Baby Boy's Birthday

Our baby boy turned 3 last month.  He sure does bring spice and life to this household.  His only birthday request was to have a Mario Kart cake.  He loves playing that game with his sisters so much.  Because he isn't a picky soul yet, for his birthday we didn't do too much.  A few days before the actual day, we celebrated with all our local family.  It was so fun, loud, and fun to have everyone in our new home to share Jaren's day.  Then on his actual birthday I took him to a little puppet show at the high school he thought was pretty entertaining, and we went to dinner after Nathan got home from work. 

 Happy about the cake.

 New sword...no one has even been injured with it yet.  Success! Not holding my breath.

 Two of our favorite party-goers - Junie and Uncle Nathan.

Here he is on his new bike we gave him for his birthday.

 Presidents Day weekend took us to Mesquite for Libbie's soccer tournament.  Somehow, I made it home without taking any photos of our lovely accommodations.  I guess I didn't take any because the memories would have been too painful.  Ha ha.  Anywho...they were gross, couldn't have been more disgusting.  My kids' expressions when we entered the room for the first time was priceless.  We all survived and lived to tell about it.  These adventures with me and the kids are always entertaining and adventurous in one way or another.  Thankfully, I am happy to report I didn't slam our car into any large rocks.  I say the trip was a success.

 Libbie in action. Go girl.

 The kids passing time with file folders at the game.  The venue we played at was actually quite gorgeous, despite the fact that Mesquite is officially an armpit in my eyes.  The fields were tucked up against the beautiful red rock and the weather was gorgeous to boot.

 Mia looking quite cute. She thinks she's too old for the playground these days so she was hanging out with me before one of the games started.

Be Mine

 We celebrated Valentine's Day a little early this year because the kids and I were headed to Mesquite for Libbie's soccer tournament on the actual day.  Of course we had our delicious heart-shaped pizza to commemorate our love for one another.

Mia showing off the cute napkin holders Grandma Cardon taught her how to make.

Five Years

 Claire turned five this year.  Holy cow. Where has the time gone? We were quite boring for her birthday, but here are some of the hi-lights...we went to the dinosaur museum in the morning with a neighbor, met daddy for lunch at his office ( Dominos Pizza ), then had dinner at home ( chicken rolls per her request and which she didn't eat...stinker).  Grandma Jill, Uncle Nathan, and Courtney and Olivia joined us for the evening as well.  Hopefully next year I will work a little harder to make all her birthday dreams come true because she is still telling me about all the things she wanted to do on her day but didn't get to. Ha ha.

 By far THE UGLIEST cake I've ever made. I really wasn't on a roll.  It was still edible though so I guess that's a bonus.

Mallory and Claire playing with the new fairies she got.

Fun Stuff

Back in January all of Nathan's family made their way to Southern California to surprise Grandma Cardon for her birthday.  While the surprise element was a little lacking, we still had a good time together.  We went to the beach a couple times, to the Mormon Battalion Museum, visited Point Loma, accidentally went to a Spanish ward for church, visited the San Diego Temple, went to a fun kids' museum, had cousin sleepovers, played funny games at night with the adults. There were also many drink runs.  The men were in search of the latest and greatest beverages.  One of the disgusting ones they decided to purchase included one that tasted like a Christmas tree. Eww. I don't think they discovered any keepers. 

 Some of the kids with Papa at the temple.

 Jade and Papa

 Wyatt and Jaren digging away at the beach.  I love that kids could dig and dump and dig and dump all day long at the beach.  It's really one of my most favorite things to do.

 Miss Claire enjoying the beach scene.

 Jaren asked us to please make him into a mermaid.

 Mallory with one of her beach treasures.

 The second time we went to the beach was quite different than the first but still memorable and fun.  When we left the resort, it was sunny and around 70 degrees.  After the 30-minute-drive to get to the beach, the shoreline was completely covered in fog and it was around 55 or so.  It was a unique experience.

 Nathan torturing his poor mom.

 Two cute moms with their darling little girls.

 Aunt Crystal helping Tatum navigate the beach.

 There was also a fun game of football that ensued.  I chose to be photographer.  Good thing too...check out this action shot. Nephew shoves aunt in back.  Ha ha.

 Everyone was quite cold after a bit.  Here we are winding down our time at the beach.

 Mallory at Point Loma...quite the view of the San Diego area.  Also, a fun, historic lighthouse you can tour.

 Libbie and Kelbie

 They rented this for a bit and cruised around the beach.  Pretty fun.

One last picture of Mia and Gavin at the beach.

Our Festivities in Photos

 For those who didn't know, we sold our home in October because we are building a new home in our same neighborhood.  While our home is being built, we have the pleasure of living in an apartment a couple miles away.  I am ever grateful that our home sold so very quickly, but this apartment living has been a challenge.  We have all the girls sharing one room and Curious Jaren is in a room of his own.  His room also serves as our "toy room" as it's the only room with floor space.  Luckily, even though we are in an apartment, we were still able to have an enjoyable holiday season together with family and friends.  Here is the fam trimming the tree ( with a hi-light of everyone but Claire trying to put the star on top of the tree. Claire is too afraid of her crazy daddy lifting her so high. Ha ha.)

 Mallory striking a killer pose in front of the tree.

 Aww...Libbie can reach the top without Dad's help. Sniff, sniff.

 Our whole fun bunch.

 Just a cute picture of Claire and Finn one day when we got to watch the little guy. 

 Playing in the snow...well some of us did.  This picture was taken from my bedroom window. I know, I know - Mother of the Year!

 Jaren ready to head out. What's cuter than little kids in layers of snow clothes?  Not much.

 Claire at her Christmas recital.  For some reason she was nervous and kept sticking her tongue out at us all sassy like.  It was weird and funny and mostly weird.  Ha ha.

 On Christmas Eve Caleb and Marci were kind enough to share their home with our pathetic selves (something they've done far too much lately).  We played some Christmas Minute-to-Win-It, ate soup, decorated cookies for Santa, and visited the evening away in hopes that Santa would come quicker.

 Jaren and Wyatt trying to get the Christmas cookie from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands...or not. Cute stuff.

 Libbie taking a crack at it.  I think she did it in the end.

 Henry trying out the Nut Stacker.

All decked out in their new Christmas pjs.

Mallory with her Calico Critters Santa brought.

 

 Claire with her gift from Santa.

 Libbie got a Kindle from Santa.

 Mia got a new bike. She might get to use it someday.

 Here's Mia putting her new Legos together.

 Libbie and Jaren playing Mario Kart and Mia doing a craft on Christmas morning.

Mallory and Claire playing with their Calico Critters.

Jaren with his train track he got from Santa and a classic picture of Nathan closing his eyes.  Maybe he thought if he did that, no one would see him in the photo.