Happy Birthday to my 5 year old

I've always said that a baby is a baby no more when he turns 5 years old. Well, that time has come for my oldest baby. (These pictures definitely prove my point.) And although I do feel like he really is a big boy now, he will always be my baby. I think being a big brother once again has made him grow up even more. I am SO proud of the awesome big brother that he is. He is a great example to his little brother. He never hesitates to say sorry when necessary and give his brother a hug. He is a big help to me with Megs and often asks to do my bidding. Lovely. Another thing I always said was that I wanted a girl first because they made better older siblings/ helpers (Wow, I sound lazy). Well, I was way off. Kyle is my right hand man.

He loves the color red, Iron Man (for the short time being), Megan, mac & cheese, his bike, eating at McDonald's, Will (he really loves all of his cousins), hiking (he got a Camel Bak from us for his birthday), boy nights with Daddy and Scooby Doo.

Kyle got to celebrate his 5th birthday with a Superhero party. It seemed to be a big success with the kids. Many of the kids came dressed up as favorite superheroes but we also gave them capes and masks to wear if they chose. Since they were getting ready to train to be official superheroes it was important that they LOOK like one!

The kids started out decorating cupcakes. (Superheroes need nourishment!)

They showed off with their lightening speed running skills.

They learned how to fight bad guys. (Don't they look frightening?!)

Jumping and flying are also important skills for a superhero.

I just had to include all the "flying" pictures because they are so funny. I particularly like Ellie's.

Cold refreshment for the junior superheros. It was a hot 80 degree day.

Passing the Kryptonite. Who is strong enough to with stand it?

Adam used artistic skills to draw lightening bolts, webs, sunflowers, one lightbulb(???), heart, and fireballs on the super's cheeks...

....as these boys will proudly demonstrate.

The Beautiful Princess.

Kyle got lots of cool things for his birthday from some really cool friends including: Hot Wheels, Iron Man guy, Transformers, bug stuff, Iron Man mask and shooter, Toy Story Yahtzee and picture viewer, dog book and stuffed animal, and Batman motorcycle and helicoptor. Quite the haul.

And he was very appreciative of it all. (We had a chat prior to the festivities about gift opening ettiquette. I was proud that Kyle actually listened.)

I love my Ky-ky so much.

Uppidy date

...We had snow last week! That's a Utah spring for you...

...Kyle graduated from preschool this week and had his program. Off to Kindergarten for him and I'm so...thrilled... *sniff*

...We went to Kodachrome where: we enjoyed some fabulous weather for once, ate some of Grandma's yummy food, Megan got her first sunburn (despite my best efforts), tried some new hikes and had a good time.

...We got our family pictures taken. Last time was when Noah was just 5 months. We're due for sure. I hope they turn out since each kid took their turn being uncooperative.

...LOST finally ended much to Adam's chagrin and my relief....

...Kyle has started baseball and really likes and, I think, has real potential. He never has to use the tee and has quite a good arm. It will be fun to see where he goes with it. Adam and I are just relieved that we don't have to relive last years traumatic soccer experience!

...Megan has hit her three month stride. What a good and happy baby!

Zoinks! Look at that cake!

(Notice the Scooby in his hand)

For the May birthday dinner, Dawn surprised Ellie and Noah with a spectacular birthday cake. Personally, I've never seen one more awesome! I'm pretty sure Noah felt the same way.

Rooby, Rooby Roo!!

Birthday girl and boy

Scooby's face says it all. Ru roh!

Noah, Coleman and Kyle

Noah takes after his mommy. He loves to bite ears...

Wow. Poor Scoob! Everyone else seems to think its so funny.

Noah is Three!

We had a great time celebrating Noah's birthday this past weekend. Even though Noah said he wanted "nuffing" for his birthday or a birthday party, I think he was pretty pleased with his loot.

He got to go to the toy store with Grandma and Grandpa to pick out a toy all by himself. No one is surprised that he picked out a Batman "bad guy" toy.

Nana and Papa gave him a Buzz Lightyear costume and binoculars. He was hilarious. He ran around quoting Buzz lines all night.

We also took him to Jumpin' Jacks and Chick-fil-A.

I made him cupcakes since that was really the ONLY thing he asked for for his birthday.

We gave him the Scooby "gang" and the Mystery Machine which he seemed pretty pleased with. In fact, Scooby and Shaggy are his new carry alongs.

(The rejects.)

Noah is our tough guy. He will choke back tears to prove that he is not hurt until it is just too much. And when he does break he melts our hearts because we know what it takes for him to cry.

Noah is such a funny, sweet boy. He regularly surprises us with the things that come out of his mouth. Noah loves Buzz Lightyear, Batman, Scooby Doo and Scooby movies, going for walks, being the "bad guy", the color green, juice, "tweats" (treats), footnaks (fruit snacks), teddy bear blankley (blanket) and the ever resurgent seeckley or sikie (silky). Most of all he loves his family.

His big brother is his best friend. The only time the two are apart is when Kyle is at school, which are probably Noah's most hated 2 1/2 hours. Although he likes to watch Kyle play soccer or baseball he would rather be playing with him and constantly wants to join in.

He has proven himself a WONDERFUL big brother complete with silly baby talk and tons of kisses. Noah always makes sure his baby sister is safe. From giving instructions when someone is watching her ("Don't put her on the stairs") to reprimanding the nurse when she took the baby ("That my baby").

He is the world's best snuggler. Either Mommy or Daddy get about 15 minutes of quality hugs from Noah in the morning. His protection trait carries over to us. When we close our automatic doors on the van he makes sure we "watch out."

His big body is only dwarfed by his big heart, and he has truly filled ours.

Happy Birthday Tiny Man

Get Away

Kolob Canyon.
(We had never been and it was beautiful)

Ohhhhh, it was sooooo nice to get away for the weekend. (A weekend was no where near enough...) Its becoming a tradition with my Vegas sister's family to go down and take advantage of their condo in St. George. I thoroughly enjoy it and my kids get to spend time with their cousins they miss so much (i.e. Kyle and Will).

Eric brought some of his climbing gear and although we never actually got "rock climb", the kids got hang from the swings. I'm sure that was plenty for Kyle at least.

At the beginning of the Emerald Pools hike at Zion's where we did ALL 3 miles with ALL of our 7 kids! People on the trail thought we were amazing. Pffft...

Da kids.

Bones

My boys did a seriously great job hiking. I was proud of them.

My sister's cute, BIG family. And no, I'm not just referring to her CHUNKY baby! ;)

Reagan and her all out CUTENESS.

Jacob Hamblin's home in Santa Clara. I'd never been there before but now I want to live there. So pretty.

Beautiful boy.

Beautiful girl.

Emerald Pools hike.
Don't let the paved path way fool you. This nice easy walk was only about 1/4 of the hike. The rest was scrambling over rocks with two years old's.

My sweet family. Megan is in the backwards papoose.

Noah found a comfy spot for WOODy to rest. Appropriate.

"Do we look cool" -Kyle

Kyle's best buddy, Will. I miss this kid.

Megan had to enjoy watching everyone else swim. Maybe that's why she look sad...

The weather was perfect.

Picture taken just for me.

Journal Jar Monday

Not sure I'm liking this weeks question but I pulled it out so answer it I must.

*What is your shoe size? What size clothes do you wear?*

Everyone knows I have great big size 10 feet. And as for clothing, I wear a size 4...barely. I'm having to squeeze my rather plump post-pregnancy bum into those 4's... working on it. I guess I should be grateful my feet haven't gotten bigger too!

Journal Jar Monday's

Yesterday in YW's one of our wonderful teachers gave a, well, wonderful lesson on journals. She gave us a really cool handout that has me inspired. It's a little jar filled with little slips of paper that have different questions on it; questions about your hopes, aspirations, goals, thoughts etc.

I've decided to answer one of these questions at random every Monday. It will be fun to look back on these one day.

*What is something that always makes you feel sad? Why?*

I think I am an overly anxious person. All too often I think about something happening to one of my children or my husband. This inevitably makes me very anxious and sad for OBVIOUS reasons. It is my worst nightmare! When I have these thoughts it helps for me to remind myself that I have a testimony of eternal families and then I feel all better. :)

Gees, how's that for a sad start?

Uppidy date

...We got our first giggles out of Megan this past week. Unfortunately one thing never makes her giggle twice. So you never know whats going to do it. One time it was wiping puke off her chest and the next was taking off her shirt!

...I literally crippled myself playing my first game of Futsal (indoor soccer) with the ladies of my ward. It was fun but also kicked my butt.

...Megan's blessing (see post).

...Noah has decided he wants "nuffing" for his birthday and in fact doesn't want a birthday. He's content with his Scooby head and Batman. Strange child.

...Kyle and Noah say "Look Ma, no cavities!" Yay! Noah still struggles to let the dentist do anything but then again that also goes for getting his hair cut or seeing the doctor. And unfortunately, the kid cannot be bribed.

A Blessing of a Day

Our baby girl was blessed this last Sunday, May 2, 2010.

She was so beautiful! I love her in white. She looks like a little angel.

Her Uncle Von commented that during her blessing she looked as if she was glowing.

Megan was surrounded by wonderful priesthood holders that consisted of her Daddy (of course), Grandfathers (including one Great) and uncles. I love this picture and these men.

(Adam would probably want me to mention that he didn't wear jeans to bless the baby. He's just lost so much weight he couldn't wait to get out of his suit pants.)

Megan's Grandparents

Papa and Nana Hind

Grandma and Grandpa Shiflett

And the "Greats"

Grandma and Grandpa Martin

Grandma Hind

I LoVe my family so much. I am a truly blessed lady.

More of my little Angel...