Table for Eight

Bam's version of a CUP-cake--only frosting, no cake. Bam's birthday is a few days away, so we thought we would get a jump start on it and have a small SURPRISE party for her last Thursday. She was surprised--and maybe a little confused (we had told her she was going to the mall with Papaya)--but once she realized what was going on, she was pretty happy! We had a great night with two of her BFFs: C and C (and Papaya). --They painted at a paint-your-own-pottery place. --They went for Chinese food (and ordered food that they thought the knew ... but didn't). --And then they came to our home for a tiny piñata (burrow filled with skittles) and cupcakes/dessert with the family. Bam has never had a surprise party before, so I am glad we were able to sneak one in before she turns 30! Love you, Bam. Happy almost-Birthday. You make our lives so fun, beautiful, and meaningful. And boy are you a kind, creative soul. XOXOX Bam and Papaya a few minutes after...

  I know, I know ... I've fallen off the Daily Blog Train. Again! Last time I wrote it was nearly our daughter Papaya's 16th birthday. Our son, Elder Meehan, was about 4 months away from the completion of his church service mission. And non of our teenagers could drive solo. Wow have things changed! --Papaya had a great 16th bday, passed her drivers exam, and is now driving. --Elder Meehan now has a departure date from his mission. We will see him before July 1 (after 2 years of not seeing him!). --Bam turns 18 this month and passed her permit exam (She wasn't super hip on driving earlier--which was great by us. LOL). --Jr. passed his permit exam and will be driving by November. --Zu and Lu are still loving school (minus grammar), playing a lot of volleyball, and starting to do things without their mom and dad (Ahhhhhh! They are growing up!). --Dave and I are good overall. We decided March 1 we needed to eat a lot healthier, so he I created a goa...