The Double Nickel

I don't normally think too much about my "5" birthdays (25, 35, etc.) - the decade birthdays give me enough trouble.  So, the only thing I thought when Steph suggested we get together for dinner out for my 55th birthday was that it was nice that everyone was available on the day we picked (which was the Saturday before my birthday).  Did I think that it was weird when Mickel got paged to go into work?  Nope, not one bit - happens all the time.  Did I think it odd that he needed to borrow my car because they all drove together, thereby necessitating my going home with Steph and the kids to retrieve it?  Not particularly.  Did I start to suspect when Sterling and Kris announced that they needed to take off before dinner was properly over (before dessert!) so they could meet their builder?  No, I was just a tad annoyed.  And did I think something was up when Steph and the kids insisted that I walk into the house first?  No, I just thought they had my birthday present set up somehow. 

So, you probably see where this is going, although I certainly didn't at the time.  Yup ... the good ol' surprise birthday party!  And was I ever surprised! 

Mickel, Kris and Sterling met a bunch of other friends and family to get everything set up while we were finishing dinner.  Without a doubt, I have the best family and friends in the world!

Kara was especially sneaky.  She called earlier that week wanting to come over for a visit.  So we settled on Friday and went to lunch and to Kris' house and to Steph's house.

And then there she was again on Saturday! 

It was definitely a good birthday this year.

The Entertainer

Our Kaiya is a natural talent at so many things, and she has such a wide array of interests!  I've said before that she wants to learn almost everything, and she shines at most things she tries. 

Right after Teague's big birthday bash, Kaiya had a piano recital.  She did a great job!  It's a little hard to see, but notice the crossed hands technique at the end ... yes, it is on purpose.

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The following week she was in a dance program put on at the Kingsbury Hall.  If you get the chance, you should go to this program.  They have about 40 to 50 dance numbers, with kids ranging from toddler (always SO cute!) to late teens (quite often EDGY!).  It sounds like a lot, but they move quickly from one number to the next with only one intermission halfway through.  The choreography and costuming is so well done, and it is simply a fun program to watch.  Kaiya's group (three girls - other groups range from solo acts to a couple of dozen at a time) did this wonderful little Daddy/Daughter dance.  The Dads came out at the last part, and the girls danced around them, ending with each little girl "asleep" in her daddy's arms.  SO so darling!  And Mickel did a great job, even if they barely allowed him backstage. 

Unfortunately, they don't allow any sort of photography or video taping during the performance (and I guess I'm not enough of a rebel to try to do it anyway), so we just got our after-performance shots. 

I love this girl!

Atticus Turns Two!

It just occurred to me that these posts are not in chronological order, but rather the order that I'm remembering them!  As you can see, the grandkids come first with me, always.  <3

Atty just had his second birthday, and so we had our Grammie Date ... luckily enough for me, actually on his birthday.  He is looking so grown up these days!

Since Atty LOVES the train, we rode Trax to the downtown Walmart.  We had an ooey-gooey dessert at MickeyDs, followed by Atty choosing a toy.

He was almost overwhelmed with the choice, as any two-year-old would be!  But with Grammie's gentle prodding after awhile, he finally settled on a lime green race car with sirens, lights, sound and motion.  He threw a bit of a tantrum when the clerk had to scan it, so I knew we had a winner. 

You have to understand that the main highlight of this adventure (besides the race car) was riding on the train.  He wasn't really even all that interested in our ice cream treat.  He loves, loves, LOVES the train and is totally entertained the entire time.  At one point on our return trip, I began to play "spiders" with him (walking your fingers toward him).  But he wasn't really interested in playing spiders with Grammie, choosing instead to play it with a gentleman sitting across from us.  The guy was a good sport and played back. 

When we got home finally, Atty spent the next hour playing with his car.  I left soon after, but I understand that he insisted on sleeping with it as well. 

Atty truly is a light in my life.  It was so awesome to have Kris, Sterling and Atty living with me temporarily while they got their house situation sorted out.  I loved being able to spend time with Atty whenever we wanted, and I'm going to miss that! 

This last shot is a little silly, but then Atty is a little silly too.  He insisted on putting this lamp shade on his head like a hat, so of course I had to get a shot! 

Teague's 4th Birthday

It's been a busy June so far, starting with Teagie's big blow-out party for his 4th birthday!  Mom and Dad got a special on a bouncy-house and snow-cone machine combo.  They also decided that since many of the kids to be invited came from outside of their new neighborhood, they would invite the parents too so that people wouldn't have to drive so far to just drop kids off.  So ... there ended up being 45 to 50 people at this party!  

There was also a pinata.  Like most pinatas, it took awhile to bust this one open.  Luckily enough, Teague was the one to finally do it!

 If you can't tell by the pinata and the cake, it was pirate theme. 

It was a great party!

I started a new tradition last year of taking each of the g-kids out for a special birthday Grammie date.  This year Teague and I went to the movie "Madagascar" and then to pick out a new toy (talking Spiderman, which he played over and over on the way home, until he fell asleep).  We also got to try out the motion chairs at the theater while watching the preview to the new Spiderman movie.

Kara's Graduation

My darling niece Kara just graduated from college, after many years of hard work.  She had to do it like I did - while raising a family.  We're all so proud of our Kara-bug! 

She had a graduation barbecue at her house, which was a lot of fun.  Lots of great food, great people, and a TRAMPOLINE!  Congrats, Kara.  We love you!

Cousins

One day I had all the kids, so we walked over to the little neighborhood park to play.  We discovered that three people is the optimum number for the tire swing.  Atticus laughed so hard I thought he was going to fall off!  He wasn't too impressed when it twirled, though. 

Easter 2012

Our Easter tradition is to go to brunch at Market Street Grill.  Since Steph and Mickel have moved to Draper, and Kris and Sterling are temporarily bunking with me, we decided to switch to the Cottonwood location this year.

After brunch (actually well after), Atticus finally got to look for his Easter eggs.  He quickly caught the gist of what was going on, and found all his eggs pretty quickly.

Steph & Mickel's new house ... Part II

Stephanie and Mickel were just moving into their new house in my last post ... check out how even more incredible it looks with furniture!

Now the back yard has a working waterfall, a patio set and grill on the lower level, and a play ground and conversation seating area at the very top.

 

It's a beautiful house in a gorgeous neighborhood!