Sweethearts Dance

Well, Eric finally went on a date!  He got asked to Sweethearts Dance and went on Saturday.  He was so excited.....and so were we!  The girl who took him (named Megan) brought a bunch of balloons with the letters "SWEETHEARTS?" on them and a whole bag full of yummy valentine candy.  It was cute.  I had never met her, but she seemed really nice.  When she brought the balloons, she came to the door and our

conversation went something like this....

Megan:  Are you Eric's Mom?

Me:  Yes.

Megan:  Is Eric home?

Me.  Yes

Megan:  I am asking him to Sweethearts and he already knows.  But I told him I would ask him in a "cute" way.  Can I put something in his room?

Me:  Yes.

Megan:  Is he in his room right now?

Me:  Yes

Megan:  Can you distract him?

Okay, it was actually more exciting than that and I THINK I gave more than one word answers as well.....at least I hope I did.  Yep, I did.  I remember now.  I said something dumb like "Really?  Eric didn't even say anythng to me."  I'm sure that went over well.  It was one of those "think before you speak" kind-of moments, which unfortunately I have way too many of.....

Anyway, here are the balloons, which sadly deflated the next morning, which is when I decided I should take a picture......DUH!

Okay, this is me and Eric the night of the dance, waiting for Megan's arrival.  She was driving after all.  Gosh, don't you think that looks like Me and Todd?  Except that I look WAY older, but still.....what a hottie!  :)  (Eric looks good too....jk)

Megan was supposed to come at 4:30 and promptly arrived at exactly 4:28.  Luckily we were all waiting in the living room......poor girl!  I really did try to act nonchalant, but if you know me at all......you know that just aint happenin'! 

When Eric went to put the corsage on her wrist, he put it on upside down.  I was like, "I think the flowers go on top."  Ummmm, sorry son.  He chuckled nervously.  "Oh, right."  They were both so cute.....and nervous, and I loved every minute of it. 

When she went to put the rose on him, that was hilarious as well.  This was her first dance too.  So of course I stepped in and offered my expertise, which I figured I've done several times in the past, right?  I can handle this.  HA!  I was not successful.  Maybe I never did it right before either.....very possible.  I think I stuck Eric a few times and I told him not to move too much that evening, so he wouldn't get speared in the chest.  Yeah, that wasn't flying with him, so Todd gave it a go!  Sorry, honey, but you weren't much better.  (Okay, maybe a little).  After several failed attempts, Megan said, "I think my Dad can help me."  (They were going back to her house for pictures too).  "Great idea!"  I said. 

(And for future reference, when Eric came home, we asked if her Dad helped pin the flower correctly.  And apparently he gets the award.  He somehow crossed the pins and then because they were still too long and  dangerously close to Eric's body, Megan's Dad clipped the end of the pins with pliers to make them shorter.  Voila!  Perfect!  We're going to have to remember that).....

I made them stand like this.....a little awkward!  But hey, what are Mothers for? 

Cute!  Cute!  Cute! 

They had tons of fun.  They went to dinner at Golden Corral.  Tons of people from Cottonwood were there as well.  Then they went to the dance, waited like an hour to get pictures and left around 10:00 to go to another girl's home to play games.  I asked Eric if he danced some slow dances.  He rolled his eyes as he answered, "yes."  Apparently the kids these days think they can ONLY dance the slow dances.  I don't get it myself.  When a fast song comes on, everyone just dances together in a big circle.....something like that.  I sort-of remember that, but I think we danced fast dances as a couple too.  The kids these days.....they're pretty funny!

I'm so glad he went.  Now, Todd and I are trying to talk him into going to Junior Prom.....we'll see!  Crazy kid!

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful Christmas and a near-perfect break from school and work.  Santa found our family....even Ziggy!  (And I'm seriously not sure he deserved any new toys to destroy).  But he sure was excited to get started.

Jacob got a "Transformers" race car set and a few other fun surprises....

Kyle got the game he was asking for.....Poke Park wii, which was a huge hit!  He has enjoyed it for many, many days.....

Dallin got the warm blanket he wanted and hasn't slept without it since Christmas.  He also got a bb gun and a few other cool toys.

Brandon begged and begged for a trumpet, even though he's never picked one up in his life.  I found a great deal online, so Brandon's dream came true.  This was from Mom and Dad.....Santa had nothing to do with it!  We get the credit for this one....I think it's been a little harder than he thought it would be, but he's enjoying it.  It's so fun to see him interested in all these instruments.....Brandon also got a new memory foam pad to go on his bed (which he loves) and a music book of hymns for the flute.  Exciting stuff.....

And Eric?  Well, he got a new guitar from us as well, which he knew he was getting.  It's a nice one too, and he was so excited.  He also got an electric razor and a new camera (so he doesn't have to borrow mine all the time)....the camera, not the razor.  :)

One other really exciting thing that happened, was that Jacob lost his first tooth on Christmas eve.  He got a visit from the Toothfairy and Santa all in one night!  Whew!  A busy night for all involved!

And here I am without my hair combed and no make-up......who gets ready on Christmas morning anyway? Not me!

One thing the whole family got was an air hockey table.  We LOVE it!  It has been so fun and I'm sure we'll enjoy it for many more years to come.   It also came with ping pong!

We had a great Christmas!  Happy New Year!

Holiday Festivities



Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a few pictures with Santa.  Luckily, this year, he came to our ward party and it was easy to get the cute shots with him and my kids.

Jacob

Kyle

Dallin

Santa even offered to take a picture with all 3 of my younger children.  He really does spread cheer!  :)

Even my older kids got in on the act, with their friends of course.  (Eric's in the green sweatshirt in front)

And Brandon.....who wouldn't smile, is the front right.

It was a fun night and there are more fun days and activities to be had.  Christmas is coming!!  Are you ready?

Kyle turns 9!

Kyle turned 9 on November 19th. He was so excited for his birthday to come. All week he kept asking if he could open his present early.....but the begging didn't work. He had to wait. Poor kid!

He got a Bakugan Arena, which was a ton bigger than I thought it was going to be. It "pops" out into a flat, round monstrosity. :) It's actually a pretty cool toy! (I might want one)....

His great friend, Spencer came over to play for a little while and he was in heaven. They had their millions of bakugans all over the arena, complete with a place for the cards and everything.

He also got a new "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book and a few silly bands. Birthdays just wouldn't be complete without a few of those.

I couldn't help but take this picture when he was asleep. This little guy is growing up, but he still hugs his teddy bear when he goes to bed. What a sweetheart!

We love you Kyle! Our family wouldn't be complete without you. We're glad you had a super-duper birthday!

Halloween 2010

Halloween came and went and it's almost Thanksgiving. I figured I'd better hurry up and get these pictures posted before I forgot all about them....

Jacob was a skeleton. There was a mask to this costume somewhere, but he wasn't interested in wearing it, so I didn't worry about finding it. Oh well, if he had a mask on, then we wouldn't be able to see his cute, smiling face!

Kyle was Harry Potter and I'm kicking myself that I didn't get a picture of him with the glasses on. They were hilarious. I don't know why he didn't have them on for this pic.....darnit.

Kyle and his friend, Spencer. The dynamic (and sometimes destructive) duo.....

Dallin was a ninja this year, complete with his very own homemade nunchucks.....made out of construction paper. You can see them hanging from his belt in the picture. What a creative kid.....

Brandon was a nerd! I don't say that to be mean.....he really wanted to be a nerd. And what better age to be able to pull that off, right? (No, he's not really a nerd.....at least I don't think he is)....But I've got to admit, he played the part well..... :)

And Eric....well, he was....um.....I'm not sure exactly. The man in black, I guess. He went to his first party on Halloween this year, separate from the family. He got together with a bunch of friends on the east side of town.

I'm not ready for these grown-up activities. Why can't we all just go trick-or-treating as a family? (even though he IS 16)......

The whole family, minus Eric, who had already gone to be with his friends. (See what I mean about Brandon "playing the part well?") hee, hee

It was a fun night, even though it was freezing and it rained some. Why can't Halloween be in the summer? I don't get it!