Laura is 20

The title from a 70's sitcom just fits Laura...she just has that "something extra" thing about her!

love and caring of siblings

...love of wildlife!

...more love of wildlife!

... caring for the elderly!

...willing to go on adventures to other countries

up for different hair do's

love of friend's through thick and thin...

love of food...

love of glitz...

That's our girl! The girl with SOMETHING EXTRA! she just seems to know how to go out there and be herself, people feel comfortable with her when they're doing the right things (and uncomfortable when they're not!), her honesty is refreshing, you gotta love her laugh!, she is always up for adventure-different countries and communities excite her, she has a sincere compassion and desire to make other's lives better, she's matter of fact and down to earth, she sometimes lacks tact-but when she realizes it she says something charming, she's optimistic but not irrational, she tends to be laid back, but offend her and she spits fire!, she's a freedom lover, but attached to family, just ask her to do something-don't try and order her around!, she is enthusiastic about life and trusts easily, her tastes and dreams are extravagant-but she is practical with her money.

That's Laura! she is loveable, kind and generous..and those qualities will serve her well as she enters a more gown up decade in her life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY my 20 year old baby...

50th Birthday~Linda

Happy Birthday to me from all of my kids!!! S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E! my children came down from Provo, Utah and up from Dana Point, CA to surprise me with a fun dinner out all together! It was the best gift ever! We all went to a Pirate's Dinner Theater in Buena Park and talked pirate talk!

Birthday concert

Some of you old timers will know who the musicians Loggins and Messina are...the rest of you will have to "google" them! This was a special birthday treat for Ken and I. They performed at the Greek Theater in Hollywood, where the weather was warm and nice and the music as good as we remembered it!

Nora's bday 2009

busy times, but we can't resist the chance to do something fun for Nora's 2nd birthday! She's such a big girl now, talking and singing, racing around with her big sister, smiling and silly, stubborn and charming! She melts your heart (when she's in the mood!)

Happy Birthday Nora Elena

You're not the Boss of Me!

She started out as such a good baby, progressed to "hell on wheels", terrorized her brother and sisters, gave gray hairs to mom and dad, was a true "wild child"; and then she hit her teens...where she became this wonderful model of love, affection, independence, balance. The girl who endured tribulation with faith and unwavering strength. The glue of the family, who keeps alive family traditons, stays in contact with her siblings and their lives, touches us all with her sincere concern for us. Is that the role of the baby of the family? to hold us all together as our lives go in different directions? We know our lives (Ken and I) dimmed when she moved out for school and now work. The spark that lit our days is definitely banked, waiting for when she visits or calls. Because when she's with us there is light and warmth and energy. LUCKY for us we celebrate 19 precious years today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA-lolly, la-la, winged pegasus!

mine! all mine!

First I put off getting it as my Mother's Day present, in order to get terrific seats to a Michael Buble concert. But look what I finally got for my birthday! (yeah it was back in Oct.-I was too undecided on what Ipod I wanted) I know my kid's are thinking what a waste of great technology. But hey I've earned some goodies in life...even if it is just to play my 70's rock wherever, whenever!

Why Brian is KING...

(click to enlarge)

Back in 2004 while Amy was pregnant with Heidi, Brian would write home from his mission that she should always refer to him when talking to the baby as "king". I couldn't quite recall what instance in his life would have led him to make such a request until...I was going through my bin of pictures and memorabilia and found what I think is the beginning of his "fits of grandeur"

Circa 1991

So this is where it all started!

He has grown up to be a fine young man with integrity, intelligence and character. And maybe in the coming eternity he WILL receive the "crown" of his righteousness and rule forever with his family in the great councils on high.

Happy Birthday KING BRIAN! Hail to the King!

A legend is sung, of when England was young, and knights were brave and bold. The good king had died, and no one could decide who was rightful heir to the throne. Below the hilt, in letters of gold: "Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil is rightwise KING, born of England." Though many tried for the sword with all their strength, none could move the sword nor stir it...until the time of Brian.

Happy Birthday me!

A marvelous day at Disneyland with my two special granddaughter's, my beautiful daughter Amy, and my marvelous and generous husband...Isn't it nice how Disneyland decorated the park so wonderfully for my special day?!

I even got a pin announcing my birthday, and all the people in shops and on rides greeted me with, "Happy Birthday Princess"! Now that is special!

love from afar...

All my lovely cards, flowers, and sentiments from my family.

Special for me...

an important stop at SPRINKLES for red velvet cupcake dessert!
my goodie bag
cutsey apron
all the lovely presents!

My BFF Connie made a special day for me! We got to travel down to Newport and spend the day just the two of us, eating, talking, talking, eating...well you catch the idea. A relaxing wonderful time spent enjoying each other's company.

Happy Birthday Heidi

Nora enjoying the dinner out after party...
Heidi enjoying the birthday dessert with Papi's help
Heidi and Natalie playing with the "take"
Nora helping keep the party "popping" The birthday spread...cake courtesy of mama Amy.

Heidi is four!!! How can that be? she is such a big girl now! And of course we just had to celebrate... (40 people Ames??? now you sound like your mother!) But it was nice getting together with all the old Claremont friends, and the new Dana Point ones! GOOD TIMES. Heidi's "tinkerbell" b-day went really well I think. Great party games..and good food. Nice combination.