And we sure do know how to party!  Samuel and I had been cooking up a fun celebration and building up to it by marking off each day on the calendar.  It was a great weekend long event!!

Saturday was race cars and golfing!  Sam and I had planned to blind fold Erik and surprise him.  Erik doesn’t like surprises.  At least not on a Saturday.  So I was mad when I had to tell him what was going on, but it still ended up being such a fun afternoon.  I think all THREE boys really had a good time!

After that we grabbed a little picnic snack and played at Nielsen’s Grove for a little while before going home.

That night, Auntie C came to the rescue and let Erik and me go out on this thing called a prune.  No, raisin?  Oh, yes, a DATE, that’s what it’s called!  Dinner at Wingers with the intent of going to a movie, then deciding there was nothing worth seeing was followed by a trip to Home Depot where I could not convince Erik to spend $30 on one of those lawn edgers for my Mothers’ Day present, a stop at The Sweet Tooth Fairy for my free cupcake, and a little shopping at WalMart.  We were home by 9:30.  And tired.  I know, not everyone can be as cool as us, but we try pretty hard.

Sunday was MY day and I made sure all my guys knew it.  I kicked Erik out of bed at 7:30 when Sam got up, and heard him get Owen at about 8.  I stayed in bed until 9.  Bliss.  Even though we were late for church, I still wanted some pictures.  After a few tries and staring into the sun, Erik said he could just photoshop the best of each of us together.  There wasn’t even a best to choose from.   Terrible, horrible pictures.  But good memories, I guess??  The best part was getting to wear my new necklace.  I had never seen such a beautiful piece of jewelry. Hand crafted by a 3 year old, each noodle was slid onto the yarn with delicate precision.  Samuel was so excited to give it to me after preschool, and he reminded me each day I got to wear it to church.  I was such a proud mama with it around my neck.  That evening the boys barbecued while I sat on the sofa.  Bliss.

Not even kidding you, that was the best we could get!!!  Haha, Ri.Dic.U.Lous.

Monday was the culiminating event.  Erik’s birthday.  Sam was beyond excited.  He woke up and bubbled over, “Today is Daddy’s birthday and now we get to give him his water guns and we can squirt each other in the backyard with Daddy’s present.”  Nice.  At least he kept it a secret for 5 days before that!  We sent Erik off to work with lots of hugs and kisses.  Later, the boys and I got some balloons and brought them to Erik before going to lunch at In-N-Out.  We came home, cleaned up, put O down for a nap, and Sam helped me wrap presents and decorate.  Sam did the table ALL by himself.  I couldn’t believe how much time he spent unrolling each of the streamers.  When Owen was awake later, Sam kept saying things like, “Owen don’t  bother me, I’m busy decorating.  I am so sorry but I can’t play with you right now Owen, I’m decorating.  Leave me alone, Mom, I have to decorate for Daddy.”

At 5:00, Sam planted himself by the front window.  A little while later I heard him scream, “DADDY’S HOME!!!”  He ran and hid under the table (something else he had planned out for days) then jumped out when Erik walked in, “SURPRIIIIIIIISE!”  Sam was barely able to hold off for just 2 more minutes while Erik changed.  Then it was time for presents!  A set of Super Soakers from Sam, a mess kit from Owen (who promised to make camping this year a much better experience than last) and a keychain photo album of the boys from me.  All followed up by italian sausage soup and strawberry cream puff cake.  Happy Happy Birthday to our favorite Daddy!

Samuel must have known I had big plans for his birthday, because he slept in till nine.  I was doing the dishes when I heard his cute little groggy voice from the stairs, “Oh balloons!  It’s my birthday!”  Sam just sat there looking at the decorations and getting more and more excited by the second.

We spent the morning getting ready for Sam’s monster party!  We had a few friends come over for games, crafts, a monster hunt, and adorable cupcakes compliments of Triana.  She also did a killer post summimg up the fun with lots more of her cute pictures.  http://ordfamily.sk8erord.com/?p=1128

Samuel attempted a nap, but he was too excited.  Lucky for him, Grandma’s present arrived so he had some original Little People and several new airplanes to keep himself busy and happy instead of driving me nuts while he didn’t sleep.

Erik came home early, and we took off for dinner at Pirate Island Pizza.  In the waiting area, Sam was super taken by the low lighting, skeletons hanging from the ceiling, and pirate ships on the walls.  He was also a bit nervous.  When the thunderstorm started, and one of the skeletons started glowing and talking, Sam did his “Scary scary scary” reaction.

The rest of the evening was a blast, eating pizza, playing arcade games, climbing the pirate ship, and, after 3 tries, finally being back at the table for the pirates to bring ice cream and sing happy birthday.  Sam heard them coming and got super excited, then when they stopped at our table and he realized it was for him, he got shy and embarrassed.  It was so funny, I’ve never seen him act this way!

We stopped at ToysRUs on the way home and Samuel got to choose his very own toy.  Sam hit the jackpot when he found a set of three pull-and-go monster trucks with flashing headlights and sound effects.  He was completely taken with them the entire way home, still in the box.

At home, it was finally time for presents.  Sam had been talking about opening presents all day long; he knew that was a big part of birthdays.  Samuel got “Up,” and Imagination Movers cd, a dinosaur racetrack, radio controlled Mater and Lightning McQueen, and his very own childproof camera.  We let him stay up almost until 10 playing (remember, he didn’t nap!!).  When I put Samuel to bed that night, he gave me my hug and kiss and said, “I found a good day.  Thank you my birthday.”  You are so welcome, little big man!

We had a great weekend . . . lots more to come.  Happy birthday to my special little Samuel.  How I love love love him.  What a fun 3 years!

I have a pit in my stomach and tears trying to find their way to my eyes.  Lots of emotions right now.  I’ll spare you.

November 13, 2006 2007 2008

Three years.  Wow.

November 2008 – November 2009

Saturday, May 9 we started celebrations for the Old Man around here . . . Mr. Erik Jerky Dad.  He got new golf shoes the day before, and thought it would be best to break them in Saturday with 18 holes of golf.  Seven and a half hours and one major sunburn later, Erik was home . . . just in time for his “surprise” bbq.

Sunday was Erik’s actual birthday, and I assured him he didn’t have to worry too much about sharing the day with me (Mothers’ Day) since my gift had been my weekend trip to Denver the week before.  I spent the weekend responsibility free, quilting, laughing, sleeping, eating, playing, and shopping with two of my favorite ladies.

Anyway, so Erik got a few lame gifts.  Can I tell you how impossible he is to shop for?!  I tried my best to make the big THREE.OH. something special and memorable, but oh well.  There’s only so much you can do when you’re poor and 8 months pregnant, I guess.  Love you lots, though, Muffin.  Happy Happy Birthday!!

We started the day right with lots of balloons and a trip to Krispy Kreme.  After a lengthy and commotion-filled presidency meeting, 6 children included, Sam was ready for lunch and a nap.  Erik had worked until 4 am that morning, so he easily talked himself into taking the day off.  After naptime, we brought Samuel downstairs to open presents.  We played for a bit, then cashed a couple birthday checks and took off for Toys R Us.  Two horses, a John Deere, and a couple stow-away Christmas presents later, we were off to family dinner at Fuddruckers.  I am almost always up for a burger, and Sam will rarely turn down a cheeseburger and fries.  It’s also a great place to go because Sam has loads of fun thinking he is playing arcade games while we wait for our food.  Feeling a bit bad-mom-ish that I hadn’t even made Sam a cake, I stuck a couple candles in the cookie from his kids meal when we got home, and we went for round three of the Happy Birthday song.  The rest of the evening we chilled playing with all of Samuel’s new toys.  I am pretty sure he gets nothing for Christmas.

 {1} I looove balloons.  Kind of lamed out on the present wrapping, though.  {2} I’m not sure what this face was about. {3} Lining up Radiator Springs.  {6} “Why is Mom still trying to take my picture, and what is Dad doing sticking his fingers in my face?”  {8} Sam saw the candles and said, “Oooo! Hot fireworks cookie.”

Do you know how wild I am about this boy?  Do you know how much this goober means to me?  Do you know that two years is nothing?!  I know that my life is so blessed.  {Practically Perfect in Every Way}  Love you so so much, Sam-a-rama.  Happy Birthday!!

If Sam does it at home . . .

. . . I don’t know why I expect anything different at Olive Garden.

Thanks for putting up with us, Caroline!  We had a fun morning and lunch with you, and we hope your birthday was wonderful.  We love you lots and think the world of you.  Happy 24th!

By yesterday Samuel was finally almost back to 100%, and it was Erik’s birthday!  So what better to do than take a day to blow some serious cash?  Many thanks to George Dub and his ingenious plan to end the recession for a whole weekend.  We had no problem fulfilling our patriotic duty.

I got ready nice and early so after Sam was up we could run a couple errands.  We came home with balloons and yummy Gandolfo’s breakfast sandwiches to start off Daddio’s 29th b-day.  {Old fart!  He keeps me young!}  I had put out his presents, but was going to make him wait.  Erik had a good argument, though.  “It’s like Christmas.  I’m up, so give me my presents.”  Sam gave his dad a bridge and tracks set to go with his trains.  I got Erik weed killer for the lawn, new jeans and a shirt, and a book.  {It sounds lame now.  Here I am thinking I made his birthday special.  Wahoo.}

Then we headed over to the hobby shop to get Erik his BIG birthday present: an RC truck.  It’s supposed to be in by Thursday, so I’m sure Erik will have some exciting videos and pics to share on his blog.  Next stop was Toys R Us to get the backyard play set Erik and I decided on for Sam after hours of research the night before.  Out of stock!  Everywhere!  So after Sam’s nap, we bit the {more expensive} bullet and got the one we had seen at Sam’s Club the night before.  Erik borrowed his friend’s Durango and filled it to the max, even after taking everything out of the two huge boxes.  Sam was excited just by the big pieces all over the lawn.  We couldn’t wait to see the reaction once it was all together.  We finished the night with friends, cake, ice cream, and several tivo-ed episodes of Unbeatable Bansuke.

Today Sam had a fantastic time playing on his new play set.  Thanks again, Georgie!  And, as a thoughtful way to tell me what a wonderful mother and wife I am on this special day, Erik gave me the lai he got in Primary for his birthday, and Sam handed me back the rose the deacons gave me after Sacrament meeting.  Erik is downstairs making me snickerdoodles, and I did hear him bragging to Sam that today I had been attractive, clever, and a good cook — all in the same day!  I guess I’ll just take what I can get.

I love being busy.  It just makes everything so much better, and it makes me a happier person.  With hardly a single picture to prove it, we have in fact, stayed pretty busy the last several days.

 {How does this happen; my baby running around in nothing but a dirty onesie, my necklace, and seal skin boots from Greenland?}

Wednesday morning, Samuel and I met up with Triana and Gavin at Backyard Adventures.  It’s a company that sells play sets, and they have an indoor open play time for $5.  Some of the stuff might have been a bit ambitious for Sam, but he managed to climb up the ladders, knew to stop at the edges, and went down the slides by himself.  It was great for a change of scenery, and without any other kids there, Sam and Gavin had free reign to do what they wanted.  We left with only one busted lip and a goose egg (both on Sam).  I would call that success.

 {Climbing the ladder all by himself.}

 {“I know, Mom, I won’t go over the edge!}

 {Silly boys!}

 {Gavin was being so friendly, and Sam would just stare at him with this look on his face.  It was pretty funny.}

Thursday I was miserabley sick.  Blah.

Friday was my birthday!  25 wonderous years old.  I was so touched by how many people remembered and sent their birthday wishes, via blogs, text, facebook, a knock on the door, or a phone call.  Thanks, you guys!  I have such wonderful friends and family, and I love you all for making me feel so special.  Before Erik left for work, he gave me my present: a 2 hour spa package!!  Yippee!!  Then my mom took me shopping while my dad stayed home with Sam.  We spent the afternoon being visited by other family coming through for my cousin’s wedding.  Erik came home early from work, and took Sam and me to Target to get me more presents.  I got a pillow (that I’m returning.  Will I ever find a pillow that I like?!) and Sam got a new CAT truck that kept him mesmerized the whole night.  We did some furniture window shopping, grabbed Cafe Rio on the way home, put Sam to bed early, and I fell asleep snuggling with Erik as we watched Rent.  Seriously, it was a great day.

 {Pillow shopping.  I think every picture of me from now on should be taken from this angle.}

Saturday was my cousin, Allyson’s, wedding.  Our sitter came at 3:30 and Erik and I were off for the whole rest of the day!  There was a ring ceremony, cocktails and appetizers, then dinner and dancing, all at La Caille, a fancy little place in the mountains.  It seemed like everything kind of took a long time, but it was super fun to get all dressed up, have the night with my hubbster, and see a lot of extended family.

Today was a typical crazy day at church.  We still don’t love 9:00 church, but we have 11 more months to get used to it!  I stayed busy conducting and doing sharing time (which went so well!!  I did a really cute thing with the Scripture Scouts.  Not bragging at all, I was just pleased that for once I came up with a fun, engaging sharing time all on my own!)  Church is rough with Sam, and I so appreciate Erik for dealing with it, because I usually don’t.  Definitely counting down the days to nursery, though!  Then we came home, took our naps, and had a quiet evening at home.

 {Finishing a quick snack and playing the piano before Sunday naps.  That is one thing I do love about 9:00 church!}

Seriously, I love my life!  I’ve been having a really hard time recently, and I’ve definitely been struggling, but I had one of those “Ah hah!” moments this evening when I realized how warm and bubbly I felt inside.  (So, in addition to my high anxiety disorder, it appears I must be bi-polar as well.  Fun!)  It was a good feeling.  Being almost 30 isn’t so bad afterall!

{PS:  Erik did a super fun post with lots of great pictures!  Check it out and leave him a comment! http://erik.briggsfam.com}

Happy 80th birthday to my Bedstefar!  He was here in September, so we were so glad we could celebrate with him then.  My Bedstefar is a tender, big-hearted, kind, and wonderful man.  There is never any question how much our grandfather loves us.  Of course living an ocean away, we haven’t been able to be with him nearly as much as we would like, but I think that makes the memories that much more special.

Whenever we visited Denmark, Bedstefar always had some change in his pocket for a trip to the candy store.  I remember walking to the bakery several mornings with him to pick up pastries for breakfast.  Bedstefar would also take each one of us kids to work with him at his butcher shop, making frikadeller, buttering rugbrod, and weighing out potato salad.  Our payment was a few kroner and a warm frikadeller sandwich with an orange fanta at the stand.  My sister and I used to always think it was cute how Bedstefar would so often come up to us with a big smile, clap his hands, ask us how we were doing, then pat our cheeks.  Probably my favorite memories, though, are of making kites.  We would walk or ride our bikes to the park and fly the handmade kites there.  There have been lots of times when Samuel and I have been outside on a cool windy afternoon, and I’ve told him that one day I will take him to Denmark so he can fly a kite with his olde-Bedstefar.

We love you very much, and send lots of hugs and kisses to you in Denmark.  Happy 80th Birthday, Bedstefar!