Are we Thankful???

So apparently this is the only picture we took while at Grandma Gretchen's house for Thanksgiving this year.  Cierra is so loving and kind but can get pretty grumpy when she feels she is wronged.  Definitely the most temperamental of all of my children.  Uncle Judd, Nanny Jen and the six of us were there.  We had a lot of fun playing ghosts in the graveyard, games, talking, Boccie ball and croquette.  This year everyone brought something for the main meal and then fixed that thing.  It was awesome as it brought us all in the kitchen together and relieved a lot of stress on the host or whoever would have been in charge of that meal.  While our food was cooking we ran to the theater and caught a movie all together.  

Winter Dance

Rylee danced to "Where are You Christmas" 

Cierra danced to "The Little Drummer Boy" for ballet and "Santa Baby" for tap

So this year we had a winter dance recital as well as a spring one.  Cierra performed one tap routine and one ballet while Rylee performed a ballet number.  Each of them were able to perform at two different nursing homes on two different days.  One was on a Thursday night and Matt was teaching and the other was a Saturday and he had something he couldn't get out of.  Kelsey ended up going with me on Thursday and was a life savor as she manned the camera while I manned Bella.  It was nice to share that moment with all of us girls.  Cierra and Rylee did fabulously

She dressed herself I swear

Family Home Evening lesson "Putting on the Armor of God" we utilized Matt's SWAT gear

Rylee in Bella's clothes

So every night that we have school the next day we lay out our clothes.  I have seminary from 6-6:50 and have to have the girls to school by 8.  We found doing this makes the morning run smoothly as the older girls can get dressed easily and Rylee needs only a little direction.  Well, apparently not on this day.  Matt told all of them to get dressed and this is how Rylee came out, Matt thought well that is kind of weird that Dana would lay out capris and that shirt looks a little short for Rylee mid-winter but ok.  When I came up from seminary I deliver the news.  Rylee dressed in Isabella's clothes for the day.  Matt has been just wonderful in handling things while I am teaching but today helped remind us why I stay home and he brings home the bacon.

Halloween

The cutest little witch - Bella 6 months

I swear all of our Halloween pictures look the same every year.  I guess at heart we are traditionalists.  This year we had Cierra as a pirate, Bella as a butterfly, Rylee as a Dalmation and Elizabeth as a good witch.  From carving pumpkins to trick or treating to the church's trunk or treat it is always good family time.  

Rylee is an .... egg?

Rylee got a kick out of using my vest to pretend she was being an egg that hatched.  Today we had a chicken,   a dinosaur, a snake, and some unknown bird that could fly and peck the second they hatched.  Sometimes I wish I had one ounce of the imagination and free spirit that my children exhibit.  

Never know what is on the camera!

So frequently as of late whenever my Mom comes she forgets her camera.  With the digital age it is not that big of a deal as she uses my camera and I get her the photos.  Well the girls often use "Grandma's" camera to take the pics they want as well.  I really never know what I am going to find.  Usually pics of their beds or a toy.  When I looked at these pics I wondered how I could be in the same house and be completely shocked as to what they were doing with Grandma.  

Elizabeth turns 8

A special birthday for Elizabeth.  Turned eight on Tuesday during the week and was baptized on Saturday.  Andi & Jimmy, Brooke and Kaydence, Grandma Gretchen, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen were all able to make it.  Andi did a fabulous talk on the Holy Ghost and gave Elizabeth many things to display in her room or to use to help her remember this wonderful gift.  Nick wrote a talk about baptism specifically for Elizabeth and Mom read it (almost without tears).  We had a slide show of Elizabeth of pictures since she was a baby and a nice luncheon afterward.  It was difficult for Elizabeth as she had always planned to have Nick baptize her.  She had a wonderful experience during general conference that confirmed to her that her Dad should baptize her.  It was a spirit rich day and one we are so grateful for

Pumpkin Picking on a GRAND scale

Bryan & Diana Birkrem sharing their pumpkins

So every year the Birkrems plant pumpkins for two reasons, 1) it is an easy low maintenance crop that comes up instead of weeds 2) to share with others (this is probably actually the #1 reason as they are very giving people).  Well this year we decided to go help them pick pumpkins.  628 pumpkins later we shared some yummy watermelon and brownies.  Each girl had the chance to have their pick at the pumpkins they wanted and Momma got some for pies and baking as well.  Afterward we went to the mall as Matt needed a new suit and Nick some new pants.  We were hot, sweaty, and quite frankly looked like the dirty, unwanted step children but at the end of the long day it was a good tired for it had been a wonderful day.

Bella's first foods

Isabella did good with her first time at food - good old rice cereal.  She was about 10 days over five months and very interested in what we eat, sitting up and had complete head support.  Within 3 days she was completely opening her mouth for the spoon and quickly moved to vegis and then fruit.  Hopefully with solid food in our tummy we can get back to sleeping through the night.

2nd Annual Girls' Birthday Bash

Yummy dinosaur cake

Grandma Gretchen snuggling with Bella while Mom and Dad play with the older girls in the bouncy house

Uncle Judd and Cierra in the bouncy house

Yes that is a child they put on the ceiling of the bouncy house

Grandma Gretchen brakes the pinata

The bowl of candy is a good place to be

The 3 babies - Bella 5 months, Charlotte 10 months, Kaydence 3 months

The girls sporting their new head lamps from Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen - later used to play midnight ghost

The 2nd annual combined girls birthday party was a huge hit.  They went with a dinosaur theme this year and had a cake that they designed and a huge brontosaurus bouncy house.  This year we did family only and spent the whole day hanging out and  having fun together.  They went with a lego theme for gifts and thanks to family have a really nice lego collection going.  Can't ever go wrong with that really.  Although it was a little cold and sprinkled here and there it was a super day and the girls did a super job once again planning their own party

Waiting for our Missionary

Kelsey got the girls a "Waiting for My Missionary" t-shirt for their birthdays.  They absolutely love them and wear them as soon as they are washed again.  Kelsey designed and personalized them online - what a clever gift.

A walking we will go

Rylee, Isabella and I try to go out for a walk several times a week while everyone else is gone for the day.  So far they love it and we will do it until the cold no longer permits.

Cierra's 6th Birthday

My kind of girl - cheesecake with fresh strawberry sauce instead of cake.  This year Cierra's main gift she wanted was a locket so she could have Nick with her at all times.  I think him being gone is affecting us all more than we sometime realize.

Kaydence is Blessed

Kaydence was blessed today.  Afterward we all went back to Andi & Jimmy's house for a nice luncheon.  What a blessing to have such good parents - these two little girls are so lucky - and to be raised in the gospel - just couldn't get any better - rich, rich blessings.  

I haven't been blogging... You ask why..........

I've been feeding.......

Isabella 4 months

At the Park with Grandma Gretchen

Cierra the climber must have climbed this contraption 50 times

Three little monkey hanging on a line, one fell off and broke their behind
Elizabeth, Cierra, Rylee

We went to the park with Grandma Gretchen while she was visiting.  How awesome it is that she is retired and spending so much time with us.  We love her and always enjoy our time together.  

Catching Butterflies

What better activity on a warm summer day than to run and catch butterflies.  We didn't have nets so the girls used the nets from the game "Elefun."  I was apprehensive as they were so excited but I really didn't think they would catch any.  I thought the day would end in bitter disappointment but they insisted so away they went.  Much to my dismay they caught quite a few.  They tried to hold them captive but finally decided it might be better to let them go.  Brooke was here for the day, so sporting her big white sun hat joined in the fun as well.