Chauncey's 17th Birthday

Yup, you heard me right. Seventeen. When did that sweet little boy grow up?
We had his usual birthday celebration at our house. The little kids were able to gaze in adoration at their favorite big person, and all 7 grandkids spent time in the pool. Chloe, Emi and Ellie were pracitcing their sychronized swimming routines. They have a bright future in the 2016 olympics.

Or maybe Ellie will become a goggle model.

This boy is headed for GQ . . .

Cousin soup. They were swarming Chauncey in the pool. They can't help themselves- he's like the sun to their little planets.

I try to get a picture of Chaucney diving off of the board every year. Last year he didn't have quite so many muscles.

The birthday boy chose a cookie cake AND mud pie. Smart man.

Hayden was so excited to give Chauncey our present- a Brazil soccer jersey JUST LIKE HIS. Now they really are twins. Its actually hard to tell them apart when they are both wearing them.

Happy Birthday, Chaucney. You are a wonderful young man. Although I really miss your adorable four-year-old self.

Cannonball!!!

Fun at the Ranchette

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the ranchette in Young with our good friends, the Meyers. We packed a lot of fun into those 4 days- Haigler twice, a short hike to view Pleasant Valley, lots of Hammock time, good food, a round or two of LeftRightCenter, pinecone wars, visiting the horses (and Grandpa's Mule) and lots of laughing. Oh, and Scott's new favorite game, Boggle. When we headed home, we decided to try the Apache Trail and see the Roosevelt Dam. Well, the dam was fun to see, the Apache Trail was beautiful, but Hayden got carsick. Seven hours and 5 bags of vomit later, we made it home. What a weekend. Here are the kids in front of the Dam.

Five tuckered kids the morning before we left. That's quite a pile.

Goofballs, all.

Chloe was a little upset because the log was about 5 feet above the creek, and AC is about 4 feet away from her. She is not liking it one little bit. Actually, none of them look thrilled, do they?

The Meyers brought their dog, Bowden, along for the fun. I am going through major doggie withdrawal now.

I am calling this one "Sassafrass in the tall grass".

The world's larget mule, Rio, is staying across the street with his friend DB. Or DJ. Or BC or something. Rio is one big mule- he looks like a horse if you didn't know any better.

I am calling this one "That's What You Think".

The boys were trying to catch fish with their spears. Very Lord of the Flies.

Bowden got into the game as well. I was waiting for him to leap of the rock and snag one for himself. But looking at this picture makes me sure that Hayden needs a dog. soon.

It was a great weekend, and I'm so glad we have friends that are fun to spend weekends with, and that 2D ranch is there for us.

On to First Grade

Chloe graduated from Kindergarten in May, and is on to first grade! She had a wonderful Kindergarten year, thanks in large part to her wonderful teacher. I was worried that she would be shy and not jump into the thick of things (like preschool where she didn't play on the playground once all year but stuck to her teacher like glue) but she did great. She had a very nice class and made a lot of friends, and really came out of her shell. I'm so proud of my sweet girl!! The big moment! They had a luau themed party, and they each had a beach ball that everyone signed. It was a very fun end to a great year!

From Wolf to . . . .

Something. I can't remember which animal it is. Bear? Maybe that's it. Anyway, Hayden had is crossover ceremony in May. He left the Wolf portion of Boy Scouts and is now the other animal I can't remember. Boy Scouts has been a big commitment this year, but I'm so glad we did it. He has done service projects, earned badges and beltloops, and made a few good friends. Next year will bring even more Boy Scout fun. I'll just have to remember which animal he is. Den 1 of Pack 134.

Pack 134. This includes Boy Scouts from the youngest to the Eagle Scouts. Pretty cool.

Garden Tea Party

For Ellie's friend party, she picked a garden Tea Party theme. We invited her friends Avery and Isabella, and of course Billy and Abi. They planted plants, had a "tea" party (lemonade of course) with real china teacups, decorated their flower pots and had flower pot ice cream dessert. It was Ellie's first real friend party, and she had so much fun. She is already planning next year's gig- Billy on the top of her guestlist, of course.

Birthday Fun

My baby is 4! How did that happen so fast? As per Deatsch tradition, we celebrated her birthday all week. Nana and Papa were in town just before her birthday, so we had cupcakes with them the night before they left. She loved the Groovy Girls and dresses Nana got her.

On her birthday, we had family dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and the Deatsch cousins. We had a gourmet dinner of chicken nuggets, pork tenderloin sliders and Baskin Robbins ice cream cake. Deee-lish. Ellie's favorite present that night was her new "balalalet Lantern" from Grandma and Grandpa, complete with little skirt and ballet shoes. She is a prima donna for sure.

Of course, her favorite part of her birthday is having her cousins over. Abi loved playing with Ellie's new cash register, and Ellie loved playing with her bestest bud, Billy.

We finished the week with a friends party (which of course included Billy and Abi again). It was a lot of fun, and I think I have pictures which I'll post someday soon.


Happy Birthday my crazy, funny, smart, beautiful and sweet baby girl.