Bastian's kindergarten graduation, Grandparent Day for Abby and Hayden Turns 11

Bastian's Kindergarten Graduation

Bastian was the cutest little kindergartner singing all the songs his class had worked so hard to learn.




Grandparent Day for Abby

Abby was so fortunate to have 3 grandmas come for her grandparents day!  She was the only one. Great Grandma Orrock, Grandma LeBaron and Grandma Bastian all attended her special event. Weston and Bastian were able to come as well.  Abby got to have her grandmas tell her about their lives when they were kids.  It was a wonderful day.



My Mom came and spent the night in preparation for grandparents day and put Abby's hair up in rollers.







Hayden Turns 11

Hayden party was a brawl....a Super Smash Brother's Brawl! We brought the big flat screen TV from upstairs to the main floor and set up the Wii so that Hayden and his friends could have Super Smash Brother's Brawl battles on the same floor as the other party festivities. We did this so it would be more convenient for Hayden's friend, Kent, who is in a wheelchair. Those in attendance were Kent Dominguez, Jacob Olson, Ethan Burnham, Josh Johnson, Sam Hansbrow, and Trenton Teasdale. Everyone of these boys except for Trenton (because he attends a different school) is one of Kent's Kronies. This was a group made up by the boys in 5th grade. Two other kronies were invited but were unable to attend.



Back by popular demand was the game where the boys raced to eat a donut hanging by a string the fastest.




The boys also turned on our electric piano and danced around. Kent threw his head back laughing at some of the ridiculous dance moves performed by the boys.



Kathryn, Rob's sister, and I listened to some of their conversations and giggled in the kitchen. At one point Josh was playing mercy with Kent. Josh said to Kent, "Say mercy! I don't want to hurt you." Kent still wanted to play. Josh waited in vain and finally said, "Fine," then he turned it up and Kent cried, "Mercy!"

Trenton picking out his piece of cake said, "I want the cake that is the farthest away because it's the loneliest." I handed out forks to eat the cake and Sam said, "Thanks, I might not need it."

Abby's Birthday

Abby loves baking so much she requested that we have a baking party. We made banana bread that we baked in mini banana loaf tins--one for each party guest. It took longer than I had planned to make the bread, so they weren't quite done when the party ended. After they cooled we delivered them to the girls' houses. It was a great party! I decorated her cake with Abby's favorite littlest pets that I sanitized in the dishwasher. I was happy to know that the paint on their faces wasn't ruined by the dishwasher. That could've been disastrous!

Friends in attendance were Emma Young, Weston LeBaron, Isabel Wood, Kaitlin McEwen, Macailey Smith, Kaitlyn Brooks, Lucy Bradshaw, and Annika Wood.

We all took turns adding ingredients to the Bosch. The girls were so good and couldn't wait to taste thier very own loaf.

Weston Turns 4.

We celebrated Weston's birthday with our immediate family and later in the week he had a few friends come over for his friend birthday party. At his pary we ate his favorite, pepperoni pizza, and chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

He got a Power Ranger blaster that turns into a sword in "sword mode." With a press of a button it also gives voice commands. He thinks it is the coolest. After dinner, cupcakes and presents, we made Weston's last birthday wish come true and all went to Jumping Jacks, a place my children love to go and jump on big blow up toys till they are exhausted.

I Am a 33 Year Old.

Thirty-three feels a lot like thirty-two, but I must say that I have discovered a few more wrinkles around my eyes. I plan on growing old gracefully...it seems at thirty-three I am beginning that journey. For a cake we used a lowfat zucchini bread dropped off by our awesome home teacher, made by his awesome wife. We are currently in the thick of eating more healthfully. My cake is a sign of our dedication to making a lifestyle change. For candles we used the 3 and 2 that I bought two years ago for Rob's 32nd birthday and one match to make 33. There just weren't ANY candles to be found. I applaud Rob's ingenuity.

Rob got me one of my two favorite pictures of the Savior. I hung it upstairs in our bedroom right in front of the treadmill where I look at it often. Amidst the children, the look on the Savior's face is attentive and full of love. I love it.

All the kids wrote me cards. I had a great birthday!

Rob's Hearty Birthday

For Rob's birthday we each wrote things that we love about Rob or things that we did that day because we knew it would make him happy. We glued them to red and blue hearts and stuck them to the wall. Below are the messages on the hearts:

I took a bath (Bastian), I love to hear Dad sing (Rachel), I love Dad because he plays games with me on the Wii (Weston), We love it when Dad plays and lays on the trampoline with us (the whole family), I love it when Dad scratches my back (Rachel), I cleaned the mudroom. I love you!!! (Abby), I love Dad because he honors the priesthood (Rachel), I love Dad because he spends time with us (Hayden), I helped with the laundry (Weston), I love Dad because he is generous and kind (Rachel), I love Dad because he tries to do everything he can to have a good life and home (Abby), I love it when Dad makes roast, potatoes, and gravy for Sunday dinner (the whole family), I had a backbone today when I called the Tobi Steamer company. Love you!! (Rachel), I played outside (Hayden), I love Dad because he plays with me (Bastian), I like Dad cause he works things out fairly (Abby), I love Dad because he is spontaneous (Rachel), I love Dad because he makes us laugh (Abby), I love Dad because he helps me clean up (Rachel), I love Dad because he takes care of us (Rachel), I love Dad because he's funny (Hayden), I love it in the summer when he plays trip with us (All the kids: Trip is a game Rob invented that is played on the trampoline), I love Dad because I like it when he tickles me (Abby), I love Dad because he is a hard worker (Rachel), I love Dad because he takes me camping (Hayden), I love Dad and I love it when he comes on vacations with me (Rachel).
Hayden and Abby also made signs to cover ALL the clocks on the main floor that said, "Don't waste your time, come downstairs and play Warhawk!"

This was the sign that Hayden made for the front of the door that leads to the basement. It reads, "Dear Dad, I'm sure it's been a long day at work. Come downstairs to have a great time! Hayden."

Happy 34th birthday to my sweetheart! We all love you VERY MUCH.

Celebrate with a Chocolate Fountain

Jessica had the most brilliant idea to bring over her chocolate fountian and a bunch of delicious things for dipping in celebration for Rob's birthday. Is she FABULOUS or what? We had so much fun watching the kids make their chocolate covered concoctions! It was a chocolate extravaganza at its best! I know they will never forget it and neither will I. Thank you so much, Jess, for your generosity!

Bastian Turns 6

Bastian turned 6 on November 1st. We ate chocolate fudge cake with chocolate frosting and rainbow letters.

For his birthday he got the N-strike Longshot by Nerf. Wouldn't you know, it was exactly what he wanted.

After putting together the Nerf gun we went to Jumping Jacks and jumped and slid on their big blow-up toys and slides. It was a great 6th birthday for Bastian.