Ninjago!

For Max's 5th birthday he requested a Ninjago birthday party! For those who don't know what that it is, it's lego + ninja combined! It is a show that Max loves and has lots of legos so it was a natural party for him! It was fun to plan and of corse I like all the details and a 5 year old could care less! :) 

 

The goodie bags were fun to make with take out boxes and a ninjago guy, I even made lego crayons to put in the box, as well as fortune cookies which Noah helped him self to probably 10 over the course of me making these. 

His cake was fun with the main ninja guys on top and some fun sprinkles I found that were like legos. Wish the pictures were a bit better, it was so bright in the house! 

 

Make a wish Max!! 

 

All his little cousins and friends that were ninjas. We had an obstacle course in the backyard with a water slide and everything, they had to go the course as many times as they want then the earned their black belt! A summer birthday is hard because so many people are always out of town but he got a good little group and had a great time. 

 Love this 5 year old crazy boy of mine! Happy Birthday Max!! 

  

TEXAS...Part 3 Beautiful South lake!

After leaving Tyler Texas we made our way through Dallas and up to SouthLake which is a suburb of Dallas, and it is beautiful!! I feel in love. I called Larry after a few days and said I wasn't coming back he better find a job here! We stayed with our friends the Richardson's who our like my second parents. I had not seen them in almost 8 years once they moved from EDH. They had gotten back from their mission in Africa and it was perfect timing to see them. They were so generous and let us take over their guest house that they stay in 6 months out of the year and they stayed in the big house. It was like being on vacation for real! Heather cooked for us, played with the kids, and spoiled us rotten. My kids were in heaven! Here is the shot of the guest house that we stayed in, it was beautifully decorated! I gave Larry a face time tour so he could see my dream house ha! 

This is the main house that their son owns and it is the most beautiful house. It has to be at least 10,000 sqft and it is beautiful and rustic with some country flair. The house sits on a long 5 acre lot with a barn in the back and the horses graze from the back to the front of the house all day long. It is breathtakingly green and feels like heaven even in the humidity! 

The kids wasted no time and hit the pool multiple times a day. Their bird dog Levi would come in a swim with the kids and chase lizards 

The boys drove around the property many times a day in this sweet pink barbie car. They spent hours exploring the property and jumping on the trampoline. It is so beautiful with all the green! I loved watching the boys in their element outside and playing the day away.

One of my favorite things on the property was this beautiful huge tree that had a swing in it. It was perfect swinging Noah or Scout as the horses would graze. I really felt like this was  a dream and something we hope to have one day! The best part of it all is that you were still right in the middle of a housing development. Everyone has these long lots with acreage but your still right in town!  

One day we hit the aquarium that was inside a mall just to cool off. Noah ran wild through the place but Max really loved looking at all the animals especially the sharks! It was the perfect size and you can go through the museum in about an hour. I'd highly recommend going if you are in the area! 

 

We also hit up LegoLand discovery which is just a big lego play place kinda with a really fun splash pad outside. I didn't do too much research and didn't bring their swim suits but we made do! I liked the place a lot it was just really busy and Noah couldn't do as much as Max due to hight restrictions  which I hate trying to explain to him because he doesn't get it but we spent about 3 hours there and Max is still talking about it! 

 

One other thing the boys got to do every night was feed the horses at the house! Glen was so nice and patient with them as he let them feed them which Noah loved!! He thought it was the best feeding them apple treats from his hands! I love watching the boys get exposure to new things and am grateful Glen did this every night with them! 

They have 3 horses and as you can tell Noah was thrilled every time they took an apple form his hand! That face just lights up around animals. He learned all their names and knew where the food was and the treats by the end of the week! 

 

Max as normal was very tentative at first about the big animals but he got comfortable eventually and loved moving the hay around. I was pretty proud of him over coming his fears and learning something new.   

 

  

We had such a fun first couple days! I'll post about the next few days soon!! Just to much fun to be had here in Texas! 

Happy 5th Birthday Max!!

My sweet Max you are 5 years old today!! I can't believe how fast these years have gone by. You are turning into such an amazing little boy. You are very detail oriented, have an amazing memory and have a soft heart. Here are some things I love about you and some fun facts as well!!

• Loves LOVES legos! 
• Has the best imagination, makes up stories, and plays avengers and ninjas often. Usually when you play you have to wear all red for spider man or your captain american outfit. You go full out when your in play mode. 
• Still picky but getting better at eating! I think your hitting a growth spurt. 
• Is becoming the best swimmer and getting so brave! 
• Loves his cousins and friends 
• Loves Noah and Scout, treats them really good most of the time!
• Loves to be kissed, hugged or tickled. Sometimes just comes and lays on you for physical contact. 
• Hates getting his hair washed! 
• Hates church clothes! 
• Prefers comfy clothes (drives me nuts) 
• Loves vanilla ice cream 
• Is excited for his new school, a little nervous as well he says 
• Loves playing with Noah and grandma make believing 
• Wants to be surrounded by kids at all time, hates when people leave our house 
• Eats lots of grilled cheese and cereal! 
• Favorite show is Ninjago and Star Wars Rebels 
• Has seen all 6 Star Wars movies, and tells everyone about them 
• Is interested in animals and outer space 
• Gets nervous easily, especially when it comes to bugs, snakes, or a sibling potentially getting hurt. 
• Smiles lots, and makes up funny jokes 
• So sweet and really is concerned for others 

Max you have really grown into yourself! You have become a little more flexiable with things and I have become better at knowing and meeting your needs, like sticky hands or things in your shoes! I try to always have food you life, and I am careful with my words because you remember everything I say! I love seeing you play, you are so imaginative and I love seeing you get into the story you've made up. I love watching you play legos, you spend hours taking them apart, making people , weapons and ships. You are getting better at not complaining as much and right now we are working on teaching you that hard work is good! You still have lots to learn and some big things a heard of you but you are the best 5 year old around! You are so loved and special, always remember that!! 

Texas..Hanging with the Taylor Girls!! {Part 2}

Tuesday we swam the day away at Nanna and Daddy Taylor's house (Jills in laws) We weren't sure we were going to because there was a lot of rain forecasted but the rain settled and we did get some good hours or swimming in. Michael's brother and sister were in town because he, Benjamin had just gotten home from his mission so it was fun to see him and hear about his new life post mish!

Here is the group swimming, eating popsicles and warm cookies in the pool! Living the vacation life! Also what I love about these pictures is that Carmen and Nora know how to pose for a picture, my boys not so much! haha they had a blast swimming together and exploring the Taylor's big back yard! 

Max is getting brave doing the water slide and cannonballs off the diving board! Go Max! 

  

Eating fresh cookies from the oven from Uncle Benjamin! What I love about Michael's family is that they take you in, and treat you like their own. It was so nice of them to let us come swim. Scout took a great nap in the house and I got to talk to Hildie Michael's mom for a long time and Jill too. So fun catching up while they all played and swam. 

We walked around Michael's parents property that has some lakes, everything is SO green here it is hard to get over coming from dry and drought california. Max loved it him and Noah were exploring it was very Huck Finn and Tom Swayer esq. We tried to get him to do long horns and all we got was a pace sign...awesome Max.  

The next day was going to be super rainy (tropical storm Bill) so we went to a fun little museum that reminded me so much of the Monty Bean museum at BYU. The boys loved to run around and see all the stuffed animals. Noah had a hard time not touching and in the end had to be strapped into a stroller which then he cried loudly for a long time and kept saying "I promise I won't touch" yeah right buddy! Sometimes I get frusterated at my boys for not being less active but then I remember they are mine, and normal kids and we try harder to tame the wildness out of them. 

 

They especially loved the Polar bear and there is a peak of my awesome mom! 

Noah, Jill and Nora (just 2 months apart!) She is sweet as can be and totally hit it off with my mom and Noah wild as can be can barley pose for a picture! 

These 2 Max and Carmen just crack me up. They are just a month apart and similar and different in a lot of ways. They got along really great, all the kids did but these 2 were buddies at the end! We played outside on the fun play ground as it rained off and on, trying to get kids energy out before our 2 hour drive to Dallas. We were sad to leave the Taylor's but were so happy that we finally made it to Texas after talking about it for so long! I feel an overwhelming love for Jill and am so grateful she entertained us and put up with the messes and craziness of my extra 3 kids! It was such a fun trip, we want a repeat next summer! 

 

 

These 2 crack me up, they might never get married chances are one in a million but I hope over the years we can foster the relationship and they can meet back up at BYU 2025 or something like that ;)