Happy 19th Birthday Maddie!

 Maddie turned 19 on January 17th!

I have been horrible at blogging lately and that's really not like me.

 

 We had a little family party last night so everyone could come over

and wish her a Happy Birthday!

 Emmie was our photographer for most of the night

so we have a lot of pictures with heads cut off...

 Boston in a Barney shirt that used to be Maddie's - about 18 years ago :)

 Megan, Maddie, and Abi

 Logan drove down from Logan (Utah) to help Maddie celebrate

 Dave and Marianne Heaps - soon to be leaving on their mission

to China!  They were called to be Public Relation Missionaries and will be leaving in a month or so.

 Abi and Abe

 Brock, Boston, Dave, and Grandma

We had a great time celebrating Maddie's birthday

Here are 19 things I love about Maddie...

1.  Her smile.  She's beautiful, especially when she smiles.

2.  Her ability to be a good friend to everyone.

3.  Her close relationship with her Grandpa.  She has him wrapped around her finger!

4.  She's a neat freak like her mom (when she wants to be!) and knows how to clean.

5.  She's a great big sister.

6.  All the free hair cuts and colors we are getting from her hair school experience.

7.  Her love of music - especially 80's music.  We are kindred spirits.

8.  Her testimony...it's strong and unwavering!

9.  I love that she considers me a best friend.

10.  I love that she tells me everything - the good and the bad.

11.  She has high standards.

12.  I love that she and Talbie are becoming such good friends.

13.  She's a faithful journal writer.

14.  She's a hard worker

15.  She's a good cook

16.  She sets high goals.

17.  She listens to her parents advice - without too much complaint.

18.  She chooses the right.

19.  She's a joy to our family

Emmie's Surgery

Emmie had surgery today to have another set of tubes put in her ears.

This was her 4th surgery.  She has had 3 sets of tubes in her ears, adenoids taken out, 

and a sinus surgery.  Her immune system struggles so much but I think 

this new set of tubes is really going to help her stay healthy!

This is us waiting in the waiting room...

 

We waited about 2 hours before they took her back for the surgery.  That was 

pretty annoying but at least she had mamma's new iphone to play with!

 

 

 The nurses are always amazed with her because she wakes up from

anesthetic - laughing!  She loved her juice box!

 The wheelchair ride was her favorite part of the day.

 She was showered with love and presents all day.  

This is what Aunt Sandy brought her.  Her dream in life is to be a

barrel racer!  The poor neglected girl has never even been on a horse :(

Merry Christmas!

.

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

We had a great time together as a family.  More pictures to come...

Visits From Santa

Dave continues his tradition of dressing up the Sunday before Christmas

and makes stops to see if kids are being good!

 Maddie assisted with the make up...

 Ready to go!

  Our first stop was Sandy's house (Dave's sister) where her kids

and grandson, Charlie were there.

 There's something magical about a visit from Santa!

 Charlie's been a good boy

 Emmie even had a turn.  Emmie is a firm believer still and it was fun for her to

go with us this year.  Even though she knew it was her dad dressed up, it's still exciting!

 Bronson's turn...

 Aunt Sandy had to have a turn!  Santa knew she wanted a man for Christmas!

He promised to do his best!!

 Steven had a similar request (except he wants a girl! :)

 After Sandy's, we took Bronson and Emmie over to Grandma Knowles because

they were going to have a sleep over with their cousin Ben since Christmas break has

started!  Ben was SO EXCITED to see Santa!

 Grandma was excited too!

 Our last stop was at the Heal's house.

 Boston was a little nervous

 Dallin was ready with his list...

 Boston - still nervous!

 Brock helped Boston tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas

 Logan tried to convince Santa that he'd been good.  I don't know if Santa bought it!

 Brock taking his turn...

 

Then Boston warmed up to Santa in the end.

It was a fun night of Santa visits!

Ward Christmas Party

We had a Christmas miracle on Saturday night at the Ward Party.

Talbie and Bronson sang "Silent Night" and it was beautiful!  

The miracle wasn't that Talbie sang because she enjoys that - but that

Bronson played his guitar in public!

 Bronson is AMAZING at the guitar and he is 100%

self taught.  He has earned enough money from selling his pick necklaces

to sign up for guitar lessons but he's not really interested.

He's inherited my brother's ability to play by ear and he has taught himself

every chord you could ever know.  Impressive!

Way to go guys!  Here's to many more performances!!

Early Christmas Present

My dad gave Brittany and I an early Christmas present and took us to

Vegas this weekend.  We stayed at their Vegas home and got to be

the "kids" for 3 whole days!  It was SO MUCH FUN!

The first day Brittany and I got up early and ventured out on our own

(a huge feat since neither of us knows our way around Vegas very well.)

We went shopping and had so much fun!  I took pictures with my cell

phone but they are being stupid and I can't get them transferred to my computer.  

It's too bad too because we even saw Santa arrive at the mall!

Highlights of our trip...

 Checking out the Christmas decor at the Belligio

 Brittany and I in front of the huge tree at the Belligio

 Mom and Dad

 We went as saw "Beatles Love" at the Mirage.  SO GOOD!!!

 Brittany and I at the gift shop

 Brittany's new friend

 We went to the famous "Pawn Stars" pawn shop.  I wish I would have brought

something to pawn!

 Then we saw "Jersey Boys!"  I LOVED this show.  

I didn't think I was a Four Seasons fan but I loved the music!

 Me and Dustin

 Brittany and Dad

 The best part of "Jersey Boys" was seeing Natalie (Hill) afterwards, who stars in the show.

Natalie is a huge Broadway star and blogger and she grew up 3 doors down from us!

Her parents are still in my parent's ward and their family are good friends.

 Natalie with her parents and more friends from my parent's ward.

Thanks dad for a great trip!  

Let's do it again SOON!!