12 years

the days are long but the years are short

seriously how can this boy be 12???

he had 2 friends over to hang out
he didn't really want much of a party just a couple friends to do whatever

the cake!!

 night time jumping!

presents!
Alex asked for a new soccer ball and scriptures

bad pictures but its still funny
we got a bunch of Alex's favorite candy and wrapped them individually!

Happy Birthday Alex
we are so proud of the young man you are
you are one of the most hard working determined people I have ever met!
love you!!!

someone had a birthday

the kids were so excited to celebrate daddy's birthday!

way more excited than daddy himself

someone insisted on balloons

she picked them out herself

gifts were simple

card were homemade

I think the birthday boy enjoyed himself he was certainly loved!

George

It has taken me awhile to write this post

and I will probably cry while writing it

but just over 3 weeks ago we said goodbye to our most faithful friend

I am not going to say a lot

some people don't understand the love you can have for a pet

but if ever there was a lovable, faithful, companion

George was

he stayed by my side for 15 and a half years
he loved me

but it he was suffering and even though it was one of the hardest thingsI've ever done
with Eric's help I carried him to the car and let him go

he will be missed
we still expect to see him around the house 
and it has been very weird for me to not having underfoot all the time

We love you George!

remember Valentines day

So yeah I know Valentines day was nearly a month ago

so I'm late

but oh well 

we celebrated!

I made the most fabulous cookies 

really they were awesome

just looking at them makes me want some

but truth

as yummy as they are 

I hate making sugar cookies 

sad right

they take so much time

and time is not something I have a lot of these day

and its amazing that I like them at all since there is no chocolate involved!

but they were loved and much appreciated by the family

 and they made really cute gifts

we discovered this season that my family likes hugs better than kisses

where Grace loved making dozens of cards and hearts and homemade cookies
when I asked Tyler what he wanted to do?
"just give them a piece of candy"

 My other boys were much relieved to NOT have to give any valentines!
Eric and I actually went out for dinner on Valentines Day
I think we have only done that once before
this year we went with 3 other couples to one of our favorite restaurants 
the kiddos were given a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's and watched a couple movies
all were happy!
(we only got 7 phones calls while we were gone!)
I hope everyone else had a fabulous holiday (a month ago)!!

field trip

Grace just had her first field trip to the fire station

I counted and figured it was my 10th field trip to the fire station

its a fun field trip even though nothing has changed
we still all hold the hose

wait our turn so we can put out the fire

flashback!!

its an old fuzzy picture but can you tell who this little one is?

how about that blondie?

digital pictures have come a long way

ok
back to the present day

I did it :)

inside the firetruck
she didn't love it

another great field trip to the fire station!

ok one more flash back

Alex is on the right end of the picture standing and Tyler is in the middle back in a blue T

I wonder if the firefighters get tired of the field trips?