Colton is a Teenager!!

I do not understand how 13 years have passed since our baby boy was born in Renton, Washington!! Can Colin and I really be the parents of a teenager now?! I guess so, because on the 30th of December, Colton turned 13. 

 

He started off the day with chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast - his favorite. 

He also opened his gifts from us.  Cady gave him a nice, new Under Armour hoodie:

 And his Dad thought every 13 year old boy needs his own ax (in Colin's defense, Colton does help chop wood when we are camping and can now start helping at the house, too):

 His big gift from us was a new BMX bike - something he has wanted for a while.  He was pretty excited:

 We then headed to El Paso for some fun and shopping, but before leaving town, we had to stop at Starbucks so he could get his free birthday drink - a strawberry smoothie:

 That night, he chose Red Lobster for dinner.  Grammy and Grampa met us there, too.

 Then, the next day, on New Year's Eve, we traveled to Mimbres to have our Christmas together, but first, Gramma wanted to celebrate Colton's birthday.  I had made his favorite cake - pumpkin sheet cake for the occasion:

 

 Love this shot and how Jayce is watching him blow out his candles:

 Uncle Jeff, Aunt Tammi, Trevor and Jaycelyn gave him Garth Brooks' greatest hits cd set:

 Nana gave him a Fast & Furious game for his new xBox:

 Gramma Suzy wrote him a special poem (see below):

 Happy Birthday, Colton!

Now you turn thirteen.

Transforming to a young man,

So tall, strong and lean.

 

So, listen to us closely,

As we give you some advice.

You may just have to listen,

More than twice.

 

The most important thing,

is staying close to God.

Even through the awkward moments,

That make you feel so odd.

 

So, always stay true to yourself,

And don't just give into temptation.

Try to enjoy your years

and save your reputation.

 

Just beware of the girls,

They can really break a heart.

And it will feel like the end,

But it's really just a start.

 

Remember that the teenage years,

Are really just a test.

And you will make it through it all,

If you try to do your best.

 

But always keep in mind,

It is never only you,

We are always here to help

and you will make it through!

Gramma Suzy, 2014

 

 

Great poem, huh? 
Definitely made me cry!

 

Papa and Gramma also gave him all the GoPro camera accessories he's been wanting - like this headband he was trying out here:

 Another great birthday with his grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins!

We had promised him one last large party with all of his friends for his 13th birthday, and thanks to Colin, he had a great one!! After discussing many ideas including a dance, ice skating, and paintballing, Colin had the idea to have a Nerf Gun War.  Colton loved that idea and we got it planned for this past Saturday, at Mesilla Park Rec Center park - one of our favorite parks in town.  The weather was chilly, but not as bad as expected and we had a great turn out!  Here are the boys, ready to shoot:


From left to right: Devin, Colton, Jagger, Teddy, Travis, Nate, Tanner, Ray, Beto, Tyler & Jimmie

 There were also a handful of girls there, also ready for action:

From left to right: Mckynze, Alyssa, Cady, Mckaela & Lauren

 Colin saved a bunch of boxes and staked them in the ground to give the kids barricades to run to and hide in.  He did a great job and they were definitely used:

 Even a few of the dads got involved and borrowed some weapons from the boys as they were taking a break:

 Here they go sneaking up on the unsuspecting boys (joined by Mckaela):

 Jimmie trying to tackle Colin:

 Love this shot of Michael shooting Colton:

 Not sure who the kids were, ha ha!

 Then it was time for cupcakes:

After cupcakes, the kids played basketball and wall ball until it was almost dark.  Three of the boys went home with us for a sleepover so there was more fun at the house.  It was a lot of fun and I think, a wonderful way to celebrate our brand new teenager!

Head Family Photos - Once Again in the Snow!

Some more Head Family Photos - showing all the snow they got over New Year's! It was so beautiful and the kids (and Dads) had a blast! Enjoy the family

 

 Gramma Mary really liked this tree with all the snow, so we got the above pics of her there with all of us and then this one with the great grandkids...

 ...then with the help of Dad and Jeff, I snapped these shots (NOT my idea - I'm sure you know whose idea it was! ;-) the pictures are priceless, though, and Gramma was a good sport):

Head Family Christmas

Here are some pictures from our "Christmas Morning" in Mimbres - that was actually New Year's Day!

 

 

 (basketball games for the boys, karaoke machine for Cady and interactive panda for Jayce)

 We adults draw names and Gramma Mary got Jeff some waders:

 Another blessed time of gift exchange and quality family time with my precious family.  We also saw tons of snow while there, but I enjoyed it from the warmth of the house and never got out in it with my camera (except to take family pics which are coming up next).  No pics of kids playing, though - pretty sad, huh?

New Year's Eve Party in Mimbres

We went to Mimbres on New Year's Eve this year, to celebrate Christmas together.  Gramma Suzy asked us to dress up that night for a New Year's Eve Party.  Here are the kiddos - looking pretty cute:

 Here we are, ready to party:

 Of course, you know by now that if our family is together, we have to take some group pics:

 Including a funny one this time:

 Mom and Dad ready to ring in the New Year:

 Jeff and Tammi, Trevor and Jayce:

 Gramma Mary with the great-grandkids:

 Cady couldn't wait to give Gramma the flower she painted her:

 My guys hanging out:

 Gramma Suzy had it set where the kids opened a gift every hour:

 One gift they opened from Gramma Mary was new pajamas:

 Here they are ringing in the New Year and watching the ball drop - New York time:

 

 A sparkling cider toast:

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!