Disney On Ice

Steve was able to get Disney On Ice tickets at the Rabobank Arena from OXY in their suite.  We decided to take the two younger kids.  I honestly didn't think that Jacob would sit through it but he loved it and so did Lauren.  Us girls loved watching all the Disney princesses skate with their princes.  However, Lauren said her favorite part was getting a snow cone in a Mickey Mouse cup.  Thanks Dad for the great date night.

 

Check out Jacob's video at the bottom.

 

IMG 0184 from Melissa on Vimeo.

Date Night Basketball Game

Steve got tickets to the Bakersfield Jam basketball game through OXY.  They also fed us a nice dinner beforehand.  It is always nice to have a date night, no matter what we do and when it is free.

 

Thank You Mom!

THANK YOU Grandma Cannon for making us all these totally awesome beanies. Stylin!!!!

It's hard to even notice the beanies with these beautiful blue eyes staring at you though!

Love it when Steve SMILES!  At least his eyes are open.....

The Amazing Race - Valentine Edition

So for Valentine's this year I was lucky enough to be included in this evil scheme. But a fantastic scheme it was. Some friends of mine put this together. It was all planned without the men knowing. Our "plan" was to finish our soccer games, go home and get ready to go out to dinner with the Christensen's to a Steak House we haven't tried yet. Well, Steve got a phone call (all the men got the same phone call) asking him to meet with the Stake President at 6:00pm. You can imagine what could be going through his mind. So he shows up in a white shirt and tie along with all the other men and realize they were set up and were given a new shirt to wear. This time it was pink and says "I Love My Wife".  They were given their instructions and were off on their race around town.  But somehow they ended up at Hooters, this was not part of the race, and just had to take this picture to text to all the wives waiting for their arrival and dinner.  Funny Funny!! 


Their adventure included, buying a balloon, making a Valentine's day card and getting a flower. I think they had fun. We had a delicious dinner, although not steak, roast, potatoes, asparagus, salad and homemade rolls and chocolate dipped strawberries and cheesecake. I'll never forget this Valentine's Day. Thank you Steve for enjoying it well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Akira's & Bowling w/ the Neighbors

In honor of Eddie's B'day, the neighbors went out to celebrate. First eating at Akira's and then bowling & yes I am about 7 months pregnant, but was still able to eat AND bowl. The food and the company was great. Steve wants to take the kids here next. We had some yummy plum ice cream.

The Birthday Boy and Dina!

Robert & Lisa

Allison & Bryan

Tim & Allison

Eric & Melissa joined us later for bowling.

The Monarch Gang!

Girls Only!

Bowling got a little tense as it was boys against girls. So the girls lost, but it wasn't without a fight and three strikes in a row from Melissa Syme.

15th Wedding Anniversary!

THEN (our engagement picture)

NOW (night of our 15th anniversary)

We celebrated by going to a Cinco de Seis party at Steve's bosses house. It really was a lot of fun. I think the big celebration of our big 15th anniversary was overshadowed a little by all the excitement we've had from our big special surprise of baby #5.

But no matter, it has been 15 wonderful years with a wonderful man who is a great father and husband.

Happy 15th Anniversary!

Happy 40th Steve!

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...




Steve's 40th birthday came at a crazy time in our lives, but at a good time of our lives. Steve just got a new job and we were getting ready to move to California and trying to enjoy the Christmas Season.

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! I was able to keep it a SURPRISE! We have some wonderful friends that hosted the party for us (Curtis & Cathy, Thank You) , some that brought some food (Thank you Emily & Cathy), some that brought the best balloons (Thank You Jennifer & Brian), some that helped decorate (Thank You Emily for putting the banner together and the picture board) and some that actually showed up on an evening where the roads were extra icy (Thank you everyone for coming!).

Steve was back in town just for the weekend, about a week and a half before his birthday. He started working in California the beginning of November. So on Friday, December 4th, we "planned" an evening out with a few couples as a farewell dinner. The Jones' were going to pick us up and then we were all going to head to the Turner's to pick them up and go out to eat. Well, the Jones' were running "late". So Steve and I just met them AND everyone else at the Turner's. Even after everyone yelled SURPRISE!, I still don't think Steve really knew what was going on.

But it was a great evening spent with friends celebrating Steve's BIG 40.
Happy Birthday Sweetie. I hope it was good one. And I hope you know how much I love you no matter how old you are. Thanks for being so wonderful.

Chris & Heather Duke (Long time friends from Texas A&M)

Elaine Metcalf & Larry (friends from work)

Chris, Steve & Chris (Elder's Quorum Presidency at one time)Scott & Lori Adelman (Westlake & the BEST basketball coach)

Rob & Suzanne Orton (Wesltake & BYU Married Ward, )
Jennifer & Brian Tuckett (The Best neighbors EVER!!!)

Sarah & Darrell deGraaf (Katy 2nd & Best YW leader)
Randy & Gwen Anderson (Westlake & our Former Bishop)Mike & Amber Brunson (Cousins, Neighbors & Katy 2nd)

Jackie & Chris Hatfield (Katy 2nd & such a fun couple)Richard & Susan Combs (Katy 2nd & what would we do without them)

Chris & Kathy Holt (Katy 2nd & Chainsaw Master)

While Steve was socializing so was I. Here are some pictures of me and some of my good friends that I was sad to leave.

Emily, Cathy & Me

Me, Lori & Suzanne

Me & Jennifer
Amber & Me