Happy Brithday to me!

My family all pitched in and made me feel special on my birthday! We met Paul and Joan (John's parents) in Park City where we ate at Cafe' Sabor! (Mmmmm!)
Paul and Joan took the kids home with them--John and I came home and enjoyed the "Barnard" bed and breakfast! :)

Fried Ice Cream--yummmmmyyy!

A few days later my parents took me out to Magelby's!

It is one of my favorite places in UT county.

You gotta love the "endless" crab! Drew is a HUGE fan!!!

John got me flowers and spoiled me all weekend!

Yep, I am 33! I love birthdays! They are so much fun. Thanks to everyone for being so good to me! I love you!!!

SU Leadership Conference in Orlando

Stampin! Up' Leadership conference is a big gathering of all the company leaders, a training and recognition event for those demonstrators who are looking to build their businesses even further. This year we met in Orlando for 3 excellent days. I was invited to be a presenter for one of the classes this year, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I am happy to report that my class went well and Leadership really was wonderful.

Arriving in Sunny Florida!!!

Yes I think this was a well-timed getaway, it has been very cold and snowy at home for a while. In Florida it was beautiful and lush, plus at check-in for Leadership they gave all of us this CUTE new bag, with sleeves on both sides for photos, all trimmed with patent leather. *sigh* this is the life!!

Here is a pic of our little group! Actually this is just the closest thing we got...Deborah was off swapping! Please note the nice lunch served at tables with linens and glassware.

And speaking of swapping...

Here is a two-page 12X12 swap deborah made for a private 12X12 swap. Yet another use for this layout!

Just one of the many reasons I love Stampin' Up! events:

The thousands and thousands of samples on display!

They are all on display on big black display boards all during the event. I just take pictures of the ideas I think I can use--these are just a few of the samples I loved from the boards.

Manager's Reception: reason enough to become a Manager and to attend Leadership.

Wow!!! This Year's Manager's reception ROCKED...

Stampin' Up! paid for us to all go to Universal Studios--Island of Adventure! Apparently this is where all the Marvel Comic book characters live. We saw Spiderman, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, the Green Goblin...and who knows who else! The whole park was shut down except for us--When the SU managers arrived we actually followed a red carpet through the park! The place was decorated all SU-style with giant lighted logos and the words "swap!" "crop!" "stamp!" appearing on banners instead of action words like "bam!" "pow!" etc. It was a sight to behold. They had huge buffets of fabulous food lining all the streets and rides open with no lines. My faves were the 3D spiderman ride and THE HULK, a very cool rollercoaster. Before they sent us home, they gave us each a spiderman lunch box with a new stamp set in it, and a note saying:

"You are our Stampin' Up! superhero!"

How sweet is that? I actually got misty-eyed.

Overall, Leadership conference was all it should be. I left inspired, excited, full of new ideas, and re-charged from all the fun girl time and warm weather.

"Imagine the Possibilities!"

Hodgkin's Disease

My mom has been sick for quite a while--I think it has been about 9 months since she started seeing doctors to try to figure out what was wrong. After MANY many tests, doctors and hospital visits, we got the news on January 9 that she has Hodgkin's Disease. That is a type of lymphatic cancer. She is in stage 3-close to or entering stage 4. She started chemotherapy this month and the doctors are encouraging that it will be able to kill the cancer. But it is going to be a long road.

We love you mom!!! I started a blog for her: www.kristiefritch.blogspot.com

Check it out if you want to follow her progress. xoxo.

Rockin' in the New Year!

Here's what "Wii" did for New Year's Eve! Even the kids were up past 1 AM, enjoying our Guitar Hero World Tour game.

Goodbye 2008! It's been grand--

Happy New Year!

Kaylyn & Andrew Horrocks

Meet the Happy Newlyweds! Kaylyn and I have always been close, I was 11 when she was born and she is like a little sister to me. Her mom is my aunt Melanie, who was 11 when I was born and has always been like a big sister to me!

Here is Melanie's cute family:

Carey, Alexa, Jordan, Andrew & Kaylyn, Carson, Melanie, Randy and Sara. (Dylan is missing from the pic.)

Fun highlights from the wedding day: Getting ready!

Cutest Flower Girl ever, Lily Jane Barnard. She was pleased as punch that it was also her birthday and told everyone that fact.

Drew carried out his ring-bearer job flawlessly!

The would-be ring bearer #2, who chickened out after coming partway down the aisle..silly Jack!

Beatiful sisters

My BFF Stephanie Stowell came down and helped out a ton--doing hair and flowers. She always seems to save the day when we need her most! Thanks Steph!!

John's buddy Russ Mayo came and did the filming, which was so awesome of him! We both have great friends. And they are both available!! hmmm...

The snow pics were so gorgeous, and sooo chilly!!

Wedding party girls: Sara, Kaylyn and Lily Jane. They all looked great!

Drew hits the dance floor with the bride!

...and with his little sister! awww!

Display table-tons of pics of Andrew & Kaylyn

The cake was really pretty--they even got a special topper with a Marine & Bride.

Steph did a great job with the flowers!

Everyone enjoyed the yummy lunch!

Even Drew "signed in"!

My cute family

Our kids were really good and had a great day at the wedding, being adorable!

Yowsa!!

And then the bride and groom took off for their Honeymoon in Park City, and their Happily Ever After!

Congratulations Guys! We Love You!

Man alive, she is already FIVE!!

For Lily Jane's 5th birthday, she decided to take the plunge:

Get her ears pierced! The day before her brithday the two of us went to the mall together and had a mommy/daughter day.

Here she is at the store, Icing, waiting for her turn.

Here are the pretty pink flower studs she picked out...

Ears BEFORE....


Being so very brave...

AND...AFTER!!!! She did cry for a minute, until someone told her how pretty her ears looked. Then she stopped short and looked in the mirror and has been totally happy ever since.

She is thrilled with her "new look"! She shows everyone who will listen.

She woke up the morning of her birthday to a new bike! This is actually her first bike!

She was really excited!

It's a long wait 'til spring when she can try it outside, but she has been cruising all over the basement.

She also got to be a beautiful flower girl on her birthday, because Kaylyn got married that day!

She was a perfect flower girl, and thought that was a fabulous way to spend her birthday.

Our precious Lily Jane! You are so spunky and sweet! You are very social, and always notice people and details about them. You remember people's names from months ago. It always surprises people, it is so funny and cute.

You are friendly to everyone and very affectionate with your family. You are ALWAYS up for a hug and/or kiss. You adore both of your brothers and play with either of them equally well. We are especially delighted with how you pal around with Drew. The two of you are like peas in a pod when you are together.

You are such a sweet tooth! You ask if we can go get donuts about twice a week. (The answer is almost always no, but you ask constantly anyway!) If there is candy in the house, you find it! The #1 effective discipline for you is to reward you with treats or take away the treat for bad behavior. No punishment could be worse to you! You would rather take an hour time-out than part with a twizzler.

You are a snuggler. You love to cuddle up in a blanket with any of us, and often ask to have your back tickled too. It is so cute. We love you so much, and you are such a sweet 5-year old! We are treasuring every moment, because you are growing so fast.

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful day with my parents and sister, and enjoyed watching the kids revel in the magic of it all. I hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Jack was thrilled to find a banana in his stocking right off!!

Boxes always make such a great gift...to a 2 year old!

Santa delivered a dolly "that will open and shut her eyes"!

Jack loves his bowling set!

As you can see, Drew was quite pleased with this one...we found it after all the other presents, in the basement by the chimney! Drew says Santa was watching to see if he would still be happy without the wii. Since he was totally fine without it and grateful for what he had, Santa sneaked BACK down the chimney and left it for not just Drew, but for our family. Amazing!