Everett is Eight at the Hollywood Bowl

Everett is eight and since this year we are opting for two-on-one birthday celebrations instead of a party James and I got him all to ourselves for a night at the Hollywood Bowl. We were gifted tickets by a dear friend because she knew my boys LOVE Harry Potter and on this night they played one of the movies while the LA Phil performed all of the music live. From start to finish this evening was a dream. Everett is such a gentle soul; quiet, super calm and easy to be around. Yes, he can get silly and he rages on a short fuse but for the most part, he's just calm...especially when he's siblingless. Being with him is like sitting on the beach.

Everett is a homebody. It's a shame he was born to such an adventurous Mama because what he really wants to do is sit on the couch in pajamas with a good movie (or ten) and a treat. That's why this date to watch a movie was just too good to be true--Hollywood Bowl adventure for me, movie for the kid. We let him order whatever food he wanted: nachos (duh), sprite (duh) and popcorn (duh). Ever could live on those things, with a side order of bacon. We didn't even make him share...but he did, because he's nice like that.

We cuddled up, ate all the goodies, watched the movie, listened to the music, and went home with the happiest and tiredest 8-year-old I've ever seen. And to top it all off, James had asked Kate and Brendan to hang a couple of streamers while we were gone since they were babysitting and Ev's actual birthday was the next day and holy hannah, we got home and it looked like Buddy the Elf had decorated the place! It was amazing and I was so grateful for their work!

Happy birthday Everett Knight. You are a miracle and I'm so grateful you are mine. 

The happiest trio around.

Did I mention that James and I got tacos? We got tacos. They were overpriced and only ok, but we got tacos!

I embarrass him so much by making him take all of these pictures. He'd rather fly under the radar...but he's so stinking cute and I love him so much and I just want all the pictures of him, even if he refuses to smile. 

We had such great seats and this place was so ridiculously beautiful. We are so lucky to be able to live here and do such fun things all the time.

I mean, I wasn't joking right?! Buddy the Elf did his job right, haha!!! Thanks KB!

Opening presents over Dad's famous waffles.

Cupcakes for my cutie. He is the easiest kid to please.

The best part about being eight in California? Welcome to the front seat club buddy!

What is your favorite...

Color: Tie with blue and orange
Food: Nachos, but you can’t have some because it’s nacho cheese.
Game: Uh, well. Hm, let’s see. Reading, if that is a game. Well, there can be sports books and that’s a game.
Book: Uh, I would say, let’s see here, Percy Jackson or Dogman.
Toy: My new bakugan, AKA dragon balls that are really cool.
Treat: My favorite treat: ICE CREAM!
Song: The song that never ends, and it goes on and on… (sang it three times)
Thing to learn about: Let’s see, science. Because all my tests in science I got 100% on.  
Animal: Isn’t it obvious, a jaguar. Or a panther.
TV show: Let’s see here…hmm…well, I don’t know. I don’t really have some because all of our favorite TV shows you never let us watch. You just make us watch Octonauts.
Thing to wear: Sports clothes.
Holiday: That’s obvious again, it’s TODAY and Christmas.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s obvious too, well, actually that’s not really obvious, but let’s see here…oh yes, an inventor (I said that in a French accent).

If someone was being mean to your brother or sister, what would you do? Judo flip them.

Who is your best friend? Chase and Jeremiah.

What is something you want to learn to do this year? Hm, well, learn more sports. I want to learn how to play volleyball and stuff like that.

What is something that you are really good at? Science.

If you had a million dollars, what would you buy? Well, let’s see…a mansion. Then, extermination bots that would kill anything and everything that comes up to my house. And I’d need 500 of them because my house is so big.

If you were an animal, what would you be? It’s obvious, a panther or a jaguar.

What do you want someone to invent? Well, not someone, I’m going to invent something. But what I want to invent is magnets on the ground and magnets on my shoes so that I can hover.

If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Hm…it would be flying. In hide and seek they’d say, where’s Everett? It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Everett!

How many kids do you want to have when you grow up and get married? Hm, I’ll take three.

What kind of house would you like to live in: an igloo, a tree house, a castle, a cave, or our house? I was just about to say a mansion, but I’ll actually take a tree house.

Who is the prettiest girl/cutest boy in the whole world? Mom. I had to say that.

Where do you want to go on your mission? Isn’t it obvious? French, France. Or Italy—pizza, bread, yay!!!

What's your favorite scripture story? Jonah in the whale.

Grands Week 2019

Another year brought another wonderful Grands Week with Papa and Gigi in Sacramento. I've said it before and I'll say it again, any vacation that starts with an excel spreadsheet is my idea of perfection! We adventured far and wide with a home base of Palm Drive and had so much fun making memories with each other. Uncle B was the official photographer so I don't have pictures of everything that we did, but the ones I did snap are so cute and I'm so grateful for all the time and resources that went into spoiling us rotten for a whole week. Thank you Papa and Gigi, this family time is always a summer highlight! 

Monday: Fairytale Town and Funderland and Swimming, oh my!

This picture of our crew makes my heart pitter patter with happiness and gratitude. 

Spencer and Quinny, always jumping off anything and everything!

Uncle B had them spinning so fast I honestly thought they might take flight.

Neither of these girls are all too fond of pictures these days...but goggles, those are the best!

Tuesday: Quarry Adventure Park and Leatherby's

The only picture I have of this awesome adventure is of scaredy-cat Coco who thought the bumper boats might go too fast (spoiler alert: they were soooooo sloooooow and she was totally safe with Auntie Care). She was pretty much scarred by the dragon ride at Funderland the day before. 

The black and tan is where it's at!

Those long arms come in handy more often than you'd think.

Game night with Uncle B and Chaya.

Wednesday: Coloma

T has been learning all about the gold rush this year and was SO EXCITED to see Sutter's Mill. 

Talmage was talking with a guy down by the river who was panning for gold and before we knew it this man gifted T with his pan. I am often touched by the kindness of others and this was one of those moments. 

Oh, I love that baby Blakers so much.

Panning for REAL gold...and finding it!

Papa panned with Quinny until he nearly broke his back in two, bless him!

We struck it rich.

Saying goodbye to Honey's home on the Mountain.

Thursday: Safari in Santa Rosa

This. Was. Incredible. We went on a two-hour private safari in Santa Rosa and saw all sorts of African animals. Giraffes. Zebra. Elk. Rhinos. Honestly, we may as well have been in Africa on this adventure, it was amazing! 

Coco being cuddled by Auntie Care because she was scawed.

I'd totally take him if I could. Like, in an instant.

It's hard to see but if you look over the top of baby Cheetah you will see a REAL cheetah! Everyone else was long gone and Quinn just couldn't stop watching Sahara, even if she was just laying there. She also had to say goodbye to her three times! She learned this trip that taking care of animals is a real job she could have and her mind was blown...but she's still leaning towards being a police officer. Gigi and Papa planned this adventure knowing that Quinn would love it and they were right on track. She was in heaven!

Thank you again Papa and Gigi for such a wonderful week. You put so much time into these trips and the details did not go unappreciated. We love you!