Game Day

It's been forever since I have been able to attend our Monday game day.  I watched kids all of August and have had other things as well as being sick.  I'm glad I was able to attend today.  I love these gals and have such a good time with them all. Debbie is the Queen of Games.  She knows a lot.  I have played a lot over the years but forget how to play them.  That is why I am explaining them on here.  Hopefully it will help me remember!

Today we played Nertz!  I thought it was just like solitaire with the exception being you got to play on everyone's cards.  That was not the case.  It was similar but different.  Nertz is a fast paced game.  You need to keep your eyes moving all the time, playing as many cards as possible.  It was fun and Debbie was our winner!  In the picture she has a chicken on her shoulder with Lorrilee and they each have a Lucky Duck..that's how I remember who won.  Nertz was too much for Lorrilee today and so we pulled out 5 Crowns.  Lorr won that!  We had a good time.

I signed Debbie's book for her and Lorrilee bought one.  I love that Debbie got emotional while reading it.  I hoped that our feelings would be expressed and I guess if it brings someone to tears it was a success. (not that you have to cry...I'm just glad it touched her soul)

Cookout at Mom's

Since my mom has got her back yard spiffed up a little she wanted everyone to come and enjoy it with her. It does look nice.  My mom made spareribs and everyone else brought a pot luck dish to share.  It was a nice meal and it was fun seeing everyone together.  The little kids had a good time playing with each other.  They ran all over the back yard...mostly chasing Jared.  Liam asked me to play Freeze tag with them and so I did for a minute.

I bounced around from chair to chair to mingle with everyone.  It's funny we all sit in our own families and I guess that is because that is where we are comfortable.  My sister came an hour late and was a little upset that there still wasn't much food.  There was plenty though and even left overs it just didn't look like it.  Larry teased my sis by taking her plate when she wasn't looking and she did not think it was funny. I think Susan must have been having a bad day because usually she just rolls with the punches.

Most of our family made it.  Kevin was sick when he came to get the kids and decided  not to come.  I didn't blame him.  I could tell he wasn't feeling well and I knew that him and Julie were probably tired from the drive home.  Braxton and Sadie showed up with the backhoe (he's so funny).  They had just got home from the cabin and they left Kelsi home so she could shower and relax a bit.  I laughed out loud when I saw the backhoe pull down the street.  The streets are not very big where my mom lives. ☺

Susan's girls came but Will and Ryker didn't make it.  Hillary lives in Texas and so her cute family didn't make it either but they were thought about.  I hope my mom will do this again some time.  I like seeing her great grands get to know each other better!

Friday through Sunday

We were waiting for Zaden's dad to pick him up when Kevin dropped off his kids.  Kevin had planned a surprise birthday get away for Julie and asked me like 6 months ago if I could watch his kids.  Kevin took Julie to Jackson Hole where they slept in a Tepee and had dinner in a covered wagon.  I'm sure it was just nice for them to get away together.

It was fun having their kids while they were gone.  These little ones are so good and enjoyable.  Kam had a pj day on Saturday after her soccer game.  I just let her!  The twins were easy and have such a good schedule.  The first morning they woke up right on time about 5:30 am.  They sleep through the night which is nice. (the 2nd night Briggs woke up around 3:30.  I got up with him and snuggled and loved him)  The big girls went to sleep perfectly both nights and in the morning we had pancakes.  My grands like me to make them pancakes. Jordyn was just mellow as could be and enjoyed playing and hanging out. I left the room a mess and just let them play.  They are such sweet kids.

Larry took Kamryn to the store to get treats when he got home on Friday.  They came home with a few bags.  Kam thought it was awesome!  Saturday morning Kam came in my room just as I was making my bed, we decided to get back in bed and hang out there for a bit.  Larry decided to bring us breakfast in bed which was a few candy bars.  Later he got the girls a bowl of candy bars so we could send a picture to their parents.  Larry's funny!  He also put a gorilla between the twins...I don't know why.

It was fun snuggling these cute grands.  We all enjoyed having them spend some time with us.  Kimleighel and Jared are so wonderful and always willing to help.  Larry was really involved this weekend too.  I love babies!  I love toddlers!  I love all kids!

The twins, especially Briggs have been known to puke their bottles back up.  Their formula's have been changed and after the first few hours we didn't have issues...that is until Saturday when I ran home after Kamryn's soccer game to help feed the twins before Parkers game.  I had Brynlie and I could tell she probably needed a burp.  I put her up to my shoulder and she immediately released a huge burp but her meal followed.  I was covered in puke. Brynlie looked at me and gave me a big smile and then started cooing at me.  What a cutie even if she did soak me in stink.  I changed and washed the vomit from my hair and hustled up to Parker's soccer game.  That was our only spit up incident.  Thank Goodness!

Jordyn was ready for her mommy and daddy to come home.  She sat on my lap a lot on Sunday and just needed some extra loves.  It was a pleasure having so many grands this week.  It always is!

Wednesday through Friday

Trichelle is involved in Limitless a lot now and so we get her cuties more often.  We had them this week from Wednesday to Friday.  Ivy not as much since her time is shared with her dad.  We had a great time and I enjoy having the little's at my house. (they all sleep really good too)  They are all pretty easy and are good at entertaining themselves.  However, they do prefer me or Kimleighel in the same room with them which means I accomplish nothing while they are here.  That's the good part about being a grandma...it doesn't matter so much.  I am able to just spend time with them and feel grateful I can help out.

Macie gets to come on Friday mornings.  Her mom is helping with Parker and Mya's classes and so Macie gets to come play with me.  She's a cutie and it's fun having her.  Macie and Behr are cute together. I adore our little ones....they each add so much happiness to our family. They each add so much happiness to me.

Julie's Birthday

Our sweet Julie turned 30 today.  Julie is definitely a keeper.  Julie is easy going and so kind.  She is smart and a goal setter.  Julie plans things way in advance and has helped me to be better at committing to things and getting them on the calendar.  Julie is adventurous and  likes to stay busy. On her days off she will take her kids to the zoo or lagoon or thanksgiving point.  For Christmas their family always gets passes to one of these places so they can spent time together enjoying each other.  Julie is good at organizing and has a real gift for it.  She's the one that headed the cleaning of my hall closet one year for mother's day.  Julie works hard and loves her job.  She is a dental hygienist and works three times a week.  Julie is very supportive of Kevin.  I know she didn't love sports when they got married but she takes their kids to all of Kevin's games.  She even dresses them in their colors to show her support.  Julie is also very thoughtful.  She is always sending a text thanking us for supporting them.  I'm so glad that she was interested in our Kevin and put the moves on him and that he continued to pursue her.  I love this girl.  Our family has been very blessed to gain such awesome kids.

Birthday Dinner

As I write about my cute son, every now and then I have to pause to wipe my tears away.  We are just so blessed!  Jared loves seafood and I think for the last three years we have ended up at the Red Lobster to celebrate his birthday.  He likes the captains feast (I think) because it has a variety of fish.  He was hesitant this year to go there because he realizes that it is kind of expensive.  I reassured him that it is fine on his birthday.  I love our one on one time with our kids for their birthdays.  I love just looking at them and seeing how well they have grown up.  I love thinking back over the years and remembering their little journey to now.  Being a mom has been my greatest desire and blessing.  It's all I ever wanted and I have enjoyed the kids that were sent to us.  I love every stage of their progress.  Some stages are harder and cause anxiety but even those stages are worth it when they make it through.  Oh my word....I love my family!  I'm thankful for every single birthday we get to celebrate!

Breakfast with the Birthday Boy

This will be our last birthday celebration with Jared for a few years.  When I realized that I got a gut ache.  I really wanted to make his day a little more special.  We decided to go to breakfast since the afternoon was packed with things and he should probably stay in school.  We got up early and headed to Village Inn.  He did open his birthday present before we left our house.  We got him some nice binoculars for hunting.  I think he might like those better than the luggage I was considering.  I think it's going to be hard to sent this boy our on a mission.  The first was hard and I think my last will be.  The others were hard to but I was good at focusing on the positive and good since they overlapped each other.  I want to cherish the time we have left and for the first time in years I will say that I am glad we have one more year of school.  I pray that my son will believe in himself.  That he will be kind to himself and realize we all make mistakes and no one is perfect.  I hope he knows how much he is loved and cherished by our family.  I wish he could see himself through my eyes and better yet our Savior's.  Jared is a Great Kid!