Alex turns 8!

Alex has been so excited for his birthday.  He has been planning and getting ready for this day for months.  He loves opening presents and loves having parties!  So, of course we had several!  We started with a family party on the Sunday before his birthday.  We had a "How to Train a Dragon" cake, a barbecue and of course presents.  He got spoiled with lots of fun presents from the family, including lots of Legos! 

The next day was his actual birthday. Alex wanted to spend some time with his cousins, so we invited them to go to the splash pad by our house. Later that night, we went to dinner and Alex opened his presents from us. More presents!

That next weekend, Alex had his friend party. He wanted to swim, so we went to our neighbors pool with lots of boys and a few girls and had a fun swim party. After swimming, we came back to our house for cupcakes and ice cream, presents and of course a pinata.

Alex, I am so proud of you! I can't believe you are 8 years old. You are such a good kid, with a sweet personality who cares for everyone around you. I love you!

Dylan's 5th Birthday

Dylan's birthday is always around President's Day.  We almost named him Lincoln.  We usually spend President's Day with Jared's parents in New Harmony.  Which means Dylan usually celebrates his birthday in New Harmony.  This year was no different.  We celebrated Dylan's birthday with a fun Sunday dinner and an awesome bad piggy and angry bird cake.

But as always, there can never be just one party! We also celebrated his actual birthday at home with dinner and a trip to the "Lego Movie" with the family. Dylan ended the day with opening his presents, and immediately ignoring his toys and playing his new Wii game. The kid is addicted!

I really am in shock that my baby is 5. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He is such a fun kid with a fun personality.   I love him so much! Happy 5th Birthday, Dylan!

Alex's Big Day

Alex loves his birthday.  He has been so excited to turn 7 and we had a big day planned for him.  Alex is our only child to have a summer birthday, so we usually like to celebrate with outdoor activities.

This year included a very large blow-up bounce house and lots of kids to play on it.  Alex had a fun birthday party, with water balloons, snow cones, cupcakes, ice cream bars, a pinata and lots of fun presents from his friends.

After the party, we figured since we had the bounce house all night, we might as well keep the party going.  So we had neighbors, family and anyone who wanted to jump, come on over.  We played all night on the bounce house!

Alex's party continued on Sunday with a family party with yummy food, a fun skateboard cake and even more presents.  Alex got spoiled with a longboard and a new bike this year.  He loves both but promptly wrecked on his longboard on his first try down the hill.  Luckily he had his helmet on.  I figure he will get better with practice!

 

I can't believe my Alex is 7 years old!  He is already talking about getting baptized next year and is so excited to take that big step.  I am so proud of my little Alex.  He really is such a sweet, nice boy.  Alex loves to cuddle and gives awesome hugs.  He is such a thoughtful boy and is my best kid to help around the house.  He is always willing to help with chores and loves to help his daddy with projects, especially if there are tools involved.

I am so thankful that we were blessed with such a sweet, loving boy!  I love you, Alex!  Happy 7th birthday!

Birthday Blowout in Park City

This year is a big year for Tara.

Yep, you guessed it.

It is one of those milestone birthday years.

The kids and I talked about different things we could do for Tara to help celebrate.

We could take her to Disneyland - Alex

What about getting her a massage - Kennedy  

I think Mom wants to play the Wii - Dylan

In the end, we chose to take Tara on a trip - to Park City.  We found a nice condo for rent and started prepping for our surprise present.  The kids were so excited to help me plan the weekend.  We picked out activities, chose different restaurants, and finalized the agenda.

The hardest part was keeping everything a secret.  The kids (and I) were so excited that it was hard not to spill the beans.  Somehow we made and Tara was very surprised by the whole thing.

Our weekend couldn't have been better.  We had tons of fun on all the alpine rides, the swimming pools, the park, the bowling alley, and just being a family.  It was a great trip and I hope it was a welcome vacation for Tara.

Happy Birthday Tara - I love you!

For Your Birthday

Dylan,

Another year has come and gone. I can't believe it, but somehow you've gone from being our Big D to a little man. Where did the time go? It's as though we were helping you walk one minute and now you're off and running. It's been a wild ride and one I wouldn't live without.

This year has been one of new opportunities. Going off to preschool and learning about new things, with new people. You've adapted so well to your surroundings. We always knew you would, still it's been fun to watch you have this experience. Have fun at school - it's a great place to see the world and make friends. Look to reach out to others and make them part of your life. You''ll always be happy when you're sharing with others. The lessons you learn in the earliest grades as those that are most important for your life.

It's been so fun watching you love your brother and sister. I already know that you want to be part of the action. Seeing you jump right in with older kids and making your presence known is a trait you certainly possess. Never lose that sense of adventure and a willingness to mix things up. People who sit on the sidelines usually end up with regrets - be part of the game.

D - you are a wonderful boy who can bring a smile to the faces of those around you. I know you have touched my heart and brightened my spirit. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Daddy

38

I'm not sure if it's just me but 38 doesn't really inspire any emotions.

I do enjoy that I'm older than most of the professional athletes I watch on tv.

I like to think that I'm still younger than most of the power brokers that make the world go round.

I know that I'll never make the Top 30 Under 30 list and my time is dwindling on making a list for Under 40.

Still, I am really comfortable with where I'm at in life right now.  I like being 38 - it seems to fit.

It's even better when people give me presents.

For Your Birthday

Kennedy,

Of all the birthday letters I've written you over the years, this one has really been a challenge to compose.  Not that I don' t have things to say, the real issue is that I have too many things to tell you on this important birthday.  It is as though I blinked and suddenly my little girl was grown up before my eyes.

This birthday certainly marks a milestone in your life.  For years you've wanted to get baptized, and now you'll finally have that opportunity.  Your mom and I are really proud of you for wanted to join the church through baptism.  I know this is something that you're doing of your own choosing.  You've always been a girl you knows what she wants and I'm happy being baptized is something you want to do.  It means more to me than you'll know that I have the chance to baptize and confirm you a member of the Church.

Dede I want to you to know how much I enjoy spending time with you.  You're always so fun to joke around with and your laugh is infectious.  You have a wonderful personality that draws people to you and I am no different - I love being with my Dede girl.  Whether it's our Daddy Daughter dates for some sushi, or my makeovers from my little stylist it's always a fun time when you're with me.

Kennedy if I have one piece of advice for you this year it's to keep trying.  I know there are times when you're quick to frustration (a trait I share with you), but you are a bright, talented girl who can accomplish much if you don't quit.  Whether it's your homework or practicing the piano, keep trying and you will be able to do so many things in your life.  Have confidence in yourself - you can do it!

Happy birthday Dede!  Your mom and I love you more than you will ever know.  You are a ray of sunshine in our home and I hope you'll continue to let your light shine.  

Daddy

For Your Birthday

Alex,

As we celebrate your birthday this year I want to take a moment to tell you how much I love being your  dad.  I am so proud of all you've accomplished this year and I can see how you're growing into a wonderful person each and every day.

One of your best traits Alex is your unconditional love.  You are such a soft-hearted person, quick to emotion and long on love.  I have never seen a young man so willing to tell his parents how much he loves them.  I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but it is wonderful to have to express your love to me.  Hearing your son say "I love you, Dad" after a long day at work makes everything worth it.

We all know that you're a cautious kid Alex.  Never the first to jump in the pool or to meet a new person.  Still, this year we've seen you try many new things and get out of your comfort zone.  No where was this more evident than school.  Going to a new school is always tough.  You not only survived in you class, you thrived!  It was great to see you make new friends and do so well with your assignments.

Alex, I want to encourage you to always reach beyond yourself.  I know you're the first of my kids to volunteer to help me with anything.  Never lose than willingness to serve others.  I know it's one of things that brings me the most joy in my life.  If you look out for others, you'll always be happy within. This especially goes for your brother and sister.  Look for ways to serve  Kennedy and Dylan and you'll continue to bring peace and harmony to our home.

Happy Birthday Buddy.  I can't tell you how much you mean to me.  You're my guy and I don't know where my life would be without you.  I hope you have a special day because you are a very special boy.  I love you.

Daddy

Alex turns 6!

Alex loves parties, especially when it is for him and he gets lots of presents.  Alex has been counting down to his birthday since the beginning of summer.  About a month before his birthday, he asked me how many days until his birthday.  We figured it out and he made a little countdown calendar with  the numbers one through twenty-six on it.  Every morning he would cross off a number and let me know how many days until his birthday.  He kept telling me all the fun things he wanted to do and gave us a very detailed list of all the presents he wanted.  So we tried to fulfill all those expectations.

We started Alex's birthday with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.  Alex has been sucked in by all their commercials on TV, so off we went to see Chuckie.  We invited the cousins to come along with us and had lots of fun playing games and riding the rides at Chuck E. Cheese.  We headed back to our house for some pizza, presents, cake and ice cream and a pinata (another of Alex's requests).

Alex couldn't wait to open his presents, so after pizza, we let him go at it.  And boy, did he go.  I've never seen anyone open up presents so fast.  He didn't even see what was in each present before he threw it in the pile and moved on to the next one.  I tried to slow him down, but he was on a mission.  After opening all his loot in less than 2 minutes, he decided to go back and see what he actually received from everyone.

He really did get spoiled, with lots of toys, games and fun stuff.  Later in the evening, he asked my sister Char, "So what did you give me?"  I guess that's what happens when you open presents in record time!

We ended with cake and ice cream and a pinata.  The cake was a dinosaur that turned out so cute.  The pinata was a cool dragon that Alex picked out himself.  Alex had a great birthday and is already counting down the days until Christmas.

Alex, you really are such a sweet boy, with a gentle spirit.  You are so loving and caring for those around you.  I love you so much and am so proud of you as you turn six years old.  Happy birthday, cute boy!

37

Another year, another birthday.  This year I turned 37.  No milestone to mark.  No big regrets from 36.  Just another bump in the road.

I found it interesting this year to track my birthday in Facebook.  I've never been good at wishing people a happy birthday in FB, but this year I decided to turn on my birthday feature to see what would happen.  The results were surprisingly fun.  It was pretty cool to see how many friends would take the time to post a little note to me on my birthday.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes; whether they were virtual on FB, or presents with my family - it's nice to know people care.