Brian's 32nd Birthday

On October 26th, Brian turned 32! I think that neither of us actually feels like we're getting older, yet the birthdays keep telling us that we are!

Brian and his cake of choice for this year: Pumpkin BTS Cake.

Blowing out 16 candles (each counting as two, of course).

Present time! The kids love presents, even if they are for someone else.

From Wes: Super Mario Brothers music for the piano.

From Sydney: Gummy Bears!

After our little family party, we went out for a birthday date night! We first went to dinner at Goodwood and then went to the Frightened Felons event at the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

Brian's cousin, Billy, and his wife Megan, came as well.

As did Brian's other cousin, Adam, and his wife, Sara. (Jennie and Mike joined us for dinner, but skipped the 'Pen.)

The guys at the gallows. This room was actually only used to execute one man. (There were others executed and who died at the penitentiary, just not in this room.)

They had an organized performance of Thriller, which was entertaining.

Brian decided to test out "Siberia"...super tiny solitary confinement. Needless to say, we all came away from the evening's experience grateful that we'd never been to prison!

Russell and LaRue Swensen Family Reunion - Part II

On Saturday, we spent much of the morning preparing for my grandparents' open house and the family talent show.

My sisters and I were preparing to sing, "Sisters" from White Christmas for our talent and our mama was helping us out.

I guess I do look pregnant!

The kids were so patient all day as the adults were busy doing other things at the church.

Before the open house, we took some family pictures. Here are all of the great grandchildren with Grandma and Grandpa Swensen.

All of the grandchildren with our grandparents!

Here are all of the children and spouses with their mom and dad.

My cute niece, Lanie!

Pie time!

The "JAN" Sisters: Jennie, Angie, and Natalie.

During the open house, the boys kept themselves entertained with electronic devices. Pretty funny pic.

Sydney wanted some cuddles with her Aunt Jennie!

Family picture with "biggest smiles ever"! :)

My 9-year-old niece, Madison, did a ballet dance for the talent show.

Here we are singing "Sisters".

Brian's talent was making chocolate chip cookies for everyone (and unintentionally showing off his big biceps).

My cousins, Lauren and Lindsey modeled my grandma's original wedding dress (pink) and her "reception" dress (purple). There was another name she had for the reception, but I can't remember it now!

My 12-year-old nephew, Danny, did a scarf dance for his talent.

All of the kids got on stage for an impromptu dancing talent.

Wes had his first-ever piano performance and played the right hand of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".

We sisters, with our spouses, also performed a "Riverdance", but I don't have any pictures of that. Then, we sisters sang, "Candle on the Water" from Pete's Dragon, by request from my grandma.

On Sunday, before we left for home, we were hanging out my grandparents' house and they had this witch that when you pressed it down, it shook its way up and then jumped (sort of like a Jack-in-the-Box would be). My niece, Lanie, was so terrified of it, but it was so hilarious for the rest of us, we couldn't stop doing it over and over to see her reaction.

The Hanks family with Grandma and Grandpa Swensen. I also just noticed the creepy face in the window above my Grandpa's head. No, that is not a ghost, it's a Halloween decoration! :)