Easton Turns 3 (Part 1)

Easton has been talking up his birthday for months. This kid is a boy after my own heart, birthdays are his favorite holidays. In March he started telling me how much he wanted a Cars 2 Bike for his birthday and asking Soren and I if we were coming to his party. After looking through Pinterest with him trying to decide on a party theme, he picked football. This came as a complete shock because he has never had any interest in football whatsoever. Apparently he had recently seen his best friend’s older brother playing football with his Dad and that sealed the deal. A football party it was to be.

Easton helped me make invitations by helping choose paper, doing some cutting and most of the gluing. He really enjoyed taking them to his friend’s houses to invite them.

I got to work planning a football party with almost no football knowledge, but with more Pinterest help we came up with some fun ideas. We made Oreo truffles for the first time- one of the best things EVER.

We also made a few party decorations including a football banner for the food table.

When the long awaited party/birthday day came we were ready with the requested bike in hand. We took Easton out to see it first thing in the morning and…..it bombed. First he thought it was too big, then after adjusting the seat, it was too small. Currently he still thinks it is too big for him. Sad, sad day for us. Luckily at least Kesler was thrilled.

Meeting the bike for the first time.

He did enjoy the flag that came with it.

We got him on it once.

And Kesler stole the show. He loved riding that bike.

We anticipate Easton warming up to his gift sometime soon. (We hope!) It makes me sad that we waited for his birthday because we didn’t get it for him when he really wanted it. Nothing like teaching a kid to wait for something and then waiting too long.  Bummer.

Senior Pics

When you own a nice camera and try to use it, people usually want you to take their pictures. I have have done a few “sessions” for people and am generally up for the practice. When my brother Cody asked me to take some Senior pictures I didn’t promise him anything, but we tried it out.

My kids had a great time playing with Grandpa while I took photos.

Easton LOVES to climb this tree on our property line.

Kesler loves to pretend he is a monkey- sound effects and all.

The pictures turned out pretty well. The field behind our house is nice a green this time of year. I love using it for backgrounds.

Kansas City Temple Dedication

Last weekend was a very special weekend full of wonderful events. The Kansas City Missouri Temple was dedicated! I still cannot believe after growing up here my whole life that we have a temple just up the road past Wal-Mart! It is amazing!

The youth put put on a fabulous Cultural Celebration on Saturday night that Soren and I were able to attend (without kids!). My brothers Cody (18) and Logan (14) were in it. The Prophet was in attendance and the music and dancing were really fun to see. The youth and leaders did such a great job putting it together. There were over 3000 youth that participated!!!! It was a fun date.

On Sunday they broadcast the dedication at 9am, 12, and 3pm to the ward buildings. Children under 8 were not allowed to attend so we weren’t planning on going until the 3pm session when my family could watch our boys. We watched our friend’s kids in the morning and then got ready to go in the afternoon. My Mom called us at 1:30 and said that she and Dad had been able to go to the noon session and be INSIDE the temple for it. They had extra tickets for the 3pm session for us to go INTO the temple for the session! We were thrilled and it was such a privilege. We were inside one of the lobbies in the temple and watched the dedication on a TV monitor there. It was so neat to be inside and really grasp that they were dedicating that specific building to be a house of the Lord.

After the dedication everyone came outside to wait for the Prophet to leave. It is amazing how much EVERYONE there wanted to see and meet him. I can’t imagine how much pressure that must be for him. Everything and anything he says to anyone will be remembered for the rest of their lives!

He is an amazing man and it was unreal to see him so close and to have him right here with us in my hometown. Such a blessing!!

We haven’t been to do any sessions yet at the temple but are excited to go soon. It will be wonderful to have babysitters close, babies old enough to leave behind, and the temple so close that we can go often.

Family Date Night

Last Saturday was one of those Saturdays where we had a great day and I got a lot of things done and dinner wasn’t one of them. We decided to go out and Red Robin sounded delicious. Easton didn’t remember ever going there although when he was really small we went quite often. He was so excited to go to the “hamburger store.”

He got to pick his dinner and happily chose a hamburger, salad and chocolate milk. There really isn’t anything better than seeing your child light up and enjoy the things you do for them.

Kesler and Dad enjoyed a lot of French fries.

Kesler’s favorite part was the balloons.

The service was horrible, but the Royal Red Robin burger and a shake were still pretty dang good. The boys were so well behaved and I was so proud of and happy for my little family.

School Lunch

On Friday my boys and I got to go visit Uncle Thompson at school for lunch. We were part of Thompson’s show-and-tell as well. Earlier in the week I bought Easton and Kesler their first lunch boxes and they were so excited to use them. I had a great time packing their lunches the night before and they just melted my heart swinging their tiny lunches into the school. Thompson had fun sitting at the special table with us and then after lunch he got to introduce us to his class. It was a fun little activity that makes us so happy to live near family.

Guests

Over Easter weekend we also had the pleasure of having a best friend from high school stay the night at our house. When I heard her and her hubby were looking for a place to crash I jumped to invite them and then thought, “I don’t have a guest room!! Where am I going to put them???” Needless to say, I was inspired to get a guest room going quickly!

We moved Kesler into Easton’s room for the night they were here and he has since stayed there. That freed up our third bedroom for guests and possibly an office in the future. I actually anticipate putting our third kid in there someday, so I didn’t want to spend much decorating. That way I can change it up without regret later. I ended up being pretty happy with the results and feel great about having guests come and stay. Please come!

I found this night stand on the side of the road and it was in perfect condition. I changed the hardware on the drawer to update it a little, but it was a great find!

Made this monogram pillow with some extra burlap and spray paint.

I was happy to have an excuse to buy fresh flowers and let someone else read my many magazines. Also picked up some favorite treats for Kim and Ben.

I made the curtains out of an old, long, curtain swag that we never use. They are much better than the old curtain.

Also picked up a new fuzzy throw and threw together some cream tissue paper flower/balls. My friend Mandy helped me cut a vinyl quote for the wall which I framed with an old empty frame.

Anyways, just wanted to share and record some decorating successes. I am sad I didn’t get any pictures with my actual friends. I guess we were too busy talking and catching up. Thanks for coming guys!

Egg Hunting

After church on Easter we went over to Grandma and Grandpa’s for dinner. We celebrated Uncle Logan’s birthday at the same time and thus had Thai food for dinner instead of traditional ham, potatoes, etc. It was a fun get together of the whole family. Grandma and Grandpa put together an Easter egg hunt in the backyard for the grandkids. Easton and Kesler loved having all of the eggs to themselves and no other kids to compete with. We have since done a lot more egg hunts at home because they are just so fun!

Grandma and Kesler hunting.

Grandpa Kesler

Uncle Cody

Looking good Dad!

Uncle Broch and his girlfriend Ashley.