The Finished Product

The boys were up bright and early the morning after Caleb's birthday working away on their Lego Star Wars ships. They turned out pretty cool!

The beginning of the last year with a kid in the single digits.

Today Caleb turned 9. He has been looking forward to his birthday for so long. He's always more excited for his birthday than he is even for Christmas. Crazy kid. He was up bright and early and we headed to Lee's for his Texas donut. He also got to pick out his cake while we were there. The cake decorator even decorated it with soccer toys and put his name on it. He was pretty happy.

Once the girls were home from swimming and everyone was ready we met Grandma and Grandpa Balch, and Isabelle, in Orem to go see the new Star Wars movie. I didn't get any pictures but everyone had on their Star Wars shirts. It was a toss up whether Star Wars or Jumanji was better. My vote is totally for Jumanji. That movie was awesome. Caleb said Star Wars was better. After the movie Grandma and Grandpa gave Caleb his gift. He got some new wrist bands, a sweat band and a new little basketball hoop.

We headed home and relaxed for a while. I made lasagna for his birthday dinner and got his presents wrapped. Grandpa Carlile and Suzanne came over at 6:00 to have dinner with us. Then it was present time! He opened a new basketball this morning and ended up with another one tonight, he got some cash from Grandpa, some new Nerf bullets, and a Star Wars Lego set.

Cake Time!

After cake Grandpa and Suzanne headed home and we broke out the new Lego sets. Jacob had one he had saved from Christmas. We spent the rest of the evening working away.

Brielle came down with some yucky bug and missed most of the festivities. This was her when we finally dragged her upstairs.

This kid is the best. He's wild and crazy and sometimes a struggle but we love him so much. He brings such a fun, exciting personality to our home. It's a little crazy having a birthday so close to Christmas and I always worry about making it a special day for him. He said he had a good birthday and I certainly hope that is true. We love you Caleb!

Christmas Day 2017

Christmas was on a Monday this year. The kids came in our room at about 5:00 am and we sent them right back to bed. At 5:30 Charles and I got up and showered and we let the kids get up at 6:00, maybe a little before. They had to wait for a bit while dad set up the camera and while Grandma and Grandpa got ready. They checked on Santa's cookies while they waited. Looks like he came!

It's time! This year Jacob and Brooke got to go downstairs first because they claim they never get to when it's oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest.

They spent a minute taking it in before they dug into their gifts.

This year everyone got a smart/fitness watch except dad who already had one.

Flash shirt!

After Santa gifts and stockings we opened family gifts. That's always everyone's favorite part.

Overall I think everyone was pretty happy. I love Christmas morning and I'm always to sad when it's over! We had breakfast and then Grandma and Grandpa had to head home. The rest of the day was pretty low key. We worked on presents, relaxed and watched a movie. It was a nice relaxing Christmas day.