He Went and Turned Nine

Nine years old.
That is a big number.
He told me it was his best birthday ever.
I love it when joy beams from his eyes.

A few Fridays ago
Kyler invited just a few of his friends
over for a party.
He loved this party.
I loved this party.
Easy and fun and relaxed.
The night before the party,
after getting the ok from all the moms
to show a PG-13 movie,
Ky and I went to the party store
and I let him pick out
a few things Avengers.
This boy was soooo happy.
Maybe it's because we are
frugal and cheap parents to begin with,
but he thanked me over and over again
for everything I was getting him
and told me I was spending sooo much money on him.
He is worth everything and more!
But what a sweet boy.

At the party,
there was pizza,
a Captain America dart game,
cake and ice cream
and the watching of Avengers.

Ky decorated his own cake!

 

These are some fun boys!

On Kyler's actual birthday,
Kacin and I sent him on a scavenger hunt
through the house to find his presents.

 

After the presents,

all the phone calls,

and his requested dinner of burritos and dirt cake,

this boy knew he was loved

and told me it was his best birthday ever.

Happy Birthday, Ky!

Feast and Fun

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for good food, friends, family, and games.

 

We gathered with some friends for the big feast.

Looky there.

We managed to get at least part of everyone's head in that there picture.

 The boys are becoming pro's at setting the table.
They remembered better than I did which side the fork goes on.

 E's grilled turkey
that he planned for weeks.
It was a mighty fine,
flavor filled, juicy bird.
Nice work, E.

The wishbone
that resulted in two-handed cheating
and a fight.

I never did pick up my camera for a picture,
but in the evening we gathered with about 6 other families
down at the church building
for a game night.
We pulled out cards, games, and balls
crafts,and treats
and I think everyone had a good time.

Thanks For . . .

I handed the camera off to Kacin who passed it to Ky who passed it back to me in lieu of the littles who passed it on to Eric. E hooked up the camera and we gathered around the TV to share some of the things we are grateful for.

We all agreed that very top on our list was each person in our family.

But we are also grateful for  . . .

L:

a couch to hang out on

 Chewie because she's teething (which was originally D's Chewie)

 shoes to take on and off

 a place to eat and eat (L likes food)

 Baba to drink from at night

D:
a cuddly blanket

 drawers to open and close and toys to take in and out

 a dustpan and a broom to carry around

 a drawer in the kitchen to take things in and out

 Sesame Street

Kacin:
a garbage to throw things away that we don't need

 lights to see

 a piano to play

 clocks to know what time it is

 couches and pillows (probably to jump on because that's what Kacin does)

Kyler:
Avengers (the latest obsession)

 the Star Wars wii game to play

 a TV and wii to play games on

 Star Wars Legos to build

 food to eat

Mom:

running water and a faucet that does not leak anymore

 that I can teach preschool, and that I have 4 kids that get into everything on the days I don't teach

 notebooks, paper, and pens to write lists and thoughts and notes

 bookshelves overflowing with good books

 most importantly,
my Savior, Jesus Christ

Dad:

Chickens and their eggs

 Dr. Pepper (was there even a question that this would be on his thankful list?)

 my side of the bed (before taking this picture E spread the blanket out a little to give you the appearance that we make the bed. we don't. I gave up on that one.)

 a Movember moustache (for the record, I don't get a choice whether or not he grows this thing)

 the diaper genie to curb diaper smells