Easter 2015

Easter this year was the BEST!  I really mean the best season our family has EVER had.  We really tuned into the true meaning of Easter and spent a lot of time teaching the girls about the significance of the holiday. Dave and I participated in the "Lamb of God" production.  Dave sang the part of John and he did an amaaazing job. It was stunning to hear him sing all those solos that well.  The spirit that we felt as we sang praises for our Lord and Savior added so much to the season.  We added even more on to our now traditional celebration of Holy week.  Each night we taught the girls a little lesson about that day of Christ's life, sang some songs, and did a fun activity.  The Easter boxes each day added to the excitement and highlighted an important part of that particular day.  (like an I am a child of God necklace, etc)  I don't have any pictures of those moments- they are in our hearts.  BUT I do have some really great and super fun Easter egg hunt photos with the family!  

Papa's egg hunts are the best! The kids had crazy fun!

 Penny "got it" this year and ate soooo much chocolate!

 She love her Grammy!  (even if she is a little shy sometimes)

Then, we did another Easter Egg hunt with the McGiffins!  Spoiled children...I tell ya.

Merry Christmas 2014!

Christmas was such a dream this year.  We put extra focus on the true meaning of Christmas and we  tried to teach the girls the reason for the season by doing lots and lots of service and Christmas surprises for people!  They really enjoyed it all.  We did all that fun Santa stuff too! Penny was the cutest Santa though. 

We put the tree in the living room for the first time this year and it was definitely the way to go!  The little train running around the bottom of it kept the girls entertained for days! 

We were heavily involved with putting on the Ward Christmas party this year and it turned out great!  The Santa visit and pictures were definitely a hit!

Penny is One!

 Penny, when you look back and notice that there just aren't as many blog posts since you've been born....just know that it's because I'm spending all my time MAKING memories with you and your sisters!  We are so busy creating fun memories as a family all day long that there's hardly a chance to take a picture, let alone blog!  Plus, the new trend of these days has moved away from blogging as it takes sooo long to do.  I am all about being present for you in the moment and so I often forget to pick up the camera.  You are a cutie and I  love you! I had to add this birthday blog.

 Your sisters love you too!  They want to hug and squeeze you all day long. When you are not around they say things like, "Where is Penny?  We miss her!"  And, "Nothing is funny when Penny is not here."  You are the entertainment for the family.  You are good at listening.  You are always trying to be like your Mama and "help" me with whatever I'm doing.

This is your favorite book so I made that cake for you!  I think you recognized and "got it" when I showed the book and the cake to you at the same time.  You are a little bit of cake but were more concerned about getting messy than getting the sugar in your mouth.  You are my cleanly little one!

 This riding toy was certainly an exciting gift for you!  You have used it a ton!  You and cousin Wade always push each other around on it.  So cute!

2014 Catch Up!

I have SO MANY PICTURES!!  Instagram is a much faster way to record our little lives' events so here is a quick summary of some things we were up to in 2014.  

 Quick summary:  My mom, Trevor, Erin and Ashley came to visit us!  We went to visit the Marstons and  hit up Disneyland while we were at it.  We got together with the Van Works and Stories for a cabin vacation. We had a ton of fun family time going to the beach, playing baseball games, hanging out with family, and roasting marshmallows with friends.  Liz started soccer and played a little basketball and Julie started ballet.  It really was a great year!

Lizzie's 6th Birthday

Lizzie turned 6 years old!  We started the party by having Grandma jump out of box. That was the best surprise birthday present of all! Woo hoo!

The girls were so shocked- it was hilarious.  We just kept right on with the party events and Grandma jumped in to help.

Liz asked for Rainbow cupcakes so we hopped on Pinterest together and she picked these.  All her favorite things: Rainbows, suckers, and frosting!

 This was a Halloween Birthday party so ll it was a double sugar fest.  We got all those kids even more sugared up after decorating sugar cookies.

 We played a bunch of games like pin the nose on the Jack-o-lantern, mummy bowl, and monster ring toss.

 Penny and Wade a little side party of their own! cuties!

 Liz was so excited to have all these friends over.

 She got way too many presents for one little girl!

 She blew out her candles like a champ.  I wonder what she wished for?  Maybe a whole bunch of candy?  And look it came true.  At the very end they busted the spider pinata open!

Lizzie is one amazing 6 year old for sure!  She does so well in school, loves her teacher, is an excellent reader, and a sweet sister and helping daughter at home.  She is my go to gal for sure.  She loves "babysitting" Penny and helping with the cooking and cleaning at home.  She is so close to Julie- they are constantly playing together.  They are pretty obsessed about playing with their stuffed animals: Rainbow, Pearson, Mittens, Alex, and Leprechaun.  It is never ending games of imagination around our house.  Liz loves reading the scriptures and prays almost every day that her lil sis Penny will learn to read the scriptures too. This girl is pretty darn special and I'm lucky she is mine!  :-)Love her tons.

Halloween

This year Grandma came to visit for Halloween!  We carved and decorated pumpkins...

 We also had school parties!  Grandma went to Kindergarten to help with the party.

Lizzie adores her teacher, Mr. A!

You can't beat trick or treating with Ann, Elsa, Olaf, Grandma, and Dave!  It was a great Halloween!

Julie's Special Day in Preschool

Julie has been loving preschool this year.  The best part of it all is her loving teachers.  They are so sweet and good with the kids.  On Julie's special day she was SO excited to bring her lovey, Mimi to show everyone.  

 Other special day privileges include being line leader, giving the five minute warning, and getting to beat the drum!

 Circle time is so sweet.  They are sit in a circle and each child takes a turn saying what they like about Julie.  She got so many cute comments like, "Julie is a good artist, she has pretty hair, and she has a kind heart."  All true!

An extra bonus to this special day is that Lizzie got to come be a part of it!  She joined in the fun and got to have snacks, color, and hang out at her old school as an alum!