Grandpa Downen's 64th Birthday Party

In January we went down for my Dad's 64th Birthday. It was so fun to get to see family and aunt Deb and Uncle David who were in town from Oregon. Dad was happy as can be being surrounded by a few of his cute grandkids. The "winning" gift came from Madisen, who wanted to give grandpa a banana so that's what they wrapped up. He finally received his dream gift from us, "Passing Time in the Loo". We received this as a wedding gift from the Halversons and my dad has loved coming to our house over the years solely to use the restroom and spend time in their reading this book. We figured it was time for his own copy. He was thrilled! Happy Birthday Dad. We love you!

Grandpa with Alexis and Madisen and his "Another Year Sexier" button. I wonder if he wears that to work???

So Cal Beach Time with Aunt Deb and Uncle David

Aunt Deb and Uncle David were in town from Oregon looking for a little sunshine and we were so lucky to be able to hang out with them. We had some errands to run in LA and thought if we were going, we might as well take the kids to the beach cuz the weather seemed decent. It was on January 16th that we did this. It worked out perfectly to stop by Valencia and pick up Aunt Deb and Uncle David and we took them to the LA Cannery where we needed to pick up a ton of #10 cans for a relief society activity where we were "canning" 72-hour kits, picked up some Jack in the Box and headed to the beach. It was beautiful. The perfect weather to be running around in shorts and a t-shirt. We hung out right by the volleyball courts and Kolby had a blast playing volleyball and watching the really good volleyball players that were in the area. I was pretty impressed with his skills. Carson and Eliza had fun playing a little volleyball too but mainly loved rolling around in the sand, digging in the sand, looking for shells and running quickly in and out of the water. It was so much fun to see Aunt Deb and Uncle David playing around with the kids. The kids were in heaven. When we were all tired out, we hopped in the car and headed back to Valencia to celebrate Grandpa's birthday with some delicious Rattler's and cake and ice cream. What a fun day!

Kolby Lost his 1st Tooth

In the beginning of January, Kolby lost his 1st tooth. So he had just turned 6, which I think means he is right on schedule for some nice healthy teeth. It was only loose for a couple of days, but he couldn't take it any longer. So he chewed on a little ball in the bathroom and forced it out that way. Whatever works, right? The funny thing was that the tooth fairy came and left him one dollar and that was definitely not enough. He lost his tooth on a Sunday night and on Monday I am sure he was telling all of his friends at school. (they actually have a tooth chart at school so the teacher makes a big deal out of it). So he came home from school on Monday telling me that he was so upset and it wasn't fair cuz the tooth fairy only lost him a dollar and all his friends said that they get at least $2 from the tooth fairy and he even told me that if you lose a tooth on a Friday you are supposed to get $10. So I asked him, "Well, did you ask your friends if any of them had lost a tooth on a Sunday?" He said, "No." I said, "Well maybe you should ask them that. I bet that the tooth fairy on gives $1 on the Sabbath." That seemed to quiet him. The next day I asked him if he had asked his friends about losing their teeth on Sunday and he said he didn't ask so I guess he let it go. But I am guessing that he will make sure he doesn't lose another tooth on Sunday...he'll probably try for a Friday! What will I do then??? I guess be grateful for a smart kid?

Fun with Alexis

We had a fun week with Alexis while here mom was in hawaii. She was so cute and sweet. She and Carson had a few spats but Kolby and Eliza sure loved having Alexis around. Eliza was very patient and shared all of her toys and lip gloss and babies with Alexis (though i will say i did bribe her with a zhu zhu pet, but hey, it worked). While she was here, Kolby let her sleep in his bed and he went to sleep with Carson. We even got to celebrate Alexis's birthday with cupcakes and singing and whatever Alexis wanted. I think her favorite thing to do was to play with all the dress up clothes. Doesn't she make a cute Incredible Hulk?

Undies Carson & THE box

Cute brothers hanging out watching football

We got this huge box in November and it lasted through January as the favorite "toy" to play with. Forts were built, it was a store, it was a climbing gym, it was a slide and many more things. We are happy to say it is all bent out of shape and waiting for the recycle truck to pick it up. Doesn't Carson look so cute in his Thomas undies? He got these undies in his stocking. I think Santa was hoping he would be interested in potty training, but nope. He just likes to put on his undies, pee in them and then ask for a diaper. Lovely!

Cute little poser!

Kolby's 6th Birthday

Happy 6th Birthday, Kolby! After a long trip to Utah for Christmas, we got home just in time for Kolby's actual birthday. Geoff spent the day at work, I spent the day unpacking from our trip and getting all the Christmas presents sorted through and then we spent the evening going to CALM, the Bakersfield zoo, where they have a beautiful light display, carousel, train rides and popcorn. We had so much fun together. It was chilly but so beautiful. We will definitely go back next year. Kolby had his real party way back in September so we just did something small as a family. Of course we came home and had cake and ice cream and presents and he was so ecstatic that Grandma and Grandpa Downen gave him a remote control helicopter. It was awesome! Unfortunately, Carson thought so too which was a little frustrating for Kolby. He also got a pair of Heely's, which is what he had said he really really wanted. So, needless to say, Kolby went to bed a happy boy that night. Grandma & Grandpa Howard gave him his birthday gifts in Utah. He got a tabletop soccer game and a Book of Mormon puzzle from them which he really liked as well (and Carson likes, too...the fun of having a younger brother!)

Christmas in Utah #4 - Miscellaneous

These are just a few miscellaneous pictures of the trip:

First night at Grandma & Grandpa's house...at one point in the night all 5 of us were sleeping in this pull out couch. Kids thought it was great...Mom was so excited for the hotel the next night!

The "elevator" is always a big hit. the kids couldn't get enough rides up and down the stairs.

Another photo showing Carson's love of Uncle Mike's hair

Grandpa Howard, Geoff and Kolby while Kolby was opening his birthday gifts

Christmas Eve, kids leaving the cookies, carrots and milk by the fireplace for Santa and his reindeer

Empty stockings waiting to be filled

Family on Christmas morning eating breakfast in the hotel lobby

Christmas morning at Grandma & Grandpa Howard's house...Santa came!!!

Kolby so excited about his BumbleBee Transformer dress up. Eliza picked this out for him...as soon as she spotted it at the store, she knew he would love it and she was right!

Kolby also happy that Santa brought him a skateboard

Eliza showing off her pretty Tinkerbell watch and Barbie scooter

Great Grandpa Howard reading a book to Carson

Uncle Mike having bedtime stories with the kids at the hotel

Christmas in Utah #3 - Temple Square

Of course we had to visit Temple Square at Christmas time. It is soooo BEAUTIFUL! We went with Granpda Howard up to his old ward in the Joseph Smith Building for Sacrament Meeting. We were hoping the prophet might be there since it is his home ward, but he wasn't. However, we did get to meet Elder Sitati, whom Grandpa and Grandma Howard taught the gospel to in Africa in the 1980s when they went on their mission. It was awesome to meet him and see how much he loves and adores Grandpa Howard and was so grateful to him for teaching him the gospel. And now he is a General Authority. Pretty crazy. He invited Grandpa up to the pulpit to say a few words. It was a great experience for everyone.







We waited all day in the cold, saw all of the exhibits at Temple Square, all in hopes of seeing the lights. The kids were so tired and John and Tara wanted to go home, but we had to see the lights. And we were not disappointed. they were so pretty!