Birthday fun

Well, this past Saturday, I turned 36. That is right...36.

I kept telling Spencer, "Can you believe I am 36?" (all the while I am hoping his answer is what I want to hear)

He would say, "Mom, I can't believe it. you look 20 or younger!"

Bless you Spencer.

I asked him that question a dozen times just to hear his answer.

We went camping over the weekend so my birthday was celebrated camping style at Indian Grinding Rock. My sweet friend, Jenn Howard made me the most scrumptious chocolate cake and brought it over on Friday so we took it with us. Dave was soooo relieved. Saturday, after making french toast and bacon (a traditional camping breakfast) Dave gave me a card and my present in an empty Capri Sun box that was about to be tossed in the fire. The kids all found paper in the tent trailer and made me a card. It was sweet.

The night before was rough. Sophie was teething and not super happy. I had just got her to sleep when three dogs come running into our campsite with a noisy owner yelling after them. They had just pulled in to the site across from us. Needless to say, Sophie woke up startled and I wasn't happy. Dave told the guy we were trying to lay our baby down...a subtle hint to be quiet. We all eventually turned in about 10:30pm. All the while, our new neighbors were getting louder and more and more drunk.

At 12:30am, we hear yelling and punches being thrown. I do believe I heard more cussing that night more than I have in my entire life. It was scary and Dave luckily had reception and called 911. he told them what was going on and that he was a sheriff for Sacramento County. I think that helped speed things along :) The cops came and warned them to be quiet or they'd be arrested.

At 2:30am, they were back at it with the yelling and screaming. It was the same guys making trouble again. So Dave called and told them what was going on and the cops showed up shortly after. Our neighbors heard Dave on the phone and suddenly it was quiet. You could hear people running to hide. But they were so drunk they couldn't keep quiet at all. They figured out real quick where they were. They found the guy who was the biggest problem. We know that because suddenly you heard ,"Help 911...help, police brutality!" He yelled and screamed like a girl. They said he was so drunk he couldn't even walk. They also arrested his girlfriend. It was crazy. All the while, Sophie kept waking up. I think I slept 2 hours that night.

Ok, so back to my birthday. After breakfast (and noticing our neighbors were packing up and leaving), we headed over to the museum and to see the Indian grinding rock and teepee's. It was amazing! Everyone loved it. We hiked a little, then drove to town for pizza. After naps for the baby and Dave, we wanted to do some good hiking. We didn't have any takers except Bridgete (and Sophie of course). So we set out and it was great. Bridget kept up the whole time at my pace. Dave calls me billy goat Bishop when we hike:) And Bridgete was right there behind me. We hiked all the trails and it made me so happy.

Ok, I'd rather have a birthday picture of me with some makeup on, but hey, we are camping. And what is up with Dave's tough guy face?

That night was sooo quiet. No interruptions, just the sounds of nature (and sometimes Sophie).

It was quite the birthday weekend.

tired

Every night for the past week and a half, someone has stood by my bedside and woke me up...The reasons vary:

coughing attack from asthma,

a bad dream,

a headache,

a baby crying and waking up a sleepy sister,

and even the precious dog has whined to go outside (his new found love of diapers and granola bar wrappers hasn't been setting well with him.)

I asked today, "Why don't you go on Daddy's side?" The answer, "I don't know...I just go straight to your side." :)

I think if they didn't come to my side I would be sad.

Luckily Dave doesn't feel that way at all. He asks how the night went because he snoozes right through it. He considers it a talent he has.

I say...it is because he's a man :)

In the springtime

The garden has been planted.

Everyday we check for new signs of life from the seeds we planted a week ago.

Our plum and peach tree are loaded with little tiny fruits. Sadly, our apricot tree has none.

It had a traumatic winter and got blown over during a nasty storm.

We weren't sure it made it but eventually leaves started to appear.

But no blossoms....no fruit.

I LOVE apricots right off the tree.

It is my favorite fresh picked fruit.

Next year.

I can't wait for the kids to be swimming all summer long and enjoying our plums and peaches in between cannon balls. Next year they will enjoy apricots, too. I just know it!

That reminds me.....summer.....swimsuits.

I got some work to do!

Big time.

Sophie is a year and I stopped nursing two months ago, so I guess that excuse is out the door.

Darn.

Who is with me?

(If you are already swimsuit ready, don't tell me. That is just wrong!)

a month of family

Over the past month we have had a steady stream of family coming to visit us.

It has been wonderful!

We miss not being close to them, so when someone wants to visit it is a big deal.

The kids LOVE playing with their cousins.

So I snatched a few shots here and there of our visitors.

(Yes, adults did come along with the kids....they just didn't get in a picture :)

Sophie and Jackson.

Yes, Sophie is six months older than Jackson, can't you tell?

They weigh the same but I am happy to report that she is 29 1/2 inches tall.

I think she might have Jackson by a little bit:)

Barely.

Here is Wade peering through the play structure. He is a crack up. And he says "Sophie" in the most adorable way.

Spencer, Bridgete, Wade, Averi, Owen and Jenny on a train in Old Sacramento.

We had a blast walking around and filling up on candy.

On a side note, Stacey and I stumbled across some awesome places for a photo shoot.

Next time....Stacey.

Sophie, Grammy and Grampy on her 1st birthday. We had a great visit and my mom even cleaned out my fridge for me. What a treat! Spencer could not get enough of Grampy and his jokes. It was cute to see. Anyone else want to come visit? We'd love to have you.

Happy 1st Birthday, Sophie

Today is Sophie's 1st Birthday. I cannot believe she is one. What a year!

I do know that since Sophie has been born,

I have become more humble, I have more faith,

I have a stronger testimony,

I believe without a doubt in angels,

I am a big supporter of DTP vaccinations,

I know of the healing powers of the priesthood, I take great comfort in being sealed to my family for eternity, I don't fret over frivolous things,

I still need to shed my pregnancy weight :(,

I love that girl more than I ever thought possible.

Who knew I would learn and gain all of this from this baby girl?

She is so sweet.

She smiles at everyone.

She is a petite little thing.

She loves her family.

She loves to nuzzle... my favorite!

Happy Birthday Sophie!

the in between day

Yesterday was Dave's birthday and tomorrow is Sophie's birthday. I had to take a picture of them in their green. Dave had a great birthday....no corned beef here. We had fried chicken at his request. And I made a Texas sheet cake but with a white butter frosting. It was to die for....(literally if you think of all the butter I used :) Stay tuned for Sophie's birthday celebration. The tears are already flowing.

thoughts of a little girl

I just had to write this down. It was too cute.

I was driving Bridgete to Kindergarten and we passed a house that has been vacant and unkept for a few months.

She said, "Oh my gosh Mom! That house has a lot of wishes."

Not weeds....

Not dandelions....

but wishes.