Alan turns 8!

We told Alan that he could have a friend party for his 8th birthday and he was so excited!  His birthday was about a week after we got back from our trip and even though I had been planning on it (at least his baptism and that part of it) I kind of let the party part slide until it was almost his birthday.  We gave him a couple of different options and he wanted to go to the movie theater and see the movie Frozen with a few of his friends.  That worked out well for me because I didn't have to do a lot of planning and decorating.  So he invited 4 friends over and we had pizza and pop and then dessert.  This year Alan wanted to have a mock éclair (layers of graham crackers and pudding/whip cream mixture with a chocolate topping) instead of cake.  Starting with Alan and going clockwise: Alan, Justiz, Micah, Conner, Rachel (Conner's age, her mom watched Brooklyn for us so that we could all go to the movie), Paxton, Mara and Ethan:

After that we opened presents and then piled into our two vehicles and went to the theater.  I was a little worried because right before we went I heard that it was a "princess" movie and I wasn't sure how a bunch of 8 year old boys would react.  Luckily the movie was great and all the kids seemed to enjoy themselves, although one got a little scared during certain parts.  Some of Alan's friends were very wiggly but it all worked out.  After that we gave out treat bags and took everyone home.  It was an easy and fun birthday party and Alan loved it.

A couple of presents that he got from family.  A new set of scriptures from his mom and dad and a new scripture bag from Grandma and Grandpa Pitcher:

Here is a little about 8 year old Alan:
Favorite color:  Blue
Favorite song:  A child's prayer
Favorite thing to do:  Spend time with my family
Favorite subject in school:  Science
Favorite food:  Split pea soup
Favorite book:  Harry Potter and Jack and Annie (Magic Tree house books)
What do you want to be when you grow up:  A cop or an artist

While the cats are away the mice will play

 While Reed and I were on vacation Grandma and Grandpa Pitcher came to stay with our kids.  They made this vacation possible - thank you!  It sounds like everyone had fun:

Brooklyn helping make a salad:

Micah showing off his ninja skills

 Grandma said that when she tried to get Brooklyn dressed Brooklyn insisted on putting on a pair of pants, and then a pair of shorts and then her swimming suit.  She spent a lot of the day like that:

 Micah and his lego creation:

 Grandma took Brooklyn in to get her first hair cut.  Now her hair isn't in her eyes.  Brooklyn snuggling with Grandpa and her dolls:

 Micah doing the same thing:

 While we were enjoying the sun and white sand these guys were enjoying the cold and snow:

 Grandma and Grandpa helped them build a snow man:

Micah loves to play tickle chase.  Here is an email from Grandpa that we got while we were gone:
"I was playing a exhausting game with the two of them this morning.  When I sat down on the couch, I exclaimed I had to rest.  Micah of course asked why.  I responded "Because I am old and tired".  Pointing over at Grandma sitting beside me he said, "What about that one".  What a hoot!!"
Grandma and Grandpa also made sure Alan and Conner got to school, and picked them up and helped with homework and made dinner and did laundry and dishes and everything else that is involved in keeping a house running.  Thanks again for taking care of our kiddos.

Vacation Day 9 - Home again!!!

The next day we got up early and had breakfast at the hotel and then we hopped on the shuttle and went back to the airport.  We wandered around for a little while.  One of the things we saw while wandering:

Then we found out our terminal was the very last one in the airport (number 95, I think) so we hurried down there.  It was weird, we actually walked outside, then got on this little ramp and got on the plane.

The flight home was uneventful.  Flying over our city:

We got in to the airport and went down to wait for our bags.  We looked out the window and saw our van pull up so we ran out to meet them.  We gave everyone a big hug - it was so nice to see them again.  My mom had stayed with the kids and took them to church by herself, since we were a day late.  We went back and got out bags.  Then the kids wanted to ride the escalator up to the upper level and we said sure.  Reed was holding Brooklyn and Micah was right behind him but Micah somehow lost his footing and fell part way down the escalator.  It was pretty scary to watch - I don't think I have ever jumped that many stairs at a time.  I picked him up and he had a bruise on his head and a big rip in his pant leg but luckily there was only a long scrape on his leg, so it could have been worse.  When we got home we saw this sign in the window:

We had some dinner and then I drove my mom half way home - Dad came and met us half way.  Thanks again Mom and Dad for holding down the fort - we couldn't have gone without you!  It was nice to get away but nice to come home too.  I guess I was ready to tackle life with a little more energy.  I love these kids:

 I even love them on days like this!

Its nice to be home!