Happy 35th to our favorite Coug!

We celebrated Dave's 35th birthday on the 6th!

We started out the morning wishing him a happy birthday, making him German pancakes with strawberries, singing to him, and sending him off to work.  Cov and I visited him mid-morning and took him a balloon Cov picked out with a treat and card.  Covey was very particular in which balloon to get, but excited to go visit Daddy at work.  Those he works with surprised him with some fun things, too.  So it was a great day for him.

The kids thought a WSU theme would be good since we've never done that.  So we settled on that and it turned out great!

Cov helped me make the red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting & marshmallow fondant.  He loved that but then I decorated it myself while he got some screen time.  We decorated with a few Wazzu fan items.  We started out with dinner and had mega Cougar Gold cheese nachos and cranberry juice (crimson red).  We talked about the things we love about Daddy and our favorite memory with him this past year.  I loved the kids answers - they were simple, but happy times.  One said they loved when he wrestles with them, one liked making the pinewood derby car together, and other simple but sweet moments they shared with their daddy. Then we played some games.  We first had a competition to see who could sing the fight song the best.  I was surprised by how even Lucy and Cov knew the beginning part well and sang enthusiastically!  Then we passed the football around a bit and made up a few games with the ball.  Cal and Cov just had to change into their football dress up uniforms.  We did Pin the Tail on Butch next, and everyone got a kick out of that, especially when Cal's tail almost got stuck on the front area rather than the back.  Then we sang to Dave, only one candle since he's getting old...haha!  He really liked the cake though and then we ate some cake and ice cream.  Finally, we had him open presents.  He got a couple WSU shirts and a diploma frame, which he was excited about.  He's talked about getting one for years but we've never got around to it, so it was the perfect opportunity to do that.

 

We are so thankful for this great giant of a man!  He is a true winner - always on to the victory!  Life isn't always easy for him, but he's our champion!  We love you, Coug!

General Conference and April Fools!

This year, General Conference (Saturday) and April Fools Day fell on the same day!  It was an awesome weekend!

The weekend before though,we were able to get together for the Women's Session at our Relief Society president's house.  It was so fun to get together and chat, eat dinner and be fed spiritually and be reminded that we are daughters of God, He is so aware of us and will help us if we do our part. So blessed to be a part of this wonderful organization! On the next Conference weekend, the kids wanted to make donuts for our special conference breakfast.  So we made maple bars and chocolate donuts with sprinkles.  Cov and Lucy helped but Cal & Emma were still asleep.  Lucy said we were "Yum Yum Donut Factory".  We watched the morning session of General Conference, and it was so uplifting.  I need General Conference!  Our kids have all been saying it's boring, but we've been telling them we used to feel that way as a child, but love it now.  We've been praying for them to feel the Spirit.  They were excited about the new temples and seeing President Monson, who Lucy calls "My favorite!!"  We had lots of puzzles and legos out and did our jelly bean General Conference game and Bingo, of course.  The olders did some coloring pages and packets.  All day during Saturday while Dave was listening, he put in our new flooring in the kitchen!  It turned out so nice!  Thanks, babe!  Even more beautiful was Conference and the messages shared.  I loved the messages of discipleship - how more than ever, we need to be disciples of Christ and testify of Him, follow Him, and treat others as He did.  Also, following the Holy Ghost was another theme that stood out to me.  I am working on this and praying more for the companionship of the Spirit and the ability to recognize the Spirit, follow promptings and obey better.  I am thankful for President Monson and his powerful testimony on the Book of Mormon - truly it is for our day!

Throughout the day, the kids were playing tricks on each other.  It was kind of nice they are taking things into their own hands now!  :)  Emma did the "faux toilet paper trick", which got Lucy and Daddy good.  Callahan did a coin trick to Lucy, where he told her to put a coin on her head and try to get it into a funnel stuck in her pants.  When she went to tip the coin in the funnel, Cal dumped water over her head, she wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.  Em and Cal also offered candy wrappers minus the candy, but looked like there was candy there.  Lucy wanted to get them all back so I helped her put food coloring on the bottoms of the faucets.  She thought that was so sneaky!  So after Cov and Cal went to the bathroom, they were in for a surprise when they washed their hands!  Cal laughed a lot but Cov wasn't sure why the water was so weird.  Lucy was so proud!  That evening, Cov kept saying "April Fools!" about everything, it was all a joke. Before bed, Emma made some fake poop out of play dough and put it on Cov's bed.  He was so grossed out until he heard Emma laughing and then he threw it at her.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from this General Conference.  I know the Gospel is true!