My Twenty-Something Birthday

This year we celebrated my 28th (aahh!) birthday back in Nampa. We made a special trip so we could say farewell to Jason's brother and family and then see Jason's sister and family that we hadn't seen forever.

On my birthday eve (if you call it that), all the adults went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Star. Our niece came along because it was her birthday and somehow I got sung to as well with a huge sombrero on my head.

On my birthday I hit up a couple yard sales, went shopping with my hubby for some gifts, ate at Outback and then Jason's family helped to throw me a party. My favorite gift was a new camera from Jason that I still don't pull out and use nearly enough. Still can't believe I am sooo old!

2010 Family Reunion

(Yes, I am this far behind on my blog. Trying to play catch up before baby arrives.)

This year Jason and I were in charge of the Royce/Robertson Reunion. We chose to have it by Lava Hot Springs at a campground called Big Springs Caribou. The weather was a little cool, especially for July, but overall I think (hope) that everyone had a good time. Our family was extra lucky because our friends let us borrow their camper. I ALMOST didn't feel like I was roughing it.

I forgot to pull out my camera the whole time, but took pictures later of a few camping memorabilia. We had t-shirts made for everyone (really wish I would have got everyone wearing them):

And the women made a 4th of July craft while the boys went fishing (for way too long):

We spent one afternoon at Lava Hot Springs pool and then ate dinner at a local pizza place. We got some good laughs from the boys who dared to dive on the platforms.

We had good food, good conversation, and good company. I am just grateful I don't plan another reunion for 10 years!!

Expecting

For those who might not already know....our family is expecting baby #4 on Halloween! I began my 3rd trimester on Sunday so this baby will be here before we know it. When we told our kids that we were pregnant and the baby was coming by Halloween, Jadyn woke up every morning for about a week and asked if it was Halloween today. The girls also keep reminding me how big my belly is getting. :)

Jason and I had hopes to not find out the gender of our baby this time around but we couldn't leave the ultrasound room without finding out. It is another baby GIRL! The girls are especially excited for another sister.

We have the hardest time naming baby girls so if you have any suggestions or really cute names for us to consider, PLEASE leave a comment.

Here she is sucking her thumb. So cute!

Tee Ball

This spring we signed Hallee up to play tee ball. The first day of practice, Hallee told me she didn't like it at all but by the end of the season she didn't want tee ball to end. We had a lot of fun watching Hallee learn the ropes even though the weather never cooperated much. This year she wore the #5 (my old volleyball number). A few times Hallee hit off of the pitch rather than the tee and after some serious coaxing/bribery- she became a very fast runner as well. But if she wasn't running to the bases, she was skipping to her spot in the outfield or back to the dug out. Hallee is such a girl!

Hallee getting ready to bat in both pictures.

Hallee by the pitchers mound playing some defense. (in the middle)

Last Day of School and Kindergarten Graduation

I still haven't come to terms with the fact that Jason and I have a kindergartener and now she is ready for first grade! AAAHHH! Hallee did a great job this year in school. She had met every expectation in class and made alot of friends. Hallee loved coming home and showing off her work. She even learned to love the bus by the end of the year.

For kindergarten graduation, the kids in Hallee's class brought white t-shirts and then signed their names on everyone's shirts and wore them for the big day. They sang a few songs to entertain us all and then they each received their graduation certificate. Hallee standing with her classmates ready to sing.

Hallee getting her certificate from principal, Mr. Denton.with her school friends: Shaylie, Hallee, AliviaWith her teacher Miss McNew

After kindergarten graduation on Friday, Hallee had 3 more days of school but she informed us she had 3 party days at school. The weather didn't cooperate very much so the field day and beach day had to be altered but Hallee didn't want to miss a day. On the very last day of school I asked Hallee if she could believe that it was the last day she would be a kindergartener. She replied, "I am not a kindergartener. I am a first grader in training!" She also told me that if her kindergartener teacher saw the kids in her class in the hall next year and they didn't say hi, her old teacher would "punishment them." :)

Hallee on the first day of kindergarten

and the last day

Jason's Birthday

We had a small, rather uneventful birthday for Jason this year even though he hit a big milestone (Mid 30's!!). He had been working in Boise for a few days before his big day, so the kids and I snuck over to his office and left a little surprise for him. Turned out the kids couldn't keep it a surprise but it was fun anyways. The candy gram said, "Hey Big Hunk- We know it's stwinkie to work on your birthday but your hot wife and cute kids wanted to Take 5 minutes and give you a Riesen to have a very Happy birthday." We left balloons and a mess with confetti as well.

Jason and I went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then shared a chocolate sheetcake with our babysitters (my parents). (thought I had taken pictures of the cake and birthday boy but it was so long ago I can't find them!!) Hope you had a great birthday anyways Jason!

Jadyn's Birthday

Jadyn's birthday was a rough one for our family this year. Each of us took our turn with the stomach flu during the week and Jadyn had her turn ON HER BIRTHDAY!! (doesn't make for a very fun day) We had to postpone her party and everything fun for the weekend, but we still wanted her to get her gifts from us on her birthday.

Jadyn's BIG surprise was a red mustang. It was too big to wrap so we covered it with a sheet. I don't know who was more excited about it- Jadyn or Colt? They couldn't wait to get it outside and go for a spin but the weather wasn't cooperating for us either so it took a few days to get the mustang outside. She also got a littlest pet shop from her siblings and an outfit from her parents. We just had a small family party for Jadyn after lunch at the place of her choice (McDonald's) and our wards primary activity. She also got a mermaid barbie, more littlest pet shops, princess polly pockets, and another outfit with sandals from the Atkinsons and Grandma and Grandpa. Spoiled girl!I made a giant cupcake for Jadyn this year. After cake and ice cream Jadyn took everyone outside to show off her new ride. It was cold and windy but she loved it. Jadyn almost crashed her car and took off her brother's head- but she missed the bumper of Brian's truck by inches!!

I can't believe how fast Jadyn has grown up. She is such a fun, sweet girl and we are so glad she is in our family. Happy Birthday Jade!