Officially a teenager!

I think it has taken me so long to write this post because I am still in shock that my Cyrus is 13! It is an odd feeling to have a child that is bigger than you are; to look in their eyes and realize that your importance in their lives has moved from first place to somewhere further down the list. A little piece of my heart cracks a little as I hear sarcasm replace honest emotions. However I also realize that this is a right of passage and I only hope that as you start this journey that I am able to step back, allow mistakes, and take a deep breath because you are a great kid. These are just some of the observations I have made, and some of the reasons I know you are growing into a wonderful young man.

I am no longer able to choose your clothing, you have a very clear vision of the way you want to look.

You realize how attractive the guitar is to the opposite sex and have increased your practice time and enthusiasm for music.

Your desire to work and earn money is strong ( you almost past up a social event to babysit for someone in the ward).

I have noticed that you are a quiet leader, everyone wants to know where Cyrus is so they can be with you. (Including your brothers.)

You are the first to volunteer or take on responsibilities in church or scouts.

When faced with a challenge you never hesitate.

You are the first person to compliment me when I have made a yummy dinner.

You are not afraid to shake it on the dance floor (much to the delight of all the beehive girls!)

You are curious and inventive.

You are kind and thoughtful when dealing with a sometimes crazy and annoying baby brother.

Even though you are a "cool" teenager" I can still hear you and Talen deep in conversation long after I have said goodnight and closed you door.

Happy 13th birthday, I love you!

Make a wish!

I am pretty sure he wished for a Ferrari.

Girls day out! 3/9/12

Holly came out to visit us and I thought it would be fun to get out of Danville and see some more that Nor Cal has to offer. We called Jenny and headed to Calistoga to tour a Castle/vineyard named Castello di Amorosa. It was so beautiful a little educational, and our tour guide was very entertaining. We ate yummy food and chocolate, window shopped, and talked about girl stuff. It was the perfect day!
Thank you ladies!

Castello di Amorosa 3/9/12

Calistoga, California

Romance in the air...

The castle was so beautiful and romantic and we did not have our men with us so we had to make do.

Kids these days...

Holly came to visit me and this was a very common image of her. She would be texting what a great time we were having while we were in the middle of having a great time! I hate that we are soooo connected by our telephones. I miss the old days when 8 people had to share a phone and sometimes you would get a busy signal.

Snow Camp out 3/9/12

Finally we were able to get enough snow for the scouts to make their annual snow camp out! It had been canceled twice due to an unusually dry and warm February (I was not complaining). However Cyrus was really looking forward to 6 hours of digging in the ice to build himself a shelter to sleep in for the night. Only two other boys from the troop came (because their dad's were leaders) everyone else thought it sounded crazy and stayed home. Cyrus said he awoke to a thin layer of ice covering his sleeping bag, but other than that had a fantastic time.

Birthday party 3/7/12

We had a four day weekend the second week of March and decided to have Talen's party on Wednesday at Sky High. Sky High is an indoor gym with wall to wall trampolines, the kids had a great time and sufficiently wore themselves out so we could go back to house for cake and movies.
Talen is lucky to have 3 of his closest friends within in walking distance from our home, Christopher, Patrick, and Mitchell are pictured in the photo.

Blowing out the candles! 3/7/12