late. night. chaos.

Here's a little recap from Kimbel's

late night, pajama party, double digit

birthday extravaganza.

First... the cake.

Kimbel knew exactly what she wanted...

and I didn't know exactly how to pull it off!

But after a little stressing out and the discovery of fondant...

she got her slumber party cake!!

Go me!

 

 Because the pizza guy was 35 minutes late the girls had some fun outside time in the rain storm that blew through.  Just enough fun and frolicking to set the tone for a really busy, LOUD night!

 

 

 The girls!

 

The presents!

 

The candles!

 A little symbolic of how I felt around 10:45pm - 

when it all quieted down around here!

fun. fun. fun. :)

  

 On to the REAL birthday!

Saturday morning Kimbel played in her soccer game at 10am and 

it made her day when the team all sang to her.

 

which hand?

A favorite tradition passed down from the Braithwaites.

(notice Cruz thinks he is the center of everything fun!) 

 

ms. happy.

 modeling her favorite gift from Grandma D.

duct tape to make all kinds of treasures!

(sorry about goofy me in the back!)

... and finally!

Cake and ice cream AGAIN!!

This time shared with Grandma & Grandpa B.

at their house after a yummy birthday dinner at Olive Garden.

Kimbel really knows how to party it up for her birthday!

We had a fabulous General Conference Weekend

with a birthday spin on it.

We love you Kimbel Love Muffin Duffin!

you rock!

Welcome to the Double-Digit Club!

Happy 10th Birthday, Kimbel!!

 I can't believe how time flies...

I sure do miss this little Love Muffin.

But I absolutely adore the gorgeous, sweet

10 year old you have become!!

Hope your day is AMAZING!!

(just like you.)

BFF's!

This summer Kimbel's "bestie" came for a much-anticipated visit all the way from Singapore.  Kimbel had been counting down the days and when Mady pulled up on Wednesday evening there was so much HAPPINESS!!

 Mady and Kimbel picked right up and chattered non-stop through their "sleep" over.  Not a whole lot of sleep though!!

 Thursday I took them on a date to the spa where they got matching zebra toes and they giggled and played with the massage chairs until they were almost obnoxious!!

We loved every minute of Mady and can't wait til next time!!

Okay?  Emily?!

We love you guys.

kimbel's best day

I have been meaning to post this for awhile...

I decided it is MUCH easier to take the kids school shopping 

ONE AT A TIME.

They look forward to their "Mom" time and I get to worry about what each one NEEDS! :)

Anyway, Kimbel and I headed out a couple weeks ago to her 

favorite place... the mall!

We walked in and right into

President Uchtdorf!

Kimbel was a little starstruck and said,

"He looks so different...

I have never seen him in normal clothes."

We exchanged smiles and went on our way.

Definitely the highlight of the day.

(And that is saying something...

after the damage she did at Justice!)

a bit of catch up...

Hi everybody!

While I am sitting her (impatiently) waiting for the last load of laundry to dry....

so that we can get away for the weekend... hooray,

I thought I would do a quick update..
Here are a few things that have gone on in the
days of the duffins...

 

Happy Mom's Day to me.. 

Braden's life size love note on my closet door!

Love that boy!

 Kimbel's 4th grade UTAH program..

complete with squaredancing! 

With a boy... ick.

 Kenna's 6th grade graduation from Rose Springs.

She was thrilled and adorable and I am SO NOT READY for another Jr. Higher.

 Kimbel's soccer season comes to end... bittersweet.

She is one rock-n-roll sweeper.

She seriously "gets the job done" according to coach. :)

 Youth Conference in Ophir!

I got to stay home while Mr. YM President took his 15 year old daughter and FROZE nearly to death.

But they both came home with stories to tell... it's all good!

 ... and I stayed home and finished up my "project."

300 temple pictures for Girls Camp!

DONE.

Yup, done.

whew.

Hope you are all good -

 off to the next adventure...

including Idaho, California, and Mexico.

Stay tuned.

together we can...

...change the world and 

reach the stars!

We are so proud of Kimbel and Braden!!  

They both won awards on Friday evening at their school's REFLECTIONS contest. They each came up with their own theme and told me what to buy to help them make their posters!

They both won "Interpretation of Theme" and get to move on to the District level.  They were SUPER excited and SO proud of their trophies.  FUN!

It was pretty stiff competition and I had my comfort speech all prepared and didn't have to give it!  We just headed for ColdStone to celebrate!  YAY!

Here's to Nine!

Kimbel Love Muffin's day started with BREAKFAST in bed!!

Chocolate chip waffles and bacon.  

mmm mmmm good.

(I threw in a kiwi just for good measure!)

After school (and airheads for the class)

we headed for the Stansbury High Homecoming Parade.

Go Stallions!

Home for a round of present-giving!!

It was quite the American Girl kind of year.

Then to the SHS Homecoming Game for some face painting!

(Definitely the highlight of the game!)

We finished up her birthday with ice cream at cold stone and

cupcakes on Saturday to celebrate our October babies birthdays!

Good times.. even if my sweet baby girl is growing up.

Happy Birthday, sweet Kimbel!

Can you say ALOHA?

Twelve 9 year olds + one bounce house = PARTY!

 Lots of bouncin' at this party.

 "Wowza - I ate PETE!"

 Fun times and Fun friends!!

 All smiles from the birthday girl!!

 It was such a gorgeous, sunny day

the bounce house eventually gave way to a game of soccer!

 Aloha wahines!!

 "Mom, I'm so glad those loud girls are gone!!"

Bounce house for 9 hours on a Saturday = One tired Mom!!

Happy Birthday Party, 

Kimbel Love Muffin!

a girl and her beads.

Today was "Moostroms" at school..

the third graders earn "moose money" for the things they do,

i.e. assignments on time, being nice to somebody, good grades.

Well, they have been saving up to spend their dollars at

"Moostroms", think Nordstroms.

Kimbel wanted her store to be something cool,

not the "junk" from home that other people were bringing.

So, we headed to Walmart, bought her a package of beads,

some string.. and away she went.

She made 30 bracelets over the last two evenings

and sold them all!

She was so excited.. I am so proud of her creativity,

they were all different and super cute.

Now she wants more beads...

Eight is definitely great!

What an awesome day! Kimbel got baptized on Saturday afternoon with so many important people there, supporting her! She was beaming with happiness and excitement ~ it's a wonder she even slept the night before.

Grandpa & Grandma B. with Kimbel (thanks Mom, for coming with your new accessory!)

I was not too great at picture-taking ~ but we did manage a quick one with Kimbel before lunch. It was a great day with our amazing families, fun conversation and more than enough food.

Thanks to all of you who came and thanks for all of you who were thinking of sweet K. on her special day.

Loved it.

8 is great!!

Here is a little tribute to our birthday girl!

Love you li'l Love Muffin!