Happy Birthday to Me!

January 28 was my 56th birthday.  Well, it's another year older for me!  It's okay.  I've always been ok with getting older.  I always say, you can ask me how old I am but DO NOT ask me how much I weigh!  My birthday started off a day early with Michael fixing me breakfast in bed Sunday morning.  He knew he would be heading to the gym at 5am on Monday and didn't think I would appreciate him waking me up that early.  Good decision, babe!

I started my birthday morning with Mary Beth's two classes at the gym.  Her first class was pilates and every song was for me.  Yes, I cried during class.  I think the others thought it was just too hard for me!  She made me feel very special!  When I got to work Monday morning, this is what awaited me!  Kenny, Jessica and the kids came to my office Sunday and decorated it for me.  I felt special all day!  As a matter of fact, it is a week later and the chandelier is still hanging there!  LOVE it!  Don't want to take it down.  (Notice the jar of MilkDuds on my desk!)

 Birthday celebration at IHOP.  As we were getting out of the car, Joe, Chelsea and Maggie called and sang Happy Birthday to me!

 Mary Beth's family made me a calendar with the year in photos.  I love this gift!  I look forward to this all year.  I save my calendars and have for about the last 25 years so it's very special to have a calendar with our family photos on it!

 Christi's family got me a new purse just for my GF shopping trips!  Love it!  The candy inside was great too!

 Along with decorating my office and the big jar of MilkDuds, Kenny's family got me an awesome, jeweled, zebra print case with pepper spray in it.  Look out bad guys, I'm armed and dangerous!  A pretty purple mirror too - guess I'll have to retire my old "princess" one!

 Thanks gang for helping me celebrate!

We go out to the parking lot and what does Big Daddy give me??  A new bike!!  WOW!  I couldn't have been more surprised!! I am somebody special now.  I have a FELT bicycle!!  

Snowman Run 2013 - Kids Run

Saturday, January 19 was the Snowman Run 8K.  Michael was the only member of the family running it this year and he said, "DO NOT come cheer for me because I am NOT going to race it.  I have a long run that morning and am going to run the race after I have already run about 6 miles or so, just as part of my long run".  So, none of Team Whetstone went and wouldn't you know it, he placed 2nd in his age group!!  We were excited for him anyway!!  The following Saturday was the Snowman Kids run.  Eight of our ten grandchildren ran the race.  They ran by age categories.  It was lots of fun to watch and cheer for them.

Owen smiled every time we saw him!

He would almost stop just so he could wave to us

Maizeigh's shirt said "Pretty" fast.  She certainly is pretty!!

Not real fast though!  She just needs some more practice!

Emma absolutely was NOT interested in running.  

Jackson was a little flash!

Good job, Jackson

Olivia is a natural runner.  She gave it all she had!

Hagin is another one that smiles while he runs!

Not smiling quite so much at the end

I do believe Hunter and Peyton were serious about this thing!

Hunter was amazing!  Running is in his genes!

Peyton wasn't far behind!  Looking good

My awesome, amazing, fabulous, wonderful, talented, grandchildren!!  Y'all made this Grandma proud!

Team Whetstone!  The Best!  

Christmas 2012

I can not believe Christmas came and went and I didn't take pictures!  I get so wrapped up in what's going on that I forget to do it.  New Years Resolution:  Take more pictures!  I am so very grateful for the Christmas season.  For the birth of my Savior.  For the sacrifice He made for me.  He was, and is, such a gift!  I am ever thankful for the gospel in my life and that my family has a desire to hold to the iron rod so that we can have the opportunity to be an eternal family.  Such blessings! 

 Having the traditional "Big Daddy Waffles" for breakfast Christmas morning.

This is only half of the stockings at our house for Christmas.  We surely can't hang them from the mantle because they would pull it slap off the wall!! 

Thanks to my hubby and all my children and grands for a wonderful Christmas!!

Christmas Eve

 

Christmas Eve tradition at our house is to have everyone over for finger foods, have the children act out the first Christmas while Big Daddy reads from the scriptures, then open one present - which is always PJs!  It was great to have everyone home!

Maggie the Elf helped make cookies

She got the hang of it really fast! 

These kids are awesome!  It is always a challenge to get them dressed and make a production out of this but I think they really enjoy doing it!  I know we love it!

Another year for the sweater

Last year I posted a picture of Hunter in this sweater that was Michael's.  We know for sure that it is at least 45 years old.  What I didn't post was a picture of the red wool jacket.  This was also Michael's!  Because of the size, we can only guess that it is even older than the sweater!  It has a couple of tiny moth holes but otherwise is in great condition.  So very proud that it has survived through all of Kenny's boys.  I guess now we have to pass them on to Jackson then Owen!

Hagin in the red jacket and Peyton in the sweater.  Proud grandma in the middle!

Piano Recital

 

 Saturday, December 22, was Jackson and Chole's Christmas piano recital.  Mary Beth has been teaching them for a couple of months.  They both played two songs and did such an awesome job!  Mary Beth served a wonderful dinner of soups and cornbread.  Kimberly provided fabulous desserts!  I so enjoyed the evening of entertainment and great company!

 

Happy 38!

Friday, December 21, Michael and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary.  Wow!  That's a long time!  I can not imagine anything I would rather have been doing for the last 38 years.  Michael is the love of my life.  He is an amazing husband.  He never forgets to tell me he loves me or kiss me good night!  He brings me flowers at random times.  He helps with meals and worries that he dirties up too much laundry!  He is an amazing athlete.  He magnifies his calling and loves his family.  Most of all he loves me in spite of all my many flaws!  So very grateful to know he's mine for eternity.

Who would have thought that we would now have 10 grandchildren and 2 more on the way! 

I love my family and

I LOVE YOU, BABE!

Here's to another 38!