April 26

My mom just stopped by work with some roses for my birthday - from Tyler. He sent her an email and asked her to bring me some flowers. What a sweet boy! And Myrna, our cleaning lady, left me some flowers and balloons for my birthday. She is so nice!

Easter Sunday

I of course went over to my parents house after church on Sunday for Easter dinner and much to my surprise, we were also celebrating my birthday. Even though my brothers had already gotten me a ton of gifts, there was more. David made me a fantastic card and they each got me the same Disney card with the song "When You Wish Upon a Star." My mom got me a Carl Bloch book, which I really wanted. How did she know? We had a wonderful Easter dinner with rotkohl (my favorite) even though we forgot to make the deviled eggs. Thank you everyone! As my mom said, "we have a fantastic family."

My Birthday

Friday night Michael, David, and I went shopping and they surprised with a fabulous shopping spree for my birthday. JC Penney has a new line - MGN by Mango that I love. I got three new suits, four tops, a pair of slacks, handbag, and a coat - all by Mango. I then purchased some gold & silver earrings and a gold/silver earrings and necklace that an employee held for me in their fine jewelry department. I have never gone shopping and spent so much money. It was a lot of fun. I have the best brothers. We kept going outside to the car, dropping off packages, and then going back and shopping some more.

Temple

I went to the Provo Temple on Wednesday after work. There were some workers working ont he grounds and all the flowers were blooming. Looked beautiful as always.

JAX

Kristina and Scott stopped by yesterday. They had taken Jax for a walk up the canyon. He has gotten so big, but is still as excited as ever to see anyone and made sure to go around to everyone to say hello. His favorite thing to do is run around and chase the birds.

Happy Birthday Mutti!

Happy Birthday Mutti!

Michael and I got the patio furniture out and decided to eat outside, as the weather was so nice and my mom loves sitting out back. We have to start planting for this year although there are quite a few things already growing. There is a single tulip that has bloomed in the back. No idea where it came from. Scott and Kristina stopped by and when Scott heard about the singly tulip, his reaction was to go and pick it (This is big Scott of course).
My mom opening gifts from Michael and me, although Michael always gets the credit from everyone, despite the necklace actually being my idea.

Mutti's Birthday

We celebrated my mom's birthday yesterday and I decided to finally try some recipes from the Neeley's that I have been wanting to try - Cherry BBQ Chicken legs, BBQ baked beans, and a roasted asparagus pasta salad with goat cheese (the goat cheese really makes this salad). Although a lot of work, it all turned out to be delicious and my mom really appreciated it. I asked David to make the cake, because he likes to bake. He, Michael, and I were out shopping last week and David bought a Mickey cake pan and used it for the first time. He did a great job.

Piano

I have been looking and considering purchasing a keyboard piano since last year and finally purchased one a week ago. I took yesterday off as it was being delivered and Michael, of course, came right down after work to help me put it together.

Michael and I both took paino lessons as children from Mrs. Howell. She passed away from cancer and I transferred to a different teacher. When we moved to Utah I never took it back up.

Mrs. Howell was probably looking down from heaven shaking her head and hoping never to have to listen to me again. She was a very strict teacher (probably why she was so good). I remember once having not practiced a piece in one of my books and purposely leaving it in the car. When she asked me to play it I told her all innocently that I had left it in the car. She got up and went into her back room and brought out a copy of my book. I think she had every piano book available stored back there. I learned quickly that they did not work.

My mom is wanting to learn and is going to come down and use it and Michael may play on it as well. I need to find my old book. I kept it because I really like it and have seen it somewhere I just can't remember where. I also need to stop by Deseret Book and buy a hymn book. I'm excited - As a child I did not appreciate it as much as I do as an adult. I find it really relaxing.