A Birthday Bash for 3

Elizabeth, Cierra and Rylee saw a big bouncy house at a birthday party early summer. They each started talking about how this year they wanted a big party with all their friends and family with all the frills and fluffs. We started doing the math and once a month for 3 months calculated quite a birthday bill. We told them we would consider a big party if they would consider having it together. So the plotting and planning began. They instantly became the 3 Musketeers in thought and deed. Everything became about their party. They made decisions together and believe it or not never fought about a single thing. They decided what they wanted to share and what they didn't and went to town. In our minds it was going to be a nightmare but all the way around was a wonderful experience. They each made their own pinata with our help with balloons and crete paper including decorating and filling with candy. Decided on games, prizes, how to do things, made the invitations. When the day finally came, Elizabeth said, "I don't want to close my eyes b/c I feel like if I do I will wake up and realize I am dreaming and even a dream couldn't be better." Cierra said all day long, "This is the best day of my life." Rylee kept saying, " I love you, you are a nice Mommy/Daddy, thank you." I guess after the fun we had putting things together and those comments as corny as it may sound I just have to agree!

Cierra is 5!

Cierra turned 5 today. She had cherry chocolate crepes for her breakfast, mac and cheese and hotdogs for lunch, and pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, and cheesy brocolli for dinner.

First Day of School

Elizabeth (in orange shirt) started first grade today. First day of school was a full day for her! Cierra (jean jacket) also had her first day of school today. She is in 4K which is like a pre-kindergarten. It is for 3 hours M-F.

Jessica gets married

My best friend's daughter got married today. Jessica married Jordan in a beautiful and intimate ceremony. It was awesome that Nick and I were able to go to Utah to be part of it. We have missed this family so much since they moved to Utah several years ago. Nick and Jessica were best of friends in high school and Sarah and I (pictured with me directly above) became fast friends while walking every morning at 5:30 and then as we became scrapbooking pals. We were able to spend a few days which were just completely wonderful.

follow up post date (Dec 09) Oh, I took the twilight book out with me to have something to read while in the airport on suggestion of Nick and Andrea, not realizing what an effect it would have on me. I was one that made fun of twilight fans and their rediculous conversations and caring ons....I had to buy book 2 while there and finished all 4 in 2 weeks time. Sorry for all those fellow fans I made fun of, especially Andi! I will even admit that I stood in line and waited up until midnight to see the midnight showing of New Moon....Idiotic, silly, ridiculous, crazed yes I am but it is a fabulous series and a superb movie and I would see it and read it again and again.

Rylee shows how its done

Rylee shows Nick how to properly wear a bike helmet!

Playing Football

Uncle Judd and Nick were playing football while girls were riding bikes. Somehow they blended together. We ended a great day with take out from Cozumel a local Mexican Restaurant!

Riding Bikes and Smelling the Flowers

The girls love to be outside.  Riding bikes, playing at the park, playing ball, using chalk, smelling and picking flowers ~ you name it they want to be outside front or back doing it. 

Rylee is 3!

Rylee is 3 today!  She received a doll that says, "Momma."  She was so facinated.  We really think she actually thought the she was the doll's Mommy.  Rylee wouldn't put it down for 2 days and I think kept a smile on her face the whole time.

Matt on Elizabeth's Bike???

Matt claims he was testing Elizabeth's bike for safety. Really I think he was either jealous of Uncle Judd's attention and wanted help on the bike or just had a huge desire to feel the wind in his hair on a shiny new blossom flower, turquoise blue bike.

Elizabeth learns to ride her bike

Matt and I had been working with Elizabeth on and off, running beside her up and down the sidewalk, over and over again for about a month. Uncle Judd was over one day and Elizabeth asked him to help her. Now of course the story goes, "Uncle Judd, taught me to ride my bike." Really it is good - couldn't ask for a better Uncle and he gave her that final courage to be on her own. So glad we have such a good role model available for our children to help them when they aren't completely ready to listen to us or take our help. We are so proud of her (and Uncle Judd).

The Corn Harvest

We got a call from some friends who had a giantic corn harvest saying we just can't do one more ear of corn. Matt went and picked up the corn and we proceeded to take it off the cob and freeze it. Everyone helped and in 1 1/2 hours we had 150+ ears of corn from cob to freezer and the kitchen cleaned up. Of course we couldn't have done it without Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen who had happened to just have gotten back from their summer trip to Colorado and dropped by to see us for the weekend.

Kids Day Out

As Moms and Kids we met once a week all summer long to go on field trips. We went to the zoo, parks, beaches, pools.... It was always fun and gave the Moms something to do each week that was enjoyable and exciting and the kids had other kids to play with so they didn't kill their siblings over summer break.