Ryan - Happy (St. Paddy's) Birthday

Yesterday, March 17th, was Ryan's Birthday!
All of the kids were gone, so for the most part, it was a little quieter and more kicked back than we're used to.
Both Ryan and I had to work, so the day went pretty much as usual. (Other than he had to drive to work with about 100 balloons in his car, a birthday banner behind his head and most of the windows in the Tahoe painted with birthday messages compliments of Chloe and Mariah.)
In the evening, we met Mike & Brenda (who happened to be celebrating their 31st Wedding Anniversary) and my Parents at Red Lobster for dinner. Then we spent awhile looking at the freaks in the bookstore, before going home and opening cards and presents with just the two of us.

I thought it was a really nice day, hopefully Ryan enjoyed it too! It is a lot of fun, having all of our 'Firsts' together.

Even Crazier than Usual

This past couple of weeks have been even busier than normal, (which is hard to believe.)
With the coming of Spring comes soccer season. the last 2 weeks have consisted of 2 soccer practices a week for Hayley, Darby, Zack and Sadie. Saturday, March 7th were the first games of the season, thankfully both Hayley and Darby play on the same team, so that limits our games to 3 a Saturday instead of 4.
Also, during the last 2 weeks, Darby & Sadie have had the normal Dance rehearsals, plus 2 performances and Dance company pictures.
Grant also started full-blown scouting now that he is 12, and both Grant and Chloe had most of last week home from school with bronchitis.
On Saturday, Grandma Nene came to visit for a week.
Everyone in the house (except me, thankfully) is still coughing to some degree or another. Ryan is starting to get MUCH better, but the Doctor said the cough could linger up to a month after he finished the anti-biotic.
Whew! I'm tired!
That's the low-down on the home-front!

Grant is 12

On Wednesday, February 25th, Grant had his landmark
12th Birthday!
He leaves for school at 6:45 a.m. so his day began with just he and I eating cinnamon rolls. He humored me singing to him with my morning voice and blew out one pink candle.

(As you can see, he obviously wasn't awake.)

He also found out that trying to lick the frosting off a candle that has been sticking in a just-out-of-the-oven cinnamon roll, doesn't work so well, because all the hot wax comes off in your mouth. YUM!

He got a 'Seat-belt' belt from the Jensen's

The family gave him a skate-board

And, Hayley and Mariah teamed up to give him a face-full of German chocolate cake. (He was a VERY good sport about it!)

This Sunday, March 8th, he will be ordained a Deacon.
We are very proud of this handsome young man!

Happy Birthday Bud!