Henry Turns 13

Thirteen? How did we get here?

We started the celebrating early. On Monday evening we had grandparents over for dinner. Henry requested triple bacon burgers with french fries and onion rings so that's what we did. I made his cake while he was at school and later that afternoon I handed him the piping bag and told him to go for it. 

I think it turned out great. It was white cake with whipped ganache filling and Swiss buttercream frosting. (How many more years until he's taller than me?)

We sang outside and we had to be quick or the candles would blow out.

Money from my mom and dad and Ruffles from Justin's parents (the rest of their gift came later...football cards and an elephant squishmallow)

Tuesday morning for his actual birthday we had crepes for breakfast with strawberries, syrups and whipped cream from a can.

Then he opened presents. I think he really likes his new BYU tie and shirt.

He also got a hammock, some snacks and treats, some ball storage, shorts, and a yoga ball.

The littles were under strict instruction not to play with his yoga ball after he left for school.

That afternoon and evening was pretty crazy which is why we had his birthday dinner the night before. I took Sarah and James to piano and then while they were there Erica and Henry and I went to Reams to buy some doughnuts for him to share with the deacons that evening. I dropped them off at home and then picked up the piano players. Then I drove Sarah to the high school for her orchestra concert rehearsal. Then I drove home and the remaining four of us ate leftovers for dinner (Henry got another bacon cheeseburger so he was happy). Then the littles and I left for Sarah's concert at the high school and Henry stayed home hanging around for a half hour until he got a ride to his YM activity. Justin was busy prepping for his priest's activity and came to the concert in time to see Sarah perform. Then he left the school for his activity, I brought the 3 kids home, Sarah changed for YW and then she went to the church. Whew!

 (And just to be clear, we didn't choose church activities over celebrating his birthday. Sarah had to be at her concert since her grade depended on it--that's why we celebrated Monday so she could be there and not fail and that opened up Justin and Henry to choose to go to their activity if they wanted. Henry had a lot of input on what they did for the activity.)

I was feeling guilty that he spent the entire afternoon of his birthday doing I don't know what because I was driving around so much. But then he came home at like 9:30 all grins and talking fast about his fishing activity with his deacons quorum. 

Then his leader shared some pictures and I felt better. He had a great time and his quorum is full of friends.

Friday night he had a friend party. Thirteen means he can have a big friend party. He invited 19 boys and I think all but 2 came. I set out some pizza and a cooler of sodas and backed away slowly.

They played night games and ate and played some more for two and a half hours.

I was worried some of the kids would get bored like my nephews and a neighbor that aren't in his grade and don't know many kids but I think it went okay. 

Here are a few things about Henry:

1. I have to say goodnight to him every night and it's quite the routine. After watching him show me some random stuff he has me choose the color of his nightlight and I ask him about the book he's reading. Then he asks me what we are doing tomorrow and then we say I love you and good night. I may not mess with this routine.

2. He fed a neighbor's horse every day for four months. Seven days a week. He never forgot and never complained.

3. He loves all vegetables except tomatoes which are technically a fruit so he loves all vegetables.

4. He is super interested in gardening and is taking an agriculture class in the fall.

5. He's playing tackle football this fall and is super pumped about it. (I am not excited.)

6. He can make it home from school 9 minutes from when the bell rings. It is 1.5 miles away.

7. I have no idea what his favorite TV show is. He watches like the Mr. Beast type stuff.

8. He likes to cook and has written down the recipe he created for butter noodles.

9. He wants a phone so bad. 

10. He thinks we are the strictest of parents because we don't have video games, don't allow sleepovers, and he only gets 30 minutes a day on the computer. It was an interesting conversation.

Happy birthday, bud. Please be a pleasant teenager.

Here's his birthday interview.

Hooray for May!

 Every elementary schooler's favorite day: The Track Meet. Unless you're like Erica and don't like running or competing. She does like hanging out on the bleachers with friends so she was okay with the day.

Justin's parents are remodeling their house. We went over to help with some demo because that's fun.

 Here are the biggles pulling off the mantel and surround.

Spring around here means green grass and trees but snowy mountains at the same time. I love it.

James's little group of friends are so funny. They migrate from house to house eating popsicles and granola bars, jumping on trampolines (here), playing video games (Calvin's), etc.

On Saturdays they start right after school and go until dark or even past dark. I think this is the right way to be seven.

Saturday morning we hauled in a truckload of compost for our garden. It took a few hours and the kids did a better job not complaining than I expected.

This is at Walmart later that day. Erica and Henry discovered the toilet paper tunnels.

Erica is trying again to get her submission accepted into the Friend magazine. I sure hope she gets it but maybe they get a lot of Lego temples. (This is not the photo she submitted but I kind of wish it was)

More green and snow days. We like to ease into spring around here.

Demo started on the Provo Temple. Is it a complete knockdown or just a outside redo? I'm thinking full knockdown. I'll go back soon and see.

While I was in the area I walked around rock canyon park.

Sarah got her wisdom teeth out yesterday. I took a picture of the spread of instruments but I didn't show her. It would freak her out.

Not laughing so much with the laughing gas. I stepped out once she went under and it only took a half hour. We were home 90 minutes from the time we left. She didn't say or do anything funny, only that she couldn't find her mouth because it was so numb.

That night was Henry's orchestra concert.

He did a great job and has so much fun performing. There are so many orchestra kids in middle school that his teacher held 4 separate concerts.

Next week is Sarah's last concert. The school year is winding down!

Other April Things

Sarah and James had their piano recital a couple of weeks ago. The theme was John Williams and they could dress up if they wanted to. Sarah played the Olympic theme and Indiana Jones theme. James played Hedwig's theme and brought his stuffed Hedwig. They both did a great job. This was James's first recital and he didn't even seem nervous. 

I found these sheets at DI. This was the set on my bed as a kid. It's trippy to see things out of the past. It's like a time warp.

You make hundreds of rolls and once you roll the perfect one.

They were for a bishopric barbeque we were hosting. I took this picture and then ate it.

Justin and I had the honor of attending the sealing of this cute and amazing family. They were in our ward until the great split of February 2024. They were the first sealing in the newly rededicated Manti temple and were even in the exact sealing room Justin and I were sealed in. I held my emotions in check until the kids filed in youngest to oldest and then I lost it. Their oldest (Erica's friend) was just grinning so big the entire time. Seeing them all gathered around the altar was really the best thing I've witnessed in a really long time. It was just the best.

Besides a sister, the attendees were all from the ward. Neighbors, friends, ministering brothers and sisters, a former bishop--it was great--and no one wanted to leave because we were all just so happy.

Sarah adopted my high school denim jacket. I wore this from junior year all the way through college and maybe after that. She found this in the pocket and had no idea what it was. That made me laugh and feel old at the same time. Do you know what it is?

Here is said jacket in 2001

Were you wondering what James's scar on the back of his head and ear look like? James was wondering too so I took this picture to show him.

Aaaaand some more spring pictures because I am obsessed. 

This is the park at the north end of our street. There's no playground so we don't ever go there but it looked pretty with the ominous clouds.

Spring in full swing

Spring is my second favorite season because it's such a spectacle. Nature changes fast this time of year and if you don't stop and pull over (or in my case stop walking for a second) and take a picture, you'll miss it. Here are some pictures I've taken the last few weeks.

This is at the city buildings in Springville.

My back stoop

I love tulips but they never last long enough. 

Grass so green it hurts my eyes.

Eclipse shadows

James's class got to go outside for it and his teacher sent this picture.

These flowers make me so happy!

This is outside the Orem temple. I have never seen a flower like this before. It was among the tulips and daffodils and thought it was a variety of one of those. But google says it's a lily.

Found this view on a walk. Green fields and snowcapped mountains.

This could be a pretty view if it weren't for the powerlines and dirt. Soon there will be a house in the way.

This is across the street from our house. I'm waiting for the sheep to return with their new lambs.

Again, seriously, I live in the prettiest little town.

Hobble Creek is full! We need all the water we can get.

I love this tree