Belated Birthday Post

With February coming to a close, we couldn't let this month pass by without documenting the three birthdays we celebrated at the beginning of the month.

First it was my birthday. This year it fell on a Sunday and what a treat that was to have the day to spend with my family. Zeke treated me so well. I woke up to a yummy breakfast and then he had my parents over for dinner in the afternoon.

Topped off by a cherry chip flavored cake-my favorite!

Two days later, Landon and Mason woke up to a room full of balloons.
Like every kid they had been looking forward to their birthday for weeks, so these balloons were found in the early hours of the morning.

For dinner we could not pass up the 3 free birthday burgers at Red Robin.

Our family eats so much cake during this birthday week.
Here is a picture of the second of three rounds of cake.
The boys requested basketball cakes.


Landon and Mason are truly great friends as well as very close brothers. They very rarely have a disagreement and always love to be together. The day before their birthday they were making bets to see who would be the first to wish each other a Happy Birthday. So when we went to light the candles on the cake, they wanted to blow out their candles together. As well as sing their own birthday song to each other.

One of the best things about turning 11 is retiring from Cub Scouts and graduating into Scouts. Here is Landon sporting his new shirt.

Mason and Landon were able to go on an early camp out the weekend before.

They have always loved scouts.

The following Saturday was their birthday party.

For the party the boys wanted a UW cake.

In planning the party we talked about many things to do, but in the end the boys just wanted to have a late night party at our house.

With 10 boys it was sure to be fun!

First we played a game at that house and ate pizza and then it was off to the elementary school playground for late night games and a flash night scavenger hunt.

The boys had a blast having the playground to themselves while they hunted for a treasure.

Lydia was just as excited about the party and was even a little bit helpful with some of the teams. Since she helped hide many of the clues.

After the flashlight scavenger hunt they played "kick the can", and "sardine hide and seek". If we hadn't planned to watch a movie back at the house the boys could have stayed for several more hours, even in the light rain. Landon with damp clothes, hair, and all smiles.

What can we say: Mason loves attention:)

We are so grateful for these two boys! They bring us so much joy and happiness. As much as we wish they could stay little, we love seeing them grow and develop into amazing boys.

Achievements!

Our Mason has aways dreamed of becoming a composer ever since he started playing the piano. His piano teacher gives clues each month for a historical "Mystery Composer". Mason always is the first to guess who it is and often pictures himself one day being like one of the greats: Beethoven, Bach or Mozart!

For the last three years Mason has entered the National Reflections contest. He composes a simple song to go along with the theme. This years theme was "Beauty is..." so Mason wrote a song called the "Seasons of the Earth", where he composed a small musical segment for each season. He was asked to perform the song he wrote at the school district "Reflections" awards ceremony.

After he played his song, he lined up with other musical entries.

He was surprised when he was awarded by the superintendent

1st place in the musical composition category.

Our composer!

Last weekend also marked the end of an era for my Dad. After working 36 years at Weyerhaeuser he RETIRED!!

For my whole life my Dad worked at Weyerhaeuser!
Back in November when my brother Josh was here, we went to lunch with my Dad at Weyerhaeuser (along with Jett and Jacob). When I was younger I remember how much I loved going to lunch with my dad at Weyerhaeuser.

As part of celebrating my Dad's retirement, Melissa came to town. It was so fun to have her here. Together with my mom we put on a retirement party for my Dad.

We made lots of yummy food. Here is the dessert table!

(New Years Resolutions didn't last too long this year) With close to 40 people over it turned out to be a great party! Many people gave my Dad advice on what to do with all his spare time now, and my mom even had him smash an alarm clock.

Landon and Mason also sang a little retirement jingle for my Dad. Happy Retirement Dad!!

Christmas 2009

We had a very peaceful, relaxing Christmas this year.

Christmas Eve

We went to Grandpa and Grandma McKinney's house and enjoyed a delicious prime rib dinner and then was treated to a reading of the nativity with live characters.

Roman Gladiator: Landon

Mary: Lydia

Joseph: Mason

Shepard: Jacob and Mason

Angel: Landon

Following the nativity we sang Christmas carols accompanied on the piano by each one of the kids.

Right after Lydia finished playing her song, Jacob jumped on the piano and wanted us to sing Jingle Bells along to his own composition. For a two year old, he played very softly and took it very seriously even if it was completely all the wrong notes and rhythm. It was really cute!

We ended the evening with a traditional Bingo game and the opening of new Pajama's.

Christmas Morning
The kids waited patiently for everyone to wake up. Lydia and Mason claim they hardly slept and had been up for hours. Lydia also claims at those wee hours in the night she saw Santa's sleigh out her bedroom window. At 7:45am the kids were more than anxious to run down and see what had been left by Good ol St. Nick!

All the excitement was a little much for Jacob.

He enjoyed the first 15 minutes of Christmas watching or hiding on the stairs.

Landon didn't have much on his list this year for Christmas. Santa surprised him with an unexpected electric scooter. He was thrilled!!

In Mason's words his dream came true Christmas morning when he opened this guitar. He has wanted one for many years. We are excited to see what sweet sounds he will soon make.

After Jacob warmed up to the Christmas spirit he was thrilled with his new

Thomas the train set.

Lydia has a new doll that looks just like her! The smile on her face was priceless all day. The dolls name is "Holly December Evans". Holly because she was a Christmas present and December because she was born in December and middle names are always after what month you are born in just like Lydia "Mae". Lydia and Jacob also got a scrapbook of pictures of them together. They are good little friends, and they both loved looking at their new book together. Christmas was as usual full of lots of yummy food.

Here we are at the end of the day sitting down to dinner.

Mason, Mom and Jacob enjoyed the day completely by staying in their pajama's all day. It's the one day of year, you can get away with it.

As the day came to an end and we checked on all our kids. It as sweet to see them all sound asleep after such a wonderful day!

Day after: December 26th

We were treated to wonderful weather during Christmas. It was perfect for a little trip to the school to try out the new scooter.

Mason wants a ride.....

Even works for doubles with the little ones, so much fun!!

Busy and festive December

Our December was filled with many festive activities. Made for an eventful and very fast month!!!

December 1st

Piano Recital

It was Landon and Mason's 14th recital and Lydia's first!

Each of them did a great job!

Landon played: Santa Claus Swing in to Town and Raiders

Mason played: Up on the Housetop and Minute

Lydia played: Jingle Bells and Claire De Lune

Landon and Mason always throw a twist into the traditional piano recital. For example last year Landon dressed up like Santa and made a grand appearance.

This year they "rocked around the Christmas tree" while their friend Madison played

"Rock in Around the Christmas Tree"

December 5th

Neighborhood Donuts with Santa

It's always fun to start out the month sharing a donut with Santa at our neighborhood community center. We were thrilled when Jacob eagerly jumped onto Santa's lap this year and gave him his wish list.

Later on December 5th

Gingerbread House at Top Foods Grocery Store
Lydia loved making a gingerbread house at our local grocery store. Mom was trilled because all the goodies for the house was provided and the mess stayed there:)

Evening of December 5th

Lydia in the Santa Parade
Lydia marched in the Auburn Santa parade this year with her Dance Theatre.

She was a cute little soldier!

She had fun being in the parade with her friend McKenzie.


December 16th
Grandpa's Retirement Dinner
It was really fun for our family (minus Jacob) to attend a retirement dinner for Grandpa. He has worked for Weyerhauser for 36 years and is retiring the beginning of January. Many kind words were spoke about him and yummy food was enjoyed by all.

Grandpa's and a few of his current co-workers.

December 19th

Mill Pond Ward Polar Express Christmas Party

Our ward had a magical Christmas party this year. The theme was Polar Express. The kids wore their PJ's just like the Polor Express and ate breakfast and even went on an imaginary train ride.

Landon below with Santa

Lydia

Jacob

Mason

Later on December 19th

Lydia's Christmas Dance Recital

She enjoys her dance class with two of her friends: McKenzie and Carly

December 22nd

PSNW Ballet The NUTCRACKER

Lydia, Grandma and Stephanie attended the Nutcracker in Seattle right before Christmas. It was so good. All three of us enjoyed the show so much! We figured out the last time Stephanie and her Mom went to the Nutcracker in Seattle was when Stephanie was pregnant with Lydia.

December 23rd

Snowflake Lane: Bellevue, WA

Zeke works right next to a large shopping area in Bellevue and every night in December there is a street show with a whole drum line, characters, snow, music, etc. Stephanie and the kids drove up one night and meet Zeke and attended the festivities. It's always magical for the kids, especially the little ones.