hoco, winfo, and twelve dates of christmas

I think you could say that one of Kyler's favorite pastimes is going out on dates. I wish I had his group of friends when I was in high school because man, these boys are fun. Kyler and a friend set a goal to pretty much go on a date once a week during the school year. They are definitely meeting that goal.

Kyler asked one of his sweet friends to homecoming. I loved their matching shoes!!

 

Kyler never sent me the pictures they had taken before the dance so I can't post them here, but they looked so cute together.

The boys planned out dinner and we hosted their group.


Such a super fun group of teens. Side note--one of Kyler's guy friends now is actually a friend that he used to play with in Kindergarten in Washington! Such a small world. Glad they can be friends again.


The next big date was Winter formal. Kyler and his date for winfo are really good friends and have a bunch of inside jokes and things in common--one of those being Saved by the Bell. Such a funny way to ask him.

We laughed at his response to her. Who would've thought the show I loved as a 9 year old would be quoted on my son's winfo ask and response?? Hahaha

I stole these pictures off of his phone the day he got them.

In between those dances, Kyler went on a bunch of group dates. He tried to ask out each of the girls he hangs out with often.

And then he got "close contact quarantined." (Which was such a ridiculous thing to be told 6 days after "exposure."). But he was feeling bummed and home from school and had a friend over. Somehow their joking around turned into "we tshould plan 12 dates of christmas." So they did. In less than one week's times they took 12 different girls out on christmas dates. They had two days of three dates each day! I know they loved every second of it, but they were tired after a week of planning dates.

I don't have pictures of every fun date, but I was the photographer for this one after they went to goodwill to buy clothes for a christmas photo shoot.












And we got to show up to this one when part of the date was to perform the nativity under the Gilbert water tower.

Brinn made a cute friend with another little sister who came to watch the show.

The 12th date of christmas was a big group of teens and they stopped by our house for a hot chocolate bar.


Brinn always sneaks in to hang with the teens. She loves all the attention.

Kyler is getting so good at organizing and planning awesome dates. I'm glad he is out dating and having fun with so many sweet girls.

the end of cross country season

Kacin and Kyler finished the cross country season strong. They were dedicated and pushed themselves and enjoyed the season (even with all the Covid adjustments). They both PR-ed at the last race of the season. We attended the cross country banquet to see them receive their certificates.

We are so grateful for good coaches who help the boys build skills and also character. 

Here are some pictures from the last couple of races...

Until next year, cross country!

Seventeen!

The world is a better place because this kid came into it seventeen years ago.

I was  excited when Kyler asked me to be in a picture with him during family pictures. It was his idea to high five right on the sun. Taking the picture was fun. Seeing the picture reminds me what a force for good and a light Kyler is. 

With everything inside of me, I know that Kyler has an unstoppable power to do good and lift those around him. He is a force of creativity, wisdom, and love. He makes my mama heart proud.

His birthday came the day before Thanksgiving this year. I think it worked out though that even though most people were busy with family and holiday plans, because our schools were out that day we were able to celebrate him in some fun ways.

Layla kicked the morning off with Kyler's very special happy birthday sign.

I loved her list of things Kyler loves: his family, saved by the bell, star wars, he likes to right (write), video games, his birthday, wrestling, soccer, country music, reading books, playing games, trucks, and teasing his sister all the time. That pretty much sums Kyler up.


We had a group of his friends over for a birthday breakfast.

After breakfast, we introduced them to the Flour Game.

You place a penny at the bottom of a small bowl or cup. Then you pack flour into the bowl. You place a plate on top of the bowl and then flip it over to have a perfect stack of flour with a penny on top. You take turns using a knife to cute straight down into the flour. The person who makes the penny fall when they cut has to retrieve the penny without using their hands.


We played a few rounds.

Then we got Kyler outside and the boys tried to dump flour on him. They mostly missed.

So Halle took it into her own hands to cover the birthday boy in a layer of white.






Then they all turned on Saved by the Bell episodes (I seriously love that Kyler and a few of his friends love that show as much as I did as a kid) before starting to watch the reboot of the show.


Once his friends left, we gave Kyler our presents to him.

Then we went to my sister's house for cake since she shares the same birthday as Kyler, only 23 years apart.




Kyler made this collage to post on instagram to #givethanks for his brothers, but I think it is very fitting to insert this here.


Kyler got a bunch of shoutouts on instagram. I just loved seeing the pictures they posted of him.

We had every intention to get Kyler the costco cake he requested on his birthday, but the day was full so instead we celebrated again a few days later. 

We got creative to get 17 on that cake since we didn't have enough candles. 8+6+3=17

I'm so glad we got to celebrate Kyler. We love him so much!! As a leader, example, and friend, he is an important part of our family.