30, Really 30

So that has been a long time coming and I still wasn't ready. I'm not sure really how it happened but alas I have reached the age of thirty which my kids tell me is pretty old, I'm pretty much dead. It was a good birthday, Ben was on an overnighter with the scouts so we just hung out at home in our PJs. We made cookie bars instead of cake and they were yummy. (I just don't have it in me to make a cake for myself with it being so close to Charley's birthday and followed shortly by William's. 

For Ben's overnighter he was in charge of breakfast so Brevick, Emmerlyn, and I made cinnamon rolls for him to take. They were soft and delicious and I am so glad we sent them because Ben forgot to take the hash browns!  He had a good time though and said the boys had fun. 

 Charley started basketball this last week. He is doing a little clinic and had lots of fun. It was a cold night though so he went prepared!

William is on a basketball team this year and had a lot of fun at practice but unfortunately had to miss the game because he was sick. He had a pretty miserable few days last week but he is on the mend and excited for his field trip to Glacier National Park tomorrow!

We headed to Spokane on Saturday to go to the Temple. Unfortunately we forgot about the time change. . . Thankfully we were an hour early instead of an hour late! We will do better next time! Thankfully the weather and the roads weren't too bad!

The Nature of Relationships

So at breakfast this morning I was telling Ben about a silly dream that I had had in which a hotel on the beach exploded all action movie like. I had quite forgotten that the kids we listening until with a distraught look and a quiet saday voice asked "a hotel with all those people?" Immediately next to her Charley joined in with a loud "KABOOM!!" Complete with hand actions. Poor girl almost cried.

Charley turns 7

With the close of the holiday season our family opens the year with a season of birthdays beginning with none other then the Goobs. He holds this job well and as soon as Christmas day was past he began studying for his cake design and flavors. After much deliberation he came down to this design.

This is how I pulled it together. He did a great job and I enjoyed putting it together. Mostly.

I'm not sure what was up with the blankets but this is the pre-present shot

 My excellent wrapping job. One present was even still in the amazon box. Not to worry the kids are very adept at opening shipping packages. 

 Cards from Grandparents always make me smile. Go #98

 I mistakenly asked him to smile. I will do better next time. 

I don't even know how to describe this boy. He is fun, energetic, intelligent, cheerful, loving, and sweet to just name a few. Now for the favorites list

Food: cereal. That's what you choose for your birthday dinner 

breakfast: yokey eggs

drink: diet Mountain Dew (Thanks Grandpa Rydalch 😘)

Clothes: don't care as long as its comfy ie sweat pants. you like to be warm and have even been caught trying to leave the house in 2 hoodies

Toys: legos and hotwheels sets

Love Computer games 

TV show: Power Rangers or Pokemon

You love to play games as a family 

You like to dig holes in the backyard, mud or snow doesn't matter

You LOVE reading especially books that are funny.

You like to play rough. 

You are such a great kid and I don't know what we would do without you I love how you get excited and how you want to try new things. You love to be challenged and to learn new things. You like to practice the piano (even though you won't admit it if you feel like you have learned your songs to soon you like to talk me into changing our lesson day so you can get new ones. . .) You HATE doing the dishes this ALWAYS causes stomping and yelling even when you know its your turn. You give the sweetest hugs and kisses and you like to hold my hand when we walk home from school. 

LOVE you lots Charley man!

It Came

I know I left you hanging after that last post you may have wondered if Christmas ever came and I admit there was some anxiety on our part on whether the blessed even would in actuality take place. Thankfully all things came together and Santa found our little Missoula home and we were able to cherish the Spirit having Christmas on a beautiful stormy Sunday. We loved having Grandma and Grandpa Allen here with us and were glad that they made it home despite the treacherous roads. We had a fun Christmas Eve Day sledding, going on a drive, and drinking lots of hot chocolate! Now for the picture run down. . . 

Emmerlyn wanted to dress the dog up for Christmas after her bath, This was the best I could do. Note the poor dog hated the scratchy bow but she tolerated it well.

End picture from the Nativity scene. I love this sweet Christmas tradition especially as our kids are beginning to grasp what it means. *on a side note our baby Jesus spent the prelude prep time in tears because his 'sweet' brother Charley kept calling him BABY Jesus. "I a big boy!!" he responded, "I the BOY Jesus" We went with it and for some moments it was accurate! William was a phenomenal Joseph and Emmerlyn was a lovely Mary Charley was the jack of all trades and with a few quick costume changes he played the angel, innkeeper, shepherd, and wiseman. 

In my attempt to prepare a beautiful Christmas dinner I neglected to put the sugar in the pie (yeah that't how my life rolls) Thankfully I realized it before I served it and after trying this remedy with this pie i scooped out the filling in the other one added sugar and cream cheese whipped it together and put it back in the crust. It turned our yummy. . .

The poor dog got a scarf to match Emmerlyn's and Emmerlyn insisted she wear it. It looks lovely right? *we try to just use it as a doggie snuggle blanket now. 

Wearing her first set a of fake fingernails that she got from her brothers for Christmas.

His Gingerbread house from school. He did a great job! 

 We started a new tradition this year and I thought it was super fun. On the first day of Christmas Break we watched a Christmas movie and then the kids slept by the tree. They loved it!

 Santa Magic

 The line up. We woke them all up except for William!

 Charley gave us this card and wanted it documented for posterity. We loved it and all the notes that we get from our kids. 

 Charley was baking in his easybake oven and so William and the other kids baked up a yummy batch of banana cupcakes in the big oven to go with. The loved the frosting best :)

Another highlight of our Christmas was being able to take a short trip back to Rexburg to welcome Allyn home from her mission. It was so good to see her and all of our awesome family. We sure miss them. The kids had fun swimming at green canyon, drinking chocolate milk, eating subway, chinese food, roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, and of course CAKE.

It was a great trip!

Ben and I got to travel to Boise and attended my Grandma Roberts' 90th birthday party. I was SO glad we were able to make it and see her and my extended family on that side. The kids had so much fun playing and Grandma Allen's with Hyrum and Laura and their kiddos!