Max's Birthday Party

We don't do birthday parties every year, so when it comes time for a party, apparently, the entire neighborhood and school class will be invited.  It was a lot of fun!  Max wanted a spy theme, so we sent out little file folder invites that invited them on their mission.  We played spy games, including a scavenger hunt that had to be decoded from morse code.  We also did an obstacle course for training and a pinata that was a little army guy that we said was self-defense class.  They all seemed to enjoy it, so success in my book!

Some of the first to arrive.

Austin about to hit the pinata

Armando had the best hit and army guy lost.

Little bomb cupcakes.  Not my best, b ut we were a little pressed for time.

All the kids with what was left of the army guy

Max and Vicky Gonzalez

Max and Gabe

Max and Armando Garcia

Max and Austin Long

Max and Garrett Geddes

Dallin Heal and Max

Kye Larson and Max

Turner Geddes and Max

Max and Mason Fox

Ethan Chandler and Max

His cousins, Millie and Isaac came as well, but we didn't get their pictures.

Max at Tucanos with Mom and Dad for his birthday dinner

The big 4-O

This post is long overdue.  It has been sitting in my drafts, even though I thought it had posted.  Duh!  Anyway, here it is.

Photo courtesy of London

Shane had his birthday and he turned 40.  He doesn't look like he is a day over 25, so it didn't make much sense to do an Over the Hill kind of party.  So we decided to celebrate by surprising him with an Open House for some of his friends and family to stop in and see him.  To keep it a secret, I didn't make any of the food and relied on BYU and my 2 sisters to help me.  They all came through and Shane was completely surprised.  I told him I had a Primary meeting and didn't want all the kids running around.  I asked him to take them to Trafalga and told him they could come back at 6 because we would be done and we need to eat dinner.  I also told Andrew that if it didn't look like he would be taking them home at 6, to make up some reason to come home.  Andrew decided he would use the excuse no matter what.  So, at 5:50 I got a text from Aidan that asked when they should come home.  I told him 6, but it should be ok if they leave then.  He paused a moment, and then replied, "OK, Andrew just headed to the bathroom!"  Andrew decided to pretend he was sick.  He ran to the bathroom and then came back to Shane and told him he had to leave because he was sick.  Shane said ok and they headed home.  It was a fun evening and it was even more fun being able to surprise Shane.  Happy 40th, babe!

A Trip to the Farm

Max's class was able to go to Wheeler Farm to see some animals and learn a little history.  I was lucky enough to go along.  After lunch we played and I would kick the football to Max and he would catch it and either kick it back or throw it.  I got to be the cool Mom for a moment when all the other boys thought what we were doing looked fun and they all came and joined in.  It was a lot of fun!

The boys in Max's group.
Armando, Slade, Gabe, Kai, Skyler, Max

Being Silly

On the wagon ride

He is such a cutie pie!  I love that he isn't embarrassed of me yet!

Preschool Graduation, Take 1

London had her first preschool graduation.  She will get one more next year because she has one more year before kindergarten.  She looked so cute.  Her teacher gave them all shirts with their names on them and the kids decorated their hats.  They sang a bunch of songs and then received their little diplomas.  Also you can see one of the songs, her favorite, below.

Her teacher also gave each child an award and a special gift.  London got the most happy award.

I don't really know where everyone was looking, but it was much more interesting than the camera!  Next to Miss Sue in the back is London's cousin Frank.  They were able to go to preschool together once a week and then without each other another day.

3K - 2013

Max's school did their annual fundraiser, the 3K.  The kindergarten and 1st grade always run a smaller run.  This year Max got to do the real deal!  He was a little nervous, but I told him he didn't need to win.  It was just to have fun and I didn't care if he walked the whole way.  The only thing I was nervous about was him being alone.  Well, he started the race with his friend, Slade, and they did the whole thing TOGETHER!  So sweet!  Here are the pics.

Cruise 2013

In January we were able to leave the cold and celebrate our 10 year anniversary.  Our anniversary was in September, but with school starting and BYU football season, January was a better option.  We wernt on a cruise to the Southern Caribbean and it was AMAZING!  We flew into San Juan, Puerto Rico on a Friday night.