Monday, June 25, 2012

Quinn turns 11, and Happy Father's Day!


This year we combined  Father's Day breakfast and Quinn's birthday breakfast, which meant I was able to kill two breakfasts with one skillet!  The day was hectic and full of family.  Both Quinn and Rick requested crepes with bacon and sausage for their morning food.
For our Father's Day dinner, I set up a beautiful table in the dining room with our nicest goblets and curry bowls from Japan, since curry was on the menu.  Emily made a Happy Father's Day banner and put it up in the dining room as well.  However, when then father's arrived, they meek-ish-ly said that they would prefer to sit at the women's table because it was in the family room where the TV was and some sports championships happened to be on.  What else is new?  So the men got their wish, and the women sat in the dining room.  Emily and I waited on the men, filling their drinks and getting them seconds, basically catering to their every need. 
Then it was time for cake; cheesecake (two of them), Texas sheet cake, Jello/lookathecake cake and pumpkin bars.  I'm not kidding.   
I made strawberry and blueberry topping for the cheesecakes.  I also made two different kinds of cheesecake because I was worried that one wouldn't be enough and I didn't know how good they would be.  How obnoxious is that?! 
 Quinn had a wonderful time opening presents. 
 Quinn specifically asked for Sparkling Apple Cider for a present.  He ended up with four bottles.
Bama was able to make it.  The little girl cousins, and sometimes Winston, ran around screaming most of the time.  They were so loud even Bama could hear them.  (Please note the TV is on in the background the entire time.  Again, a Father's Day miracle.)
 A few of he Fathers and Violet relaxing, watching some kind of sport thingy.
 Danny and Kelly showed up.  Emily made ties for the dads to wear too.  Kelly has his on.
When it was all over, I felt like I had Post-Traumatic Father's Day Syndrome.  Unfortunately I couldn't recuperate because the following day was Quinn's actual birthday.  This year he didn't have a party but chose one friend to got to lunch and a movie with.  We ended up going to Johnny Rockets for lunch and then on to "Madagascar III" .
 Quinn marked his cider, don't you worry.
Quinn enjoying his cider.  He had to get a special glass for the drink.  It kind of looks like I have an 11 year old lush.   
After the birthday lunch but before the movie, Quinn and Cooper jumped on the trampoline with a water sprinkler underneath.  They had so much fun!  I felt a little, shall we say white trash-ish, but the boys didn't care and jumped and laughed until it was time to go to the movie.  Afterwards they said it was the best time ever.  Take that swimming pools.
A few days after Quinn's actual birthday, Rick took the boys to Jump Street.  A place with lots of trampolines.  I was at work so there is no pictures to present.  However, Rick did video Truman, my 16 year old, completing a double back flip on the trampoline.  Just as well.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Writers block, or May is crazy!

When May was on its way, just about the only thing I was thinking about was...the phone call.  The one we would receive from Cole, who is on his mission, on Mother's Day.  Other things happened in May, a whole heck of a lot, in fact.  However, once we communicated with Cole, my mind shut down into this happy little world and I haven't been thinking blog straight since. Not only did we get to talk to him, but we got to see him as well on Skype.  Who invented that by the way?  I need to give them a big hug or something nice.  It really changed my world and made it so much better!  Cole has been able to call home 3 times now (two Mother's Days and one Christmas) and this was our first time being able to Skype. 

I uploaded my pictures from my camera to my computer this morning and saw some images that I had plumb forgotten about.  Life did indeed move on and lots of fun stuff happened before and after the call.
 Emily turned 23!  Oh my.  See the wonderful card I got for her?  So funny. I love unfortunate family photos.
I found a sweet pitcher for her, among other items.  We ate at Liberty Market in downtown Gilbert.  I had never been there so I didn't know what to order.  I chose a burger and it was out of control delish.  One of the servers had to be over 7 feet tall....not exaggerating!  My mom is all of 4' 8" and was astounded by this boys height.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of the two of them side-by-side now that I think of it.
Quinn started cleaning out his desk and school room during May.  He brought home all kinds of projects.  I chose to take a picture of this one and then throw it away.  It was hard but he was fine with my plan.  One less thing to store away.
 A Sunday afternoon sometime in May after church.  Someone loves somebody.
Quinn had a Famous American report he did in May too.  He chose John Hancock and as part of his grade, he had to dress up like him.  So, for part of his costume, I put a lot of time, effort and money into making him an awesome powdered wig.  When he tried it on at home, he looked more like the professor from "Back to the Future", which gave the family a full evening of entertainment.  He didn't wear the wig.
The last day of school was May 24th.  What's up with that?  I remember I didn't graduate until June 5th.  Sheesh.  Truman will be a Junior next year and made it onto Student Body Student Council, a big feat!  There was a banquet for that too.
Quinn's last day photo.  He reminds me of the the bad guy in one of those old James Bond films.
End of the year orchestra concert.  At least that was short and sweet.  Although, what's up with the orchestra parents who start waiting in line 2 or more hours before the concert just so they can get a seat up front?  This is elementary school people.  Chill.
Isn't this normal in your home?  I see this every night.

We finished May celebrating my Mother-in-Law's 73rd birthday at Crackers.  Yum.  Later that night I took Truman and Cameron to see Fun., the band.  It was awesome!  I was plugging my ears during the warm-up act called, Now Now, and some sweet white-haired usher lady saw me and handed me some ear plugs.  I was wondering right when she handed them to me if I should go get some toilet paper to stuff in my ears.  I mean, I didn't want to loose my hearing to a band I didn't even know.  That would be bad.  Goodbye May, even though it was super busy with the end of school year, Mother's Day and birthdays, I loved it.