Surprise!

My dad really loves his birthday. This year we actually pulled off a great surprise birthday party for him. Unfortunately, in order ensure that it was really a surprise, he spent most of his birthday feeling neglected and unloved by most of his children. We had to pretend that we were just too busy to get together for his birthday. By the end of the day, he was just depressed. I think he got over it when Mom (acting like she was taking him out for his birthday dinner) brought him to Johnny Carinos where there were 24 of us waiting to surprise him in the banquet room. We had a fun dinner - then we came back to our house for a "chocolate extravaganza" in his honor! Happy Birthday Dad - we love you!

I want to run!!!

It figures ... I go and spend most of my life trying to avoid any type of physical exertion then when I figure out that I really enjoy sweating and look forward to getting up early out of my comfy bed to go running of all things - I actually lose the ability to do it. How's that for irony! I have been recovering from a "sports injury" for the last THREE weeks. For once, it was more than just getting hit in the head with a ball (my head is a ball magnet), I pulled my hamstring playing soccer. Why was I playing soccer? Why was I trying to run down a teenage girl? I don't know the answer - all I know is that now I can't sit through 3 hours of church and I can walk but for some reason I can't run at all. It's thoroughly depressing. I run with some friends on Saturday mornings - last week they ran NINE miles while I was home probably eating a donut or something. I will never be able to catch up!

Weekend Happenings

Now that I have the apology out of the way, I can blog about our fun weekend. Chris' co-worker gave him tickets to the Counting Crows/Maroon 5 concert on Saturday night. She said she didn't want to stay up that late. Since we are slightly less boring than that we said we'll take them! The concert was at the Cricket Amphitheatre - minutes from Chris' parents house, which made it ultra convenient to drop the kids off and for us to spend Saturday night there.

We had such a great time. The Counting Crows cancelled at the last minute but that still left us with Augustana (a local San Diego band that we loved- added them to my playlist!) and Maroon 5. We were really surprised at how great they sounded and how entertaining it was!
We were in the lawn seating. It was blissful sitting on a blanket under the stars, having a whole bag of kettle corn and my husband to myself. Perfect night!


Meanwhile the kids were having a great time! We were told the highlight of the night was a game of sardines. At one point Lindsay and Shelby were stuffed in a closet with Mimi, Granddad, Aunt Jenni, Uncle Rob and Robby while Owen looked for them! Our kids are so lucky to have fun grandparents!
Owen got up early to help Mimi sweep the front walk (apparently they do this every time the kids spend the night there). Elizabeth told me later about their conversation that I thought was hillarious.

Mimi to Owen: How did you sleep?
Owen: Pretty good. But I didn't have my sound machine.
Mimi: Oh, you have a sound machine to help you sleep?
Owen: Yeah
Mimi: Oh, that's good.
Owen: Well, it's more of a baby machine.
Mimi: It is?
Owen: Yeah, but one of the songs is educational.
Mimi: Which is that?
Owen: It's the ABC song, so that's okay.(Owen's sound/baby machine but it's okay because it's educational.)

We went to church at our old Stake Center, drove by the home where I spent my teenage years,
and climbed to the top of the water tower by my house just for old times sake. check out the cool M5 concert Tshirt!
Back home in time to make some delicious Key Lime sugar cookies inspired by Crystal's key lime cupcakes - Yum! Fun little getaway for all the Keelers!

An Apology...

Well, I guess because of my last post Chris has taken a few hits (particularly from the paintball team). So although the square dancing diploma will proudly remain on this blog, I feel like I want to add a few extra things about my beloved husband Christopher Dean Keeler. His confidence in his masculinity not only allows him to be a fine square dancer, it gives me the freedom to decorate our house the way I like, enjoy an occassional chick flick with me and wear a unicorn patch on his paintball vest with pride. He is a hard worker and I am so proud of what he has accomplished, especially in the last few years. His 2 year old law firm that he created with 9 other partners, now has 3 offices and over 50 attorneys! Chris is so good at his job that they made him general counsel for the firm. His clients love him too, especially the more mature female school administrators, who he charms with his sense of humor and boyish good looks. I have also been amazed at how he is faithfully serving in the Bishopric. His dedication to his calling has blessed our family. Chris is the best dad! He comes home from his stressful job and always wants to play with the kids. They adore him! He is always willing to help me with whatever crazy project I have going on. And he never ever complains about having breakfast for dinner or when I can't even manage that! I truly can't imagine having a better husband - and as a bonus - he can square dance! (even though I have never actually seen him do this).

Things you find out about your husband...

Can you believe it? We have been married for over 16 years and I am still learning new things about my multi-talented husband! Chris pulled out his childhood Ziggy scrapbook (circa 1970s) yesterday. To our amazement, we found that he had forgotten about a particular diploma he had earned while in Middle School, one to go right up there on the wall of his office with the diplomas from Stanford and BYU Law School. If you can't read it: Let it be known to all square dancers! Chris has earned a bachelor of square dancing from the College of Square Dance Knowledge! It only took him 3 years. But apparently he did master the art of executing the Do Si Do and The Allemmande Left. It is an honored degree and title which he certainly does proudly bear. In fact, he took it to work today to put up on his office wall of diplomas and certificates. He knew it would make his co-workers so happy!

Report from Room 1

I just picked Owen up from his first day of school (that 3 1/2 hours flew by). He said he didn't miss me at all when I asked. I also asked if he made any new friends. He said no. But he did say that he had some "friendly moments". I guess that's all a guy can hope for on his first day.

Ready or not, here we come

It's the end of summer. The kids went with mixed emotions. No, actually Owen cheered everytime we said "it's the last day of summer". Lindsay and Shelby were excited to go back, but sad that our fun summer was over.

Lindsay is in the middle of middle school! She looked so much bigger this year when I dropped her off. At first it made me feel better, but then it just scared me!

Shelby got the teacher she wanted, but this year Mrs. Rogers is teaching a 4/5 combo with only ten 4th graders. Shelby will keep up, don't be fooled by her beauty, she's got the brains too.

Our Kindergarten Guy - was ready for school a full two hours early this morning. He asked me if it was time to go every 5-10 minutes. When it was finally time to leave, I think he was just plain angry! He loved his teacher Mrs. Ellevold. I am sure it won't take long before he wins her heart too. Owen has a way of doing that. He will be a fantastic Kindergartener!

Today is the first day that I have all three kids officially in school. Wow, I thought this day would never come. But now that it is here, it feels like it came too fast ...