Brandon turned SIX!

This year for Brandon's birthday he picked three of his best buds and we went to Jump 5150. We got there at about 4:30 in the afternoon and besides one or two other families, we were the only one there. The kids had a blast and ran and jumped and played dodgeball for an hour and a half. After that we headed back to our house for pizza, presents and cupcakes. 

I think Brandon was in boy heaven!

Elijah is about one of the funniest boys you'll meet. Him and Brandon don't get to see each other very often, but when they do, they are glued at the hip and have the best time together. 

Elijah, Tyler, Brandon and Timmy

Now add in some siblings. And the party was complete.

I'm not sure Brandon knows how to make a regular face these days for the camera. I guess I'll take that over hiding from the camera, which he did for a VERY long time.

Notice the similarities between these two. They're both jokesters!

Blowing out the candles on a cupcake he didn't eat. He's not much into sweets, unless it's a donut or a bowl of ice cream. 

But his friends seemed to enjoy them and each ate at least 2 or 3. Oops! Don't tell their parents.

My mom has made each of my kids a plate for their Birthday this past year. I thought Brandon's turned out really well. I hope they'll keep them for years and years!

And this was Leah's sweet card to Brandon. She even gave him $6.00 of her own money, which is a really big deal when you are that age. I was proud of her. She was so excited to give it to him.

OH what can I say about Brandon this year. He is all boy and then some. He loves legos, swords, guns, fighting and more. He's rough and rowdy and only likes to sit still when he's watching TV or playing computer games. He really wanted a Nintendo DS for his Birthday, but since we have some kind of electronic at almost every corner of the house, I opted for legos instead. He's a really good student and does really well in school, even if he tells me he doesn't like it. He loves math and numbers, science and animals and is really catching on with his reading. He's in a picky stage with food and refuses to eat most of the things I make for him, unless it's "kid" food. But he's outgrown his flip flop and swim short wearing phase and will willingly get dressed for church and even stays in his church clothes for a little while instead of stripping naked the minute he gets home. He's a huge snuggler, particularly at night and sneaks into our bed at some point just about every night. He has a really sweet and sensitive side if you get the opporutnity to see it. And he's really good with littler kids. And of course we love him so very much. Happy Birthday bud! We love you forever!

Easter and a few other random things

Mom got to hang out with us a bunch in the afternoons while she was here. It was fun to have her here. I caught this little picture through the kitchen window. I thought it was so sweet.

Ashlyn got invited to participate in the Valenica High Schools band concert last Thursday. Similar to her last Honors band concert with Elementary, Jr. High and High school students, but this time it was with the kids from the other side of our Valley. They played three songs and did a really good job!

The last song they even all played together, which was cool because Ashlyn actually got to play with a bunch of older kids instead of just along side them.

Cute picture of my mom with Leah. I think they look alike. But I guess that would make sense because I look like my mom and Leah looks like me.

 I got to go to Brandon's class for his Easter Party. He seems to like me coming. And especially likes to show all of his friends how he kisses me on the lips. LOL…funny boy. I'm quite sure that won't last too much longer.

Here he is showing me the cookie he decorated (that I baked) before he chucked it in the garbage. Yet one more food that I make that he refuses to eat. Story of my life with him lately.

Then I got to go with Carter to his Preschool field trip. I missed his last one and he was rather upset. I didn't know he cared if I was there or not. So I made sure not to miss this one. And it was awesome because they gave all the adults free Menchie's Frozen Yogurt! I wasn't gonna turn that down.

 On Saturday I went to a baby shower for my friend Brittany Melendez. She's having her second boy next month and is a super cute pregnant lady! Obviously it was a mustache theme. Mary and Tina went all out and made it really spectacular.

We did play some funny games, that for some reason everyone INSISTED that I participate it each one. Apparently I am normally a stick in the mud or something?!?! I don't know. But whatever. I won by the way. Even if I look like an idiot bent in half trying to get all of my tissues out of the box before Becky and Katie did.

And here's the guest of Honor. She got the coolest mustache of all!

This game was a group effort. Stacking blocks onto a plate on top of our head. I think our group won this game too. But this is me as my plate was falling off. It only had to stay up for three seconds. There were a couple of others games, which I missed since I had to come home early. But I hope Brittany had a nice time and knows how excited we are for her and her soon to be little boy!

The next day was Easter. We had a nice day at church and then a little family dinner at home, just us. We talked about the Holiday and what we are really celebrating. Easter bunnies and eggs are lots of fun, but really it's about the Savior and his miraculous Atonement, for which I am more and more grateful for every year.

We did still dye eggs though. We usually do this with some friends, but everyone's so busy lately that it didn't happen. So we did ours Sunday after church. It made for a nice afternoon activity that kept the kids busy and happy for a little while. And then I made potato salad and deviled eggs to go with our ham dinner.

Oh and the kids all got baskets from the Easter bunny and had an egg hunt in the house before church.

And he didn't forget Callie either. Even if he knows she's not too into candy.

;-)

Ward Easter Party

Had a great Ward Easter Party the morning of Leah's baptism. It was a beautiful day, there was lots of yummy food (wish I knew who made that cream cheese cinnamon danish thing), lots of fun games for the kids, and an egg hunt. The kids had a blast running around with their friends and enjoying the festivities. I know a lot of hard work went in to making it a nice morning and our Primary Presidency did an awesome job! 

In true Brandon fashion, he collected a TON of eggs, and then gave every single one of them away. It's all about the hunt for him. He could care less about the candy.

Funny thing about these next few pictures was that I really wasn't trying to take pictures with all the Phillip's kids. It just happened to be who my kids were all hanging around. I think that means I need to get our families together more often (huh Tina?).

These two goof balls were trying to give each other bunny ears, but neither one of them held their hands high enough to even see them. Ha….silly boys!

My cuties!

And a nice family photo to top it off.

Happy Easter!