our 15 year old

Happy, happy birthday to our Kyler!

Words can not say how much we love this teenager.

I love seeing the person he is and who he is becoming. His heart is big and his talents are many. He is a hard working, responsible, sweet, aware, fun to be around guy. 

I’m so grateful for the friendship we are developing as he matures as a teenager. He has never been much of a talker and sharer, but he is opening up so much more as he gets older and I love our conversations. I'm glad we can trust each other.

We decorated his bedroom door for him to find when he woke up in the morning.

His day was a Sunday so we didn’t get to go out and celebrate during the day, but he got a cupcake for breakfast.

My parents invited us over for his birthday dinner. After dinner, he and Jacqui blew out their birthday candles next to the bowl of dirt cake they requested.

We gave them both their gifts.

Layla did a pretty amazing job at decorating his wrapping.

All Kyler really wanted was a drum set. We went with the electric set so the volume can be controlled. He has already learned some songs and beats. It’s fun!

A few weeks later, he had some friends over. He told me no cake and no singing and no blowing out candles. So we did all three. He’s not too old for that. 

We also played fear factor food edition. It was mostly girls at his party and I don’t think that all of them enjoyed the game (I don’t think the sardines, pickled beets, seaweed, dried squid was really their thing. Though the egg nog, donuts, and saltine challenges were ok.). Oh well. Kyler and I had fun shopping for interesting things to try for the game.

They played 007 and Kyler and Ben impulsively jumped into the 50 degree pool. So hopefully we recovered from any negative feelings about fear factor food. Ha!



It is so exciting having a 15 year old in the house. We love Kyler!

Christmas tree

We pulled our tree out of the box just a few days after Thanksgiving. 

We turned on the Christmas music. I yelled at everyone who wasn’t cooperating (I know, way to bring in the Christmas spirit, mom. It wasn’t my proudest mom moment...).

Kyler had the honor of placing the first ornament on the tree. 

Then we got to the decorating. Perry was especially into it this year. He loves placing ornaments on the tree.

Little Brinna was figuring out this Christmas tree thing, too. 

How sweet is B with Kyler!

Layla was in charge of the star this year.

However, she became terrified of heights when Eric lifted her up and had a little freak out moment.

She was hesitant, but ultimately she reached up there as high as she could, without letting go of Eric’s shoulder, to place the star.

It wasn’t staying very well so Kacin saved the day.

We had some pretty funny attempts at a family picture in front of the tree.

Christmas is officially put up in our home. Yay for Christmas trees!

Thanksgiving 2018

The day before Thanksgiving I got to participate in two Thanksgiving feasts at the elementary school. I love seeing their big smiles. 

Perry’s list of things he is grateful for included rescue bots, his pool, his 2 brothers, mom, dad, and sisters. It is always sweet hearing him say so in front of the class.


Thanksgiving day we were off to Prescott to spend the day with family. Unfortunately, my parents weren’t up for the drive after all so they didn’t make it (and we sure missed them!). But it was nice to see family that we don’t get to see very often.

While we were at Terry and Randi’s house, the kids got to do a lot of art projects. Layla was in heaven. Aunt Randi even gave a watercolor art lesson.

We made sure to see Azey and Greg and their dog. Brinna was loving that puppy.

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal at my uncle’s country club. I should’ve taken better pictures at the tables, but we spread across three tables. The older boys loved sitting at the table with my uncles and hearing all of their stories and adventures growing up.

We went back to Terry and Randi’s and played a game while the kids got all cozy and watched a movie.

We really enjoyed getting away for the day and spending time with family. 

We have so much to be thankful for each and every day. Happy Thanksgiving 2018!