Crazy March Happenings

Birthday Dinner with Grandma & Grandpa

Megan's 11th Birthday

On Megan's actual birthday we were able to give her a couple gifts from us.  She liked them and was happy to have her birthday celebrations continued.  We also picked up a peanut butter pie from Costco to celebrate Tyler and Megan's birthdays at Grandma Margie's house for Sunday dinner.  

We usually have a family birthday party for the kids, but we decided not to this time because so much of our other family was out of town, but we are going to do friends parties.  Tyler is going to have a friend party once baseball is over since it is too hard to plan a party when he could end up having a game at any time.  

Megan's Friend Birthday Party

We finally had a friend birthday party for Megan.  She really wanted a Harry Potter themed party and I think it turned out pretty fun.  We did the party the Saturday before Spring Break, so I didn't think that many kids would be able to come because they'd be out of town.  Boy was I wrong.  Megan invited 10 kids from school and church, and everyone came.  I was amazed.  I was so happy for her that they all came, and it made her feel super special.

We started with the kids making their wands.  I had wood sticks and different wooden bottoms for the kids to choose from.  Then they got to paint them and hot glue them.  The kids all seemed to like making their own wand and they turned out super cute.  

After the wands were made, we played Harry Potter Bingo.  It was fun and I had small candy bars for the prizes.  After we had played a bunch of games, it was time to eat.  Tony and Allie picked up some pizzas and breadsticks from Little Ceazar's.  

After all the kids ate what they wanted (which was not as much as I thought they were going to eat), we then had Megan open all her presents.  She was totally spoiled by all her friends and love everything that she was given.  She gave each friend a hug after she opened their present from them.  I thought that was super sweet and I was proud of how appreciative she was.

Then it was cake and ice cream time.  I made a Harry Potter birthday cake and the kids loved that.  After they ate what they wanted, I had them play some more games before their parents came and got them.  

Megan made each of her friends a sorting hat or a snitch out of the melting beads and then I bought some potion bottles and filled them with Jelly Bellies for each of the kids to take with them with their wands.  

I think that all the kids had a great time and Megan loved having a big party with all her friends.  I am glad that we finally made this happen and made Megan feel extra special.  

Another Temple Trip for Josh

Josh got to do baptisms with the young men and women at the Provo City Center Temple.  He said it was amazing, as usual! 

Tyler's Patriarchal Blessing

On Sunday Tony and I took Tyler to get his Patriarchal Blessing.   Josh asked if he could come, but we left it up to Tyler and he said he just wanted it to be us three.  So Josh stayed home with the girls.

We got to the Patriarch's home and sat down in his front room.  He asked Tyler if he had any questions for him.  Tyler couldn't think of any, so the Patriarch told him some things about the blessings.  He told him that they are blessings from Heavenly Father for not just this life, but for eternity.  He said it could be short or long, what matters is what is said, and more things that I can't remember.  

Then he set up like three recorders (just in case) and gave Tyler his blessing.  It was beautiful and everything that Tyler is and that we see him becoming.  The spirit was so strong and really confirmed just how amazing Tyler is as a person.  After the blessing the Patriarch even told us that after I had called and made the appointment the week before, he got the distinct impression that there was something very special about Tyler and that he was a special young man.  We couldn't agree more.  The Patriarch quickly typed up his blessing and we were able to pick it up that night.  What an amazing experience.  Can't believe we are at this point in life with Tyler, it really is going by way too fast.  

Primary Activity at Conference Center

The girls got to go to the conference center where they have General Conference.  The boys and girls from Activity Days got to go together.  They had such a wonderful time touring the conference center and then having lunch after.  I am so glad that they get to have such amazing opportunities with their church friends and leaders.  

Tyler's 16th Birthday and First Baseball Game

Our Tyler is now 16 years old.  We took him and the whole family out to dinner on Saturday to the Village Baker.  It was good food and always fun to go out as a family.  

Turns out that Tyler's principal shares the same birthday as Tyler (and his name is also Tyler).  So the principal calls it the Happiest Day of the Year and buys cake for everyone in the school.  So, the PTA went over at lunch time and helped cut up and pass out birthday cake.  It was nice to see Tyler at lunch on his birthday.  

Tyler had a baseball game after school.  Varsity played first, then JV played.  Tyler was the second pitcher of the game and did a pretty good job.  He got up to bat once and struck out swinging.  Then they called the game because a storm was coming in and it was getting dark and started raining.

After his game we had some dinner before having cake and ice cream as a family.  Tyler opened a couple presents before we called it a night.  We are going to get him a new suit for his birthday and he's excited about that.  

Tyler really is such a great young man.  He is still loving baseball and loves learning new yo-yo tricks.  He still loves school and working at the rec center.  He has been practicing his driving and should get his license at the end of the school year.  We all love Tyler very much and feel very blessed that he's in our family.

Josh's Last Volleyball Game

Josh had his last volleyball game of the season.  This was also the only game that he got to play in, and he did a good job.  He got to serve and ended up scoring like six points for his team on his serve.  So that was very exciting. 

After his turn playing, he was the line judge.  He was so funny to watch.  I am sure that he will play more next year when he is an 8th grader.

Stake Dance & Love Note From Allie

Josh got to go to his first stake dance the other weekend.  I wasn't sure the actual dress code, so I had them wear polo shirts and both Tyler and Josh looked very nice.  

Josh said that he had a good time and dance with a girl for every slow song.  Tyler does his best to always dance the slow songs as well.  I think that they both had a great time and it's nice to see the boys do these things together. 

In church on Sunday, Allie wrote me this lovely note.  I wanted to take a picture to remind me of her sweet little love note, especially when she's older and not loving on her mama so much.