She really did turn 12....I just didn't get around to blogging

My baby turned 12. The age didn't really bother me, although I do feel old. I had a harder time thinking about her going to young women's. Our time with her at home is flying by. I only have 6 years before she heads off to college! Back to the party...

There was A TON of giggling going on....maybe due to sugar overload?!

That darn whipping cream ran out!

Games were played!

A plate full of whipping cream with m&m's in it...try to get them out with only your mouth! This induced more giggling!




This fabulous cake was from Lin's.

Now a note about Brooke....Brooke is such a wonderful girl. She takes school very seriously. We went to her choir concert and I saw the honor roll list. I asked if she was on it and she told me no. She was right...she was on the high honor roll because she had all A's...not even an A-! Brooke enjoys trying new things. This year she tried running with me (hated it), played soccer (would have had more fun if her team had won 1 game), took piano lessons (sad the teacher isn't teaching anymore...so we need to find a new one) took a volleyball class (none of her friends were interested so she decided to do it alone, she made a really great friend and fell in love with volleyball), went repelling (was very nervous but tried it anyways and had a great time), started a new school (loves switching classes and doesn't enjoy p.e.), babysat, babysat, babysat(she loves it...her biggest complaint is that the kids have to go to bed so she get bored. She loves to entertain them when she is there, she isn't big on just turning on a movie for them) Started young women's (she loves going and I don't think she misses primary one bit) Sewing (she made her friends Christmas gifts this year...she is getting better all the time, maybe I will teach her clothing this year!) Braces (she got her braces off and didn't break one bracket the entire time she had them on. She wears her retainer without complaint and has never lost it) We love having Brooke as part of our family. She is such a big help with her brothers and sister. She has a great testimony and is very kind. She worries about hurting others feelings and is extremely honest. We love this girl.

Playing catchup: Cousins part 1

Neil's 2nd oldest brother Bryce drove through St. George after their vacation to california. I convinced him to let his daughter Kelsey ( she is number 5 of 9!) stay for an extra week and fly home. Brooke and Kelsey are the same age and have so much fun together. These two girl were fantastic to the little kids. They planned a party for them...complete with cupcakes and games. They kept the kids so entertained. They also went babysitting 3 times together during the week. With all the cash they earned they went to the mall and spent it on matching outfits! We hope this weeklong visit becomes a tradition with Kelsey! She was so fun to have around I wish we could adopt her!

Lucky Girl!

After 14 months, and before finishing the 5th grade, Brooke got her braces off! How lucky can a girl get. Her teeth look great. This is her fantastic ortho. Dr. Beckstrom (he went to dental school with my friend from high school, isn't that crazy)

Brooke was so good about following the ortho's instructions. She stayed away from a lot of her favorite things, popcorn and caramel! She didn't break one bracket so we celebrated with a popcorn party!

We rented bedtime stories and made a bunch of yummy popcorn's and had a great time with her bff Brianna.

We had lime, orange and strawberry popcorn. We also had peanut butter and traditional butter popcorn. Yummy! Now lets just hope she doesn't lose her retainer ($150 to replace that puppy)

Twin A and Twin B

We often refer to Aidan and Brooke as Twin A and Twin B or "the twins" They are 5 months apart in age, to the day. When we are together people often ask if they are twins and they love/hate it. Secretly love it, but try not to let us know. They are best friends and love to spend all their time together (without any of the other cousins to bother them)!

Ms. Crabtree

Brooke and Camden had two different performances for Little Rascals. On one night Brooke was one of the little girls. Here they are at the sleepover.

At the sleepover the girl's discussed how gross boys are! It was one of my favorite parts of the entire play!

The other night Brooke was Ms. Crabtree, the teacher. Brooke had to get upset with Porky and Buckwheat for selling tickets to the free talent show!

When Brooke was one of the little girls they had a ballet recital.

Here she is again as Ms. Crabtree, announcing the next performer in the talent show.

Brooke did a great job, as usual. She is very shy, until you get her on stage!

Do the Hand Jive Baby

Brooke was in the children's production of "Grease, Jr." which was a clean version of Grease with a good moral message. Brooke did a fantastic job as the head Rydell student. She had the very first line in the play!
Our bishop's daughter, Caroline, was crazy Mrs. McGee (the principle/secretary that plays the xylophone before she gives the announcements!
Here is Brooke with the other Rydell students (Sandy in yellow) and Eugene the school nerd!
Beauty school drop out fairy! Had tutu and wings on. Had a great time singing to her friend Callie (as frenchie).
Brooke did a great job and is becoming less shy with each production. She just looked like she was having a great time in this production (last one she looked a little nervous)! We can't wait for the next show, Little Rascals, in which Camden will join her!

Disneyland and California Adventure

We had a great time at Disneyland. Brooke's friends have a year pass, so they know the in's and out's of Disney and how to make the best use of your time there. They also know the best places to eat...so most of the food was fantastic. We spent two days in Disneyland and the last day we went to American Girl Doll place (pictures to come) for shopping and lunch with the dolls. We had a wonderful time. It was great to get away with just the girls. One highlight of our trip....on the same coaster ride with us was Lisa Rinna (sp) from Dancing with the Stars and her husband Harry Hamblim (sp). She was there with her family. It really mad me think though. The cost of fame. Here she is with her family and strangers are constantly asking her for her picture and autograph. She was very gracious, but I couldn't help feel sad for her kids. Here are her parents being mom and dad, yet everyone wants a piece of their time. I think it is one thing to get their autograph when they are promoting themselves and their work, but if they are being mom/dad then it is hands off. We didn't ask for pictures because I thought it was wrong to take the time from their kids. Anyways, just made me think. We had a super time at disney and came home exhausted. Breanna on the bumper cars in Bug's life land.
Brooke getting ready to bumper car!
Breanna bumping Brooke!
Brooke and Breanna on the merry-go-round next to Screamin!
Brooke and Breanna with Mickey! Gotta love that mouse!

Toon Town

Of course we had to take a short stop to toon town. We only went on two rides in toon town, yet enjoyed them both. The girls are definately more interested in the big rides (we did space mountain twice and screamin)
Brooke had a great time with her friend Brianna and her sister Lexie.

Took a stop in Minnie's house. Again taking a break in Minnie's house.

My perfectionist

So yesterday and the end of Brooke practicing her violin, which she hates to do because it cuts into her friend time, this is our conversation
Me:good job, sounds good
Brooke:do you just say that
Me: what do you mean
Brooke: Like are you just saying that, cause I think I sound awful
Me: You mean, am I lying to you? Of course I mean it
Brooke: well I don't think so
Me: Well I don't think that you could sit down and play any song in the world, but I think that for what you have learned so far and for how long you have been taking lessons you sound great. The difference is, you want to be perfect now! I still think you sound great!

So do you think our kids really think we just tell them good job even if they don't need it, or do they just need that extra reassurance once in a while. Brooke wants to be perfect at everything. Drives her nuts if she misses a note! I still think she sounds great and as soon as I figure out how to put sound on my blog videos I will post her playing the violin!

On a side note, a few weeks ago for family night we played softball. We went with two other families and the two girls that play softball worked with Brooke on her technique. I have no athletic ability and Brooke has now signed up to play softball for the first time. Well two days ago Brooke made the top two for her class for the softball distance throw. Today is the entire 4th grade competition, and the top two from each class are in it. So we will see. The practicing must have really paid off!

California here I come (soon)

We just booked our girls getaway to Sunny (and cooler then us) California. Brooke, her friend Breanna, sister Lexie, mom Charmaine and I are going to Disneyland for two days and to the American Girl Place. The girls are so excited to go and eat lunch at the American Girl Cafe. We don't go until May, but the girls are already spending all their recess time planning every detail of the trip. I can't wait to have a girls trip! The boys (with Addison) will stay home and perhaps go to laser mania (without Addison)! Woo hoo!

Trauma, life in the ER (or insta care)

Saturday evening Brooke starts crying saying something is in her eye. We search and search and can't find anything. We end up saying just go to be and it will be better in the morning. We really hope that whatever it is has scratched her eye and that is why it still hurts. The next morning and all through church she is still complaining, eye is red and watery. After church I call our eye doctor and leave a message on his cell phone. No reply. Still complaining. End up going and waiting at instacare for 1 1/2 hours. Dr. looks around in her eye...flushes it a couple times, puts dye in it and uses a black light...nothing. Sends us home telling us most likely just scratched it and call our dr. tomorrow. Get home and our eye doctor calls and apologizes...cell phone was on vibrate. Wants to meet us at his office. We get there and he looks at her eye with his scope...for sure something still in there. Said there is like 70 scratches on her eye. Puts dye in her eye...again (although he was much better at it), hooks up the camera so he can take a picture. Brooke and I see all the scratches....very cool! And he numbs her eye with some drops. He then shows on me, so Brooke won't be scared, how he is going to flip her eyelid so he can look under it. This feels super weird. He flips her eye and uses tweezers to pull out this teeny tiny speck of something. We could hardly see it on the end of the tweezer...so he puts the camera on it and we can still hardly see it. All that trouble for that tiny little nothing. He says she should be 85% better by this morning and 100% within 24 hours...man the eye is amazing!