December 31, 2015

Devin is 6!

I really can't believe that I have a 6 year old. Weird. But, man, is he a cute 6 year old.
 We had a lot of fun celebrating his birthday with grandparents over for his favorite dinner of pancakes (though he did change it up a bit this year by going with sourdough pancakes). I tried to get him to pick something different--not because I didn't want to make him pancakes, but rather because we have pancakes all the time and didn't want him to forget about other favorites--but in the end I didn't want to be a pushy mother, so pancakes it was!
After dinner was present time. He certainly got spoiled! I felt bad that we got him mostly clothes, but he'd been asking for a BYU hoodie and then I saw some dinosaur shirts on sale, so I had to get them. We also brought back the Spirograph, which he's had lots of fun with. From grandparents he got books, games, Imaginext guys, a Captain America shooter, and Legos.
He requested a Star Wars cake with Darth Vader. Since we were still recovering from stomach flu and I had his friend party and Nora's blessing to plan for that coming weekend, he got a store cake again--lucky boy. Clearly we need to make it a goal to not get sick for Devin's birthday next year! 
Such a wonderful night celebrating the awesome kid Devin is. He blows me away with his mind and his cute smile, and I'm so lucky to be his Mommy. After the party he went right up and read the books he got--even the long non-fiction one about dinosaurs, which is a 2.8 reading level! He never ceases to amaze me. And though there is not a person on this earth that tests me more, I love him to the moon and back and am so looking forward to another great year with him!

December 29, 2015

More Family Christmas Fun!

I only had pictures from Sunday night's party on my phone, which got deleted. Luckily Blanche texted me a few pictures so I have some documentation from this fun night. As always, Grandma and Grandpa Britton put on a great party, and the kids had a lot of fun playing with cousins and unwrapping presents. Such a great night visiting and celebrating with family! The boys got some cool toys, Nora got some dresses and toys, and Rich and I got tools and cooking supplies, respectively.
Landon got some Ninja Turtle nunchucks as a present, which he willingly shared with Nora. Then all the boys got in on the fun action.


Monday night we got together with Grandma and Grandpa Downing for a family dinner--sadly Rich was sick and I was late getting down there with the kids so we didn't get to go bowling with the family. The boys had fun playing with cousins, and it was so great to visit with family for another night! Unfortunately, again, all pictures got deleted, but I do have this cute picture that Loralee sent me. Lots of fun continuing the Christmas season with all our family!

December 26, 2015

Christmas!

Christmas was magic this year. Honestly, it was the best day. The boys slept in our room, and imagine a cute picture of the kids ready to go downstairs because the real one got deleted (the sad face still continues). They had to wait for Nora to eat and they were dying, but I still felt lucky they slept till 7:00. The boys ran down the stairs; Devin went straight to his stocking while Landon got sidetracked by the family BYU gifts from Santa. In the end both boys were super excited about their Legos and were so happy about everything.
 
 
 
 
After seeing what Santa brought, Nora went back down for a nap, and we opened all the presents under the tree. For the last present we took the boys into the garage for our big surprise of a trampoline. They were pretty excited--just have to wait till spring to put it up!
 
 
 
Best moments of the day were the family Nerf war, watching our new movie Aladdin and hearing the boys laughing hysterically and Rich singing to Nora, hearing Devin read Landon's funny book to Grandpa Millett, getting a sweet present from Devin that made me tear up, and listening to Rich put together the boys' Legos while saying, "What does that diagram mean? I think it means you will start building this morning and finish tomorrow night."
 
 
The boys loved opening presents for Nora and showing her the presents. She definitely had a great first Christmas. All the grandparents visited during the day, which allowed the boys to show off their mega loot.
It really was just the best day. I know a lot had to do with the boys' ages, but I hope every Christmas can be as wonderful and as magical as this year!