It's My Birthday and I'll Eat Tons of Cake If I Want To!

Okay, okay....so it WAS my birthday ONE MONTH AGO!

If you haven't noticed I have been a total SLACKER at blogging this summer! Now that summer is officially over (meaning school has started) I pledge to the universe that I will CATCH UP! AND KEEP UP!

I will- I will!!!

I really had a great birthday this year.

Me and some of my friends out to lunch at Maddox for my birthday...YUMMERS!

I was sooooo excited that I saw one of my dearest friends, Lesa Stevenson, while at Maddox. I ♥ her!!! I have known her for years through our work together with American Mothers, Inc. She is one of the most talented and creative women I know. Her husband was recently called to serve as a General Authority in our church which subsequently required them to move their family back to China. They were over there serving as Mission Presidents before the call and I think she was looking forward to being home, but she has a great attitude about staying and is so devoted to the call. What a great example to us all.

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My birthday was on a Sunday this year. The Packers invited us over with some other friends for a fun BBQ and Janzen made the most delicious CAKE! One of those Better Than________(you fill in the blank) I usually say Better Than Tom Cruise or Better Than Johnny Depp (is that even possible?☺)

Whatever you add...trust me it was better than that!!!

My sweet Mom also made me a HEAVEN SENT CHOCOLATE CAKE! She makes THEE best chocolate cake on the planet!

WOW! Two cakes in one day! That's how it should be EVERYDAY! ☺
There has to be some incentive for getting older right?????




















Also went out to lunch to celebrate mine and a couple of my cousin's birthdays too!





















We went to Rainbow Garden's and they gave us FREE chocolate cake!!! YUM!!!!!
Brigitte and Tiff....August birthdays also!

Taylor's Sa-weet 16th Birthday!

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!




















Wow...these boys are just flying through their birthdays around here! Who gave them permission to grow up anyway? Pretty sure it wasn't ME!


Taylor has been the best kid since the day after he was born. I say the day "after" because the day "of" wasn't a real party for me. He was a little stubborn in getting here and his delivery wasn't one I have fond memories of, BUT....he has more than made up for it since. He was the happiest baby and that character trait has grown right along with his biceps. He is still a joy to have around and makes our lives so enjoyable.

Taylor is very easy going and laid back. He is also very talented in almost anything athletic he tries from football to ping pong. He is incredibly smart and such a bright spot in our family. What a blessing he has been in our home. Taylor is just an all around great kid. He is always happy and never complains about anything. Well except for when he is always begging me to make him crepes, Twix bars, cupcakes, a big breakfast, (or anything else he can put in his stomach!... which is usually 24-7) and I can't right when he wants it. I can't seem to keep his stomach ever full and satisfied! He has grown a ton in the past couple of years, so no surprise!

Out to dinner with the fam on his birthday...

I threw a surprise party for him a few days AFTER his birthday so he wouldn't expect anything...and for once I actually surprised someone!!!
These are some of his friends waiting for him to arrive...




















Yep ~ he was surprised!



























I started making bikini cakes for Dave's brothers when they all turned 16 and have carried it on with m my own boys. Hmm...maybe should have stopped it with my brother-in-laws! LOL

A great bunch of kids!




















A fun time was had by all!

A few shots of the past...

Some more current ones...






























Go HERE to see some cute photos of him when he was a little whipper-snapper and I was still taller than him!

Happy Birthday Bud! You are one amazing SON!!!

We are so blessed to have you in our family! We ♥ you!!!

♥Tyson's 21st Birthday Memorial Party♥

A CELEBRATION of a short life well lived...


Happy 21st Birthday Bud!!!


WE MISS YOU SO....

As you can see from the photos (which most were taken months or a year of two before he passed away) that Tyson was always a very FUN and LOVING person. People were drawn to him because of his kind and warm personality. Whether he was at home, at a party, or sick in the hospital... he was always smiling and positive about life. His attitude was an inspiration to all who knew him. He had such a unique sense of humor that kept us laughing all the time. That is one of the things I miss most about him. There was never a dull moment with Tyson around....

At the cemetery on Tyson's 21st Birthday to celebrate one amazing life!!!
























Each year on his birthday we gather with family and some of Tyson's friends to honor his life by writing notes of our memories and love for him and attaching them to balloons. I also have an email address on the card so if someone finds it they can email us and tell us where the balloon was found. So far in the past four years we have been doing this, we have received only a handful of responses. One was found about 100 miles away. This year a few were found right in our city. That's what a lack of wind will do!

Then we set up some fireworks around his grave and light them and watch and LISTEN as they go off knowing that Tyson is right there with us getting a bigger thrill out of it than any of us. Saying Tyson loved fireworks, is a huge understatement. So far we haven't been arrested!

Tyson LOVED all little children. He especially adored his little niece Mackenzie who was only three when he passed away. She still talks about him ALL THE TIME and remembers him so well.

I am holding little Taylr. She is the daughter of one of his dearest friend's Brooke. He would've loved this one so much too!

After the balloons and fireworks, we then indulge ourselves (in Tyson's honor of course!) in Chocolate Ecstasy. It was Tyson's favorite!

We look forward to Tyson's birthday each and every year because that gives a set time to REMEMBER and HONOR and CELEBRATE such a remarkable person's life.

♥♥♥How we love you Tys!!!♥♥♥