On this day

..The most wonderful man in my life was born!


And to mark this day, Dad decided that, since the sun was out, we needed to get out. And we did.


No, Dad is not happy about carrying Max, but to ease some of the crying since his legs were going to "fall off" Dad gave in. We really need to get out more.




Had fun with our shadows along the long trail, and took pics.






And there was a little of this.


Came across a ninja, a.k.a Damien in his new sweater.

After a two hour outing filled with tears, laughter, exploring, kiddos thinking they got left behind, questioning ourselves if could've been pioneers, we had all built up a huge appetite. So we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Dog House Grill. Then after stuffing ourselves with yummy tri tip sandwiches and a large basket of fries, we came home to a yummy chocolate cherry cake. Think the boys like this birthday thing.

Yes, Dad is two....too cute and awesome for words...awww!

(Wonder what Max is looking at???)

Images from Christmas 2010

Setting out the goodies for Santa and the reindeer on Christmas Eve.

Santa came!!! Told Damien, you can wake us up at 7. And he did. What a good boy! Later that day we found some more gifts from Santa left outside on the side of the house. Silly Santa!!

Mike playing with Damien's new Nerf gun. I think he wanted one too...



This was the scene as Max, Jesse and Damien were playing with their new remote controlled cars. Now the batteries are dead.


Anna made the pancakes Christmas morning at my parent's and she used Ben's new pancake pen and had a little fun.



Mike took this picture after we got back from my parents on Christmas morning. He really likes the picture and thinks it sums up the day.


What would Christmas be without a scene like this? Thankfully this was the only thing that needed to be put together. Now if only the weather would cooperate, we could use the soccer goal.


This was a perfect Christmas!!

My Damien

After I uploaded all these pictures, and arranged them how I'd like, it was time to type. I don't think my words could properly express how I am feeling right now as my little boy just turned 12. Of course I am happy. I love Damien so much. He is such a good boy, a great helper both at home and at school. He excells at whatever he puts his mind to. I love looking at his sketches. He draws pretty good. He's currently on the basketball team at school (trying something new this year instead of wrestling) I think I'll be able to follow along better a game of basketball :) He likes to skateboard, play with his brothers (when they aren't being annoying), play computer and video games, play with legos and his small fleet of action figures. He is now moving on to Scouting and he's very close to earning some ranks. He'll be joining me at Mutual and is only 2 years away from going to dances. Yikes! So far he has no desire to go, wish it could stay that way. Girls are trouble anyway. He has his own style, loves skinny jeans, Volcom, LRG, and various other name brands that I can't possibly keep up with, let alone afford, only if I find them on sale. All that aside, he has a good heart and I hope always he stays close to his family and people that will help him make good choices. Happy Birthday my Damien!!

How do you like to sleep?

Here is Max after he fell asleep watching some t.v. When Dad got home from work after riding his bike in the cold, Max woke up and he thanked Max for warming up his slippers :)

You better watch out...you better not cry..cause Max finally got a hair cut!! And Jesse too!

After months of encouraging..even Jesse going once to the barber, Max finally agreed to go. His hair has been growing out since the summer and styling it in the mornings like he wants was becoming a bit of a pain since when I "spiked it up" it was about 2 inches high, and that looked wierd. And this whole hair styling thing all started after he began preschool. There is a boy in his preschool class named Nickolas and he is Max's "best friend" and so, like most best friends you want to be like each other and Max wanted his hair to be like Nickolas' even though I don't completely agree with that, I guess the influence of friends begins early. Not quite sure how Nickolas feels about Max, but Max really looks forward to seeing his friend. So, as Max was sitting in the chair getting his haircut, he was all smiles, until he saw his beloved hair start to disapper. I don't think he knew quite what it was going to look like, even with all our prepping. He teared up and cried a little, which surprised the barber and I comforted Max and told the barber that he really likes his hair and is worried that he won't be able to spike it up any more. The barber was very nice and reassured Max all along that he'll still be able to spike his hair, and in the end the barber spiked Max's hair, and the smile returned to Max's face. Dad and I think it looks great! His hair was starting to over run his cute face, I think.

My Handsome Max





At the same time Jesse was getting his haircut. He was a pro at this barber thing and took it like a champ. I was going back and forth from Max to Jesse, Jesse to Max, giving directions and thumbs up while they were getting their haircuts. And I think the final product is GREAT!

My Handsome Jesse

Birthday Time x 3

On Saturday the 11th we had our first ever triple combo birthday party. As I was planning December and all of our celebrations I asked Damien when he wanted to celebrate his birthday and he suggested that him and his brothers all celebrate together. I didn't argue with that. And so we did!



I made the cake, and it is an upside down skateboard!



Anna surprised me by bringing over her laptop and Skyped my Sister and Nieces and Nephews in Idaho! We were able to talk, tour her living room and kitchen. Later they were able to sing Happy Birthday. What a great surprise! At moments like that, I am thankful for technology.



First we sang to Damien, my big 12 year old! Wow! He will now be going with me to mutual and combined Youth activities.




He was able to open the gift that my Sister and Nieces and Nephews in Idaho got him right in front of them. I think that was a first! So cool! He made a guess about the gift, he was hoping it was Star Wars Clone Wars season 2 on DVD, however it was a Diary of a Wimpy kid book, still ok!



Next we sang to Max my big 5 year old. I know it was a bit of a running joke that we sang three times the same song, but I really liked their individual reactions and they all got their moment in the spotlight. Speaking of light, I love the lighting in all the pictures, thanks Anna for being my photographer!



Next, we sang to Jesse. Can't believe you are 5! Wow! I think the pictures captured his moment well.




Then the tornado of gift opening began. The kids got all sorts of goodies. Max and Jesse got toy jets, Hot Wheels (I think they have at least 100+), a slinky (a surprising favorite), a Thomas the Train Station and trains and tracks, a Trio connectable block set (it was an air traffic control tower, complete with a heilocopter) plus they got a mini Batman, Superman and Robin that they could use with the set.





Here Damien is opening a Tech Deck swimming pool that he can use with all his mini finger skateboards. He also got some pajama pants, Spock and Kirk action figures, and to be funny I wrapped up some Ovaltine (we just watched Christmas Story) so I thought I'd get some and he could try it out and see what all the hype was about. And then he also got a Borders gift card.



Mom was the holder of the laptop. Had to make sure she angled it right so the "Awesome Idahoans" could see all the happenings. I even got to show off my Christmas Village and tree to my sister, an added bonus.



Jesse had the best reactions and I think his reaction here spoke for his brothers. It was a great night complete with family, cake, sherbert and chocolate peanut butter ice cream courtesy of Max and Jesse's pickings. Thanks to wonderful family who came to celebrate and truely completed our day.



What a busy 12 years it has been!!

(Not to make you sad Michelle but I thought it was neat that Jesse asked if you were coming to the party.)