Tyler's Birthday and a busy life 5/13 - 5/19/2018

Every so often Tyler's birthday is on a Sunday - which means that it's also Mother's Day.  He was a great Mother's Day gift when he was born 11 years ago.  Tyler has really grown this year, he had a great year in 5th grade and really was responsible for all of his classes.  We are so proud of him.  He is doing really well in piano.  I wish I would have started him sooner with a real teacher.  I didn't spend the time I should have when he was young and he just seems behind now - but he is learning quick and I enjoy listening to him play.  Tyler still loves all things with a ball, he asks all the time to be involved in some sport.  Sometimes he has to take a turn out and let his siblings play and he is a good sport about that.   He finished flag football most recently and I think basketball is next.  

Tyler asked for crepes for breakfast, chicken nuggets and instant potatoes for lunch and personal pizzas for dinner.  Tyler requested a banana cream pie instead of birthday cake which was so nice for me.  I made myself a key lime pie for Mother's Day.  I was in the kitchen a lot on Mother's Day, but that was ok since I knew I would be.  Doug helped with the mountain of dishes.  

 We got Damon and Tyler Imagine Dragon Concert tickets, in August.

 Tyler had fun lighting his own candles.

 Tyler had to wait until later in the week for us to take him out.  We were so busy almost every day with play practice, scouts, and other stuff.  He choose Chick-fil-a as well, mostly because he wanted his free milk shake.

My week was full of normal busy life.  I did a ton of errands on Tuesday - but met Doug for lunch so that was fun.  I finished hanging things in the girls room and it looks so cute!  This was our last institute class, it has been so good to go to class.  I also have enjoyed our exercise dance class that is at the church.  So many fun things to keep me busy.

Doug went camping with the scouts this weekend.  He spent a lot of time getting things ready, I helped with the food a bit - and actually forgot to pack the hashbrowns in the cooler - sorry boys.  I think they had a good time and Doug did a great job with his first time camping with the scout trailer.  

Field Trip, and Doug goes to Utah 5/6 - 5/12/2018

We put the bunk beds together this week for the girls, they were so excited.  Grateful for Doug's willing to help with my decor changes.  The only down side to switching is that Chris and Tyler lost their big drawer for their clothes.  So I bought one of those under the bed containers and put their shorts and pants in those.  It works pretty well.

Tuesday it was announced that the church would no longer participate in the BSA scouting program starting in 2020.  That was pretty big news for us.  Damon will be able to finish his Eagle, Tyler will be close and Chris will just be going into Webelos.  So we will see how they feel at that time if we have to move into a new pack.  I feel bad for Doug spending all this time and energy in a program that will only be around for another year and a half.  But at least we know when he will be released. :)

This week for pack meeting they did a fun Olympics theme.  The kids had a fun time.  Tyler was quite pleased that he earned 3 Gold medals. :)

Wednesday was the Kindergarten Field Trip.  They always go to Old MacDonald's Farm.  The girls have been quite a few times but they still loved it.  It was the first time that they rode a bus, so they were excited about that.  I was able to go around with Jenna and Kaylee and some of their other friends from school.  They loved the big sand pile and the train ride.  It was hot, but grateful there was a bit of shade here and there.

 Jenna swinging with her teacher: Mrs. Bruner

 Mrs. Bruner's class

 Mrs. Grabowski's class

 Doug left for Utah Thursday evening.  Our niece Ashley Hall got married over the weekend.  I'm glad that Doug was able to go to be supportive.  I don't worry about dinner as much when Doug is gone - so that was nice.  He was only gone for 2 days and came back Saturday night.

Friday I slept past my alarm, but gratefully woke up in time to get the kids going for school.  I was even able to get ready quick enough to make it to the 9:00 session at the temple.  It was great to go again.  

We all went to the Miller's in the evening for pizza and swimming.  Everyone had a great time.  So fun to play with friends!  There were a lot of people there!

Saturday I took the girls to the mall to get their Build-a-Bears.  Grandma Datwyler gave them some gift cards for their birthday.  They had a lot of fun picking everything out.  Kaylee choose a pink Bunny she named Cutie Pie and Jenna picked a purple Shopkins bear she named Donut Delish.  They made a fun memory.  

Damon went with the Shurtliffs for his last soccer game - it was just too hot for us all to go.  

Jenna and Kaylee's Birthday and party! 4/29 - 5/5/2018

Sunday we had Stake Conference, it seemed so long this time.  The kids did ok, but we didn't go early enough so we were in the gym, I think that makes it harder to listen.  

Monday and Tuesday I finished getting things ready for the girls birthday, wrapping presents, making the cake.  So much fun! 

Wednesday Jenna and Kaylee turned 6 years old!  Crazy!  They were so cute and excited in the morning.  It still was a school day so we had to eat quickly and open presents kind of fast.  I made german pancakes with strawberries and yogurt and chocolate milk for breakfast. 

 The girls went with me to the mall last week and picked out a dress, purse and headband from Children's Place.  They were very excited for those.

We gave them some microphones that amplify your voice a bit, they had a lot of fun with them. 

 Two cute birthday girls!

 It seemed like lots of little things this year.  Not many toys, they likes the crafty, art things better.

 I went to the school to eat lunch with them.

 We had a Pinkalicious birthday theme - as you will see with the party on Saturday. Kaylee:

 Jenna:

 As per tradition we took them out to eat for their birthday.  They chose Chick-fil-a and were very excited that they got a free milkshake because it was their birthday!

 On Friday I started the project of painting the girls wall.  It probably wasn't the best week to do this, but that is when some of my friends said they could come and help.  I had to be at Damon's school at 12:00 so I only had a few hours in the morning.  I got started right away and my friend Emily came and helped me with all of the taping.  We used painter's caulk to make sure we got a good line.  It worked really well.  Then my friend Texas came over to help fill in the middle.  We knew right away we weren't going to have enough paint.  I was so frustrated.  The people at Home Depot said that a quart would be enough.  We only got about 2/3 of the wall done then I had to run to Home Depot.  40 minutes later I quickly finished the wall and got ready to go to the school.  It turned out great, I love the color.  The girls were very excited to see it.  We are going to give them the bunk beds and change things around so it should be a lot of fun.

 Friday evening the kids helped me decorate for the party.  Everything PINK!

 The party went well, one friend was nervous about coming in so his mom stayed for awhile.  It was nice to have her help actually.  We played pin the cherry on the cupcake, bingo, and made masks.  Then we ate a snack lunch and opened presents.  We did a little karaoke and then just let them play.  Damon was at a merit badge clinic and Doug was gone too, so Tyler and Chris helped me run the games.

I was really bummed that I didn't get a good picture of the food before we ate it.  I spent a lot of time making lots of pink food: Strawberry lemonade, jam sandwiches, ham rolls, watermelon, jell-o jigglers, and strawberry/marshmallow skewers.  I had a pink table cloth, but it just kept sliding around with the kids pulling on it, so we took it off. 

 Then you had to have your green food so you didn't turn pink (it's in the book). So we had peas, celery, broccoli, green peppers, pickles, grapes, and green apples.

 And of course Pinkalicious cupcakes.

 The girls had a lot of fun!

 They mostly invited friends from school.  I think they all had a fun time. Happy Birthday Jenna and Kaylee!

Whew!  It was a busy day, Chris had his own party to go to in the afternoon and the rest of us went to the pool for the first time this summer.  It was a bit chilly, so we did't stay too long.