This guy...

is amazing!

AND...

he had a birthday!

After a nice family dinner out, he let the boys help open his gifts (best dad!)

And I actually surprised him! With tickets to Brian Regan.

But on the week of his birthday, this awesome man did WAY more for me than I did for him. He cleaned toilets, did laundry, dishes, took the boys and gave me a break and brought me thesejust because!

I have the best husband in the world. He is so great with our boys and totally takes care of me too. I love you so much birthday boy! Looking forward to a fun date to Brian Regan with you in a few weeks.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the beard, yes, it's growing. We've both been cast in "Savior of the World" with our Stake and so he's taking on a biblical look!

Rascal Flatts!

I think few groups are actually worth seeing in concert. But Rascal Flatts is one group we've always wanted to see, so when we found out they were coming to Chicago, we had to get tickets. The concert was at an outdoor amphitheater, and the weather was perfect. Only downer to an outside venue--smokers everywhere. We also had quite the couple seated across the aisle from us. It's amazing they kept their clothes on! Good times! All the people in country gear made it feel like home--Idaho! Aaron and I had a great time together. And it was our last little drive in the Accord too! :( Kellie Pickler opened for them. Originally I wasn't thrilled about that, but she actually did a great job and has a cute little personality. Plus, I don't think you could come up with a better name for a female country singer if you tried. Go Kellie!

The crowd went crazy when Rascal Flatts came out and didn't sit down for the rest of the night. They really know how to entertain.The fun thing with concerts is seeing how the group interacts and where the real talent comes from----not always the lead singer.

Life is a highway...

It's fun to go to a concert where you know almost every word of every song. It's amazing I had a voice the next day. I was singing at the top of my lungs! The only songs we didn't know were from their new album coming out in November.

Great group, perfect weather, hot date, fun night. Go Rascal Flatts!

We did it...

...entered the world of mini-van owners! We dragged our feet for a long time, but they are so nice with kids--little features you don't think you need, but realize they are really nice to have. We'd been looking at used listings for a while, test-drove a few vans, and missed out on several good deals---these babies sell fast! We were suddenly consumed with van shopping. So in an attempt to get back to normal life we just pulled the trigger and bought one--an '06 Honda Odyssey. I love it. And so do the boys. They really like riding in the "noo boo ban!" But I am going to be really sad when I say goodbye to my Accord. It's been an awesome car! We have a few people coming to look at it tomorrow. Sniff, sniff!

So, now we're really ready for visitors--hint hint! Curbside service at the airport! I can fit a whole group AND luggage in the new blue van!!!

First day of Kindergarten!!!

My oldest started kindergarten last week! That is a big day in the world of mommies. That morning we were of course arguing over why he should wear a "handsome shirt". I took him outside hoping to grab a couple photos even if he was wearing a grumpy face and was surprised to find a school bus parked in front of our house! I was planning to drive him and then have him take a bus home. Long story short, it ended up being a mistake and I now drive him every day, but the bus ride made all the difference in his attitude that day. I took one quick picture, gave him a kiss and told him I'd meet him at the school. Wesley came to the doorway just in time to see that "Deeya" got to ride a bus and he didn't, and I wasn't prepared to say goodbye so fast, so the two of us both cried a little as the bus pulled away from our house. We hopped in the car and hurried to beat the bus to the school. It was pretty fun to see the big bus pull up and my little Dillon's head peeking out the first row window (look close).

As he opened the door, the bus driver said, "Your parents have got their cameras, so smile!" Dillon put on quite the show, taking each step very slowing and stopping on each one to flash a handsome smile.

He was beaming! So proud he'd just ridden the big bus all by himself!

I snapped a few pictures on his way into the classroom...

...and he just kept smiling the whole way. What an awesome kid!

He sat right down and scooted his seat close to the table, looking very attentive.

I was proud of my big boy. They shoved the parents out of the classroom pretty quickly but they had an open house with cookies, etc. to help us cope with the emotions of the day. One mom was really having a rough time and I have to admit, I had a lump in my throat the whole time.

My biggest worry was him coming home on the bus with the big kids, but our awesome 9-year-old neighbor, met Dillon AT HIS CLASSROOM and escorted him all the way to the buses and even let him sit in the back of the bus with the cool kids so they could bounce really high when they crossed the train tracks! Dillon came off the bus just as excited as he'd been at the start of his adventure. Wesley was so excited to see Dillon get off the bus in front of our house. He clapped and yelled, "Yeah, Deeya! Good job Deeya!"

I've encouraged Dillon to meet one new friend every day and I think he's doing a pretty good job. Plus, he's already really excited about some of the things he's learned about--the solar system and termites! I think it's going to be a great year.

They had an ice cream social to welcome everyone back to school and I was thrilled that Dillon was running around with some kids from his class. They also had a big firetruck there for the kids to climb up into. The boys loved it.

My boys are growing up fast. I'm trying to enjoy the ride and not let their recent arguing get under my skin too much. They really are great boys and I'm so happy to be their mom. Congratulations Dillon--you're a big Kindergartner!