Happy Birthday, Clark!

Clark turned the big 12 this year and he was pretty excited to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and become a Deacon.  At twelve years old, Clark . . .

*Started middle school and loves it, except for the bad language and a lot more homework
*Loves to play BeyBlades and Roblox with his friends
*Loves all sports--playing, watching, listening to, and reading about
*Loves to eat snacks all the time
*Loves chocolate shakes and cheese pizza
*Loves to create and make smoothies
*Loves the latest music but doesn't listen to an iPod.  He just hears it on the bus and in people's cars.
*Tolerates babysitting his siblings but actually does a really great job at it
*Wants to wear athletic shorts and t-shirts to school but his mom makes him wear "nicer" clothes
*Loves T-shirts with logos on them
*Loves to roller-blade, play street hockey, and have air-soft wars
*Loves steak, mashed potatoes, and root beer
*Has to be organized and have everything put away properly
*Doesn't like to "waste time" cleaning and doing chores in the house but does them anyway because it makes Mom happy
*Is very obedient when I ask him to do something unless he is distracted by the computer
*Hates doing yard work with Dad
*Loves chocolate cake donuts and chocolate ice cream
*Loves Marble Slab Creamery ice cream
*Wants bribes, rewards, and money for everything he does right or wins
*Likes to stay up late and get up early
*Likes to distract Dad when he is supposed to go to bed by talking to him about sports and other interests they share
*Doesn't like to shower but loves to use deodorant and cologne
*Loves to play Madden football on the Wii but gets VERY angry and upset when he loses
*Loves to have "late nights" with his friends
*Loves to check his email

We celebrated by going out to dinner at BJ's Restaurant after Hollywood Kids and opening his presents and eating cake at home. 

 

They sang to both of our birthday kids and brought them birthday pazookies. 

Clark was thrilled with some new clothes for school

He even got his own blender to make smoothies for breakfast and chocolate shakes for dessert.  He is so excited!

The Spanking Machine!  Everyone wanted a turn for some reason.

The Ultimate Chocolate Cake that takes 2 days to make!

 Hopefully all your birthday wishes come true, Clark!

Clark received this Panda hat from his friend, Carter, all the way from Germany.  Clark was so excited to receive this package in the mail.  Carter, and their other friend, Jacob, would wear these animal hats on their "late nights" so Clark was extra happy to have one too.  Thanks, Carter!

Wonderful birthday gifts:  Clothes, new books, Madden 12 for the Wii, cologne, personal blender, Angels poster, and an Adidas watch.

Happy Birthday, big 12 year old!  Love You!

Happy Birthday, Katelyn!

Katelyn finally entered double digits and is so excited about it.  At ten years old, Katie . . .

*Loves to help Mom cook and try new recipes
*Loves to hang out with her friends and talk on the phone with them
*Loves to babysit with Clark and take care of Carlee
*Loves to play the guitar
*Loves to sing, act, and dance
*Loves to create and make things--crafts, sewing projects, artwork
*Loves Paris
*Hates to wear the clothes that Mom picks out and especially collared shirts
*Loves to look at clothes online and put them in shopping bags for Mom to look at and purchase
*Loves to snuggle up to Daddy
*Loves to roller-blade
*Loves to listen and sing to music.  Always needs to charge her iPod
*Loves to read
*Worries about everything--homework, being picked up on time, getting to and from places, etc.
*Is a wonderful helper to Mom
*Loves to look up cute hairstyles and ways to paint fingernails
*Loves to have home spa treatments
*Loves to put on "shows"
*Loves her little sister and is willing to do anything Carlee wants, including dressing up, and playing house
*Loves Just Dance Wii games
*Loves spaghetti, soup, salads, and cold cereal
*Loves watching the Disney Channel
*Loves Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez
*Has these amazing dimples that make anybody smile
*Has an infectious laugh when she gets silly
*Is starting to want to be a part of big girl and "mom" conversations
*Is a peacemaker and wants everyone to be happy

 She had a wonderful birthday and celebrated with our family at home after Activity Days and all other after-school activities were done.

 Here is our Top 10 List of Reasons Why We Love Katelyn:

After her favorite dinner of spaghetti, garlic bread, and tossed salad, we opened presents and had cake and ice cream.

The best part of birthdays

I'm not sure who is more excited about receiving hair stuff, Kate or Clark?

A cute charm bracelet with all of her favorites, hobbies, and talents

         

Wonderful birthday gifts:  new books, nail polish, charm bracelet, hair accessories (blow dryer, flat iron, brushes and combs, mirror, elastics, and a cute bag)

Happy Birthday, Katie-bug! Love you!

Labor, uh, Fun Day

Labor Day in our family is usually spent doing something FUN to celebrate Clark and Katelyn's birthdays.  This year, Jim, Steph, Ty, and Madi joined us for a day of fun.

Katelyn has been obsessed with Paris, France for about a year now.  I think it all started when she tried crepes at The Original Pancake House.  She loved them so much and asked where the name came from and what it meant.  That spurred conversations about France and Paris, in particular.  She started studying different countries in school and that was the one she picked.  She read books, looked at pictures, and to top it off, her friend had a French-themed birthday party.  Needless to say, Paris is all she talks about and her dream is to visit the Eiffel tower on her 16th birthday.

Luckily for us, we have a smaller scale Paris Hotel and Casino right here in Las Vegas, so it was obvious that we would visit it for her 10th birthday.  The restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, came highly recommended so we ate there for lunch.  The food was great and we loved the atmosphere walking through the Paris Hotel.  Katelyn was in heaven and kept asking if this was really what Paris was like. 

 

After lunch and touring "Paris", we stopped at the Sugar Factory for a little dessert and were on our way to the Premium south outlets to finish up birthday and school shopping.  Then we headed home for a night of fun in our backyard.

The kids had a wonderful time playing in the pool and roasting marshmallows.  They did flips and tricks off the side while Steph and I judged their routines and accuracy.  They played King of the Floating Tube, had races, dived for glowsticks, warmed up in the hot tub, and shot each other with squirters.  It was definitely a really fun day.

 Clark and Tyler catching the football while the girls jump in all together.