Jacob Mark turns 6... It is the year of the Shadow Ninja!

If you know me, you know I love to do birthday parties.  Especially for kids who get really excited about them, which mine DO!  It's kind of our thing. This year was so fun for Jake because his older brothers took such an active role in his party.  It was so cute to watch.  So.  Here are the invites...

And here is Master Jake!

He invited the boys from his church class, as well as 2 boys from his school class, and a couple from the neighborhood.  It was a boys-only party, except for Ruby, the lovely helper.  Here is the group, beginning to assemble in the main dojo, playing Samurai, Samurai, Ninja.

The food table:

Funny ninja cupcakes!  Hi-ya!

Jake's special Ninjago cupcake!  Kendo Cole = HUGE hit.

Party favors!  Thank you, Oriental Trading, AND Aunt Elizabeth, who sent all the awesome headbands!

Sushi!

Master Bennett helps them earn their headbands on their path to becoming ninjas.

Knuckle push-ups, everyone!  (Ouch!)

Preparing for weapons training.

Jason asks the boys if they are ready to master the art of the throwing star.  They are ready.

Owen (origami master) and Ruby helped each child make a ninja star from origami paper.

Some stealth drills and sword instruction from Bennett.  (He was very serious about his job.)

Harper woke up in time to enjoy the last few minutes of the party.  And she happened to have a Ninja Turtle.  How appropriate, Harper!

Make a wish, Jake!

Owen also taught the kids to use chopsticks, since I don't know how. (What?!  I'm only 36, okay?)

Probably the cutest ninja right here:

Jake's friend Logan was so serious about using the chopsticks.  It was very cute, and Owen was very helpful.

Darius decided to just use his fingers.  :)

At last, Logan gets the sushi treat by stabbing it with his chopsticks!  GOOD IDEA, BUDDY!

Tate thought that was a great idea!

This was one awesome group of ninjas!

Jake's school friend, Sammy, made him this adorable little canvas.  I can't wait to hang it up! 

Happy 6th birthday to an awesome little kid who we all get such a kick out of.  We love you so much, Jake!  xxoo

Our little performer.

Bennett had his second dance performance last week, at the Logan High Auditorium, and totally rocked it.  He dances with such confidence!  There are only 3 dancers in his group now, and he is definitely the leader, which I think he enjoys.  :)  Here they are, performing "More" by Usher.  The audience LOVED it!

Old Ephraim in the Logan High entrance...

Here he is with one of his biggest fans:

Way to go, B-boy Bennett!

8 is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owen had a birthday!  A very special birthday.  Here are pics from our birthday celebrations.  Photos from his baptism are soon to come.  He had a small party- we went ice skating with our family, our awesome Aunt Elizabeth, who was visiting, cousin Jack, and friends Luke, Ruby, and Jade.  It was so simple and fun!

After 2 full hours of skating, we went to Angie's to "clean the sink!"  Here is is...

They really did a great job of cleaning the sink.  It was starting to gross me out! That's a lot of ice cream!

Ice cream coma...

They had their picture taken, and it is now proudly displayed at Angie's for all to see.  Congrats, kids.

The fun continued all weekend with Aunt E around...

Oh, how we all love Aunt Elizabeth!

On Owen's actual birthday, we had a pizookie rather than cake.  CHEESE!  Look at that happy boy!

And just before bedtime, a special visitor arrived... Matt Gillespie, wandmaker.

Owen chose his wand carefully.  Or did it choose him???  All the boys were so excited, they each chose their own birthday wands to be given on their birthdays.  It was so much fun!

8 years old means Owen is now in scouts!  Look how cute he is!!!!!  I love this boy so much.  Happy birthday, buddy.  xxoo

Proud to be an American! And proud to be Andy's sister!

      A Michael Jackson dance party seemed like the right kind of send-off for Andy.  (By the way, Michael Jackson for the Kinect is seriously the most fun thing I've done in a long time.  LOVE.  Do I love the video Jason took of me spazzing out to it?  No, I do not.)

Bennett and Gracie beat it.

Jack's entire 3rd grade walked to their house to sing patriotic songs and give Andy this sign.  I get choked up just thinking about it.

Harper is going to miss her Uncle Andy.  She is looking forward to the time he returns to teach her to light fires with magnifying glasses and shoot guns and scare people really bad by jumping out of closets, boxes and the like.  That's our Andy.  LOVE HIM!!!!

"Don't GOOOOOOOO!" says Harper.

Well, if she isn't the cutest thing...

There is a new rule at the SLC airport that family can accompany a departing soldier to the gate.  It was so awesome to have that extra hour or so with Andy.

I promise I gave them their privacy after I took this photo.  I felt a little paparazzi-ish, but it was so sweet.

GOOD LUCK, LITTLE BROTHER!  WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU DAY AND NIGHT.

Finn goes to the Child Development Lab!

Finn was SO excited to start school.  He was a little shy, but so happy to be going.  He is attending the 3-year-old lab at USU, and I really feel so very lucky.  I want to include what his teacher, Janette, wrote home about him today.  She is so amazing, and her note made me cry!!

Dear Jason and Brooke,
     It has been fun to get to know Finn this semester.  Finn especially likes spending time up in the puzzle (small manips) area and at the rug with blocks.  He's got some very strong fine motor skills.  He especially likes Legos (Harry Potter and Star Wars).  His large motor skills are strong also.  Finn has a tender heart.  He is a little shy, but he is working towards getting to know other children and playing with them.  Little by little, he is learning the children's names and spending time at parallel play.  Every once in awhile he will venture out of his comfort zone and talk to others.  When there is something he is interested in and excited about, he will talk and talk for a long time with his sweet smile and excitement in his eyes.
     We will continue to plan activities and opportunities for Finn to grow and work on being more social with the other children and talking with them.  I am excited to continue to learn more about Finn.  He already has a special place in my heart.  Thank you for taking the time to fill out the questionnaire so I could see Finn's strengths.  Social skills and communication can be learned, but a heart like Finn's cannot be learned.  He is incredible.
     Thanks so much,

     Janette

I am SO GRATEFUL that my kids have all been able to attend this school.  Each one of them has had an amazing teacher who treasured them, and knew how special they were.  I was a little nervous to send Finn because he is so tender, and I hoped so much that his teacher would be the right match for him.  Yep, looks like someone is looking out for our little family, because there could be no more perfect person for Finn than Teacher Janette.

God be with you til we meet again...

One last birthday celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Yay for January birthdays, and YAY for Owen!

Grandma and Grandpa bore beautiful testimony about how blessed our lives will be if we live the Gospel.  They taught us about the miracles of abundance in the Bible, such as the wine at the wedding, the loaves and fishes feeding the multitude, and the fisherman's nets overflowing with fish.  The Savior gave them far beyond their needs or even desires, and blessed them with more than they could have imagined.  They testified that our lives will be blessed in this same way, in abundance, if we live the way the Savior taught.  I have thought of that so many times since then, and have truly felt how my life is blessed beyond what I need or deserve.  I love my parents and their willingness to teach us the Gospel.

The kids performed a cute hip hop version of "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" from the Popcorn Popping CD.  It was adorable.  They were dancing around being so cute!  There was not a dry eye!

Our heroes!

Bennett had a really difficult time that night.  He offered to give a family prayer, and totally broke down crying while giving it.  He cried and cried and cried afterwards.  Owen cried too, and I could see it break my Mom's heart.  But of course the tears are all mixed with happy and sad and hope and joy and a bunch of other feelings...  Such a special thing to be a part of.

I.  LOVE.  MY.  FAMILY.

 We actually said goodbye to my parents this night, rather than going with them to the airport the following morning.  Our kids were so tired after being at Bear Lake, and driving some more.  I felt that the time for them to say goodbye was at Grandma and Grandpa's house that night.  There had been a lot emotion and goodbyes already, and I know my parents understood.  But what a party it will be when we pick them up at the airport in a little less than 2 years! WAHOOOOOO!

Hakuna Matat!  There is no problem!