Merry Christmas 2014

I apologize that this will be a christmas in pictures.  I've let a month go by before writing this.  We pretty much did our normal routine.  Christmas Eve at Grandma Colleens.  Back at our place with the Lafeens later in the evening.  Christmas morning at home.  You asked for your own X Box controller and Santa managed to find a 'navy' one (blue and black camouflage).  You were completely excited.

I guess there was one break in tradition, the Petersen's cancelled their Christmas Brunch.  Weddings and Missionary phone calls.  We had brunch with the Goughs at Mimi and Papa's and then opened a few gifts before heading up north.  Christmas dinner at the Hardcastles following opening presents.  You all got everything you wanted and then some!

Hyrum Christmas morning 2014 from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Birthday recap

It shouldn't be a surprise to me any more that life get's pretty crazy between your birthday and the end of the year... because it happens every year.  But, it always seems to do just that.

So... here's the last month or so.

You're six.  And you're pretty excited to be six.  I've decided that you and Milo will get a big(ish) friend birthday party on the odd years and Kate will have hers on even years.  It will cut down on one party a year, not that you'll go without lots of parties.

We took your best friend and neighbor, Max, to Chuckie Cheese the week before the big day.  That's where we went last year and you had been asking to go back for about 364 days.  Pizza and video games. It's your happy place.

The day before was Friday, and I brought balloons and a class treat, which you thought was pretty cool.  You were in the spanish part of class and they sang Happy Birthday to you.  I assume.


Spanish bday from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.
You went with Mimi on the morning of your birthday to the Pumpkin Bread place (Starbucks) and she gave you a Kindle (combined gift with Christmas).  Not surprisingly, you love it.

You got to you have a weekend by yourself with Gordon and Jessica on your birthday, which is always a treat.  You went and saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the theatre (Gordon tries to indoctrinate you and Kate on his childhood (or adult) favorites every chance he gets.  You also got a cool TMNT sleeping bag that you sleep in quite a lot at home now.

The next day was our regular Sunday dinner with the Hardcastles.  You wanted an army birthday cake, so I actually enlisted your help.  I just made a chocolate sheet cake and let you decorate it with army guys.  Easiest cake so far!

One more party with the Lafeen's and Goughs 2 weeks later with Kate.  You remain an awesome gift-receiver and we're even practicing what to say if you happen to get something you already have.  You have definitely lost interest in clothing items, but I suppose that was to be expected.

Hyrum bday 2014 from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

You are a bright and curious kid.  You constantly ask questions about what words mean and I find that you're listening to things around you, even if I think you're not.  You are a great big brother, mostly to Milo.  You find more things to fight about with Kate.  You are very sensitive and loving and express your love for people and inanimate objects often.  (like your kindle, video games, etc).  You try really hard to listen and do well in school, especially the behavior aspect of it.  You've kept a running tab on how many times you've reached Marvelous Mustang at school (the highest level of good behavior they have) and can't wait to tell dad about it.  You like writing and drawing, but you like to finish fast and we have to work on your handwriting.  You are doing awesome in music class and it's fun to notice how you're picking up on a lot of musical skills.  You hate having your hair cut, but tolerate it because it means I don't have to fix it in the morning.  You are always looking on the bright side of things and seem to find the silver lining in almost every situation.  We love you buddy, it's so much fun to seen who you're becoming!