Emily's Birthday

Emily is so excited to be a teenager!  She turned 13 yesterday.  She invited four friends to her party.  They spent time hanging out in her room, then we went to dinner at Olive Garden.  We had made a reservation and we got right in, and even got a table that was basically in its own room.  After dinner we went back to our house for Coldstone cake and presents.  I think it's safe to say that everyone had a wonderful time!!!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!!!

February Events



The kids have had a lot of activities this month.  Daniel's Wolf Den went to the Gilbert LDS Temple for their Duty to God Footsteps adventure.  Daniel insisted on taking a selfie.

Emily and her dance class went to Feed My Starving Children.  I got to go and chaperone. :-)

I helped in Andrew's class for his Valentine's Day party

Michael and I went to an 80s Valentine's Dance.  We got the Endurance Award because we were out on the floor dancing almost the whole time.  No mention of talent, just endurance!

Andrew and Daniel had fun at their Blue and Gold Banquet.  The theme was Mexican Fiesta, as you can see.

Doing the Mexican Hat Dance

I "mustachio" a question

Friday was the Fun Run at the boys' school.  I helped mark laps for Daniel's class. 

I am so grateful that I am able to be a full time mom and go to all of these events!!!

Pinewood Derby 2016

Pinewood Derby was this weekend!  The boys had a great time!  Both Andrew and Daniel raced this year.  Their designs were very similar, and they both used metallic paint.  Andrew's car did so well that he placed 2nd overall.  Daniel came in 5th, and he won quite a few heats.  There were 16 boys in the race altogether.  Andrew's trophy is really cool--it's made with a real piston from a race car. 

 

Here is Mom putting graphite in the wheels before the race

Andrew's car

Daniel's car

Great job, boys!  They were great sports and cheered for each other.  We all had a wonderful time!

Random Happenings

My teenager is taller than me. 

Here's Daniel, just being Daniel

Michael was featured in Phoenix Business Journal.  You have to subscribe to read the article, but I thought I'd at least post the picture.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/2015/12/04/gilbert-company-introducing-the-world-to-sweet.html


Andrew wanted this Knex Roller Coaster for Christmas.  He immediately started putting it together, and he did the whole thing by himself.  Thanks for the gift, Papa and Nana!

 

Piano Recital

 

Daniel

Andrew

 

Nathaniel

 

Emily

Papa's Visit

My dad came to visit this past week.  He was here for almost five days, but it sure flew by.  We miss him already!  We did some of our regular traditions: shopping, wrapping presents (always a huge help to me--Dad is an excellent gift wrapper), going to lunch, decorating Christmas cookies, and going to the zoo.  We even went to see Star Wars while he was here.  We had so much fun!!!

Love you, Dad!!!

Family Portraits 2015

When we went to Utah in October, we had our portraits taken.  The setting was so beautiful!!