Look who's*#!

The BIG 40! That would be Bjorn on the 23rd of January. He's really not affected by turning 40 other than his body is harder to get into shape. As for his looks, well, he will always look like he is 12 so that's not a big deal.

We celebrated with a quiet dinner to an Indian food restaurant and the Cheesecake factory for dessert. It was a very nice quiet evening for the two of us. Then Sunday we had friends over for dinner and more friends over for cake and ice cream. It was a lot of fun. We decorated the house and some of the friends came dressed in black! Thanks for the ideas mom!

I thought long and hard about what to get him for his monumental birthday, and I decided that we would take a trip. Thanks to my mom in advance for coming to watch my kids. She is the bed grandma ever. She loves each of my kids and is so capable. It's really going to be nice to not have to travel with them. It will be the first trip we have taken by ourselves since Myles was about a year old and she and my dad came and stayed for a weekend while Bjorn and I went to Monterey with our good friends Emily and Steve. Well this is going to be a lot longer. Both in time and distance. We found a great deal on a trip to Ireland. We are very excited to go and see the country and partake of all it's rain! I am getting a little nervous about how long we will be gone. A total of 8 days. I know mom can do it, but I think it will be a VERY long week for her. It's hard doing it all on your own. By dinner time you are ready for bed and so are the kids. Everyone in full "melt down mode". I hope that in the next two months the kids get easier. We leave middle of March. I can't wait.

You've accomplished a lot in your 40 short years. You served a successful mission to Brazil, finished your graduate work for your law degree, found a great job with the LA District Attorneys office, found a fantastic wife!, had many demanding church callings that you served in beautifully, had three beautiful children(the hard way), and bought a home. You've been busy!

You are liked and loved by all who meet you. Your Myles best buddy. The girls dare devil playmate, and my listening ear when I need to "rant and rave".

Happy 40th darling! We love you. You are an amazing Daddy, husband and best friend.

Christmas

Matching Christmas PJ's. The girls got theirs from Grandma and Myles got his from Santa. They must shot at the same place.

So happy with his "topper" he didn't even look at the rest of the gift for many more min.

Seeing the lights on Temple Square. It was a balmy 13* that night. The kids were great though and we had a great time with family all the way from Hawaii.

Dressed for bed, on the way to LAX. Myles fell asleep 5 min. before getting to the parking lot. NOT ideal. I had to hoist him (40#), and the seat (25#) out of the car while Bjorn searched for a parking spot in the VERY crowded economy lot at LAX.

CHRISTMAS

In a word "WONDERFUL". Thanks mom. I know you put a lot of work into making Christmas great for all of us, especially the kids. I loved every min. of it. I love the decorations, the food, the people, the lights, the snow, the rest, and most of all the kids faces on Christmas morn. Myles is just old enough to know about getting new toys, but doesn't understand that "Santa" brought them to him. He was very excited to see his pile of loot on Christmas morning. It's great. There is nothing better than a big ol' smile from my Myles. The girls, well, they don't get anything yet. Next year!