Mom/Grandma Kathy turns 50!

Tuesday, February 17, 09 Kathy Jean (Greathouse) Conduff turned 50! Since the big day was on a Tuesday this year she didn't plan anything for that day - as far as celebrating. But other people did - I took Flowers, Balloons, and Candies to her work and SURPRISED her, her work had Pizza for lunch, and her siblings and Father had a dinner for her that evening at Jesse's house. So really, I think given that it was a Tuesday it turned out to be a birthday after all.
The following evening Wednesday, Feb. 18, 09 - Shayla and I got to have a nice steak dinner with Mom at Club 48, it was just the 3 of us gals and we were able to relax and laugh and just have some nice together time, it had been such a long time since we've been able to do that, and actually we've never done it at bar until now because Shayla is finally 21.

The big plans were for Friday night, Mom wanted to have her family and a couple of close friends meet for dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Now, even though she was turning 50 - she made it clear that she didn't want a big to do - or a roasting of any kind just a nice dinner. So Friday came along and around midday I attempted to get a head count for dinner that night and I came up with about 23 people give or take a couple. So later when I called in the call ahead (reservation) I told the restaurant 23 - well .....as it turned out there were nearly double that number I had no idea there would be so many. But then again, of course there would be - who wouldn't want to come out and celebrate a special birthday for a wonderful person. Our reservation was for 6pm and I think that is was closer to 7pm when the restaurant finally found space to put all of us. It was so awesome to see everyone gathered in honor of the Greatest Woman I've ever known. The guest lists included (and I'm sure I'll forget and leave someone out); Grandpa Dell, Matt, Alora, Jakob, Bradford, and I, Shayla & Ava, Jesse & Kelcey, Carol Ann & Quinn, Lynne & Tami, Maggie & John (with Baby in the oven), Miranda & Bill, Brenda & Gary, Traci, Vance & one of their children, David & ? (they sat to far away I didn't get to see them), Aunt Faye, Cathy & Breanna, and again I know I'm leaving someone or more out - sorry. So now you can see why it took the restaurant so long to find us a spot. The meal was good but the company was better. Some of the gifts she got were; a Pearl Necklace & Earrings from her Father, a Build A Bear gift card from the Grand kids, and a funny magnet (she is the magnet Queen). I really hope that Mom enjoyed her birthday, after all you only turn 50 once, and from what I hear "it's all down hill from there" te he he :) Here is a little Birthday poem for My Amazing Mother who is also My Dearest Girl Friend -

I Owe It All To Mother!
It’s your birthday, Mom.So I will raise a cheer.
For without you, wondrous person,I would not be here.
Yes, I owe it all to you, Mom.

From the time that I was small,You encouraged me in everything,And tried not to let me fall.
Throughout my life your caring,Brightened each and every minute.You loved me and enriched my life,And I’m so glad to have you in it!
By Karl Fuchs

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma/Sister/Daughter/Friend/Aunt/Cousin

WE LOVE YOU!

Chelsea's Surprise Birthday Party...

This past Monday, February 16, 09 was my very good friend Chelsea's birthday. Our story starts that Chelsea and I became very close friends while working together @ LEA. Chelsea was already an employee there when I arrived. You see at the time my department was half complete (me) and although Chelsea worked in a separate department she helped in my world. Chelsea did so much more then just fill in as my other half until the position was filled which was actually some time. Chelsea and I worked so close for many months all the while we were learning as we went, trying to better and enhance the department, getting to know each other, learning so much more about the human spirit, and building a deep bond- we became Girl Friends! Chelsea and I are actually very different in personality, and even very different in our up bringing - but I believe that our differences complement each other and that allows us to have a very genuine deep relationship. For those of you who know Chelsea you know that she is pretty indescribable and I am sure that my connection with her is just as unique and as special as the one that you and she share. Chelsea has several virtuous qualities that many admire and these are a few that stand out the most to me; Chelsea gives so freely of herself (don't confuse that with sharing to much to fast) what I mean is that when Chelsea is with you - she is with you and she appreciates each experience for what ever it is. Chelsea also values family and the opportunities that come along with being around family - even if the people are friends that are chosen as family. And if we all still possessed the ability to play - really play - like Chelsea can, , I swear to you that we would all live a longer life! I know you're thinking that I really like Chelsea - and I do, I really love her. I truly cherish our friendship and I feel very fortunate for having a friend like Chelsea in my life. I was very happy that Nora invited us to join in the surprise party for Chelsea's 30th Birthday. Chelsea lives in Pleasant Grove which is in Utah County and I am here in West Valley at the end of Salt Lake County so needless to say we don't always get to hang out. And although we don't always get to spend time together - we definitely make sure that we get together at least occasionally, really whenever we can! Chelsea has spent a good amount of time with our family, mostly with our kids. I'll tell you our kids just adore her, they think that she is the greatest big person friend in the world. If you don't already know, we believe that Chelsea is the Queen of sweets! Whenever Chelsea has come to hang out at our house she has always planned a fun confection to make with us. This of course, won Jakob's heart because he is the "Sugar Addict" in our family. And Alora likes her because she's smart and she likes kids. Bradford likes to tease Chels and gives her "spanks spanks spanks" on her bottom. I have another Dear Dear friend Melissa, that I met @ LEA (some day you'll get to learn all about her too) but when the 3 of us get together we're totally the 3 Amigas. So okay, now I'll talk about the party. Monday morning I called Chelsea to wish her a happy birthday to let her know I love her and to talk about her plans for the day and of course to put it out there that I wouldn't be seeing her on her day without actually saying it - it was successful. The party started at 630 in Pleasant Grove, the kids and I drove the new truck down so that Chelsea wouldn't see our unmistakable van parked there. We got there early and the kids helped in the decorating and blowing up the balloons. Melissa was able to come down too! We we're all so excited to surprise Chelsea that we just couldn't miss the chance. So we all were at the club house in the dark when Chelsea arrived - someone hit the lights and everyone yelled different things - it was awesome! I heard "Surprise", "Happy Birthday", I even think I heard a "Cheers". Chelsea's smile was so huge that we knew she was very happy and surprised. She made the rounds giving us all loves and during this time Alora started taking pictures when our camera battery died! So Aimee was kind enough to share the pictures that she had taken with her super rad fancy camera. There were many people there that we didn't know personally but everyone was there to celebrate Chelsea and we had a wonderful time - Thank You Chelsea for having a birthday! We love you.

SUPER BOWL

LAST WEEK WAS SUPER BOWL.IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.THERE WAS SO MUCH KIDS.ALORA,JAKOB,BRADFORD,AVA,THE NEGRETES KIDS,THE NOHAVA KIDS.THE STEELERS WON THE GAME.THAT'S MATT'S FAVE TEAM.-ALORA