Let the fighting begin!

This is the scene I came home to last night in my front yard.

Here's how you play the game:

The swords are placed in the middle of the yard.....(In case any of you are worried, they're only foam swords).

On the count of 3, everyone runs to the middle and grabs a sword....

Ninja's begin their magic.....Kung Fu Panda style......

If you get hit (sliced, cut, whatever you want to call it), then you're out......

Kyle got more than one life.....naturally.

And it just wouldn't be the same without at least one person crying in the end.....

FUN TIMES! Let the fighting begin! Do you think Todd should encourage this behavior? I promise I had nothing to do with it! :)

Happy Birthday Todd!

Yesterday was Todd's birthday and he turned THE BIG 40! Yipee! Now he can't say to me, "I'm still in my 30's." Too bad honey! Welcome to the new decade!

My kids picked out a little balloon for him and stuck it in his truck for him to find in the morning with some homemade cards. Unfortunately he didn't drive yesterday....he took his bike, so he didn't even see them until he got home. When he did see the balloon, he commented that it wasn't nearly as big as the one I got for my birthday. Do you remember the big smiley balloon? Here's a picture just in case you forgot. Yes, it's HUGE!

Here's the one Todd got for HIS birthday! Slightly smaller......

But you see, here's the thing. My balloon is STILL hanging in my living room, right where we put it on MY birthday.....6 WEEKS AGO! So I asked him why I needed to buy another BIG balloon, when we still have a perfectly good one already? (makes perfect sense to me). But here are the two of them together, so you can get the full effect. They're really only slightly different in size....HA!

At any rate, I refuse to take mine down until it dies (or gets popped by my children). I can't believe it's lasted this long. Perhaps I'll have it for my next birthday.....you never know!

Anyway, back to Todd.....I think he had a good birthday, although he had like 6 hours worth of meetings at work.....ugh! Last night we just relaxed as a family and watched Kung Fu Panda. Todd isn't home much, so a night together sounded just right! (And I'm always up for a lazy night at home....)

We love you honey! You're the best! 40 is looking pretty good on you! Here's to the next 40.....

Weird Al (and my son's twisted sense of humor...)

Okay, this is the kind of thing that I am forced to listen to from my teenage son. (And Todd quite enjoys it as well)...

But honestly, I have to admit that I DID enjoy this one. I laughed so hard I was crying by the end. Pretty funny!

Ignore the beginning with the weird pictures, but once the song starts sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!



BOYS! Now, don't you feel sorry for me? I'm all alone here......(But you've got to admit, it was pretty funny....)

ERIC TURNS 15!

Well, my oldest just turned 15 years old yesterday. He seems to be handling it just fine....me? I'm pretty much falling apart. Do you realize that in just one year, he could be driving and dating? (and I use the word "could" because I'm not sure I'm going to allow it.....) :) Okay, I guess I have to let him grow up, but please know that I'm NOT happy about it.

He got a long-awaited ipod for his birthday and he played on it all day long....down-loading songs and videos. So cool for him. Eric's ipod is even newer than Dad's. (Poor Dad.....now he's jealous).

Here are a couple of pics sporting his new toy!

Do you like his shirt? "Somebody has to make this shirt look good." Yeah.....I bought that for him. Couldn't resist.

Happy birthday, Eric! We LOVE you! You are an awesome son and a great young man. Hope you had a terrific day!

Passing the time....

What do you do when Dad and the older boys are at a Young Men's activity?

You go buy goggles so you can be prepared for the summer swimming lessons and outings......

And then you make SMORES.......of course!

The gooey-er the better!! Fun times!