Build a Bear

We gave Janae a gift card for Build a Bear for her birthday, knowing we where going to SLC the next day. She was so cute opening the card up. The look on her face was priceless when she read the card and realized what it was. So we went straight the mall when we got to SLC before going to grandma's house.

We explained to Addyson that she wasn't getting a bear, that it was Janae's present from us. Sweet little Janae asked if we had 3 spare dollars. Scott told her that he did. She then asked if he would give her them so that she could give them, along with the $27 in her wallet to Addyson, so she could get a bear too. What a sweetie! We figured that if she was willing to spend all of her birthday money on her sister, we would just give Addyson the money. I don't know how, but we must be doing something right :)

I know they had a great time and we'll be going back again for more clothes and accessories.















The finished products- Fabulous Pinky















Little sweet bear

Voilà!

Addyson was so excited to tell me her recipe for making applesauce, she learned how in school today. So here is is for any of you that want to make your own:


Addyson's Applesauce

You have to get four apples. Cut the skin off with the thing that you turn the handle with (apple peeler and corer). Then you put a half cup of water in the bowl that you can put in the oven. Next put brown sugar in-at least 2 cups. Stir it up. Put it in the oven for a long time. Leave it out to cool. Then you smash it with something you push down. Then put in 1/2 cup white sugar, just a little bit of cinnamon (1/2 cup) and stir up. Next you get to eat it with a spoon because it is still warm. And voila, you have applesauce!

The birthday party

Scott has started a new tradition with Janae for her birthday presents. The last two years he has gotten her a shirt and she has loved them. It looks like he will have to continue this in the years to come.

Janae is not much a cake fan, so she decided to have fruit pizza instead. She had been looking forward to the dessert for several weeks, but when the time came to eat it, she didn't like it. Apparently it wasn't very good, only one of the kids actually ate theirs. Oh well, I tried.

Jane and Addyson in bed after opening a few presents. All Janae had been talking about is the "littlest pet shop" toys she wants. Addyson decided to get her some.

For fun, I decided to do a scavenger hunt for the kids. Here they are at the sandbox finding one of the treats.

I made this sign and had it up when Janae got home from school. She was thrilled to see her name that big on the garage door.

The day started with breakfast in bed. Blueberry pancake and strawberries where what she requested.

Finding another one of their treats and reading the next clue.

We had four girls show up for the party. I've decided that I like small parties better than huge ones, especially if they are here at our house. I think Janae had a great day. Scott surprised her by showing up to have lunch with her, a highlight of her day. Her teacher told me that she has never seen anyone so excited for their birthday as Janae was. It's hard to believe that she is already seven :)

Happy 7th Birthday Janae Nacole

So seven years ago today, I became a mom. Who would have thought I'd ever be a mom?!? I never knew love could happen instantly upon giving birth, but I'm here to tell you that it does. I couldn't believe how beautiful my baby girl was! I was so excited to take her home from the hospital and have time as our little family. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have such a good baby. It just keeps getting better every year too. We've had some good times in the past seven years with Janae, we sure love her. Happy Birthday Janae! I may be a little biased, okay a lot biased, but this girl is pretty darn cute and has always been.

(Starting at the top left-Janae now, at 6 years old, 5 years old, 4, years old, 3 years old, 2 years old, 1 year old, 4 1/2 months old and newborn.)

Some things I love about Janae are:

-she is really helpful, especially in the kitchen. She is always ready to help with whatever I am cooking

-she is a great snuggler. I miss the mornings where we are rushed and don't have time to snuggle

-her laugh

-her smile

-her hugs and kisses. I hope she never gets too big to give me my daily allotment

-our alone time on Saturday afternoons, usually shopping

-her love of reading, just like me

In fact, I love so much about her that I couldn't possibly list them all. She is definitely my favorite 7 year old in the whole world. I love you Coley!

Addyson's first day of preschool

Addyson started school today. She was scared for a while because her friend Emma wasn't going to be at school this year, she is in kindergarten. After some fast thinking the other night, I told her that she was the special one because no one else going to Mrs. Kari's had ever gone to that school before, only her. She seemed to think that was great because her tears stopped and she once again looked forward to going. She picked out her clothes last night and was ready to go early this morning. We volunteered to take snack today, blueberry muffins and fruit leathers. She thought she was a hot dog carrying her snack up to school. I am looking forward to having 3, count them, 3, mornings a week to myself. I feel selfish, but I really am happy to have time to myself.

leaving for school

outside the Young Ones Preschool

I can't look now mom, I'm busy cutting

Oh, alright mom, just make it fast

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Janae. She is now officially a 2nd grader. (I must be getting old!!) In the spring, I requested a teacher only to be told that Janae would not be in her class. So right before school got out, Janae met her teacher and the other kids in her class. All was fine and dandy. On Friday, 4 days before school started, Janae gets a postcard for a different teacher saying how glad she is to have her in her class. What??? I called the school to find out what was going on and was told that she had indeed been changed to the class that I had requested. No explanation of why, just that she had been changed. Janae was a little afraid to go..... possibly because she had no idea where she was going!! Anyways, we took her to school and all is well once again.

in front of the school sign

right before we left for school

outside her classroom

getting off the bus after school

Bear Lake

We usually go camping Labor Day weekend, but decided not to this year. I have been wanting to go to Bear Lake for a couple of years. A friend has property there and invited us a couple summers ago to come with her. The girls had a blast in the sand. So when Jen invited us again to come spend the day with them, we gladly accepted. After sleeping in, we got there about lunchtime. It was a struggle to get Addyson to eat, she was ready for the sand. In fact, while I was getting her lunch ready, she stripped off to her swimsuit. We walked to the lake and ended up spending about 4 hours there. The wind came up not long after we got there, but that did not stop the kids at all. (Notice my hair in the last picture). About the time we were done packing up the sand toys, the wind calmed down, the sun came out and it was nice again. Oh well, we still had a great time. Janae, Addyson and Carter thought it would be great to bury my legs so that I couldn't move. Then it was Janae's turn. The kids played and swam in the water for a long time, even though it was barely warm.

We really miss Maine, especially during the summer, we spent a lot of time at the beach. I've decided that Bear Lake is the closest thing we have to the beaches we miss so much. We will definitely be going back again. Thanks Jen for letting us spend the day with you and your family.

FMC Family Day

When we came home from Lagoon last week, grandma, grandpa, and Uncle Mike came back with us. On Saturday, FMC had a family safety day. We got to go out and see where Scott works and spend the day doing fun things. They had a couple of slides, sand to dig in, a coloring contest and other activities for the kids. Adults were able to take a tour underground. The girls had a great time, especially the bus tour around the plant site. Something about riding a bus seems neat to them. After eating lunch, playing and just being in the sun all day, the girls were exhausted.