10 years

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary this June. I had always pictured going somewhere warm, beachy and romantic for our 10 year anniversary, but alas we didn't. We did, however, celebrate in a way very fitting for being married that many years. Zach had come the week before to visit and took the boys home with him to Utah to deliver to my parents who were bringing them up to the cabin the next day. So we had the night alone. We went to dinner at a nearby restaurant to eat and talk. It was a comfortable and relaxing evening, so unlike the late and busy summer nights we've had with the boys recently. We talked the night away, talked about our kids, our families, job, and how we feel so blessed in our lives for all that we have.

I've been asked before, how did I know that Matthias was the ONE? Among many of his amazing qualities, and being incredibly  handsome, I just loved being around him. I still do. He made me so happy and I wanted to be a better person because of him. I still do. He made me laugh every day. He still does. And I am so grateful for that.

Here's to us, hun.

heart

Happy Valentine's Day!

9 years and counting

This month we celebrated our 9th anniversary. Our awesome friends, the Katschkes, took the boys for a sleepover and we had an extended date. I was in charge of the night activity and Matt took over the morning activity. We went out to dinner and a movie followed by ice cream. In the morning we golfed 9 holes. I love golfing. This was my first time playing a real game, and I did all right. It was so fun to be out in the cool morning air with Matthias, no kids to worry about. Matthias gave me some good tips that I struggled using, but I actually had one good teeoff.

Several years ago, the Swenson side of the family had a golf tournament, called the Swenson Family Classic, and we would really like to revive it and host next year. We propose a golf tourney here in early June 2011. We know it would be a long drive for everyone, but it is so beautiful here, and we have the floor space for those who want to sleepover at our house. What do you think fam? Any competitors? Hopefully by next year I'll have improved my game, and I actually might be a killer team mate. We are taking a golf clinic in August, watch out!

happy valentine's

from us!

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roadside roses

What's so great about these flowers is not the fact that Matthias gave me roses, although I really do love them. If you know Matthias at all, you will know that flowers aren't really his thing to give. And if you know me, you will know that roses aren't my favorite flower. But back to why I like these roses so much. He bought them from a fellow that parks his white pick-up on the side of Country Club Dr in town. He posts a particle board sign that says, Dozen Roses $8.00, and keeps them in a giant cooler. We've often wondered who keeps this roadside florist in business.

I'll have you know, Matthias didn't go small, he upgraded to the $9 dozen which included babies breath. I love these roses so much because he got them just to make me laugh. They are pretty and make me smile every time I look at them. Thanks for making me laugh Hun and keeping a fellow American in business.

be mine

We weren't very crafty this year in making Valentine's. I don't know why I have been so crazy lately, but thankfully at the checkout stand I remembered Ty needed to give Valentine's and so I quickly grabbed a box of fun dip for him to hand out. It seems harder these days to make holidays a big deal. Maybe I'm realizing that they aren't such a big deal, or maybe it's just that I don't have the time like I used to. Ty's preschool teacher sent a letter home requesting parents to have their child write the other preschooler's names on the valentine for writing practice. After school, when Ty emptied out his stash, I noticed that his name was written in perfect handwriting on all his Valentine's, some didn't even have his name on it. Way to go parents. Sheesh. Ty spent an hour writing out all 16 names. The patience and concentration he demonstrated! It was a fantastic display! 

happy heart day!

10 ways we celebrated St. Valentine's:

1. Went to Wonder Lab yesterday for discovery hour and learned all about the heart and blood. Ty & Becks loved it! They got to listen to each other's heart beats, found their own pulse, learned that when they run how their heart beats faster, and learned why they get scabs (which fascinated Ty because he had a "goggle cut" scab).

2. Made heart shaped sugar cookies for friends. Out of the whole batch only about 6 made it out. Half of them got burned and the 6 that were decorated by the boys were all licked clean of frosting and sprinkles in 3 minutes... gross. A secret ingredient from my mom that I would like to pass along is adding orange peel rind in the dough. Yum!

3. This morning I made pink heart pancakes for the boys, they loved them!

4. Ty exchanged valentines at school and delivered some to friends. By this evening Ty's cheeks got to be a rosy red = lots of corn syrup candy, poor guy! I am lax on holidays with the no-corn diet.

5. Made mini heart shaped pizzas for dinner. I cut the pepperoni into heart shapes.

6. Decorated Valentine cakes and delivered them to new members in our ward for YW's last night.

7. Had FHE lesson with the Lyons on Love. We learned about all that HF has given us because he loves us. Then we took turns drawing a heart out of a bag that listed something to do to show a person in the family that we love them. We used the cut out from the Friend.

8. Made and received V-day phone calls to grandparents and cousins. Thanks for the valentine packages and letters! We love and miss our family!

9. Rented Pride & Prejudice and No Reservations.

10. We are going to Super Fun Friday tomorrow to participate in a Be My Valentine activity.

hearts aglow

Today Ty and I worked on his valentines that he will be giving to his friends and classmates at preschool. Instead of giving candy, he is giving a glow stick! I don't know if you can read the phrase from the picture I took, but the hearts say, You make my heart glow. As much as I would like to credit myself for this fabulous idea, I got the idea off of FamilyFun.com, which I frequent. This would be better for older kids to make because the only thing Ty could really do was help punch the holes, put the glowsticks in, and attempt to write his name on the back. It was still fun though and he is SOOOOO excited to give his friends glow stick valentines! I bought the glow sticks at the dollar store which came in a pack of 6 for only $1; such a great price for a dang cute valentine! Oh, and if you decide to make these too, be careful not to drop the glow sticks because they will crack and light up and you won't be able to use them. More valentine excitement to come...

GBH

I will always remember Pres. Hinkley as the Prophet of my youth, how he always shook his cane in the air, and being in the conference center where he first spoke of the 6 B's. Gotta love this man!



We told Ty this morning Pres. Hinkley died last night and his first response was, "Did somebody kill him? Is he a robot now?" This kid cracks me up.