the way he rolls

We don't even want to remember what life was like without this boy. He sort of has all of us wrapped around his little finger.  I was going through some pictures and found so many random pics that capture this boy so well. 

He climbs on all of us, one of his first words was Jesus because of this picture he loves, favorite activity is emptying the cupboards (and obviously you have to play in the cupboards...and bowls), milk and boots are his favorite, he has now discovered that he can move the little blue chair around to get to higher places (no worries the pan was not hot and the stove was off), sometimes he loves our neighbor girl too much, another blanket lover, that smile and laugh, he loves loves chocolate, he thinks he owns the table, he is pretty chill and loves his brothers boots.

Love this kid. 

However, he hit me for the first time yesterday and then he pushed his little friend three times while we were at a luncheon today. He then had some timeouts and tears...please please let this be due to not enough sleep and the possibility of teeth coming in...please.

late nighter

 It's been quite a while since we have thrown a birthday party with friends for any of our kids. We asked Corbin this year if he would rather do something that we usually don't do as a family or have a couple of friends over for a late nighter. After really pondering this tough decision, he decided on the latter. He got right to work writing out invitations. 
My favorite part... 'and maybe cookies'

I just love how all the boys are squished together on the couch and Corbin's best lady friend is looking quite comfy all by herself.

Like I already mentioned...I am a bit sad to see this boy grow up and have friends become such a big influence, but I have to admit, I am quite grateful for the friends that Corbin has chosen. They are good kids and they really do have so much fun together.

Particularly Corbin's lady friend. She has been like a super fun sister to him. She's not afraid to be honest with Corbin. The two of them can play for hours. She will tackle Corbin to comb his hair or to make him get something done. Like I said, she really is like a sister. I have wondered when it will happen that they will just stop playing together because of the whole boy vs. girl thing and, even though they have had their times, they are still good friends. She even came over several hours before the party to help decorate, clean up, and get things ready. Love this girl! 

The next day was Corbin's actual birthday. We of course did breakfast-in-bed and the brother's gift of the candy bar poster. Then we enjoyed lots of cousin time since we had another Packer cousin baptism to attend. And Corbin was okay with that. 

10

When I think of our Corby baby ^^this is the face that I will forever think of^^ This is the boy that I will always picture. He was full of energy and determination that was often times exhausting, but that spark in his eyes, the way he spoke, that excitement for life, the way he could figure out just how things worked... will always be some of my favorite attributes of his. I miss those days. A lot. And as the years go by and as this boy gets busier and friends are becoming more of an influence on him, I miss it more.
But as I look at the young man he is becoming...my heart just feels so happy. He does still have that energy, spark, and excitement. True, its not shown in the same way it did when he was 2 1/2. But it's still there and I love him for that.

Corbin is now 10. And I wonder...how did that happen so fast?

10 things I love about you:

1. Just how responsible you are becoming. I am realizing that I can count on you for so many things.

2. Your concerned nature for those who are hurt.

3. Your ability to stand up for what is right.

4. The way you can't stand having Rudger left in his crib when he is awake.

5. Your smile and the fact that you have been greatly blessed with Morris teeth.

6. You love getting to play with your friends, but what makes me happy is that you still ask your brothers if they will play with you...make believe games, legos, nerf gun wars. It makes me so  happy that you have not developed an 'I'm older than you so I don't need to play with you' attitude.

7. Your eyelashes.

8. Your love for traditions.

9. Your common sense. I feel safe sending you out in the world someday knowing you have this attribute.

10. Listening to you and your friends talk while we're driving in the car. It cracks me up to hear you say 'dude, guess what'. 

Happy Birthday you 10 year old! You're my favorite Corbin in the whole wide world.

valentines day = love

Valentines day was a good one. 

1. going through treats
2. after school snack
3. Levi's valentines'
4. Corbin's valentines'
5. my valentine who knew just what I wanted...chocolate and a love note.
6. Rudger's valentines'
7. homemade love pizza
8. Taylor's valentines'
9. after school downtime

The love I have for these boys of mine is so wonderful.

lately

I just love the idea of capturing what life is like at this time. 

finishing: painting the island in our kitchen. It's amazing how long I can put things like that off. Happy to say it is mostly done...just needs a coat of polyurethane. 

reading: the book of mormon in 40 days. This is our focus in young women's right now in preparation for our Virtue Winter Camp. I just love that book and how alive the stories become when reading so much in such a little time.

organizing: kitchen cupboards. It took me half the month of January before I really started the need to work on some goals. (we pretty much just enjoyed the downtime of not going anywhere the first two weeks) I really really desire to simplify my life so much. No more unnecessary things cluttering up our cupboards and life. Feels so good.

trying: to be a bit healthier in the foods we choose to eat. But that never is going to stop me from baking some good treats. Maybe just not as often...

cooking: some pretty awesome recipes lately that I get so excited to eat as leftovers (Justin is usually the best at eating leftovers). This recipe and this one are new and incredible favorites.

excited: for the next two weeks of lots of t.v. time. Our kids are extra excited about the Olympics this year.

loving: seeing our children in their performances at school. Fourth grade is all about Utah pride, and I just love hearing them sing their songs.

planning: on getting some bees this year and we can't wait. 

hoping (for): more and more snow in the mountains over the next month or two. We've been fasting and praying for this and are hoping this summer we will have plenty of water for our little garden (and for the farmers) However, I won't mind some warmer weather soon!

small adventure on saturday

To get out of the house and do something fun, different, and to end the boredom; we made a trip to the local planetarium and to the church museum to see the '100 years of scout' exhibit. Corbin needed to visit a planetarium to get one step closer to earning his bear badge in scouts. And Tay has been studying all about the planets in school and has just started his scouting journey. It just seemed perfect. 

We learned about tornadoes, energy, and planets, and then we were reminded of the scout laws and the history of scouts. I sure love those laws. Good reminder of what kind of men I hope they grow up to be.

I say we had a pretty well-balanced kind of day on our small adventure.

^^ wow, really, is that outfit just not rockin it ^^
I completely love these guys.

game day

We are not a big sports watching family. If we happen to turn on a game, it's fun to watch for a while, but that happens maybe three times a year. I am so thankful that I married a man who does not have to spend hours watching games. (not that I'm saying that's a bad thing...)

We didn't have any big plans to watch the game, but Taylor came home from school on Friday and said that his class got to draw the logos of the two teams that are playing in the superbowl. The kids in his class loved his drawing of the Bronco and from that moment on, he couldn't wait for the superbowl to begin.  He obviously chose the Broncos to cheer for...so we all did. (I know I am biased but I was quite blown away by that drawing)

Woops...wrong choice. kidding.

Wow, did I ever feel bad for that Payton Manning guy. What a game. Corbin claims he was cheering for the Seahawks the whole time.