ON APRIL 24th,

1184 BC - Greeks enter Troy using the Trojan Horse.

1833 Patent granted for first soda fountain

1907 Hersheypark, founded by Milton S. Hershey, for the exclusive use of his employees is opened.

1929 A non-stop England to India flight takes-off

1953 Winston Churchill knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

1961 Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out 18 batters in a game this day, becoming the first major-

league pitcher to do so on two different occasions.

1969 Paul McCartney says their is no truth to the rumours he is dead

1989 Massachusetts declares today "New Kids on the Block Day"  

1983 Jessica Lynn Rands (later 

Kettle) was born in Bellevue, WA, 

the first child of Jon and Becky. 

Boy were they lucky. 

As of today, I am officially 25. I had an AMAZING day! 

Danny took the whole day off (which if any of you know Danny or what it's like to 

start a new business, you know this is a BIG deal) just to hang out 

with me. I dragged him all over Salt Lake doing what?? SHOPPING. It was pure bliss. Danny didn't complain ONCE, even though I took him to antique shops (junk stores, he calls them)and little boutiques all over the place. What a trooper!

He even got me the most FABULOUS mustard yelloweyish pea green 

settee, which he hates and I love. He was refusing, I walked away to

look at some other things, and when I came back, he had already 

payed for it. IT WAS THEN THAT I KNEW HE REALLY LOVED ME. 

We also hit The Gateway to play at the Apple Store and snack on some

Ben's cookies. mmmmm. We went with our neighbors to Corbin's for 

dinner, absolutely amazing. We had molten chocolate cake for dessert,

which as about as good a birthday cake as a girl can ask for.

DID I MENTION WE GOT A BABYSITTER all day?We dropped him off right 

around 11 and didn't pick him up until 6:45, when he joined us for 

dinner.

Hands down. Best Birthday ever.

Here's how it feels to be 25:

Painful- my butt cheeks are still sore from the gym. A sure sign of 

age.

Exciting- who doesn't love a birthday??

Loved- thanks to all my wonderful friends and family who called, 

e-mailed, and texted me. I love you!

Blessed- I am one lucky girl. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful

son, and the coolest family on the planet, a job I love and the 

comfort offaith in my life. I can think of a lot of other ways I'm 

lucky (YELLOW SETTEE ANYONE???) but I think that those are pretty 

much all that matters.

Happy Birthday to me. Here's to another year of fun.

Max's big day

the setup

So I thought I was going to do some big elaborate theme or something. So not the case. We decided to throw a party old school. It was pretty traditional. Pizza, salad and treats, presents, cake, play. That was pretty much the  gist of it. The "theme?" It's Max's birthday? He's a baby? Really, I just picked out things that I liked, because who knows. Next year he might INSIST on a Wiggles birthday party or something [shudder].

 Max's BIG cake (he ate a different mini one with the number 1 on it). It was yellow cake with my great grandma's recipe for chocolate frosting. mmm. I was happy that I didn't totally biff the big "M."

I made this banner by covering chip board letters with fun scrap book paper, modge podging like a good 'ole relief society gal  and attaching them to some twine. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but I think this baby will making appearances at subsequent birthday parties. 

The party hats. Made by cutting half circles out of heavy duty paper (two fit perfect on a 12x12 piece of paper), rolling them into cones, attaching curly paper and elastic on the inside. Lots of scotch tape was involved. of course their were GIRL hats and BOY hats.  

a few of the guests

Poor Hadley. She got slimed by Max but was such a good sport. Sorry Haddy.

 

Uncle Jordan feeding Max some pizza. Notice the sauce all over his face. I am pretty sure that it was intentional on Jordan's part. =) Thanks to all our friends who made his day so special by coming. It was a long drive for some of you!! We appreciated it. 

the festivities

we sang. 

she blew, and we cheered and laughed (minus max).

  He did this. . .

[are you hearing the tune "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to"...]

until we gave him this

he started out just picking at the frosting, but before long...

after cake, Max  and his buddies played with some of his new toys. 

here his is riding his cool new car from his mom and dad, and wearing an AMAZING hat my neighbor Natalie made. 

Then we said goodbye and thanks to our guests.

Do you think he was TIRED??!! HAHA! Needless to say, he slept well that night. 

my boo boo of the day. I can't believe I forgot to hand out our party bags! Hadley is the only one I remembered to give one to! Some hosts we turned out to be!! I will be delivering the ones I can to neighbors etc., but I was so bummed! They were brown paper take out boxes filled with bubbles, toy cars, candy necklaces (for his girlfriends), playdough, and those old school little plastic soldiers and cowboys and indians. So cute! Such a waste. Sorry guys!

That night we let him stay up way past his bed time and the three of us all snuggled on the couch. It was such a fun day. We can't believe our baby boy is one! Happy birthday! Thanks to all our friends for their love and friendship (and party help!). You made this day so special.

A year ago today

Jon Maxwell came bursting into our lives. five pounds, twelve ounces, nineteen inches long, and five weeks and two days before his due date. He was greeted by his mom, dad, nana, aunt kenz, and his team of NICU doctors and nurses. A few minutes later, Grandpa Jon arrived from Seattle. We called him "tiny" until we chose his name a day and a half later. I refused to name my baby until I could hold him. This day changed us forever. I became a mother. Danny became a dad. He became ours. We became a family.

Thank you baby Max for the beautiful blessing you have been to us each day for the last year. I love you more than words can express. Thank you for making me your mama, for the tears and  many laughs that come along with the job. You, my little guy, are my world, my everything. You have redefined my life in the best most beautiful way. I hope I can help you define yours. One year down, eternity to go. Happy Birthday little bug.

[more to come on the first birthday festivities]