Happy 16 years!

Thought I'd start off with a few blasts from the past!

Homecoming Dance 1989


Junior Prom 1990


Wedding Day August 15, 1992
You may kiss the Bride
Me and my girls
Bruce and the J's


One of our Engagement photos
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Richardson
Bruce - pre-wedding (he actually forgot the ring :)


Bridal photos (check out those 80's bangs)


August 15th was our 16 year wedding Anniversary. I can't believe it has been so long, and we still like each other so much. We were so young and silly when we got married, and had no idea what we were doing. We were completely without goals and ambition, we had no money, we didn't even know where we were going to live when we got back from our honeymoon, and we couldn't see the future past our 11 day Honeymoon to Disneyland. But we were crazy in love then, and we are crazy in love now.

We have had a great married life so far, with very little contention, and a whole lot of love and laughter. Our only real hardship was dealing with infertility, but we dealt with it quickly, moved on to adoption, and are so glad that it was our path. How blessed we have been to add each of our little monsters to our family.

For our Anniversary we dumped the kids off at my brother's house for an overnighter, (thanks Shawn & Kelly, you guys rock!) and then headed off for dinner at OG. Then Bruce took me to the Anniversary Inn which is a hotel full of cheesy theme rooms. We have stayed there several times, and always have a great time. We stayed in the Treasure Island room, which looked like a Pirate ship and had three levels, with a giant jetted tub in the middle of the room. And yes, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but there was pirate talk involved, couldn't help ourselves. ;) ARRRR maties!

Treasure Island room at The Anniversary Inn


Today we went to see The Dark night, followed by dinner at a Steak house, followed by tickets to the play "Pirated" which was a total coincidence. We have season tickets, and it just happened to be the Pirate play this month. we are not Pirate wanna be's I promise! And just so you are aware, there was no dressing like Pirates going on at any time during the weekend.

After the play it was back to the wonderful (?) reality of having 4 very sleepy children who had to be picked up and taken home to bed. But it was a nice break from the norm, and I enjoyed every minute with Bruce. Happy day babe!





Bruce is always asking me if I think anyone is as happy as we are. I certainly hope so, because it is a great place to be. I love you baby, and everything about you, even those wierd things that I won't bring up here :). Thank you for taking such good care of me and the kids, and for being a true GIANT among men. Every woman should be as happy as you have made me. It's been a GROOVY kind of love! III

Bruce & Kristin 20 years later, a lot fatter, a lot more in love.........ahhhhhhhh

Winding down the Summer

The kids start school in just over a week, so we have been cramming as much fun into the last days of summer as we can. Here's what we've been up to.

On August 6th, we went to Liberty Park and played in the canyons with our playgroup friends

Alex & Daesha


Bear


Bear & Hannah (aren't they so cute)


Hannah & friends building a dam.


Joshua

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On the 7th, we headed up to the Dinosaur park in Ogden, to meet up with Pappy & Granny, Aunt Jeni, & the cousins.



Digging for Dinosaur bones


Eric, Joshua, & David


That evening I went to dinner with two of my good friends, Cindy & Liz. We went to Texas Roadhouse, which I have never been to, and I actually ordered and ate ribs for the first time in my life. Thanks for the night out girls, it was fun!
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On the 8th, Bruce left town for a few days with his friend J, so the kids and I decided to take a ride on the Frontrunner up to Ogden to visit the Train museum and have lunch. Grandma Babycakes, Uncle Brent, Aunt Kelly, & Harlie, made the trip with us, and boy was I glad for the help. We had a great time and the kids loved the train ride.

Brent & Alex


Alex telling Brent all about trains






Right after I got all the kids posed for this picture I turned quickly, tripped on a railroad tie, and totally biffed it on my face. Ouch! It hurt like a mother!


Joshua with Grandma Babycakes





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On the 9th, I got a sitter (thanks Harlie) and headed off to the Pumpkin patch tours with my brother Brent. I know, I know, could I be any more of a nerd????? It was very educational though, and Brent & I had a great time. Good brotherly-sisterly togetherness, bonding time!

The first two pictures are from some of the big growers patches.




And this one is my baby, weighing in at just over 200 lbs. (so far)


Later that day, we met up with Lauri and girls for dinner at McDonald's, which is always fun for the kids.
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On the 10th, I had to give a talk in sacrament meeting on Eternal Families and the Blessings of the Temple. Bruce got home just in time to help drag all the kids to church, and to sit with the little monsters, while I gave a talk. It was very amusing to watch as he struggled to keep them all civilized during church. I especially enjoyed watching as carried Joshua and Halie out like footballs, screaming under each arm. It was awesome!
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On the 11th, we met up for lunch with Holly, who is the foster mom for Joshua's half sister. She has a son who is Alex's age, so they had a great time playing while we chatted.

Joshua & Krissie

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On the 12th, we headed down to Thanksgiving Point to romp in the children's garden. It was $2 Tuesday and very crowded. But the kids had a great time inspite of the craziness, and afterward's we dropped by my friend Krissie's house to see baby Kai, who may, very well be, the cutest baby in the world! He had, even me, thinking I could do another one, but only for a second. The feeling passed as soon as the whining in the car started on the way home. Happiness is having four children, and knowing there are no more coming! haha!



Hannah & Olivia


Look at the Belly on that boy!


Me and the Bear


Hannah's stinky face

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On the 13th, I registered Alex for the second grade, and then he and I spent our afternoon in the fracture clinic at Primary children's hospital. That place is crazy! Poor broken children everywhere. It was so funny to hear all of them bragging about their "war" stories, and how bad their particular break was.

Meanwhile all the parents discussed how big the bills were going to be. And the whole time there was a moldy, smelly feet kind of stench in the air. Nothing like being in a blazing hot room, with a hundred strinky kids, who are on Doctor ordered, restricted bathing regimens, in the summer heat. An experience we get to have again in 3 weeks, lucky us!

But there was a ray of light, as Alex didn't need surgery, just a bright red cast (which he was very excited about, the dark side and all) all the way up to his armpit, which will hopefully be changed out for a shorter version in 3 weeks.

Alex with his "mechanical Jedi arm"


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On the 14th we were all exhausted and did nothing but laundry and clean all day! Too much summer fun, and not enough time spent at home, adds up to a big mess for me.

But we have had a great summer so far, and made some good memories. I may not be the Molly mormon perfect housewife and mother, but when it comes to entertaining and having fun with my kids, I give it my all. Thanks for all the fun guys, I love you, and you, and you, and you, the most!!!!!!!

Scout Camp

SCOUT CAMP PART 1

This morning Alex & I headed up to his first Scout camp, with his friend Rhett, and my friend Liz. We were so excited to be going on our first ever Scouting experience to Superhero camp. Alex was in Scout nerd heaven. He loved all the nerdy songs and silly skits, he loved the dirt, he loved the train cars, he loved riding the Batmobile cars, he loved getting his beads at every activity, and he loved the obstacle course, right up until the part where he decided that he was a Superhero, and jumped and broke his arm.

Alex & Rhett










This is the jump that broke his arm



Scout Camp part 2

This is where the fun really begins! The Scouts can hardly compete with the excitement of Firemen, Paramedics, Pain, Ambulances, Xrays, Pain, ER's, Doctors, Nurses, and did I mention PAIN? I actually saw it happen, as I was taking a picture of his dismount from the rope wall, which resulted in him breaking both bones in his Right forearm. He and I both knew it was broken as soon as it happened. His arm folded over in a very unnatural, making me want to pass out cold, kind of a way.

Alex in the Ambulance



Getting some LOVE from daddy



Alex was AMAZING!!!! He never cried once the whole day. Instead of crying he decided to yell at everyone, and let them know very clearly, what he did, and did not want to do, about his broken arm. It was actually quite hysterical, and instead of crying and being upset that my boy had hurt himself, I was laughing at the crazy things he was telling people.

"Just take me home and I will fix it"
"I just hate this camp"
"This arm, the broken one, not the other one, hurts like a mother!"
"I don't want to talk to you, or you, or you." (to the Scout people)
"Could you just hurry and fix it, so I don't miss the bebe guns" (to the firemen)
"This is not fun, I am not having fun!"
"I really don't want to talk about it!!!!!!"
"I don't want your stupid monkey, my arm is broken" (Scouts again)
"mom, am I going to miss lunch?"

In the ambulance he said,
"This is the broken arm, just so you know" (to the guy putting in the IV, who had already been with us for an hour)
"Ooooh, why'd you do that, I have an injury don't you know" (as the IV was going in)
"This driver is not a very good driver. She is making the arm kill worser."

At the hospital he said,
"Dad, don't freak out" (as they were x raying his arm)
"Dad, it's just, it's been a hard day, going to camp, and getting a broken arm."
"Mom, thank you for bringing me to a hospital. I don't think we could of fixed this at home."
"Mom you're the best mom, thank you for getting me a new arm".

Alex - out cold for the Bone realignment



He was so brave and I was so proud of him. He was so kind and thankful to everyone that was helping him (well everyone except the Scouts. But hey they were annoying, and he was in a great deal of pain). The hospital staff was very impressed with the way he dealt with everything. they couldn't believe he was only eight and that he was not crying. Especially once we all saw the xray and saw how bad the break was. They had to put him out so they could move the bones back into position and we are hoping that it will work so he can avoid surgery. He is in a temporary cast until next Wednesday, when they will re-xray everything and hopefully just have to put on a permanent cast.

Needless to say we will always remember our first Scout camp together. Just not for any of the right reasons. Oh and by the way, if your son is going to Scout camp, be sure to teach him First Aid, as all the Scout people were entirely useless, and completely helpless. They just stood around and stared. Thank the heavens for firemen!

Watch the video and see if you would be crying. I know I would of been. :)

Happy Birthday Alex!

Today Alex turned 8 years old. I can't believe I have been a mom for so long, and that I have had this sweet boy in my life that long. We began celebrating his birthday yesterday morning with a fun party at Classic. My friend Lauri and I took a bunch of his friends there for some bouncing, climbing, & scooting fun. We had pizza and ice cream, and opened lots of fun presents. Alex had a great time, and it was a fun party.




Some of the fun gifts he got were a fishing pole and tackle box, a new lightsaber (we already have 6, but apparently you can't have too many), $$$money, money, money$$$$, a ticket to go see the play "BIG" with his friend DJ, a Storm trooper costume, Yoda shirt, wooden models, Star Wars guys, & lots of candy.



Last night we also took him for his birthday dinner at the Olive Garden, where, surprisingly the kids were all marvelous and we looked like a very civilized family. There was no having to wade through food on the floor as we left or anything. It was pretty shocking, still don't know what to make of their wonderful manners.





Today Alex opened his present from Bruce and I which was a Darth Maul double lightsaber (see, can't have too many) and some Star Wars legos. He was thrilled with his double saber, and declared that I was the "BEST" mom in the whole world, which for some reason he later changed to only BEST mom in the United States. Either way, he was a happy boy. After church Alex and I made his last minute birthday cake together, which looked terrible, but tasted great! All in all a great birthday, and only a few weeks until the "real" party when we get to celebrate his baptism.





Alex,

Your dad and I are so proud of the young man you are becoming. You have always been a great kid, so fun, and so easy going, and we love that about you. You are so easy to parent, always choosing the right, and being a good example to your family and friends. When I read about what the Prophets were like when they were young children I always think of you, and what seems to be your natural instinct to help others and be good. We Have come to expect great things from you, and I know as you make good choices through life that great things will happen for you. I am so excited to see what your future holds, and to watch you learn and grow.

I'll never forget the first time I saw you. When you were placed in my arms and I became your mother. It was the most amazing experience, as the Spirit bore witness to me, that I was supposed to be your mother, and that many little miracles had happened to bring that to pass. Every moment with you has been a joy, and I love you so much! We are truly kindred spirits you and I, and I love that we totally "get" each other. I never knew that one of my very best friends ever, would be a sweet little 8 year old boy, but I am so grateful that it is so.

Thanks for making me a mommy, and for making it such a pleasure. You're one in a million kid, and I love you so! Happy Birthday, and here's to a great year!

Love,

The BEST MOM in the United States, and quite possibly the whole world. :)