Luke's Party

Luke wanted to have his birthday party at Classic Skating.  It was so much fun and all the kids had a blast.  There are bounce houses, arcade games, skating, scooters, pizza and ice cream.  And all the parents could hang out while the kids wore themselves out.

Heidi came with all 6 kids - so I got to cuddle with sweet baby Jack.

Our neighbor Ryan was the only friend who came - and it was his first time to ever eat ice cream.  He said it was good but really cold!

 

Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke hit the double digits!  We started the day with birthday pancakes before school.  With Tayson in middle school he leaves really early but I woke all the kids up early so he could be there to sing to Luke.  Then everyone was off to school.  Luke wanted me to bring donuts to his class - and there was another girl in his class with the same birthday who brought donuts too.  Talk about some very excited kids who got to eat 2 donuts after school (sorry to their moms).  Then I let him skip swimming and just play computer after school.  We went to Noodles and Co. for his birthday dinner - until this weekend when Todd is home and we go out for real.  Then I took the kids to Coney's for ice cream.  I sure do love you bubba.  You are such a great kid and you make me so  happy.  I love seeing you grow up and what an amazing youth you are becoming. 

Happy Birthday Tayson!

Tayson is 12 years old!  This is a big birthday.  No more primary. No more elementary school.  My baby is so grown up! For his birthday he had a sleep over with Ryan, Talon and Roman.  I let them stay up late and skip swimming in the morning.  Then we had our traditional birthday pancakes with homemade buttermilk syrup, whip cream, sprinkles and a candle.  Then while I was at work my parents took Tayson and the boys out boating on the lake (the girls weren't allowed to go since it was a boy party).  Then I took the kids to Olive Garden for dinner that night.  When Todd got home from the airport that night Timmy and Megan met us and we went out for ice cream shakes to finish off a fun filled day. 

Friday night Tayson had his first campout as a deacon so Todd took him to get all his boy scout gear - new pack, sleeping bag, tent, etc.  Then off he went.  He had a blast.  Then Saturday night when he got back we all went out for another birthday dinner at his very favorite Brick Oven.  Grandma Johnson came with us and so did Grandpa Dave, Kelle and Brooke.  Then Tays got to open his presents.   I think he had a great birthday with lots of fun celebrations.  Happy birthday buddy!  I sure do love you.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

My baby is 6!  She is growing up so fast and loves not being a baby anymore.  The poor girl had to celebrate her birthday with a mom who couldn't get out of bed so it was fairly low key.  My mom came over in the morning and made birthday pancakes for her.  Then we had family over for a bbq dinner, cake and presents.  Lucky for Sophie Emily was in town with her kids so she got to celebrate her birthday with Ella.  Timmy and Megan bought the girls matching dresses and that was by far her favorite present.

4 days later and she is still rocking her b-day dress....

 

Claire's Birthday

Claire's birthday started on the cinco de mayo with our traditional family party.  4 kinds of enchiladas and a pinata of course. 

Her actual birthday started with pancakes and singing

After school we went to get her big present - a new bike.  She is getting so tall and her legs are so long that she left with a bike the same size as Taysons.

Then we went to Barnes and Noble because she wanted to buy some new books 

 

We finished the night off at Mimi's cafe for dinner
(Claire said she chose Mimi's so she could go to B&N)

Happy birthday Claire Bear!  You are such a fun and sweet addition to our family.  Some fun facts about Claire right now:  she loves Monster High and watching Netflix is her favorite way to pass time.  She wants to be a singer when she grows up and knows every lyric to every Frozen song as well as most top 40 songs.  She loves to sing and dance and dress up.   She loves long hair and wearing pink.  I sure do love you Claire!!

Jo Jo's Birthday

For Jo Jo's birthday we went to Classic Skating.  Talk about a good time.  There was pizza, cake, presents, video games, bounce houses and roller skating.  Even the boys had fun since they could ride their scooters in the rink.  

Birthday Date

Todd took me shopping at out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my birthday.  I love our weekly dates!

My Birthday

My birthday started with a run - lots of girls showed up so it was a blast.  Higgy even came and rode her bike with us.  And I got some sweet Halloween decorations as presents. I love Halloween so I might have been a little too excited about the skull!

Then because Todd was out of town the kids made my birthday pancakes before school.  The girls made the batter, I cooked them, Luke decorated them and Tayson lit the candle.  Talk about some sweet kids!!

Todd got home that afternoon and took the kids shopping for me.  Claire picked out plastic flip flops.  Sophie bought some crazy black & pink earrings and a shirt for me.  Then Todd made me wear them to the ward bar-b-que then out to Brick Oven for family dinner.

I am the luckiest gal alive to have these people who love me and spoil me every year. 

Luke's Party

For his party he invited some friends and we went to Extreme Air-sports then had doughnuts instead of cake.  Sounds like a perfect party for a 9 year old and his friends. 

Luke Turns 9

This cute boy had a birthday today.  He is 9 years old!!  We started the morning with b-day pancakes then he was off to school.  Then we went out as a family to Brick Oven for his birthday dinner.  

Luke is such a happy, smart, fun kid.  He loves swimming and math and minecraft and reading.  He has grown up so much in the past year.  He is so handsome and good natured and just a joy to have in our family.  I love his big brown eyes and his dark curly hair (the longer the better although he and Todd like it better short).  I sure do love this crazy kid!!

Tayson's Party

Tayson wanted to go to Lowe's extreme airsports for his party.  Then we went to Sonic for shakes and to open presents.  Talk about a rowdy group of boys....it got all sorts of crazy!

Tayson's 11th Birthday

We started our day with birthday pancakes.  

Then Tayson chose Brick Oven for his birthday dinner.

And we opened presents when we got home. He was pretty excited about his glow in the dark nerf gun.

I can't believe how old he is.  It's so crazy to me that my little baby is growing up so fast.  He is so responsible now and helps me so much.  He is still very silly and fun though.  He loves to play and is very social.

Happy Birthday Sophie

I can't believe my baby is 5!!  She has been looking forward to this day for several months....probably since last July.  We spread her birthday out over 2 days.  We did a big family dinner on Sunday and then did fun b-day activities on her birthday Monday.  

 

 She wanted a Littlest Pet Shop cake - so she picked out some new toys and helped decorate a very bright pink cake.

 

 Opening presents

She got a big girl scooter and had to test drive it

And she got a house for her pet shops

Birthday pancakes

Sophie wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese so we met Kami and her kids there to play
(luckily she didn't make us eat dinner there)

Tayson photo bombed us

Then we had dinner at her favorite restaurant The Old Spaghetti Factory

I can't believe my baby is 5.  She is getting so big.  Oh how I love my sweet Sophie Bug.  This girl is so much fun and brings more energy to our little family than I ever could have imagined.  She is sweet and loving and so full of life.  Everybody loves Sophie - it's impossible not to love her when you are with her.  She is always so happy and very very silly.  She hates having her hair fixed.  She is very independent.  She hates wearing underwear and if I don't double check she usually ends up without them on.  Oops.  She loves to give kisses - especially lip kisses.  She gives great hugs and loves to cuddle with me and hold my hand at night when she's falling asleep.  Never change my sweet girl!!