Ethan is 9!

 Ethan is only one year away from the double digits.  Seems like I just put him in Kindergarten, and now he is 9!  For  his actual birthday, I surprised him at lunch with Panda Express.  He always is appreciative when I come visit for lunch.  This year we made his party simple, but he loved it!  It’s always crazy throwing Ethan’s party’s because it’s also close to the time that I am trying to get ready for our Spring Break vacation.  This year it wasn’t as demanding as the Angry Bird party.  That one was A LOT of work.  This year he wanted a sports party, so that was just throwing some sports contests together, with some prizes for the winner, and cake and ice cream.  The boys had a basketball shooting contest, a  soccer shoot out contest, a tether ball contest, a hula hoop contest, and a Kinect Football contest.    They rotated and the winner got a prize and a medal at the “ceremony!”   The boys had fun...and it was a cinch of a party.  

#2

Boston had a great season with this new team.  The ended up second in their division! Coach Chris was very good.  He was great with the boys, and with the parents.  We were always informed and reminded of everything that was going on!  The boys had a great season, and Boston really progressed as a player.  He was a great defender (a position that they would put him in half of the game after seeing how well he did), and really picked up his goal scoring the second half of the season.  Once we put money on the table for each goal, that seemed to do the trick! :)  This is the end of the season, but we still have one more tournament to go with this team.  Hoping we will end with a bang! 

20/20...not so much!

The other day Boston called me and said, “Mom I need glasses, I look good in them.”  Apparently he tried some kids glasses on, and realized he could see better.  Of course, that was his story.  I wasn’t sure if he just wanted some glasses.  So after many requests, I took him to Target to get the “fake” fashion glasses.  He said, “MOM!  I really need glasses!”  My mistake.  We took him in and low and behold he does need glasses.  He said how funny it was that for so long he thought that is just how the rest of the world saw things.  Good thing he looks awesome in his glasses.  He is always getting compliments on them.  Even from strangers.  He said, “and maybe my teachers next year will think I’m really smart!”  haha

Ethan’s grade had a Madhatter’s party.  The Mom’s did an excellent job with the decorating and food.  A lot of Type A personalities went into this one!  Ethan went as one of the Queens guards.  I made this outfit for him.  I showed up to help set up, and I helped with some games.  It was a fun experience.  This school has been such a great change for Ethan.  He is loving every minute of it! (Well..mostly)

Gymnastic Moves!

Sophia finally bumped up a level in gymnamastic.  She was excited but sad to say goodbye to her  friends in her old class!  This was her new Leo to celbrate her advancement.  She had to be able to consistently get a pullover to move up and she finally got it!  

 Aubrie also moved up a level, and she did well at her first meet.  Getting a Gold and a Silver.   Ironically she is thinking of quiting because it's taking a toll on her body and her grades.  I can't imagine her not in gymnastics.

Tuscon Day Trip

Joe, Mom, and I took a trip to Tuscon the Saturday before she went home.  Mt. Lemon was our destination.  The scenic drive up to this ski resort has several different terrains.  After our scenic drive to the top we stopped at the local store for some Mt. Lemon fudge for the way back down.  We barely got to this scenic spot for a picture, as the sun was setting.  On our way out I looked up Man vs. Food destinations to see if there was a restaurant worth trying in Tuscon.  We picked El Guero Canelo, famous for their Sonoran hot dog.  I’m not a big hot dog fan since my chocking incident, but I decided if it was on the show I could NOT  try it!  It was supper yummy, but my favorite thing there was the Carne burrito.  Best flavoring EVER!!!   It was such a great trip and wonderful time with my family.   Ben kept busy with the kids while I was gone, and without my permission got Sophia’s ears pierced.  I was not happy to miss that milestone, but I couldn’t be upset because she was so excited about it!  

Utah with the Hellewell's 2012

Last year, the Hellewell's just had a baby and so they didn't come up to Utah for the New Year.  We were happy that they went up this year, and invited us to stay with them again.   This is their yearly family vacation and it means a lot that they include us.  It's always fun for the kids to be able to play in the snow together, and going to our normal stops, which include the outdoor ice skating rink, BYU bowling, sledding a few minutes away, and of course Dairy Keen!  Nothing like a shake in the middle of winter to chase down the burger and fries!:)  There was plenty of snow to enjoy this year, and the Soldiers Hallow was much better than last, but it was also extremely crowded so we only got about 4 runs in over a two hour period.  We had more fun sledding at a spot close to the house, where someone had built a snow ramp.  It became a contest to see who could get the most air.  When we were at home we enjoyed games of Settlers, cards, making hot chocolate, and feeding the horses....Aubrie was in HEAVEN!!!   While in Utah, Olivia had her first birthday party, so we were able to go to that.  It's uncanny how similar her and Aubrie look at this age!  We actually didn't stay New Year's Eve this year, but left that morning and got home in time to celebrate it here at home.  It was a nice family trip up to the snow and to see family!  Grateful to the Helewells for always inviting us! 

Aubries' Cute BYU Beanie!

Who is the kid in purple?  Ethan!  It was a hand me down and he was cool with it!  Even when a worker at Soldier Hallow called him a "she".  Ethan said, "It probaly was because of my jacket!"  Not even caring!