The Big 5!

Addie had her fifth birthday last Friday.  Her and Kimber were able to have their first friend party and it was a total success.  Jared and I both agreed that for having 13 kids, ages 2-5, it really wasn't bad at all.  We fed them pizza, played games and had cake.  I kept it at 90 minutes and it was just the right amount of time.  I totally neglected to take very many pictures because I was too busy with kids the whole time, but overall we all had a good time.

After Addie had breakfast on Friday we gave her her first present, a new bike.  She has outgrown the 12 inch wheels and has graduated to 16 inches.  She loves it!  And later that day while baking I let her open another gift, a new apron.  She requested a front pocket so that she could play waitress and keep her tab in it.  She was so happy!  (Sheesh, where are the pictures!?)

After the party she finally got to open the rest of her presents.  Here are a few-
An electric toothbrush.  Kimber got one for her birthday as well.  This has been the hit of the century around here!

 What would a birthday be with out the classic junk food box?  Addie was just a few of her favorite treats that she rarely gets, Reeses, York Peppermint Patties and some sugarfree bubble gum.  I normally try not to overload my kids with these kinds of treats, but it's a family tradition.  I'm proud to say that it wasn't all immediately devoured and we still have some left.  Makes me feel like I am getting teaching her something good.

 This girl loves headbands!  Her favorite one broke and is only left with a black one and a white one.  These aren't my favorite but they'll do for now.  Plus, she's happy.

 I love the look on her face here.  It was a genuine look of surprise and excitement.

A CTR ring!  And a real one too!  Not a bendable one that leaves a black ring on your finger.  One of the best things this Mom has ever thought of. 

Addie hasn't stopped talking about her birthday since Friday.  Just today she said "that was the best birthday."

Glad you like it, Add.

The Big 5!

Addie had her fifth birthday last Friday.  Her and Kimber were able to have their first friend party and it was a total success.  Jared and I both agreed that for having 13 kids, ages 2-5, it really wasn't bad at all.  We fed them pizza, played games and had cake.  I kept it at 90 minutes and it was just the right amount of time.  I totally neglected to take very many pictures because I was too busy with kids the whole time, but overall we all had a good time.

After Addie had breakfast on Friday we gave her her first present, a new bike.  She has outgrown the 12 inch wheels and has graduated to 16 inches.  She loves it!  And later that day while baking I let her open another gift, a new apron.  She requested a front pocket so that she could play waitress and keep her tab in it.  She was so happy!  (Sheesh, where are the pictures!?)

After the party she finally got to open the rest of her presents.  Here are a few-
An electric toothbrush.  Kimber got one for her birthday as well.  This has been the hit of the century around here!

 What would a birthday be with out the classic junk food box?  Addie was just a few of her favorite treats that she rarely gets, Reeses, York Peppermint Patties and some sugarfree bubble gum.  I normally try not to overload my kids with these kinds of treats, but it's a family tradition.  I'm proud to say that it wasn't all immediately devoured and we still have some left.  Makes me feel like I am getting teaching her something good.

 This girl loves headbands!  Her favorite one broke and is only left with a black one and a white one.  These aren't my favorite but they'll do for now.  Plus, she's happy.

 I love the look on her face here.  It was a genuine look of surprise and excitement.

A CTR ring!  And a real one too!  Not a bendable one that leaves a black ring on your finger.  One of the best things this Mom has ever thought of. 

Addie hasn't stopped talking about her birthday since Friday.  Just today she said "that was the best birthday."

Glad you like it, Add.

Snowy Day Schedule

When it looks like this outside-

(It really doesn't look that bad.  But oh, if you could have felt the wind!)

We end up doing a whole lot of this-

Making Pretzels

Making Cookies

Playing Yahtzee

Playing Uno

Snowy Day Schedule

When it looks like this outside-

(It really doesn't look that bad.  But oh, if you could have felt the wind!)

We end up doing a whole lot of this-

Making Pretzels

Making Cookies

Playing Yahtzee

Playing Uno

Sunday, Feb. 28

Sunday was especially fun because not only was it Jordan's homecoming talk, but it was also Kimber's 3rd birthday.  I have this weird thing where I get really excited about my girls' birthdays so I was so happy when the day finally came.


After Church we had a delicious dinner and then took a few family pictures.  We had this great spot picked out and then because of the rain we had to settle for the sidewalk in front of the house.  It was still good to finally all be back together for the first time in years.  We're missing one brother-in-law but this is what we ended up with- 

We also took one of just the siblings-

I had to include this picture.  I'm not even sure who took it, but I am glad they did.  This is a good family friend, Ed Voss, telling my little brother Brigham a story. 

Our family loves the Vosses.  What you have to know is that Ed is a Vietnam Vet.  He is a Navy Seal who is the toughest guy you will ever meet.  You wouldn't believe some of the stories he has.  He is also the sweetest guy.  He genuinely cares about our family and believe me, you want him on your side!  A while back, before my parent's sold their business, my Mom took care of all of the accounts payable and receivable.  Well, one day a guy got nasty with my Mom and disrespected her.  Somehow Ed caught wind of it and went to that guy and set him straight.  Let me just say that my Mom never had problems with him again.

After dinner and pictures it was time to party!  Kimber loved her presents and had a great time opening them.

 I love this picture.  I have been meaning to make Kimber a new apron but just never got around to it.  So instead i wrapped up the material and planned on explaining to her that I would make her one when we got home.  The material was more than enough to get her excited!

She was pretty disappointed when she pulled out this headband.  It came with the pajamas that she was getting but she all she pulled out of the bag was this.  She wasn't sure what to do with it or what it was for.  I finally had to convince her to look in the bag one more time.

I think I have talked before about my family's blanket present tradition.  You always get one last present that is wrapped in a blanket.  It's generally something that is difficult to wrap.  Kimber was a little confused and tried to untie the knots on the blanket before I showed her that she needed to open it up.

She finally caught on-

And....Viola!

This bat and ball has been the best money I have spent in a long time, by the way.

About a month ago Kimber began requesting a blue birthday cake-

Ask and ye shall receive-

 

She also requested a cat.   She did not receive.

Sunday, Feb. 28

Sunday was especially fun because not only was it Jordan's homecoming talk, but it was also Kimber's 3rd birthday.  I have this weird thing where I get really excited about my girls' birthdays so I was so happy when the day finally came.


After Church we had a delicious dinner and then took a few family pictures.  We had this great spot picked out and then because of the rain we had to settle for the sidewalk in front of the house.  It was still good to finally all be back together for the first time in years.  We're missing one brother-in-law but this is what we ended up with- 

We also took one of just the siblings-

I had to include this picture.  I'm not even sure who took it, but I am glad they did.  This is a good family friend, Ed Voss, telling my little brother Brigham a story. 

Our family loves the Vosses.  What you have to know is that Ed is a Vietnam Vet.  He is a Navy Seal who is the toughest guy you will ever meet.  You wouldn't believe some of the stories he has.  He is also the sweetest guy.  He genuinely cares about our family and believe me, you want him on your side!  A while back, before my parent's sold their business, my Mom took care of all of the accounts payable and receivable.  Well, one day a guy got nasty with my Mom and disrespected her.  Somehow Ed caught wind of it and went to that guy and set him straight.  Let me just say that my Mom never had problems with him again.

After dinner and pictures it was time to party!  Kimber loved her presents and had a great time opening them.

 I love this picture.  I have been meaning to make Kimber a new apron but just never got around to it.  So instead i wrapped up the material and planned on explaining to her that I would make her one when we got home.  The material was more than enough to get her excited!

She was pretty disappointed when she pulled out this headband.  It came with the pajamas that she was getting but she all she pulled out of the bag was this.  She wasn't sure what to do with it or what it was for.  I finally had to convince her to look in the bag one more time.

I think I have talked before about my family's blanket present tradition.  You always get one last present that is wrapped in a blanket.  It's generally something that is difficult to wrap.  Kimber was a little confused and tried to untie the knots on the blanket before I showed her that she needed to open it up.

She finally caught on-

And....Viola!

This bat and ball has been the best money I have spent in a long time, by the way.

About a month ago Kimber began requesting a blue birthday cake-

Ask and ye shall receive-

 

She also requested a cat.   She did not receive.

Saturday, Feb. 27

What would a Saturday morning with my Mom and Dad be if we didn't do garage sales?  I really lucked out when I found two really nice crib bumpers that are unisex and match my girls room perfectly for 50 cents a piece.  I was so surprised that they were so cheap because they were in extremely good condition.  And for a buck?  Come on!

The afternoon was spent running errands including looking for a new pair of shoes for Jordan.  That kid really lucked out and found a sweet pair at Kohl's for 11 bucks!

Anyway, I also took some pictures of little Ivy for my sister.  I can not wait for my name to come up on that forever-long photography class waiting list.  I've been on for about 6 months.  Only about one more year to go.  I have so much to learn.

And you guess it, we spent more time out in the backyard.  This time the kids took took turns swinging each other.