Home in Texas

I flew into Dallas early Saturday morning so I could be in town for my sister Lizzey's birthday, and also to be there when she opened her mission call. (Unfortunately Mr. Mike had to stay home because he starts summer school on Tuesday.) One nice surprise was coming home to find a new puppy my parents had kept a secret to surprise us. Here are a few things we've been up to....

Saturday:
(Scrub shopping, lunch, 6+ mile run, mission call opening, birthday dinner @ Olive Garden)

Sunday:
(Walking the pup, making pies with mom, church, dinner, scooter rides and hanging out with the family)

I'm an Auntie!!

Yesterday morning, Denae and Malcolm had their little baby boy!  (April 9, 2013)
"Bryant Rodney Mulholland born 9:24am, 8 lbs 1 oz, 20 3/4 inches long and perfect in every way!!" 
Of course the night Denae is in labor, there is a large snow storm in the west. She wasn't able to make it to her planned hospital in Ogden (UT), but was perfectly happy with how everything turned out in Evanston (WY). All of the family was able to make it safely to the hospital to see the baby. Keep Denae, Malcolm and Bryant in your prayers this week as they are recovering. She will hopefully be released from the hospital tomorrow. 

Happy Birthday to ME!

I had a fabulous birthday yesterday!! It started off with a call from my mom and grandma Jan before work. Shayla took me out to a  delicious birthday lunch at Zupas. I got the pina colada salad, and she had the raspberry spinach salad. I got off work early and Mike and I went on a 23 mile bike ride thru Provo canyon. It was 70 degrees and a perfectly sunny day for a ride. After, we feasted at Olive Garden. I love the Tour de Mare which is a seafood dish. Then, we opened presents while face timing the family. Even my sister Liz- who is at school in Hawaii -was on the Google chat so I could see her too. Then our puppy came! They deliver the puppies to your door, and you can rent them by the hour. We had "Miles" for an hour and a half. We chased him around the park for literally an hour. He completely passed out on the couch the last 10 minutes we had him. Once he was gone, we completely passed out too and were asleep by 10:30!

  My pretty lunch date Shay

(This shirt and shorts were a birthday present from Mike, along with a dress!)

While Mike and I were biking in Utah, my dad was also biking 23 miles in Texas in honor of me. While we experienced 70 degrees and sunny, my dad was biking in a cold 50 degree light rain by himself because my mom was under the weather. He finished the ride and sent me his stats. He recently competed in a charity ride, and is becoming quite the cyclist. He had Mike and I beat by about 20 minutes!

 When I came home, Mike had made this sign and propped up my presents and cards around it. He even drew us biking up the mountain. I love his handwriting. He is so thoughtful.

(While my mom and sister were chatting online, my sister was sending me "birthday pics from mom", unbeknownst to my mother.)

 I went in for one kiss and before I knew there was dog tongue everywhere!

My first birthday party

Tomorrow is my birthday. It has been 22 years since my first birthday party. Tomorrow I will celebrate my birthday for the 23rd time! Sounds kind of old right?

Easter

Our Easter was a beautiful day full of food, family, and Christ. The day started with a visit from the Easter bunny who hid eggs around the house. Mike and I took turns hiding eggs and making the other find them. Mike and Dallin's good friend is leaving for her mission this week, so we got to attend her farewell talk at church. She gave a wonderful talk about the joys and struggles she would face as she serves for 18 months in Honduras. We had our Easter feast in Salt Lake at the hotel Little America's Easter brunch, and boy was it delicious! There were three rooms filled with themed food stations. They had every type of meat, side dish, appetizers, breakfast items, desserts, seafood, cheese and crackers and breads. My favorite was the terriyaki chicken, salmon in a cheese cream sauce, crab, and of course desserts! I got a nice Sunday nap in too. Then the family went to Justine's house. Her and Riley hosted all the cousins and family that were in town for Easter.  There were probably 15 of us. We even got to meet Sydney's boyfriend Josh who came for dinner. It was a really great evening.

 That chocolate covered rice crispy was one of my favorites!

 Michelle's boys Keaton and Everitt