HAPPYisimo

As happy as me little girl looks here covered in cookie crumbs and discovering the excitement of cool water....that's how I have been feeling lately and I just needed to stop and take note of it.

I have a very blessed life.

I am grateful for:
-a loving Heavenly Father and all of the many blessings he gives me. Those I know of and those that are not present in my mind
-my amazing husband who loves me and does so much for me. He is a great partner and an amazing father
-my kids. They are all so different and so full of love, life, happiness, and eagerness
-my home. I love that it is a beautiful, comfortable place where the Spirit can reside and people feel warm and welcome
-the gospel. I am so thankful for the knowledge and testimony I have that is of an eternal nature. I am grateful for my eternal perspective and the outlook it gives me in my daily life. I am serving in nursery right now and I am grateful for all those beautiful kids I get to serve and learn from. They are such an example to me. I am grateful that through my calling I get to study the gospel in such simple terms each week to prepare to teach them each week
-my health. I know that I don't have the best health, nor do I do everything I could/should to take care of myself, but I am grateful that I am able to do not only the things that are asked of me, but those things that I want and like to do as well
-my talents. I am blessed with talents that I love and feel are able to benefit myself, my husband, my children, and all those around me in ways that help cheer up, inspire, teach, and brighten
-my childhood. I love that I am able to look back at my life and pick out moments that are happy, instructive, and helpful to me in my life now. And I know that I will continually be able to feed off those experiences throughout my life

My Baby is 1!

I'm in a bit of denial here. I can't believe that my baby is 1! I know she is quite the big girl now, but I still want her to be my baby.
But, I figured that if she had to turn 1, I was going to have the cutest girly party ever...so that's what I did.




We had a sweet birdy party for her. It was so fun to do. There is just something about being girly that is so fun. It was nice to be able to have some great pictures of her to display. She was used as a model for my neighbors online store, so I reaped the benefits of great photography.






Instead of doing party bags....our party favor was some amazing cake balls that I whipped up from my new cook book I got for my birthday. I made Chocolate Cookie, Caramel Apple, and Churro! Yum Yum! :)




We decided to have a luncheon party for Chloe and just have the younger cousins come. We had a great picnic party of mac'n cheese and pink lemonade.

We then had presents and cake. Chloe got some Wheelbles, books, pez, suckers, a bead thing, and her first baby. She was so excited about it, it was SOOO cute. When we were singing happy birthday to her it was amazing how into it she was. She definitely knew that this party was all about her. It was so cute how she just giggled and squealed.




She also very much enjoyed the cake that Grandma T made her!


Chloe at 1-
Is walking
Says- "hi dad" "mom" "yeah" "nigh-nigh"
Gives kisses
Waves
Points to anything and everything she wants and grunts
Growls
Loves stuffed animals and sleeps with like 8 of them
Has to always have a blankie
Dies to go outside
Tries to keep up with her brothers in EVERYTHING
Has the cutest blond curly hair
Loves her Grandma's, especially Grandma T
Understands most of what we tell her and can do it
Loves to eat and can always tell when you are eating a treat
Has the best smile
Knows that being cute to Dad is the ticket
Kicks balls

Game On!

Now that James is 3 and Hockey has started again we decided to give it another go (since last year was a bust due to the helmet and cage). This time around it was so awesome! Sam got out there right away and picked up right where he left off.

James told us on the way that he was going to be so brave, so we knew it was going to go well.
He got right out there and after a little practice was able to stand on the ice and even move his feet a little bit. We didn't suit him up all the way yet. We just wanted him to have the experience first.
He did get to experience the fun spinning that Dad does. That was one of his favorite parts.



Chloe was a great support on the bench. But she wasn't able to share "her" stick. She wanted to out there with her brothers so bad!
We ended the night with the traditional stop by at McDonald's. The boys and Chloe had a great time running around and playing after working so hard!

Just one question....Can you guess who's skate is who's?! :)

It's MY Birthday Party! Not YOURS!

That's what we heard all day and he was right. James has been looking forward to his birthday for so long and he deserved a GREAT party...so that's what he got!
When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he just said, "balls and party hats." So that's what we did. It was a simple party and easy to pull off. From the traditional birthday shirt, the banner, the decor, the party hats, plates and bags...I love how easily boys are satisfied!
James had a fun sports themed party. He loved every minute of it. We decided to have all of the Utah cousins (that could come) over for the festivities. We had a great BBQ and picnicked outside. We then of course had presents and then the most nummyest cake ever made my none other than Grandma T.
James got some great books, a "Timmy" plush, a claw, suckers, cookies, Phineas and Ferb toys, a Cars tote, and pez. After opening his claw and Timmy I asked him if he wanted to open more and he said, "No thanks. I'm done." I should have saved myself some time and money! He was satisfied after 2! :)
James had such a great day that he had to sleep with his party bag and his party hat. When we checked on him and tried to take it off he kept waking up!
The next morning he asked if his birthday was over. I told him it was and he said, "Oh! But I want it to be my birthday again!"
Too cute!















Loves to talk
Sleeps with Panda, Wheezy, (and now Timmy) stuffed animals
Loves to eat and will try anything
Loves his Mom
Loves to Rough House
Loves his brother, and best friend, Sam
Was potty-trained a few months ago (working on it again now)
Loves Buzz Lightyear
Loves all kinds and types of balls
Loves to be helpful
Love to give and get "loves" (hugs)
Is great at pestering his siblings
Loves riding bikes
Loves playing with his cousins

Zoo News

After realizing that it would only cost a little bit more than our day's admission, we decided to get passes to the Zoo as a family and I think it's such a great idea. It was so fun to go altogether and enjoy being outside.
We had fun riding the train and carousel, eating, and of course seeing the animals. The weather was great and almost made all the hills bearable! :)
We can't wait to go back....especially at Christmas time for Zoolights!