Tyler's Birthday

Tyler turned 15 in August. We didn't do much because it is a crazy time of year and it was the Saturday before school started. We had so much going on and he was super busy so we couldn't plan anything. We did go out for dinner the night before and it was my turn to take him to dinner on his birthday. We had cake at some point and all he wanted was money so that was easy. He's a pretty easy going kid. He has matured a lot over the past year and is excited to get his permit soon. We've been teaching him to drive for about six months and he does a pretty good job. He is a Sophomore now and is playing football, just turned in all the paperwork for his Eagle and is the Teacher's Quorum president at church. Tyler is a great kid and we are so proud of him and thankful that he is in our family. Chris took some pictures just before his birthday after church one day. They haven't been edited so they could be a lot better but I am just too tired to edit them right now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER!!!

 

 

Officially a TEENAGER!!

Lauren turned 13 on April 23rd. She informed me pretty early on that now that she was in Jr. High you don't really have "birthday parties" anymore with games and goodie bags, you just all "hang out" and do your own thing. I was a little sad because I do love planning parties but on the other hand, when she told me she was inviting 25 people, I was ok with it. She wanted to go to the park, have lots of food and play outdoor games.

Birthday Morning - Gifts

 A little Waffle Love from Auntie Julie & Co.

 Some shoe shoppin' love from Grandma & Grandpa Guptill

 Some clothes

 A backyard Volleyball net

 The Birthday Princess

 A little Cupcake Chic cake for the actual birthday since we were having a big cake at her party.

Party at the Park

 

Table jumping - parkour  (Thankfully nobody broke anything)

 

 

 

 Frisbee

Volleyball

 

 

 

Food & Cake

 

 

Presents

Look mom, a loaf of WHITE bread!!

 

Tree climbing

 Impromptu water fight...with water bottles.

 

 

Soccer

I think everyone had a good time. It was pretty low key for me. We just had to supervise which was nice.I can't believe I have two teenagers now!

Yee Haw! A Rootin' Tootin' Birthday!

This year Brooklynn turned "7". She's been planning her party all year. She went back and forth a few times on themes but finally settled on a "Cowgirl" theme in the Fall. She's been seriously planning ever since. Something you need to know about Brooklynn is that of all our children, she is positively THE most detail oriented. Since she has been tiny, she has always noticed if something was out of place, or something was new, if you got a haircut, changed the style, got new shoes, something was missing, etc. From the obvious to the almost imperceptible. She is always astounding us with what she notices. She is also a little OCD and things need to be exactly how she wants them. So she wanted to plan every detail of this party. Now, if you know me, I am a lot like her and I LOVE to plan parties. I prefer that the kids give me a theme and I run with it. I don't like to share the responsibilities. So Brooklynn and I went head-to-head a few times on this party. In the end I think there was a nice balance and she had fun.

Let's start off with the invitations:

We had a big quilt on the floor where the girls watched Toy Story 3 until everyone arrived. Brooklynn has been obsessed with Jesse, Woody & the gang which prompted the Cowgirl theme.

Then we played a rousing game of "Indoor Horseshoes"...because with winter birthdays you have to get creative!

 

Next, we played "Pin the Tail on the Horsey" (Don't call it a Donkey or Brooklynn will be all over you!)

We also had some fun with our own version of "Cowgirl Photo-booth". We printed out a 5x7 for each guest and they all got to keep their hats, bandanas, sheriff badges and mustaches for party favors.

 

 

Present Time:

Some of the decorations:

 

The Food:

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Cowgirl Brooklynn!

Thank you to all our family and friends for helping to make her day so special!

 

Oops, almost forgot. Her teacher asks the kids not to bring cupcakes on their birthdays because they are messy and the kids usually just eat the frosting and throw them away. She asks for healthy snacks if possible. I was fine with that and told Brooklynn so we looked on Pinterest for some healthy treats. This is what she came up with and was pleased as punch. So was her teacher!