10th Birthday (2013)

Look at these two! 

You know what I like about these trampoline pictures? Kloey's feet. They are just like Dallin's. I have this distinct memory during the time that we were waiting to adopt a baby. I remember thinking, "My baby will have features down to the smallest detail --like his feet--that look like somebody's family, but I will never know who he takes after." Watching these two jump on the trampoline together was so fun. Their mannerisms were so alike. Their bodies moved in the same way. And Kloey's feet somehow make my heart happy.  

11th Birthday (2014)

Dallin turned 11 on 11/11 but it wasn't as magical as you might think...We were preparing to head out on a big drive across the country so his parent's were a bit distracted. Hopefully the trip to Georgia to visit his great-grandparents made up for it.

We went out to eat the night before and then he stayed up late playing video games in the family room. I made sure he didn't sleep in his own bedroom because I wanted to fill it up with balloons and streamers that he would find the next morning. I didn't have any very exciting birthday presents for him, so I stuffed the balloons with cash and certificates good for souvenirs on our trip.

We ate at a buffet. The kids went totally nuts and covered themselves and anything else they could find with chocolate from the dessert fountain. We are that family who make waiters wonder if their jobs are worth it. 

And then for his acutal birthday night, we ate grilled shrimp --one of his favorites -- and had cousins over for cake and ice cream. I decorated his cake with Twix bars to look like the number 11. The other kids can't wait to turn 11 now, so that they can have Twix on their cakes. Oh the simple joys...