Big Birthday Weekend

Saturday, September 6 was Katelyn's 7th birthday and Monday, September 8 was Clark's 9th birthday. With their birthdays being only 2 days apart, we let the kids plan a big activity to celebrate and since we live closer to family now, Grandma and Grandpa Holt came down for the weekend to help us. They arrived Friday afternoon and that evening we went swimming after dinner and had our weekly movie night with popcorn.

Saturday morning Kate opened her gifts--a brand new purple bike and a salon chair for her American Girl doll, Emily. Then we all headed to the outlets so that the grandparents could take Clark and Katelyn shopping for a birthday present and a new school outfit. The kids were pretty excited to shop alone without Mom and Dad's opinions and restrictions. Clark talked Grandpa into some Pokemon balls and more Bakugan and Katelyn talked Grandma into a Barbie kitchen set, some dangly clip-on earrings and some bangle bracelets (Thanks a lot, Grandma and Grandpa!). Jake and Carlee got to shop with Joe and me and they were great while Joe spent money at Adidas and I spent some at Ann Taylor. After some shopping, we went home for lunch and Hannah Montana cupcakes and ice cream.

We then got ready for the Tournament of Kings dinner show at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Jake and Carlee were with a babysitter so it was pretty special for Clark and Katelyn (Thank you, Drew and Melissa!). They loved it. The knights jousted and fought with swords. The evil Dragon knight tried to take over the kingdom but good prevailed and so did our king, the king of France. We ate dinner with our hands and yelled and cheered for the knights. Katelyn was a little wary of the dragon's blood soup but after watching the rest of us "drink" it decided it was pretty good. Clark just loved raising his Sprite and toasting to the knights. When the show was over we took the kids out on the strip. It was the first time they've seen it in the dark and they were amazed. It was fun to see their reactions to all the lights of Vegas. We took Grandma and Grandpa to M&M World and the Coca-Cola factory. (Coca-Cola . . . so refreshing . . . Aaaah!)

Clark's birthday was also a great success. They sang to him at school and when he got home, he opened his gifts--a set of "real" golf clubs, and a new Wii game, Lego Indiana Jones. He got right to work on the video game while I made his favorite dinner, egg salad sandwiches. After dinner, we had Charmander Pokemon cake and ice cream and a night-time swim. The kids went to bed happy after a great weekend and good celebrations.

I think that last picture says it all. Happy birthday, Katelyn and Clark! We love you so much and are proud of what you bring to our family. Thanks for being such sweet kids!