Brynlee Lost a Tooth!

Brynlee lost her first tooth!!!  I cannot tell you what a different experience it was with Brynlee than it has been with Gracie.  Gracie simply hates loosing her teeth and pretty much refuses to wiggle them or even open her mouth to anyone who asks about them.  Brynlee, however, upon finding that she had a slightly wiggly tooth relentlessly pushed and pulled and allowed Jake and I to twist and yank until she finally pulled it out!  

 Please excuse the dirty mirror. I'd like to say that it normally doesn't look like that but unfortunately it is quite normal!

End of School year 2012...Gracie 1st grade, Brynlee Kindergarden

Gracie had an "End of year" program this year.  They sang lots of songs they had learned all year.

 Lydia was a trooper sitting through all the end of year things this year.  She was fairly entertained most of the time!

 During the last week there was a "Nerd" day.  Brynlee thought that meant they needed to dress up like nerd candies!  I had a difficult time trying to explain what a nerd was...I think they need bring back Saved by the Bell and Family Matters!  Anyways, I thought they made pretty cute Nerds that put Screech and Urkle to shame!

 Brynlee graduated from Kindergarden!  

 We have Loved Mrs. Esquerra!  Gracie had her as well but she will probably be retired before Lydia makes it to Kindergarden:(  

Gracie's 7th Birthday...A Barbie Party!

Gracie is officially 7 years old!  We had a fun time planning and having a Barbie birthday party for her.  It was a LOUD couple of hours but still such a fun time!  

 We made these pipe cleaner rings for an activity and I thought they turned out pretty cute!  

 The party favors....made good use of all the baby food jars we go through!

 The life size Barbie box photo booth was a hit!  I wasn't sure they would get into it but we could have done this the entire time!  Some of the poses they came up with were hilarious!!!

 The Candy bar game

 It was just too much party for Hattie girl:)

Happy Birthday Gracie!  

At 7 years old Gracie has become a great reader and an excellent speller.  She is ALWAYS humming...so much so that she doesn't realize she is doing it and has to be reminded during prayers and sacrament meeting to stop!  She loves to ride her bike and scooter and is enjoying playing softball.  Gracie it a big help with Hattie and it's so nice that she can pick her up and carry her around with out any trouble.  We love you so much Gracie, Happy Birthday!

Valentines Day 2012

Both Grandma's sure make Valentines Day special and exciting by sending packages!  We were spoiled with lots of fun things and treats!!  Thanks Grandma Smith and Grandma Bennion!  (Thanks to our Grandpa's too....but I'm pretty sure Grandma had more to do with it!!!)

 We decorated sugar cookies for Family Home Evening

 Lydia loved her mask from Grandma Smith and wore it all night long!

 Hattie Loved getting slipped a few bits of cookie too:)

 Valentine Hair

 Valentine dinner

Jake was gone this Valentines with the youth at the temple but he surprised the girls the next morning with fun Lollipops and me with Chocolate strawberries in a chocolate bowl YUM!!!

I'm so grateful for all my sweet valentines!!

Thanksgiving 2011...ER Pie

Thanksgiving 2011 will always  be remembered as the Thanksgiving Jake, Gracie and I spent in the ER.   We had just started our Thanksgiving feast at Jodi and Johns.  The kids of course were done with their meal  in about 7 minutes and were already back outside playing in the backyard.  The adults had just started to dig into our meals when John and Jodi's daughter Megan rushed in to inform us that Gracie was hurt and bleeding.  Sure enough we found Gracie outside on the ground next to a scooter and a frowny faced cut in her chin from the handle of the scooter.  Thinking that possibly we might be able to go to an InstaCare place and avoid the ER we spent the next hour going from place to place only to find that the only place open on Thanksgiving was of course the ER.  Luckily, they weren't busy and we were able to get in pretty quickly.  After the doctor saw her and gave her some numbing cream we had a while to wait before they could actually do the stitching.  Gracie had been very calm since we arrived at the ER and was actually quite happy to be having some one and one time with Jake and I! So, when she suddenly started getting upset and tearing up we were a bit surprised but we tried to explain that the stitches wouldn't hurt and everything would be fine.  That still didn't calm her down.  Finally, she was able to get out what was troubling her so much," I just really don't want to miss pumpkin pie!" she said.  Oh that sweet girl...here she is about ready to be sewn up and all she wants is  a slice of pumpkin pie!!!  The Doctor caught wind of the situation and the next time he came in he had a slice of pumpkin pie just for Gracie.  She was thrilled!! She got her stitches and the Doctor was amazed at how well she did and told her she was the easiest kid he has ever stitched up! Now the 8 stitches are gone and she'll have a small scar on her chin for the rest of her life to remember Thanksgiving 2011 and her ER pie!

Lydia's 3rd Birthday

   Our little Lydia Belle turned 3!  Oh how we love you Lydia!  I think Grandma Bennion put it best in your birthday card when she said we hope you never loose your Sparkle and Shine. However, I could do with a little less mischievousness!  You didn't take a day off even though it was your birthday.  You started bright and early by squirting toothpaste (poospaste in your language!) all over the bathroom towels.  While I cleaned up that lovely mess you got your self a drink from the fridge but filled the cup up a little to full.  You couldn't be bothered by dumping the excess out in the sink ( it was your birthday after all!) instead you just dumped it out on the kitchen floor and then continued the process of filling and dumping, filling and dumping until that just wasn't fun anymore and you left the mess for me to discover (at least my floor got cleaned that day!) and went on your merry way.  Later in the day I also discovered that you had helped with the laundry by placing an entire box of dryer sheets in the dryer! So helpful you are!!!
   When we asked you what you wanted for your birthday you always responded the same, "Purple flower burtday and thkirths  and thparkly shoeth!" (skirts and sparkly shoes...you have a bit of a lisp, which I just love!)  We tried to give you some ideas of toys you might like but you stayed firm on your request of skirts and sparkly shoes...so skirts and sparkly shoes is what you got along with a purple flower cake and some great presents from Grandma and Grandpa Smith and Grandma and Grandpa Bennion that you really did love!

We love you so much Lydia Belle and really do hope you never loose your Sparkle and Shine!!!