My Mikee is 50!!!

Michael was born on March 31, 1958 in Ogden, Utah. I have been celebrating his birthdays with him since the day he turned 18. I could say so many wonderful things about him but I will refrain, except to say that he is the best Husband, Father and Grandpa Bear. For his birthday this year he wanted to have a big party and invite all of his friends and family as audience while he performed with his band. So we did. It was a fabulous party attended by approximately 200 guests. My favorite part of the evening was when Michael and our three sons took the stage together and had some "jammin'" fun. Happy birthday Handsome!! XOXOX

Mindy Mints

Referring to my previous post "I've Been Tagged" here are the Mrs. Cavanaugh's Mindy Mints that I said were an indulgence (I'm treated at least once a year by my Husband or Father). Lucky for me my Dad treated me for Easter.

Grandma (and Grandpa) Day At The Zoo

As I mentioned in a previous post we decided that next Grandma day we would go to the zoo. Grandpa thought that sounded fun too so he asked if we could go on a Wednesday (his day off). We thought a Wednesday in the middle of March the zoo would be empty. Wrong!!! As we approached the parking lot we quickly realized that it was full to over flowing with cars; and Mothers, Fathers, children, babies, strollers, coolers and every other supply needed by a family spending the day at the zoo was descending upon the front gate. That is where we saw the sign "welcome home school families", 2500 people were there to share our day with us. Regardless of the crowds it was a fun day. I was impressed with Adam's knowledge of the animals and surprised by Zach's apprehension as we got close to the cages (notice the look on his face in the Giraffe picture). We enjoyed a picnic lunch and various snacks we confiscated from Grandma's pantry before we left home. At the end of the day when we arrived home imagine our surprise when we discovered that an Ape and a Gorilla had managed to hitch a ride home. I love Grandma day!!

Happy Birthday Caitlin Rose!!

Caitlin arrived on March 17, 1993 at 11:05 pm. I had mentioned to my Doctor early in my pregnancy that I would like the baby to be born on St. Patrick's Day. Amazingly it worked out (but we cut it very close). Caitlin Rose was the perfect name for a little (part) Irish girl. She was a precious gift to our family and we all loved her from the very start. Life was different with 3 big boys and a baby girl, but the brothers all loved her (they still do) and it showed. Whenever the teenage brothers came home late at night the first place they would go was to her room to check on her while she slept. They are still checking in on her (who are her friends? What boys does she like? Who came to her party? etc.) When Caitlin was little she loved to collect heart rocks. She loved her dolls and treated them like people. Night after night as I went to tuck her in I would find all sorts of dolls and stuffed animals that had been tenderly tucked in at the foot of her bed or little dolls asleep in her hats with tissues for blankets. She has been blessed with many talents. She has been dancing (ballet) since she was 3, and in recent years has become involved with musical theatre. She is currently rehearsing her school musical (Beauty and the Beast) in which she plays Babette (the feather duster). She is a great girl and one of my best friends. Happy Birthday Rosie!!

My First Baby Is 30!!

It was on Tuesday March 14, 1978 that my first baby, Andy arrived. I was a very proud Mommy to have delivered a 9 lb. 2 oz. baby boy (I was only 19). He was the first grandchild in both families and everyone was excited. I was reading my remarks throughout his baby book the other day and decided to post what I wrote on August 4, 1981: "Andy is a smart little boy....At almost 3 1/2 I feel he's as smart as any kindergartener....He knows his alphabet, colors, counts to 20; knows circles, squares, triangles and rectangles; he sings songs with perfect tune and tempo. He can write his own first name. He still loves books as he has since a small baby. He's a very bright and special boy!" Through the years Andy's talents have amazed me. At an early age we recognized his talent for music. It has been a blessing for which I have been very grateful in my life. When Andy walks into a room where there is a piano it is not long before he is sitting down and playing it. But what I love the most is when he plays and sings. In High School Andy became involved in theatre. One of my most memorable moments was when Andy was a Sr. and performed the role of Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden at BHS. I went to the dress rehearsal so that I could take some pictures and as he stood there on the stage and sang Lily's Eyes it was absolutely incredible to me, I couldn't believe that was my little boy. Andy has always been a comfort to his Mom. We have had many long talks over the years. Particularly in his teenage years. About two and a half years ago, He and I drove to St. George and back in one day. I enjoyed having Mom and Andy time. When I got home I told Mike that it was the most quantity time that I had had with Andy since the days when I was a stay at home Mom and he was the only child. Throughout his life he has worked hard, served a mission, studied hard in school and earned a law degree. I'm pleased with all those things, but I'm especially pleased with the husband and father that he is. His 3 boys absolutly adore him, and he them. As I finish this post I feel I must confess something. With all of Andy's talents and abilities that I've mentioned, I need to say that as a very young boy with a very young Mom raising him, sometimes all his talents and abilities were a bit overwhelming for me. He had this great big spirit packed into this little body. And then one day some years back I looked at him and realized that his body had finally grown to match the size of his spirit, and I have to smile as I say, "what a magnificent spirit it is!!!" Happy birthday Son, your Mom loves you XOXOX

Baby Blankets And Burp Cloths

When my third son was born over 24 years ago, a neighbor brought me as a gift some burp cloths that she had crocheted around the edges. I loved them! They were always the burp cloths that I used when we went to church and on other special occasions. I wanted to learn how to do it and it was 20 years later that my daughter-in-law Melissa (dating Jeff at the time) showed me how and I've been hooked (excuse the pun) ever since. I love to go to Hemstitched Heirlooms at Colonial Square in Bountiful for all of my supplies. In just over 4 years I've crocheted over 25 sets of baby blankets and burp cloths for friends and family. And I'm still loving it!

I've Been Tagged!!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Michael
C- Cake or Pie: Marie Callender's pie
D- Day of Choice: Currently it's Wednesday
E- Essential Item (s): Glasses (sunglasses), sunscreen, cozy clothes
F- Favorite Ice-Cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Anyone that knows me really well knows that I have some interesting food fetishes. One of them is that I don't like eating anything that looks like something that is living (like a worm or a bear)
H- Hometown: West Bountiful, UT
I- Indulgence(s): Mrs. Cavenaugh's Mindy Mints; getting my nails done
J- January or July: July,it's my B-day month
K- Kids: 3 sons and 2 daughters (in that order)
L- Last Movie I Went To: "Vantage Point"
M- Marriage Date: April 15, 1977 (I didn't know anything about tax day when I chose that date)
N- Number of Siblings: 4 brothers and 1 favorite sister.
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: I'm afraid of birds, especially dead ones. And I don't like to fly (in airplanes)
Q- Quote(s): "It's just a pleasure being nominated." Hence....the title of my blog
R- Reason To Smile: Adam, Zachary, William and Mason
S- Season: Fall
T- Tag Two: Lilian and Melissa T.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: In the 80's I was a singer in a band; I was also a contestant on "The Price Is Right"
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I love salads but I also love steak, so I guess I'm both
W- Worst Habit: Procrastination (I'm going to start working on that tomorrow)
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds....I work for an OB/GYN
Y- Your Favorite Food: Mexican food, Chinese salads and chocolate
Z- Zodiac: Cancer (the crab)