Happy 18th Birthday Jordan

I love this kid. I know that I already posted this morning the Christmas pictures, but today is such a great day. Well kindof sad in a way, but so wonderful to remind me that 18 years ago today my life changed. Who knew that the little guy who was born, not breathing would end up changing our world. Just look at him. If I was at all talented I would know how to scan the young pictures of him in and you could see how much our lives are better for having him in it. Okay okay, he is my baby, and everyone is right I spoil him rotten. He is also the greatest end to the adventure of being a mom I could have ever prayed for. I love all my children. I really have been blessed, but this one is the best baby boy in every way you could think of. So today I just want the world (aka the 2-3 people who read this blog) to know how much I love Jordan. And I want to wish him the happiest birthday ever. I want to thank him for all of the laughs, that have added years to my life for sure. For his goodness, and for his humor. For his sneaky sneaky tricks that he pulls. For the way he holds his niece and for that matter any child. For the kind friend that he is and for the service he renders especially when no one is looking. For the way he loves his Grandparents. For the way he treats all those he meets. For his example of holding the Priesthood, especially in a ward where there are so few. For the way he fixes my hurts, when I should be fixing his. For his smile, his laugh, for his love of his brothers and sister, for the way he admires his dad and tries in every way to be like him. For his testimony, and his willingness to do what he is asked to do. For his crazy friends, whom we love in our home, for their families who have him in their homes constantly. For his obediance and even for the ever so few times he is disobediant!!!! I especially want to thank him for being like the Savior, and for loving the Savior, and for wanting to serve the Savior. He is an example to me every day. I know my Heavenly Father loves me dearly, because He gave me Jordan. And for that I will always and always, and always, be grateful. So today I remember back to that day in the hospital, when for the first few moments of his life I was praying so hard that he would take his first breath, to this very moment on his big 18th birthday, how fast life really does go by and how we don't realize the blessings we have in each other. You are my blessing Jordan. My sweet grown up little baby boy. Thanks for all of the years of joy, and laughter, and for even the days you dared to give us any grief. Thanks for all of those days, and I know that as this year goes by, we will make even more great memories with you. You are soooooooo great. I love your gutts and all of the rest of you too. Be happy son, enjoy you life, you have made ours so much better for knowing you.

Okay, so I guess Cody's picture will be first. Isn't that a wonderful picture. Herb had Cody's name this year and so he made him the top section of a wall unit for his TV. We never did get a picture of it (sorry). But Herb did a really nice job. Cody had to go last so I guess it is only right that he is first here. Stephanie has been saving her tips for two long years to get Cody a new TV. He has wanted one forever I think, but they could not get one yet, so for 2 years she has saved and saved. So this year I took her and we got him one. It was a pain to put in the car and a pain to get out so it stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Welker's house where all huge presents stay. So at our house while we were all opening our home made gifts, poor Cody could not open his because that would give it away, so Stephanie got him this funny huge remote control and then we found (in all my stuff) these really funny magnifying glasses and sang him a song to jingle bells with words that told him that even though she had saved she still did not have enough to get him his TV so here was a giant remote control and with magnifying glasses his TV now would look bigger!!!! It was really funny. Then at the end of the evening he got to go see what his dad had made for him and then he ran as fast as the truck would take him to Grandma and Grandpa Welker's to find the real suprise. It was great fun to watch him. He really is such a boy at heart. So now he has his big TV and his big Remote and his magnifying glasses. What more could you ask for. Good job on that trick Stephanie!!!

Is he not the cutest thing ever. He tied that funny bow around his neck and we all laughed and laughed. He is such a wonderful dad. Our kids are so lucky
Jordan got this robe and he was hillarious. He just kept modeling it and keeping us all in stitches. I had Jordan's name and begining with last years Christmas we decided we would make each other home made gifts, so this is mine to him. I think deep down inside, he liked it even better then his snowboard!!!!

Here is our wonderful Jacque. We are so happy they got to come home and spend some time with the family. We miss them so much, so it was great to be with them again. This is the cool box that Christopher made for her. He did such a great job. Covered the bottom in Copper and them burnt the lid and it really looks cool. She loves it.

This is our latest addition to the family Curtis. We sure are glad he is a part of us know. Jordan had his name and he made him a stained glass window of a fish. Curtis loves to fish and then Jacque and Jordan went in together on the fly tying kit to go with it. He was a happy boy. Enjoy fishing my friend!

This is our sweet Stephanie. Rachel made her this wonderful book of questions and answers from Cody's version of how they fell in love and why he married her and all the things he loves about her. It is a really great book, we should all take the time and write those things down. I am sure she will enjoy reading this for years to come.

Jacque had Rachel's name and she made her two amazing watch bands out of really cool beads and stones. Rachel loves really unique things and so this was perfect. She can change out the bands and enjoy two different looks. I think she liked it a ton.

Cody made Christopher this wonderful pirate game. He worked on that thing forever I do believe. And then he put it in this really cool box that looks like a big Treasure Island Book. How perfect is that. Christopher was really excited. He loves stradegy games like that.

Herb did not get to go scube diving this year so Stephanie tied him a fish blanket so he could feel a little bit closer to the ocean!!! She also suprised him with a picture of her and Cody holding on to her tummy and told him he was going to be a grandpa again, next July. We found out a week early so we feel bad that her suprise got a little bit ruined, sorry Stephanie, but even still the picture is precious to have and we are so excited for that new little one to come. Yeah another little Sunderhaus baby. He loves his blanket by the way!

Curtis had me! He did this amazing cabinet door hanging of a couple of our wedding pictures. Hard to believe that is really me. I don't look a thing like that anymore, and somehow Herb still loves me. Thanks Curt for reminding me of that great memory. I cried it really did take me back. You can't see it in this picture, but there is the coolest door knob on the bottom left corner. I love door knobs, so this was perfect. Good job Curtis!!!

Here's the whole gang. We had such a great Sunday dinner and celebrating Christmas anyday is wonderful if you are surrounded by the ones you love. And wonderful is a great word for how that day went. I adore my family. I hope that they know that. And thanks for being good sports about the home made gifts. I think it has ended up being one of the best ideas yet. They impress me every single year with their abilities to create something so great and personal for each other. Good job family. (By the way I deleted Cody's picture so it is at the end of the blog, or the begining, or wherever it lands because I still can't figure out this crazy blog thing!)

I love this face. Anna makes the best faces for me. She will not smile when I am taking the pictures, but will always make such funny faces. Doesn't she look so cute in her first Christmas dress. We love this baby! I bet you could not tell that!

Rachel played the piano, while Stephanie and I played our flute and violins. We had more fun. It was great to just turn page after page and enjoy the music. We didn't do too bad either, especially for not playing for a while (either one of us) and Rachel sang and sang. That is a really great memory if you ask me.

It was so good to have my Jacque home. She is such a wonderful daughter, I am so blessed. I also am so happy for her to be so happy in her life. Even though we miss her every single day we are so glad she is where she dreamed of being doing everything she had in her plan. Good job Jacque! They are going to freeze when they get home though, so for that I am glad that I still live here and only go there to visit!!! Thanks for being such an amazing daughter, sweet girl.

This baby loved opening the presents. Of course she is a really baby and was more interested in the paper and the boxes then what was inside. Accept for the fish bowl and baby fish toy that sings and makes noise every time you touch it. Grandpa gave her that one and she loves it. But the paper and the boxes were a hit. I personally would have checked every outfit out, but then again her size is really cute!!! She was the best baby and it was so fun to watch her on her first Christmas. We love you Anna

Look Who Came Home!!!

Yesterday was good! And that is putting it mildly. Our happy Jacque and Curt came home for the holidays. We are so happy to have them here. It was the longest day ever though because they got snowed in at the Salt Lake airport and sat on the plane for 3 hours or so before it finally took off. They were suppose to be here a little after 11ish and finally called after 3 for us to pick them up. So I thought I'd welcome them home with a memory of the beach instead of the snow. We are looking forward to a crazy week getting ready for our family Christmas which will be this Sunday the 21st. All the married kids will be going to their spouses homes and families this year for Christmas day. I love sharing my children and know that they are looking forward to being with everyone they can possibly be with during this wonderful season.

We are also looking forward to Jordan's big regional finals on Saturday. I love this and hate it all at the same time. This will be his last regional finals. It has been such a great ride for so many years, I just cant' believe that it is almost over. It is so much fun to watch him play he really is good and I can say that, I'm the mom!!! So that will be a fun day as a family.

Life is good at our house, crazy as usual, but good. Here's to a week of sewing, baking, wrapping, decorating the tree (I hope) it's up, but it only has lights and that's because it came with them!!! Hanging the stockings, stopping for hugs along the way, and enjoying every single minute of every single day. I hope your Sabbath day is great, I know mine will be for sure...but it always is when your in Primary!!! I love those kids. My wish is that I will stop QUITE A FEW TIMES along the way this week to reflect on the Savior who is such an amazing brother. I hope in some small way I can be a pinch more like Him this year. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Check out this picture my dad sent me last week. I remember that horse and loving it. I was such a darling child!!!! Often times people will ask "where did Jordan get his curly hair from?" Well there you go. The apple does not fall far from the tree.

What a crazy, wonderful, happy, week we are having getting ready for this wonderful holdiay. Life is a bit tighter in the pocket this year I think for everyone so I had the marvelous idea that I could make all of my gifts. It's not that I don't have the talent, I am totally talented in that way!!!!!!!!, Just kidding, but oh man I have forgotten how OCD I can get and how long things take to make. My goal was to have all of the things pretty much finished by Thursday of this week so that I could clean all day Friday and be ready for the wonderful event on Saturday at 11:35 to be exact when my wonderful daughter and her husband land in Phoenix. They get to spend 3 weeks in Mesa with both of their families who love sharing them with each other. So that was the plan. My sweet mom came on Monday and we began sewing at about 9:00 a.m., we did stop for about 1/2 hour to engulf lunch and then back to the machines it was. We finally gave up the ghost at about 3ish and felt very proud of our accomplishments, but were still not anywhere near being done with the first of about 3 more projects. I can't really say what the projects are or some people will not have a suprise. I was going to take pictures, but that would give it away as well. Needless to say at the end of the day, I could no longer move. My back was out of wack, my eyes were blurred, and my poor sewing maching was pooped out. So we hung out on the couch for a couple of hours and vegged and then I slowly made my way down the hall like a 100 year old woman and crashed only to begin the process again the next morning. Tuesday came and I accomplished more, but still did not finish. I needed more parts. So I went and got my mother and we went to the stores. The last one was Hobby Lobby, need I say more. I think we looked at, picked up, put in the cart, took out of the cart, went to the cash register, left the cash register because there was one more thing we forgot to look at about 3,000,000 times (at least). Anyway we finally got out of there with all the finishing products in bags. Today I am going to finish, if it kills me and it might. At least I will finish the first of 3 - 4 projects. But that is saying something. Sometimes (most of the times) I tend to bite off more then I can chew. So for those of you receiving these wonderful homemade gifts, know that they were made with much love and many, many doses of advil for the back!!! I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday. Make it the very best that you can. I use to stress so much about what I gave, and now it's just a little homemade thing with a ton of love behind it. Learn now just to give the love, nobody cares really what they get (well maybe some do), but I don't anymore, I just want my family around laughing and helping each other and just being good people. That's what I want this year. I know we can do that, so it's going to be the best Christmas ever. I love all of you, have an amazing rest of the week, and don't forget to Laugh, a whole lot.

In fact laugh all day long if you can, it really does feel good.