Happy 33rd Birthday

It was a unique birthday this year. Going to Vegas alone to see my siblings was wonderful. Getting a gum graph on 3 teeth the day before my birthday wasn't so great. All the kids getting a horrible cough not so great. And Anthony being in Mexico for work not so great. But we are leaving for Disneyland on Sunday, hooray.

We celebrated Grammy and my birthday on Saturday going to Round 1 at South Center Mall. It has bowling, arcades games, and food. We ate pizza and chicken then played arcades games. At home we had chocolate ice cream cake and lots of presents. Now to pack for Disneyland.

Vegas Vacation

Anthony got to spend 3 days with the kids while I ventured off to Vegas to see my siblings. It was my first trip without kids and by myself. My first time away from Camellia. My sister Enjoli eloped and got married in Denver on December 31st. Her and Jimmy have dated for years, they are still living apart with school and job situations but will be living in Denver together in June when Enjoli graduates. If you ask my kids who Jimmy is, he is the guy with 9 toes.

It was great to see my siblings and not have to worry about 4 little ones with me. Made me sad to realize they don't get cousin time like the rest of the family. We ate out and shopped. Watched Elan and Ashton shoot hoops in the backyard at Danny's. When we visited the Vegas strip we went to a Circque du Soleil Michael Jackson One show. It was a great mix of Michael Jackson's songs and entertaining skills with acrobats, dancing, and technology.

Loved hearing from my siblings about how life is going for them.

Rhett's Birthday

Rhett turned 6 this year. He didn't have to get any shots at the doctor, Rhett was very pleased. He is in the 20% for weight and 40% for height. He is a skinny little guy, near eats too much. He wears size 5 with a belt. Rhett enjoys being helpful, funny, and loved.

For his birthday he wanted to go to Family Fun Center. He has gone there before for his birthday, I couldn't convince him to go bowling, bouncy house place, movie night, or anything else. Family Fun Center it was. It was a busy Friday with a Primary church activity before with ice cream then 3 friends gathering at our house for dinner and cake. Dinner was requested as hot dogs, apples, and pop. For the cake he wanted chocolate frosting and rainbow cake. Rhett had the unique request of his name written 3 times on the side of the cake and M&M sprinkled. For the top of the cake he wanted Steve from Minecraft, Lightening McQueen, and Lego candles. It was a Rhett's interests cake. Anthony kept the boys out late at the Family Fun Center then drove them home. Rhett enjoyed Legos, Stars Wars, and Minecraft themed gifts.

Rhett does very well in school and enjoys completing homework. He loves reading on Raz Kids and earning points. He enjoyed gymnastics and soccer and has recently express interesting in basketball. Randomly he will draw pictures for family members as a gift.

 

 

Myles understands birthdays now and was very sad it wasn't his. He remembers his birthday now and knows the month of some sibling birthdays. Camellia and Myles stayed home and practiced blowing candles out on a hot dog bun pretend cake. It was cute and fun.

Monster Jam

Myles went to his first Monster Jam. Anthony prepared him for it by saying how loud it was going to be and Myles practiced wearing the ear covers. Myles enjoyed practicing and would request them now and then. Myles, Rhett, and Caramel enjoyed Monster Jam. Zombie and El Toro Loco where the favorite monster trucks. Zombie had arms in front of the truck that would flap around everywhere. One arm fell off that was very interesting to the boys. There was also Scooby Doo that was driven by a girl. There were two girl drivers this year. After the show the kids went to Menchie's so it was 11pm by the time they got home. Crazy late night. They had fun with two other family friends.

Winter Break Activities

Anthony had a lot of days off around Christmas and New Year. He had a list of projects to do whenever possible. So did the kids. One requested activity was slot cars. Caramel and Rhett had fun setting up the race track and Myles got to control a slot car for the first time. Myles very much enjoyed sending the car speeding off the track.

We also went to Kids Bounce with another family. The kids enjoyed running, jumping, and sliding. Caramel took Camellia on the big slide and she was all smiles. Myles always loves the big slides, laying flat on his back by the time he reaches the bottom. They had a ride on motorcycle and air tube suction ball that Myles enjoyed. Rhett loved running around with his friend.

We were able to go to Snowflake Lane at Belleuve Square Mall. Rhett invited a friend to join us. Caramel has a neighborhood friend that is over frequently, so Rhett got to choose who could fill the last seat in the van. The mall has a great play area on the 3rd level, I was excited for Myles and Camellia to experience. Also fun to walk through the mall and see the holiday decorations including Santa and his workshop. It was rainy during Snowflake Lane and super busy.

 

 

Caramel and Rhett both got to have friends or a friend sleepover. Caramel and Rhett went bowling with Grandpa Dan then had a sleepover and came home with new Seahawk 12 Fan jerseys. 

 

Star Wars

This winter break Star Wars 7 was released in theaters. Caramel and Rhett watched all the previous Star Wars. They couldn't wait to meet Darth Vader. It was hard waiting until the 4th movie to meet him. Myles and Cami watched a little too. Myles loves Stormtrooper. He likes to march around and say he is a Stormtrooper. He got a Stormtroop shirt for Christmas that we wants to wear everyday. Rhett got a Stormtrooper hat the Myles likes to steal. Myles has a Lightning McQueen one. Rhett has two Star War long sleeve shirts, he enjoys wearing and showing off to Myles. They love to battle with Rhett's foam Lightsaber and Minecraft diamond sword.

Grandpa Dan watched Myles and Cami New Year's Day. Caramel and Rhett got to see Star Wars 7 in the theater. We saw it in 3D.

Christmas!

Christmas morning the kids slept in until 8am. Silly kids, not early risers in our family. We even had some snow fall for a couple minutes on Christmas. No real snow days yet. Grammy Pam slept over and made Christmas dinner for us. Anthony picked up Great Grandma Miller for dinner.

Caramel's gifts from her Santa list were Heelys and Shopkins. Heelys are shoes with a wheel embedded in the sole. She has practiced around the house getting more balanced and confident. Shopkins are tiny little toys you collection, they are items you would buy at the grocery shop with eyes looking girly and cute. The rolling suitcase Camellia got from Grandpa Neil has the Shopkins on it. Caramel's first listed item was a phone, but that wasn't and isn't happening anytime soon. Rhett's gifts from his Santa list were an Ender Dragon stuffed animal and an Ender Dragon Lego set. We also had a wooden butler listed, not sure what that was or were it came from but that didn't happen. Rhett did wonder where his butler was, crazy kid. Myles got a digger for the backyard and a ride on tractor. Camellia got a stroller and baby. There were lots of presents from extended family. Winter break was full of new toys and crafts for the entertaining.

Caramel and Rhett got game chairs for when they play Minecraft. Myles and Camellia have fun rocking on them.

Fun hats Caramel got her siblings to match her polar bear.

Here we are having a family dinner with a new addition- a vulture. He has been hanging out on top of the highest cabinet near the kitchen. Camellia has enjoyed learning the word vulture and saying often.

 

Christmas Eve Dinner at Grandpa's

We ate Christmas Eve dinner at Grandpa Dan's house. The kids played with all the different nutcrackers and the train around the tree.

Christmas Decoration- Big Santa

The jumbo Santa was hung in the front window with care. In hope to wave at all the passing cars out there. Always fun to decorate the house. This Santa did startle me a couple times. Had to get use to a huge shadow in the window. 

Chocolate Calendars

It was difficult but the kids managed to eat only one chocolate a day for the month of December. Myles really loved the routine of chocolate right before bed. We have a Santa radio, you call the North Pole each night and talk with someone. Every night we would call the North Pole and eat a chocolate. Myles would yell, "chocolate calendars." Then Myles and Camellia would drag chairs into the laundry room to reach the third shelf were the chocolate calendars were hidden. After the one chocolate was eaten, calendars had to be collected quickly so another one wasn't eaten.

Grandpa Neil, Auntie Charity and Benny making Gingerbread House

Grandpa Neil, Charity, and Benny came up for a visit just before Christmas. The kids enjoyed family coming to visit during the winter break. We made a small gingerbread village easier than the bigger ones that need more construction skills. Caramel and Rhett enjoyed decorating. Fun snowmen and fences were made with gum drops and toothpicks.

Myles and I worked together.

After decorating we watched Home Alone. Myles and Cami attacked the gingerbread house during the movie. I had to hide Caramel's and Rhett's, the rest I let Myles and Cami taste test.