Ethan turned 15!!!!!!!

I can hardly believe it, but our sweet Ethan-boy turned 15.  I should believe it, because every time I see the child, he has grown another inch.  Yesterday, at the Dr. they measured him at 5'10 3/4".   I used to believe that they just weren't pushing his hair down far enough, but it seems to be true.  The child is really growing up, and up and up.

We had a lovely Birthday dinner with Ethan

And an ice-cream brownie cake (with coveted twinkies)

Doesn't he look old?

Ethan had a party with his friends that same weekend, but life was so crazy that I never got a picture of everyone.  I felt bad about the picture, but it was also the first birthday of its kind for me.  It was a, "we are going to hang out in the basement and eat pizza" type of party.  No decorations.  No mom making a cake in the shape of curious George.  Just friends, pizza, soda, and cupcakes.  Boo!  Teenagers are so boring!

If all that wasn't enough, a different group of friends decided to throw Ethan a separate surprise party for when Ethan came home for Spring break.  

This is Ethan being surprised.

Maybe drama would have been a good outlet for this kid.  :) 

I did learn my lesson from the last party and took a picture right at the beginning.

Just a funny note.  The girls planned this party and these are some of the highlights from my conversations with them.

"Can we throw a surprise party for Ethan when he gets home"

Sure.  Go for it.

"Can we have it at your house?

Sure.  If you don't mind that his entire family will be there, as well as his grandparents."

"Should we bring some food."

"If you want to eat something, then I would."

Somehow, it felt like what they were really asking was if I would throw a surprise party for Ethan for them.  I tried to be tough and make sure they put it together, but when they got to our house and asked if I could help order the pizza, I relented a bit.  And when they pulled up a bread-bag filled with about 15 dollars of change, I donated towards the cause, so those silly teenagers would have more than one slice of pizza each.

They are a cute group of friends and had a great time together, so I'm glad they did it.

So, my little red-headed boy is a big, strong teenager.  It's amazing how time will do that.

Happy Birthday, Ethan.

March 2018

We got to watch the twins at their band concert.  They did so well.  I love watching them play, but the performances are always held in the Middle School cafeteria.  For some reason, my pictures of them never turn out.  I did get a picture of Laina messing around afterwards.  

Here they are before the concert, looking awesome.

Emmett had to go in for a minor surgery to have tubes put in his ears.  He looked so small and fragile when he was under anesthesia.   He woke up in a good mood however, and I'm happy to saw that his ears hasn't been hurting him at all ever since he had it down.    

And this is a funny little picture.  This boy is two years older than Emmett and is in his primary at church.  Whenever I see the kid, I think I'm looking at Emmett two years later.  

And his name is Austin.

Hee hee.  Emmett's brother from another mother.

We love our happy meals.  Them also love themselves some pickles.  Nothing makes my little boys happier than pickles in smile.  

From Jan to Jul this year, Robert was traveling about 60% of time.  It wasn't fun to be without him so much.  He missed Valentine's day, and the worst thing about it was that he wasn't here to reign me in. I do have the tendency to, sometimes, go a little overboard.  So, without Robert here, I managed to get it in my head that the kids needed to wake up on Valentine morning to a giant Heart Attack.  So, I cut and I colored and I taped, until about 2 in the morning.  I can't help myself.

I took pictures after I finished putting it all up, but not when they saw it all...because by then I was sleeping.  :)  

The two little boys got a wall, since we ran out of doors. 

And the down-the-hall shot.

For breakfast we had strawberry cherries.  

And plenty of pink for dinner.

Fruit Jello

Rhubarb-Apple crumble

Roasted beats and potatoes.

And here is the Valentine's Day crew.  I know I may be completely insane, but I just can't help it.  I love these 5 kids SO much!  

Happy Valentine's Day 2018

Robert has a bad back.  And a bad knee.  And a couple bad shoulders.  Oh, yeah.  And a bad hip.  He came home the other day and finally did what all the doctors have been telling him to do...exercises.  The little boys thought that this looked so awesome, that they had to do the exercises with him.  When I walked in, this is what I saw.  I love these crazy guys.