Hyrum's 12th Birthday Party

 Hyrum had a great 12th birthday party!

To start the party off, we had a military word search for the kids to do while we waited for everyone to arrive.

 Next, the boys played capture the flag with swords! Hyrum loved the idea so much from Ben's party, he decided that he would love to do it at his.  Needless to say, it was a great hit! The boys had a grand time and spent most the party time playing it!

 We also played the skittle game! The name game was also played, too. The boys had to each write down a name and then they had to guess the names the other people had written.

 The boys then gave Hyrum their presents, Hyrum was completely spoiled by his friends. Next, we had cake and ice cream. Brandon made an amazing battlefield cake.  It was pretty neat!

To finish the party, the boys played capture the flag until their parents arrived.  It was a great afternoon celebrating our Hyrum!

Hyrum is Twelve

My sweet Hyrum celebrated his 12th birthday in November 2016.  My time with this sweet boy of mine is flying by!

We started the morning off with our traditional blueberry pancakes, complete with whipped cream drawn in the number 12.

Hyrum is growing like crazy.

On the day of his birthday, Lucy, Brigham and I checked Hyrum out for lunch. We took him to our local Subway and enjoyed spending time with our sweet boy.

Later, we went to his school to watch him in his very first performance as a baritone player.  He did great.

That evening, we went to Chili's for dinner. I think Hyrum chose that place because he likes it when he is sung to.  Not to mention, the yummy ice cream and brownie Chili gives you when it is your birthday.

After dinner, we came home and opened presents. Lucy gave Hyrum some books that he had been wanting. 

Ben gave Hyrum some army guys and magic cards he found.

Millie and Court sent Hyrum some books.

Emmy gave Hyrum some new ties for Church and a gun bag. She also found some magic cards to give him, too.

Little Briggy gave Hyrum some bullets.

From us, Hyrum received a new suit for church and a 22.  I don't know who was more excited about this present, Brandon or Hyrum. 

Hyrum also received some sweet cards from Lorri and Dwight, Grandma and Grandpa T. and Papa and Grandma, and Chocolate Grandma.

To finish the night, we sang Happy Birthday to Hyrum. We had cake and ice cream.  It was a great day celebrating our oldest child.

Ben's 10th Birthday Party

 Ben was so excited to finally have his birthday party. We didn't really have a theme, he just picked the activities that he wanted to do and we went from there.

When the boys first arrived, we had a word search for them to do while we waited for everyone to come.

Next, the boys picked foam swords out of a box. The color of the hilt of the sword determined what team they would be on for capture the flag. Ben came to me with his idea of capture the flag with swords a few weeks before is party so I was able to order them in time.  The game of Capture the Flag with swords was probably the biggest highlight of the party and I think Ben's favorite part.

We also played the skittle game and the flour game.

Next, we opened presents and Ben was completely spoiled by his friends. 

For his birthday party, Ben decided that he would like to have a Eragon cake (he read the book recently and loved it). Brandon once again stepped up to the plate and made Ben an amazing cake! 

 We then sang Happy Birthday to Ben and had cake and ice cream.

 To finish the party, the boys went back outside to play Capture the Flag and run and jump in our leaf pile.  It was a great day to celebrate Ben! 

Ben is Ten

My handsome Ben turned ten in October. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be his mom.  He has kept me on my toes since day one, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Before he was born, the doctors mentioned that he might struggle a little more than Emmy because he is a "whimpy boy."  From the moment he was born he has been determined to do the best that he can and works hard.

Ben always has a twinkle in his eye and a great sense of humor. He loves to have fun!  He makes our home happy. 

 He has a thing for keeping track of the time. His new favorite past time is timing how long things take.

 He recently has developed a love for reading and is an amazing reader.  He absolutely loves learning and loves going to school. He would pick being in school over being on vacation. I have always called him my little sponge!

Ben loves all things sports. I think one of the highlights of his birthday was being able to play football.  Ben also enjoys running 5Ks. This past summer, he fell in love with swimming. 

We love our Ben!

Emmy is Ten

 My beautiful Emmy is ten! Her birthday was this past October.  It seems like just yesterday she was a tiny girl. She is growing into a beautiful young lady.  Emmy has a beautiful smile that lights up her eyes and the room! She is beautiful inside and out.

 Emmy absolutely loves Brigham. She helps me so much with taking great care of him.

One of the amazing talents that Emmy has is that she is so creative. She knows how to take something simple and transform it into something amazing!

 Emmy is such a sweetheart! She gives the best hugs and shows concern for others! One word that comes to mind when I think of Emmy is loving.  She has so much love to give others.

 Emmy is a phenomenal athlete and a beautiful ballerina. Emmy is smart and has been really working hard in school this year. 

Our family would be incomplete without this beautiful, smart, talented girl!

We love our Emmy!

Ben and Emmy are 10

During the middle of October, my Ben and Emily turned ten! They were so excited to be in double digits. I on the other hand, have been mourning how fast my babies are growing up!


To start the morning, we had the traditional birthday meal; blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon and orange juice. Of course the pancakes need to have the number of how old your are turning drawn on them with whipped cream! Yum!

Lucy, Brigham and I took Subway to the kids, at their school, and ate lunch with them!  The kids always love it when we come. I love how excited they are to see me and give me great big hugs.  Emmy is usually the last kid out the door because she wants to stay with us.

One big treat from their birthday day is that Grandma came into town which is always a lot of fun!

We had a yummy dinner at home and headed to Ben's football game.

We went out to IHOP the next night to celebrate their birthday. It was so much fun to have grandma there. At the dinner, we all went around and discussed some of the thing we love about Emmy and Ben.

After Ben's football game, and Hyrum's preview night to young men's, we came home and opened presents.

Lucy gave Emmy a cute volleyball shirt and hair ties.

Lucy gave Ben a book series he had been wanting.

Hyrum gave Emmy a cute scarf and some new books!

Hyrum was thrilled to give Ben some army guys.

Emmy love her dance bag from Camille and Court

Ben thought his nerf bow and arrow was awesome. 

 An Itunes gift card from Sean and Tracy were also a big hit, along with the potato gun and silly straws.

 My parents gave Ben (and Hyrum) new athletic pants for his birthday.  Pants like these are Ben's favorite to wear.

 Ben also received a new frisbee!

 Emmy was given a rocking new pair of boots.

 The boys also received a minecraft lego set from my parents. 

 The girls received a Elves lego set from my parents.

The kids also received Birthday Cards and gift cards from Brandon's parents as well as Lorri and her family.

The kids also received their birthday bag of fun from Grandma Chocolate. The favorite present found in the bag was the whoopee cushion. 

Emmy made Ben a cute card.

Ben picked out a soccer ball to give Emmy.

Ben and Emmy's big present was a camera from mom and dad.  They have been taking pictures ever since.

Brigham gave them the camera cases.

To finish the night we sang Happy Birthday to them and had cake and ice cream. Emmy wanted a cake.

Ben wanted Danish Dessert. 

It was a wonderful day celebrating our cute twins!  I can't believe that it was ten years ago that Brandon and I welcomed them in to our lives. It was a crazy and hectic time, but we have been ever so blessed with them in our lives.