the one about Gavin's Birthday

I feel terrible that I haven't posted this yet. I don't know how I managed to skip it, but better late than never, I guess.

When I first started working at the Hotel, Kandice asked me if I could get her some kind of a deal for Gavin's Birthday party. I told her I could probably swing something. Apparently, Gavin has wanted to stay at the Hotel since he could see it being built. He would ask his mom every time they drove by if they could stay there. Of course it is foolish to pay to stay in a Hotel in your own town so they never did. Well as his Birthday grew nearer, I was able to work something out. One condition, of course.... I could invite myself to the party! The only guests Gavin wanted were his big sister Hallie and my little Quayd. We got adjoining rooms and Kandice and her kids stayed in one, Quayd and I in the other. We had Chinese food for dinner; Gavin's choice. Then the kids swam at the pool, played games, watched a movie, played with Gav's new toys, ate tons of snacks, played with their DS's and just had a great time. The next morning, they went to the Dinosaur Museum. It was probably one of the best parties ever. Kandice and I even had fun!

Kandice is such a great friend to me. I love her more than she will ever know. I treasure her friendship!!!! So that is why I couldn't pass up this opportunity to hook her up. I got the rooms for free so it was no big deal to me. I am just so glad I actually had something I could offer her. She would do anything for me, and I hope she knows I would do it right back for her.

Here are a few pix of the fun night.

the one about feeling blue, reversed

So, I have been a little blue lately. I have just been feeling all alone. I know.... sounds corny. But I can't help it. Several events have triggered my case of the blues. One of them being the fact that my friend Janice moved clear across the country. It affected me a lot more than I imagined. I knew I would be sad... don't get me wrong, but the emotions I felt really took me by surprise. I cried for days and everything. We ended up being on vacation on the day they left, and I am really glad about that. We sorta said goodbye the Monday before they left, but I planned on seeing her again before I left for vacation on Tuesday. Well, I just couldn't. One goodbye was hard enough. So when I was almost to Salt Lake, I called her and told her I was gone. Then I cried some more. These pictures were taken a few weeks before she moved at a BBQ we had at Kandice's. Another thing I was a little sad about was that the week I got back from vacation, I couldn't find anyone. Kandice was at a family reunion, Holly visiting her family, Tara was busy and worn out after their many trips right in a row and Brett was gone a lot. So I just kinda felt alone and left out. I wanted to see the movie Mamma Mia SO bad, but I didn't have anyone to go with. I had invited a few people, but for different reasons, it just didn't work out. I was so sad about it, so on Saturday afternoon, I went by myself. The show was SO good! I loved it. I mean REALLY LOVED IT! I want to go again. I think Holly and I are going to go when she gets back. Janice went and saw it alone in Kentucky around the same time I went so we text each other and called when it was over. It was cool! I actually didn't mind going alone. I didn't have to share the arm rest, I pigged out on my own popcorn (which was So good that day!), and I even crunched my ice when my diet coke was gone, and I didn't feel guilty about it. Even though I enjoyed going alone, it is still funnere to go with friends. Anyway, I started feeling better. (Don't worry about me, its really no big deal. I was just kinda down. I don't need sympathy or anything.) I started to feel like I am back to my old self. The emotions have tamed a bit and I am much better. My friend Chauntue called and invited me over on Saturday morning and I had a great time with her and Joey. Thanks girls! Sorry I had to take off early. (dang kids!) My mom took me to lunch yesterday to help cheer me up, and it was nice. We even went to my favorite place! Canton City. Well, anyway... Kandice got back last weekend and invited Quayd and I over today for swimming, slip and slide and lunch. We had a ball!!! When I say swimming and slip and slide, that means me and Kandice too! We were so dumb, but it was a blast. We lined up with the kids and patiently waited our turn. Little Hallie, though, was a bit of a line cutter! I had to call her out on it a few times. ;) Kandice filled the pool with water from her kitchen sink and it was so warm, so we totally sat in it. It was NICE! At one point, she noticed a black head on my back and I invited her to search for more. You all know how we LOVE picking! It was funny. We had a great time. It was a well needed break too. I am so grateful that she invited us over. I think she knew I needed something fun to do. What a great friend. Anyway, here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure... Thanks Quayd for the pictures! Good job, buddy! Oh yah! And Kandice got on the trampoline for awhile and check out her sweet back flip! Again, thanks to all of you who have worked on cheering me up. I have such great friends and family. I love you all!

the one about Quayd's Christmas program

I'm so sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but your kid(s) aren't the cutest in the world. Because mine is.

Oh my gosh. Quayd's program was AWESOME! He did such a great job. This was has part. "J is for Jesus, the Christ child so dear. We celebrate his birth on Christmas each year." He practiced and practiced so he knew it was perfect. And it was. He was precious. I am so proud of him. And get this... there were so many people there to support him. Brett and I, my mom, Brett's mom, Ga and Pop, Grandma and Grandpa Lane, Aunt Debbie and Ricci and Brynn and Beau'D. I loved it. How lucky is he to have all of that support. He is such a special boy.

After the program, most of us went out to lunch. We had Quayd's favorite, Chineese.

This is his whole class.

This is his best buddy, Raymond, and this is his "crush" Brinklee. They are both such cute kids. Raymond is a smart, handsome, funny great kid. I am so glad they found each other. Brinklee is GEORGEOUS! And she is a total sweetheart. I talked to her mom today and we are going to set up a play date over the Christmas holiday for these two. We need to have Raymond over again too. He is great. Quayd's other best friend is Tate. He wanted to give all three of these kids a Christmas present, so we got them a neat swirly lollypop from the cute little candy store in town. Anyway, it was a great day. I am so proud of my big boy. I love watching him grow and get so smart! I think his family likes him too. My Grandpa, Pop, and Grandpa Lane were both grinning from ear to ear during the whole thing. I can't tell you enough how great he was. He is so special. I am so glad to be his mom.