Birthday Weekend

 This week was really hard for me and I sure didn't have a sympathetic sister to sympathize with me.  Stephen's grandfather passed away and he flew out for the funeral for a few days.  Then Jacob was gone all week at Emerald Lake for scout camp.  Here is one of the pictures that he took of the lake.

Anyway, I was sad that I wasn't with Jacob on his birthday and sad to not have Stephen here.  He works from home and I just get so used to having him around.  Well, my sister Kristy's husband is in Afganistan for a YEAR.  And her oldest daughter has been with her biological father for OVER a MONTH now.  SOOO Kristy wasn't buying all my woes and sadness.  I did LOVE having Kristy and her kids with us though.

Friday was her daughter Karley's birthday.  She just learned to ride a bike this summer, so that morning Kristy and I woke her and Becca up at 6:00am and took the two of them for a bike ride on the Santa Fe trail.  We then took them and the other kids to see Despicable Me.  We LOVED it!

Then we all went to Red Robin for dinner to celebrate Karley's birthday.  She was loving the queen of the day treatment.

Rebecca asked if Karley was going to share her dessert.  I told her maybe if she gave Karley a kiss on the cheek she would.

I do believe that Rebecca was the only one she shared her dessert with, probably afraid that Rebecca would kiss her again.  We did a little celebrating at home as well.

Kristy and I would stay up WAYYY too late laughing, talking, shopping and doing projects.  I'm just sad that she is gone now.  HOWEVER, Jacob and Stephen are now back.  We celebrated Jacob's birthday today.

Jacob is such a sweet boy with such a mellow personality.

He is an incredible artist and avid reader.  Just to highlight what he enjoys - camping, basketball, swimming, drawing, nature and music.

I really can't believe that he is 13!  I don't believe that I am 13 years older since I had him! 

Kristy and Kaylee helped me make a little camping cake for his birthday.  It had a fire pit to roast marshmallows and even a pillow and sleeping bag in the tent!

We used pretzels, pop tarts, sugar cones, starbursts, marshmallows and chocolate rock candy for our masterpiece.  Then came the forest fire...

Anyway, Jacob we sure love you!