I'm A Party Animal!

Ok, so this week I threw 2 surprise birthday parties for two of my chicas! The first one was Candace R. She turned 30! We put together a "jewel" Party for her. She loves to make jewelery. It was a big hit! We played a game/quiz: "How well do you know Candace?" It was so much fun. Then a few of us made bracelets for Candace and she got to keep all the left over beads! The funny thing about that was, I planned Candace's birthday party with Marie. But at the same time I was secretly planning Marie's surprise party with Candace. Man, I really had to keep my act together and make sure I didn't slip up to one of them. Phew... it was a success! So, for Marie's party, Candace and I kidnapped, blindfolded her, and took her to the Provo Mall!
Here is what we dressed her up in!
I know, I know... it is horrible! We dressed her up like she was in high school. But let me tell you; it was so freakin' fun to act like a couple of teenagers! We had some people in the food court sing her "Happy Birthday" while she was still blindfolded! That was so funny! She was hating us, but Candace and I were doing all we could not to bust up and pee our pants laughing!
Then we went downstairs and saw the Red Robin, and we HAD to get a pick with him!
This was my personal favorite moment!

Our next stop was the massage chairs: these were so good for me.
I am carrying around Konnor all the time, and he is not exactly light! hee hee
Then we went into Claires and got some friendship necklaces, and took pics in the photo booth. (F.Y.I. the booth doesn't print out your pics, it just likes to take your money!)
Then we drove her home and at her house, was house full of sneaky family and friends!
It was a big hit!
If you are wondering where the pics of Candaces party are, they are with Marie. I forgot my stinkin camera. How lame am I?
All in all, I hope Candace and Marie had a fun time on their special days! I know I did! Good friends like those two gals are hard to come by. I Love em'!

Sometimes We Are Stretched!

Some of you may know that I went on mission for my church. I went to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah and served for 18 months. However, for 3-6 months, the sisters on Temple Square receive a new calling and are called to go serve in another mission in the US or Canada. Then they return back to Temple Square to finish their 18 months. I was called to serve in the California, Oakland Mission in the Spanish Program. (which is not a likely calling to change languages for 3-6 mon.) It was a challenge for me and it really stretched me. I had to put in extra hours and hang on every single word to understand what was happening in the conversations. The Lord really blessed me because I was truly able to understand through the Spirit what was being said. I was able to testify to the people there of my feelings and knowledge of Gods plan and love for each of His children. It was a lesson that I still cherish.
WELL..... a couple weeks ago, the Bishop called Kyle and I into his office and extended the call to be a Spanish Missionary... AGAIN! WOW! My Spanish is SO BAD. But I said, "Yes, I will do whatever you need me to." Everyday since that meeting, I have been studying my Spanish and praying for the Lord to help me yet again with learning the language and understanding people.
So, if you have ever tried to learn a second language, you know that it is very hard and takes a lot of time, studying, practice, and a good memory. Well... I barely spoke Spanish on my mission, and that was for only 4 months, and to top it off... that was 8 years ago! I don't remember hardly anything. So, now I am embarking a new adventure in the world of Spanish! I am attending the Spanish Branch and teaching 15 hours a week.
I know the Lord will help me and fill my mouth with the things He wants me to say. Also, I am very blessed to have a good companion who has a lot of humor and patience! This new calling is really stretching me! I have heard that it is a good thing to be "stretched". I am still trying to figure that out! ha ha
I have a strong testimony that this Church is true, and I will do my best to tell that to everyone I meet!
If you have any good tips for me to learn Spanish better, let me know!

Adios.
Hermana Brothersen

Kaylee gave her first Talk in church!

Our little Kaylee was asked to give her first talk on Sunday. The topic she was assigned was, "Family Members Have Important Responsibilities".
She did a fantastic job. She was very excited. She picked out her outfit and her hairstyle. We had some props to help her out. They put a step box at the pulpit so she could reach the microphone, but she was still too small, so I lifted her up and away she went! Here is what she said...

"Family members have important responsibilities. (she held up a dollar bill and said) This is money. My daddy goes to work so we can have money for food, clothes and shelter. (She held up a spatula and said) This is a spatula. My mommy uses this to cook good food for our bellies. (She held up a smiley face and said) This is a smiley face. It is my job to bring happiness into my family and to help take care of my brother. (She held up a red heart and said) This is a heart. Each member of our family has a special responsibility (responsabiwity) to love one another. Love is the most important (impotant responsibiwity) to have in a family. I know these things are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Here is a pic of Konnor that same day! He and Kyle were in the back of the Primary room smiling very proudly at our little Kaylee. She was so brave, loud, and bold. Not an ounce of nervousness or shyness. She did outstanding!

Snowmobiling Fun!

Kyle has the best job EVER!
His work, Digicert took everyone snowmobiling on Saturday.
We all had a blast. We went to The Homestead in Midway ,Ut. It was beautiful.
The day couldn't have been more perfect.
Here are some pics of our fun day on the mountain!

Here is my handsome hubby!
I was having a blast. I look like a dork, but it was sure a lot of fun!
Here is the DIGICERT crew!

The love-birds!

Our 5th Anniversary

Happy 5th Anniversary to us!
It went by really fast. February 12, 2004 we were sealed/married in the
Manti, Utah LDS Temple. What a wonderful life we have 5 years later. Kyle and I are still madly in love with each other and our love is stronger and deeper than ever! We are blessed with 2 adorable children who fill our life with joy and love. I truly am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a wonderful, devoted, loving, husband and father. I am excited to spend eternity with Kyle.

Above: Kyle and I at the Harvest Restaurant for dinner to celebrate!
Below: The Manti Temple (where we were married)On our 5th Anniversary...
I am VERY thankful that we were married in the Temple.
The temple unites families for ALL eternity. Not just "till death do you part".
It is a blessing for me to know that Kyle and I will be a Forever Family.

Konnor is 9 Months!

Konnor just had his 9 month checkup. He weighs 18 lbs. Which means, that our big guy... is not so big. He is only in the 22% percentile. (meaning that 78% of babies his age weigh more than him) And we all thought that Konnor was this ginormous linebacker. I think it is mainly because he has such an adorable round head with those plump, squishy cheeks! That may be a touch deciveing. He is just above average for his height. He is doing really well. He says, "Da-da, ma-ma, ba-ba" and a few other cute baby sounds. He LOVES to clap. That is his new favorite pass time. That and watching Kaylee run around him in circles pretending to be a horse. ha ha He loves to pull himself to standing. And Kaylee and I cheer at him when he rolls over. So, he will roll over and then look at us with anticipation for our applause!
His laugh will turn any frown upsidedown! I love him so much.
I cannot believe he is 9 months! Time is just zippin on by.

Here are a couple of new pictures of him and Kaylee:
Kaylee always likes to sit behind him, just in case he falls over. She is such a good big sister.
After Church, Kaylee and Konnor laughing on the couch. I think he was tickling her feet.

Grandma's 90th Birthday!

This last weekend, we went to Arizona for my Grandma's 90th Surprise party! And it was sooo much fun. I have been planning it since November! My Grandma's favorite color is yellow... so the whole party was yellow. Yellow streamers, yellow balloons, yellow roses, yellow everywhere. All of the guests were even encouraged to wear yellow! It was a big hit! Grandma loved it. She even had quite a few family travel from out of state, including her daughter, Cookie. Kyle and I even made a movie of her life. That was so fun to watch with everyone. During the last month, I have been collecting emails from family and friends answering questions to give to Grandma that include; How has Grandma changed your life? What was a funny memory with Grandma? What was something Grandma did to bless your life? etc... Then I made a folder for all of the entrys and presented them to her! I made posters of a ton of inventions that happened in her first 30 years of life. Another poster of the many things that happened the year she was born. I also made a poster of the cost of random things in 1919. I had a ton of fun planning it. And everyone had fun there at the party. It will be a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. My grandma has helped shape my life into the person I am today... and I can't say enough good about her. She has a heart of gold, and is truly my angel on earth.
Below is our little family pic at the party. Kyle, Kaylee, Me, and Konnor

On the phone with Blanche, right before the Birthday girl arrived!
We didn't want to startle my grandma with a huge yelling of "Surprise!". So, we all were hiding in the backyard when she arrived. She walked in and saw the decorations, and then one by one, we filed in singing softly, "Happy Birthday". All of the out of towners were the last to enter the room. So, here we are suprising her for the first time!

This picture is of all the sisters and Grandma. From left to right; Barbara (Mom), Blanche, Ann, Cookie, Grandma, & Peggy.
Here are most of my cousins with our kids.
Me and my Grandma! Isn't she so cute!
My sweet Grandma! Happy 90th Birthday!

Grandma, and my mom with her posterity.

Snowman Party

I read in a Parenting magazine about having a "Snowman Party" in January to keep the holidays alive for just a little longer. So, the idea was to decorate the house with everything Snowman. Kaylee and I made snowflakes and hung them from the ceiling, and we had just a couple neighbors be our testers of this new idea. (so, I apologize if you were not invited, it was very small) Everyone was suppose to bring their own snowman decor to show off. And we had a little potluck. It was a lot of fun. I made Pasta Fagioli soup (melted Italian snowman) and we made a cute little snowman craft. Shown at the end of the pics. I highly encourage you all to do a "Snowman Party" in the middle of January. It will be a new tradition in our home for sure! Thank you to all who came. Happy January!

Wendy, Ayden, and Marie (her sour face is because Marie is not much of a crafty gal) Ironically, her snowman was very cute.

Ladies working hard and having fun!

Grandma Kathie helping Kaylee paint her snowman!

The SNOWMAN CRAFT, very easy and fun to make with kids.
Tip: use a thick glue, not a thin Elmers glue.