Amber's Birthday Party
February 5, 2009

I told Amber that when she turned "five", she could have a birthday party. We had to be in Idaho Falls over her actual birthday, so we planned the party for the Thursday just before her birthday. It was "suppose" to be a "small girl" party; however, Amber really wanted one boy as well...Tyler (a boy from church, and preschool). Everything at the party was "girl themed"...poor Tyler.

About a month before Amber's party, we surprised Hailey at school with lunch, and love notes. Amber had so much fun serving her sister! Every day after surprising Hailey, Amber would look for new ways to serve. One day she asked, "Mom, what else can I do to serve? I really want to serve." I had heard about having birthday parties to give to the needy rather than the birthday child, and so I mentioned this idea as an option. I really didn't think she would want to give away her birthday gifts, but as soon as I mentioned the idea, she was jumping off the chairs screaming with excitement. I couldn't believe her joy. When Hailey came home from school, she excitedly told her all about her plans to give on her birthday! Honestly, I half expected Amber to change her mind, but she never did.

Her birthday invitations read:

And so the party began.....

After making candy necklaces, we set off on a wild and crazy treasure hunt. It was literally a bit crazy with all of the kids running from one part of the house to another, but I think they all had a great time, which totally makes it worth it~right?

For the "treasure" the kids found a heart shaped pinata. Again, this activity was a bit crazy as I tried desperately to insure every child's safety with every crazy swing...in the end, all was well and candy bags were full!

All in all we had so much fun! My favorite game was the musical present. All the kids sat in a circle and passed a wrapped gift while music was playing. When the music stopped playing, the child with the gift would open the first layer. There were five layers, and each layer held party favors (all very simple...mostly candy). Anyways, I loved this game! It was a fun way to give party favors. I will definitely use it again. The kids loved it too. (I got the idea off of a just for moms Internet site.)

Amber Getting Ready to Blow

Introducing Amber's heart shaped jello "cake"! Amber hates cake. I really don't understand it, but the kid honestly hates cake. I gave her a choice of several different options, and she chose to have a jello "cake". The day of her party I realized I didn't have everything I needed, so I frantically ran to the store, ran home, and created a masterpiece just in time for it to set up before the party. After working so hard to present Amber with her very own jello "cake", I was really excited for her to try it! So, when I cut Amber a piece of the "cake", and she politely turned it down... I was a bit disappointed. When I asked her why she wouldn't eat the cake she simply replied,"I really didn't want a jello 'cake'." When I asked her why she hadn't told me prior to the making of the cake, she replied, "I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

Amber blowing out her "five" candles!!! Happy Birthday Amber!!!!!

The Ronald McDonald House
February 9, 2009

We delivered the gifts that everybody generously gave to the Ronald McDonald house the following Monday. It just happened to be Daddy's birthday, so we quickly picked him up from work, and went to spread some joy. Truly, this was such a sweet, amazing experience! The feelings you feel when you give is amazing, but the feelings you feel when your child willingly gives is humbling. Bryan and I were so happy that Amber chose to give rather than receive. There was a sweet peace amongst our family as we toured The Ronald McDonald House, and it stayed throughout the day! We want to thank all those little girls and boy who participated in our Ronald McDonald toy drive! Thank you!!! We are truly grateful!

Preschool Celebration
February 5, 2009

Amber really wanted to bring Krispy Kreme donuts to school for her birthday snack. As a surprise, I stopped by Zurcher's to buy a balloon for her and Miss Cathy (her teacher's birthday was also that week). Amber loved both the balloon and the donuts!

Amber sitting by Tyler eating a donut!

Amber's preschool class

NANNY MCPHEE
January 30, 2009
Hailey is now seven...almost eight, and she has only lost four teeth (two of which were pulled by the dentist). She has simply not lost very many teeth, and it really has been an anxious experience for her. While other kids have been losing teeth, and getting tally marks on the board, Hailey has been pulling and yanking at her teeth to accomplish the same result...a tally mark on the board. Hailey's two front teeth have been loose now for what seems like forever. In fact, we thought she would be a candidate for singing the song, "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"; however, although her teeth were loose, she just couldn't build enough courage to pull them all the way out (even though she had been pulling on them like crazy up to that point--it was the final act that scared her). On Friday, January 30, Hailey finally built up the courage to pull out one of the two teeth. The other tooth hung by a thread, and as a result it stuck out of her mouth whenever she smiled, talked, or even closed her mouth. She thought it was so funny...in fact, she kept running to show everybody how much she looked like "Nanny McPhee". She finally lost the second tooth on Saturday. What a relief!

Ballet

January 27, 2009

Amber had a "mini" ballet performance during her regular ballet class. Bryan, Jacob, and I were there to cheer for her (or quietly clap). Hailey was in school, so she was unable to come (she was sad she had to miss it). Amber did fantastic! She demonstrated her knowledge of all the ballet positions. She also performed a couple of dances for us! When she wasn't enthralled with watching what we were doing, it was apparent that she really knew her stuff, and that she was loving what she was doing!

Amber demonstrating first position

Amber performing her snowflake dance

Happy 4oth Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

January 2, 2009

Roxanne organized a party to celebrate my parent's 40th anniversary. She asked Layne and Sheri to be in charge of the guests, she asked Michelle and Dave to handle the food, and she asked me to send pictures (I really didn't feel like much help). After New Year's Day, Roxanne, Michelle, and I ran all over town preparing for the big evening. It was a surprise party, so we had a few crazy moments keeping the secret. We ran from store to store in the midst of meeting mom for lunch, and entertaining her on her anniversary. We wanted the night to be perfect, so we ordered a wedding cake from Albertson's (we didn't plan ahead far enough to order it elsewhere), we ordered her original bouquet from Staker's (which we had to have them redo, because it looked nothing like her original bouquet), we also ordered deli trays, and fruit trays. We then ran to Michelle's house where everybody helped set up for the party. The night turned out awesome!! The best part was when mom and dad walked in not expecting a thing, and being totally surprised by the celebration. As Mom walked in, we all yelled "Happy Anniversary", which she then replied, "thanks, I know...are you ready to go eat?" We had to prompt her to look at the table where there was a guest book, and her bouquet in order for her to understand we were throwing her a party (the guests hadn't arrived yet, because it was an open house). Mom's face was first shocked, then happy, then she started crying (I'm sure out of happiness). Dad walked in after mom, because he was chatting with some friends that were there for the party (he couldn't figure out why they were at Michelle's house)...so, the whole "Happy Anniversary" scenario was played out all over again!! Once we had our parent's convinced that we were having a celebration in their honor, we watched a video that Kendall made of their lives together. Overall, the night was filled with laughter, tears, and enjoyment of good company!

This is where we convinced mom that we were really having a party in her honor.

Food preparations!

Daddy's little girl!

All of Daddy's little girls!
Me (Carrie), Dad, Michelle, & Roxanne

All of us kids!
Layne, Dad, Mom, Brandon, Michelle, Me, & Roxanne

THE GRAND KIDS!
Devin, Kalli, Sydney, Riley, Danner, Hailey, Grandpa, Cooper, Amber, Grandma, Piper, Ty, Easton, Scott, Eric, & Jacob

THE WHOLE FAMILY
(From left to right) Kendall, Devin, Kalli, Sydney, Bruce, Patty, Riley, Sheri, Layne, Brandon, Michelle, Cooper, Hailey, Grandpa, Danner, Grandma, Piper, Roxanne, Amber, Carrie, Dave, Easton, Scott, Eric, Ty, Bryan, & Jacob

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

News Year's 2009

For New Year's we were able to go to my sister's cabin. It was so fun to relax by the fire, go sledding in the snow, and to play games all night! We truly had a great time. The only down side of the experience was the very few people who were willing to stay up until midnight on New Year's. (They were all tired!!!) It was a great couple of days playing with Bruce and Patty, Mom and Dad, Michelle and Dave, and Brandon! (And of course all of their kids!)

The kids found a spot where they thought it was more fun to slide down on their bottoms rather than a sled. Here is Amber experiencing the hill on her bottom!

Here is Jakey, Daddy, and Hailey sliding down on their bums. (I thought it looked painful, so I didn't participate.)

Hailey's turn on her bum! OUCH!!

Cooper, Hailey, Jacob, Amber, & Bryan

Here are the kids getting ready for night sledding. They had so much fun sledding in the dark (on the road), and being pulled by the car back to the top of the hill. (It sounds dangerous!!) It probably was a good thing that I didn't know exactly what they were doing until they had already come inside!

CABIN
December 26, 2008

We originally planned on going to the cabin on Christmas day; however, while we were preparing ourselves for the trip, we were informed that the road to the cabin was closed. The road closure detained us for a day, but as soon as the roads were cleared we were on the road ready to play and relax at the cabin. Because of the road closure, our trip was shorter than we would have liked, but it was still worth all the fun we had! We were blessed to share our trip with Grandma and Grandpa, and Michelle and Mike.

The cabin has the best sledding ever!! Here is Bryan cruising down the "slower" hill.

Amber getting ready to go down the hill.

Jakey and Hailey rode together quite often. He liked having her hold him while they went down the hill.

Jakey and Hailey

The best part of our sledding adventure was watching Bryan pull Jakey and all the sleds back up the hill. Honestly, I felt really bad for him, and I tried to help on several occasions, but he insisted on doing it, and he always found someway to get the sleds out of my hands if I ever tried to help. (I think I was only able to truly help on one or two occasions. The rest of the time it was all Bryan.) Sometimes the girls would jump into the tubes as well, and Bryan would humor them with a few rides as well. He was definitely tired after our afternoon of sledding!