Birthday month

Every late February/early March we break out the crepe paper, buy helium balloons, and plan lots of parties and celebratory traditions.

First up, Aubrey had an early birthday party with Emma and Maria. We went to an Escape Room which was Revolutionary War themed. We weren't sure what to expect by the experience, but it was AWESOME. So fun to solve the myriad interlocking puzzles and mysteries in the room in order to beat the clock. Working together as fast as we could, we barely made it out of the room in the hour time limit!

Then we ate a yummy Italian dinner at Pastinis.

Next up, a few days later we celebrated the birthday of our Hunter, our"son" from Pioneer Trek a few years ago. He spends time with our family every week or so. We invited over the Harringtons to add to the festiveness of the party.

And then, Aubrey had another party and invited kids from her seminary class. She wasn't sure if it would be fun, but the kids really had a great time together, and played games and talked until late on the Saturday night! We made some delicious treats, including an amazing coconut cake and her favorite chocolate marshmallow cookies.

 I feel bad that this is the only group picture from the party.  Oops! The kids were having so much fun that I hated to stop them for a picture.

 And, then we celebrated her actual birthday with breakfast in bed (after seminary), and a few presents to open. Her favorite birthday presents were a new iPad, some cute clothes, and Woven Pear socks.

And then I picked her up from school to go to Panera for a birthday lunch.

After school she had several friends (and her YW leader) drop off birthday treats and gifts

 And at night she opened up the rest of her gifts.

 Brotherly/Sisterly love . . . .

And then, it was Joseph's turn!  

As soon as Aubrey's birthday ended we switched out the girly purple decorations throughout the house for more manly colors.

The day after Aubrey's birthday he had a big birthday party with all his friends.

Joseph did a great job planning the games himself

 They ate pizza for dinner

 Opened presents

 And ate white cake with chocolate frosting, Joseph's request. I found a recipe to doctor up a white cake that was delish!  I'm not sure if Joseph is blowing out the candles or preparing to eat them??

 Then, we loaded up to go to Skyzone, a trampoline park, for the Glow in the Dark bouncing from 8 - 11 p.m. Dan and I were very tired waiting in the dark for the kids to finish, but they had a great time.

The next day was Joseph's actual birthday, and it started with his requested menu for breakfast in bed: donuts, strawberries, grape juice and bacon.

 Aubrey's gift to Joseph was this amazing picture she drew.

 Next he opened all his presents, because he didn't want to wait until later.

Joseph's favorite gifts were his headphones, xbox controller, a book he had been waiting for, and a new fitbit. Oh, and some cool Nike clothes. This boy is a walking billboard for Nike!

Later in the afternoon Dan and I took the birthday boy to Portland to exchange his Nike shoes.

Checking out the new shoe options in the Nike store

Now that's happiness for Joseph. Walking with a Nike bag in hand, gazing in at the Apple store.

We got his favorite Mod pizza for lunch. 

 For the evening of his birthday, Joseph invited a friend over to check out his new birthday stuff. 

And thus concludes Birthday Week 2017.  Well, except for the fact that Brandon's birthday was a few weeks later. But he wasn't here for us to party with!