Because I got a new crockpot! YAY!
Honestly, I love my new pot. And, honestly, my actual birthday was a little rotten...but then the next morning Ty didn't have to work and I stayed in bed reading while they made waffles. And The waffles were soooo yummy, much better than birthday cake!
I may look pale and awful, but I was very happy to have the whole family home for a few days. I just shouldn't have worn a gray sweatshirt and come down before at least combing my hair...if only I had known sooo many pictures were going to be taken.
So why was it the BEST ever?!?
Ty got me.........................my MOM for my present! The crockpot was just a cover-up. He had actually planned months ahead for my sister to help watch my little brother (I LOVE my sister!) and my mom to fly out for a week in May.
The BEST present I have EVER gotten...EVER!
I was soooo incredibly overwhelemed. He is the most wonderful husband in the entire WORLD! I love him so much, and obviously he knows me really well. I am so LUCKY!
And then, as if that weren't enough...my dad and mom found a ticket for the same flights and they bought it.....so my DAD gets to come too!!! I can NOT WAIT! That week is going to fly by sooo fast, I am a little nervous about the way I will be feeling after they leave. But, I can not wait to see them. It has been almost a year since we left their house and I have never missed them more than I do now.
BEST Birthday EVER!
Thanks Ty! I love you!
Tyler's red coffee table...well I designed and painted it, but he built it.
Coleson's masterpiece, sent to someone he loves.
Addellyn's family portrait, found on the chalkboard bright and early one morning.
Makinzie's correspondence with her "best-friend cousin." Some pictures of her adventures were sent back with Flat Stella and the note as well. 
Not my children, the caterpillar! Ironic that this is the name Addellyn chose for her very 1st and short lived pet, perhaps...;) 
Grandy and Coleson are the two walking "spots" with sticks in their hands. We looked out past the front porch Sunday morning and saw the two of them strolling down the road together. What a pair!
The result of Linnea saying "down, set, hike!" to Coleson.
Katie worrying about the steep drop off to Coleson's left and hoping he doesn't lose his balance.
Because I got a new crockpot! YAY!
I may look pale and awful, but I was very happy to have the whole family home for a few days. I just shouldn't have worn a gray sweatshirt and come down before at least combing my hair...if only I had known sooo many pictures were going to be taken.
Makinzie thought she needed to take one of me...not bad for her first time. 
Thanks to Grandma Pam, they looked like princesses!
Can you tell what's missing? Now there is another one missing right next to it! Things could NOT be more exciting around here!
He built these garden boxes out of old pallets. Then hauled loads, and loads and LOADS of dirt and mulch to fill them. After we had lined the ground and the boxes with that black "ground cover stuff" (obviously I am a very good gardener :)). Try to imagine it with a nice rock path between the boxes and ground cover plants growing around all of the rocks...as well as a plush beautiful grass up to the edge of the garden area...Those are the eventual plans anyway. PATIENCE. It's hard to wait sometimes!
The refinished kitchen table and red chairs.
A better view of Ty's bench.
The window seat he made.
Ty got to give the FHE lesson on his Birthday! Lucky guy! He chose to show everyone his mission book...Makinzie is modeling the most frequent pose in the book (a cheesy thumbs up :)).
I don't know why I ALWAYS seem to be behind...but St. Patrick's Day was wonderful! We had LOTS of green for dinner! And, an after dinner train! Little kids make everything 10 times more fun!
