The girls helped me decorate for Halloween.  I love Claire's face in this picture.

Tayson has been working on getting stronger lately.  He has been going to a pre-competitive swim class (and actually made the year-round swim team) and has been doing pull-ups and push-ups to get stronger. He was very happy that he got "national" this year in all of his fitness tests.  Keep it up buddy!! 

The building where I met Todd was torn down today.  The good news is that there will be a gorgeous park put in it's place once our new buildings are finished and you'll be able to see the new temple from the park too.  I guess that's a pretty good replacement from the old nasty office building where we met.

Sophie and my mom are two peas in a pod.  They are both so fun and free spirited.  My mom helped me out by watching her today so of course they made cookies.  Sophie loves baking with grandma.  It's more fun to bake with grandma because my mom doesn't freak out about her putting things in when the butter isn't completely creamed or get mad that she sticks her fingers in the bowl during the mixing (like me).  Nope they just smile and bake cookies. And I love that they both have on fun shirts and they love these shirts. Seriously, I love these two gals!!  Sophie is one lucky girl to have her soul sister living so close by. 

The girls were very excited to get their faces painted and they got to ride pony's and jump in bounce houses. 

I had such a great time and I am seriously so glad Todd went to all the effort to throw me a big bash.  It was so much fun and I love being surrounded by the people I love.  Todd sure does know how to make me smile.  After the party when I told him how great it was he just said "it was so much fun to watch you having so much fun at the party".  Seriously, have I mentioned how much I love him!!!

Then we went outside to meet a few people to go for a run and I got a sweet new running hat with a crown of course.  


When we got outside I saw that my minivan was decorated - it was so awesome!  Sophie thought it was the coolest thing ever.  She brought the boys out to see it and couldn't wait to drive to preschool in it. 










These amazing girls all woke up at the crack of dawn to decorate my car and then go running with me.  I LOVED it!!  


Then I got home and Todd made me birthday pancakes before the kids left for school.  Sophie was very excited that I let her eat the 4!


When I got to work David brought in 5 numbered envelopes and a big red poster board.  All day I had different people bringing me cards.  Each envelope had a postcard in it with fun memories and birthday wishes.  I was in tears several times because it was all so amazing.  There were letters from everyone in my family, running friends, work friends, neighbors, friends from college and even friends from high school.  It was so incredible.  Kami put so much work into this.  I loved every letter and will cherish them forever.



I got some black balloons from Todd's mom delivered to work and my co-workers came into my office and sang to me and we had cupcakes.




It was the most perfect day ever. The entire day was fun and I felt so loved.  Turning 40 isn't so bad.  I'm healthy, I have a beautiful family, great friends, a good job and honestly couldn't ask for more than I have.  I am so very blessed.

This is what happens when I go for a walk with the kids.  The boys take off ahead of us or steal their sisters scooters.  Claire happily rides around without a care in the world.  And Sophie gets upset when she isn't as fast as the boys and just sits down pouting.  The best part is that during this walk she wiped her face off with her dress and didn't have any panties on.  When I asked her why she wasn't wearing panties she said "cause they had a little poop on them."  Oh ok....thanks for letting me there are a pair of slightly poopy panties somewhere in the house. 

Traci's parents are the temple president and matron at the Manti Temple and they only have a few months left so she organized a day trip.  What an amazing day it was.  We got special attention because Traci is a rockstar there being the "president's daughter".  After our session we got to go around the Temple with her mom and her dad spoke to us for a few minutes.  I was so touched by the things he taught us.  He talked a lot about how the Temple is symbolic and how often is it referenced in the scriptures. He taught us about our garments and how sacred they are and her mom talked about the creation and that God gave us this beautiful world and everything around us should remind us how much he loves us.  I am so glad I could arrange my schedule to spend a day doing something so great with girls who I love and admire.