Happy Birthday Travis!

We got together yesterday to celebrate Travis' birthday -- I can't believe my first born is 19 years old! One of my favorite things to do on my children's birthday is look back at pics through the years. I love to see how sweet and adorable they are when they are little! Here is a picture of Lon -- WOW! What a youngster Lon is! :) -- and Travis on Easter 1992. Isn't Travis just so dapper in his bowtie and suspenders! We love you, Travis!

Celebrating bro' to bro'!

Madi came to wish her Daddy a happy birthday! Isn't she a cutie!

Meeting David Archuleta!!!

What a surprise from the church pulpit on Sunday when one of the counselor's announced that David Archuleta would be hosting a special stake youth fireside that evening. There were quite a few stunned looks on the faces of many girls as they tried to figure out if someone would joke from the podium :) -- and no, it wasn't a trick to keep them from watching the Super Bowl! Apparently, someone in our stake has connections with the Archuleta family and DAVID was here for some local radio promotions. The youth were told this was a missionary opportunity and to invite their friends. After church, Miranda and Justin both invited friends (who were not quite sure it was real also!) to come with them. The fireside started at 6:30 p.m. but Miranda and her friends were determined to get the best seats in the house so I dropped them off at 5:00 p.m.! They got seats in the 2nd row with a straight shot view of the podium!

The report I got from the kids was he sang two songs (amazing voice, they commented) and then answered questions that the youth in attendance had put on index cards. From what I heard and saw, he was a real "down to earth" guy! He spent a lot of time with the youth in the gym talking, taking pics and signing everything from casts to pictures to clothing!

Before the fireside started, Miranda and her friends found DAVID's reserved parking spot. Not knowing how "up close and personal" they were going to be able to get (who knew he would spend a couple hours signing autographs and taking pictures), Miranda decided that a picture with his reserved spot might be the closest she would get! Little did she know . . . .

Miranda likes to call this pic "DAVID and Goliath" --sshhh, it's Ben!

Josh, Klinton and Joey served as "church bouncers" (we call them ushers!) and posed for an official bodyguard photo!

Jennifer, Miranda, Lisa, DAVID, & Heather are all smiles!

Miranda and DAVID!

I told Miranda she should wear a T-shirt that said "The Future Sister Archuleta" -- of course, not appropriate for church, but I though it was funny (she thought I was a nerd!)

Justin and DAVID!

Jared & DAVID! Even Moms are entitled to a celebrity photo op! I didn't go to the fireside because my parents were coming over to eat and watch the Super Bowl (Go Steelers!) so when Justin called to say they were ready to be picked up, I put on my houseshoes and went up to the church (we only live about 1.5 miles away). When the kids weren't outside, I put on a pair of Miranda's friends flipflops that she left in the car (Thanks, Heather!) and went in to the gym. I wasn't expecting to still find DAVID and adoring fans in the gym, so I hopped in line for my own photo!

Christmases Past

As I was posting this year's Christmas pics to my computer, I came across some pictures from Christmases past. It was a wonderful few minutes as I looked at how much my children have grown. I love them all so very much and am proud of the people they are becoming! I love you Travis, Justin, Miranda & Jared! Thank you for bringing so much Christmas joy to me!

Christmas 2007 - happy to be together!

Christmas 2005 - people are getting taller!

Christmas 1999 - We flew to Utah on Christmas Day to spend the holidays with Lon's family. We had a wonderful white Christmas! Here, everyone proudly shows off their BYU shirts at Grandma Hirsche's house!

Christmas 1997 --- Travis & Justin both got Spiderman pajamas complete with webs and Miranda had to show off her PJs as well! Jared was only 2 months old and unable to show off his jammies!

Happy 16th Birthday, Justin!

In honor of Justin's 16th birthday, I wanted to share this picture of Justin taken when he was 7 years old. Isn't he just so cute! We are very proud of the young man he has grown to be! We love you, Justin!

I can't remember the last time Justin had a party for his birthday so we decided to "surprise" him with a backyard movie shin-dig. Most of you know that Justin is a true Batman fan, so we borrowed an outdoor projector and showed "The Dark Knight" outside on a huge screen. We set up lots of camp chairs and blankets so that Justin's friends from school and church could watch the movie, eat lots of goodies and fix up a s'more in the fire pit! The weather was nice and cool (sorry, more bragging about the beautiful Florida winters!) and everyone had a great time!

Justin & his friend, Trace. Trace was a my partner in crime and passed out invitations at school.

Christmas Kayaking and Other Holiday Festivities

I know I really rubbed it in with my Thanksgiving post, but nothing tops this one --Kayaking on Christmas Day! My sister's family got kayaks for Christmas and Miranda & Savannah and Jared & Caleb got to try them out in the canal behind my parents' house. The weather here has been in the 70s all week and it was perfect for a trip in the Indian River Lagoon! Of course, when we are scorching off the tops of our heads in the summer, some of you can rub your wonderful cooler weather in our faces :)

We always have Christmas Eve at my house with lots of hors d'oeuvres, sweets, good laughs and even the traditional Christmas Eve pajamas! Madison came to visit with us and we enjoyed talking some pictures in front of the tree!

Our Christmas Angel

Madi had her Christmas picture taken this week - isn't she adorable! Lauren said the photographer was jingling some Christmas bells and Madi was mesmerized by them!

A Florida Thanksgiving

Bright sun . . . cool breeze . . . shorts . . . t-shirts . . . barefeet . . . hammocks . . . palm trees . . . just a few of the things that make Thanksgiving in Florida FABULOUS! The weather was absolutely perfect as we gathered at my parents' home for Thanksgiving! We ate . . . and ate . . . and ate . . . talked, laughed, watched some football, enjoyed the firepit and the kids ended the day with the traditional after dark"kick the can" game.

Miranda & Savannah enjoy a laugh in the hammock! Many a lazy and beautiful day have been enjoyed in my parents' backyard hammock! The kids have always loved it -- it would be fun to collect all of the pics we have taken over the years and put them in a hammock collection.

Which is the bigger turkey? Haha! I couldn't resist a jab at Chuck, my most fav brother-in-law! In addition to the traditional oven-baked turkey, Chuck, also known as the "Chef Extraordinaire," tried his hand at a deep fried turkey. It was delicious!

Enjoying the fruits of his labor -- that is one big turkey . . . . . leg!

Only in Florida can you sit around the fire pit, barefoot, with green grass on Thanksgiving!