Over the Hill

During the last year, whenever Cameron and I were in the party section of a store, he would emphatically state that I'd better not get him anything for his party that was black or had tombstones on it.  That didn't stop him from turning 40 though. 

I wanted to go all out since this birthday was a big one.  I set out to have a surprise party for him with all his friends.  I had it planned for the Friday before his birthday and told him that I would take him out to dinner on his birthday and we would have a family party the Friday after his birthday.  And so the lies began.  I can't count how many times I lied to cover up my plans.  I started feeling guilty and getting nervous that he would find out. 

My friend, Becky B., was my main partner in crime.  She helped with the shopping and transporting food to the park.  We used Pamela and her family as an excuse to get to the park.  (They were up for Grandma Grey's funeral.)  Amber O., the wife of Cameron's friend came right up to him at the park and told him happy birthday right when we got there.  His response was, "My birthday's not till next week."  He didn't suspect anything until Becky came up with the cake.

In addition to the people mentioned above, we had Brock and Ashlee H. and Lisa H. and her family.  No one from work could come because they had an emergency engine exchange starting the day before into the following morning.  They conspired with me to ensure that Cameron would not have the day shift so he could make it to his own party.

Cameron needed a little help opening his presents, so Emily B. gladly came to his assistance.

Brock and Dutch

Cam and Tam

Ike H. and Tamzie

Because it was graduation season and I waited a little too long to request a cake, Costco only had time to make an undecorated cake.  I'd never had one from there, and it sure was yummy.

I'm just glad I pulled of the surprise.  I was glad to get all my lies off my chest, too.

My Pie

I like to call Tamzin "honeypie". 

Two nights ago when we were putting the girls to bed Cameron said to Tamzin, "Good night honey." 

A slightly embarassed Tamzin walked over to me and said, "Mommy, Daddy my pie."

Christmas Day

Christmas 2011 will forever be known as the year our kids were finally excited on Christmas morning... mostly thanks to Tamzin.  One tradition we have is on Christmas morning we gather in one of the girls' bedrooms and eat Pop Tarts and drink milk while we read the story of Jesus' birth.  Then we have a family prayer before we go downstairs to open presents.

Annika has been asking Santa for a new Pogo Stick.  She has been practicing on Kayja's since last April and has gotten quite good.  Azie spotted it first, and yelled to Annika that she had seen it.  Annika has been improving her Pogo every day since Christmas.  I think her record is 116 without stopping, which, according to her, would have been higher if she had been wearing shoes.

Azie LOVES to help cook in the kitchen, so Santa brought her a tabletop kitchen of her own.  Now she and Tamzin make all kinds of yummy foods to serve to us.

Kayja got a Pet Shop treehouse with a Pet Shop that wiggles its tail.  She thought it was quite silly, and I agree that a little plastic toy wiggling is pretty funny.

Darion had yarn on her list, and was so excited that Azie and Kayja bought her some pretty, fluffy yarn that she started crocheting a scarf as soon as she was done opening presents.  Santa brought her a seat cover and matching steering wheel cover.  Now she just needs to get her license...

The four older girls all got games, personalized notebooks, pencils, erasers, comfy pillows, and clothes.  They also got a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve.  Tamzin had to wait til morning because someone (I won't mention my own name) forgot until she was tucked in, fast asleep.

The highlight of the morning was undoubtedly Tamzin.  She came down the stairs and saw none other than her beloved Cookie Monster sitting on the couch.  The only reason I didn't get it on video was because she ran faster than any Olympian sprinter has ever dreamed.  She also opened a little baby doll in a cradle from Darion with shouts of, "Yeah!!!"  She opened a fuzzy dog and ran away from it.  (She's afraid of fuzz and bugs.)  She thought the next present was fuzz, too, so she ran away before she even opened it.  Luckily, it was an Elmo shirt.  Then she was so excited that she thought every present after that was Elmo.  I wish I could relive this Christmas with Tamzin over and over.

Cameron got Swedish Fish from Santa.  He must have been a good boy this year to deserve such a treat.  He also got an extra large shower head, as he has been complaining about tiny shower heads since the day he was born.

My favorite gift this year was a new camera.  I have had the same camera for about five years now, and it just has been wearing out.  I apparently complained about it enough, that Cameron wanted to silence me once and for all... or at least for another five years.

Since we had Christmas Eve dinner with Cameron's parents and grandma in S.G.U., we had plenty of leftovers to enjoy Chrismas Day, without all the cooking.  Ham, sweet potatoes, veggies, and cider... yum!

Put That Guy in a Spelling Bee

Me: Annika, go get dressed.

Annika: Dressed?

Me: Yeah, you know, clothes.

Annika: Clothes?

Cameron: Yeah, you know, C-L-O-T-H-S