should i be concerned?

this child...

yes, the one that has never had a sip of alcohol even though this picture would lead you to believe otherwise

is turning 16 tomorrow

should I be concerned?


Because I may not get to it tomorrow...Happy 16th birthday Megan!  We love you!!

this is....american idol

 Last week as I lay confined to my bed with vertigo I got an email on my phone letting me know my name came up on the wait list for the final performance show of American Idol (cue teenage daughters giddy with excitement)  We made plans to go - the girls and me along with am American Idol loving cousin who was going to come in from St George.  Without going into a big long story...cousin couldn't make it, it was becoming clear that there was no way I was going to make it (the vertigo kicked my behind) and since the person whose name is on the ticket must be present Megan and Emily were not going either.  

I decided to call the ticketing place just to see if they would take pity on a woman suffering with vertigo with two teenagers that really wanted to see Lee and Crystal.  They did!  They let me transfer the tickets to Megan as long as the girls came with an adult.  To avoid any friend favoritism I decided to find two adults willing to take my girls so we wouldn't have to choose any of the girls friends and their mom.

Big thanks to these two that stepped up to make the long drive to LA and were willing to endure long lines and hours in the sun...

The girls in their outfits adhering to the must follow dress code

Live from the Nokia Theater

Big Mike 

Remember him?

Does this picture help? 

How about this one?  Norman Gentle.

Hello Blake Lewis, you are one of my favorites and I'm not the least bit embarrassed to tell the world I own your album and that I love to run with your beat boxing melodies playing from my ipod.  Blake lovers of the world stand up and be proud!

Could Brooke White be any prettier?  We saw a rehearsal show the year she was on - she is gorgeous in person.  And look who is with her...curly haired Justin from Season 1 - I'm glad Kelly won that year.

Little David Archuleta was busy with the press so this was as close as the girls got.

Before heading in to the theater the girls had to lose the camera, phones, etc so no more photos of the night.  The had 5th row seats after the pit so they got to see the show from amazing seats.  They got their fill of star sightings and even got to sit near Mr Blind Side as well as some old American Idol alum.

They finished the night at LA Farmers Market for dinner and then headed home to do homework, study for a seminary test and pack for a trip.  They had a long night!

BIG, not bug

More testing. Just wanted to see if I could mobile blog a photo.  Oh how I live Bug Lots for party supplies. This cart full of goodness is for Megans Sweet Sixteen party. 

Testing mobile blogging

happy 11th birthday!

Today Nathan is 11.  


He holds a special place in our hearts.


He is fun to be around especially when he laughs (and gets a big grin with little dimples)


He is smart.


He is kind.


He is a good friend to others.


He can be stubborn but reserves his stubbornness for his dad - he tends to do whatever I ask.


He notices things around him - he appreciates the beauty of the earth.  I love this about him.


He eats like a horse.


He is loved by all - especially his family.


Happy Birthday Nathan!

what matters