30 years!

Thanks to Pinterest, this is the birthday cake I made for Neil for his birthday! I Loved the way it turned out, and it tasted awesome too!

Since Neil was turning 30, yes, I did say 30!! I wanted to do something extra special. For weeks and weeks I teased him, telling him that I was going to throw him a huge party with all of his friends and family with balloons, party hats.. etc. This is something that he wouldn't necessarily love, not because he doesn't love his friends and family, but he hates all of the attention. But I loved teasing him to make him think he was going to be part of an embarrassing celebration! It started off on a Friday, he was at work, so I dropped the kids off at Grandma's. Thanks a ton to Grandma! So when he got home, he was surprised to see the kids weren't home. We then went to Winger's with some great friends! Mindy and I planned a trivia game which involved money, $30 to be exact! (Joel turned 30 also) It really was such a fun night out with everyone! Then I took Neil to Little America. We found out, when showing up that Mitt Romney was there and they and all of his many guests were just leaving their $1000 dinner! Darn, we just missed out on that one!

The breakfast was AmAzInG!! I should have taken a better picture of the food, but I'm telling you, go to Little America to eat if you've never been there. You won't be disappointed. Yum!

This was the view from our room, besides the huge parking lot below, everything else was really fun to look at.

I don't know how to express how much I love this man! I truly can say he is my best friend. We have been through so much together and as times get hard, we've only gotten stronger. I Love Love Love him!

Later that night since I had teased him about this huge party, I told him that I had reserved the church, to get him a little nervous. But really it was just his family there to do what he loves, sports! It's his second love, besides me, right? Yes, this man loves to play sports!

The kids loved running and getting their energy out as well!

Setting up the volleyball net, one of Neil's favorite sports.

And basketball...

Happy birthday to my Love!

It's been on my mind...

So as so of you may know, or not know, in November we had a baby with Anencephaly. Which basically is the absence of a large part of the brain and the skull. Symptoms: Absence of the skull; Absence of the brain (cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum); Facial feature abnormalities; Heart defects. This is in the same family as spina bifida. However with spina bifida you have a chance of survial, with anencephaly you have a zero chance of living. It's basically black and white, there are no chances of survival, no matter what you try to do. The sweet baby is, as sad as it is to say, brain dead.
As hard as this is to swallow, we've had to relive this situation over and over lately (due to insurance issues) and what I know now, I wish I would have known then. When we were told about this situation, we were completely in shock. I mean shock! I didn't know what to say or how to function. I didn't know what questions to ask? I didn't know all of the facts at the time, but at that time, if this makes any sense, I didn't know that that I didn't know all of the facts. We just followed what we were guided to do. With not knowing much about this condition, we trusted our doctors and radiologists. They advised us that we should have a D&C while the baby is still small to avoid risks to the baby and mother. We followed this advise and felt comfortable, although very very saddened that we had to lose our sweet baby! We were emotional, but felt that at no matter what point of delivery, the outcome was the same, no viable baby.
As time has gone on, I have learned a lot about anencephaly. Maybe more than I can handle sometimes. I worry about what people think. I worry and think about the situation every day. I think about this sweet baby who has been blessed now with a great life in Heaven. I know this baby is happy and has forever changed my life. What I've learned from this situation is that first, we can't take life for granted and second, even when in such a hard situation, ask questions and learn as much as you can about the situation you've been presented with. Know every option. (Even if you think you know every option!)

To our baby,
We love you forever!

February Fun!

Daddy Daughter Dance!!

This was such a fun date! EmmaLee's school hosted a valentines date for the girls (princesses) and the Dad's (pops) They had a DJ come from radio Disney, they played tons of games and EmmaLee even won a drawing! (A sweet OGIO backpack!)

Love to see the difference in height. So precious.

On Sunday February 12th, I hosted a February Birthday party for my side of the family, I had the funnest time planning all of the food, games and decorations.

We had lots of people show up for an awesome night! This is my newest great-nephew (Ethan) and his new Grandma (my sister Jean)

The February Birthdays... Jodie, Neil, Jennifer, Laura and Indie!

Hanging out in the kitchen, Justin, Michael, Tyrell and Travis

Me and my niece Val!

Cute Jennifer opening her gifts!

And Cute Indie!

And of course my sweetest husband Neil.. who by the way is 30 this year!! More partying to come... details later.

Since Jodie is 40 this year, I did all of the decorations purple, because if you know Jodie, you know that that's her favorite color.

She got lots of fun stuff, including a purse filled with candy, that was all around 40 years ago. Some of those include, FunDip, Bit O Honey, Pop Rocks, and Big Hunk.... and lots more.


All of the kids kept entertained by playing dress up, we also got a fashion show along with it!

Another great-nephew, adorable Carson!

And finally, for Valentines this year we were given a bunch of old books (but hey, new to us!) and we thought that it would be awesome to set out for the morning for the kids to see. They loved it and were busy all morning reading! I would have gotten more pictures of the day, but my battery was dead. Let's just say we had a wonderful Valentines day and are so grateful for amazing family and friends!

Scott Girls night out!

Jessie, the second one in from the left, is the sweet mother of 5 boys! So, her sweet husband asked if we, as sister/sister-in-laws could take her out for a fun night without any children. It was a great surprise! The husbands got together and watched football and played with all of the kids.

A favorite of all... We headed to Hobby Lobby and then to Cafe Rio!

What is it about girls and eating out, it's the best thing!? Talking over dinner/lunch is one of my most favorite things!

Then shopping at Ross, of course, to add to the fun!

Girls and shopping, it's also a must do!

Goodbye 2011

Christmas Eve 2011, we all went in and bought Elener an entry-way table and gift card!

Heidi and Jeff! They are expecting their first in July, so excited!

Exchanging gifts with the Scott Family

Me and cute Jill! She and Jeff are expecting their second in May!

Neil had Chris' name for Christmas and found him so killer deals, we were able to buy a soccer ball, volleyball, football, and basketball all for $20!

Cute Kimberly!

For Jessie and Jeremy's gift, Kimberly and Chris made them outfits for the nativity scene. So awesome! We decided to try them all out.

EmmaLee, of course, wanted to be Mary, so she could hold the new baby

We all went in as a family and bought Frank a new I-pod touch. Next to Frank is Amanda and Ben, who are also expecting their first (not the baby on Ben's lap, that's Ashton) in April, so we are going to have lots of new babies around the Scott house!

Christmas morning, Carter opening his tools he got from Santa



Neil made a fort to hide in before they could see what Santa brought. He gave them a bat and when it was time, they smashed through the paper!!

Christmas afternoon, we went to Travis and Laura's house to have dinner and to also celebrate with Carson for his 1st birthday. He was born on December 24th. In the picture is Indie, EmmaLee and Brylie

Bob and Michael

Judy and I

Laura and Carson opening birthday presents!

Cameron, Alex, EmmaLee and Carter, laughing and keeping each other entertained!

Neil, Travis and Jodie

After Christmas, since EmmaLee had some days off, we decided to make great use of our Passes of all passes! We first went to Trafalga

We played mini golf


This picture makes me laugh out loud ever time I see it!! Here is Neil on a kid ride, because our kids were too chicken to go by themselves! Oh the laughter I get looking at Neil with all of the tiny little kids and his long long legs hanging off of that bouncing frog ride!!

Carter has been loving golf lately!

We always go to the library on Thursdays and Carter loves to read in their chairs, so cute!

For New Years Eve, we got a great deal on Groupon for Chuck-E-Cheese and took the kids there for a fun night out.

Carter used most of his tokens on the basketball one!

Every game cost one token, it was a lot of fun!


Also on our passes of all passes, it includes free bowling, so we had to try it out! The kids have never really been bowling, besides on the Wii, so this was a new experience. They loved it, but it took forever to play two games! Lets just say they are learning...


Carter liked to watch his ball go down the alley like this, on the gross floor! There is only so much you can tell a 3 year old not to do, before you don't care anymore


And FINALLY today we got some snow, and the kids could not wait to get their gear on and play!
2011 was a great year, and we can't wait for another to spend with our family and friends!