Happy Anniversary to us!

This is a bit late, but I’m just realizing that I never blogged about our wonderful anniversary celebration. It was just 12 years ago that Jer and I were sealed together as an eternal family. And here we are now with six precious kids. Eight if you count Lexi & Sophi. Ten if you count Jacob and Emily. And, we of course do count them all! I never would have imagined this crazy life that is mine, and yet it is so good. (:

Several weeks ago we received a sweet invitation in the mail. It invited us to an anniversary party at 6:00 on August 11. It told us that we needed to be out of the house 90 minutes beforehand for “prep-time.” (: I was also given a grocery shopping list that included balloons, root beer, and fruit. So cute.

We couldn’t wait!!

During “prep-time,” Jeremy and I took off to the Parade of Homes. We had a great time! We visited four homes and had so much fun talking about what we would do if we were able to build our dream home. One home even had a kitchen with a bar big enough for all our kids-- it was huge!! I wouldn't need that, but it would be nice to have a kitchen where we could all fit around the table! So fun to dream...

When we pulled back into the driveway, we were greeted with this:




Can it get any more precious? I mean, really-- we had just seen all these beautiful homes-- but nothing beats what we have right here! Xander was wearing one of Parker’s old suits since they couldn’t find his. Graci made her debut in her Make-a-Wish dress. They all looked great!

Jesi thought of little details like this:



We were first sent on a treasure hunt. Twelve clues led us around the yard and to a gift for each of us, including these flowers for me:



I asked them where they had gotten the flowers, and apparently they had called grandma several weeks before and asked her to send them. (: I had wondered what that box was addressed to the kids and saying “private.” LOL

The last clue led us to the front porch where the boys were standing. They “opened” their scooters to allow us inside.




Arrows led us to our room, where we were told to change. Jesi and Graci had picked out my clothes and jewelry. (:


We were then led downstairs to the guest room. The kids had hauled our backyard table and chairs into the room so we would have a place to eat.





We were given a menu, and Parker took our order.





We both chose spaghetti, smoothies, and ice-cream with chocolate sauce. Yummy!!

While the dinner was getting ready, Taylor and Parker serenaded us with “Fireflies.” I actually cried. It was just so sweet—the whole thing they were doing. I was overcome with gratitude for such good children.



Dinner was great—and we had the cutest little waitress...




After dinner we were told that we had 30 minutes of “alone time.” I think this is where they ate their own dinner. We were then brought out of the room and into the family room for more entertainment. The girls sang, “Love Story,” and the boys sang “Fireflies” again. Then they put on music so that we could dance. While we were dancing, Jeremy beckoned Taylor over and taught him how to “cut in.” After that, someone was cutting in every 10 seconds and we were all having a ball dancing. It was such a fun memory!!

Several songs later, we were sent back to our room. The kids told us that they would get themselves and Elli to bed and that we were supposed to sleep in the following morning.

Awesome.

You know, we have always thought it would be fun to go somewhere exotic for anniversary. But I can say with all honesty of heart that I wouldn’t have traded this evening for one in Hawaii.

It was perfect. (:

Thank-you, my sweet kids!

--Christianne