Happy Birthday, Austin!

January 28th
15 years
Austin’s birthday was a big deal this year, so big they cancelled school for the day.  Not really, but we used the day off to celebrate this amazing young man!

Austin woke up to find a wrapped gift, sitting on the doorstep for him.  One of his best friends had a dance competition she had to leave for early in the morning, but she wanted Austin to know she was thinking of him on his special day.   She knows him well – who could go wrong giving Austin food for a gift, and sugared cereal at that?!  This was the first of many pleasant surprises from friends and admirers. 

One of the big items of business today was for Austin to get his driver’s permit.  He is enrolled in Big John’s driving school, so we must get him behind the wheel.  We went to the department of licensing and then to the church parking lot to practice.

With all that work and stress of driving in an empty parking lot and then home on the real road, Austin worked up quite an appetite.  I took him to Red Robin for his birthday burger.  He also needed an appetizer, freckled lemonade and ice cream Sunday.  Look at how happy he is!

Because of Austin’s busy schedule this month (driving class three days a week, mutual and indoor soccer the other two with sports conditioning a few days a week after school) it was really difficult to plan an official party.  But Austin wanted to get the family together to share his birthday dinner and mud pie.  We learned a lot about Austin in our getting to know you game.  Did you know that over his 15 years Austin has had 7 broken bones, played on 6 different soccer teams, and he wouldn’t tell us how many girlfriends he has had or currently has.  One thing we do know, we all love Austin and appreciate him being a part of our family.

Winter Vacation

We LOVE winter vacation:  A little break from sporting events, lots of time to spend with the family, life just slows down a bit and it's nice.

Even Mom can find time to sit and read a bit during winter break.

Before Christmas Tanner and Austin went with Grandma Marsha and Emily to Disneyland for their "Teen Disney Trip."  It was a "teen trip"  because the magic of Disney for a teen is different than experienced as a child or an adult.  Tanner, Austin and Emily were able to see and experience things in their fullness, things they will never experience again at any other time in their lives.  For example, who other than a teen will break the record for the most consecutive rides on Splash Mountain.  These crazy teens rode Splash 14 times in a row without getting out of their log.

Only teens will wake up at 6 in the morning to go get the coveted, much sought after Disneyland candy canes that are made only during the holiday season then stay the entire day and shut down the park.

Disney's Handmade Candy Canes:  A Hot Commodity at the Candy Palace
With limited batches made during the holidays, only the most dedicated park guests get to try this Disney treat.

Austin got sick and spent an entire day of the trip in the hotel room, wishing he was home with his mom.  I am sure it was from eating all the unlimited food in the concierge lounge.

During their trip California was experiencing the biggest rain storm it has seen for years. It gave the "teens" the run of the park.  No one in their right mind, but a Washingtonian Teen would be out in that and enjoying it. Everything came home soaked!   I wish I had pictures to post of their experience, but they didn't take any.  No worries, I am sure the boys will remember this trip forever.

After Christmas we had Emily come and stay with us for the week and New Year's Eve celebrations.  During that week we decided to take everyone up to Mount Hood.  We rented a cabin at the Cooper Spur Resort where we spent time playing in the snow, eating and gaming together.  The next morning we got up and went skiing and snowboarding.

Day is done, we had so much fun!

This was McKenna, Carson, and Emily's first ski/snowboarding experience.  By the end of the day we were all pooped, but everyone had a really good time, learned how to get on and off the chairlifts and had some great runs in the fresh powder left from the recent storms.