Football Season 1

We have found that Isaac is just a natural in any sport we put him in.  He loved being with all his church buddies this year.  He played receiver and had a lot of awesome moments on the field.  They one all their game but one and then played the championship game and barely lost.  They took 2nd place. 

Way to go Flamethrowers!!!

Jaidyn and Julia’s First Dance

The girls were nervous and excited.  Lots of talk about, “What if a boy asks us to dance… etc.”

It turned out to be a “Hoe-down dance” for 12 years and up and they had a great time.  They were glad there were no slow songs to dance to with boys and that the only thing they had to do was hold hands with a boy partner for a little line dancing.  Phew!  hahahaha

Can you tell how camera shy these two are?

Anniversary Lunch

Mike and I celebrated our 14th anniversary Nov 4. 2012.  Mike met me for lunch at Red Lobster for a 1 1/2 lbs. of crab legs.  Mmmmm, my favorite.  Kallie came along.  She had woken up with a fever that morning, so I kept her home from school.

Claw got my lip!!!

Daddy Daughter Sock Hop

Jaidyn’s last activity days before starting Young Womens was the Daddy Daughter Sock Hop.  And since I am over the 10 year olds, I got to attend too.  It was so fun seeing Mike take over the dance floor with Jaidyn.  All the girls felt so special that night.  There was a bubble gum blowing contest, hula hoop contest, lessons on the lindy hop dance, and dinner.

This was my contribution to the night.  I was in charge of centerpieces and this is what I came up with.  Turned out cute.

Mike was the only one able to get the motorcycle in and out of the church building.  We were a little worried we’d have to take the foot pegs off with some tools, but no need… Mike came to the rescue.

Jaidyn’s 12th Birthday

Jaidyn decided long ago, I think 2 years ago actually, that her next friend party would be a chef party.  She came up with it all on her own and I think it was an amazing idea for a kid party.

Here are cards Dagen made for Jaidyn on her birthday.

These parties take so long to prepare for, especially when the expected number coming was 14!  Yeah 14.  The night before, I was finishing up the chef hats until 2am.  Then woke at 6am to finish up the aprons.  Everything turned out perfect though.

The kids begged me to make one for Abby Bear, our hamster.

Here were the party favors, along with their aprons and hats.

Here were the games played and instructions to make the chef hats.

Here is Chef Ratatouille.  He worked the party the whole time with an accent and even made the kids call him Chef Ratatouille.  What a good Daddy.

We used Rhodes Rolls for the pizzas.

And while those were rising, the girls used cute cupcake liners to create bows and flowers on their hats.  These girls really got creative!  I was very impressed with their ideas.

Here’s a picture of the whole gang, minus Jordan, who came a little later after her soccer game.

We had the girls all make their own pizzas and Mike managed the oven.

This was the popcorn relay.  The kids had to carry a spoonful of popcorn to the other bowl, then crawl back.

This was the marshmallow toss game.

(This is the only picture of me there at the party.  Just wanted proof that I was there.)  hahahaha

Next was the cookie war challenge.  The group was divided into two teams, each with the same recipe.  They were to make cookies and then have Mike taste test the two and judge which is the better batch.

Here was the taste test.  The kids stood there eager to find out the results.  Mike exaggerated everything with details.  “The consistency is good, holds together well when dunked, good amount of chocolate visible, etc.  He even closed his eyes as the cookie went into his mouth and tasted for a minute or two, extra long… so the kids were laughing and waiting.

This game was timed.  Two players from each team competing against each other to see how many penne noodles could be picked up with a long noodle in 1 minute.  The kids wanted to play this over and over and over again.

This is Jaidyn’s reaction to gift cards!

My little Jaidyn has grown up so much this last little while.  I’ve noticed a huge difference.  And those differences began as soon as she turned 11.  I noticed how she would take longer to get ready.  She was more conscious of the way she looked and would ask my opinion before going anywhere.  She has to accessorize and not only accessorize with jewelry, but with a purse, or with hair things.  She is more responsible and aware of her siblings’ well being.  She is such a great big sister.  She has always been a great helper, but even more now.  She would babysit for us every once in awhile and for her cousins, while she was 11, but now that she is 12 she has babysitting jobs almost every weekend.  I am told frequently that she is a favorite babysitter.  She has also started Young Womens and wears mascara and lip gloss.  She now curls her own hair.  She is also really good at styling it in different ways.  She is such a wonderful, kind, thoughtful girl.  She has always had those sweet qualities and everyone around her notices that.  She goes out of her way to help others, to make sure everyone feels included, and works hard to get good grades on her report card.  She stands for truth and righteousness at all times, and in all things, and in all places.  She is one courageous girl who is not afraid to be a good example, even if she is the only one.  Did I mention how many talents she’s been blessed with?  I am so impressed with this girl of mine.  She goes above and beyond in everything she does.  I am so proud of you Jaidyn and so grateful to have you in my life.