Birthdays

We had a couple of birthdays at our house in January.

First, Jack turned 12!  I can't believe how much he has grown up this past year!  There is not a trace of little boy left and we are headed full-speed ahead toward the teenage years.

It was an exciting birthday for him.  He was very glad to finally be able to advance from Primary to deacon's quorum.  His grandparents were here for his birthday.  They came down from Utah because he, Thomas, and Dallin were all being ordained to different offices in the Aaronic Priesthood, and they wanted to be here for that.  It was a bonus that they got to be here for some of the birthday celebration!

Just over a week later, Thomas turned 14!  He is taller than me now, by a couple of inches, and is sailing through Junior High like it is no trouble at all, which makes my life as a mom with a kid at the junior high much happier!

Lately I have been looking at my boys and I can't believe that they are so tall, and grown-up.  I don't know quite how that happened so fast.  I was thinking the other day about how so many moms complain about certain phases of life with their kids, but I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed every phase that my boys have gone through.  I never wished any part of their growing up years away.  I am so grateful for that!  I only have about 10 years left before all of my boys are out of the house and it makes me just want to appreciate these years so much more.  I know how fast 10 years goes!!

I am so grateful that I have been blessed to be the mom of such great boys! Happy Birthday Jack and Thomas!!

Update

 Popping in to share a little update on some of our doings over the past couple of months.

Jack went out in the forest with his dad and found these two sheds.  Pretty cool!

I reupholstered my old brown chairs.  I am much happier with them now.  This is kind of a look at the before and after.

Thomas was selected to be part of the regional junior high honor choir.  It was a fun day for him and it was fun for me to go see them perform that night.

Dallin was awarded All-Region Honorable Mention in soccer.  That was pretty exciting for him as a freshman.  He was also voted the most improved offensive player on his team by his teammates.  That is probably true.  He went from playing city league against 11-year olds, to hanging with the varsity high school players.  It was a good season for him.  We had so much fun watching him play.

Jack participated in the 6th grade science fair.  His project was selected to represent the school at the regional science fair this spring.  Good job Jack!!

We had fun decorating the house for Christmas.  I'll share just a few pictures...

We also had fun with some of our usual traditions including decorating sugar cone Christmas trees. Unfortunately this is the only activity where I got the camera out.  Oh well.

I'm glad my older boys will still participate in these old traditions.  Dallin was there too, but I didn't get a good picture of him.

We spent a Monday evening filling food bags for 3E snacks.  They are a community program that provides food for needy kids over the weekends and holidays.  It was a good experience for our whole family to help fill these bags to be sent home with kids for the Christmas break.

All of my boys had Christmas concerts. I only got this picture of Tad's at the elementary school, but they all did such a good job.  Dallin was part of the high school Christmas concert.  Thomas sang at the Junior High concert.  Jack sang at the Intermediate school concert, as well as with the sixth grade at the Intermediate school Christmas spectacular.  Drake sang with the fourth grade at the Christmas spectacular and even had a solo!  He did a great job!!  I love going to all of my boys performances and games.  To me, it is one of the greatest parts of being a mother.

I couldn't take a picture of my boys, but they all participated in our ward's Christmas program too.  Drake was asked to sing a solo with the ward choir.  He, Tad, and Jack all sang with the primary.  Dallin and Thomas sang a song with the youth and Thomas played a piano duet with his friend, Sam.  They all did so well.  It was such a nice program and such a good day.

It has been a good couple of months.