Cousin Fun

There is just nothing quite as great as a vacation with cousins, especially when it includes a trip to Disneyland. We had a great short little to the Paulsons. Monday was spent swimming and playing with our Paulson and Jacobson cousins. Of course my sisters and I were able to sneak away for a quick lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and a little shopping. Tuesday was spent at Disneyland, one of my favorite places on earth. I just love it! Thanks for the fun everyone!

Happy Birthday Brett!

I know I am a little late, but I wanted to post Brett's birthday picture. He is our Valentine Birthday boy, so Valentine's Day at our house is split between the two occasions. I wanted to tell the top ten things I love about Brett (in no particular order!)
1. He is the best dad in the world. Three boys couldn't be any luckier.
2. He is always singing silly songs, it keeps us all happy.
3. He is a super optimist, life is good around Brett.
4. He likes to go out with me.
5. He loves to travel, luckily so do I!
6. He loves to spend time with family.
7. I love just taking to him, I am always interested in what he has to say about things.
8. He has never once yelled at me, he is so easy to get along with!
9. He always lets me choose where we eat, he realizes I care a lot more than he does.
10. He likes chick flicks, and he'll watch them with me. He might not be a crier, but I know there is sensitivity down in there!

I love you Brett, you make my life happy and good. It's amazing that a girl at nineteen could have made such a great decision. You are the best!

Moments I Love

It's moments like these that make it all worth it! Could I love anything more?

JACOB IS SEVEN!

Jacob's birthday started out with a pancake breakfast with his brothers and baby sister Lola.
Chuck-E-Cheese's was the birthday party spot of choice for the fifth year in a row! We wonder when he will grow out of Chuck-E, but it hasn't happened yet. I can't tell you how much I love a birthday party where all I have to do it show up! (We missed Adam though, poor kid at home throwing up instead of being at his best buddies birthday party.)

A classic Jacob smile! I love it!

I love this kid! He truly makes my life better. He is my sensitive boy who always wants to please. I am so lucky to have him, especially as the oldest brother in the family.

Dad loves him too! It's hard not to. Happy Birthday Jacob!

Brett and Melissa

Some Things You Have Been Dying to Know About Us

How long have you been together? We went on our first date September 23, 1994, my first month at BYU, just three months after I graduated from High School. I know, classic Mormon love story!

How long did you date? Six months until we got engaged, then five more until we were married, so almost a year.

How old is he? Brett is 36 (he'll be 37 next month) and I am 32.

Who eats more? Me, Brett is always clearing the dinner table around me.

Who said "I love you" first? Brett did, in my parents basement on the mauve leather couch (yes it was the nineties!) I didn't respond, it's still kind of a joke between us. Don't worry I said it a few weeks later!

Who is taller? Brett

Who sings better? Brett, I actually think he has a great voice, it's just that he will never sing seriously. He always belts out silly songs loud and strong. I have a TERRIBLE voice, so it isn't hard to beat me.

Who is smarter? Brett

Who does the laundry? Me, Brett will help fold if I'm ever doing it at night

Who does the dishes? We do them together

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Brett

Who pays the bills? Me

Who mows the lawn? Brett

Who cooks dinner? Me

Who is more stubborn? Brett

Who kissed who first? Brett kissed me on our second date at his brother Eric's apartment

Who asked who out? We were set up by our best friends Brett and Emily (who dated briefly), thanks guys!

Who proposed? Brett, at Temple Square in Salt Lake after a wonderful dinner and followed by Golden Spoon. Some loves never die, and mine for Brett and Golden Spoon are still going strong!

Who is more sensitive? I've never actually seen Brett cry, there were tears once at a funeral of a good friend. I am hands down the sensitive one!

Who has more friends? Probably me

Who has more siblings? I beat Brett out by two. He has four brothers, I have four sisters and two brothers.

Who wears the pants in the relationship? We share them pretty equally.

I tag: Anyone who reads this!

What is it about Disneyland?

What is it that is so magical about Disneyland? They call it the happiest place on earth, and I for one am a believer. Maybe it's that we take time off from everything else in life to completely dedicate to our kids and family togetherness. Perhaps it's that I love reliving my favorite childhood memories with my kids, and while I'm there I almost fell like a kid again. Or maybe, it's that while I am riding "It's a Small World" I believe those crazy dancing dolls for fifteen minutes, and I too think that we can all love each other, live in harmony and be happy. Hey, we can all dream, and Disneyland is the place where dreams come true! This trip was made all the better by the addition of our cousins-thanks for coming Eric, Laurie, Cameron, Lukie and Adam. Everything is more fun when you are around. It was fun having their friends with us too. I think my kids liked staying overnight in the hotel almost as much as they liked our two days at Disneyland! It was truly a magical two days!