E's party

Elliott, Benny, Ollie, Shawn, Noah, Linc

This is all new territory for me- big kid boy birthday parties.
I went to plenty of girl parties growing up, so I kind of know how they work.

But when Elliott showed me a list of 20ish friends he wanted to invite to his party, I kind of cringed.

I suggested maybe we take a couple friends to the condo overnight, and Elliott decided he would like that. (After he got over the fact that their wouldn't be 20 presents...)

So after school on Friday, we loaded the car with boys and drove up Provo Canyon to Dairy Keen in Heber to eat. Elliott was excited to show the boys the Harry Potter display, that turned out to be broken, but oh well. They still watched the trains go around the ceiling and got fun little swords in their meals that they played with all weekend- score!

At the condo, they went straight to the river while I decorated for the party.

Adam met us there after work.

Linc had a little spill down the rocks as he was trying to catch the fish. Poor baby!

Out of all the Transformer cakes online, this is the one Elliott picked- half Decepticon, half Autobot. 

Of course my shaky hand skills came into play again. 

But guys- I can't spend $20+ on a cake when a cake mix costs $1.50!!! I just can't!

Handsome 9-year-old. Seriously- too big!

I took a video that is hilarious because Elliott is holding off Lincoln the whole time with one hand and in this pic he's pushing off Ollie- the job of a big brother is tough!

Next up---> presents!!! He was so happy and made off with transformers, an air hog hover vehicle, a room light that shows constellations on the ceiling, some other robot guy and a hexbug.

Benny's face!

As usual- Adam helped a lot.

Air Hog Hover Assault Vehicle
It drives, jumps and flies.
I know because E made me watch the video at least 25 times.

Then there were movies and treats!

The boys were determined to stay up until midnight.

I *might* have told them it was midnight at 11:30...

Joke's on them because none of them wear a watch!

And a huge pillow fight! Funny background stuff going on... 

Flying Noah!

The next morning I was up at 7:00 because I heard the boys up already.

We ate a quick breakfast and everyone headed to the pool while I stayed to clean up.

Linc getting tossed

Ollie

These guys all turn 9 within 2 months of each other.

the awesome loot

The boys could have stayed at the pool all day, but we were trying to make it back for Ollie's soccer game at 1:00.

So we headed down the canyon and stopped at McDonald's for lunch.

We thought we'd stop by a new one 8th North that was right next to the freeway and it happened to be crazy busy because it was the grand opening.

The boys had fun playing on the cool playland there though.
Even Ronald was there.

Then we went to Ollie's soccer game while the big boys played at the park.

We finally made it home around 2:30 and the boys were making plans to play later that day. 

We told them no way.

Until the cousins came over a few hours later while my sis went on an anniversary date.

Elliott was excited to have them over on his real birthday.

I think it turned out great and was pretty easy.

I might have heard the phrase, "This is the best party EVER!" a few times from each of the boys, so I'll take it that it went well. 

Oh yeah- remember this cake?

Linc was intent on decorating it and was so mad I wouldn't let him help. 

So we made a frosting paper after I was done with the real thing. 

He loved it.

I have a little left in the cans and think I will have the boys use it up writing their spelling words. 

The End. 

Elliott turns 9!

above & below- wild raspberries at Provo River Falls

Happy 9th birthday to my little adventurer- Elliott!

 He is always climbing something and loves to hike with our family.

I was looking at his hands the other day and he has big calluses all over the middle of his palms- from climbing the monkey bars at school! He is like a monkey on them- so fast.

He loves riding his bike to his cousin Benny's house across the neighborhood.

He is just like his Daddy not only in his looks, but he gets obsessed over things! He really wanted a certain transformer for his birthday and would show me every day on the computer, and talked about it constantly. 

A few weeks before his birthday, he also made his own paper chain and would tell us how many days were left until the big day. He even had his little brothers excited about it!

Elliott is a reserved kid that loves building legos in his room, taking care of his toad and cat, and loves to talk with Mom about things. He gets to stay up a little later than his brothers and usually reads for an hour every night before going to sleep. He is such a good boy. He is slowly learning to be patient with his brothers who annoy him constantly. But then he loves his little brother friends too. 

He is very thoughtful and shares his school/church treats with me when he won't with his brothers.

He gets my chair ready for me and covers me with a blanket when I read Harry Potter to him some nights. I just love this kid and can't believe I'm so lucky to be his Mom!

Here is a list of Elliott's favorites at 9 years:

color: blue

food: bread bowls and soup

dessert: Dad's crepes, brownies & cookies

best buds: Benny, Shawn, Noah

hobbies: play with friends, tag, races, legos, transformers, drawing, reading

show: transformers, Ben 10

book: Harry Potter, Frank the Monster

grow up: roboticist

Labor Day hike

Emigration Canyon Ridgeline hike on SPOL adventure today.

16 weeks

16 weeks

 It feels a little strange to be at this stage again.

Lincoln is 3 and 1/2 which means it has been a while since I've been pregnant.

It was almost like the moment had passed, but here it is. 

I am feeling really good after a few TIRED and sick months.

Maybe my boys had some horrible dinners for summer because nothing sounded good???

But I am still waiting to hit the "nesting" stage. 

My house could use a great cleaning.

But I guess I'm not there quite yet. 

I've had a few nights of eaaaarly morning heart burn which I never get unless I'm pregnant.

And my book tells me I can't sleep on my back anymore due to lack of blood to the baby. 

Have you ever heard for sleep training for adults?

Because that's what I've been doing for the last few nights-

propping a pillow against my back so I can't roll onto it, otherwise I wake up on my back every time.

Good thing all my last pregnancies got me out of the stomach sleeping habit- my fave as a kid.

Everything is fitting VERY snugly- 

I'm just hanging on as long as I can before the maternity clothes I guess-
although I've seen some cute stuff!

I also switched to a different doctor. 

I was intrigued hearing everyone say how they LOVED their doctor.

I really like the change, especially since they have an office in my little town.

Anyway- I sound old in this post. 

But we are all excited and talk about the baby every day.

I told the boys they'll have to teach the baby to hike since they are such good hikers. 

They were excited about that.

Here are some more pics from after church: