Memorial Weekend 2012

We started off our weekend with a family BBQ/b-day party for Trenton and Sean.  (Grandma and grandpa Stock were out of town on the real birthday, so they had another party so we could celebrate with everyone together.)  It was a very windy day this past Saturday.  Apparently windy enough to blow down half of mom and dad's flowering pear tree in their back yard.

 We were all sitting around visiting together after eating copious amounts of delicious food, then CRACK!  And half the tree was lying on its side.

In no time flat, the guys had pulled the saw and chainsaw out of the garage and were working to clear the tree off the fence.

There was another split down the side of the limb that was left standing, so the guys decided they better chop it down.  They were all in their element!  They had so much fun.  ;)

Colson even got in on the action.  Preston was disappointed that his dad wouldn't let him have a turn with the saw.  He was even more disappointed when daddy made him stay in the house.

He ended up getting a front row seat though.  You can see him and Vivi watching from the dining room window.

 Poor tree.  Mom and dad planted this tree in their back yard over 20 years ago.  This wasn't it's first mishap.  Several years ago it lost half of its big branches in a snowstorm.  The leaves were still on the tree when the snow hit, and it was a really heavy snow.  The poor tree couldn't hold the weight of it, and the whole middle section of the tree came crashing down into the yard.  By the next year, the surrounding branches had grown upward and filled in the space of the missing limbs and it looked beautiful as ever.  Not this time though, darn it.

TIMBER!

 There was a nest in the tree that had two baby birds in it.

Poor babies.  I hope they make it.

 This is mom and dad's neighbor, Sam.  She came to party with us.  As she left that night, she told Janet, "I love your family.  They're so fun and wild!"  We are a pretty crazy bunch, I have to say.  Never a dull moment.

 Once the tree was all torn down, we went back to partying.

 Singing "Happy Birthday" to each other.

 Love the faces.

 Money bags.  Grandpa and grandma gave him a box of money too.  Funnest gift ever!

 The kids hadn't had enough excitement yet and were dying to take a stroll up to the park.  We played lots of Frisbee and let the kids run and run and run.  I need their energy!

Jilly absolutely LOVES the swing.

The next day was Sunday, so we went to church, then came home and made our chocolate chip cookies, like we do every Sunday.  Then the kids begged and begged us to start a fire in the fire pit so we could have s'mores. 

 They didn't have to beg very hard.

 It was a pretty chilly night; perfect night to hang around the fire pit.  And with the tree falling down, we have enough wood to last us all summer!

 On Monday we headed to the pool so Vivi could try out her new swim goggles.  We had tons of fun this weekend being able to spend so much time together!  I need more weekends like that.

Birthday Boys!

 

Last week we celebrated Trenton and Sean's birthday.  It was 13 years ago that Trenton was born on Sean's birthday.  I think they like having the same birthday.  They are two peas in a pod.

Since his birthday was on a school day, Trent and I took lunch to Trenton.  This was the first time I had taken lunch to him at the middle school.  His choice was a whole meat lover's pizza.  (He likes to share with his friends.)  :)  His friends were very nice though.  They didn't want to take any until Trenton had had his fill.  Very polite for a bunch of 7th grade boys.  Once Trenton was done, the pizza went fast!  It was so fun to have lunch with him and meet some of the friends we hear him mention all the time.

As always, Trenton chose breakfast for his birthday dinner.  We had the works... Homemade waffles, with homemade syrup, whipped cream, mixed berries, cheesy eggs, hash browns, and sausage.  This kid loves his breakfast food!

He prefers cheesecake over cake, so I gave him my new cheesecake cookbook to peruse, and he chose a blackforest cheesecake.

 There were lots of steps to this one, but it sure turned out yummy!

 

 Getting ready for the balloon launch.

 

With all of the birthdays we've had lately, we've found that Jilly really LOVES balloons.  :)

 Sean's friend Brock (far left) came over for a little while to celebrate with us.  While I was trying to get everyone together for the balloon launch, I told Preston to go over and stand by Brock.  He said, "No mom.  His name isn't Brock.  It's Rock!"  I explained that actually no, it wasn't Rock, it was Brock, and he said, "Uh, okay."  After everyone else heard this though, Brock ended up being dubbed Uncle Rock.  My kids think Uncle Rock is the bomb.

Bye birthday wishes!  Hope you all come true!

 Singing "Happy Birthday".  You've never heard the "Happy Birthday" song until you've heard it sung by Trent's family.  Awesome I tell you.  ;)

 What did I tell you?  Peas in a pod.

 They even look a lot alike.  Vivi was just happy to sit in Sean's lap and laugh at them being so goofy.

 There goes one birthday boy's candles.

 Then the others.

 Trenton was extra spoiled this year and got the electric guitar he's been dreaming of having for the last year.  He loves it!  He sounds awesome.

 Happy birthday boys!  Hope it was the best yet!

St. Patrick's Day, A Little Late

I was scrolling through our pictures the other day and realized I totally forgot to post our St. Patrick's Day happenings.  I thought since this was the first year we did more than just wear green for the holiday, it was worth posting.

Vivi came home from school the day before SPD desperately wanting to catch a Leprechaun.  So we built a trap.

 She was so sure it was going to work.

 After all, we left him some treats and some gold.

 But all that naughty Leprechaun did was make a mess of our house!

 He made all our pictures on the walls hang crooked, and knocked over tons of furniture.

 And he left his dirty little footprints everywhere.  But no Leprechaun.  Vivi and Preston were so disappointed.  Maybe next year.

Funny Face

Trenton, smile for the camera!

 No, I said smile.

 No, smile!

 That's a little closer, but how about a real smile?

 No, not surprise, smile!

 There it is.

For a second anyway.  :)

Outdoor Fun

We are loving the beautiful weather we've been having here!  We have spent so much time playing outside, it has been wonderful.

The kids love to hit the tennis ball back and forth to each other.

The kids have loved being out on their bikes.

I had to get a picture of Vivi's outfit.  Love the shorts with the winter boots.

My super hubby.  :)

Little Miss Prepared.  Preston got a scratch while we were out biking, and next thing we know, Vivi is pulling bandaids out of the pouch on the front of her bike.  She had made a little first aid kit in case anyone got hurt while we were out.  This girl... She thinks of everything. :)

The sky was so beautiful while we were out.  Love the Colorado sunsets.

I think out of all of us, this kiddo has enjoyed being able to be out playing the most.  He loves nothing more than to be outside on his bike, scooter, or just running around.  It makes a happy kid out of him!  :)