The Day of Love

Don and I celebrated Valentine's Day by going to visit the kids at school.  Super romantic.  It was actually very fun and they were happy to see us.  

Ryan could not stop giggling for a picture because her Daddy was being so silly and her friends were all giggling too.  

Don and I did go out to lunch alone together, but stayed home that night and shared a nice dinner with the family.  We were saving our night out for our anniversary the following week.   16 years, baby.  

Happy Birthday, Ginger Dee

Ginger slept in on her birthday morning, and finally woke up to find out that someone had secretly left flowers on the front porch early that morning.  There was a note that said...

 Happy 15th Birthday, Ginger.    Love,  ;)

What in the world?  It's already beginning?!  We soon realized that it was one of the young men that Don serves with at church and he was basically doing it to freak him out.  It was cute and Ginger was still flattered.  

She had a nice, relaxing day watching her siblings do their usual Saturday work knowing that she was off the hook for her birthday.  We had our usual family celebration.  

The kids showered her with cards and gifts.  

Mallory and Savannah, her two closest friends came over to celebrate and hang out before the Stake Dance that night.  

They brought her a Happy Birthday crown and insisted that she wear it to the dance that night so everyone would know it was her birthday. 

She had a lot of fun and felt very special.  She has really turned into an amazing young woman and it has been a joy to watch her grow up these past 15 years.  It is sad and scary to think that she only has a few more years before she is out on her own!  How do I make time slow down?!

Ethan's 'Harry Potter' Party

Ethan's birthday is December 18th, but how can I throw a party the week before Christmas??  I promised him that I would throw him one in January and I actually did!  He is quite the Harry Potter fan so he asked for a Harry Potter themed party.  

Thanks to Don, all I had to do was send out the invites, make cupcakes and put together goodie bags.  He is the Master kid party planner.   Once everyone got there, Don sat them down and explained that they had just arrived at...

They would be learning how to become a wizard!  It was apparent that a few of the kids had no idea who Harry Potter was.  Oops.  Guess we are bad parents.  

First, they would be sorted into 2 houses...Fosselbop and Wolfbanger...by the Sorting Hat!  Don rigged this old Russian hat of his to be the sorting hat.  He stashed a little jambox speaker inside of it.  He previously recorded his voice and Gillian controlled it with his iPhone.  So, a boy would come sit on the stool, have the Sorting Hat placed on his head, then listen as it spoke to him and declared which House he was placed in.  Of course, Don made it silly and the kids absolutely loved it!  It was a big hit.  

Next came Olivander's Wand shop.  Ginger was our special wand witch.  The boys each took turns coming up, choosing a wand and then finding out if the wand had "chosen them".  They would test it out on Ryan who would react to the spell correctly, or incorrectly.  If it was incorrect, they would choose a new wand until it was right.  The boys loved this, too.  

The wandmaker.  Ginger was a little excited to put together her costume.  

Then came wand practice and casting spells.  The boys really got into it. 

They used their wands to either help their teammates win, or disrupt their opponents game.  It was quite comical.  

The boys had to balance on the exercise ball as long as they could while the other boys were trying to help him stay on or knock him off...with their wands.  Disclaimer...at the end of the party Don was sure to explain that the wands don't really work and that it was all just made-up fun.  I think he may have devastated a few believers.  

No wands were needed to stuff their faces full of chocolate cupcakes.  They did that all on their own.  

Ethan has some great little buddies....from left....Jackson, Rigdon, Rex, Zachary, and Spencer.  

Hope you enjoyed your Harry Potter party, Ethan!!

Les Miserables for Ryan Jane

Ryan's Christmas 'gift of love' was two tickets to Les Miserables, one for her and one for her dad.  Ever since Don and I saw Les Mis in Chicago last year I have been playing the music and watching the 25th Anniversary DVD and Ryan has been the one who has asked the most questions and been the most interested in it.  She listened to the music constantly.  She was thrilled to find out she would actually get to go!  

She loved it so much and I think this will be a very special memory for Ryan that she will always cherish.  

Christmas 2011...Still catching up OK?!

I think I look forward to Christmas all year long.  I love Christmas!  I love everything about it....the traditions, the decorations, the music, the gift giving, the goodies, the parties, the anticipation of Christmas morning, everything!  But, most of all, I love how the Spirit of Christ comes into our lives with an added measure and everyone around just seems a little happier, a little kinder, and little more focused on our Savior.  It is a special time.  

Growing up my mom ALWAYS made "Christmas cookies".  That's what we called them (and we have the most delicious recipe, too).  My mom made the dough and would roll it out on the counter.  I can still hear her ring clinking and sliding along her metal rolling pin.  All eleven children would gather around to help her cut out the shapes and beg for samples of the dough.  Then we would all help frost them.  Sweet, sweet memories.   I have tried to keep that tradition going with my own children and I think they definitely look forward to it every year.  

One of our many traditions include taking goodies to our friends and neighbors for Family Night.  That usually means Christmas cookies, rice crispy crunchies, and homemade toffee.  I have to give it away or I will eat it all!

Don is used to getting a big, beautiful tree for cheap because in Washington you can basically go in your backyard and chop one down.  We have been sorely disappointed with the selection out here so Don drives an hour (!) to a farm where he can chop down his own tree and get one at a great price. The kids love decorating it.  

Christmas morning!  Santa Claus came through once again.  Ethan was so excited about his green machine!  (And Davis was, too, because Ethan is such a great sharer) 

Davis is one of our non-stop readers so he was thrilled with his love sack.  I'm pretty sure it will still work for him as a young adult!  

Ryan has been into taking pictures and making videos so she asked for a digital camera.  Happy day for her!  

Yes, my girls FINALLY got their long awaited ipod touches.  They insisted that they were the last ones on earth to get them.  They were beyond excited.  Too bad I didn't really realize that you can text and call on them.  So much for not getting them cell phones.  

My boys in their BYU sweatshirts...

Every year Grandma and Grandpa Spangler give money to each family a few months before Christmas so we can decide what to do with it.  This year we bought a shuffleboard table to add to our game room.  We love it!   

Christmas morning aftermath.  Best mess ever.  

Our children get 3 gifts for Christmas.  A gift of Love, gift of Learning, and gift of Joy.  Ryan's "gift of Love" was 2 tickets to see Les Miserables with her daddy for the following day.   She was ecstatic.  

Don gave me a beautiful gift this year.   (Although he always gives me the sweetest, most thoughtful, meaningful, heartfelt gifts for every occasion)  I am a lucky woman.  Anyway, he found this necklace and ordered it all on his own, complete with every name in our little family, and an added charm with my sister's initials, Ginger Dee Clinton.  She passed away 3 1/2 years ago.  I burst into tears when I saw it.  I love it so much.  And I love my Donny, too.  

Christmas Day fell on Sunday this year.  It was wonderful to have a nice Christmas morning as a family and then go to church together and worship our Savior.  

Too bad I didn't realize that Ethan accidentally put on one of Davis' white shirts.  

It looks ridiculous!  haha

Merry Christmas!!

The Birthday Boy

My baby boy turned SEVEN!  December is so busy and crazy, especially one week before Christmas.  So, I told Ethan we would have a party with his friends in January and he was just fine with that....probably because he still had a pretty good party at home with his family.  We love our Ethan boy! 

Do you think I have some drama queens in the family?

I love how my children really get into making cards and giving presents that they know will make the birthday person feel special.  And that's just what they did for Ethan.   

Each child took their turn giving their card and gift, anxiously awaiting for the thrill of watching Ethan open it.  

And always ending with the birthday hug.  Love it.  

Happy Birthday, Ethan!  We love you so much!