COLTON'S 16 - THE PARTY

Looking back I now realize that Colton turning 13 was a piece of cake!  

He's now 16!

16, people!!!!!

SIX!TEEN!!!!

All he wanted was a party, so a party he had.

His friend, Jeremy was the DJ....with real equipment and everything.  I'm so sad I don't have a photo of that, but I wasn't technically invited to the party.  I sneaked a couple of shots in passing.  I'm glad I caught this shot, the real reason for the party....GIRLS!

Happy Birthday to Colton!

Group shot!

I thought I had everyone in this one...not quite.

Here's the rest of the boys.

Yes, Kyler managed to be in the middle of the photos...

and again!

He didn't really want a cake, but I thought he needed one.

Chips, Dip, Soda, Cinnamon Bun Popcorn, Vanilla Crunch Popcorn

Kyler...again!

Heaven help us when Ky's a teenager!

I'm so happy he had the party he wanted! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLTON!!!!!

ONLY A DAD!

I wish I had better pictures of this.  Do you see that man with the yellow hand truck?  Well, he's not a delivery man, he's a dad.  A dad who has a daughter.  A daughter who broke her leg.  This dad walks to the school to pick up the daughter with the broken leg and wheels her home so she doesn't have to use her crutches.  All I can say is "ONLY A DAD would think of this!"

How can I say "no" to this boy!  Well, most of the time I don't have a problem saying "no", but this day I said "YES!"  1 shaved ice + 1 cute boy = 1 happy & spoiled rotten baby!

2ND GRADE PROGRAM

Behold!  The 2nd grade program.

This is one time it would be nice to have a great camera. Can you spot my boy? 

He was the top, center of the above photo.  Doesn't he look happy?!?  He is the most social and open kid I know, but he doesn't like performing on demand.

That's his show face....except when he yawns....which he did repeatedly!

After the program was over, he was much happier to show us some moves!

He was also very happy to celebrate with a treat!  Mamita treated the boys to sundaes at McDonald's.  See, Kyler, it was all worth it!

ROADSHOW

First.....WE NEED A VACATION!  It's been such a long time since we've really done anything or gone anywhere.  At this point, going to a restaurant or store is a mini vacation.  So you can imagine how excited we were to have a "mini vacation evening".  We drove down to Tucson to see church roadshows!  My cousin, Jacquelen was directing one for her ward and we wanted to see it.  My mom even came with us.  (Colton wasn't with us....he was having an ACTUAL VACATION in San Diego with his school....LUCKY!!!!)  To make this an official "mini vacation evening", we went out to eat first.

 

Asher and Kyler enjoying the freedom of the "mini vacation evening".

Yes....we needed this!

I forget the name of the restaurant (I'm sure Jacquelen could remind me) but it was Mexican...of course!  It was really busy with a live mariachi band.  I love the woman that travels around the restaurant with her table of salsa fixings.  She asks what you want the heat level to be and then makes your salsa right there!

It was pretty yummy, but I couldn't believe how big the bowl was!  Look at how much bigger the bowl of salsa is next to the basket of chips!

Asher clapping for the mariachis!

After our meal, we made our way to the church building to enjoy our entertainment for the night.  It did not disappoint!  Jacquelen's ward did a great job!  It reminded me of all the time we used to spend acting out plays or commercials in our childhood.  FUN TIMES!!!!  Thanks, Jacquelen...the "mini vacation evening"!

LEAP DAY (where your wildest dreams come true)

 This is what Leap Day looks like!

Next leap day my kids will be 19 (almost 20), 17 and 11!  CRAZY!!!!  I decided that I needed to document this last leap day with all my kids at home.  I also decided that we needed a theme:  May All Your Wildest Dreams Come True!  (my nod to Napoleon Dynamite)  Here's the morning rush and lunches getting made.

 A quick group shot before they're off to school and work.  Colton was already at his zero hour class.

Yes....this is Kyler's Valentine's loot.  He brings it out every morning to decide what candy he's going to have.   Remember when we were kids and just received cards!

 As a special treat (yes, this is my life), Tony brought Taco Bell home for lunch.  (jealous yet?)  Roscoe just tried to lick his face...but I love the next photo of him licking his chops!  Silly puppy, taco bell's for people!  Tony also brought the mail home and I received a package.  I was so excited and felt that this was already fitting in with my theme.  Then I opened the box..........

 JEWELRY!!!!!!

Thanks to my step-mom and dad.

I LOVE IT and it made my wildest dreams come true!!!!!!

UNDONE

1 MADE BED + 1 PUPPY =

1 UNDONE BED!

(good thing we think he's so cute!)

SCHOOL PROM aka THE FIRST DATE

 This is how Colton asked Catie to prom.  His name was written in permanent ink and the others were written in washable marker.  Clever, huh.

 Next step, buy a suit!  Doesn't he look handsome!!!

 The benefit of his first date being prom is that it's normal for parents to take photos.  Could you imagine how embarrassed he would have been with me following behind and snapping photos of his first date if it wasn't prom. 

We stayed on the sidewalk while he knocked on her door.  Her mother was so nice and invited us to come in and take more photos.

 I'm happy for him, but it's still weird to see him so grown up.

 I think my favorite photos were here next to the citrus trees.

 Ahhhhh, to be young again.

 Now it's time for the parents to leave and kids to go to the prom.  They had a great time and I can't wait to see their official prom photo!

I'm so thankful that our friends invited us over for dinner Saturday night.  It was a lot better than sitting in my bed looking through old scrapbooks, weeping and singing "Sunrise, Sunset".

Is this the little girl I carried?

Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older

When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty?

When did he grow to be so tall?

Wasn't it yesterday

When they were small?

Sunrise, Sunset

(sniff, sniff.....where's the tissue?!?)

SOOOOOOOOOO BEHIND!

I love my three monkeys!  So much is going on, so much to post....one problem:  Tony "fixed" my computer and now I'm having problems uploading photos.  Hopefully it will be working tonight and I can catch up on the past month.  I hope to have updates soon on a first date for a certain 16 year-old. (he won't mind if I secretly follow him to take some photos......right?!?)  A certain 13 year-old has started track and I think he's loving it....but I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to ask if he loves it.  A certain 7 year-old is getting way too close to turning 8.....and that means baptism time......OUR BABY'S GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!!!  I'm excited and sad all at the same time.  And finally.....our puppy (I think we'll always call him that because of his size) will turn 3 soon.....don't worry, I WON'T throw him a puppy party....I promise!  Those updates and so many more (like Mom's Monumental Mission) will be shared soon!