Our Little Munchkins - January through March 2015

I am so far behind on my posts about my awesome little munchkin next-generationers, I'm just embarrassed.   So I'll try to take a minute and catch up.   These next few posts are centered around my grandchildren.  No apologies.  Missing adult birthdays and other activities, but wanted to have a chance to at least catch up on our little ones.  So here's a recap of their lives January through March, 2015 - at least the parts of their lives I got to be part of, too:

Basketball!  Maddy and Jack,  January 2015
It seems as though Jack was born with a ball in his hands.  In the spring and summer, it's a baseball, but come winter, it's definitely a basketball.  The love for sports must be contagious because his older sister Maddy is now as busy with games as Jack is.   It's been fun to watch them.  These photos are from the games on Jan. 31, 2015:
 

Brent and Lilly

#1 Fan

Uh, oh!

Ouch!

Jack is tough!  Never lets a scrape or a stumble keep him away from doing what he loves to do!   Play ball!!!!

Maddy's Turn

Umm, waterball????

Both Maddy and Jack play very well.  Makinzee coaches Maddy's team as well.  It was fun to watch them play!

Luke's Second Birthday -  February 11, 2015
This little guy is just so stinking cute!   He loves those little animal things and his mommy made the cutest cake.   His celebration was a quiet one with his family and a few grandparents thrown in, but though small in numbers to party was big in love!

Luke turns 2

Luke turns 2

Luke turns 2

Luke turns 2

February 13, 2015 brought us a beautiful new granddaughter:   Welcome, Emma Jean (more about her in the next post)

Emma Jean's Birth

Celebrating Valentines - Feb. 15, 2015

Loveridge Family Valentine's Day party brought a handful of bright giggles from this crew:

Valentine Party

February 16, 2015 - Mike and Makinzee decided they needed a trip to Hawaii.  In the middle of February.   So they missed out on the Valentine Party, and they missed out on the movie  (Monday - school was out for President's Day and Stephanie and Bill helped with the kiddos) - Big Hero 6- at the Sticky Shoe.   I groped my way into the very dark theater after the movie started and found the crew spread across two rows with their Uncle Bill keeping them happy.   After the show, it was Firehouse Subs for dinner!

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs

 They got to make their own recipe up for soda pop .... Kamryn takes a taste

Firehouse Subs

 Guess it wasn't exactly what she was expecting ... hahaha.

History Fair/Wax Museum - Feb. 27, 2015
I dusted off my sewing machine and let it take over the craft room for a few weeks while I played my tiny part in transforming Maddy into Betsy Ross:

Maddy's History Fair

Jack's class attended Maddy's History Fair while I was there.

And Lexi got to show off her Kingergarten art masterpiece:

Maddy's History Fair

Lexi Turns 6!  March 6, 2015:
This kid has such a gorgeous smile!   Her mom made her a fun butterfly cake with rainbow colored batter, as well as cute butterfly cupcakes.  We had a fun evening celebrating her sixth birthday, but she had some other parties as well.   Such fun times!

Lexi's Birthday - 6 years old

Lexi's Birthday - 6 years old

Lexi's Birthday - 6 years old

Lexi's Birthday - 6 years old

Lexi's Birthday - 6 years old

Lexi's Birthday - 6 years old- Crazy Grandma Cards

 Maddy and Jack's Special Choir Program:   March 26, 2015

At the school Maddy and Jack attend, they have an early morning choir.   One would think it would be super challenge getting a before-school choir program to work in the elementary years, but this program is a super big success!  The kids love singing the fun songs they select and every year their annual program is unique and teaches a different concept.  This year they used story book characters to help teach that "Character Matters."   Maddy had a solo part, as well as playing a duet before the program began.   They both did great in the performance and it was fun having Stephanie join us as well as Edna.

Jack and Maddy's School Choir Program

Jack and Maddy's School Choir Program

Jack and Maddy's School Choir Program

Jack and Maddy's School Choir Program

Jack and Maddy's School Choir Program

Maddy and Jack's School Choir Program

Teasers

Dan has a Girlfriend, March 27, 2015
Her name is Bethany and she lives in Oregon.  She came to Utah while her children had an extended visit with their father, and while she was visiting her brothers, we managed to pull her away from them long enough to enjoy dinner together.  It was short notice but Heather and Bill and Stephanie's family were able to join us, as well as Edna.

Meeting Bethany

No McDonald toys, but I think this place had something better.  The kids enjoyed creating while they waited - and they were slow so they even found a private room where we could visit.  

Meeting Bethany

Meeting Bethany

There was some kind of competition going on across the table.  I didn't get a picture of Bethany's winning "IT" face (hair pulled over the face with glasses on) but Kamryn gave me her loony one.

Meeting Bethany

My "side" salad - definitely not the typical restaurant fare.

Meeting Bethany

Meeting Bethany

Bethany's buffalo burger - just a "little" bite.  Right.

And here's Bethany.   She was a great sport to come meet us even though Dan was not able to be in town for her visit. 

Meeting Bethany

We really enjoyed this evening with Bethany.  Bill's girls loved her, too.  I guess we didn't scare her off, because they're up to, ummm, I lost count - is it four or five dates now?   (You can tell I'm really great at math!)

Meeting Bethany

March 29, 2015
Lilly Turns 3!   Yes, another birthday - with 14 grandchildren, 6 children plus 4 children-in-law and parents and each other, every month seems to come with a lot of opportunities to celebrate!  We love it!

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

Lilly Turns 3

I've come to the definite conclusion we need to buy enough candles for every child who comes to a party and then give them frosting to dip the ends in.   Or, is there a magical flavor that comes from candle that has been lit on a birthday cake?