ray's parents and his sister Melinda and her family.  They all came from Utah to get warm, only to find unusually cold weather here.  They were here the day it snowed!  We went to Amazing Jake's, temple lights, out to eat, movies, etc., and had a great time seeing them.

cousins

My cute cousin Klydi got married the next week, so my mom, Adina and I took a short trip to Utah for the wedding.  It was a beautiful sealing and fun reception.  It was fun to hang out with my mom and sisters, and to catch up with my cousins.  It was also a nice break from the daily routine!

James was selected as student of the month.  Here he is with his awesome teacher.

Our Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa Hammond was a chance to see Shrek The Musical at Gammage.  We took the three oldest kids, and everyone loved it.

We've already packed a lot into 2011,

including a mishap with a horse (the grandson of Seattle Slew), who ran right into the front of Ray's truck! 

 It promises to be an exciting year!



Christmas 2010

It was a fun Christmas, with all of my family in town but Richard. We're glad we saw them at Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve was spent at my parents' house, and included the traditional talent show & white elephant gift exchange, and of course, The Elves delivered Christmas pajamas to the door.

James read an M&M Christmas poem.

Jingle Bells duet

 Blake played Jingle Bells on the recorder with his nose! 

 Papa always plays the song about the Christmas animals, while the grandkids sing with puppets.

 sisters

 waiting at the top of the stairs Christmas morning

 Brynlee loves the bike from Santa!  She didn't want to get off of it to open presents.

 Santa brought a ping pong table!

 stockings

 Marinne got a phone, so I apologize in advance for all the texts you're going to receive!

 silly bands

 Ray got wireless headphones, thanks to the Coke Rewards he's been saving.

 Marinne bought me this lovely hat with her own money.

 We do Christmas morning at our house, then head over to my parents' for Christmas brunch.

My sisters and I made this quilt for my mom's Christmas gift. 

Our Christmas was wonderful!  Now on to the new year!

Hammond Halloween 2010

 It was another fun Halloween at the Hammond house!

 Ray and I were Edwina and H.I. McDunnough from Raising Arizona.  I'm sure the people who haven't seen the movie were confused, but the ones who had seen it got who we were!

 We had friends and family over for our annual Halloween party.  We order bread bowls that look like pumpkins, and have soup and chili.

Here are the people who came:

 Parkinsons

 Stephens

 The other Hammonds

She was a cleaning lady, and he was Mr. Clean!

 Tim and boys (sad that the rest of their fam couldn't come)

 Smiths

Buff and Blake (costumes made by Bethany herself)

 My parents were there too, but I never got a picture of them:(

 Marinne was a witch.

 James was a prisoner.

 Blake was a fellow inmate.

 Brynlee was Cindy Lou Who (another one that some people didn't get, but I thought it was a cute idea)

I covered a pumpkin bucket to make it look like a Christmas ornament.

 Ray's jack-o-lantern served as a great good luck charm, and The Giants won the World Series!

 The kids sorting and trading candy.

 Jordan and Karin always make the best doughnuts from scratch for the party!