I'm the Birthday Girl

Well, today's my birthday, and I am going to tag myself. Here are 5 random things you may not know about me.
1. I'm fun. No, really. Just ask Mike.
2. I LOVE Toasted Almond Ice Cream from Leatherby's. Mike knows if I'm mad at him he needs to get me toasted almond, and I will be a little more reasonable. (but not necessarily forgive him...that takes a couple weeks.
3. I hold grudges. For a long time. (not for 30 years, though)
4. I can sing really well, but my kids (and Mike) don't know it yet. Oh, yeah, and I am a very LOUD singer.
5. When I was 16, my best friend, Ame, and I thought we would start a new trend. We wore all our t-shirts backwards...ALL the time. Sadly, it did not catch on.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!

Easter Sunday

Mitchell

Austin

Rachel

Boys

Cute kids!!



We really loved this tree.

Easter Saturday

I am starting to think posting late IS hereditary.
For our Easter Egg Hunt this year we decided to go to Wheeler Farm. The age group that Austin and Rachel were in was 6 and younger (which was a very big range). Somehow there was mass chaos (what else do you expect), and the north side of the field went en mass. So of course, everyone else had to go to.
Here are some pix:

Before the hunt.

Rachel

Austin (in the Gap sweatshirt and Spongebob moon boots)

I think I took this picture about the time the horn blew for the hunt to start...right when we were about done.

After my children come back to me (they both made it in reasonable time considering all the parents that were out there making it ridiculous to see anything!), we headed over to find Mitchell and Mike (in the 10-12 age group). They had so few people in their group that Mitchell was being very selective and was still picking up all the candy and eggs. His field was the place to be.
After much discussion (and crying and whining and begging to go to Burger King), the authority figures (mom and dad, if there was any question) decided to go to Porcupine Grill for breakfast. It was a yummy breakfast, and a fun morning.

Showers or baths?

I went to a shower for one of Mike's cousins who is having a baby. Mike was explaining to the kids where I was and why I was not there for cuddle time before bed.
Mike: Mom's at a shower.
Rachel: I like to take baf-es (baths).

I think I have told you this before, but the last shower I went to was for another of Mike's cousins who was getting married.
Mike: Mom's at a shower.
Austin: Is everyone going to be naked?

New member of the family

Meet Viz.

He is the newest member of the Black family. You know how sometimes you meet someone, and you just know you are going to be friends for a long time? That's how it is with Viz. Mike especially. Mike and Viz LOVE to hang out. It is rare when they are not together. The love to eat together, watch movies together, and just hang out. They like to talk about lots of things, but mainly sports. It may seem like Viz is not much of a conversationalist, but really, he is. Mike loves it when Viz takes him to "work". Like in the following picture, Mike and Viz are working TOGETHER.

Welcome to the family Viz!!

Anniversary Dinner

I am going to give myself some SERIOUS props here. I have been married...to Mike... for 12 years now. TWELVE. T-W-E-L-V-E.
In all seriousness, I think this is a great accomplishment...for both of us. Being married is not easy, but it sure is wonderful. So to celebrate our 12 year anniversary, Mike and I decided to go to dinner at "The Roof". They had a great buffett, and we had a lovely view of the Salt Lake Temple.


Randy and Jan were kind enough to have the kids over for a sleep-over. After dinner, we went to a movie (Fool's Gold). Once that was done, we decided to see another one (Vantage Point). It was great to have the spontaneous decision to see two movies, and they both were pretty good movies. Here's to another 12 years...and more!!

Cuddle Time and Games

After Rachel's recital, Kyra, Brad, Danny, Jenny, Cody, and Jessica (Cody's girlfriend) came over. It was the kids bed time, so Austin, Rachel and I had cuddle time while we watched "Open Season". I put Rachel to bed, and I thought I put Austin to bed, but the next thing I know, he's back in our room watching more "Open Season" with Kyra, Brad, Cody, and Jessica. Check out the little stinker here:


After he went to bed (for real, this time), we played a game called Carcassone. It was loads of fun!!

Rachel's Ballet Recital

The Recital was tonight. I came home and curled Rachel's hair. I sprayed it and we were all ready to go, and then she looked in the mirror. She didn't want her hair "all crazy", so she smashed it. So I had to recurl about half of it. Here is the finished product: The recital went really well. I was very worried about Rachel's participation (as opposed to her running like crazy all over the stage), but she did really well for the performance. Sadly, you can't really see her for most of it, but that's ok. She was shadowing Miss Chassy, so she's always near her.

Dance Video:

March Black Family Dinner

Beef's the only March birthday...however, he is 30 this year!! He did not have a breakdown, or so he says. Here's the adults hangin' out while the kids all play in the basement.


Boys playing Wii downstairs.

Lauren and Austin were talking about loose teeth, and Lauren has not lost any (she is six months older than Austin). Austin said he has a loose tooth, so Mike told him to have Grandpa Randy check it out. Sure enough, it WAS loose. Tooth fairy's coming to our house tonight!!!