A Year of Birthdays...Enjoy the Pictures

Nate Turns 11

Yep, the double ones.  With this accomplishment of turning a year older he gets to advance from the Cub Scouts and join the ranks of the Boy Scouts.  So a major part of his birthday gifts this year was his scout uniform.  (Talk about an investment)  He also received a Wii game that has something to do with airplanes. 

He wanted to visit a two story book store (Nate's idea of utopia).  We timed it just right and were able to see Rick Riodan.  Too bad we didn't have any of his books with us or we might have stood in line for an autograph. 

Nate decided that pie was in order this year so we celebrated with apple pie and ice cream.  As presents continue to arrive, Nate gets to enjoy his birthday over and over. 

Birthdays in the Holmes' House

Since it has been forever since I posted I have to go all the way back to the beginning of February when both Dan and I were celebrating our birthdays.  Well, Dan was celebrating.  I got sick and decided that my big birthday present of going out to dinner was going to be a waste since I couldn't taste anything, so I spent the day in my jammies on the couch.

 Dan turned nine on Supper Bowl Sunday.  He was so excited because he got to share the day with his favorite football team the Steelers.  We decorated in back and yellow.  We all wore the Steeler colors.  We enjoyed a Super Bowl cake and had more junk food for dinner than was good for us.  

Dan opened presents to find Ninjigos (don't ask), dino skeletons to put together, and some other small things.  He was in heaven.  I was so glad that one of us was feeling up to having a birthday.

Happy Birthday Douglas

Ever since we have been married I have tried to do something special for Doug's birthday.  You must admit having a birthday in December is kinda a gip since Christmas is right around the cornor.  So I really try to make a big deal of his day.  There have been years were I have had to cajole co-workers to go just a little longer so I could set up a special dinner in the work cafeteria, or shopped like a crazy woman for the ingredients to a dinner he wanted.  I have written embarrassing posts on this blog or let his birthday be a secret when we have gone out to dinner because the last thing he likes is to have random strangers sing happy birthday to him.  Most of all we have spent them together. This is the first one in 11 years I've missed. 

So what do you do for your husband that is 7,000 miles away on his birthday.  Well, you think of him all day long, you get to those long overdue posts so he can see what his family has been up to, you let the rest of the world see the only picture that you have received from him since he arrived in Iraq, and you thank God that he is in your life.  It's not much of a birthday but it's the best I can do this year.  Have a happy and safe birthday my love.

Matt Turns 12

Like the candle????  I know Matt was impressed

This year Matt gets weeks and weeks of birthday fun.  It all started on Sunday when we did the family celebration early so Doug could be with us for it.  Dinner was Matt's favorite spaghetti to be followed by pumpkin pie.  And what boy wouldn't like opening his presents two days early.  He received Madden '10 for the Wii, "cool" clothes, a bucket of little green army men, and a locker organizer set (yes, he is my son.....why do you ask?).  Then on Monday, I took him out to buy a suit so he would look good passing the sacrament in a couple of weeks.  Tuesday, the official birthday, we headed out to dinner at Logan's and then it was off to his first mutual activity of which I got an "it was ok" when asked how he liked it.  He also had his interview with the bishop to receive the priesthood.  (When did I get old enough to have a boy this age?) 

I think he may actually be kissing the game

In about a week and two days (but who's counting) Doug will fly back into town to ordain Matt.  Nana and Papa are also planing a quick fly in, fly out to be here for the event.  We have been so blessed that even with changes in Doug's deployment assignment that we are able to make this all work.  Say a little prayer that his training will go as scheduled and he makes his plane home. 

Nate Turns 10

This year for Nate's birthday he wanted to go to a air museum. (We've taught him well.) Before we headed out Nate got to open his first present of the day....a camera to capture all the fun of the museum.

So off we go to the San Antonio Air and Flight Museum. It had a lot of history about Kelly Air Field and fun artifacts. I enjoyed the stories of the young men who joined the military before they were 17 the most. One of the museum hosts was in the book for joining when he was 14 after telling his mom that he was staying with his dad and telling his dad he was staying with his mom. (It's nice to know that kids are still the same) He ended up retiring after serving for 20+ years as Master Sergent in the Air Force receiving many decorations.

After the museum, we enjoyed a dinner of good chicken (oven-fried chicken) and mash potatoes. This was followed by cheese cake and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. (obviously, the choice of a ten-year-old boy)

Then it was opening present time. Nate received an iPod Shuffle, a drawing book, and a model of an A-10 with all the paints to make it look good. He was a happy boy.

Dan's Big Day

Danny celebrated his eighth birthday in a big way today. Not only were there presents and cake but there was a baptism too.

Yesterday Nana and Papa flew into town so they could be here for the baptism. We went out to to dinner and came back to open a couple of presents. (Dan had multiple days of birthday this year!!) Doug and I gave him the traditional scriptures, scripture case, and his first suit.

Danny has been so excited for his baptism day. He has watched both his brothers take this step and has been anxious for his turn. He asked Papa to give the talk on baptism and Nana to talk on the Holy Ghost. They both did a great job but Dan was so nervous he keep rubbing my hand as I sat beside him. When it was time for the baptism Doug led Dan into the water, rubbed his back, and whispered into his ear a reminder of what was to come next. After the prayer Doug lowered Dan into the water. As Dan came up the steps I wrapped him in his towel and gave him a big hug. His big blue eyes were filled with tears and he was too full of emotion to say much. He just wanted to be held for a minute or two. After both Doug and Danny were changed and Nana gave her talk Doug confirmed Dan with Papa, the bishop, and our home teacher in the circle. It was one of the best days.

After his baptism, we came home to open more presents and have lunch. Along with his scout uniform, Wii game, tie, G.I. Joe blanket, and embosser he received a Build-A-Bear gift card. We were able to spend some time before Nana and Papa were again off to the airport. Dan and I went to Build-A-Bear to get his present. He had so much fun. He picked out his bear, clothing, and sunglasses. He was able to name him and get a birth certificate (so excited that they both have the same birthday). When we went to pay the cashier saw that we were paying with a birthday gift card. When he found out that today was Dan's birthday he rang his bell stopping all the work and had everyone sing happy birthday to Dan. Dan has is small very pleased smile on his face. Once home he played his Wii game, had his birthday dinner (pizza and wings), and we sang Happy Birthday with some cake.

A big day for a big boy!!!

Would an Old Man Do This?!?!?!

Doug turns 40 in just a few days. For months I have been asking him how he would like to celebrate. The response has been "Let me think about it" with me asking again a week later. I wanted to make it big, but he and I are not big party people. So what to do? Then a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving Doug came home because he had found a track that is closer than a three hour drive.

Now let me explain. Ever since I've known Doug he has wanted to do a track day. A track day consists of taking one of his motorcycles as fast around a track as he can. Many things has been in the way of realizing this dream. First being money ('tis not cheap), the next being time (once we had the money, we had no time), and the last being me. After being married to the man for a few years and going through two motorcycle mishaps, I figured he would be safer on the track than he is riding to work every day. So I was out of the equation and we finally had the time with some limited funds that would allow the activity.

So when he mentioned the track I knew we were headed into track day territory. Being the wonderful wife that I am, I totally surprised him by telling him to sign up and we would call it happy birthday.

The day dawned early (5:45 on the day after Thanksgiving) and we were off to the track. We spent the day watching Doug go around the track and then head in for classes on how to ride better. Although Danny got sick it was a really great day. (Forgive all the pictures)

Now who is going to call this man old??????