Alden's 9th birthday!!

 

Alden had a great birthday.  He got a new bike and a machine nerf gun.  He also got Transformers and money from his grandparents.   Scott set up a scavanger hunt for him that was really fun but really hard.  He had to find picture clues and on the back of the pictures was another picture that had to be put together like a puzzle (there were two differnt sets of those).  He also had to figure out a crossword puzzle.  It was pretty funny to watch him.  I don't know how Scott ever became so creative but he is awesome at that kind of stuff.  We went out to celebrate with Grandpa Steve since they share the same birthday at Texas Roadhouse.  Alden was a little embarassed to get on the saddle but said it was worth it for the ice cream.  I kind of felt bad not having an actual party for him with his friends but there was just a lot going on and kind of hard to find a time to have one.  It was nice not having to stress about party stuff though.  I am thinking of maybe just letting the kids have parties every other year on even # years.  Anyone do anything like that with their kids.  I would love some ideas for keeping birthdays special but more low key.

Girls Craft Day

On the weekend of May 14 while the boys went on the father/sons campout we had a girl party.  My totally awesome and talented Aunt Kim came down and we did crafts the whole weekend.  It was so much fun and I can't possible thank her enough for doing that for me.  Thanks to everyone who came too.  I had such a good time chatting and eating with everyone.  Thanks to Tanya and Sandee and Lorissa for helping me with with all my stuff since I signed up for way too many things.  I never would have finished.  I made chore charts for the whole family that include magnetic gems with pictures for the kids, a place I can stick their picture under their name and dry erase on it since it is plexiglass and another magnetic area so stick birthday invites etc. It also has hooks for a reward system.  I loved the St. George temple picture and the USA blocks go with the rest of my Americana decorations, the smaller blocks that say "Thanks"  all have several letters one on each side so I can spell out all sorts of sayings and the the colorful wood puzzle has more than one way it can be put back together and is already one of my kids favorites. They all fight over whose turn it is to play with it.  My Aunt Kim was awesome to have around, she not only helped me tons by pretty much doing my chore charts but she also took Lila.  I was surprised how much Lila liked her too. She did great with her better than she does with her own Grandmas and Grandpas.  She is such a stinker about anyone but mom or dad holding her and she didn't mind Kim one bit.  I was on a crafting roll too so in addition to these crafts I also finished a FHE chart that we did in relief society over a year ago and mine has just been sitting around waiting for me to do it.  It is hard to tell in the picture but the flowers on the FHE chart each have a different color gem in the middle so each person gets their own color to know whose is whose.  And I made a billion flower hair clips for Lila and some of my niece's.  Earlier in the week I had made Lila some braclets too so she is pretty much good to go.  She will be able to get all dolled up for any occassion.  Some of my favorites are in the picture below.

Father & Son's Camp Out- May 14-15, 2010

 The boys had a great time at the father/sons campout . The whole marble family use to be all in the same ward but since it has grown so big and been redivided and new wards made we are now in three different wards. They were lucky enough to all be able to go on the camp out for their dads ward though. It is so fun for the boys to get to go with friends and also all their boy cousins. I asked Scott if he would have someone take a picture of all the dads and sons from the marble family since they were all there. It didn't happen which I was really sad about but they still have the memories I guess. Usually one or two are missing so it was nice everyone was able to go.

Brig had a tough time waking up. He takes after his dad and likes his beauty rest!

The boys were glad that Grandpa Steve was able to come.

For their activity and games on Saturday, someone brought up a chicken. The object was to release the chicken and then see who of all the kids would be able to catch it and bring it back for a prize. Problem is, the chicken, when released, shot straight through the circle of kids and bolted off into the woods with about 30 screaming kids chasing after it. Camp got really quiet for about 30 minutes till one of the leaders finally was able to corner the chicken and bring it back. The game didn't really work the way it was expected to, but I think the boys had fun.

The boys had so much fun sleeping under the stars, playing with pocket knives (so glad I wasn't there to see that), playing games and hanging out at the fire.  They had a rough end to the trip though which included Scotts truck having issues something to do with a fuel pump or something and they had to get someone else from the ward to pull the trailer home.  Thank goodness there was someone there able and willing to do that.  For the most part it was a fun get away and it was nice for me to have a break from all those boys and have some girl time.  (that post soon to follow!)

Gila Valley Temple Open House

On Wednesday May 10th we took a road trip with Ryan & Heidi's family and Tara & Dallin's family up to the new temple. It was really neat to be able to walk through it with the boys. They really liked it and said the mirrors and the baptismal font were their favorite things. It was a fun day. We ate lunch and stopped by Heidi's parents house to see the cows and donkeys and then headed home. It was a really nice day. I am excited for the dedication and think that we will really like it. I have never been to a dedication before and I am excited that Alden will get to be able to see it dedicated too. What a special time we live in. We are so lucky to have temples being built all over.

Going through the temple was a great way to help the boys start building a testimony of it. Alot of my nieces and nephews were able to go through it too. I am glad so many of us were able to see it. I hope all the kids realize how lucky they are to have had such a neat experience.

The kids found a cool frog outside and had fun looking at it. It was very interesting looking and so we had to take a picture. We are dorks we know. :)

First Water Hike

On May 1st we decided to be spontaneous and go on a hike. We figured it would be the last cool day for a long time and we better enjoy it. Tara and Dallin were brave enough to join us and we had a really good time. The boys had so much fun climbing up rocks and exploring. I was a little nervous they would run into a rattle snake or something but we didn't. Alden had sharp enough eyes to spot a gila monster though so that was pretty fun to look at. Brig wasn't brave enough to climb up as high as Dallin and Alden but he did a great job and hiked the whole thing with us (about 4 1/2 miles total). I was very impress he did such a good job. Dallin's shoes are off in this picture because they were having fun watching things fall down the side of this rock hill thing they had climbed up. Boys sure know how to entertain themselves.

Lila really enjoyed being out doors. The weather was really nice and she had a great time. I was very happy that she did so well the whole time.

Dallin and Hyrum Chillin out while we took a water and snack break. Hyrum didn't seem to enjoy it as much as Lila did and they ended up turning back early with him. He fell asleep finally when they were heading back. Poor guy he had just had too busy of a week with them moving into their new apartment and so much craziness going on I guess.

Scott and the kids. Lila was asleep for this picture she took a nice nap and woke up ready to play some more and eat lunch.

Me and the boys. We got enough sunscreen on that no one got sunburned. I was really worried about that since we are all so white and we were outside for so long.

The boys wouldn't sit still for too long for pictures they just wanted to keep going. If only I could bottle up some of their energy and use it for myself we would be doing just fine. We had a great time and plan on hiking some more next fall when the weather cools off a little.

Lila pics

Lila has discovered cupboards and the dishwasher. She happened to pull out this bowl that looks like a hat that the boys like to use for popcorn and she stuck it on her own head. It was so funny and so I ran to get the camera. By time I was back and ready to take a picture she had moved on to something else. We tried to pose her but she wouldn't go for it. Lila has figured out how to climb onto the dishwasher lid. That is her favorite spot and she loves to play in the water and get the dishes all out as I am trying to load them in. She is so funny. She is very determined and not easily distracted either the little stink.

When the boys go into the bathroom to take a bath Lila is very jealous. She loves the water and bath time is her favorite. She stands at the door and bangs with her hand while yelling. It is one of the funniest things ever. She use to crawl over to the door and lay down trying to look underneath and cry so she has improved and I was never lucky enough to get a picture of her doing that. I can't believe she is already 11 months old. She is getting so big and independent.

Dallin's "Let's Play Music" recital

Dallin did his first year of "Let's Play Music" this year and really enjoyed it. It is such a fun class and really helps the kids get ready for regular piano lessons. The kids had a recital to end the year and Dallin sang and did all the actions very well although we could not crack a smile out of the kid. He looked like he was not very happy to be up there. I guess he must be related to Alden. Puppet shows were one of the favorite parts to the class the kids loved watching the story unfold while listening to music with out any words.

This year the kids played bells they had so much fun with it, but all year long Dallin kept asking when he was going to get to play the piano. He is very excited that finally when it starts up again next school year he will be on the keyboard.

The kids doing the solfeg signs (sound of music anyone??). They learned so much with this class I really would recommend it to anyone that wants to give there children a strong foundation at a young age and it is so much fun they don't ever realize they are learning so much. It has made such a differece for Alden now that he is in piano lessons. Sorry the pics are so bad we got there just 5 minutes before it started and were stuck clear in the back. His teacher combines with a couple other teachers so it makes for a large audience. Dallin has had a really fun month. In addition to finishing up his music class he also got to go to the Phoenix Children's Museum for a kindergarten field trip. Scott went with him as a chaperone and he was soooo excited about that. They had a great time. Unfortunately Scott didn't have the camera with him though. He is a fabulous student and is such a good boy. He impresses me all the time with how much he is willing to help out with Lila and be my helper. I never would have imagined when he was 2& 3 years old and throwing tantrums that he would turn into such a wonderful kid. We are so lucky to have him in our family and I hope he always knows how loved and appreciated he is.

Dinosaur Museum

Brig's preschool class went on a field trip to the Dinosaur museum. The kids had so much fun. There was lots to do and look at. Lila was grumpy though so I wish I would have found someone to watch her for me but oh-well, live and learn I guess. Brig had so much fun panning for gold. Half of his shirt was soaked when he was done but he thought that was the best thing ever and would have stayed there all day if I would have let him.

This is a pictures of the morning and afternoon class. I think there was one kid missing from Brigs class and his cousin Gavin was sick from the morning class and didn't make it either.

Brig is soooo lucky he get to go to preschool with his cousins Jalyn, Ryker and Logan. They have a lot of fun together. Jalyn, Logan and Gavin will all get to go to kindergarten in the fall and Ryker and Brig will have one more year of preschool and get to go the following year. I am glad my kids all have so many cousins close to their same age.

Brig liked the jail and thought it was so funny that there was a toilet in there. He had fun locking himself in. Last year when we went he was scared to death of the jail so it was funny to see the difference a year can make.

Finally at the end of the trip after we had been through the gift shop we sat down to wait for Uncle Ryan so we could get one more picture and as I was looking through my bag for something and pulled out my keys Lila grabbed them and was as happy as could be. If only I knew that was all it would take to make her happy earlier in the trip I would have had a much easier time!

Wolf badge!

Alden was sooo excited to have earned his wolf badge. We actually had 5 boys get it at April's pack meeting because last month was the pine wood derby. We have a big group of booys but they are all pretty good kids and it is alot of fun. I am the den leader and I have actually liked it alot more than I ever thought I would. Our group is slowly shinking though and by this summer I will be down to 6 boys which will actually be very nice just because it will be easier to do things with them when there aren't so many. I think it will be good for Alden to turn 9 and get new leaders (other than his own mom) for a change. The boys had to drink "wolf blood" to show they were ready to be a wolf. They were all a little excited and nervous about it. It was funny to watch them drink it, especially picky little Alden.

The boys had to "make" their wolf badges by telling about the different achievements they are suppose to do. they had to pour the different ingredient into the pot explaining the different things about scouts.

As excited as Alden was to be recieving his wolf he so much hate having attention on him. he doesn't even smile and he totally looks at the ground and off to the side while standing in front while the cubmaster lists off the different things he was earning. The torcher!!! In addition to his wolf he also got a gold and two silver arrows, his music belt loop and pin, physical fitness belt loop and bicycle belt loop. We are very proud of how hard he has worked and are glad he enjoys scouts and hope he continues to enjoy it and work hard in scouting as he grows.

Easter

Tara and Dallin came down for Easter weekend so they could look for a place to live!!! yah, we are so excited that Dallin is graduating this month and they decide to move down here. We have really missed them not being here. Anyway, they found a super nice apartment for a really nice price and we had a lot of fun in a short couple of days hangning out. We went to the Easter Pageant at the temple Friday night. It was so fun. We had a good time just playing games and having a picnic dinner while we waited. I forgot my camera but luckily Tara had hers.

When we got sick of playing card games we gave the boys their DS's and that kept them busy the rest of the time until it started. Those things are a pain sometimes but they do come in handy when we have a long drive or wait for something. On Saturday my family all came over for a pot luck dinner and we sent the guys of to priesthood session. Of coarse I forgot to get my camera out again so I have no pics of that night either. It was fun though.

Sunday afternoon all the Marble's went over to mom & dad's. We had some really yummy food and the kids had a lot of fun hunting eggs and frosting cookies. Lila found a ball outside and was in heaven playing with it. She loves to play with balls maybe she will be athletic (here's for hoping, right?)

All the grandkids minus Melanie and her hubby who were no shows, and Heidi's baby that was born a day too late! Steve and Janice now have 23 grandkids, two inlaws, and one great grandbaby. Now that is impressive!

Lindsay and Lila pilfering through the candy. They are 6 months apart and I can't wait until they are a little older and get to actually play and be friends. They are sooo cute!

Dallin showing off his cookie decorating skills. Have you ever seen so many sprinkles on one cookie?

Alden and Jenna frosting their cookies. Thanks Aunt Kim for providing all the cookie fun!

Brig doing a great job on his cookie. We had a really great Easter weekend. We were glad we got to enjoy watching general conference too! We always love listening to the general authorities.

Thurston Family Pictures

I am finally getting around to posting the pictures we had taken of the whole Thurston family. Our computer got a virus and was out of commission for a while so I am a little behind on stuff. Anyway, the pictures turned out cute. Glen always does a great job. If anyone is looking for a photograper for any reason check out his website... www.wilsonfoto.com

It was raining the whole day. It finally stopped just in time for us to take pictures and while we have short sleeves on and it is usually beautiful weather this time of year it was actually FREEZING. The kids were fine running around but the poor babies had to get bundled up in between pictures.

Can you believe how many of us there are?!?! and we are still growing, there is one more grandbaby on the way for this summer which will put the grand total at 15. Alden is the oldest so that is a lot of babies in a 9 year time frame.