We got her!

April 17th Jen and I planned and successfully accomplished a surprise 35th wedding anniversary party for my mom and dad. Way back in October of 2009 Jen and I had the idea but were hesitant. At their 30 year anniversary Jen and I had started planning a party and dad found out and said "please, wait" so we did. This time Jen and I were not going to let his party pooper ways stop us. We called dad and asked to have lunch with him. We brought the grand kids for reinforcements and told dad our plan. To our surprise dad said he thought it was a great idea and the only catch was the he pay for it..... which was not really a catch. We chatted, dad gave us a budget, and then we were off planning. For months Jen and I kept the secret..... which is AMAZING! We contacted all of the family. Moms family from Virginia came down. One sister Kathy and Niece Leigh came early to keep her busy while we planned and set up everything. The other sister Ginnie and my uncle Roger (which was married to my Aunt Sissie who is now passed away) were hidden and saved as a extra surprise. On the day of the party dad and I set up for up for mom to go have a day of pampering at a spa. Then against mine and Jen's judgement. Dad told mom he was taking her later that night to a dinner theater so she would get all dressed up. (Dad and a dinner theater had mom wondering what was going on) on the way dad said he needed to stop and pick something up at the church. My smart hubby had the idea of parking all the cars on the far side so when they pulled up she did not see a single car.... which threw her off. When she came in we all yelled surprise and her reaction was perfect.

We all cried that we actually made it happen. We got her and since dad's only part in the party was getting her their and writing the checks he was surprised as well and everyone we got there and all that we had done.

The last surprise we had my Aunt Ginnie wait outside and had taken a picture of her and my uncle in the room all decorated and gave it to mom. I said " you have family that wished they could make it so they sent this instead" Mom stared at it then said " who's wedding was blue and brown , oh my gosh she is here" Then Aunt Ginnie came out of hiding and mom ran to her and crying. IT WAS PERFECT! Even if she was not completely surprised about the party we totally got her with Aunt Ginnie.

My Brother is a wonderful cook. He could have his own restaurant and people would love it. So for food we asked on the invites instead of gifts to bring a finger food and then Robbie did a fajita bar. He made chicken, pork, steak and marinated them all by scratch. Then did the same with salsas and dips. It was yummy!

All the family was so excited to see each other we all crammed into one long table and ate and laughed all together.

Sister Wheeler one of my mom's best friends made the cake for mom and dad and it was adorable. She was extremely busy that weekend so her making it was a true labor of love. Thank you, so much.

We made mom and dad do the traditional stuff like cut the cake. I have to say my parents are great examples of love. After 35 years look at those smiles and the laughter they share. I am so lucky that my kids get to enjoy in all the love they have to share.

Dad totally smeared cake all over her "spa makeup" She was not a happy camper.

Here are some of the decorations. I was tired when we were all done, however I was really proud of myself. It was beautiful.

There were 2 different centerpieces and 12 table so 6 of each. This centerpieces had 3- 2 sided picture tents. That were decorated simply. With a flower arrangement in the center. My sister was the champ. She copied and shopped and I worked. It was the perfect arrangement.

The second centerpieces were done on a painters canvas painted and scrapbooked up with 2-2 sided picture tents on each side. Jen came up with each table having a theme. We had a table for Debbie, Bob, them together, family pictures threw the years, our big family Disney trip, Robbie, Mandi, and Jen, grand kids, family and friends, and more. Then Jen put all the pictures together for a slide show so that everyone had the chance to see what was on the other tables. Thanks you to Erin and Jason Howle- she came over and helped work on the centerpieces and Jason found a projector last minuet when ours fell threw. Thanks!

Our great friend over at http://jarvisphotography.blogspot.com/ took all these amazing pictures that you see and to NO surprise THEY WERE BREATH TAKING. When my mom saw them she called me crying she was so happy and thrilledto have it all so beautifully captured. If you read the blog I did the other day about their love story, you know why that meant so much to her. She does not have a single wedding picture. Thanks for giving these moments to my mom Katheryn. I can never tell you how much it means to me and what it means to my parents.

I love this Family photo she snagged of my little family.

All 6 grand kids at the end of the night. 2 words - Dirty and Tired!

All the family that was here -all together.

It was a perfect day. Thank you to everyone that brought something or did anything big or small to help it come to life. It was a day our family will never forget and Thank you all for helping it come true.

To my mom and dad.... Thank you for showing how fantastic life, love, and marriage could be. You had plenty of reasons to be a victim of hard times but instead you loved and best of all you did it together and for us. I love you and words can never tell you how amazing I think you both are. We will do it again at 50 years!

I see a Hiney

When I was little my Mam-Maw sang this song..... " I see a hiney, It is white and Shiny, If you do not hide it, I am gonna bit it" when we would run around naked. My mom in Ivins (that is my moms maiden name) tradition sings it all the time to my little ones. Harris loves the song and dances to it, shaking EVERYTHING he has. Get ready for your mouth to smile. Sorry for the singing everyone! Hope you all enjoy!

A few of my favorite things

Saturday I woke up all alone. I am always the first one up. Aaron had packed bags for the kids, made babysitting arrangements.... (THANK YOU, NANA!) and was dressed and waiting on me. He had remembered amazingly enough that on that day 6 years ago we went on our very first date. We dropped the kids off, and drove to Gainesville to the beautiful botanical gardens. It was a great day. It was amazing weather. Flowers are one of the things I love in this world so it was perfect. Then we went to eat at Texas Roadhouse, YUMMY! Last we were off to the golf course in Stark. Then we came home and played outside on the swing set with the kiddos until Aaron went off to priesthood. After that the kids and I baked some sugar cookies for Mr. Easter bunny and off to bed. It was a great day. Full of a few of my favorite things and people.

At the Garden there was this tree that looked just like the thorny bush in Sleeping Beauty at the end of the movie. It was like being in a Disney movie.

All the Dogwood tree's were blooming it was beautiful and smelled outstanding.

They have a children's garden and this bush's limbs were all kinked and crimped.

Aaron saw this little earth worm crawling across from the walk way and since Abi was not there Aaron leaned right over and took it to safety.

We were off to enjoy the wonderful weather and Aaron played golf while I drove the cart. I love watching him play golf and focus. He made a record and hit 2 birdies in 9 holes. Which is when you hit the ball in the hole 1 stroke under par. I learned some new words and I also really enjoyed learning and watching him. It was perfect! Thanks babe, for being sweet and thoughtful

Good things in life!

Easter morning we were thrilled to check out our goodies from the Easter bunny, dye some eggs, bake some yummy food, and enjoy conference all together as a family. Aaron went to priesthood the night before and said it was the best meeting he had ever been to, so we knew we were in for a treat. We woke the kids up and like everything else down to even the way they wake up my children are 100% different. Abigail is like Aaron... wakes up very slowly. Harris wakes up laughing.

Then we dyed our eggs. Our finger tips are very colorful and the eggs were so fun.

Harris ate all the cracked ones with pleasure. Aren't my mean so Handsome? Like father like son!

Then we enjoyed conference. Harris napped in his crib, Abigail fell asleep cuddling on the couch before it even began. Which I have to be honest was really nice because Aaron and I enjoyed the whole conference together and all snuggled up on the couch. It was really excellent!Next we were off to my sisters for Easter. It was great! Great food, Great fun, and Great family. Does life get any better?

Then off to hunt eggs. Every year Papa hides the golden egg with $5.00 in it. All the kids hunted high and low but Kynleigh was the finder this year.

Every year our family gets bigger and bigger. Here are all the kids. Harris was great...... for about 3 minuets then he realized that there was candy in the eggs and was done. It was CUTE!

My favorite things about this Easter:

3 Full days of being with my hubby and kids

Hearing Harris talking over the monitor

Making Katheryn's great cheesecake cupcakes with Abigail

Watching conference and hearing our prophet speak

Enjoying Aaron do bath duty... it is nice since I always do it while he is at work

Listening to Aaron tell the story of the resurrection to Abi when he thought I was not listening

HAPPY EASTER 2010!

THE JAMMES FAMILY LOVES YOU ALL!

Balloons

My kids are in love- obsessed with balloons. At least once a day I blow up a balloon for each of them. The other day the kids were getting ready for their bath and Abigail asked if she could have her balloon in the bath. I was interested to see what would happen and to my surprise those dang balloons caused almost a hour of bath time fun. I cleaned my whole kitchen to the sound of giggles and laughter. It was perfect!
Abigail would fall on her balloon and it made Harris laugh so hard. I myself would laugh out loud at hearing him.

Look at that cute face! It is adorable. Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks? My suggestion for you ladies give your kids a bath throw in a balloon and listen to your little ones laugh. It was a great night!

She's a Graden

The other night I woke up to a light on and the noise of a drink being fixed. So I got out of bed and to my surprise found Abigail pouring herself a cup of Coke. She's a sneak! When I caught her I said " Abigail what are you doing?" She said simply " Mom if I asked you, you would have gotten me water so I was sneaking the good stuff" Oh the things kids learn when you think they are not paying attention.

Talks are great!

Most Sundays I end up outside chasing my busy- busy little man. I can not even remember the last time like most of my mom friends that I actually got to listen to a whole sacrament meeting. I am happy if I even catch a half of it. Every Saturday I plan ahead, get him busy, bring snacks, toys what ever I think of but it never works. Today I thought I actually got to listen to a Brother in our ward speak. It was on Christ and it was amazing. Harris has had a ear ache and been fussy so today I decided I would rock him in the mothers room and listen..... feel the spirit and listen. It worked! It was a great talk! I love being reminded that not only Christ but of the sacrifice of my Heavenly Fathers part for me. Nothing makes me want to work hard and be better than remembering the blessings I have been given. I love this time of year. I was all alone in the room holding my sweet sleeping son and got a little teary at how incredibly blessed and loved I am. I am so thankful for my life, and most importantly for the church and all the countless blessings and love I have the privilege of receiving. What a great way to head into Easter!