Ripe 'Ole Age of 7- Blakers

Blake turned the BIG 7. I can't believe how much personality he has acquired in that short of time. His moods can range from super lovey-dovey to confident and cool. He seems to be the ring leader of "ideas" with friends at school and in the neighborhood. I'd probably worry more about him if he wasn't so smart. (Maybe that is why I should worry!) We were watching him in a flag football game recently and one of our friends asked if Darren or I were as confident as a 2nd grader as Blakers. I don't recall making friends as easily or smooth talking my mom quite so well. I don't remember making money selling rocks or outwitting older neighbor friends. Come to think of it, I'm not sure where the charisma comes from. That makes sense, though, because Blakers is unique and that's what we love, LOVE, L.O.V.E. about him. Happy birthday, Bud!
We celebrated *serious* on Blake's birthday. April 2nd happened to fall on spring break. We slept over at Red Rock Resort so that Blake woke up to presents at the hotel. Better mention that we had already eaten out, hit the arcade, and gone to a movie the night before. That morning took us to breakfast, bowling, Kid Quest, and the pool/hot tub (f-f-f-freeezing), another movie, more food...
We threw a friend party a few weeks later. Ethan and Blake both celebrated with friends on the same day. We rented a giant jumpie and did a pinata. That was a recipe for fun in their minds and they were satisfied with just that. Yeah! Two seperate birthday parties in one day!

Fun to Run April 10, 2010

So... the original plan was for Darren to push Nash in the running stroller while he ran with Keaton and Blake in a 1K race. Then Ethan and I were going to run a 5K. As our luck would have it, both Nash and Keaton were up all night with a sudden case of the croup. Here's what really went down- Darren stayed home with the sicklings. I ran the 1K with Blake while Ethan hung out at the start line. Blake did fabulous and was proud of his finisher's medal. Then Blake got a free ride in the running stroller while Ethan and I ran/walk/complained the 5K. I was glad that my boys were excited about doing the race. I hope I can talk them into another one...

Never-ending Spoil

My mom always did special things for us on holidays. Green eggs and ham on April Fool's, coloring placemats on St. Patrick's Day, door bell ditch on Valentine's Day, etc... I am finding that I am doing these things now and I have come up with a very serious question: Does it ever end? I was going through photos to post and I had to seriously think about why on earth the kids were unwrapping presents at the end of a treasure hunt earlier this year. What were we celebrating in these photos? I finally realized that the pictures were of the the loot that Cupid had stashed. This was after a jack-pot Christmas and followed by a generous Leprachaun and friendly Easter Bunny. I write this as I am planning their birthday parties that will be held on the SAME day (different times) so that we can take advantage of the ginormous bouncie/slide/obstacle course that we rented for the celebrations. I am to blame for this madness. Some day- and I feel it coming on soon- I will gently wean my little ones off of this spoil coaster and settle in for simple stuff. Wish me luck.

Has one year SERIOUSLY gone by?





I am a slacker. Nash is now 14 months old and I have yet to show him off in an updated post. What can I say about the world's most fabulous baby? This is a child who can bring a smile to my face no. matter. what! He is a smarty pants and a heart breaker already. I can count on a snuggle with is head on my shoulder. Nash loves to blow kisses, play with his brothers, read books, go outside, play with/look at/mimic doggies, check out birds, throw balls, eat chocolate chips, jump on the "jump jump", and laugh in a devilish tone. He says doggy, book, bye bye, ball, ma ma, da da, blankie, what's that (whas tha) and supercalifragilisticexpealidocious (I told you he was smart)! We love, love, love him.

Emerging Hoops Star

Blake played basketball for the first time this past winter. He had a great time and he did well. The Summerlin league has a great ref that works with the younger players to really teach them, even if it means doing some teaching in the middle of a game. Check out the middle picture of Blake. His entire team is turned, listening to the coach and ref. Blake is looking in the complete opposite direction. There's probably a claw machine in the corner that he is eyeing!

RaNdomNess 2010

A bit of RaNdomNeSs...


I took the kids hiking on President's Day break. Darren had to work so we joined a group of friends and had a great time.


We celebrated Nash's birthday with a trip to California Pizza Kitchen at Town Square (Nash likes the split pea soup there!). This picture is taken at the park at the outdoor mall.


Ethan received his Wolf Badge. Darren took this picture. I think that look on Ethan's face is toward me because they were announcing for me to come forward to get the "Mommy pin" and I wasn't hearing them because I was busy playing with Nash in the audience. Ooops!


FHE at our house is a mix of a bit of singing and prayer, a short and very interrupted lesson/game, and a whole lot of rough housing.

Better Late Than Never...

Sledding: We spent a few days with Jill and Justin. The kids had fun just playing at the house...we couldn't even get them to get excited about going out and about. The highlight of our stay revolved around the basketball game that Jackson and Bowen got for Christmas. Everyone got a good laugh out of J-Dog and his announcing skills. The kids did get out for some sledding and a trip to Jump On It. Good memories.





Christmas Eve nativity scene. Darren's family traditionally gathers on Christmas Eve for dinner, the nativity, and presents. It's always fun...




Bethlehem Dinner: We got together with friends and had a Bethlehem dinner and then re -enacted the nativity. It was so fun to eat a unique dinner all dressed for the occasion. I hope it becomes a tradition.