not 1, not 2 but 3 birthday parties= a tired mom and a happy 5 year old

The festivities began with a "friend party" which consisted of Allie inviting her 2 little friends over to decorate sugar cookies. They made princess hats and had a birthday smoothie pretty low key but they had fun wearing their hats and pretending to be princesses.

Party #2 was a birthday dinner on her actual birthday with Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Greggy & Uncle " Raf ". We had spent saturday at Grandma's and Grandpa's and didn't make it back in time before the store closed. Thankfully Grandma had some macaroni noodles to save the day because you can't have Allie's birthday dinner without "little macaroni & cheese" (the homemade kind).

Party #3 was the big one. It was strawberry shortcake and just in case anyone is wondering there are not very many good ideas for games to go along with strawberry shortcake. I made some felt strawberries and played toss the strawberries into the basket, stick the strawberry sticker on strawberry shortcake, and then I had different fruits (lemons, oranges, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) they had to close their eyes while I handed them a piece of fruit which they had to taste and then say which of strawberry's friends would like that fruit. We also found some fun little figurines for them to paint (not strawberry related but still fun).

The following day Allie started in on next year for my birthday... I stopped her right there and said you can wait a while before we start planning for next year.

Happy 5th Birthday Allie!

How can you possibly be 5 years old already. It seems like it was just yesterday that you were born, but now you are so excited to go to Kindergarten in the Fall. You are such a smart little girl and have such a special spirit (even if you do keep us on our toes sometimes). I have loved being able to stay home with you and watching you grow. Always remember "you are my sunshine". I love you so much. Love, Mom

Christmas 2011

The festivities began with a trip to Salt Lake on Friday night. Allan's parents got everyone a hotel room so we could spend some time together after the Scarlet family party. After turning the wrong way on a one way street -thanks Marcus :) we made it to the hotel then we got to go downtown to Temple Square and see the pretty lights. It was very pretty but also very crowded and cold. We had a little adventure on our way back to the hotel we were staying at. We missed the exit getting off the train (it was crowded and couldn't make it to the exit in time) and just figured we'd get off at the next exit and come back. Well that next exit was not a place that gave you warm fuzzies it was more of a fight or flight instinct settling in. Regardless we made it back safe and sound and decided to go to bed. Everyone else stayed up and made gingerbread houses.

In our hotel room there were 2 beds but Allie decided she wanted to sleep on the couch. I was tired and couldn't have cared less about where she slept as long as she went to sleep. Kendall did pretty good sleeping in the pack and play. When we woke up we got some breakfast and then hit the pool. Yes that's right we went swimming on Christmas Eve morning in Utah! Thankfully the pool was indoor and heated. Then we went up exchanged some gifts and checked out for the day. Thank you Allan's parents for the fun adventures!

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!
Again Allie slept in on Christmas morning. I think she is the only child in the world who sleeps in on Christmas morning. I don't know if she just goes sound to sleep so Santa comes or because she's so excited it wears her out but whatever it is I don't mind it one bit. Kendall was up at 7:00 and she didn't wake up until almost 8:00. It was fun seeing her get excited again about presents, but I think it's really neat that she gets even more excited about seeing other people open the gifts that she got for them. At least it's not all me, me, me she likes to give. I even got a very nicely used sleeping beauty doll all wrapped up from her :). She got these pretty cool fairies that light up with a wand and Kendall got some car rattles and food. His favorite was a little ball Grandma Too gave him. He squealed at that all day. We then went to church and then had Allan's parents, brother, uncle and future sister in law over for dinner. It turned out pretty yummy. All in all it's been a fun holiday season and now we get to wait for my parents to come for a visit.

Christmas picture fun

Allie teaching Kendall about the story of Jesus' birth.

Snow Day!

It's the most wonderful time of year....ok so it is if your name is Allie. She jumped in the snow. She rolled in the snow. She even fell off her slide backwards into the snow (then said "it's ok the snow caught me"). She loves the snow. Kendall had fun sitting in his car seat all nice and bundled up. I think he's going to like the snow too. Crazy kids don't they know it's cold.

Pics from Cali