Kaleb's Birthday and the Perfect Cake

Kaleb's birthday was last Friday, January 15th. We celebrated with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Hailee (Uncle Chet was on the computer watching) and Uncle Matthew. It was so much fun. Spaghetti was Kaleb's dinner of choice and we had garlic bread and salad to go with it. Right after dinner he was ready for cake. Yes, that's right. He wanted cake before presents. Crazy kid! So, I reluctantly brought out the cake. You heard me right. I made the perfect cake on Monday for Grandma's birthday. Kaleb's cake was far from it. You'll get a good chuckle at the pictures, but the thing that made me forget how ugly it was, was Kaleb's face. He was so excited to be celebrating his birthday and to have everyone sing to him. It was the cutest thing. Happy Birthday Kaleb buddy We love you!!

About a week before Kaleb's birthday, Talon drew this picture for him and wanted to hang it on the front door. It's a pic of Kaleb, complete with a birthday crown. I told Tal we should wait until his actual birthday to hang it outside so it didn't get ruined. So he waited a week and first thing Friday morning, Tal was asking me to open the door so he could put Kaleb's picture out. What a nice brother.

Alright...here they are...the pictures of the not-so-perfect cake. I can't believe the it turned out this bad after how beautiful my mother-in-law's cake was on Monday. I did what I could with what I had, and in the end it tasted just as good as any other cake. Laugh all you want...we did!!

It looks a little better with the writing, sprinkles and candles. They cover up some of the mess.

Look at this precious face. He was so excited. What a sweetheart!

Blowing out the candles.

Kaleb also wanted to help me cut the cake. What a helper.

Mmmm...delicious!

Coby enjoyed it too!

Opening gifts.

A package of his own gum from Uncle Matthew.

Talon got a Leapster for Christmas that Kaleb was playing all the time, so we got him his own.

Let's go fishing from Uncle Chet and Aunt Hailee.

Grandma and Grandpa got him a TeckDeck half pipe and some skater dudes. He LOVES it and plays it all the time.

New Years Eve

Josh's Aunt and Uncle always host the annual New Years Eve party, but this year they are on a mission, so we had it at our house! We had 12 adults and 15 kids. It was so much fun to have everyone here! We had bbq turkey sandwiches, chips and dip, vegis, salads and drinks. Also, a bunch of yummy treats. The adults played dominos and visited while the kids played the Wii, rode razor scooters and watched movies. Josh had a sweet set up downstairs with a projector that showed a movie on a sheet attached to the wall. The kids loved it! We all finally got to bed around 2am, and of course, my kids were up by 6:30am. Oh well, we had a great time!

Kaleb and Libby with Grandpa.

Chet and Hailee

The adults playing Mexican Train, a domino game.

Shayla and Libby playing their own card game.

Rayanne and Rylie

Dan and Grandpa

Cody and Talon riding the razors.

Austin

Joshie and Andy playing Wii.

Lexi, Jace and Kaleb watching a movie on the "big screen".

Grandpa...this is how he looks in every picture on every New Years Eve. The poor guys is all tuckered out!

The kids zonked out all over the floor.

Libby...sound asleep.

Clogging

In the fall, I took up a new hobby...clogging. I've never done it before, but I am in love already. I clog with Josh's cousin Jessica and her sister-in-law Shanelle. We have a blast. It's a class of mom's and we get together once a week. We had our first recital on December 28th. I did the whole dance right and even remembered to smile! :) Can't wait to keep clogging.

I'm in the front row, 5th from the left.

Christmas

We did something for Christmas this year that Josh and I have never done in our married life together...we stayed home. We have always either spent the night with my family or Josh's, but this year we figured, since we have the new house that we'd stay home. It was so nice to be in our house and to have the family come celebrate with us. Grandma and Grandpa (and Uncle Chet, Aunt Hailee and Uncle Matthew) came that morning for presents and breakfast. Then, that afternoon, we went to Fountain Green for some more celebrating. We had so much fun!!

Grandma and Grandpa

Kaleb, Josh and Coby opening gifts.

Uncle Matthew, Talon, Josh and Kaleb

The boys relaxing on the couch after a fun morning...ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Coby, Kaleb and Talon

This is what Uncle Chet and Aunt Hailee got Kaleb. Paybacks are coming!

Christmas Eve

This year, we did Christmas Eve with our neighbors. We had a little party with lots of food, a fun game and pajamas. Delvonie made a delicious ham and we all brought something to share. It was a fun and relaxed evening with family and friends.

Tim and some of the kids.

Cole...don't be fooled, he wouldn't hurt a fly.

Some people have a tradition of giving jammies each Christmas Eve...we don't. However, we might now. The Kidders and the Youngs both do it and since we were going to be together when they were giving out their jammies, we gave our kids some too. Luckily, my Mom had already bought them and they were wrapped under our tree for Christmas morning. The kids just opened them a couple hours early. All of the kids were excited and they put them on and wore them for the rest of the party.

Talon, Kaden, Keaton, Me (helping Coby), Coby and Kaleb.

My boys...Coby, Talon, Kaleb.

All of the kids in their pajamas.

We played the candy bar game at this shin dig. You roll the dice, pick a candy bar and put it in your bag. After all of the candy is gone, if you can remember what everyone else had, you can steal candy. We all had fun playing and in the end we went home with some yummy candy.

Me and Kaleb...enjoying the game.

When we got home, Coby must have been hungry because he polished off this box of Wheat Thins. Funny kid!

To finish off the night, we put together Santa's plate of cookie and some goodies for the reindeer. A plate of lettuce and carrots and a bowl of water.

Coby, Talon and Kaleb