Jace's Birthday

Jace's birthday was a 5 day ordeal.  Monday was his friend party and Tuesday his actual birthday was a quiet evening at home with just us.  Here are a few pictures from his party.

He loved his football and Vikings blanket to match his jersey

Chocolate cake it was for him!

A gratitude journal from Papa and Grams (with a couple of hidden treasures)

A nice jacket with playing cards from The Best Grandparents 

Then some money from friends and Sweigart grandparents he is still not sure what to buy.  He also got a new basketball goal for the back yard.

Then the party continued as he chose to go the the sand dunes as part of his birthday....

The kids spent most of there time in the sand digging holes, playing football, wrestling, or flying kites.

Calissa and I spent a lot of time together we aren't as fond of the sand as everyone else.

Calissa with her helmet ready to ride.

Calissa fell in love with the quad, this was her first trip out and just got better and better.  She would find Jeff and would tell him she wanted to ride.  She is so little and it was so cute to watch ride and we were so impressed at how well she did.  She will more than likely be the rider of the bunch.

It was a nice relaxing weekend but when we left this is how it looked.  Wind was blowing at 35mph the sand coming in sideways.  There is sand everywhere in the trailer and will take months I am sure till we get majority of the sand out of all the nooks and crannies.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!  WE LOVE YOU LOTS!! Thanks for a great week!

Jace's "Friend" Party

The Whole Group Calissa, Jace, Alyza, CJ, Jett, Caelin, Sabrina

Cake and ice cream YUMMY!!

Calissa's perch to watch the action

"The Girls"

"The Boys" they liked the video games more than skating!

Jace had is friend party this morning at "Skate Country" the kids had a good time.  Jace had invited three boys and told Caelin she could invite a friend.  Only one boy came and he brought his older sister (one of Caelin's friends) and then Caelin's other friend came too.  So for "Jace's" party Caelin had more friends than him.  I felt bad for him but I think he still had a good time.

A Busy Saturday

Today was the Stake Activity Day for Caelin and Jace had his 2nd Pinewood Derby.  Jeff took Jace, Jett and Calissa (she is potty training) to the Pinewood Derby where Jace showed off and got 2nd place.  Way to go Jace!  Jett and Calissa enjoyed watching the cars race and Jett talked non stop to people on the side lines.  Calissa made it through the activity with no accidents (lucky for Jeff), then when she got home she let him have it with four of them.

Here is a picture of his car aka "Mach 5"

Here is a video of the final race where Jace (the white car) came in 2nd Place

Caelin's activity was a Mother/Daughter Day where everything was about being a Princess and was titled "Princess Training.  Their first class was "Celestial Princess" based on President Uchdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After".  That was really great I love that talk and they also learned a new song, "Walk Tall You are a Daughter of God".  The next class was a "Kingdom Cookery" where they made layered deserts that were so neat to see and to eat.  The next was "Majestic Grooming" and why it is important to take care of our bodies and our spirits.  Then Caelin's favorite was "Princess Bootcamp" and we had the best drill sergeant  and she pushed the girls and the moms hard.  I think quite a few will be sore tomorrow.  The final class was "Royal Photo Shoot" where the girls were able to decorate a picture frame and they had taken a picture of us and then had copies made.  It was a fun and exciting and I think I enjoyed it as much as Caelin.

A busy day for sure but the kids had a GREAT day!

Christmas 2011

This year Christmas was not so much like Christmas things were a little different.  My Dad (who is always cooking) had rotator cuff surgery the Wednesday before and was on strict orders to take it easy, which meant I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, which was fine I don't mind cooking just like to have dad cooking with me.  The house was much quieter for Christmas too many didn't come and too many live in town.  We also had the dreaded flu come through the house, Jace started it and spent one day in the trailer with coke and watching movies, I think he enjoyed it.  Then it hit Calissa and I said if you are all going to get it lets get it over with and sure enough an hour later Jett started and that night I got little sleep.  Luckily it was short lived but Christmas Day it hit Caelin, poor thing just couldn't get excited about anything.  Then a couple of days later it hit Jeff and he spent a whole day on the couch or in bed and was sore from sitting/lying down all day.  Luckily for me it waited until we got home.

Too dampen the holiday spirit we found out two days before Christmas my oldest brother Maverick was in an ATV accident that was quite serious.  We have said many prayers for him and continue to pray that he will heal quickly and be able to return to all his activities.  It hit me hard thinking how easy it could have been me spending Christmas in the hospital.  He has an amazing wife and son who we have prayed for as well.  We are thinking of you all and hope you know we love you!

Christmas Eve is always fun with all the little kids they love to dress up in the Nativity costumes and come in as the Christmas Story is read.

Bentlee, Calissa, Jace, Marshall, Jett, Brigham, Caelin, Brikelle (hiding)

We had some good fun after Christmas with paintball guns.  Caelin and Jace got them from Grandma Jean and Grandpa Dave.  Then I got one from Jeff and Jeff bought his own.  So mom and dad offered to watch the kids and we got Teonna and Luke and went paint balling.  We had a lot of fun and have many bruises and welts as after effects.

Don't I look tough?!?!

Jace got a big bean bag and showing off his new gun (Papa in the background with sling on)

Caelin with her bean bag and pogo stick trying to act excited

Calissa with her new bike and princess chair

Calissa and her doll paraphernalia 

Jett on his new bike

I also did my first prime rib that turned out fabulous (if I do say so myself) but I had one of the best cooks I know giving me tips.  It was a quieter, different type of Christmas for us, but it really is about celebrating the birth of our Savior and spending time with family and that is what we did.  So grateful to my parents for having us there for 2 weeks.  We missed seeing some of our family but know that we thought of you all and hope your holidays were merry!

Happy Birthday Jeff

I am a little behind but we don't want to miss out on these special days we had!

I made this divine cake myself it was quite yummy with extra frosting just for Jeff!

THE CAKE!!

What a GREAT family I have!!

Opening Gifts

I always spoil Jeff just a little on his birthday, but hey I believe he deserves it so I spoil.  This year he got a shirt and tie (he always needs those), a new shifter for his car, and riding shoes for his bicycle, from his Dad and Jonna he got cologne,  and his mom money and polo shirt.  He was happy and surprised I usually can get at least one thing he is thrilled with and shocked and this year it was two.  Happy Birthday Babe, I love you lots!