Kolby's 7th Birthday 2010

Kolby's birthday fell on a Saturday this year which was fun.  We went and got Subway sandwiches (which he loved b/c he got to build it how ever he wanted.) Then he wanted to go to the Kangaroo Zoo, which is a bunch of blow up toys in door.  It was alot of fun.  We came home later and had cake and ice cream.  The cake he picked this year was a dinosaur destroying a city.  I'm no pro at cake decorating but you wouldn't know it by the look on his face when it was complete.  He got a lariat rope, roller blades (I'm not sure that was the best well thought gift but I couldn't pass it up one day at the DI it was such a good deal.  I think it will remain a good deal as long as no ER bill is attached to it.) He got a few other things but those were the favorites.  Then he picked hamburgers and chips for his birthday dinner.  It was a good day and we had a happy 7 year old boy. Wow, time sure flies.

New Years 2010

Over the Christmas break we tried doing something fun everyday.  We went swimming, sledding, played games etc.  On one of the days the kids and I decided to have a popcorn/costume party (on a side note every time Kolby invites over friends he wants it to be a costume party) and invited some friends and neighbors over to play and eat popcorn.  After spreading popcorn everywhere upstairs the kids wanted to watch a movie.  We had checked out of the church library the VHS Worth of Souls so we as a family for FHE could watch the movie the gift (the one were the family lives on a farm and the boy doesn't know what to get his dad for Christmas, and decides to serve him and do all of the chores before he wakes up to do them).  Anyway we also watched the flick Johny Lingo.  Well, our kids apparently loved it b/c this is what they wanted to watch with their friends at our party.  Kolby was trying to convince his friends that it was good so they too would want to watch it and he said, "tell them what they will learn if they watch it, mom."

On New Years eve we played games watched movies had a yummy dinner of dips.  Casey named it " the festival of dips".  We counted down early and put the kids in bed.  Cas and I rented a movie and unintentionally stayed up well over the count down watching it b/c all the kids kept waking up.... Kolby woke up screaming of and ear infection which woke up Cooper who when we both got up to there room Coop was crying too b/c he was scared for Kolb saying, "Bolby sad."  Once all was well there we attempted the movie again  then Shelby awoke screaming from a bad dream Cas had to rock her back to sleep she was so scared.  Next of coarse was Cooper who had decided he wanted some company since he was so he started turning on lights (which has become his favorite thing to do in the night).  When we got upstairs Chase was up kicking and squealing absolutely happy.  What a way to start out the new year, we don't really need pots and pans when we've got 4 of our own perfect little noise makers!

So Saturday mornings are our chores day and the kids we think are old enough to do most of their chores unsupervised and Cas and I have our own chores to do and we are always trying to beat the clock.  I paused just in time to hear,"is it dark in their Cooper?"  Of coarse I felt the need to examine, and walked into the laundry room to see Kolby and Shelby handing Cooper a flashlight and shutting him into the dryer. We laughed so hard and they thought they were so funny they all had to try.

Christmas Day 2009

Our Christmas was a lot of fun.  Casey and I even got to bed at a halfway decent time which was good because I think the kids started getting up at about 2 am and continued every hour on the hour until we finally gave in at 5 am.  Casey is still saying next year we are not leaving the Christmas tree lights on all night, because as they come from their room to ours they pass the living room where the tree is and of coarse like a moth to a fame the kids just can't resist.  We always let them open stocking stuff and Santa's gift (because Santa doesn't wrap) first then we have our traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs, cinnamon/orange rolls and hot hot hot, hot chocolate.  They were all very happy with gifts and busy playing, we called grandparents (probably) waking them up, to wish Merry Christmas and thank yous.  We all got dressed which took about 1/2 hr. longer than it should have because Kolby had a melt down; he didn't receive a "long" sleeve new shirt.  He quickly stopped after getting about a 29 min. lecture about how he should be greatfull that he got any presents at all, and how many little children have nothing.  Once that was all cleared up, eyes dried, and mom cooled down we went down stairs and watched the Luke 2 video.  Then Casey and I gave them there last and as we described most important gift of all.  They each got their own Books of Mormon.  We bore our testimonies of the book and told them how if they read it, it will help guide them back to Heavenly Father.  We also told them if we try and read it every day the prophet says that we will be blessed.  It was the best.  The kids were so excited to have it.  Later that day Kolby wasn't playing with any toys, he was sitting at the table reading out loud the 1st page of the Book of Mormon.  Then he said Mom look I read all the way to there, I praised him and he read some more then said he had to go show dad how far he read.  As he was reading I sat back watching with him engrossed in the scriptures, unaware my wet eyes upon him, truly a proud parent with my heart bursting.  I have to say we wondered whether or not they were old enough for there own and if they would keep them in good condition, we definitely were guided and made the right choice b/c every night they still have that same excitement as the 1st day and that is the only gift that they received that day that they & we still get joy out of.  We had a magnificent dinner of ham, funeral potatoes, moms rolls, raspberry jello, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and homemade peppermint ice-cream.  My only true admirer (besides my self) was Casey because they kids were more excited for ham and beans with corn bread the next day, a little twisted but whatever, maybe some day they will learn to enjoy the finer things in life.  Later that day we took them sledding behind the 4 wheeler.  They love doing this so much they could do it for hours so of coarse when we come in we Have to have hot chocolate.  What a perfect day!

I always make us all matching PJ'S that we wear Christmas eve.  this year I thought it would be funny to get t-shirts and applique on them for the tops.  I laughed the whole time doing it b/c as you can see everyone but dad had nice on their shirt.  The kids were worried about dad and thought his feelings were hurt b/c his said naughty.