Rainbows Everywhere!

Miss S is officially SIX!  She chose to celebrate with a rainbow party -- she has always said she loves all the colors of the rainbow!  We had the perfect day for a rainbow party -- weather in the mid 70s and clear.  We rented a great big jumping castle, played games, ate lunch (rainbow food of course) with 15 of her closest friends:)  Check out the cake -- lots of surprised oohs and ahhs from the kids!  Oh how we love our big girl! She is so loving and sweet.  She is a wonderful big sister and so patient with her baby -- even sharing her room (and all her new presents) with her.  I love her smile - her whole face lights up when she smiles -- and oh that laugh!  Happy Birthday my sweet girl!! 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Hauntings Everyone!

Unbelievable . . .

It really seems unbelievable that Miss C has already been with our family for one year!!  The calendar says it's true, so it must be . . . I can't imagine life without this sweet baby!  So thankful to have her in our home and in our family.  We love, love, love her!! 

October 2011

 

October 2012

Sweet 13

Miss E turned 13 this week - a teenager!  She's been planning and preparing for her party for a long time -- making decorations, food, invitations. . . . and I was so happy that it was everything she hoped it would be.  She has such a nice group of friends - it was lovely to watch them interact together.  They swam , ate, and watched "Mirror Mirror" on the "big screen" outside.  (My camera broke a couple of months ago, so unfortunately these pics don't do the party justice).

So far I love having a teenager (I've actually been thinking she's 13 for 6 months already).  We have our teenage moments, but really she is such a joy.  I love spending time with my E.  One of my favorite things to do is take her on errands with me and just chat while we're out and about.  I love planning with her and creating together.  I am so thankful for her too - she is such a big help around the house and with C especially.  I love my E!!  Happy Birthday!

Miss C

It's been a while since I've updated on our littlest one.  She is growing by leaps and bounds!!  She is one busy baby!  She loves to climb the stairs (don't worry - we gate the stairs unless she has a "spotter" to follow her), she loves to pull herself along the couch, she loves to go in the pool and tub - dunking her head in every chance she gets.  She loves music -- she loves to play guitars with Daddy -- which basically consists of pulling herself onto his lap and muting the strings for him.  B has started playing saxophone in the school band, and she loves to listen to him and try to match the note with her voice --she's actually quite good!  She has 6 teeth now and wants to eat everything. She's a ton of fun!

Playing in the water with sissy at the AZ Science Museum

FHE Pool time!

Look where we found baby -- dismantling -- I mean playing Daddy's instruments

Number 11

B turned 11 this week!  What can I say about him? He's just a really super guy!  It was wonderful to be able to celebrate him.  We celebrated this weekend with friends -- he created a really cool treasure hunt for them which ended in the "room of gold" (our kitchen table laden with gold coins - plastic and chocolate - and platters of pizza and cake).  After partaking we went outside and watched National Treasure on the "big screen."  

So thankful for this boy -- so thankful to be  his mom -- so fun to watch him grow up! 

Back to School

I can't believe the kids are back at school.  The summer has come and gone, the first day of school as well . .. and still no post from me.  So, here goes -- we had a wonderful summer break!  I just loved being with my kiddos.  We had a few camps and at least one structured activity each day - plus a last minute trip up to Utah - but really quite low key and just right:)  Last Monday, August 6th, the kids headed to school.  We have a new middle schooler this year as well as a kindergartner . . . and one emotional mama.  I miss having the kids here.  C wasn't sure what was going on the first couple of days and kept looking for everyone.  I think she has adjusted to the new schedule now and I'm getting there, too.  Everyone is really enjoying their new classes (for the most part -- today was the first day S said she did not want to go to kindergarten -- but big brother took her hand and she agreed to walk into the school with him).

Memories from the first day . . . (why do these photos insist on being crooked??)