Las Vegas and Goo Goo Dolls. here I come!

I thought this book was interesting and good. It is not an easy read and it took me almost a month, which is very unusual. It is like reading a classic, very detailed, using a lot of the dialetic from the time period. Once you can straighten out which characters are which (primarily the two Thomas') then it begins to move quicker. It did give me a lot of insight into what really happened in the times of Henry VIII. Read this book only if you have time to cconcentrate on it!

Book Review

The Last Wife of Henry VIII: A Novel by Carolly Erickson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars I loved this book. It gave me insight into Catherine Parr, whom very little historical fiction is written about. It discusssed a lot about the man King Henry had become and the damage the disease did to him. About Catherine it began when she was a very small child continuing until Henry died. It had a lot about her life before becoming queen and a lot afterwards. It was a fast and interesting read. I would highly recommend it. View all my reviews >>

What have we been up to?

Grammie and her boy!

It's only been three months since I blogged last so I thought I'd get caught up again (before Dixie said anything). It has been a crazy , busy spring and thank heavens it is summer now. We've had school programs, two for Maggie, one for Nick, LAX games, dance recitals, a trip to Hawaii for a week(sans kids), high school soccer,  Jake's birthday, Father's Day and the family party in our backyard.

Jake-high school soccer 

 

Maggie's first program

2nd program

I forgot Jr. Prom

Hawaii

Easter

Dance recital(bad pic, wanted to show jump)

Better picture

 

Sam LAX

Ben LAX

Father's Day-a dad and his progeny!

Spring Boutique

Spring boutique

If your in Salt Lake City next week make sure to stop by the boutique!

Happy Birthday, Jay!

Yesterday was Jay's birthday. He didn't want to have it but it came anyway. We had a good time with the kids.  First, we went to Bonsai for dinner (always good food and entertainment) then we came home and had his favorite ice cream cake roll from Baskin Robbins. Then Jay opened his presents. He got two new sports coats and a pink tie (I'm not sure if he will really wear it).

Jay and I have been married almost 18 years, we met on a blind date and got married five months later. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He always supports everything I do and is a great example of someone who works hard. His personal ethics and morals are high and he can be trusted in all situations. He is incredibly smart and talented. He always puts his family first and supports us generously. If you don't know Jay very well you wouldn't know that he is very sensitive (especially for a trained killer):) He is the first and usually only one between the two of us with a tear in his eye over a touching moment. 

Jay, I love you a lot and I'm glad we found each other and have all of eternity to continue to be together. Happy birthday and many more to come.

Introducing...William Andrew Athens

Yesterday I had one of the top two experiences of my life. I got to help Katie and Andy with the delivery of their new baby. After about 20 hours of labor including two hours of pushing Wills (that's what I'm calling him) arrived into this world. Weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds and measuring 22.5 inches long, he was here at last. Katie did an amazing job, even though by the end she was exhausted, I was hoarse from counting and Andy had new muscles in his forearms he made it. There is nothing better than holding a new baby especially when it is your own or the child of your child. I hope he is ready because today is the day he meets his uncles and aunt. I hope the hospital is also ready for the onslaught of the McNeil hurricane. Sometimes we aren't ready for the new phases in our lives (like being grandparents) but all you have to do is see those cute baby eyes and alien shaped head and know that it is the right thing.