Our Family of Five: Double Digits for Hank-man!

My first born just turned 10! I can hardly believe I've been a mom for a decade. The day my sweet Hank-man came in to my life, everything changed...for the better! I love watching him grow and progress and every passing year I become more proud of the kid he is. As he gets older, I feel him pulling away from me and becoming his own person. He doesn't need me the same way he used to. As hard as it is for me, I've had to step aside and support from the sidelines. However, there's still a hint of mama's boy residing in him. When he needs me, I'm there. Hank's zest for life and competitive nature makes him the life of the party. He isn't lacking in the friend department. I love to watch him interact with his boys. They are such a great group of kids. He is really excelling in school and math continues to be his favorite subject. His teacher did mention he likes to talk, A LOT during class. Hank is incredibly responsible when managing his diabetes. I'm so proud of the way he's able to carry on normally with life despite the challenges this disease comes with. It's starting to look like he can do a better job taking care of his blood sugar than I can. Sports continue to be his love and there's nothing better than watching him compete. I don't want him to get a big head but he really is amazing. A huge birthday celebration was in order! It started Saturday and continued until his actual birthday on Monday.

Hank wanted to take his friends to a BYU game for his birthday party. Jenni let us load up the Ghost Bus and it was a hit! The party bus enhanced the entire night. For my own memory the kids in attendance from left to right were, Keaton, Hank, Max, Alex, T.J., Nate, Dallin, Jackson, Jimmy, Isaac, and Danny.

We danced, laughed, and opened presents on the way to the game.

Randy navigated the bus like a champ! He held his hands in the proper 10 and 2 position the entire drive.

The boys were wild animals during the game but they had a blast. They were running in and out of our section, cheering, fighting with glow sticks, eating treats, and dancing for the jumbo tron, My nerves were shot by the time the game was over. Randy is good friends with the BYU coach so he let us meet the team after the game.

As they entered the locker room, I was told there were no girls allowed so I had to sit in the hall and wait. Super lame.

I did hear the entire team sing Happy Birthday to Hank though.

The boys were able to see all the areas the team gets to hang out.

After the locker room the boys were dying to get signatures from the players.

It's safe to say Hank was one happy boy!

It was an epic birthday party, one we're going to have a hard time topping.

Super Bowl Sunday always happens around Hank's birthday so it's only right to combine his family birthday party with a Super Bowl party. His team (the Seahawks) made it to the big game once again. Half time was the perfect time to open presents.

Hank let the 3 year old crew open all his presents.

I didn't get pictures of all his presents but he got lots and lots of athletic gear.

He also got lots of money and some cool new books. Hank is such an avid reader. I have a hard time finding new books for him to read. My kids know a birthday photo shoot comes after presents. As he thanked everyone for gifts, I snapped a quick picture to document everyone in attendance.

We have so much love for this amazing kid.

The rest of the evening was spent watching the game and eating. There was so much food! It was the perfect night other than Hank's team losing in the final minutes of the game.

As weary as I was feeling from the previous two days, I had to rally for Hank's actual birthday. Hank loves breakfast in bed on his special day.

Sam was so cute singing Happy Birthday to his big bro.

Steph Curry jersey

NBA 2K15

He also got some new Nike gear, and a Clay Matthews poster.

He had a few minutes to try out his new game before it was time for school.

He looked pretty good in his new duds. Sam and I delivered fresh donuts to his class later that morning.

I surprised Hank and Max by checking them out for lunch at Rubios. Sam loved having his bro's out of school.

The usual crew couldn't miss out on lunch with the birthday boy.

After school, Hank got to play a little basketball with his best friends who also happen to be Groundhog Day babies. I love the friendship these 3 share. Such great kids.