Darin's 35th Birthday

I feel like Darin often gets the short end of the stick for his birthday.

With Matt and Lindsay sharing a birthday week, I am often burned out by the time it gets to Darin.

But, this year, I think was a real winner!

I told Darin I had a surprise for his birthday.

Friday night, I told him I got tickets to the opera to see Man of Le Mancha at Capitol Theater!
(I actually really do love that opera, and I think Darin liked it too, but it wasn't the REAL surprise).

Saturday morning, Darin's brothers surprised Darin at our house, bagged it head, duct taped his hands, and threw him in the trunk of the car.  Then, they took him to Top Golf for a couple of games!

He was SOOOO surprised!!!  And it was extra fun because I got 5 of the brothers together and his dad,  (all but Tom, but he has a good excuse since he lives in Taiwan).

I didn't get a ton of pictures....which truthfully is an extra present to Darin!

Happy 35th Darin!  I love you!!

Darin's 34th

Poor Darin often gets overlooked on his birthdays.  With two kids’ birthdays in the same week, and Matt’s just the day before, I am a little burned out by his birthday.  But, he likes low-key birthdays anyway.

Would you like to know how I REALLY feel about Darin?

He is the best man I know.

He is the best dad I know.  You should see him play ball with Matt, wrestle with Andrew, or do ballet with Lindsay.  The kids LOVE  him, and will chose him over me every time, no question.

Darin NEVER says ANYTHING bad about ANYONE!  Really!  He doesn’t!
That includes people I think have been unfair or unkind.  Nothing. 
He doesn’t even say bad things about people that would never even find out if he did say something (celebrities or political figures).  He always assumes people are doing their best and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Darin is a HARD worker!  He has been busy at work and will go in early, go straight to church meetings, and still has energy to help me with the kids.  Just last week he let me go to a girls night, and when I got home the house was clean, the kids were fed and in bed, and he took all three kids to the flower shop to buy me flowers!  (Side note: Darin said while they were at the flower shop, Lindsay kept telling the workers that they were engaged and in love HA!)

He is GOOD!  He works hard on his calling.  He loves everyone!  He is kind to me and listens to me. He is a wonderful husband and loves me.  I could go on and on—and I will....in my journal.  For now, here are a few pictures from his big day!

I did get up early and make him a pretty mean waffle--

Darin LOVES ice-cream.  I let each of the kids buy him a different flavor.

Happy 34th Birthday Darin!!

33

Darin turned 33 this week.

It has been a crazy, trying week--not the greatest for a birthday.

Somehow, through it all, Darin continues to be amazing.

A few days before his birthday, we went to City Creek, to get Darin a new pair of shoes.

They look really handsome on him.

His actual birthday was Monday, and it had potential to be a major bummer day.

But, thanks to an optimistic husband, and GREAT friends, it turned out to be a good day.

Happy Birthday Darin!

I LOVE YOU!!

Date Night to Station Park

I love my kids.

But, I sure do LOVE the break from them.

Darin has been really busy.

He works long days, then has meetings most nights.

We finally got a date in.

It was much needed!!

We went to Station Park in Farmington.

It was beautiful and a perfect fall night!

We went to Settebello Pizzeria. 

It was really yummy, but I told Darin I can't ever go back there, because it will never be as much fun as it was that night.  We had THE BEST seat in the house!!  See this picture below?  Well, where that couple is, is where our seats were!!  It was so pretty to be by the fire and see the fountains! We really lucked out getting that seat!  So fun!

Our view from our table.

My oober handsome date!!

After the dinner, we walked around Station Park, and stopped by Sugar Daisy where we shared a cupcake and hot chocolate.  It was really tasty too. However, as yummy as all the food was, the best part was just getting a little break with my sweetie!

Thanks Darin!!

Sick.

The kids and I have been sick this week.  

It has made for a long week.

Darin took a day off of work to take care of the kids and me.

When I woke up from my nap, I came downstairs to find this:

LOVE that man!

Darin, you REALLY are the BEST!!

Happy 32nd Darin

We had a little belated birthday celebration for Darin.
When I asked him what he wanted for dinner he said something Greek or lamb with mint sauce.
So, I did Greek lamb with yogurt mint sauce, Greek olive bread, aspargas, Greek potatoes, and ice-cream cake!  I thought the lamb was especially good.  (I used THIS recipe).

After dinner, we opened some presents!

Then had some cake!

Happy Birthday Darin!  We love you so much!!

St. George

Friday night we headed down to St. George for the weekend.

Darin’s dad was called to be the Stake Patriarch, so we all headed down to be with him.

We got in late Friday night and went right to bed.

(Thanks SOO SOOO much Rich and Rose for letting us stay at your place!)

Saturday morning we headed over pretty early to mom and dad G’s house for birthday pancakes for Matthew!  Then we spent the morning playing with blocks and other toys.

By the afternoon, several other family members had made it over and we had a little BBQ for lunch followed by a little cake and ice-cream.

I think Lindsay got bored waiting for the cake.

Matt’s favorite part was “present time!”

After presents Matt got a fever, cough, runny nose, and was pretty miserable, poor guy.  We left all the kids (minus Matthew) at home with Aunt Vicki (THANKS SO MUCH VICKI!!) and went out to dinner with just the adults, and the sick birthday boy.

Sunday morning we got up early again and headed to Stake Conference.  Both mom and dad spoke and they both did a great job!  After dad got ordained we headed back for some yummy lunch!

The kids all loved being with uncle Darin!

Sunday was Darin’s birthday and mom made him a birthday cake, but we only had 2 candles left after using some from Matt’s bday.  Can't believe he is 32!!

It was fun to be with everyone, but we really missed Janie and the kids, and the rest of Chris’s family.

After lunch we headed home.  We only made is about 3 blocks then Lindsay puked all over herself.  We pulled over, changed her, got her cleaned up, then got going again.  Unfortunately we had to do that three more times on the ride home.  We also had MISERABLE roads, and it took us SIX hours to get home!  I think we’ll be doing a “make-up birthday” for Darin very soon.

Other that the sickness, and the long drive we had a great time!  It was really hard to leave the St. George weather to come home to a new foot of snow, but we were thankful that our neighbors has already shoveled for us so we could pull right in!  We’re so lucky!

Quixotic Getaway

We celebrated our 5^th Anniversary BIG TIME this year!!

We started by checking in to the Armstrong Mansion.  

(Thanks to getting a steal of a deal on KSL deals)

Then we went to Ruth’s Chris.  One word: AMAZING!!  

When we got to our table they had  scattered rose pedals on our candle lit table, 

and a card that said “Happy Anniversary.”

We had steak, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and three cheese Au Gratin potatoes for dinner.

They told us that since it was our anniversary they’d also like to give us dessert!  

(Umm, free dessert? Yes please!)

We got the Crème Brûlée with fresh berries, 

and they wrote “Happy Anniversary” in chocolate on the plate.

The food was incredible!  Really, it is fabulous! 

  However, we’ll probably never go there again because it is crazy expensive.  

Luckily for us we were given a gift card that helped with the bill. :)

After dinner we went to Gateway to see Brave.  

(Thanks Ben and Kristy for the gift card).  

It was a cute show.

After the movie we went back to the mansion.

Did I mention that our room was AWESOME!!?  

Here’s our room and if you look to the right that door leads to the bathroom.

But wait!  Then there is a secret staircase that leads to…

An attic with a Jacuzzi!!

They also had these cool old suitcases all around our room.

Going back down the staircase.

In the morning we had breakfast with a berry cobbler, casserole, fresh fruit, and a parfait.

Only two other rooms were being used so we got to peak in the other rooms.  I liked ours the best!

 I loved the details throughout the whole mansion.  Check out the ceiling.

If you make a reservation to stay one night at the mansion (Sunday through Thursday)
and then post about your experience on your blog, you can get at 25% discount!

You can click HERE to view the rooms and make a reservation!

After we checked out of the mansion we went and walked around City Creek.  

It is beautiful!

What!?  Did I get to marry that handsome guy!?  Lucky me!

Before we picked up the kids we got to do sealings in the Bountiful temple.  

A perfect end to our little getaway. 

The whole getaway was so fun.  I just LOVE being with Darin. 

I laughed so hard.  He's always saying and doing the funniest things.

I couldn't have asked for a better anniversary even if it was a little Quixotic!

Love you my handsome, smart, kind, giving, spiritual, strong man of my dreams!!

Thank you SO SO much mom and dad for watching 

Matt and Lindsay!!