Wendy found this cool star wars alarm clock at her Walmart and she got me one to give to Jake. He LOVED it. It is totally him. (Thanks for thinking of him Wendy! ;)
Next came his gift from Nana......
Nana is always up on the latest hip toys :). The boys had each gotten a Nano bug for Christmas so the Nano Habitat was a dream come true, it has been the most played with toy he got for his birthday (which is saying a lot since he choose to take his money from us and go pick out his own gifts). Thank you Nana!
Grandma gave him money which is another favorite. He is saving that for the science museum. All the kids love the gift shop there and love to save their money for those trips. Thanks Grandma.
Right after Christmas Mindy and her kids came to visit for a couple of weeks while B.J. studied for his big dental exam. We had a blast. The kids were so happy to have their long lost best friends around for a while (we mom's were pretty ecstatic to have each other around too :). While space was limited, happiness was abundant.
Mindy is the queen of hairdo's. Her girls always look so cute and it was so fun to have her around to do my girls hair. Katie loved it! She has since gone around asking me to do her hair "like Mindy" does. I have to put her toes in the sink "like Mindy" does. And I can not vary too much from this original hair do. I love it! She and Brighton were so cute together. Katie loved having Mindy's girls around to "baby" her. I have video of a wonderful "fashion show" they all put on for us. I will try and get that posted soon.
Brighton is an expert at posing for the camera and the camera loves her. She is such a beautiful little girl. I miss having them close by. I wish every one I love would move up here to Oregon!
I mean seriously, look at that hairdo! She looks even cuter that she already is. I need to get some talent in this area for sure.
If you really want to see some fancy hair, check out Mindy's blog. She is in my "friends" section. Click on "Kidd Family" - you will love it!
New Years Eve totally snuck up on us this year. Mindy, David and I were so tired that day. We were totally party poopers compared to our usual selves. We toasted with the kids (with our sparkling cider) around 9:00 because none of us thought we were going to make it to midnight (I have never toasted before midnight). The kids loved it. They didn't even notice that it was so early. We ended up watching two lame movies while the kids watched movies back in their room. Then that was it. It was midnight. We said happy New Year and we all went to bed. Can you believe that?! That doesn't even sound like us. I am so glad Mindy's kids were here to make that night fun for my kids. I don't know what we would have done without them :). 
This is one of the only pics I got of Mindy while she was here. I don't know how that happened. Isn't she so cute!! I had to get a picture of her in her element. She is a fantastic photographer. She is my best friend and I miss her like crazy!
I love these little blower things. They don't make any noise but the kids love them.
I love that Joelle figured out how to do two at a time :).
David celebrated his 34th birthday on Jan. 3rd. We didn't really do anything fun that day, because he forgot to get the day off. Fortunately he got the following day off and he came with us to the Science Center and we all had a blast. It ended up being a great day after birthday.
He even made his own cupcakes. I was really out of it this year. Poor Dave. I love you honey! Next year will be great, I promise. (Who really cares about 34 anyway right? - Don't even think about saying that on my bday Dave ;).
I know, I know,.... the science museum again? But this was our first time with Mindy's family. Mindy actually wanted these pictures but I forgot to get them to her before she left, so I am really just posting these for her family and ours. So we will not be offended if you look no further:).
Our favorite room for the little ones was closed but they offered this fun spin art activity instead which the kids had a lot of fun with. They had this cool putty stuff to play with while you were waiting for your turn to spin your art. I never did get a picture of the art - and now I have no idea where it is. I am such a great mother.
She is just so happy! It makes me happy just to look at her.
Addy is such a sweetheart. Mindy really has such pretty little girls.
And then there is her handsome little fellow Jase.
He is the sweetest little complimenter (just so we're clear, I realize that this in not a real word). He is pretty much always happy.
Jase and Jacob were the best of buds. They loved each other and got along so well.
This was a little D.J. area where you could practice putting music to lights. It is Jacob's favorite.
My kids have always wanted to build this arch (it is numbered so you know exactly where to put each block) but we have never had enough people.
They were so happy to actually complete it this time. Hurray!
I love all these little kiddos!
They were so happy to actually complete it this time. Hurray!
I love all these little kiddos! 