Birthday/Halloween Party

Since Halloween can be hectic every year my Mom has a cute Halloween party for all the grandkids so we can see everyone in their costumes.  We order pizza and let the kids play Halloween games, paint pumpkins, etc.  Caden and my sister Tara both have birthdays in October so we celebrated at the Halloween party too.  As usual, all the kids looked really cute.  My kids are getting older but they are good sports to dress up and participate in the party with the smaller cousins.



We have top: Gangster Girl Maddie, Nerd girl Carlin, Punk rocker Hailey, Baseball player Caden, Little Lamb Easton
Bottom:  Frankenstein Zane, Robin (Bridger), Power Ranger Hunter, Cop Camden



And . .  Minnie Mouse Hannah who doesn't like her picture taken :)

The next day we had another birthday party for Caden with Dustin's family - Geesh multiple parties, multiple presents - Lucky!!

Fifteen!

Fifteen years ago today I gave birth to my firstborn - Caden!  We waited almost five years to have kids after we were married.  Dustin and I were nervous but excited!  We couldn't wait to meet the little guy.  When we look back on the pictures that were taken after Caden was born, the nurse was weighing him and checking him over, there is a picture of Dustin looking down at him and Dustin looks like he is about to pass out!  He remembers thinking "What the he%* do I do now?  I haven't ever taken care of a little baby"!  We laugh everytime! 

The years have passed so fast!  He was a very good baby.  He didn't really go through the terrible two's - he just liked to discover things (mostly touching everything in the house).  He was always smiling and happy - He hardly ever threw a tantrum or got into trouble.  He was a shy little boy who has grown into a confident young man.  Here are "15" things you should know about him.

 

1.  He was born on Friday the 13th but we have always considered him good luck! :)

2.  He loves to play baseball!  I think Dustin pretty much put a glove in his hand the day he was born.  He is a pitcher and plays first base.

3.  And, he loves to watch almost every sport on TV.  You will always find Sports Center on when he is home.

4.  Also . . . You can ask him a question about a sports team, player, any kind of statistic and he knows it.  He is walking sports book!

5. His dad's nickname for him is "boy".   When he was younger and starting playing baseball seriously Dustin could never get his attention by calling his name.  One day, Dustin yelled "boy" and he responded.  The name stuck and all the parents laugh when Dustin calls him "boy" at the games.  They know exactly who the name is for :)

6.  He is left-handed - just like his dad.

7.  His FAVORITE foods are cheeseburgers and doughnuts hands down!

8.  He is good with kids - all of his younger cousins just adore him!

9.  He wants to go to Dixie College.

 10.  He is very mellow and laid back.  He hardly ever gets angry but when he does watch out!

11.  He has great friends!

12.  He likes to go fishing.

13.  His favorite place is San Diego.

14.  He LOVES to tease his sister!  Boy, does he drive her crazy!

15.  He is an AWESOME person!

                            HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The day has come . . .

 . . .  Caden has a girlfriend! 
To the mother's out there I am sure, at some time or another, you have had the same feelings I am experiencing right now.  Ever since my firstborn came into this world I have often thought of the day when the wonderful woman in his life (me!) would be replaced by another wonderful girl in his life.  NO this is not an announcement of marriage - LOL but since he is turning 15 in a week - I knew the times would be a changing on the home front!

I started having continual discussions, at an early age with Caden, on how to treat girls when the time came that he might start to like them.  I would usually get the eye roll, a sigh and an "ewwww Mom".  If Dustin was home he would chime in with his Dad insights.  Dad's thoughts are always a good thing but I wanted to make sure Caden heard the discussion from a woman's point of view. 

When he started 7th grade two years ago, I took a deep breath and came to terms with the fact that the interest in girls would raise a level.  I kept having the discussions with him and this time the reactions were different.  He would mention a girl he thought was cute but then it would be a different girl a few weeks later.  He would tell me that the girls were just friends and he promised me that he would tell me if things were ever to change.

Things changed last week!  Caden told me, with a laugh, he had a girlfriend.  Since I had prepared myself for this day to come my reaction was not only with happiness for him but I had a proud moment for myself because he had actually came to me and confided that to me - even before he told his dad! He was a little hesitant though to answer the questions we asked him - what was her name?  what did she look like?  Does he have classes with her? etc. He knew he would probably get some teasing from his dad.  We pretty much received the standard one word answers that usually come from 14 year old boys.

Of course, the discussions will still go on as he gets older.  I am sure more girls will go in and out of his life as he deals with this next chapter in his life.  As always, I will try to deal with my ever roller coaster of motherly emotions but I will forever be there for him if needs me.

Now, I just have to meet her :)

Old friends, good times, future memories

During his school years, Dustin had a group of friends that were pretty much together 24/7.  After graduation, Tom joined the Marines and kept in touch as often as he could.  Dustin, Sterling and Kevin started dating their future spouses (which was soooo lucky for them - haha!) and we all became very good friends.  We kept in contact for about five years.  Then, life intervenes - moves to different cities and/or states, babies, job changes, etc. and we all lost contact except Dustin and I were able to see Kevin and Brooke off and on but not as much as we used to.
Fast forward to now and what do you know - the wonders of Facebook were able to re-connect all of us together again!  Calls were made, emails were sent and plans were in place to get together.  A special thanks to Sterling and Char for the invitation to their home and the wonderful dinner they hosted!  We were able to reminisce and laugh until our sides hurt!  Our kids also got a good laugh listening to all of their parents crazy stories!
It is so sad that time has to pass too fast and that we don't have memories together as our families have grown.  So now promises need to be kept to keep in touch - which I know they will be.  Here is to future memories!