Christopher Robin turns eight!

Aunt Makenzi lives in Las Vegas, and celebrated with us!!

It happened. Christopher Robin did in fact turn eight years old on Monday, October 20th.  Ryan and I were really excited about his birthday.  Jace was born our first semester of dental school, and now all these years later he finally had his first birthday with us out of school! It was so nice not having to celebrate around Ryan's rigorous school schedule.  We discussed all our options for his birthday and decided we would make this a big celebration.  I think it was more for us than him.  He would have been thrilled with whatever we decided to do. We decided on Las Vegas.

Bullhead City is about a 90 minute drive from Las Vegas.  After church on Sunday, October 19th, we threw suitcases in the car and headed up the road. That evening we met up with family  (Cameron and Makenzi--Ryan's sister) and went to the Bellagio and watched the water show.  It was beautiful!!

Kjersti LOVED the glasses Aunt Makenzi gave Jace!

The next morning, on Jace's birthday, we had two surprises for the kids.  The first was tickets to The Adventure Dome at Circus Circus and the other was tickets to see the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor!!

Here we are at the Adventure Dome. The kids are admiring their darling new cousin-AND cousin once removed -Piper!

Isn't she darling?! Her Daddy Cameron happens to be my nephew, and her Mom-Kenzi happens to be Ryan's sister.  How did that happen you ask?--a blind date that Ryan and I set them up on 10 years ago!  It was love at first sight BTW~!

The adventure dome was everything we hoped it would be, and on a Monday in October, we had the place almost to ourselves. Gracie is a thrill seeker and loved the rides.

Jace is a little more cautious, and wasn't as crazy about some of them.  He did not like this train! It was very jerky.

Here you can see the gleam in Gracie's eyes and the apprehension in Jaces!!  Oh, they are so different and so wonderful!

I didn't think he would do it, but Jace braved the big roller coaster with Ryan.  Here he is getting off. He was proud of himself for going, but he was also a bit traumatized.  Actually, Ryan was traumatized as well.  Ryan said when they got off--that was INTENSE!  They only went once.

Here's my little Kjersti Jill riding the Merry-go-round!

The present opening part of the festivities took place in our room at the "castle hotel"  -also know as the Excalibur. Gracie has seen this casino from the highway on the way to St George on numerous occasions. At night it is all lit up, shining white with red and blue spires.  What little girl could resist such a place?  Staying there was a dream come true for her! 

Ryan and I decorated our room the night before while our kids were in dreamland.

What did Jace want for his birthday this year?

This big gun that shoots lots of exploding ammo.  --What EVERY mother of an 8 year old needs!

I got Gracie this pack of glitter glue--just so she could have something. She was ecstatic and the glue is all gone now.

This is Jace's FAVORITE picture of Kjersti.

Photography wasn't allowed at the Titanic exhibit. So I can't show you that--unfortunately.  But Jace has been obsessed with the Titanic for about 2 years now.  He loved the exhibit, but was even more thrilled when this model of the Titanic  appeared on our doorstep from his favorite Grandparents.

I can't believe that our "Buddy Boy"--as Ryan affectionately calls him, is 8 years old.  He is an amazing kid.  He has a witty sense of humor and a very sensitive and tender heart.  He is a very caring big brother to his younger sisters. We couldn't have been blessed with a more perfect son for our family.


Happy Birthday Jace.  We are so glad you are ours!