Happy Birthday Jax!

My sweet Jaxon turned nine last week and had a week long party. It started out at Grandma Haacke's house with presents and a cake, followed by his real birthday on Tuesday, September 21, then a birthday party with his friends and finally another cake and presents at Grandma White's. In all, we sang happy birthday to him four times and he made four wishes to blow out his birthday candles.

On Jaxon's birthday, we had a pajama party because Dad works late on Tuesday nights. Jaxon chose to have some late night scotch-a-roos for his cake.

Jaxon received a night stand (that he had been begging us for since he has had his own room) and some glow in the dark stars for his birthday. Of course we couldn't "bump" him on the head with his night stand, but McKay and Josh made sure they bumped him with his other gift.

Birthday gifts with friends. Jaxon is bracing himself and praying that Noah's bonk won't be painful.

Olivia giving him a nice whack.

JD was gentle, but firm.

Jaxon had such a good time Laser Tagging at McKay's birthday party that he wanted to have a Laser Tagging party of his own. Here is the whole laser taggin' gang.

Preparing for battle.

Jaxon had a great birthday week!

Nine things that we love about Jaxon:

1. Jaxon loves playing with his friends. He can't finish his homework, lunch or chores fast enough so he can call a friend.
2. He loves playing all sports. He just finished soccer season and is now playing flag football all while still taking karate. He even ran 40 laps (about 4 1/2 miles) at the school's recent walk-a-thon.
   
3. Jaxon loves listening to music and is still a great dancer. His favorite songs are Numa Numa and Witch Doctor. He plans on singing one of those in the talent show in his music class. I wish I could be there (but I wasn't invited).
4. Jaxon loves his Legos and loves to Lego battle with his friends and brothers.
5. No one gives hugs like Jaxon. If you're ever down, his hugs are quite powerful.
6. If you want the blunt truth, just ask Jaxon's opinion.
7. Jaxon is a good student and loves school, especially recess.
8. He loves potatoes. "Mom, can you make my favorite potatoes for dinner?"
9. Jaxon loves to please people. If there is any hint that you may be disappointed in him, he takes it quite hard and does what it takes to make things right.

He is a great kid and we love him! Happy birthday Jaxon!

Summer Fun

The boys had a little fun one night this summer. They set the tent up in the backyard and had a sleepover.
This was Kayden's first sleepover in the tent. He loved it and slept well. All my boys love it when they get to sleep in the tent. Even Suki the dog liked sleeping in the tent with the boys.

The boys' cousin was visiting overnight and enjoyed sleeping in the tent too. Of course my boys love it when any cousin comes to visit. I enjoyed sleeping inside, where it was very quite and comfy.

First Day of School 2010

School has started (a few weeks ago) and we are back in the swing of things.

Jaxon is in third grade and has Miss Udy this year. McKay is in fifth grade and has Mrs. Moedl.

Josh started kindergarten a week after his brothers. His teacher is Mrs. Bigler this year.

Kayden and I hang out at home together. However, this picture was taken on momentous occasion. With the start of school, Kayden has been potty training. On his first accident free day, he earned a "Mater" backpack. This backpack was a dream come true for Kayden. He insists on bringing his backpack every time we take the boys to school. Once he tried getting out the van when I dropped Josh off at kindergarten wanting to go to school too. For now, just the backpack. Perhaps next year school--preschool that is.

I Feel a Little Wicked!

So, I turned 35 in July. Here's proof:

Me and my handsome boys.

For my birthday, I asked for my present to be a girl's weekend to New York City with my mom, sisters, and sister-in-law to see Wicked. (The trip was already planned, I just was feeling guilty about asking for anything else.) We had a great time!

It started on a Thursday morning when we took a subway ride downtown to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We rode the subway with a bum that was dead asleep. Not only was he dead asleep, but he had a string of snot that went from his nose down to his shirt. Every time the subway came to a stop, the snot would flap in the wind. As my mom began to dry heave, the man adjusted and the snot then when from his nose, and looped up and stuck to his ear. This sent us all into a state of laughter (above). Things only got better from there.

We had a great ride on the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty.

My sisters, sister-in-law and I inside the statue of liberty. They had all sorts of great stuff to look at in there. One of them being a replica of Lady Liberty's torch.

Here is a replica of her foot. That is one big toe!

Now, I exercise. I consider myself to be in fairly good shape. But these stairs were a killer! We only had tickets to be able to go as high as the pedestal and man it was a hike.

But the views of the city were amazing.

We learned about the history of immigration on Ellis Island. I must say, the building on Ellis Island was very beautiful. It is amazing to think of how many people came through here on their way to the American Dream.

Now, being a mom of four boys, I really appreciate Legos. Here is Rockefeller Center built out of Legos. I had to take a picture so I could show my boys.

While walking around the city, we saw a commercial being filmed for an Australian grocery store. My mom was very anxious to participate. Here she is doing her spot.

I loved the water bottles they had in the city. "New York Spring Water. It's clean, it's natural, we promise." I giggled every time I had a drink.

We took a small stroll through Central Park. I wondered about all the films that I have seen that take place in Central Park: You've Got Mail and Enchanted were a couple.

Time Square. The New Year ball that drops along with what year it is is there all year round. I didn't know that until this trip.

Finally! What I came to the city to see and do! I wanted to see Wicked so badly. I was very excited and very giddy when the time finally arrived. Here I am with my sister--in-law, Debra, outside of the theater. We were having a little fun before the show.

Sitting the theater before the show started. My sister Caprice was lecturing me about not taking photos in the theater while everyone else turned and smiled. I didn't care. I was just so happy to be there!

The dragon and map of the Land of Oz. I loved the show and couldn't wait to get home and listen to the sound track over and over again. It was everything I thought it would be and more!

As an extra bonus, we went and saw Mama Mia the last day we were in the city. I can't say much for the plot, and the show had a lot of spice, but the music was great and I loved the end--I felt like I was at a concert standing up and singing along. I love ABBA's music.
So there is my birthday present/girl's weekend all summed up. We all had a great time and I hope that I will be able to have another great weekend with my mom, sisters and sister-in-law in the near future.

United Spiritual Army Girl's Camp 2010

Last January, when all was dreary outside, I got a call to be the Young Women Camp Director. I must say, I was quite excited. You see, no one can build a camp fire quite like I can. I LOVED girl's camp when I was a youth and I couldn't wait to spread the enthusiasm. After a largely successful fundraiser in March and several hours of planning meetings, girl's camp at Heber Valley finally arrived. It was great!! Here are a few of the highlights:

We put the girls into four groups and assigned a youth camp leader (YCL) over each group. This is also how they got their cabin assignments. Below are the girls in their YCL groups.

Left to right: Chelsee, Shyann, Rebecca, Aubree, Abby, and Emily

Left to right: Shae, Rachael, Jessica, Hillary, Emily, and Kate

Karlie, McKenna, Jessi, Mary, and Veronica

Matti, Hannah, Allie, Jane, Haley, and Sarah

We went to the ropes course on Tuesday and had a great time (even though I ended up on my rump several times during the course--providing much laughter for the girls and leaders). We were all able to ride a giant swing. It was awesome. It definitely was a thrill. Jeremy came up later in the week and went and helped at the ropes course. He was able to ride the giant swing as well.

Here are the best leaders known to man kind. From right to left: Barb, Cheryl, Me, Raylynn, Sherri, Camie, GayeLynne, Elaine, and Jessica. We had one leader (Jill) go home after the first day because she was sick.

Our fabulous hike. We got lost a few times and had to back track. We even accidentally made a full circle at the beginning of our hike and ended up back at our campsite. Oops! Once again, I provided much laughter for the girls and leaders.

When we broke for lunch during our hike, we had a talk about returning to virtue. We tied gold fabric onto our flag to dedicate ourselves in being virtuous. In the picture we are showing a "v" for virtue.

All the girls with our "Aunt Samantha" whom we threw fiery darts at. We then helped her put on the whole Armor of God so the fiery darts wouldn't stick. Once again, the girls are showing the "v" to show their commitment to virtue.

Ah, the lake. What a great time. You know, not once did I or anyone I know fall in the lake when I went to girl's camp as a girl. This year at girl's camp two of our girls' boats flipped along with one other boat. I think our lake time was quite memorable for the missionaries working there. The whole tipping of the boats started with the girls splashing the leaders. Well, the above leaders (Gayelynne and Elaine) decided to retaliate. The girls panicked, causing their boat to flip and they ended up in the water.

Camie and I rescued Aubree, Matti and Chelsee from the water and put them on our boat.

Then the other boat flipped. Another leader boat rescued Emily. They must have had a hard time paddling in--Emily was dragging her foot in the water the whole way back to the dock. (Those paddle boats were hard work!)

And the other lake casualties Kate and Hillary. The lake was quite memorable this year!

Girls camp was great! I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to be a leader this year and go up with these fantastic girls!

Benjamin Farms

In June (I know I am a bit behind in my blogging), we went on a tour of Benjamin Farms. It is a free tour of a working farm that is run by a family. The kids had a great time and loved feeding and petting all of the animals. Kayden even had a run-in with a goat and ended up on his rump! (Let's just say that Kayden doesn't have a way with animals.)

This is the farm's pet turkey. That is right, a pet turkey. It just lays around in the yard and lets anyone and everyone give her a pet, including Kayden.

This would be the goat that Kayden had a run-in with. Here is Jaxon feeding the goat, as he was supposed to. Kayden chose to chase the goat and the goat had had enough and used his horns to give him a push to the ground. It was quite funny!

McKay feeding the same goat.

Feeding the sheep. Kayden thought it was hilarious for some reason. Joshua (left) started up a collection of turkey feathers.

Josh feeding the sheep with Camron (my nephew) being pinned to the gate. Camron wanted nothing to do with it.

Josh feeding a goat.

Grandma helped Kayden feed the sheep so he wouldn't end up on his rump again. He loved it.

McKay and Jaxon petting the animals.

We had a great time at the farm and we learned a lot. If you're ever looking for something to do with your family, go take a free tour of Benjamin Farms!