Tucker's 7th Birthday

Sweet Tucker turned 7 this week and we had so much fun celebrating him. 

He requested a "minecraft" themed birthday. I didn't love this theme but it was all Tucker wanted so I jumped in with both feet and made it happen. I do like how it turned out but Tucker LOVED it!

We had creeper juice,

Gold bricks, slime

sticks and 

TNT licorice.

We also had minecraft character cupcakes. 
These little stinkers took me so long to make. I really hate fondant. 

The cake wasn't as challenging, but it did take a while.
Happily, Tucker loved it so much. It made it so very worth it. 

 

This sweet boy had a wonderful celebration. 
Mimi was still visiting so she was able to be there for the party. 

Nanny and Papa also came over and Uncle Joseph and his family came. 

I sure love this sweetheart of mine. He's my little buddy. 
He's rarely far from my side. He's artistic and quiet. He's serious about somethings but loves to giggle with his siblings. He is sensitive and loves to hum. 
We sure love this boy of ours. 

I love these photos of the kids watching Tucker open his gifts. They were so excited for him. I love sibling friendship so much. 

After presents we sang and cut his cake. 

Tucker loved the candles with the colored flames. 
Tucker loved his party and had a wonderful birthday celebration. 

Happy Birthday sweet Tucker-doodle!

 

Taking Tanner to the Temple

We finally got to take Tanner to the temple. Since Tanner is turning 12 this year he is allowed to go to the temple. Then at the beginning of April, the Kansas City Temple moved to "phase 2" of reopening. Phase 2 means the temple opened for proxy baptisms. I immediately got online and reserved a time slot for us. 
The day was absolutely perfect. Mimi was able to fly into Bentonville the day before. We drove up to Kansas City yesterday morning and we met Nanny and Papa there. Aunt Sarah and her family drove over from Hays as well to meet us. It was so wonderful. 

Uncle Johnny watched our kids and his own so both Chris and I could be in the temple with Tanner. 

So Nanny, Papa, Mimi, Aunt Sarah, Chris, Tanner and I got to do proxy baptisms and confirmations. 
It was such a sweet time in the temple. The spirit was so strong and I felt so very blessed to be there with my sweet Tanner boy. 

Tanner is such a great kid. He's sweet and funny. He's curious and cautious. 
He loves to learn and loves to entertain. 
He's really grown in his role as a deacon. He loves getting to pass the sacrament. 
He told me that every Sunday he gets nervous but then he says a prayer. After his prayer he told me a small voice tells him "Don't worry, you won't drop the sacrament trays". 
I almost cried when he told me. I love that he's develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit and recognizing answers and comfortings. 

Come on- just look at that cute boy. He's just the best. 

After our time at the temple we all went to eat at Panera Bread. It was delicious and everyone enjoyed it. The kids enjoyed eating together and giggling through their meals. 

 Then we checked into our hotel and took the kids swimming. 

It was fun to see my kids playing with their Aunt, Uncle, Papa and cousins. 

I love the pictures of Papa making his faces. He is so fun!

And I love these photos of Aunt Sarah and our girls. They are the best "sister cousins". I love their sweet little friendship!

Even I got in the pool for a while. 

After playing to a while, we got changed and ordered some Kansas City BBQ. We got it to go, since many restaurants are not opening for dining in. We ate our food together in the hotel lobby area. It was delicious and just what Tanner wanted.   

The next day we played, got some breakfast and then went to see "Raya and the last Dragon" at a local movie theater.  We all went together and had the whole theater to ourselves. 
It was super cute. We loved it.

 We ended our trip by eating at "Costa Vida". 

The food was delicious and we felt lucky to have the time with everyone. 
It will hopefully be the first of many temple trips with our boy!