Birthdays

Birthdays seem to run really close this time of year in our family. Kinda feeling bad I haven't had the time to blog each one but at least they are getting blogged, right? So Jake's birthday starts out the wave of celebrations. His birthday was back in August and he happened to be at scout camp- nice leaders let him go since he was turning twelve that week. I was kinda sad that he was gone and not home to celebrate but Ben was headed up to help out so I loaded him up with fun stuff for the scouts to celebrate with him- and by stuff I mean a pirate pinata (which I was told looked like the camp cook- missing teeth and everything :), Whoopie coushins, and donuts. From what Ben said they had fun. Wish I could of seen it. We did a little celebrating after he got home and cleaned up.

My three priesthood holders. Ahhh!

This year we took Jake to the store to pick out his presents. He really did not need more legos! But what a happy kid!

Rileys turned six just a few weeks later. What a funny kid he is. He is very similar to Jake and asked for  Hero Factory (updated bionicle) stuff. Lucky kid received 4 different ones. Everyone got in on the building action. He had a great day starting with running thru his streamers and heading off to school with Ninjago suckers (I stayed up late with Ben making them and ignored his comment "you realize they are just going to rip it off, right) So not the point. He loved them and it made me happy too.  

Kiddo woke up early and crawled under the streamers! When I got home from work and found out, we all headed to his room to witness the running thru. 

Rileys favorite things right now are Hero Factory and Ninjago. He is a very creative kiddo. 

While he was at school I made his cake. Simple. Easy. He loved it!

And this weeks was Owens birthday. He turned four. His day was a little rough, his streamers in front of his door were hanging, not across for him to break thru. Ben adjusted the unfortunate streamers and he was happy. Also, two wammys for him, first sunday- church is just really hard for him. Second, it was stake conference! 2 hours of sitting is so out of his world. He did good-lots of water breaks and finally for the last half hour he hung out with Ben and Will in the hallway. we all survived, barely! After church we headed home and opened presents. He was excited for his Batman Helicopter and We thought he would like the scooter we picked out for him. Unfortunately- it was not fast! (his words when he saw it) The day before we had gone to toys r us and he had picked out a hot wheels razor scooter- bright yellow. He thought it was fast and said so, over and over. Ben and I felt liked he still needed a beginner scooter. That's what we get for thinking. On Monday the cute radio flyer scooter was returned and replaced with a red hot wheels scooter with light up wheels. Apparently the color does not make it fast (thank goodness) he loves it and does well on it. phew! 

The only picture is have of the ill-fated scooter. He is saying "see it's not fast!" 

While I was sleeping (I had worked my graveyard shift and gone to church and really couldn't wait to take a nap) Ben played batman with the kids and made Owen's halloween birthday cake. Owen was so happy when  I showed him the Halloween sprinkles. So Ben was in charge of decorating. It turned out cute and best of all Owen loved it, and as you can tell, this kids is hard to please sometimes!

A little bit quieter

This cute kid started preschool last week and 2 days a week it is a little quieter around here. Boy does this kiddo need school! He could hardly wait to start again. He is at the same school with the same teacher- different kiddos. He still loves the bus ride and doesn't even wave goodbye as he runs to the bus! He's doing so much better but he will be qualified for preschool services till kindergarten. Yeah for  a good preschool and some help with this kids sparkling and overwhelming (at times) personality. It's a relief  to have people understand what the needs and why he acts the way he does. He is already improving since last year and I'm excited to see him continue to change and interact with other kids since this is the only way he is going to get better- intereacting with other kids. I'm so glad that he loves to go to school and I am glad ( a little ashamed :) ) that is a little quieter around here. I'm off to do some much awaited sewing hmmmm- Jocelyn's baptism dress or a skirt for me?

Waiting for the bus....

And waiting.....

And waiting.....

The first thing he said to the bus ladies was "I been waiting!" 

15 years....

The first 15years of forever....my prom - could those glasses get any bigger? Could Ben get any skinner? He could use my glasses for a hula hoop!!! It is so fun to think back on this time. This week as I went thru all the letters that Ben and I wrote to each other (back then in ancient times it was long distance to call each other so we used the good ole' post office), so many things I had forgotten came back to mind. We have both come a long way and I love it! ( thank goodness my hair changes in the process!)

Our Wedding day

Aug. 23, 1997

And Now!

Thanks Husband for a great night of yummy food, shopping, and a sweet proposal! You did a great job of planning and can't wait for our big 20 year getaway!

And they're off.....

First day of school! yeah! I'm not the only one that is excited- the kids have been super excited for school to start also. We jam-packed the last week of summer with activities (more post on that soon)  and after all of the fun they are ready to be back in school. They all looked super cute in their new clothes and Jake yesterday, summed up seventh grade day in one word- Awesome. Today everyone else followed and the house is kinda quiet. Owen is yelling that he needs help with his wii game- he really does miss his brothers and sister when they are gone. School starts next week for him and he is super excited.

Ethan - Eighth grade. Taking band again this year and other fun classes and also on leadership team again.

Jake- Seventh grade. So excited to be taking guitar this year. Hopefully all those piano lessons will help him learn quickly! Loves his new guitar and has thanked me for it many times. Half the neighborhood is in his grade and cute as ever to see them at the bus stop yesterday. Couldn't resist a picture. This is probably less than half of them!

Jocelyn- Second grade. A little nervous this year because she only has one other neighbor kiddo in her class. Although she was pretty excited to pick out where she would sit in her classroom at back to school night. She has gotten to be such a good reader over the summer and its fun to se her read just for fun. (not because it's on her job chart!)

Riley- First grade. Already had his DRA testing and did well- thank goodness summer school paid off! He is sooooo excited to eat lunch at school.

 

So anywhoo it's pretty quiet around here, except Owen is still yelling at me(I'm waiting!) Before you think I'm ignoring him- I already played and died miserably. Mario galaxy is my least favorite game. Now give me harry potter lego or skylanders and I rock. Unfortunately he doesn't want to play either. Sigh. I'm off to play the wii!

Camera Shy

Saturday we went back to camera Shy for our family pictures. These people are amazing- I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! I was a little worried when Jake got fried during the 6th grade bbq and Ethan and Jake both did a trip to seven peaks the day before. As well as Riley and Owen spending hours in the backyard swimming. I really didn't think all that through! We all have a healthy glow- some way more than others. Riley had spent the night before throwing up, so he had a rough time keeping up a smile and fell asleep as soon as he was in the car. Poor Guy. Will also refused to nap that morning so he was pretty cranky. Also getting everyone to have coordinating outfits was tough for me. 8 people is hard to coordinate! So glad it's all over. These are just a few of my fav's, of course there are more but I'll spare you!

Photo Shoot

Each time I have driven to walmart, I have passed a photography studio that recently (to me recent but it has been probably over a year or more) moved into to a strip mall just across from my destination. From just the look of the sign I was intrigued and after obtaining a coupon I was in. Sweet Will turned ONE year old last month and the poor kiddo has never had official professional pictures done. It was about time. What a cutie he is. Tough to get to smile though- if anyone tries to talk to him or get a smile out of him, he just gives a little amused, slight smile. All of the smiles during this photo shoot were well fought for and he did great. I just love how they turned out and next week we are headed back for family pictures.

Cute Will has finally started to pull himself up to the couch and has learned to get down. He also learned a couple weeks ago how to crawl on his knees- no more army crawling. He likes to clap and play peek-a-boo. He's a daddys boy and I have no problem with that. It's cute and one out of 6 kids- it makes Ben feel loved! Yeah! Slow going is his way of life and I love it! It has been a blessing. It has been fun enjoy each stage for so long since he is our last.

The past few busy months....

A little review of the past couple of months! Enjoy!

Ben turned 36! The kids and I had balloons, pizza and coldstone icecream cake waiting for him when he returned from the AUTORAMA (Ben always says it loud like he's an announcer- not sure if he realizes that- now he knows!) My brother Rob celebrated with us and was nice enough to purchase and bring his gift- tickets to see the Black Keys concert in May. He was surprised!

Owen started preschool back in March. After some testing through the district he was placed in a preschool class according to his needs. At this point his IEP goal when he is reevaluated in a year are interacting better with peers and following instructions. I thought he would qualify because of his speech but he didn't. Luckily his speech has taken off- this kid is hilarious! He is also playing better with kids- even his siblings, he has better imagination and likes to play with them. He just struggles a little with following the rules. We still have good days and bad days but it is getting better. These past few days he has been obsessed with getting a puppy and going to disneyland. The p and the d word are banned from our hose right now. ;) He picked out his own backpack, bypassing spiderman, because this one is a halloween one(black and orange). He's a little obsessed with halloween also!

Conference this year was full of great inspiration,family, food, more family, and more food, and again more inspirations form the talks that were given. Ben's mom and brother, and his family came down from Washington to attend conference. Our house was busy! My sister in laws brother lives just up the street where they stayed but kids walked back and forth between the two houses all weekend. It was fun to see them hang out. Poor Jocelyn was the only girl among her brothers and 6 more boy cousins. She had fun with all those rowdy boys! These pictures pretty much explain the craziness. It was fun to see each visiting family member get measured on our growth chart. Hopefully this will continue as a tradition.

This year for, I think it was spirit week, the kids had a wacky day. They dressed wacky and did their hair wacky, complete with hair color. Riley and Owen got in on the act too.

I officially have a teenager! EEEKKK!!! Ethan turned thirteen the beginning of April. Let me just say it was weird to be shopping at toys r us for a teenager. Who am I kidding- Ben loves that place. Anywho, Ethan had a hard time deciding on a birthday present but repeatedly mentioned a remote control helicopter and He loves rubiks cubes so I helped out his growing collection. I also suprised him with an icecream sandwich cake. A big hit!

Easter was simple this year. Lots of candy and each kiddo got a couple of random things ranging from books, to lip gloss, to itunes gift cards. I had to work of course, so by the time I got home candy was being devoured already! Some had already retreated to their bedrooms so as to keep the candy away from the others. Ben had not taken one single picture!!! Life is crazy with 6 kiddos! After church we headed to my parents for dinner and an egg hunt. Payton was the finder of the golden egg containing a golden one dollar coin. Surprisingly no one complained that they hadn't found it, they were all really happy to just be together and hunt for eggs. They are all such a good group of cousins! New church clothes-

Owen was pretty happy with 2 new sippy cups and some grass!

Don't worry, more to come...