Happy Birthday Grace!

Yet another birthday come and gone. I can't believe my little Gracie has turned FIVE. She is such a funny person. She doesn't complain much...and is so happy to be alive. She is always being goofy and wearing a smile. We wanted to do something fun for her big day and, by her choice, decided to go swimming. Gage was pretty much freaked out the entire time. Crede was having a blast, Morgan was being her crazy self, and Grace LOVED it.

Let's see...the highlights of our day consisted of:
*preschool ~ Grace was sung to, had chocolate doughnuts, received a crown, t-shirt, AND
birthday book.
*opening her presents ~ a "Barbie and the Fashion Fairy Tale" FLARey, cat and dog, and even
a cupcake necklace.
*helping Mom make her chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and licking everything clean
*blowing out candles
*swimming
*staying up late to play Mario Brothers

Happy Birthday Grace, I love you, and we are so happy to have you as part of our family.


The all-important FLAREy...

Our play would NEVER be complete without some type of hot-wheels car in the mix (thank you Crede). This one is accessorized with a fun purple scarf. Rwar!

Grace after her chocolate binge...

Crede and Grace playing Barbie. (We've GOT to get Crede into Spiderman...Batman...even DIEGO for crying out loud.)

The poodle feasting on his bone...

Gage was enthralled with the cooking cake. Plus who can resist this lighting?!

Patiently waiting her finished cake ~ sitting at the kitchen counter...

Singing "Happy Birthday"...

And the big moment...

At the Aquatic Center...Crede was loving this fountain.

Our little boy ~ after his traumatizing trip with Dad around the pool...

Morgan and Grace havin' fun...

Gage FINALLY got out of his comfort zone and started playing with the fountain. Yahoo!

Morgan standing under the waterfall...goofball.

At one point we had to clear out of the pool for "sanitary" reasons ~ so here we are as we waited....






And that's it! Happy Birthday Grace.

Favorites

Gage is in one of my very favorite stages in life right now. He is learning SO MANY new things, and he is actually putting words together. Granted, I don't understand 99% of them, but he definitely gets an "A" for effort. His little personality is beginning to really come through. It's a BLAST.

His favorite thing right now might have to be "shoes". He says that word constantly, and he will hunt down any pair of shoes in the house to put on (including my Sunday shoes with the 3" heel). He loves to point out "ears", "eyes", your "tongue" and your "hair". When he sees you for the first time during the day he'll say, "Hi mamaaaaaaa." or, "Hi Dadaaaaaaa". He loves to kiss, and anytime Mom and Dad give each other a smooch he's right there making a kiss-ie noise and puckering up as much as possible. (you have to be careful though ~ his kisses tend to last a very long time and it can get a little awkward.) He's just learned how to say, "Buh Byieeeee!" and he Loooooooves his Grandma. When she's around, Mom doesn't exist. Oh, and did I mention the fact that he loves books? He'll find one that tickles his fancy and will sit and look at the entire thing. I'm sorry, but what 1 1/2 year old BOY does that?! I know, he's a genius.

I love this kids chubby cheeks, and when he smiles, he points is top lip in the middle with a smirk that's about the cutest thing you've ever seen. His legs look like they haven't seen sun....EVER....and that kid can run.

Gage, we just love ya.'

Baptism Day

It finally came. All those years waiting for the big e.i.g.h.t. and then all those DAYS waiting for the big b.a.p.t.i.s.m.

It ended up being a VERY nice day. We had a LOT of family and friends there to support us, and Morgan really did a great job. She got a little nervous (which is SO understandable) but I think she was able to have a lot of fun.

Chance was able to baptize and confirm Morgan. She had 2 amazing talks (given by Sister Rudd and Sister John) and even sang a special musical number ~ "I am a Child of God" ~ with all the other kids turning 8 this year. My Mom bought her a cute corsage to wear around her wrist, and we got to go lunch afterward. (I heart Robintino's).

The only thing I would have to change would be a small embarrassing moment for myself. See, I have an old photograph of myself on my baptism day ~ standing in the water with my big brother (who baptized me). So in my head I thought, "Yeah, I'll take one of those photo's for Morgan to have." As I plowed through the 45 kids in the front to get a good "angle" on my shot, Chance glanced up at me and said, "Uh, I don't think you're supposed to take a picture of this." I glanced over at our Bishop who said, "Oh, yeah...sorry...I didn't notice you were wanting a photo. We're not supposed to take pictures." Did I feel a little dumb? Oh, sure. At least I didn't trip and fall on my face on my way back to my chair ~ right? **sigh**

But on a better note...Morgan, you did a great job, and I am so happy that you made this choice to be baptized! Your Dad and I love you.


Morgan and Chance hangin' out before everyone started showing up...



The serious one...

Aaaand of course we had to throw in a silly faced one. (Thanks Chance)

Morgan and Sister Rudd (who spoke on Baptism ~ she made Morgan a white embroidered towel...so. CUTE.)

Morgan and Sister John (who spoke on the Holy Ghost ~ her talk was amazing.)

The fam eating at Robintino's. Here you have my Mom, Brother-In-Law Kelly, Aunt Janet, Aunt Joyce, my Dad, Crede and Chance. Oh wait ~ I'm there too in the window at the end there. Hi!

Okay here's my Mom again, Kelly, my nephew's Preston and Carter, my sister Annette, Brother Bob and my Nephew Kendall.

Crew (Chance's Brother) and Grace

Chance's Dad and Mom, Morgan and my niece, Lexi.