Elora's Birthday

Elora turned 18 on Tuesday. She is an adult. She will graduate from high school in one month and will start college in the fall.

Okay - each of the statements above was NOT FUN to write!

I first met her when she was just 8 years old (wasn't that just last week)? I was dating her dad and he invited me over to his house for dinner. I arrived at his house and a very cute little brown-haired girl shyly opened the door. I asked her if she was Larissa. She said in the cutest little voice that I'll never forget, "No, I'm Elora."

She was wearing a dress and invited me into the living room to sit down. She said the chef (Todd) was still making dinner but would I like to look at a menu. She and Darren had made a homemade menu and I was able to select my dinner of choice.

She and Darren had soft music playing in the background and treated me like a queen. Elora served my meal and tried to be very formal and lady-like. Adorable!!

But that's not all - this is where it gets good!!

After dinner I heard her whisper to Todd and ask if she could go ride her bike. He told her she could but she had to change into her play clothes. She bolted to her room.

I was NOT prepared for what I saw next!

Apparently she forgot that she left her play clothes in the bathroom - which was down the hall from her bedroom. Rather than take the time to put on a robe or cover up in some way - she decided to make a mad dash to the bathroom. But since she didn't have one stitch of clothing on - I guess it could be said that she streaked to the bathroom!

I was sitting on the couch, trying to be ever so lady-like and make a good impression when I saw the flesh-colored blur, aka Elora, out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't stop the cackling laughter that escaped from my throat. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen.

I was hooked. Elora was adorable. It was her eyes...her shyness that got to me.

She is a true joy. She is sweet and smart and loyal and pretty and talented and funny and her smile is as big as Texas. There is nothing better than trying to get her to laugh so hard that she squeaks.

Happy 18th birthday. Please don't forget us little people as you pursue your dreams!

You are loved.


Eating her birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant.



From left to right:
Larissa, Elora, Egads-who is that?!, Todd, and Connor

Dan Fogelberg

Wow.

I went to Dan Fogelberg's website to see if he had a concert tour this summer. I found out that he passed away last December from prostate cancer. HUH? How did I not know this?

Todd and I saw him at a Deer Valley concert when we were first married. It was incredible to say the least. In my opinion there is no greater singer/songwriter.

I am heartbroken.

Here is one of his more famous songs:




And here is my favorite Fogelberg song.

Match the teeth with the teen

Let's play the "money drain of 2007-2008" game!





A













B











C







Seriously. I don't know why my kids put up with some of the stuff I post on this blog. I know I would have died of embarrassment at their age.

I think there are three reasons why they let me:


1) They don't read my blog
2) None of their friends read my blog
3) I buy them things

Kids - if you read this - forgive me for what I'm about to do.

*This is our next guessing game. Match the mouth with the kid and cast your vote by leaving a comment or answering the poll to the right. Which mouth is Connor's? Which is Larissa's? And which is Elora's?

On your mark. Get set. GO!

Guessing game results

Remember this?





























Well, it's actually a pumpkin from last October on someone's porch.

I was so happy to see it because then I didn't feel so bad about having a Christmas tree on my porch in March.

Your guesses were all pretty sad, by the way. Please try harder the next time we play this game.
;)

Great pics of Darren

Darren sent us some great pictures.



I would know that forehead anywhere.

A great view of his right ear.

He leaves for Russia in 3 1/2 weeks.

Darren's District

Darren is the missionary with the cheesy smile, black suit and name tag.

Darren says they have to sit this way in Russia.

Can you guess what this is?

Leave a comment and take a guess.

Mystery solved

Well, the mystery of the coyote is solved.

If you've followed my minor obsession with this animal you should know that I have practically gotten into several car accidents because my head is usually craned and scanning the hillsides for him as I drive down the mountain. Since I first saw this animal, I have kept my camera handy at all times and it is true that I dragged Todd out in the middle of the night to search for my mysterious friend.

You will be happy to know that this means I won't be blogging about him anymore.

You can stop cheering now.

As it turns out, our furry friend is definitely a coyote and not a fox. How do I know? Todd and the kids saw him this morning at the side of the road. Apparently he had been hit and killed by a car.

Todd, being ever so sweet with my feelings, had a difficult time telling me about his findings. Here is the email I received from him this morning.

"Hello Babe,

I don't know how to tell you this. It is NOT good news.

While I was driving the kids to school this morning we saw the coyote. I'm certain he is a coyote. Unfortunately he was hit by a car and is at the side of the road. It's a real shame. The kids and I felt bad for you.

I Love You

T"

To my sweet husband - thanks for being so sweet with my feelings and not mocking my MANY idiosyncrasies. I supply you with an arsenal of reasons to mock me incessantly. And yet you don't... usually.