Pinkalicious

   Addison has been wanting to dye her hair pink since her birthday. Last month Mommy decided she need to get a haircut from her friend in the ward and asked about dying Addison's hair pink. She said that she had a product that is not harsh on her hair or damage it. It also would only last a month or so as a trial, to see if Addison really likes it. Pictures below of Addison's pink hair.
     Well, she has had pink and blond stripped hair for a month and has loved it so much that she wants to dye it again and this time she wants all of her hair pink. Those that know Addison, knows that she has a strong mind and know what she wants. We figured, let her do it now so its not such a big deal during the teenage years. Right? Plus she is cute no matter what. We love our Addison!!!!

Soccer!!Soccer!!!Soccer!!!

  This year Ethan is in Soccer. It is his first season in doing any sport. In his team (the Raptors) the other kids have played from many seasons, so Ethan is behind. But because Ethan has a great and fair coach and because Ethan is a super sweet kid, he has been having fun and trying and practicing hard so he can be a good soccer player. Here is a couple of clips of his first soccer game on Saturday, March 12th. Ethan is #12.  Ethan's Soccer Game       Another Soccer Game

2nd Half of Minecraft Birthday

   Oh no, there is more. That was just the start of his minecraft birthday. Pappi and Grammy were already there for the birthday party but later Aunt Felicia, Alex and Mira came over to have pizza and root beer floats. My kids are not normal, which I love and I think they got from the Dad (he he he) and so instead of a typical cake and ice cream for birthday, Ethan wanted root beer floats. I have to say that I didn't argue because I hate making cakes and root beer floats are good and easy to do. So to make it fun, I made ender dragon and creeper cups to put the root beer floats in. Then we bought powder doughnuts to have candles to blow (and because Addison doesn't like root beer floats) and we sang Happy Birthday to Ethan.

    After everyone had their fill of root beer floats and doughnuts, Ethan then opened his presents. He got an X-Box 360 from Pappi and Grammy. Dad and Mom got him Minecraft, Minecraft Story Mode, Terriria, and Sonic Genisis games for his X-box and Uncle Micheal's family got him race car x-box game. Ethan has been asking for an x-box before Christmas and since he still wanted it for his birthday and Addison was starting to play t.v. games, we decided it would be a good present and so far it has been lots of fun.

Minecraft Birthday Party

 Ethan is still obsessed with Minecraft, so, of course, his birthday was themed around Minecraft. First we had to make cookies to pass out at school. Mommy and Addison made creeper cookies that Ethan took to school to share for his birthday. He said they sang Happy Birthday to him and he came home with a crown on his head that he wore all day. I think it was a great day at school.

      So this year Ethan begged me to let him have a birthday party with friends. Since he has quiet a few friends at school that he talks about and I wanted to meet, I decided that it would be fun to have a birthday party. He also invited all his friends in his primary class, which is a pretty good size class.We ended up with 13 kids all together including Ethan and Addison. We made invitation to pass out in primary and to his couple of friends at school. 

 

 Then on Saturday, Ethan's birthday, was the big day for the party. Mommy was a little to ambitious and had the party from 10am to 1pm. We had plenty to do but the kids actually got tired and ready to go home at the end. Anyway, when they first showed up they had to get a creeper shirt, a sword and write their name on a water bottle. Once they had their creeper shirt they got to start whacking Ender dragon and creeper balloons with minecraft swords. Unfortunately they popped fast and we didn't get any pictures of it, but the early birds had fun killing the balloons, I mean creepers and dragons. Once we had almost everyone there we started out with playing pin the tail on the pig. This way the really late arrivals wouldn't miss much and they could join right in when they got there.

 Then I decided these kids were already hyper and active so we did Minecraft tag. Ethan made the game up that the "it" person was a creeper and everyone was trying to stay away from the creeper or, of course, if you get touched you became the creeper. After awhile we then switched it to if you got touched by the creeper then you joined the creepers team in trying to get everyone else.

 I really wanted to get a work out and get these guys really tired, so we then played, What Time Is It Mr. Zombie. One person is the zombie on one end of the field. The other kids on the other side of the field yell, what time is it Mr. zombie. Then zombie shouts out a number from 1-12. What ever number he/she shouts is how many steps the kids take. We keep asking and zombie keeps telling us a number until they get close and then zombie turns around and says, it is time to eat and try to get someone before they get back to start.

 Once we finished these fun games and needed a water break, the kids wanted to have birthday cake. I had the kids work though to get their cake. In the minecraft game, you have to craft your cake to eat it. So that is what we did. They had to find eggs with the different elements to make a cake. Once their team found all the eggs with the ingredients for a cake they came to me at the crafting table and crafted their cake. Then I handed them a cake to eat. I told them though that we had to wait for all the teams to craft their cake before eating. So when teams finished they would go help another team. I think they liked it. Then we sang Happy Birthday to Ethan and ate our minecraft cakes.

 We were all still feeling a little worn out from running and I also didn't want them running after having lots of cake and water so we then played a quiet round of Minecraft bingo, which then turned into minecraft blackout.

 Next, we had them demonstrate their creative abilities and they got to decorate masks how they wanted. As you can tell from the pictures, some stuck with the minecraft theme and made ender dragons and creepers and some got really creative and made their own scary mask. Either way, it was fun to watch and help out. This is were I am glad we had other adults along, like Pappi. They were a big help in cutting things the kids wanted or helping with the masks in other ways.

 At this point the kids and espcially Ethan couldn't take it any longer. They had to open presents. So we finally let Ethan sit and open all his presents. It was funny though. I didn't tell Ethan before hand that when you invite people to a birthday party they usually bring presents. So he wasn't expecting to get so many presents. Again, not to brag about what he got but to help my memory, this is what Ethan got from his friends:

Ataaya-- a monster truck
Scott Wirthlin-- remote control car
Luke Marshall-- Lego Minecraft set
Jame and Charlie-- Hover Craft Game
Alexis-- Iron Golum stuff animal
Zeyra, Zeydi, Zaydi-- mega block race car set
Jackson Walker-- Kinetic Sand
Micah Lynn- $5 and mini lego set
***dark red are his school friends. James is Ethan friend and Charlie was his little brother.



 Since Ethan got to open his presents and it was almost time to go, we decided it was time for the other kids to find their prizes. Yes, again, I had them work for their prizes and they had clues to figure out to find their prizes. For their prizes they got a minecraft chest/box filled with a creeper cup, green silly straw, and candy that were labeled with different elements in the minecraft game.

After they ate some of their candy and since it was almost time to go, Ethan requested to play minecraft tag again. So we played minecraft tag and when kids got bored, Grammy taught the kids zombie in the middle. A zombie is in the middle of the field and the kids (villagers) are trying to run through or past the zombie to get to the other side. If they zombie catches you, you are a zombie and have to help catch the villagers as they run by again. You play to everyone is caught and is a zombie. During this game is when parents showed up to get their kids. The parents were impressed with all the goodies these kids were taking home: a sword, creeper shirt, mask and goody box. In the end though, Ethan had the biggest smile on his face and kept talking about how much fun it was. It was all fun and worth it.

1st Grade Valentine

       So this year, honestly, Ethan and I were a little disappointed. It wasn't as fun as last year. He didn't get to decorate a valentine box, bag or anything like last year. But he did still get to make and pass out Valentines. Ethan is in love with Minecraft and jokes. So this year we made Valentine Minecraft joke cards and attached Extra gum creepers. Yes, he isn't supposed to have gum and school and it sounds like the teacher told the kids they couldn't eat the gum tell they got home but he really wanted to give gum creepers, so we did it anyway. Naughty Naughty. Anyway, we think they turned out pretty good and creepy.
   Ethan also really loves his first grade teacher this year and wanted to give her something special. So Addison and I made tissue paper flowers, which Ethan colored when he got home. Then we wrote a poem to put at the bottom of a heart shaped basket and filled with chocolate hearts and put the flowers on top. I think it turned out cute.
    Ethan also brought home lots of fun Valentines. Addison was a little jealous and wished at that moment that she was in school too. She has the nicest and sweetest brother because Ethan willing shared his candy with Addison. In fact, I think that Addison ate most of it. Ethan and even Addison are not very big candy eaters.

     For Valentines this year, Mommy and Daddy also wanted to express our love. We tried to keep the treats down a little so Mommy just put a few items in a decorated brown bag. Mommy put individual cereals they like, Minion PEZ with PEZ candy, ring pop, a rock tic-tac-toe game in a bag that Mommy made and a cheap whoopee cushion. Not surprising but funny, that the whoopee got a lot of use that day. Not much but they still liked it and hopefully after a day of playing games and having fun together they know that Daddy and Mommy love them always.

 

4 Year Old Addison

   Oh my goodness. I know I said this last year, but what is going on???? How did my little girl all of a sudden become four. I had just wrapped my mind around the idea that my little girl was three and then she had to have another birthday on me. Now it will take me another year to remember that she is now four. These kids are making me OLD!!!! 
    Anyway, this year for my big four year old birthday she decided that she loves Minnie Mouse still and wanted another Minnie Mouse birthday and I think she had a cool Minnie Mouse party. Of course, we started by deciding on her birthday cake, which became mini bite size Minnie Mouse cupcakes. Then we invited the family over for the birthday and due to schedules we had to celebrate it the day before her birthday, on Sunday. We also decided to have everyone over for dinner and our tradition is to let the birthday child pick their favorite dinner, which for Addison was pancakes. So we had a breakfast dinner birthday. 
    Saturday, Addison and I did a lot of baking. We baked her cupcakes, then while those were cooling, Mommy needed to make Snickerdoodles for her Sharing time lesson for Sunday. Then we made the frosting and decorated the cupcakes. That doesn't sound like a lot in a short list like that but we started making cupcakes after lunch around 12:30 and we didn't finish decorating the cupcakes until close to five. Then Mommy had to go right to making dinner, and being the crazy person she is decided to try a new recipe that same night for dinner. By the time we got everything baked, feed, and cleaned it was about between 6:30 and 7. This Mommy was exhausted but still had to finish preparing sharing time lesson, get kids to bed eventually and make sure she had things ready for birthday tomorrow. 

     Sunday, the kids, Addison, was on pins and needles. She was the one pushing us out the door for church, then from church to home and then wondering when everyone was going to come. Mommy thought it was a great birthday but felt also felt worn out in the end. This is how the birthday Sunday went. Mommy and the kids went to church, while Daddy stayed home to get caught up on school assignments so he could participate in the birthday later that night. Mommy taught sharing time, with Ethan in CTR 6 and Addison in Sunbeams. Addison, today, surprisingly was having a hard time and was laying on the ground through all of singing time. Mommy doesn't know what she did during sharing time since I was teaching it but thank goodness she went to class fine. Then after teaching sharing time to senior primary, Mommy walked fast to pick up the kids from their classes then ran back to primary to get her things before the next ward came in. Then we went home. The kids were awesome to let Mommy lay down for twenty minutes while they watched a movie. Then Mommy started the process of trying, TRYING to make Minnie Mouse shaped pancakes, french toast and bacon. Thank goodness, Grammy, told me to cook the bacon in the oven or I would have probably burnt everything. I was very grateful that Matthew took it upon himself to cook us his really good eggs with all the yummy toppings of peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Yes, Matthew is an excellent cook. Unfortunately, while cutting tomatoes he also cut his finger deep and had to take a break for a minute to be bandaged up. He was fine in the moment but later in the evening he was having a hard time and it made him sick for the next couple of day. He has a weak stomach, so I knew it wasn't going to to be good. 
   Anyway, Matthew still did a fantastic job on the eggs, so breakfast dinner was a success for everyone. Then when everyone got their fill we sang Happy Birthday to Addison, blew out candles and enjoyed bite sized Minnie Mouse cupcakes with birthday or chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. 

    Then we got to the part every kid can't wait to get to . THE PRESENTS!!! And no wonder she was excited because she got really great gifts. From Daddy and Mommy she got Minnie Mouse Fairy Clip On Dress Up toy. Grammy and Pappi got her an easel with all the art supplies to go with it: paint, paper, dry erase markers, erasers, butter fly wings, and wand and more. Uncle Michael's family got her a new Minnie Mouse head band with changeable bows that she is now wearing every day. Grammy Great sent her a Minnie Mouse birthday card and money. Great Grandpa Ashcraft also sent a card with money and Grandpa and Grandma Brooks sent money and a card. So not only did she get lots of wonderful gifts but she is also very rich. She is very bright though and told me that she is going to use her money to buy more paints and paper when she runs out. Which will only take her a couple of days since she loves to paint. According to Addison, this was another BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.

The Best Christmas Gift of All

   


 Oh no. Christmas was not over in our family because the best Christmas gift that we received this year was Mark's family coming to see us. Mark, Terry and Katy did arrive safely at Pappi and Grammy's house and of course we all went over to visit, spread our love and enjoy this family that we haven't seen for forever. We did, though scare poor Terry and Katie. Terry at first didn't know about us but he eventually warmed up to us but Katy had a little harder time. It wasn't tell the end of the third day that we saw her smile, talk and look happy. (I don't blame her. We are a very crazy bunch of people). 
     When Mark's family arrived, we didn't let them have a quiet moment every. We crammed as many events as we could in and probably wore them out. The first evening we saw them, the kids got to drive the new battery operated four wheeler they bought the grand children. Kids loved being able to drive that four wheeler by themselves but they also did have to learn a few rules on how and where to drive it. 
    











   




   

   Then the next day, Matthew had them all go to the new Star Wars movie. By the way, this was Matthew's third time going but he liked it so much that he still wanted to go again after that. Anyway all the boy, Matthew, Ethan, Mark, Terry, and Pappi went to the movie while Grammy, Felicia, Addison, Katy, Alex, Mira and I went to Grammy's school and had a picnic and played on the school playground. Unfortunately, we did have one accident where poor little Alex tripped and scrapped his upper lip. And where the upper lip is concerned, it just bleeds and bleeds and bleeds. At first I think he cried because it did hurt but then he was crying because he wanted to go play and not be held down until his lip at least slowed down on bleeding. When it started to get a little cold and the kids were tired of playing outside, we then went into Grammy's classroom and the kids played with her toys and drawed, while us ladies tried to help Grammy get ready for school after the break. During this time I wasn't much help and was really trying to get Katy to warm up to me, to no success. I think in fact I might of scared her more. They kids were all really good, even terrified Katy but they were very relieved when Mark and Michael (Daddy) showed up. We continued to help Grammy and then by dinner time, headed over to join Terry, Ethan and Matthew at home and have dinner. (Pappi had to leave for a wrestling event after the show unfortunately, which left Matthew babysitting Terry). I don't think Terry, Ethan or Matthew minded though. They all seemed to be having fun when we showed up. Then we stayed up late talking and playing games.
     The next day (New Years Eve) we went to Pappi and Grammy's house again to visit more and also to see Grammy Great who came from Utah. Grammy Great came with gifts for Addison's birthday with another big Winter Minnie Mouse animal and a cute Minnie Mouse sun visor that Addison wore around all night long. I also brought gifts and treats hoping to bribe the kids into liking me but still didn't seem to work on Katy. I made them each a mini book like Uncle Matthew received for Christmas because they really liked his book and was even trying to take with them. I gave them each one with their names on it with some stickers and a sparkly pencil. Terry loved it and was the one that wanted it the most but once again Katy didn't show any emotion. (Now in all fairness to Katy, they think she has Asperger and so it does take her a long time to warm up to people and be comfortable). Plus this poor little girl went without her Mommy to see strange people, a lot of us that she hasn't seen before. Plus she was left alone with these strange people for most of the day while the boys went to a movie. So I did not blame her for not even wanting to stand to close to me, but like I said above, this was the day later that night that she began talking, smiling, and being a little silly in front of us. Mind you she was sitting by her Daddy and she wasn't really talking to us but she at least showed us her beautiful smile and I got to hear her beautiful voice. Also note, when I say that I tried to warm up to her. I wasn't very forceful in fear to make her more scared of me and even though I did try to talk to her lots, I didn't ever try to touch her without a little permission or stand to close to her. I tried not to be the overbearing Aunt.
   Mark also treated us to a five star, two thumbs up dinner. He made us the best chicken with a great big salad and french bread dinner. I have to say, I was expecting the junk food and treats for our New Year dinner and was excited about it to. Then I saw salads and thought, what, healthy food on New's Year???!!! But after the first bite, you would agree that it was better than those millions of junk food calories that I was banking on. 
   I hope one day we can live closer and not just because I am hoping that Mark will cook us meals all the time but so I can get to know Katy and Terry more. They are both fun and sweet kids. I am a very blessed Aunt with lots of wonderful nieces and nephews. Now to just convince the parents they all need to move to our warm, friendly state of Nevada. I think we have already tempted Mark a little. 

     Unfortunately, Mark's family had to leave us and return home to mother and their home. I think they were all excited to get back but they left a lot of family sad over here and like I said, I hope that we will get to see them again soon and eventually live closer. This was the best Christmas present this Aunt could have.