Brinley is 18!

September 28, 2018
Happy Birthday to our beautiful Brinley Kate.  She is kind hearted, smart, talented, quick witted and beautiful inside and out.  We had a quick opening of gifts before the boys headed off to Dallas and Brian headed off to work for the day.  Then Brinley enjoyed a fun day hanging out with friends.  They went out to lunch, enjoyed a yummy cake that Aubrey helped me bake, played a fun phone/computer based game and more.  Later that evening, Brinely headed over to Charity's to go to a movie and hang out.  I think she had a great day.

Is it bad when you have your daughter pick up the cake supplies
and fun balloons for her birthday?   I just couldn't
face Walmart one more time this week.

We gave her two new books, a Madeline Page CD, and a pretty silver anklet from Brighton.

Tanner gave her a card.  He wrote that it was good for going out to dinner
with him.  He didn't say he was going to pay.... We were all cracking
up.  He did admit that he was planning on paying for their date.

Aub gave her a pretty anklet.  Parker had already left for Dallas
(so no picture) but he gave her a huge bag of gumballs which she appreciated.

CJ King and Bryn.  So fun to hang with friends on your birthday.

Edyn Brown, Danielle King and Taryn Brown

Fun gift basket from the Browns

Morgan had had plans on Brinley's actual b-day but came over to bring her a fun gift.
(Chocolate, Skittles, Chic Fil A and Bibs....apparently Bryn is a little messy.)

Adulting.   Apparently the young man above turned 13 and his mom convinced him that a 
teen photo shoot was the cool thing to do.  Edyn and Brinley decided they needed to do an 
adult photo shoot and this is their lovely collage.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Bryn!

Four Day Weekend!

September 27, 2018
We have a fun little gift from ECISD....no school on Thursday or Friday this week.  Yahoo!  It really is so nice to have no school.  I feel the stress washing away from me.  My stress often stems from reminding, encouraging, making the boys stay on top of their school work.  I know all four kids are feeling the stress roll off of them.  Let's have some fun.

On the schedule for this weekend: date night with Brian, Brinley's 18th birthday, Tanner heading to Dallas to go to the state fair with friends, Parker heading to Dallas to go to a Cowboys game, Primary program practice and more.

Love these Tuesdays

September 25, 2018

I helped Brian mow today and I about died.  I seriously don't know how he does it all day, every day, six days a week.  I really enjoyed it but I am a big wimp.  I worked for about two hours and had a recovery time at home of about four hours.  Tanner found out this was the only the third time I had ever mowed a lawn.   He got this little grin, shook his head and asked "who raised you?"  It was kind of hilarious.  What can I say?  I was surrounded by brothers and they did a great job taking care of the yard.  

This is in an alley way so I was mostly mowing weeds and
rocks and keeping my eyes open for rattlesnakes.

The Birdies came over again for a quick 45 minutes after school.  Brian was home for lunch and tried to help Charlotte with her homework.  She wasn't sure she wanted his help.  She did let Brinley help her though.  She also randomly told Brian, "Braddock's really smart but he's not a very good flosser."  (I'm not sure if she was talking about flossing his teeth or the dance move called flossing.)  Gotta love little kids!  Last week Braddock worked on homework the entire time so this week he and I played Imploding Kittens.  We both love that game and I can get my kids to play it (or any game) very often with me.   He beat me.

Aub put her hair in tons of little buns so it will be wavy
in the morning.  When she realized Parker was taking
her picture she tried to hide!  She told me I did
not have her permission to post this picture on the blog.
I'm hoping she will never know.  

Snuggle time for Tanner and Bryn.  

Playing a little Fortnite.
Park is a happy boy.  His new Iphone came in yesterday.  He worked
all summer and saved most of what he made to buy a new phone.
Brian and I think he is a little crazy to spend so much but he is
pretty pleased with his purchase so far.

Bryn helping Tanner and Aub find their "true laugh" by pushing
all of the air out of them while they laughed....it was a little painful
for me to listen to so I left the room.

A Little Bit of Everything

September 24, 2018

Night time can be rough for Aubrey.  This girl has always needed her beauty sleep.  When her body is ready for bed she is DONE for the night.  Last night it was time for scriptures and prayer.  We paused the football and everyone gathered except Aubrey.  When she finally joined us she sat about 8 feet away from the family with her chair turned the opposite direction.  Scripture and prayer are usually hit and miss due to one family member or another but we will keep plugging along.

Tanner is doing well in football.  They need to give him the ball more.  He's good!  Last night he caught the pass for the extra 2 points after a touchdown.  He also had some good tackles and a great run.

 Friday night football.  It was the homecoming game.  Bryn was home with strep.  Poor baby.  Aubrey and Avery did some face painting before going.

Sunday night fun at Kerry's house. That's Charity behind the mask.

Bryn was showing us a funny little kid who has gone viral.  We were cracking up.

It's Tanner's Birthday Shout Hooray

September 22, 2018

Tanner is fourteen years old.  Saturday was his birthday and he was off to referee at 8:30 a.m.  We didn't see him again until 5:30 that night.  He came in tired but happy.  When he saw his birthday shrine, he got a little smile on his face.  We gathered everyone and opened presents.  Brinley had been sick in bed all day but came out to watch.  

I love the thoughtful gifts the kids give each other.  Aubrey, who doesn't have a lot of ways to earn money, bought him Tic Tacs.  She knows he likes them and I felt like her gift was the widow's mite.  Probably 20% of the money she had on hand went towards buying that for him.  Parker is broke and actually owes Tanner quite a bit of money.  He gave him three of his "extra 30 minutes" of Xbox time.  Tanner was pleased.  Brinley made him a candy bar poster.  She had made one for Morgan last month and Tanner was NOT pleased.  He gave her a terrible time for never making him one.  We bought him some of his favorite treats (Dr. Pepper, Hot Munchies, Sour Gummy Worms, and Gumballs) and a gaming chair.  Happy Birthday Tan-Man...we love you.

Well dawg, as you know I don't  have money cause I owe you like
300 dollars so for you birthday I will only give you back 200.  Deal? Ok great.
J.K. I am giving you 3 of my extra 30 minutes.

And birthday kisses (attacks) from Dad are always fun.

Sure love our Tan Man!

I Like Tuesdays

September 18, 2018

I like Tuesdays.  They aren't as complicated as Mon/Wed/Thurs afternoons and evenings.  Aubrey has a dance class in Midland from 5:30-6:30 and that is the grand total of our after school Tuesday activities.  On the drive over we have some time to visit about her day and she can work on homework.  I really like the shopping center her studio is in.  I can browse Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Michaels, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Peir One Imports.  At home the kids can grab a snack, work on homework and have plenty of time to watch a show or play Xbox.  Brian is able to come in from work and not head directly to a football game or YMs...it's just a more calm night and I'm a fan.

When we pulled in from dance, Brinley was  set up out front with
the computer working on homework.  Cute girl.  And this girl
got her ACT scores back....29!

Three of the four Birds came over for a quick 45 minutes so Britney
could help with gymnastics up at Reagan.

Char had a yummy cupcake, and she worked on kinder homework
like a champ.  She is a smart cookie.

After school snacks.  Braddock was intrigued with Brinley's schedule.  He thought
it was pretty cool that she gets to go to school late and come home early.  He also
is all for skipping a year in math...which I am sure he will be able to do.

Throwback Family Picture!

September 18, 2018

How cute are we?  My dad sent me this today.  I'm guessing this was probably Halloween 2011. (Definitily between 2009-2011) I found a 2010 picture and the kids are in different costumes???  The kids look about 10, 8, 6 and 4.  They are so cute and little!  

Sunday Night

September 16, 2018
Sunday night was at the Chris Vore's last night. We finished celeberating September birthdays, ate lots of delicious treats, and hung out.  The dynamics seem to change from week to week.  This one was kind of fun because towards the end it was just  Brian, Chris, Ang and I and (some of) our teens.  We heard some about Joseph and Benja's first couple of weeks at BYU and wondered how Erin's apendectomy recovery was going.  Parker shared some funny vines.  Bryn and Charity were visiting and happy.  I know the younger kids (Tanner-13yrs down to Ella-3yrs) are always having a blast...they are running in and out, building forts, making up games etc...  The adults always have a great time visiting.  However, I feel the teens might be a little bored sometimes.  I think last night was a good mix especially for my teens.

Lincoln is turning one and we gave him a little board book to celebrate.

Bryn is the big 18.  This gift was from Chris, Ang and family.
They spoiled her.  A cute new button down shirt, and two new necklaces.

This month Holden is 13 and Tanner is 14.

Ang didn't let him get away with this thank you hug!😂

A part of the group.

Happy "Sunday Night!"

Morgan and Bryn

September 15, 2018
These two hung out Saturday afternoon.  Panda Express, thrift store shopping, drawing and watching a movie.  I have heard a lot less giggling with these two lately but they seem pretty content.