SPRING!

This winter has really taken a hold of me this year.  We have had some really warm (like 40s) temperatures this past week.  I can't quite explain the relief I feel when the weather finally warms and the snow begins to melt.  It's like that feeling when your kid has a fever and it finally breaks.  No more hats, mittens, coats.. no more layering! The snow will probably be here until Aprilish, but I'll take a tease day here or there whenever I can.

Craftiness:  Made the cute yarn lanterns for the b-day party. 

We celebrated Halle's 2nd birthday last week.  I have so many posts about how my kids grow too fast and how I hate it.  I'll just reiterate that sentiment:  I really wish she would stop growing!   For v-day, Jason got me a Cameo--a cutting machine.  I was able to create the cutest things for her owl themed b-day party.  I also made her a cute skirt to match the color scheme.  It was a hooot!

Here are few pictures of our happenings:

Building a box-car!

Kayla loves to help daddy move snow!

Kenna spoke about her art at a school board meeting.  Proud of my girl!

Kenna's 6th

Mckenna just had her 6th birthday a week or so ago. I can't believe she is 6. I have learned a lot in the last 6 years about being a mother, but also about life and what it's really about. Every time one of my kids has a birthday it stings a little. They grow up so fast and I know that in no time at all the innocence of childhood will be gone. But I realized something in the last week or so. I have Halle who is only 8 months. She can't do much for herself yet. She is hitting all her special little milestones and is as cute as a baby can be. Mckenna is a kindergartner that is also hitting all her special little milestones. For some reason I use to think that once they were in school they wouldn't be as fun to watch. I was wrong. Watching Mckenna is just as genuinely entertaining as watching my sweet little baby Halle. I watch as Mckenna and Kayla go to school and all they do that doesn't involve me and it hurts to let them go, but I realized that I still get to be here and watch them blossom and THAT eases the sting of birthday time. So, to my grown up girl, Happy Birthday Mckenna!

Mckenna had an Art party. Anyone who knows Mckenna knows she loves her art! This was a great birthday party theme. Here are some pictures to show how we pulled it together:

I strung up clothesline around the whole party area for art to be hung as the guests finished their masterpieces. I did this so we could see all the fun art, but also it made it so I wouldn't have to use a surface to dry paintings or crafts.

I set up different stations. I covered each table with butcher paper so the kids could color on the table, to protect the table, and just to go with the theme of art. This is the play dough station which was a hit for the younger guests. (We had many different aged guests.) I also had the color wonder markers and paper and the aqua-doodle mat. All great things for younger guests!

This is the bag station. Each guest was given a blank canvas bag to decorate. This was more for the older guests. I also did a painting station and a water color station.

Yummy food. I did a small candy bar (an assortment of candy in jars) as a party favor thing. This was awesome. I put out small zip bags and guests could take a bag and fill with candy to take.

I made an artists pallet cake. Not my most wonderful creation ever, but it turned out pretty cute and went with the theme.

I also made these little marshmallow pops as a thank you favor. They filled their canvas bags they had created with the paintings they had done and I gave each guest a frame so they could frame their art at home.

Usually there is snow on the ground by Mckenna's birthday, but this year it was quite warm and we had just finished raking a huge pile of leaves. The kids all went outside to enjoy the leaves. FUN!

It was such a fun birthday party. It's a great theme for a party!

Update

Hello. I'm back. We are done with family visits now which is a let down considering that the holidays are right around the corner. We had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa Mathie last week. We have also celebrated Halloween, Jason's birthday and Mckenna's birthday. Of course I have included pictures of all the fun.

Highlights of Grandma and Grandpa Mathie's visit!

Halloween

My next post will be all about Kenna's B-day!

I don't know how Mckenna could possibly be five. I asked her how she got so big and turned 5 and she told me, "I must have eaten all my vegetables." As much as I enjoy watching her learn and grow I wish that I could keep her first 5 years in a little bottle to enjoy whenever I want.

She has been really into barbie lately so I made her a barbie cake. This was a lot easier than I expected. Her castle cake was much more difficult. Her big gift was a bike (which we gave to her early so she could enjoy it this year). We also got her a journal which has been really fun to see her entries in the last week. I am sure that will be the topic of blog posts to come.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my Mckenna!

Happy Birthday Jase!

Today was Jason's birthday. I don't think it was too eventful. We went out to lunch and then finished some kitchen stuff, fun huh? Our birthdays are only 5 days apart with Halloween in between and Mckenna's birthday a week after that. Needless to say each year at this time is pretty eventful.

We had a great Halloween. I couldn't believe how big my girls are. We were invited to a Halloween party and then we all took our kids trick-or-treating together. Mckenna and Kayla didn't need my help at all. They kept right up with the older boys going house to house to collect their treats. I found myself a little emotional (lame, I know) by the fact they didn't need or want me to take them up to each door. I'm glad that I still have another one on the way to "baby." After we got home from trick-or-treating we handed out candy. Well, we let the girls hand out candy. The girls took this job very seriously. Kayla was assigned by Mckenna to open up the door and Kenna declared herself the candy giver to all the "customers." We had a lot of fun watching them do this "job."

Here is the picture of my costume that I promised. It's hard to come up with a costume when you're prego, but I got creative and it turned out great! The skeleton idea I got online, but I had to be creative in making it because there weren't any pictures of this idea online. Now for all of you that are prego during Halloween, you now have a picture to refer to for your costume next year!

Birthday Shout Out

I have to give a little birthday shout out to Sarah. I can not get Mckenna's picture loaded so I may have to snail mail that to you. We love you and hope you have a wonderful day! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday my Little Kayla

My little Kayla turned 3 and I feel bad that I didn't take any pictures, I only recorded it and can't get the video to load. I did find the birthday cake picture though.

Anyone that knows Kayla knows that she is just a ray of sunshine. She is goofy and silly and friendly. She loves to sing (especaially when she is in a public bathroom). She loves to swing and is proud that she can pump herself. She's so full of personality! Happy Birthday my little Kayla, I love you!

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma

These were taken with the webcam so they aren't that clear. Mckenna wanted to make sure I told you that she wrote "all the letters herself, except for the D."



I am trying to get a video to load.. stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Yesterday was Grandma's birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma--we love you!

Princess Wishes

November 10th was Mckenna's birthday. We had a little birthday party for her with some of her little friends. She got a lot of things but Jase and I got her a princess bike. Although she can't ride it perfectly yet, she still spent hours on it trying! She was so excited! I can't believe that she is already three. I don't know where the time is going.

Happy Halloween, Welcome, Happy Birthday, and Congratulations

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Last week we had a lot going on. Wednesday was of course Halloween. Kenna was Tinker Bell and Kayla was a little bumble bee. They were so cute. We went to our ward chili cook off and afterwards the trunk-or-treat. We only stayed for a little while and then went back to our house to hand out candy. I think Mckenna liked that more than getting the candy. She kept trying to give her trick-or-treat candy to the kids coming to our house. Kayla wasn't sure what was going on, but she knows it was a party.

WELCOME

On Thursday night, Jase's parents got here. It was really fun to have them come and spend some time with the girls. Of course they spoiled my girls to the point of almost no return, but that's what grandparents are for. Wish we lived closer. Mckenna loved having them here to obey here every whim. Here they are playing candy land with her. Since Mckenna's birthday is Saturday, they bought her a chest full of princess dress ups. Mckenna was in heaven and still is!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Friday was Jase's B-day so we went up to Tucson for the day. We went to the zoo, and just did a bunch of shopping. It was nice to shop with the help of grandma and grandpa. I actually got to try stuff on before buying it. It's funny how little things like that are such a big deal. Jason had a good birthday. I love him and all he does for me and the girls. He is 26 now, we are getting old!

CONGRATULATIONS

Saturday was cheerleading competition. It was an all day thing. My girls did soo good though. They took first place and I am so proud of them and their hard work. The cheer program here is just starting to take off and it's fun to be a little part of it. The girls have a lot of fun doing it and I'm learning a lot. I'm glad it's over because I will have so much more time to get other things done. With the holidays coming up soon, time is becoming very precious.