Andy Turns the BIG Three O

My sweet little sister turned 30 last month and I really wanted to help make it special. So...we sistuhs organized a surprise party in her honor so she would know--LIKE really KNOW how special she is to us. I made some desserts.

 I made vanilla cupcakes with strawberry swiss meringue buttercream (yum). I also made mini sugar cookies and mini chocolate chip cookies. Cindy brought some whoopie pies that totally matched my pink theme and Hil made a whole bunch of yummy brownies. It was perfect.

 My amazing friend Pollyanna helped me with the gum paste flowers. I got to arrange them on the cake. (I was terrified). I loved how it turned out!

OH and yes...she was surprised and as far as I know she felt special too!
I love you Andy.

Hilerie, Stephanie, Andrea Christy and me. Sorry--I didn't do my hair because I was baking and then driving to Utah!

Jolie...Smiling AGAIN

 Yeah here she is charming the camera....again! It really is a miracle that she'll smile for me now! She is so funny too. She has a great handle on the english language for her age if I do say so myself. The other day we were going out to the car and I told her..."Jolie be really careful, the steps are really slippery." She said, "Okay Mom" and then she looked down at the steps and said, "Well here goes nuthin!" hahahahaha!

Happy Happy Halloween!

This year trick or treating fell on Jolie's birthday. What a *treat* for her! She loved it and she hoarded that candy and clung to that pumpkin bucket for a couple of weeks before it got dumped. Boy she was mad at Brett when she found out it was gone! We had a quick dinner that night and then we went to the Trunk or Treat in our neighborhood. Then Brett walked around with the kids for a bit so they could hit some houses. Jolie quit after about 8 so we just followed Colby and Brad around the block in the van. It was great! We ended at the Stufflebeam's house where we ate too many doughnuts and had some yummy yum hot chocolate. It started to snow right at the end of the night. We had a great time!

 At the school Halloween parade. Colby was a zombie again this year! Jolie knew he was under that mask and she was still scared to death of him!

 Jolie had a BEAUTIFUL Snow White costume from Disneyland that she would not wear in public. She wanted it on constantly at home and then--nothing. I was disappointed.

 Our fun pumpkins this year!

Jolie with her bucket and in her fairie dress up clothes!

 My favorite little bear! Thank you Nikkei for the cute snuggle coat that doubled as the perfect costume!

Jolie's Birthday!

Our big girl turned THREE on October 30th! She got to have her first "friend" party and it was just right. She had three friends over for some games, lunch, cupcakes and ice cream all in about and hour and a half. Everything was Tinkerbell and Jolie had a great time. 



 Here is Colby playing bean bag games with the kids! We also had prizes in balloons that the kids had to pop. They played ring around the rosies with Brett and London Bridge too!

 Looking at her new Tinkerbelle movie with Gracie!

 Hugging Connor after he gave her a bunch of fairies!

 Lighting the Birthday Candles....

 She was so excited and happy!

After the party...she crashed hard. She had to get some rest before trick or treating!

Classic moments...starring Brett and the party crew hahaha!



Colby's Birthday!

Eleven years ago on October 25th, 1999 I had a bouncing baby boy--Colby! I can't believe that Colby is eleven already. He is a smart, funny, cute, creative and a very special boy. I love him more than anything and lately I've had to remind him more that he used to be my baby and that I kissed him constantly and snuggled him silly. For Colby's birthday we did some really fun things, in fact we decided it would be best to celebrate Colby's birthday for an entire weekend. Several times a day I would have to burst into song with..."BIRTHDAY weekend yah yah yah!", I'm positive Colby loved it haha!

We did celebrate with food. (I'm a little embarassed now that I'm typing this but we've been exercising so don't judge us haha!) Colby requested a trip to the Olive Garden and so we went, and it was great. Then for breakfast on Sunday, we had buttermilk pancakes with chocolate chips, fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. It was a little bit crazy. Crazy delicious that is. We saw something similar on Man vs. Food and went for it. It might be a Colby birthday tradition. Monday Jolie, Huge and I took Colby to Rupe's. I know we watched movies too, and Colby got the iTunes gift card he was waiting for and a book from his dad.

 Huge celebrating Colby's birthday

 Colby you are so handsome and I love you like no other!



Miss Photogenic

This little lady has been the biggest stinker about getting her picture taken! Then all of a sudden....here come the smiles! Maybe it's the new hair cut, I don't know. What I do know is that she is my big girl now. She is sassy and funny and extremely cute. Love this pic.

Pumpkin Boy!

Happy Halloween from Huge!

October 2nd, 2010

Outside Fun!

This was one of those perfect October fall nights that just begged for all of us to go outside and play. Luke helped me take the pictures....this is what we got!

I love the look of pure joy on Jolie's face. I am so proud of Colby and what a fun brother he is! Jolie loves him so much and I love to watch them play.

Huge

 Here's our sweet boy at two months old! This is the first little photo shoot we did when he just started smiling at us! He has been a little cranky because of acid reflux but he is waking up and starting to interact with us. He is so chubby and cute. We LOVE him! We also call him Huge, Little Huge and Huge-e. It started because of Jolie and stuck.

Love Love Love these cute kids!

The Hair Cut

I was breastfeeding (which I often am these days) and I noticed how quiet the house was. I called for Jolie and she told me she was busy. I thought she was up to something naughty, I just didn't realize how naughty. I found her in the kitchen cutting her hair. She was even thoughtful enough to put the hair in the garbage as she was cutting it!

I put the kids in the car and started to drive around town to find someone who could fix it! Apparently every stinking salon in Blackfoot is closed on Mondays. (Except Walmart--but lesson already learned there with Colby). Anyway...I got a hold of my friend Julie and she did a great job of fixing it up. Jolie had tapered it perfectly on one side and Julie just matched the other side!

This happened October 1st, and it has actually grown out a little more and thickened up. With her cute curls, it's actually really cute! I think Jolie just knew that she needed a change since her hair is kind of thin haha! I just hope it doesn't happen again!

First Day of School

My handsome boy started the 5th grade this year. I just can't believe it. This will be his last year of elementary school. His teacher is Mrs. Scott and believe it or not she was also Brett's teacher and all of his siblings had her as well. This will be her last year!



 Here he is posing with all of his school supplies and his cute sister! I wasn't excited for Colby to go back to school because we have so much fun when he is home. He is also a great helper with his little sister and brother.

After school he said it was "ok" and we had milk and cookies. Here's to another great school year!

Baby Blessing

We were able to bless Luke and Lily together in September. It was so special and wonderful! We did it in Andrea and Joe's ward so that all of my family wouldn't have to travel and we had a brunch afterward at the park. I feel bad that I didn't get a family photo while we were there but Luke looked so handsome in his little sweater vest! Brett did a good job too and I really felt the spirit during the meeting. I was grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony with my whole family there. I am blessed with many things in my life and a good family is at the top of my favorites list. I am grateful for my sweet children and the opportunity that I have been given to be a mother.