Hank is Nine!

Hank just turned 9 and I still can't believe it!  His birthday just happened to fall on Super Bowl Sunday with the two teams he predicted would be there.  Oh and his favorite artist, Bruno Mars, performed at halftime.  It's like his birthday was custom made for him.  Let's rewind to the day before his birthday.

It started with an 8 a.m. basketball game in Salt Lake.  The Warriors had another dominating performance and Hank played amazing.  I know I've said it a hundred times but I love watching this kid play ball, almost as much as he loves playing.

After the game we got ready for his friend birthday party at Lowe's Extreme Airsports.

The boys ran wild for 2 hours and had a great time.  I loved watching Max hang out with the big kids.  Let's see if I can name all these boys.  From left to right we have, Max, Evan, Danny, Isaac, Hank, Nick, Dallin, Nate, and Alex.  I'm pretty impressed with Hank's friend selection.  These boys are rats for sure, but they are great kids, so polite and so funny.

Hank could not contain his laughter.  He giggled the entire party.

Everyone had such a great time.  It was a friend party success!

The next day was Hank's birthday and Randy, Max, Sam and I all surprised him with breakfast in bed.

We made his favorite breakfast of cocoa puffs and bacon.  Breakfast of champions right there.

Nothing like a little bacon grease in your sheets.

Max was so excited to celebrate Hank's birthday.  It was adorable.

Here's Hank's new sled since our old one was demolished by their sledding escapades this winter.  Now it needs to snow so we can use it.

Sam wanted to open every present and was very disappointed that none of them were for him.  In addition to the sled, Hank got a James Hardin jersey, Nike shorts and shirts, the athletic socks he loves, football cards with a new binder to put them in, and Minecraft on the PS3.

Before we had the family over for a birthday/super bowl party, Randy took Hank and Max to a rec center to play basketball for a couple hours. 

We had a full house for his party.  It was complete chaos but I managed to snap a few cute pictures.

Scott, Griff, Grandma and Grandpa, Brett, Jack, and Tucker all missed my camera but they were there.  I told you it was a full house! 

We sang to Hank and ate cake and ice cream during half time.  You can see Hank wore the correct jersey!  The Seahawks completely killed the Broncos.  It's safe to say Hank truly got everything he wanted for his birthday.

Once everyone left I was able to get the brothers together for this adorable picture.

Then exhaustion and way too much sugar and treats kicked in!

The night ended with an epic selfie session for Hank and I.

Hank is my smart, determined, hard working, athletic, stubborn, tough, and motivated child. Not to mention he is incredibly handsome. I am amazed by his ability to do everything he tries well.  The way he manages his diabetes is inspiring.  I couldn't be more proud of him.  He is such a great example to his little brothers.  I'm so lucky to have become a mother 9 years ago.  Completely changed my life....for the better!  I love you Hank!

A Night To Remember

When I heard my boy Nick Hexum was coming to Salt Lake with his group the Nick Hexum Quintet I had one day to get a crew together so I could go.  Randy sacrificed going to watch our kids.  I can't thank him enough and I also can't thank my girls enough for dropping everything on a Thursday night to come with me to a concert.

Gina, Mindy and I have 9 kids between the three of us, yet we found time to get together and have a blast.  There is nothing like my childhood friends.  These girls will be my friends for life.  

I'm not used to seeing him without his 311 counterparts but once again, he didn't disappoint.  This marks my 18th time seeing him in concert.  It just never gets old.  I can't believe I've never had a chance to meet him...  

Oh wait... I DID!!  The stars aligned and with the help of my aggressive friends, I was pushed to the front of the line and into the arms of one of my biggest music idols!  I had nothing cool to say, no witty remarks, I was just star struck.  I literally squealed with excitement as I walked away.  Every time I look at this picture I freak out a little.  It was one of  the most memorable nights I've had in a long time.  I couldn't contain my excitement when I got home.  I immediately woke Randy up to show him this picture.   

The following day to my surprise I received these beautiful roses with a card saying "Thanks for the amazing night" signed Nick Hexum.   Only Randy would think of such a thing!  He knows me better than anyone.  He was just as excited as I was.  I wish he could have been there. One of us had to be the responsible parent.

Thankfully a few days later, he had an up close experience with a rock star.  

We went to Hell's Belle's, an ACDC cover band, for Rick's 30th birthday.  We were right next to the stage and the lead guitarist became quite fond of her biggest fan, Randy!  See...this blog isn't 100% about our kids.  We have a life too!  With this post I think my blog is now only 98% about Hank, Max, and Sam.

A Ski Date With Max

Max is officially a skier!  We were enjoying a lazy Sunday when I decided I needed to escape the inversion and hit the slopes.  Max enthusiastically said he wanted to go so we got our stuff ready and headed up to Brighton, while Randy, Hank, and Sam stayed home.  I knew we needed to build on the excellent progress he made last time we skied.  Max was amazing!

I mean, sunshine, snow, and my buddy Max...how could life get any better?  After two quick trips down the bunny hill, Max was ready for the bigger mountain.

We didn't mind the long lift ride.  I love my conversations about life with Max. He is such a smart little boy and always keeps me on my toes with the questions he asks.

Max took off ahead of me our first time down and didn't hear me say "go right" and he went straight down the steepest part of the mountain!  I watched in horror but in true Max fashion, he shocked me with his ability to make it down the hill with no problems whatsoever.  This kid has no fear.   

He is such a little stud.  I couldn't have asked for a better ski partner.  We don't get nearly enough one on one time.  We were the last two on the lift before they closed for the day.  He would've gone another hour or more!

A successful ski day deserves a giant cookie and hot chocolate.  I can't wait for our next ski date!  Man I have some awesome boys...have I mentioned that before?  I am such a blessed mama.  

My Amazing Hank

We are deep in the heart of Hank's basketball season and loving it!  He started playing Jr. Jazz and has a great little team.  Most of the kids live in our neighborhood which makes carpooling to practice much easier!

He has had lots of practice time between his Jr. Jazz team and his Dimpledell team and it is paying off.  He is playing really well this season.

He is fiercely intense and highly competitive which makes for an exiting game every time.

I love to watch him play!  Almost as much as my dad.  After one of Hank's games in Salt Lake my dad and Hank had an intense starring contest.

Loser buys lunch...sorry dad!  

Lucy has been to quite of few of Hank's Salt Lake games and they got extra close on this particular ride home.

As crazy as having basketball practice at 5:50 in the morning is, I love my early morning trips to the gym with Hank.  I am inspired by his dedication and love for the game.  All 8 of these boys show up to every practice.  It is seriously impressive.

It makes my early morning runs much more fun when I have Hank to entertain me on the way to the gym and back.  It really is a dream come true for me.  I love having boys!

On the topic of loving being a mom to boys...they begged me to play a game of dunk ball with them downstairs one night.  It quickly turned in to a free for all game including many fouls and craziness.  Hank threw me a pass and as I went for the dunk, Randy came from out of nowhere to block it, inadvertently slamming me into the wall and sending my knee through the sheet rock!  My street cred with my boys went up exponentially.  I can't believe with all the injuries that have occurred in the basement that it was my knee making the first hole in the wall.  I also must add that I realized in that instant how much my boys love me.  They were so worried I was hurt.  They were also mad at Randy which was hilarious.

The other night Hank said he felt like doing an animal report.  He got on the computer, found some great pictures and interesting facts and put together a report about lions and polar bears.  Randy asked me what kid wants to do a report for no reason...my response ME as a kid!  Proud moment right there.

James has been helping out with the varsity basketball team at Westlake High School this year so we've taken our family to a few games.  I can't believe Hank and Max are already too cool to sit by their parents!  Hank loves watching these games.  I can't help but imagine watching him play high school ball in just a few short years.  It's a crazy thought but it will be here before I know it.  My first born is about to turn 9!  How is that possible?  I couldn't be more proud of him.  He is an incredible kid and I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be his mom.  He has so much confidence at a young age and has an energy that everyone is drawn to.  It is such a thrill for me to watch him grow up.  I just wish he would slow down the growing up a little!  

Sam

This post is dedicated to my darling Sam.  He has always been adorable and sweet but as he gets older, his love for me gets more and more intense.  I can't imagine my mornings without my little buddy.  When Hank and Max head off to school I couldn't ask for a better pal to hang out with.  He is a dream.

He's always down to accessorize. 

 Exhibit A

Exhibit B

I love the binkey through the Mr. Potato Head Glasses.

Exhibit C

My jewels!

Exhibit D

However, those damn green binkey's seem to always be his main accessory.

Sam loves books, and his grandmas.  When I read to him before bed he always holds up one finger when I'm finished and says "one more".  

Sam is pretty fond of his sweet ride especially when he can drive his buddy Tuck around while trying to run me over!  

I'm having a glimpse into the future all of the sudden.  I'm sure this won't be their last joy ride.

 I simply can't get enough of this one.  I'm sure he'll turn into a little punk at some point but for now, this mama's boy has my heart completely.  I love my little Sammy-Boy so much!