The day finally arrived. The much anticipated Robot Birthday Party! Tucker had a vision of the party, and I think it turned out pretty similar to what he had in mind. It is fun that he is getting to the age now, where he is totally into planning parties. He is always planning parties for his pumpkins (stuffed animals), poochies (robot dogs), or some other type of friend. So it was fun for him to plan his own, invite real people, and have a good time.
His Guests who were able to attend included: Andy, Andrea, Annabelle, Austin, Hinckley, Ikey, Jarett, and Truman.
We couldn’t have done it with out the help of grams and gramps, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Ryan who assisted in the clean up, crowd control, and so many other things! Thanks again guys!
We started the party by making Robot Bags,
Then went on a robot search to find the hiding robots (you can’t have a robot party with out the robots!)
Then downstairs for a robot obstacle course
Then a game of Robot says (simon says) that the kids didn’t actually really get….
Then back upstairs for Lunch…build your own robot sandwiches,
Then back downstairs for Robot Pinata
Then back upstairs for Cake (that Tucker Designed himself), Ice Cream and Presents
Then Lastly, Robot Nuts and Bolt Trail Mix for the Road.
Can you see why we were so grateful for all the help that was given?
The party was full of different activities, and we had a FANTASTIC TIME! I am grateful that there is a year inbetween birthday parties. We’ll have to wait and see what next years party will be?!?!
Category: Topher
As if we haven’t been in our car enough lately, we decided to go to SLC again this week. This time we went with some friends, the Teasdales and Madsens, to the Children’s Museum and then met up with dad for some lunch.
We have definetly spent more time in our car this holiday season that I would have liked, but the boys have been so good about it, (it is probably because we haven’t hauled the toys back in that they keep hauling out, so it kind of looks like their toy chest out there…).
Here are a few pics at the Museum
The ball area (or the beehive) is Tuckers favorite place to be right now. We always start there and finish there.
Tucker convinced Truman to get the balls, so he could crank them through the machine. Truman ran up and down the stairs gathering the balls in the bins, It is amazing what an older sibling can convince the younger one to do, but Truman loved every second of it. I look forward to watching them grow closer together, as they get older. I hope they will continue to become better friends.
Tucker also took a screen printing class while we were there, the teacher had the students cut out shapes from the newspaper, lie them on paper, put the screen down and squigey the paint across. I just peeked in at him, but he really enjoyed himself. Who knows, maybe he will invent a robot to screen print now 🙂
And Lunch with Dad at the church cafeteria
Orange mouths
Me ticking Tucker because he wouldn’t smile…
While we were in the parking garage leaving Toph’s work, Truman was walking with his hands in his pockets. I can’t get over how cute he looked. He is so small, but yet looks so big..
While I complain about traveling so much, I am grateful that we are able to travel, and it makes me sad to think about next year when Tuck will be in school 5 days a week… It is hard on mother too as children grow up! I love our little adventures that we have!
On Tuckers Birthday, after he woke up (at 6AM), he ran up the stairs, and loudly proclaimed: “I grew bigger, I can reach the sink with out the stool, and I can even see my chin in the mirror!”
One important family tradition, is on your birthday, we all eat doughnuts for breakfast.
This year, seeing how our son is obsessed with Robots and anything mechanical, we suggested a trip to the Krispy Kreme Factory, for his birthday breakfast, and boy did we have a good time!
The only time he left the viewing window was when he ordered his doughnuts (chocolate with sprinkles). He loved watching the machines working!
After about an hour and a half, we decided it was probably about time we headed home, but I am sure he would have been content to stand there all day!
We got the house cleaned, opened a few presents from mom and dad (cowboy guns, one for Tuck and Tru), and we were off to Logan Town!
Where he was surrounded by those who love him, and he was spoiled with gifts!
Mom and Dad gave him his big present, a Robot Dog (mio-pet), which was enjoyed by all of the kids who were there! (Except Truman, who liked it most of the time, except when it was distracting Tucker from paying attention to him!)
The kids watched some of Tucks New Robot Movie
Then we enjoyed our New Years Eve Dinner of Crab, Steak, Artichokes, yum, yum, it was delicious! Not to many 5 year olds can claim to have such a fancy feast on their day!
We sang happy birthday to the birthday boy (the cake is supposed to be Wall-E), ate and off to bed!
The boys went to bed, we played a few board games, then I hit the sack about 11:00, and Toph came down and gave me a new years kiss at 12:00! New Years is not quite the same after you have children… 🙂
On New Years Day, after a good sleep in (thanks Grandma and Grandpa) the New Mr. Bean Show was watched, and I finally saw the old ladies these boys imitate (awesome picture, but could have been a better video opp. Wasn’t thinking…)
Then we headed to the Greene’s, with Poochie strapped in the backseat between the boys…
Opening Presents, and hanging out with Grams and Gramps
Another few exciting days to fill the holiday season!
Today, I spoke in Church. It was the first time since we have been married that I have spoken in church without my spouse. As I sat on the stand with the wonderful ladies who I serve with, I felt an amazing power of sisterhood. But then I looked at my family. I felt an even more powerful sense of love. I am grateful for a husband and boys who love me and support me so unconditionally. I would not be the woman I am today without them.
One of our traditions that we do at Christmas time, is prepare a baby manger for Jesus.
Every time a good deed is done, by yourself, or you notice someone else doing something nice, you get to put a piece of straw in the manger, to make it nice and soft. Our goal as a family is to fill it completely, helping us keep a Christ Centered Holiday.
This tradition began as a child for me, and I mentioned it to Christopher a few years ago, and he surprised me one Christmas Morning 4 years ago with a beautiful manager that he built.
As I was taking down the Christmas decorations, Truman found the manger, from my childhood, and put it next to the manager Christopher built.
As I have need for only one manger, I thought I better take a picture with the 2 of them together, before I pass off one to my Brother, so I can remember the Manger that started the tradition, and the manger that will continue the tradition.
(As you can see, there is quite a size difference, Toph made the big one, I guess he just wanted to make sure I was extra good during the hoilday season.)
It doesn’t matter that I am not in school any longer, and that Toph has returned to work, forever in my mind, the time between Christmas and New Years, will always be celebrated in our home as vacation, holiday fun time.
I have NOT caught up on Laundry, I have NOT gotten my children back on their normal nap/sleep schedule, I have NOT made our beds everyday, I have NOT prepared and eaten’ nutritious meals, I have NOT sorted out toys, “recycling” the old ones to find room for the new ones, I have NOT kept up with the housework or the BLOG, and lastly I have NOT felt a bit bad about it!
But let me tell you, I HAVE played toys, built robots, made blankets, played card games, read childrens’ books, napped and slept in, gone to the children’s museum, eaten’ chocolate until I should look brown, partied, baked treats with the boys, played Planet Heroes, read a novel, and enjoyed myself immensely.
This is the part of the Holidays I truly do love!
Here are a few pictures from our “Holiday”….
The Robot Museum with Grams and Gramps:
Tru and the bots:
Playing on the computers:
The Robot Ride, (notice the matching goofy shirts from Gramps, they HAD to wear!):
This time they had out Robots for the Kids to play with, Tucker enjoyed these:
Lounging Tucker:
Grocery Store:
Funny Gramps:
Plinko with the Balls:
Water table with grams and gramps:
Cooking:
Playing Cards (picture taken by Tru):
The robot blanket we sewed:
The Rock Tumbler that Toph and the boys set up:
(by the way, if you husband ever tries to convince you that setting up a rock tumbler inside of your house, is a GOOD idea, don’t be fooled. It sounds like a vacuums is running ALL THE TIME! And you can’t stop it until the cycle is done. Definetly a BAD idea.. Just FYI)
Christmas Day was spent with My side of the family, the Hunsakers and The Greenes. I love living close enough to see our loved ones around the Holidays. It just makes everything better to share it with the ones whom you love.
(for some reason our Red Eye Fixer isn’t working…. sorry for the red eyes!)
We had Brunch, Christmas Story and a gift exchange with the Hunsaker Side at the Condo:
Grandma:
Grandpa:
The Group:
Opening the present from the Great Hunsakers:
Me and Tru:
Tucker and Cooper (the Greene’s Puppy):
Tru and the Great Hunsakers:
Then back to Grams and Gramps house for the rest of the festivities:
Since I missed Christmas Eve with the My Dad’s side of the family, and I didn’t get to see my Cousin Heather who is in Town from CA, she came over to visit on Christmas Day with my Aunt Sue. I am so glad they came over, it is so much fun to see them!
Exchanging of the gifts:
Grams:
Gramps:
Tucker:
The boys got aprons, but they didn’t want to put them on, so Toph and I wore them:
Tru with his new puzzle book:
Crockpot Kiss:
The Grandparents:
Tru and Ace:
Heather and I:
Afterwords, Tuck adn Tru got a little guitar hero in:
What a fun day!
Tucker woke us up on Christmas Morning, he came upstairs, and climbed in bed with us, when he came upstairs, he was fully dressed, and at first, he just sat there, cuddling in bed with us.
Then he began to chat, he said: “Mom, Dad, I don’t think Santa Came. There are no presents under the tree”
It is then that we realized, he had gone to the upstairs tree, instead of the downstairs tree, where Santa had left the presents…
When we explained this to him, he was out of bed, and racing down the stairs.
We woke up Truman, telling him it was Christmas Morning, to which he replied, “Did the Reindeers come?”
The boys had a great time unwrapping their presents, and emptying their stockings, sometimes Santa can grant wishes.
Truman asked for Lightening Mcqueen and Candy:
Tucker asked for A Machine (Rocktumbler) and a Robot:
What fun to see the magic on Christmas Morning:
The boys saying Merry Christmas!:
One of the reasons I love Christmas day so much, is because it marks the anniversary of the official day Christopher proposed to me on the Old Riverdale Bridge. lt will forever be a special day because of that, regardless of all of the other fun and magic and sacredness that occur on this day.Oh how our family has changed and grown immensely over the past few years, Christmas Morning is so much funner when there are children to enjoy and share it with…
This year our Christmas Eve was spent with the Phillips Fam. Tucker was so excited to make the craft together, here is the gingerbread foam house they put together:
Cat and Tuck:
Grandpa and Tuck:
The opening of The Christmas Outfits (the only reason gettting clothes can be exciting, is that they are the first present opened on Christmas Eve!):
Getting ready to open ’em:
Tru:
Tucker:
Doesn’t he look nice?
Toph:
The adults doing the kids crafts, with the Hot Glue Gun:
Picture infront of the Tree.
Doesn’t JoAnna look like she’d make a better wife than I do?
Doing the 12 days of Christmas Dance:
Tucker following Grandma:
Exchanging Gifts:
Madalyn:
Tru unwrapping:
Truman with his new puzzle:
Looking over those awesome Robot Parts:
Tucker got a box of Robot Parts, that he has created a robot with every day since:
After Tucker got his Robot Parts, he took it over to show grandpa, here he is with Crazy Robot Eyes:
Dallin:
The Grandparents:
Toph:
Thank you Hugs:
Patrick, a new shadowbox with his Gold Medals:
Video Chatting with the Michigan Phillips:
After the presents, just hanging out, Owen and Tru:
Again, after the presents, just hanging out in the doll house, I guess 🙂
Tucker and Truman came up for the perfect name (the singing house) for this:
Music Box Dancer – Holdman Christmas Display 2007 from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
Carol of the Bells – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
Amazing Grace Techno – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
Winter Wonderland – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
Winter Wonderland – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
Miracle from 34th Street – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
For those of you who haven’t heard, of this singing house, Tuck and Tru LOVE it here. A house with lights timed to music. Awesome. And lucky for us it is located in our very own PG.
We visited it frequently last year, and this year we have only made it there 2 or 3 times so far. (but now that we found this site, the boys will be watching it frequently I am sure!)
This year this family won the KFC National Contest, and plus it is a great way to connect with the boys!