Caleb's {NINE}! 2011

Noah made brownies while we were gone to sushi, so we could have brownies and peppermint icecream when we got home...only problem, he got busy playing his ipod touch and they got a little burnt...

How many fingers...

Look at that grin...the shirt says it all! Oh, I mean the smile says it all.

Fishing pole from Grandma and Grandpa, now all the boys have their own.

He also got a wireless router...he was so thrilled, whatever!

Caleb's Sushi

One of our favorite traditions is to take the birthday kid out for a dinner of their choice by themselves. It is so fun, each kid has their own personality and food type. Caleb has been saying for so long that he wanted to try sushi. So for his birthday.... The unsuspecting...He chose the Great Falls roll, because it had eel in it...

Definately not his mother's child. It also had crab, cream cheese, cucumber and avocado.
He was a sport. I don't think he loved it, but I know he loved the idea of it. He ate most of it, and claimed to want to save some to see if any of his brother's were man enough to try it.
Result:
Sam: wouldn't even smell it
Noah: tried the eel, but wasn't impressed
Max: tried so hard to "man up" and try it, he licked it and said, no thanks
Mara and Emma: wouldn't even look at it.


Eat the Wasabi!

And they were nice enough to bring him his own icecream for a birthday treat!

what a great time we had with Caleb!

(Ka-lEEb)

Christmas Morning!

Merry Christmas To All!

We have now officially joined the world of BARBIE.

Opening their I-pod touches!

They can't contain the excitement!

"You'll shoot your eye out!"

Caleb and Max both got DSi's from Ryan's parents.

She is always wearing this now!

Bitty Babies for the girls!

{Christmas Eve Pajamas!}

As soon as everyone was gone, Dad handed out the jammies from Yiaya and Papou!
Everyone was so excited because they knew it was time for jammies and bed so Santa could come!

Once they were dressed and ready to go, they all headed downstairs to sleep in the playroom together. (Sam and Noah still slept in their bed, just across the hall)

Twas' the night before Christmas!

{Christ}mas Eve Dinner

We had the Birkland's and the Prosser's over for Christmas Eve Dinner

Crab legs, chicken parmesean, french bread, salad, appetizers and apple cider were on the menu

Not to mention pumpkin bread triffle and chocolate silk pie for dessert.After dinner, we opened white elephant gifts.

Some were fun!

Some were funny! Max was not thrilled to get a horsey dressed as a girl!
He was a good sport though!

Kevin ended up with the tiny speedo!

He secretly left it in Ryan's scriptures for him to find later!

{Christmas Eve}

The traditional nativity was joined by the Birkeland and Prosser family this year!

It was fun to have extra players for the event, The kids had a great time finding costumes!

they were quite inventive!

Mary riding the donkey

The angels

Emma and Avra

Mary: Eden
Joseph: Max
Baby Jesus: Mara
Donkey: Channing

The shepards:
Caleb, Noah, Sam
kneeling before the babe!


Somehow now the angel is riding the donkey?

The whole crew

Wisemen: Sam and Ryan- what a good sport!

Sleddin{G} Behind the Suburban!

As a child we used to beg my sister Maria to pull us in sleds behind the car! It was our favorite. We would wait all year for a good snow that would make the roads snowpacked. Well, the roads here have been snowpacked for quite a while, and taunting me to take the kids. When I told them what we were going to do, none of them were really excited. So being the mother that I am...I FORCED them to go sledding behind the car. They of course loved it! Which is why I continue to force them to do things. I hope one day they will just believe me when I say..."let's do this is will be fun!" I mean really...have I ever steared them wrong? Never! (If you don't mention Tower of Terror in Florida. They will never forgive me for that!) Off we go!

Even Emma loved it! she of course didn't get the crazy driving!

Noah after he biffed it!

And it's home for hot chocolate and a rest by the fire!

{Merry Christmas from Our Family!}

What!!! {SAM} A Teenager?

Well it is official...We now have a teenager in the house, and he loves it! He is forever taunting me, "you are old enough to have a teenager" Yeah, Yeah Yeah! Ryan's parents sent him a teenage survival kit complete with Axe spray, shampoo, deodorant, and body wash. He now smells like a man all the time. There was also movie tickets, a movie, candy and popcorn, and other cool things. He thought it was the best. What a great idea. He also got money, so he is really close to being able to get his i-pod touch, which seems to be the only thing he can think of these days.

This summer Ryan took the older three boys to the RUSH concert in SLC. They loved it and claim they are changed for life. Ryan's idea was to get him a RUSH shirt...yep, he loved it. He also got a Lord of the Rings computer game. What do you get a teenager?

Check out Max's goofy face...What a nut!

Sam had to have his favorite cake... Better than Anything Cake!

Man that is a lot of candles!

Love that kid!