Zack Turns 12!

Wow! Zack is 12! Crazy how fast time flies! This year was a weird one for his birthday. Christopher was going to be out of town for his birthday, so we had to do his family celebration a little early. So the Saturday before his birthday we did our family day! Dad of course made Crepes that we had to add candles to. Xander found it very hard to not have the whole spotlight on him. Zack was sweet and set up a candle in Xander's breakfast for him. It stopped the crying!

 

 

 

Zack really wanted to go bowling for his birthday. There aren't a ton of places around here to bowl, but we found one 30 minutes away. Sadly our only family shot was blurry! Dang it! It took us a whole hour for everyone to bowl just one game.

Dad's flight was quickly approaching, so instead of staying at the bowling alley and doing video games, we headed to Costco for a quick birthday lunch and dessert. Why does Costco always have the best food? 

We then swung by the house, did a quick birthday riddle party, got some awesome new tires for his motorcycle, grabbed Dad's luggage and dropped him off at the airport for his 2 week trip around the world. 

On Zack's actual birthday I made him a breakfast fit for a king! Bagels, eggs, hash browns, and chocolate milk. Three hours later I picked him up from school for lunch. We went to Panda Express and got a orange bowl with the largest soda I've ever seen (he worked on it for 2 days before I finally tossed it for him - no one should drink that much sugar), then headed over to sweet frog for ice cream (but our plans were foiled since they don't open till noon), but we were not deterred! We powered on and found Wendy's and ordered a frosty with french fries. I then dropped Zack back off at school, complete with his massive red soda cup and returned 3 hours later to pick him up. Oddly he wasn't hungry for dinner......

12 Amazing Things About Zack:

1. Zack can make friends with anyone

2. Zack is Nick's idol - he follows him everywhere and copies him. Zack is so very patient and kind with him (most days)

3. Zack is a master at making $$$

4, Zack is kind and thoughtful.

5. Zack loves people. He is always checking up on Karen and our other neighbors

6. Zack has a talent for leaving socks, clothes, books, shoes, and other things everywhere. In couches, on floors, under beds, under couches, in air vents, in toy bins, outside, etc. I've never met a kid who can't hang on to his stuff!

7. Zack is very entrepreneurial!

8. Zack can pick up new things very quickly with good understanding!

9. Zack loves to fish and be out doors.

10. Zack is learning how to rebuild, service, and upgrade dirt bikes from Andrew.

11. Zack is awesome at video games!

12. Zack invents new breakfast sandwiches and is creative with food.

Another Pizza Night

 We might have a problem. This new pizza oven is the absolute best! I can't stop making pizzas for dinner!

And Andrew's hair is amazing

Pizza Night with the Ericksens

We take pizza night very seriously in this household. Clearly, we had to share our love for all things pizza with the other VA Ericksen's. This year Nini and Bebe got us the best pizza maker. This sucker cooks a pizza in FOUR minutes! It cooked them so fast we couldn't use both ovens at the same time because it took longer to prep the pizza than cook the pizza! The crust is just like a fire pizza crust. Oh, it's amazing!

Chris and Ligaya brought the most delicious hot fudge sundaes for dessert AND toys for the boys! They are the bomb!

 

 

Sledding with our New Neighbors!

 While we were in Utah we got new neighbors! Right next door we now how 3 adorable little girls around Nick and Xander's age. They are absolutely in heaven! We had a snow day today and Sarah (their mom) invited us over for some sledding. I realized we don't have snow clothes for the kids! We normally don't need them! We did a couple runs, then decided the boys were soaking wet and freezing cold. It was a blast, and we warmed up with hot chocolate and warm blankets!

Thanks Chris and Ligaya

Chris and Ligaya are always so good to us. They are great about having us up for dinner, getting together to hang out, passing down clothes, etc. They are absolutely amazing! However......there are times when they are too good to us. Like when they brought tons of play doh, magic sand, and paint to give to Nick and Xander. Their kids were clean when they played - mine are not. The day after they got these, the boys destroyed the whole house and the new batman toy. I might have hidden a few of these items after today...

 

Flying Back Home

The sad day has come - time to head back to real life. We flew out of Provo airport and it was AWESOME! It is a small airport, close to Ben and Kallie's homes, a direct flight to Nashville, then a short 9 1/2 hour drive back to VA. The boys did amazing, the flight was a piece of cake, and now we need to hurry back to Utah!

 

Nick and Xander both packed up their "Pup Packs" with all their treasures for the flight! Emily completely won in the cousin gift exchange! Grandma let the boys take home another Dino, but this one has a different fur - so of course Nick carried it on his shoulders the whole time.

When we finally made it to Nashville, it was so quick and easy! Chris took an uber to the Nashville house to get our van then came to get us at the airport. When we got to the Nashville house it was FREEZING inside! 50 degrees! We turned up the heat, piled on blankets, picked up some food, and relaxed before we started driving home.

 

Squeezing in all the Ben and Kallie Hugs we can!

Poor Ben and Kallie. We've been trying to prepare Nick and Xander that Ben and Kallie are not coming home with us, but that they are staying in college in Utah. Nick and Xander have just attached themselves to Ben and Kallie. Poor Kal can't even read a book without a buddy near by! Ben sat down and within a matter of minutes 2 little boys had joined him. I love having all 6 of my kids together!

 

Zack's New Style

Not sure what is going on with Zack. Maybe all my kids went through this 11 turning 12, but I think Zack has taken it to a whole new level. Let me just point out a few things about this picture. 

1. Brown headband, gang reference?

2. Painted Nails - Thanks Kallie

3. Fingerless gloves - well, if you're going to paint nails you should show them off!

4. Sweatshirt - Purchased by Grandma

5. That smile. He's going to be a heartbreaker!

 

Xander's New Buddy

 

Grandma started a new company called Huggabuddies. She makes the most cozy blankets, sleep masks, stuffed animals, books, and little buddies. She had a few samples of Dino in a different fabric at her house. Xander decided it was now his and wouldn't let her take it back! Thankfully she agreed and let Xander take him home. He currently has the new one, the old one, and the baby one on his bed. It's adorable! 

Ben's New College Skillz

At the cabin Ben offered to make everyone lunch, grilled cheese. I was amazed! He brought up his grilled cheese game, big time! Special bread, mixed cheeses, brown both sides - amazing! Loving all these new ways my kids are changing in college!  So impressive!

 

The Worst Snow at Christmas - EVER!

Everyone was so excited to go to Utah for Christmas and enjoy all the fun snow activities like last year. Last year we had record snow, and it was amazing! This year we could even really snowmobile because of all the plants sticking out of the ground. There wasn't even enough snow to cover all the ground cover! One our last day at the cabin we decided we better at least get the kids out there once this year. We had to ride ATV's too since the snow was so terrible. A week after we left Utah got hit with a massive storm - 25 inches of snow. Of course.