Nathan is TEN!!

Nathan woke up to the traditional colorful birthday streamers hanging down the door way welcoming the newest TEN year old to our family!

Downstairs his gifts awaited.  He got DOUBLE his favorites since he was now in the double digits!

For breakfast he and Kendall got to eat some yummy fruit loops- a rarity at our house.

It's so fun to give Nathan a gift because he makes you think is is the most amazing thing in the world! 

 He got a new scripture case, a volleyball net, and a new volleyball.

Kendall gave him some money, a pencil, a spider man bookmark, and some adorable letters.  They said:

"Dear Nathan,

I can't wait for you to get your drivers license so you can take me to the store and get some yummy treats!

Dear Nathan,

I can't wait to go to fun city.  I can't wait to see the look on your face when we do laser tag.  It will be so fun!

I think Kendall must have known that we were going to take Nathan to Fun City and let he and Kendall get a fun pass.  Turns out it was so fun that Justin got one too!

Mammy and I joined the boys for a game of laser tag and then watched them have a blast!

We spent the rest of the day playing some volleyball, checking out the baby chicks at Murdoch's, and eating Homemade Oreo blizzards with gummy worms to celebrate Nathan!

Spring Break with the palmers

One day during the week, I got the best phone call while the boys were at school.  It was my cousin Kami.

After talking and finding out our kids had the same spring break we concocted a plan for her family to come up and visit.

The timing was perfect!

We made foil dinners in the fire pit and Aunt Martha worked her magic and made some delicious cakes.  The kids (Ellie the mastermind) put on a show about worms, we played games in the backyard, went for walks, hiked Red Rocks, had a talent show, got a babysitter and had an adult dinner and date night at Park Meadows, went to chick-fil-a and Cebelas, swam at the Apex center, and even had time to tour the Denver Mint and walk around a little downtown.

It is always fun to have late night talks with Kami and Jonathon.  I always know that we are going to spend plenty of time laughing which, of course , is my FAVORITE thing to do.

We loved getting to see the Palmer kids and I love that my boys are getting to know them.

Come back, anytime!!

Sunny Sunday Afternoon

 I had some old buns, but not moldy, in the cupboard.

  It was a beautiful day.

A perfect combination for feeding the ducks at the pond pier.

When we got home from church we all got dressed and waited for dad to get home.  He had more meetings to go to so he couldn't get his swimsuit and stripped socks on but was more than willing to come and enjoy some sunshine with the fam.

The ducks gobbled up the bread and we got some vitamin D.

A Family Motto

I knew that I wanted to have a motto for our family and when I brought it up, every one was on board.

We began to brainstorm and before we knew it, "The Hillan Family, A Force of Good" was dreamed up.

Months later I had our sign made up.

Now after FHE or in random huddles we place our hands on top of each others and chant, "The Hillan Family! A Force of Good!  More powerful than Star Wars!"

We all giggle and laugh because apparently the boys' think the Hillan's force is more powerful than the "force" of Yoda.

Now, hopefully each individual will try to be better than yesterday and collectively we can somehow be a force for good, together.

Papa and Kendall

Kendall was a bit under the weather and wasn't able to go to church.  Mammy and Papa came over later.

Lots of pillows, blankets, and laughing was the perfect medicine to help him feel better.