2013 in Review

January
Stephanie drove to Utah alone- nightmare!
Randy & Stephanie went to Michigan for New World Company Party @ Ford Museum
Shelby turned 6
February
Moved into our first WA home
Brennon turned 5
March
Went to IKEA for the first time with Jamie
Cousin Brennon, Leah, & Isa visited
Grandpa & Grandpa Burrell visited; Grandpa left with pneumonia
April
Randy turned 36
May
Caden turned 12, got the Priesthood
We went to Canada, Forks, and Rainier National Forest
Stephanie flew to Dallas to see WICKED with Ashlee
Yukon repairs almost $8,000- blah!
Stephanie turned 32
June
Family Vacation to Utah for Danielle's wedding
Met up with Kimberly & Kids
Aunt Danielle & Uncle Taylor visited for their Honeymoon
July
Shelby got her hair cut and donated it to Locks of Love
Caden went to Scout Camp
Aunt Sherry & Uncle Ryan visited; went to boat races
August
Caden 7th, Keilie 5th, Shelby 1st, Brennon K
Grandma Burrell & Great-Grandpa Kimber visited
Caden got his braces off
We painted our kitchen countertops
Keilie turned 10
September
We did a bead-board backsplash
October
Grandpa & Grandma Dirks visited
Tyson turned 4
Caden set apart as Deacon's Quorum Secretary
Stephanie went with Jamie to Tacoma for TOFW
Beth & James Worthen family visited
Almost started a Craft Store/Manufacturing business
December
Keilie tested at a 132 IQ!  Her IEP was finalized- finally!!
Caden has been pulled from school.  Homeschool will begin January 6th, 2014
Randy set apart as Varsity Leader in the Scouting/YM program
Visited Spruce Goose Museum in McMinnville, OR

All-In-All it was an excellent year for the Dirks'

Memorable

When we finally get our computer I'll be able to post pictures of our recent family vacation to Salem, OR. Randy was talking to his mom tonight, telling her all that we've done the last three days, when Tyson added his two cents, "I went potty..."

~Staying in a family suite

~Swimming two days in a row

~Going to an Air and Space Museum

~Riding an amusement park ride in the Space museum- Twice!

~Eating out for every meal

~Going to the Outlet Malls two days pre-Christmas

~Eating a ton of sweets and getting Krispy Kreme

~Tyson went potty

Most memorable vacation ever!!

Keys

I needed to grab a few things out of the Relief Society closet early Tuesday morning. I pulled into the usual place I park in the back and had the boys stay in the car. As I tried one of the two keys that look identical, I realized that the key didn't have a chance of fitting into the lock. It was just too fat. I tried the other key and came to the same conclusion. I looked at the lock itself and realized that it had recently been changed. You could see the old lock was larger than the new, smaller lock. I really needed the papers from the closet, so I decided to try the side door just in case. It opened, I was in! As I was walking down the DARK hallway, wishing I had taken the time to find the light switch, I realized that I kind of resented these papers:). Finally, I'm in the Relief Society room. I pull out my keys and push it in. And it doesn't budge. I try it both ways, I try to fit it in slowly, quick, and even try to jiggle it open with only a sliver of the key. It's not working!! I don't want to be late for my appointment, so I give up on those stinkin' papers and head out, cursing that dark hallway all the way back. 

I picked Randy up from the airport yesterday while the kids are still in school. We had a few minutes more, so I ran to the church to see if he could help me open the closet. While he's fiddling with the keys, I see him start putting he "mail" key in the slot. My first thought was, "Why would he use that key?" My next immediate thought was, "OH MY GOSH! I was using the "mail" key!!" I quickly found the TINY closet key, easily hidden by the larger keys, and opened the closet in a single second. I'm telling you, I'm loosing my mind!! Things just don't process fast enough in this noggin! I truly am a cotton-headed ninny-Muggins!!

None

Our kids have said some pretty cute things. We think so, at least! They still use "next" all the time, which just makes us smile. The other phrase they've been using for a while is "none." I LOVE it. Today I was moving cars around in the driveway and had Tyson get in the blue car. He was so confused, "Do I get in this car with none boosters?" Earlier, I'd asked him what he wanted for lunch. "Nutella with none bread." Brennon is always asking for "cereal with milk." Tyson always asks for "Cereal with none milk." I'm just in love with these boys and their cute words!

IEP Testing

To make sure that Keilie qualified for an IEP throughout her current and coming school years, she needed to go through some intense testing.  Afterwards, I met with the school Psychologist, Special Education instructor, Mrs. Wingert, and the Principal to go over the results.  As the Psychologist was talking to me about the findings, I was totally blown away to see so many Above Average scores.  Keilie has been struggling in school from about 2nd grade on.  Some days she's showing me advanced understanding, while the next day she can barely remember the most basic steps.  It has had me in tears for every single Parent-Teacher conference I've ever been to.  Why does she seem so smart in some things, and struggle with other things so much?  I was commenting on the findings, when the Psychologist said, "I don't think you truly understand what these tests are saying.  Her IQ is college level.  She is far advanced!"  I was stunned, to say the least!!  She has a block in her brain that makes it hard for her to get things out that she knows in her head.  Whether it's the ADHD that she was diagnosed with in 2010 or a learning disability that has her stumped, we're not entirely sure, but the fact of the matter is that Keilie is a very smart little girl.  For her testing in the Woodcock-Johnson test, her overall score of 132 puts her in the Very Superior range.  This has me thinking...You hear of people with high IQ being extremely gifted in an area, right?  So, what's Keilie's?  And how do I find it?  Cause with a mind like this, I don't want to stunt her potential simply because I have no idea what I'm doing!  It almost feels like with this knowledge comes great responsibility.  Deep thought, isn't it!

Snowman?

 These are actually from the first snowstorm of 2013.  It only lasted about 5 hours (rain and warm wind tend to kill a snowman) but we sure had a great time building him!

We are still so obsessed with Frozen! We listen to the songs on repeat each and every day. We ALL have the words memorized, and you can guarantee we break out into song every once in a while singing our best impressions of either Elsa or Ana. We are just in love with that movie. The other day Randy left our room before I woke (we all know this is the best feeling!) to find Shelby sitting on the floor, back to the bathroom door with Keikie inside, singing "Do you wanna build a snowman?"  And just like that, Shelby's hold on her daddy's heart constricted just a little more!

Howdy

Even though Tyson changed his mind about being Woody for Halloween, he still loves to wear the hat all the time. Yesterday he was walking around the house, looking so adorable, that I just had to say, "Howdy, pardner!"

"Howdy, old lady!"

So much for "Southern Charm!"

Old lady?! Nice!

Mini-me

I had a meeting yesterday for Keilie which made it so I entered the school as the crossing guards were leaving to set up. I was almost to the door when I heard a small gasp and then a boy said, "You're Keilie's Mom!"  I love that kids in her class know me because of her. I'll claim that beautiful little girl any day!

What a Waste

After making the decision to go ahead with homeschool, I got on K12 and registered Caden.  I used them back in 2010 with Keilie and LOVED everything about it.  They are great to work with, have GREAT curriculum, and made it just so darn easy to get assignments ready.  It's the rest of it that made it so hard for me.  I got all of the paper work printed, filled out, and faxed in and started waiting.  On Friday, just at closing time, I got an email that stated that one of my papers was denied for lack of signature, and that I needed to call and have a mandatory conference.  I called on Monday and got a message that due to Weather Conditions they were understaffed and would have longer wait times.  I had a few meetings at different times during the day, so I'd hold for as long as I could and then have to hang up.  Tuesday I called and got the message, "We are temporarily closed.  Call back later."  I shot the girl and email asking her to just call me back, cause by this time, I'm getting a bit bothered by the whole scenario.  Wednesday morning she emails me back that they are open from 9-6 and that I should just call.  9:00AM sees me on the phone.  I'm number 4 on the que, so I wait.  While waiting, I feel as if I want to shoot myself after listening to the SAME SONG over, and over, and over, and OVER!  30 minutes of agony finally turns to ringing.  I'm in!!!  And then dead silence.  They had HUNG UP ON ME!!!!  I pretty much had fantasies of punching holes in my walls!  I redialed- now number 5 on the que- and pounded out an email to the same girl that they had hung up on me after 30 minutes and that I was MORE than bothered.  Another 30 minutes of the SAME SONG, and I was in.  My elation at them not hanging up on me instantly turned to stunned anger to find out that the mandatory conference was to verify the information they had gathered from my previous fax.  They needed to make sure they had spelled my name right!  That did it for me.  I usually am a very nice person on the phone, I remember their name to thank them at the end of a call, use a syrupy sweet voice, thank them profusely for their help, the whole shebang.  This time, I pretty much clipped every single "YES!" I had to use.  Then it comes to the part where he has to ask me if Caden is in Special Education.  I cut him off, told him that he could answer no to all of the questions, and could we please move on.  Nope!  He had to ask every single one of them and listen to my annoyed "NO!" answers.  Not to mention that he asked me THREE times if Caden had ever been suspended or expelled from school.  The answer was no the first time you asked, and also on the fax.  MOVE ON!!  After hearing him gush that I had already filled out all of the paperwork- it's called doing your homework, people- I asked him if there was anything else he needed from me.  "You mean other than having a fabulous rest of your day?"  And I was done!  No, "Have a good day!" from me, I just said bye and hung up.  An hour and ten minutes for them to verify that the information I had filled out 5 days earlier was still correct and valid.  I am a nice person, it's one of those things I aspire to be, but man, come on!  An hour and 10 minutes wasted- and for what?  Sometimes I wish I had a secretary to do this sort of thing for me!

Plot Change

I read a quote the other day that has sort of stuck with me.  "At any point in your life, you have the option to say 'Plot Change' and rewrite your story."  Caden has recently taken us on a Plot Change.  Way back in 2010, Caden came to us saying he wanted to be homeschooled.  We just thought it was because he had a good friend that was homeschooled and he thought it would be a fun idea. Imagine his envy when we said Keilie was going to be homeschooled.  Double that envy the day that we got four boxes of materials and a brand new computer just for her!  Over the past few years, he's hinted at the idea, but nothing substantial enough to really consider it.  Last week, however, it became a cliff hanger in our story.  He came to us, in tears I might add, asking if we would let him be homeschooled.  The overprotective mom in me screamed that something had happened at school.  He assured us many times that it wasn't one specific thing, but many.  No one was bullying him, he didn't have a run-in with a teacher, he hadn't been abused in any way.  He just didn't like the learning environment. 

A few weeks back, he and Keilie were playing a rhyming game.  Keilie said, "There is only one other word that I can think of that rhymes with 'Yuck.'"  Caden was out of his seat, approaching her quickly, telling her NOT to say it.  It saddened me to realize that the first word he thought of to rhyme with 'Yuck' was the worst offender of all.  Keilie, in all innocence, said, "Chuck?"  I started to realize that Caden was hearing words in MIDDLE SCHOOL that I hardly heard myself in high school.  He was adamant, through blinding tears, that he wanted out. 

Remembering that Caden loves to clean, loves to organize, and has the most immaculate room in the house, his second reason was Language Arts class.  He hates that his teacher bounces around with different themes.  One day they are reading, the next they are working on a different project, then another, then on day four it is back to finishing day one's assignment.  He said he wants to just work on one idea, finish the idea, and then move on.  I understand this reason!

He had other reasons that aren't important enough to remember, although he did have good argumentative points as to why they were important.  With much deliberation, much prayer, and faith, I have decided that I will in fact homeschool my oldest.  I realize that life is a bit different this time.  Instead of having a 3 year old, a 2 year old, and a newborn baby while trying to work with a 8 year old ADD child, I will now have a 5 year old half day, a 4 year old (that has now started to take naps again) and my most dedicated child working on school at home.  I'm still seriously nervous that I will fail as a teacher, again, but I know I will have a great support system, as always.  Again, I love that we made the decision before we got married that I would stay home.  Because none of this would even be possible without that one decision!

4:00AM

This morning Tyson came into my room at 4:00AM on the dot.  He couldn't find Brennon.  I've long known that we may eventually have a problem with the boys sharing a room and a queen size bed.  Not only do they wake each other up at all hours of the night, they depend on each other to go to sleep.  It's pretty much known that they have to go to sleep together or not at all.  So, I took Tyson back to bed.  It was pretty alarming to find Brennon gone.  I instantly started a barrage of thoughts that had my heart racing, 'What was he wearing, When was the last time I checked on my kids, Did I lock the doors, Did I lock the car so the garage door opener couldn't be used?' I was starting to get pretty panicked.  I raced downstairs after checking to make sure he didn't go in with Keilie- this happens sometimes with both boys.  I had thrown a large blanket on the couch as I was headed to bed, so I didn't check the couch immediately.  When I noticed that all looked the same as how I left it, my breathing started to really accelerate- Where was my son?  And then it happened, a little foot lazily came out from under the blanket on the couch.  My breath hitched as I ran to the couch and lifted that blanket- I found him!  He happened to be burning with fever, so I left him to put Tyson to bed.  Tyson would have none of it, he was sobbing for Brennon.  Afraid that he would wake the other kids and start the morning off at 4:15, I ended up telling Ty I would sleep in his bed with him.  I, however, got no sleep after that!  Although I knew my son was safe here in my home sleeping fitfully on my couch, I couldn't shake the pit in my stomach.  I can NOT imagine the fear that doesn't release it's hold on a mother who truly can't find her child.  I have smothered all of my kids today with love.  Because, as of this moment, my "Mommy World" is as it should be.

Keys?

It's no secret that sometimes I misplace my keys.  I made this cute little key holder that works great, if you put your keys on it.  I also keep them in my purse, so that's another place I always look.  Well- Randy always looks.  If I can't find the set that is mine, I can always count on the key holder to have the other set.  I'm not choosy when it comes to keys.  If it fits in, turns the car on, then it's as good as the ones that I've lost somewhere.  So, Randy went out of town this last week.  I took him to the airport to save on parking fees.  This leaves me with both cars to drive.  If I don't have to take all of the kids somewhere, I usually drive Randy's Outback.  I dropped him off early on Monday and picked him up late on Thursday.  He asked where his keys to my vehicle were.  I had no clue, I had been driving the Subaru around town all week.  He remembered that he'd used them when we went to the airport, that I drove home, so they must be in one of my two usual spots- hanger or purse.  Nope, neither.  I could not remember for the life of me where they were.  So, begrudgingly, he grabbed my set and we went out to the car.  As he went to put the keys into the ignition, he was a little confused.  There were his keys!  I had forgotten to take them out when I got out Monday morning.  Not to worry, the car was locked that first night.  Man, I swear I'm getting worse as I get older.  Unlike a good wine, I do NOT get better with age!  I guess I now have a third place to put my keys!  Handy.

Bread

Tyson has become quite a grump since turning four. And I mean grump. He's spent numerous hours in his room for throwing things and hitting. It's insane! He's also perfected the art of sass. Yesterday while taking the Sacrament, Tyson was all sorts of tired. He took the bread and then said in a seriously annoyed voice, "Argh! Why do I have to eat this bread? I'm not even hungry!!" I was so blown away by his vehement sass, that I did the only natural thing I could think of...I laughed in his face. Man, did this tick him off! He wouldn't even calm down to listen to why we take the Sacrament. He actually fell asleep before the water came. Tired Tyson is an angry Tyson! Maybe I should start implementing naps again!!

Frozen

Wednesday, we surprised our kids with a movie at the theatre.  We DO NOT do this on a regular basis, only on very special occasions, so the kids were SUPER excited.  When we said we were going to Frozen, let me just say the decible of sound coming from Shelby could only be heard by dogs.  We got there at the perfect time to get the perfect seats.  Do you realize how very difficult that can be for a family of 7 on opening day?  Talk about lucky!  I had never seen a preview that actually hinted as to what the show would be about, so I was very surprised when the first song started.  About halfway through that first song I leaned over to Randy and whispered, "It's a buyer!"  It only got better as time went on.  I was completely blown away by the power of the music in this movie!  When we got in the car, our whole family was gushing about how much they LOVED the movie.  We couldn't stop talking about the music.  Randy got home and went straight to iTunes and got the two songs that were my favorite.  We have been listening NON-STOP since.  Shelby in particular.  She is obsessed.  Her favorite song is sung by Idina Menzel (Elphaba from WICKED, for those of you that don't know.  Shame on you if you don't!) called Let It Go!  She really belts in this song, and our little Shelby has it down.  She hits those high notes with the best of them, on pitch, and with her eyes closed for emphasis.  That girl has some serious talent!!  It makes me love that show even more, as if that was even possible.  So, here's a plug for Disney... GO SEE FROZEN!!  You'll be crying  by song two.  That is if music affects you like it does me!

Secret Sibling

Saturday, I had Caden and Keilie choose names from a bowl for our Secret Sibling this year.  Caden chose Tyson and Keilie chose Caden.  So, we headed to Craft Warehouse to pick up some kits I'd seen for them to sew a pillow case for their sibling.  I want this year to be more homemade instead of taking them all to the store and hiding gifts under coats for each other.  Insane.  So, there are two stories that go along with this sewing project.

First, I took Caden and Keilie together to pick out the stuff.  I didn't realize this was going to be a problem until Keilie started looking at Baseball pillow cases.  Obviously it was for Caden.  However, Caden was right there and this was supposed to be a SECRET!  I felt like such an idiot as Keilie fretted about what to do.  Then, her brilliant mind started working overtime and she said, "I'm sure Tyson will love this design.  Tyson loves this kind of thing.  I know Tyson is going to love it.  Don't you Mom?"  I was dying inside for her.  I told her a few times that she needed to remember to keep this a secret, even from other siblings, so she needed to stop.  Caden caught my eye and gave me the briefest of grins.  He had Tyson, he knew she was trying to lie.  I was crushed.  Why didn't I just take them individually?  She still has no idea that he knows.  She may even figure it out come Christmas morning.  The intentions of the whole thing were honorable.  The process, not so much.

We got home and got straight to work.  Caden was all-too excited to just get down to business and figure it out by himself.  He asked me to walk him through the sewing machine one time and then did the rest by himself.  He's going to do just fine on his sewing portion of Home Ec. this year.  He did great.  Keilie did well, but had a little more reserve about doing it alone.  I sat with her and helped her with a few things, but for the most part, she did great!  It was SO much fun doing this with them.  I think they have more confidence than I do!

Second story!  Sunday morning, Caden had found a box and wrapping paper and had Tyson's present ready for Christmas morning.  Mind you, this was NOVEMBER 24.  That is one month and one day to Christmas.  Tyson was beyond thrilled to see his name on the present.  Come Monday morning, Tyson said, "Mom, I've been waiting a long time.  Can I open my present?"  And so it has been every morning since.  What was I thinking doing the Secret Sibling so early?  Man, I'm staring to question my sanity!!  My sanity may be even more scrutinized come Christmas morning if he keeps up this line of questioning:)  Happy Holidays!

Whisper

We recently watched The Elf as a family. I love laughing as a family, and we find that movie very funny. This afternoon I was whispering something to Randy when Brennon walked up and whispered, "I like to whisper, too!" right in our faces. He saw it on the Elf and used it to make a joke. We looked at each other and just started laughing. It was so witty and FUNNY! Love my jokester!

Father of the year

I woke to Randy laughing at himself this morning. Apparently, Keilie had been coughing so much last night that she went to the couch to sleep. At midnight she coughed so much that she threw up. All over the floor. In a line to the kitchen. I was in a deep sleep, I guess, because I didn't hear it at all. Randy told me that as he was cleaning it up, in a seriously tired state, that he actually chastised her about "holding it in, or catching it in her hand. Anything! Just make it to the linoleum!!" He said she looked at him in an almost angry expression and said, "I had no idea!! I don't hardly throw up ever!!" I can see both sides of the story, but have to laugh at both of their exclamations. And yes, he threw a towel over the stuff that need scrubbing and went to bed. Just like I would have done! Cause who likes to deep clean at midnight??

Teeth

Shelby has a gaping hole in her mouth. She is STILL missing her top two teeth. In all, she is missing five of her teeth right now with one loose. Thankfully on the bottom!  I was looking at the soft gums where her two teeth should be, commenting that it didn't look like her teeth were close to coming in, when she said, "I have five teeth out right now. I should start selling my teeth!" She kind of does, though. What is the Tooth Fairy for after all? This year will truly be a Christmas where she wishes for her two front teeth!!

Wet hands

It is no secret that I have a weird pet peeve. I do NOT like wet hands. I keep my hands above the water when swimming if I can help it. I keep my hands out of the bath water as long as possible. I use gloves when cleaning or doing the dishes. I don't even like using Clorox wipes without gloves-they get my hands pruny. It just makes me in a bad mood. I have even been known to leave my bath water in until Randy comes home to empty it for me. It's DUMB, I know, but I can't help it. I HATE wet hands. So, when Keilie volunteered to do the dishes today, I was proud to see her using my gloves. My little mini-me. Until I went to put those same gloves on tonight to finish up dinner dishes and found them FULL of water in the drawer. So the dishes are left undone because I don't have gloves to use. And she "can't stop smiling" as mom bores holes into her head with imaginary lasers coming from her eyes!!!  My reaction borders on manic, but again, I just can't help it. I HATE WET HANDS!!!!!

Holding Hands

I told Tyson I was going to lay down for a nap this afternoon. He told me that he was going to lay down with me. I grabbed my pillow and went to lay down with him in his room. With eyes closed, I was close to sleep when I heard the best kind of interruption. 

"Mom, can we hold hands?"

So we did. And I again marveled at the gift that is being a mom!

Mornings

Life has sort of settled down nicely for us these last few weeks.  I used to LOVE naptime the most of any part of the day.  It was a little break from morning cleaning and afternoon homework.  With Tyson refusing to take naps most days, my highlight has changed significantly.  Now my favorite time of the day is morning.  Caden leaves for school at 7:00 AM, the girls leave at 8:00 AM.  This leaves Brennon and Tyson home until Kindergarten at 12:20 PM.  In this time there is no TV.  There is no screaming.  There is no arguing.  There is only giggles, happiness, fun, imagination, love, and friendship.  These two NEVER fight.  They just play.  And Play.  And PLAY!  They truly are best friends.  This week has been different with Parent Teacher Conference.  I'm not sure why they don't do what I'm used to- take a few days off to host parents for conferences.  Instead, they take a full week and have school in the morning and then parents in the afternoon.  This really gets complicated when they have AM Kindergarten one  morning and then PM Kindergarten the next morning.  Try explaining to your literal 5-year-old that he is going to school early.
"Why?"
"Mom, I go to school after lunch, not after breakfast."
"So, will I be going with Evelyn and Connor? They are in AM Kindergarten."
Finally, I just had to tell him to just get his socks and shoes on and head for the bus stop.  This left just Tyson at home.  It gives me a glimpse of what next year has in store.  Because on the mornings that Brennon has been gone, there has been no laughter between allies.  There has only been a little boy asking when Brennon would get home, asking me to read (which I love!), and never leaving my side because being alone scares him.  I love that they are SO close.  It makes our home a magical place in the morning!  I'll remember these days!

Disgusting!!!

Sometimes I really don't understand kids.  Like at all! 

I dropped Randy off at the airport on Tuesday morning directly after dropping the other kids off at school.  We were close to Denny's so I made a rash decision and went for pancakes.  Not the most economical way to have pancakes for breakfast, but it was JUST what I needed to start off yet another week of Randy flying out of town.  We ate our glorious pancakes and got ready to pay/leave.  Both boys had to go to the bathroom, so I told them to go while I paid.  The checkout is directly in front of the bathrooms.  And, man, you could tell/smell it!  Probably not the best location to have the bathrooms!  Anyway, Brennon ended up having to go number two.  And when he goes number two he takes FOR.EVE.R!!!  Like to the point that a few minutes feels like a year kind of slow!  Tyson was quick, so we waited for Brennon outside the door.  And we waited.  And waited some more.  I was calling out to him every few minutes begging him to hurry up.  For reals!  During this time, Tyson noticed he could see his reflection in the brass push plate on the door.  He was entertaining himself by walking away and back again, changing his facial expression each time he approached.  Then he did it, the terrible-awful-no good- very bad thing.  He walked up and LICKED the brass push plate on the Men's room door!  LICKED it ladies and gentleman!!  UM...WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT FOR?  I was gagging all the way out to the car.  Even now.  WHY?????  He just giggled and thought I was funny!  Typical!  He makes me sick!

Halloween 2013

 Secret Service Agent

 Elvis

 Ballerina Bunny

 Buzz Lightyear (Year 2)

 Spiderman (Caden's 4 year old costume!)

He was going to be Woody, again.  We searched the tri-cities for a Woody hat.  Found one.  Last minute he decided against it!

 Could NOT get the fingers down, haha!

Happy Halloween 2013!!!

I also want to point out that this is the first year in FOREVER that we went trick-or-treating without snow or coats!  It was 65 degrees and PERFECT!!!

Just Dance

The Tuesday before Halloween, Caden attended his first church dance.  They lowered the age limit to 12 this year.  It was bittersweet to see him go.  Since it was a costume party, he made sure to get the best costume.  He was a Secret Service Agent.  He even showed me the call sign "The Eagle is on the move."  I had to smile at my son that pretended to me that he wasn't excited out of his mind to be going.  I was playing it down just as much!  On the way, I asked if he was going to ask a girl to dance.  "No!  I'm just going to hang out with my friends."  I was a little sad, but didn't press him too much.  When I was telling Randy I hoped he'd ask someone, Randy responded that he knew Caden wouldn't.  He even went as far as saying, "I don't know any 12 year old boy that would have the courage to ask a girl to dance!"  It ended at 8:30, but being the anxious/overprotective mother that I am, I got there at 8:15 and watched the youth of this rising generation exit the gym.  One of the first groups to leave was from our ward.  A cute girl, Savannah, said, "Your son is in there."  In my excitement I asked her if he'd danced with anyone.  "Yep.  He danced with me!" (Blush!  She actually blushed!)  My excitement to see Caden shot WAY up.  He exited the gym precisely at 8:30 (the punctual traitor) to a mom that was trying her best to look just the right amount of excited so he didn't feel embarrassed.  I actually waited till we were in the car to ask him about it.  Talk about self-control-super-woman!  The girl from our ward, Savannah, had asked him- I like a girl that knows what she wants and goes for it.  The other girl, THAT HE ASKED, was a girl from school, Allie.  So, here's how it went down...

Allie asked her friends to convince Caden's friends that he should ask Allie to dance.  SO HE DID!!!

Holy Cow!!!  I know these games- I was champ at those games!!  My son is admired!!  I'm mean, come on, can you blame them?

On a side note, one Sunday Tyson fell asleep under the pew in front of ours, the pew that Savannah's family was sitting on.  I watched as Savannah took off the scarf she was wearing, fold it into a nice "pillow" and place it under Tyson's head.  Isn't that SO adorable!  We really do have the BEST youth in this ward!  One Deacon in particular- but that's just me!

Autumn Celebrations

With a Saturday with no plans other than being together, we took the morning to look at the fall beauty.  I've been wanting to do this for a few weeks, but have either been too busy or to sick to get out with the camera.  This has been an absolutely stunning autumn!  This is the "end" of our season and the colors still take my breath away!

 My World!

  I LOVE the red! Pretty much my favorite color!

 These trees are on an off-ramp which makes it impossible to get family pictures taken here.  Can you imagine the family in fall colors with those trees as a backdrop?  With the beautiful tan grasses coming to our hips?  Walking hand-in-hand?  Man, I love this spot that can never be used!

 These trees line/separate a vineyard.  They stand as tall, green sentinels for most of the year.  I love that you still see green intermingled with the yellow. 

 Um...I want this backyard!!!  Look at the Red, then the Purple, then the Yellow, then the Orange, then the Light Green, then the Dark Green.  I think I would be content to just sit in my backyard all day enjoying this view!

 

 Don't these red bushes look as if they are glowing?!  Like they have batteries?!  I want one.  Or two.  Or fifty!

 This is the view as we leave our neighborhood.  I love the three different colors of this fall landscaping!  Such a beautiful Season!!

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After we got back, Randy and I ran to Walmart to surprise the kids with a project we haven't done for years. 

Pumpkin Carving!!

 I got the BEST facial expressions from my girls!  Keilie's above, Shelby's below:)

 

 Don't you love the blue gloves?  How can I expect them to reach their hands in there when there is NO way I would do it myself.  Ever!

 These two boys refused to put their hands inside the pumpkins.  This is the main reason we haven't done this for years.  I HATE cleaning pumpkins.  I hate carving pumpkins.  I hate sticky, gooey, stringy pumpkins.  But, man, do I love those faces!

 The Finished Product!!  Caden and Keilie were too excited to add their pumpkins to our tower, hence no pictures of them with theirs.  They did such a great job, though!

 Keilie- age 10

 Shelby- age 6

 Tyson- age 4

 Brennon- Age 5

 Caden- age 12

Happy Halloween 2013!!!

Birthday Boy

October 13, 2013

Tyson turned FOUR!

 We had a party on October 5th while Grandpa and Grandma Dirks were visiting.

 Since Grandpa Darwin's birthday is the 11th and Tyson Darwin's birthday is the 13th, we sang to both.

 Tyson still loves cars!  Caden set up this photo shoot after seeing something similar.  This four was his idea.

 Tyson has also found a love of Legos.  We got him two towers of 100 blocks.  He has been in HEAVEN building whatever he can think of.  Hours of building.  There have even been times when he said he wanted to go hungry because he was playing with them!

And no, it's not because I made something disgusting!!

 He has given me so much grief about naps, that I've given up the fight and relented.  He is my only child that did not take naps until they were five.  And it makes me sad!

 However, this gives me time to spend alone with this little cutie.  He LOVES reading, as in more than cars, so we do a lot of that!  We regularly make trips to the library, where he plays for hours with the blocks!

 It's hard to believe my baby is four.  I love the independence it gives, but miss so much about babies.  He is the best "ender" in the world!

 I didn't get a photo of the cake for the blog because our camera was dead.  I found a cake on Pinterest and copied it as close as I could.  It turned out to be the best cake I've made yet!

 This picture is a TRUE Tyson.  He is such a cheese.  It's a miracle that all from this photo shoot didn't look like this!  Incidentally, it's our favorite!

Tyson, we are so lucky to have you in our family!  You make us complete.  I love your sassy, cuddly, inquisitive little personality.  Thank you for being ours. 

Happy Birthday, Mister!!