Phil's Birthday Party - Zelda Style

We celebrated Phil's birthday (in January...) this year with a suprise Zelda birthday party!

First we had to put on all our gear - hat, sword, sheild, and belt with pouch for collecting rupees, and other items along the way. Cody was kind enough to model the astoundingly authentic costuming of the evening.

For simplicity (and 'cause it was more fun) each of us had our own color.

Then it was off to fight the horrible monsters (each of which had a color coded tri-force & rupees you earned for fighting them - but you could only pick up the tri-force or rupees of your color, but I digress...).

Aren't the monsters scary?!? I don't know how we survived!

Along the way we could spend our rupees to upgrade our shield at the blacksmith, or purchse items (like boomerangs, magic rings, health potions, hearts and arrows) at the trading post. 

We could also have the fairy re-fill our hearts when we visited the fairy pond.

 Once all the monsters had been defeated and all the tri-force pieces placed together, the door opened and we fought the final monster (using only arrows).

Ok, now that we got all that straight... the eye rolling may commence. Siffice it to say Phil was suprised, we had fun, and silliness (and fearsome fighting) abounded. And yes, I have almost completely lost my marbles. But I think my goal of Phil feeling special and loved was successful. Why else would someone go to such ridiculously obsessive lengths, right?

And the final picture for your viewing pleasure... (totally makes me laugh!)

We Did! Did You?

Today was National Walk to School Day! Did you know?

This year our boys' awesome school co-ordinated meeting times and places and this was the result.
First pic - the group in front of us, second pic, the group behind .
Pretty good turn-out, huh?

And just in case you're wondering why I don't have a picture of Matt... He walked too - but he was with his much cooler 6th grade friends. It was a gorgeous morning and we had so much fun!

Have I mentioned how much I adore our boys' school?!?

Matt's Great (Suprise) Adventure!

 I should preface this with the following information...

Matt is OBSESSED. With football. Especially professional football.

We do not know where this obsession came from. Phil and I enjoy a good football game as much as the next guy, but neither of us have a favorite team. We can live if we don't see a game every week, and we've even been know to change the channel to watch something more interesting if whatever game is on isn't a great one.

I always thought sports obsessed kids had sports obsessed parents, but I was wrong. This boy INHALES ANYTHING that has to do with the NFL. He is constantly spewing stats and stories about different players. Honestly I'm proud of myself if I know a third of the names he mentions... And he seeks it all out on his own. Checks out SI kids from the school library, pumps his friends for info, begs to watch the half-time chat shows (we would normally change it to AFV or something to kill the time...) and hangs on every word the game announcers say. Can I just say I am so glad we don't have ESPN?!?

Yesterday as I was driving and listening to the radio - the morning talk show hosts of the station I was listening to - mentioned briefly, that there would be an open practice for the Kansas City Chiefs that night. A free event where you could go and meet the players before their practice and then sit in whatever open seat you could find at Arrowhead and watch the practice.

Being the amazing mother that I am, I immediately called my equally amazing husband and gave him the run-down. We plotted a little and decided Phil would take Matt. So, once he got home from school I gently prodded Matt to get through his homework, and then told him Phil needed his help with something, so he should get his shoes on jump in the car when Phil pulled up. I handed off a small notebook, sharpee and the camera and away they went.

Matt didn't find out until they pulled up at Arrowhead what was really going on. And then he and his dad proceeded to have an amazing time.

Matt was able to meet and get autographs from 16 people (including the Head Coach - Todd Haley, and QB - Matt Cassel).

There were also fireworks, chili cheese fries and highlighs on the jumbotron. They didn't get home until 10:30ish. And Matt was SO HAPPY. Mission accomplished - MOTY signing off.

  

Family Pictures

We had the blessing of getting our family pictures done over the summer by an amazing photographer that we just happen to know personally. She is so, so talented and awe inspiring in so many ways. We are thrilled with the results! To see her blog post of the shoot go here.

Thanks again Meredith!

OH!!! And I almost forgot! I wanted to wait until the pics were done...

Remember this?

Oh, yeah. That's EXACTLY what I'm wearing in the pictures! Suffice it to say, MY DAD AND HIS ANNE ARE INCREDIBLE - and there are strangers in the world that will do the silliest of kind deeds. I feel so, so loved. Thanks again and love to Dad, Anne and the Ord Family!

Runnin', Runnin', Runnin'.

April kept us runnin'.

Runnin', runnin' runnin'...RU-NNIN'!

Just in case you didn't catch it, we did a lot of running in April.

Derby Day at the boys school is their version of the Jog-a-thon of my youth. You run laps and get pledges for each lap to help raise money for the school. Except, they get to run in a much prettier spot than I ever did.

Here's Matt... he hasn't told me yet how many laps he ran, but he's fast, so probably lots!

and Nolan... he ran 8 laps! The paperwork from the school said each lap was .6 miles, so he ran close to 5 miles! Go Nolie, Go!

And then we had the opportunity to particiapte in our first 5K. Matt and I ran this year, we'll see what the line-up is next year.

A beautiful event was organized in anticipation of our lovely temple to be completed early next year... look at the progress already! We are so EXCITED!!!



Matt did awesome! His time was 26:17.9 (out of 432 "runners" he was the to 74th cross the finish line!)


I didn't do too bad considering the farthest I've ever run was a mile. In high school. 'Cause I had to.

I will proudly post my time... 36:15.4

I'll try to improve it next time I run a 5K. Don't hold your breath on when that might be. I think I'm more of a walker, or sprinter if I must run... Still glad I did it, and if they make this annual, I will probably do it again.

(Interesting side note... in the time it took me to run this 5K - we are able to drive from our house to this new temple!)

Nolan got to participate in the kids mile run and did great, especially since he was wearing his old shoes, that had loose laces because lame parents that we are, we didn't anticipate him running or prepare accordingly... So cute!


Phil and Cody were the best cheerleaders and photographers ever!

And that completes the official runnings of Team Armadillo.

Now you're in the know.

We Really Do...

have the best school around. These are a few of the teachers (and the principal - farthest to the right) from Matt & Nolan's school. Every year they go caroling (after school, of their own free will) to the 4 (or 5) local sub-divisions. Just to spread some Christmas cheer to the families of their students. I am so thankful for a school and educators that care enough about their students, and love their jobs so much, they actually would do something like this. I. love. LFE.

Enjoy!

In Other News...

Matt is going to play the cello!

We, very fortunately, still have an amazing school music program where we live. In 4th grade, the kids can begin taking strings... Matt decided he wanted to give it a try, and we all decided the cello would be really cool. We are renting one from a local string shop, and basically, he is getting cello lessons 4 times a week (1/2 hour Mon-Thur) for $33 a month. Not too shabby!

Anyhow, this is after the first day of "class". He was so excited to show us what he learned.

I apologize for the video being sideways, but I couldn't resist.

Nolan is just too funny! (he thought I was taking pictures - and didn't know I was actually shooting video).

Can't wait to hear more, Matt! =)

School

Well, it happened.

School started again. The summer has ended. I lost my sweet, funny wonderful Matt. Again. To 4th grade. Where did the time go?

(Matt, getting ready to leave for Meet Your Teacher Night)

And, as if having Matt go back wasn't bad enough... my little Nolan started school too. ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN school.

(Nolan, getting ready to leave for Meet Your Teacher Night)

I miss him so, so badly...

(Meet Your Teacher Night)

I miss playing "lumps" on clean sheet day.
I miss holding his hand as we cross the parking lot on grocery shopping day.

I miss his constant story telling.
I miss his toys all over the floor. (I know who'd a thunk it...)
I miss his random hugs & "I love you!"s
I miss seeing his adorable face any time I want.
I miss our lunches together.
I miss him "helping" me with whatever I'm doing each day.
I miss having to check out the Lego aisle every time we go to Target.
I miss my buddy.

(Getting ready to leave for Kindergarten Transition Day)

But isn't he so cute with his ginormous backpack (and handy-dandy lunch box...)

(Nolan coming out of school after Kindergarten Transistion Day)

He is having fun - and learning new things - and discovering his independence. He is getting to share his little light with lots of other people now. I guess I should have known better than to think I could keep him to myself forever...

I hope the teachers at the school realize how lucky they are... They have my babies - my most valuable treasures.

(first day of school)

Here's to a great school year Matt & Nolan! I hope you love every second and learn all you can. (And may Christmas, Spring Break and Summer Vacation come in rapid succession...)

I love you my sweet boys!

Kid's Day 2009

Due to being a lame mom, I forgot to bring a camera to any and all activities on Kid's Day... but trust me, we had a blast!

We had carmel rolls (ONLY!) for breakfast.

Went to a local kids science "museum" complete with
-mini golf
-water play
-NASA type flight simulator
-marble "mazes"
-CSI like lab
-slides
-brain teaser puzzles, and lots, lots, more!

Ate lunch at a fun crayon themed restaraunt

Checked out a cool Lego exhibit

Saw a laser show at the planetarium

Did LOTS of walking

Had cereal for dinner

Headed to our neighborhood pool for an "after hours" swim party with just our neighbors

Ate lots of junk food (cookies, brownies, etc.) at said party

Swam until 10pm

Showers & bedtime

I am so thankful for my boys & the family tradition we have of an annual "Kid's Day" - here's to next year, when we'll have 3 boys to celebrate with! =)

Driving Range

Last Saturday the weather was beautiful, so we tried to think of things to do outside... we decided to give the driving range a try. It was Matt & Nolan's first time going there and they thoroughly enjoyed it! Phil hit a few, and even I hit 2 (it was not pretty - but I'll throw a picture in for humor's sake.)