Adam's 10th Birthday Party

Adam had his birthday party this past Saturday.  He couldn't decide on a theme or what he wanted to do.  So I told him we were going to surprise him with something fun for the party.  And, boy, was it fun!  We rented an inflatable obstacle course.  The boys LOVED it!!! 

(Warning--lots of photos) 

 

At the party were Adam's friends, Orion and Kenji Craig, Cyrus Kentner and Steven Mills.  Matthew and Gavin also participated. 

The bouncy was set up three hours before the party began so Matt and Gavin played 'til they were pooped. 

Check Matt out--he's flying thru the air.  He would hurtled himself off the top of the slide every time. 

Gavin wasn't afraid to play with the big boys.  He didn't mind getting jostled around. 

 When the boys needed a break we came inside for cake and other snacks.  We then had a pinata.

 Gavin taking his turn.  He thought it was very exciting.
 

 Next came Matt.

 



And then Adam.  Cyrus finally got it open. 

 

The Professor is In

Making a Mess

I heard Gavin playing in his room the other day.  I didn't think much of it.  I heard a few bonks, but again, thought that was pretty usual for him.  However, what I found was not usual. 

Every book, every shelf, every bin on the floor. 

Halloween 2012

Halloween is always such an anticpated and exciting holiday for the boys.  Typically they're not too interested in dressing up; it's the candy they like.  At the ward trunk-or-treat, Gavin would not wear his costume.  So we wondered if he would put it on for Halloween.  Thankfully he did.  He was 'Diego'.  Matt was a ninja.  Adam was a creeper from the game, Minecraft.  The weather was great--80 degrees.  Gavin had so much fun.  He sure tried to keep up with his brothers.  Gavin often says a 'p' sound in place of a 't' sound.  So, instead of 'trick or treat', he says 'pick a treat'.  And since he's so social and hasn't met anyone he doesn't consider a friend, he talked to the people at every house.  And every dog at every house.  And the other trick or treaters at every house. 

 

Loss of a Friend

This week the boys lost one of their dear friends--

Our trampoline.

It succumbed to what is  known as "western kansas wind". 

We said our final goodbyes today as we threw it in the dumpster.

May it rest in peace.

Gavin's Fashion

Gavin is very vocal about what clothes he wants to wear.  He saw this shirt in Matt's closet.  It's a school shirt.  Gavin thinks it looks like Chuck E. Cheese.  It has now become his favorite pajama shirt.  He's really into hats now, too.  Typically he wears his orange one, but this particular day he wanted to wear one of Matt's. 

Here is is after changing out of his jammies and into his church clothes.  He was excited to wear a tie, like Daddy. 

Conference, Birthday and Baby

This past weekend was General Conference and Robert's birthday (Sunday).  It was a busy weekend.  A friend also had her baby Friday morning, so I took care of her other children for a couple of days.  We had prearranged this so I was expecting her call some time.  However, when it came at 2am Friday morning I was a bit frantic.  Knowing her water had broke but not knowing how short her labors tended to be, I quickly made Adam and Matt's lunches, made sure Robert was coherent enough to know I was leaving and rushed over within 10 minutes.  In the morning I got the three oldest off to school and brought the two younger ones home to my house.  Gavin loved having his 'friends' over to play.  We had them over again Saturday evening while my friend came home and rested a bit.  This is baby #6 so she needed some peace and quiet before the chaos began. 

During all of this I had also planned on having some activities for the boys during Conference.  I printed off a bunch of activity sheets, set up a Lego table (to build church-related items), had a snack basket , pictures of the prophets/apostles and places to write notes.  Nothing like watching four sessions of conference with young children.  By Sunday afternoon, they were bouncing off the walls...literally.  Adam would doing a handstand on the couch, then run behind it and jump up on the wall and then repeat it.  Over and over.  And....then we had a bit of a birthday for Robert.  Saturday evening, before the priesthood session, we went out to eat.  Sunday morning I made a favorite breakfast of his--'breakfast treat'--something his mom would make it as a kid.  Then we opened presents before conference.  He received the obligatory shirts and ties.  And some chocolates.  Dinner was steak and mashed potatoes.  His big present came last month--a trip to Miami.  So I've included a couple of photos from the trip.  Certainly we went to the beach but I've included photos of things we don't typically do. 

 

 

We went to a Miami Marlins baseball game.  It was in the new stadium--very nice.

We also checked out American Airlines Arena--home of the Miami Heat basketball team, NBA champs.