For the love of Girlz

I love having lil girlz for the following reasons:

Playing Dolls, even better together

Dress up all year long!

Always ready for arts and crafts!

Free Frosting and taste testers!

and lots of Singing!!!!

Thanks Mom

Sunday night as John and I were saying our good nights to the girls they each on their own said, "I love you Mommy!" It was the first time they have done that, even before I had a chance to tell them I loved them first. My heart swelled. I love you both so much too!

Last night I drug out my sewing machine from the dungeoness basement to do a lil repairs on Tyler's beloved Snow White dress, that she puts on first thing in the morning every single day...that is until I took it away as the holes were getting bigger and bigger.

As I was "repairing", although it was a simple job, thank goodness, I thought to myself and I want her to know, "thanks Mom for taking the time to teach and reteach me to sew (over and over again). Apparently I was paying far more attention than either of us thought. I love you!"

Movin' Movin' Movin...

Watch that Baby movin...rawhide!

As you can see Tate is on the move, he learned that moving his legs actually gets him places and he's loving his new found freedom. He's able to eat all the food he's dropped on the floor that mom hasn't gotten to picking up yet. He's pulling him up to grab sister's toys (they're turning to higher ground these days).

He even found the stairs....OH NO!

The girls were out playing in the playhouse and so we went out to visit them with Tate. We knocked on the door and when they opened it they happily exclaimed, "a puppy!" So appropriate, the size shape and behavior of a lil puppy. Still chewing on everything, still droolin everywhere, still NO teeth.

Great Family Night

As a family we had a great night. The girls and I made Papa Harris' pancakes for dinner, complete with homemade jam cream. The girls then invited John, Tate and I up to the Playhouse for Family Home Evening where we started with a song, Families Can Be Together Forever...but didn't finish until we got back in the house, kids kicking and screaming the whole way in, the playhouse being a little distracting for the kids and I being a lil too much of a control freak. Sometimes I forget Tyler is only 2 and McKenna is only 5... All's well that ends well and we did all settle down and sing and had a nice little lesson on Temples where we learned some new factoids. John then treated the girls to an ice cream cone. It was a fun little night for our little family.

"C" is for Cookie and Cookie is for me!
(Thanks my 1st cookie Dad!)

Point Huskies!

My brother James is going to the Bankers school up at UW for a few weeks, and my other brother Mark came up with our old neighbors and his good friend Skyler and his mom Lori Salvo to see Lori's daughter Airial who is playing Volleyball for UW. Talk about a supportive Mom!

This is the 1st time Mark's been up to Washington since I moved here and so we took advantage of the situation and all met at Airial's game Friday night for a quick reunion. I wish I'd gotten more pictures as Mark and James were so cute with the girls running around the halls and chasing them, holding them when asked. It doesn't take much to please these girls who are definitely in love with their Uncles. Airial played a great game and I hope we make it back to see them play. Apparently their team is 4th in their division-John also found out that one of his patient's is a big fan of hers, so it's not just our biased opinion of what a great player she is. The girls loved her name was Airial and were her own personal cheerleaders.

I honestly can't believe how blurry my pictures are...maybe time to clean the lens?

Primary Carnival

Our primary held their annual Primary Carnival Aug 26th
I think the kids all had a great time!

There was Popcorn, Hot Dogs, a Fishing pond, cake walk, and lots of games.

Grandma Harris, thanks for teaching us about the Knock'em down cups game.

It was a big hit!

Introducing...the deck

In July John's Dad came out to help us build a deck for the yard. He left before he was able to see the finished product. Thanks for coming out and for all your help, we LOVE our new deck, especially in the evenings at dinner time....ahhh I love the crisp fall weather!

McKenna's Birthday

It's no secret McKenna lives for Birthdays. Hardly a day passes without a shout of Happy Birthday to either Tyler or herself. Her birthday has pretty much lasted all week. The gifts started the Saturday before when McKenna and Tyler received a lil princess vanity to furnish their playhouse. They were thrilled and started doing one another's hairs immediately.

McKenna's been using old sheets from our college days and a quilt John's ex-girlfriend made for him and although she doesn't know the history she has been asking for a "big bed". The night before McKenna's birthday we gave the girls polka dot sheets for their beds. When I asked her if she wanted pancakes for breakfast, she shook her head no and responded, "cake." :) That night John and I put up the birthday decorations declaring the official beginning of the birthday celebrations.

The next 2 days was one celebration after another. When McKenna woke up and rounded the corner the next morning she didn't disappoint with her reaction-a big inhale and smile asking, "Is it my birthday?" We celebrated with a new Barbie Movie-Mermaidia and new underwears. The UPS man stopped by with a big package from Grandma & Grandpa Payne, to which we opened at the office with Dad for lunch. It had all of her favorite things in it: Clothes, a Barbie art pad, and her 1st BARBIE!!! That evening we made cupcakes and had her first little party on the deck (YEAH!). We had called to Thank Grandma for the package and was thrilled to have her present at the party-She got a Barbie camera from Tyler, another Barbie from Grandma & Papa Harris and a new Bedspread from Mom and Dad.

The next morning was a little hectec as I tried to finish the cake and getting things together for the Diamond Castle Barbie Party. Pry the most notable is that it would've been an easy cake to make had I followed the plan. Chocolate mousse does complicate the process and the integrity of a cake wall that should be holding up the Barbie up. :) In a moment of frustration and desire to quit I did start a 2nd cake and put it in the oven to bake. This was 3 hrs before the party-unfortunately that cake didn't make it. While it was cooling I attempted to move the jar/cake with my bare hands dropping and breaking the jar on the floor. I think things hit rock bottom at that point and everything slowly started to come together after that.

It was a very fun Mommy and Me party-Little Miss C & Leslie, Marella & Noelle, Lilly & Jamie and her sisters were all in attendance for pedicures and manicures (thanks Leslie) while we watched Diamond Castle. Then we made friendship necklaces out of clay, We sang Happy Birthday and ate the Nie Nie Mud Cake (with chocolate mousse) Barbie style and ice cream and then opened gifts. It really was a perfect Barbie Party.

That night as McKenna got ready for bed she sadly asked if her birthday was over. She'd asked the same question the night before-and had been given the answer that there was to be a party the next day. This time the answer had to be yes-but alas Daddy's birthday is in a month so no need to fret. There is always a birthday going on or coming soon.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this birthday so beloved to this little girl!

(PS-started taking down the decorations today-McKenna about started to cry, ahh the harsh reality)

Happy Birthday McKenna-5 years old!

Oh my sweet McKenna, who has been counting down the days, and practicing for her next birthday party since your last birthday a year ago. My favorite rehearsal was just a couple of days ago when you and Tyler set up a birthday party for you with your Baby Belle and Baby Cinderella dolls. You had a vision in your mind the way a birthday party goes-first you set it all up, then you play games, usually hide and seek, then you open presents and sing happy birthday and have cake.

You've been asking for a Barbie for the last 3 months-with a pink dress and white hair, and a new bed. You also want to go to school with the big kids. I think you might get lucky in all aspects.

You want to be "big". What you don't know is that you've been getting bigger and bigger every day. You grow up a little more each day, and although there are days both of us can't wait for you to grow up and be bigger. I'm thankful you still come to me and ask me to "hold" you. Like you've always done with your blanket "pink", sucking your tongue (instead of a binki) and just sit in my lap. It's one of my favorite moments with you.

You are becoming such a great helper and I love watching you with Tyler and Tate. You have so much love for them. You love to make them smile and laugh, especially Tate who is enamored by you.

Your favorite color is PINK, although purple makes it in there quite often.

You love to dress up, and play pretend and even though you don't always know the words you love to sing and dance. Last night in Target you and Tyler found some microphones and right there in the aisle you both erupted into song, "I know you I danced with you Once upon a dream". I wasn't the only one watching, you caught many a shoppers eye and ear and brought a smile to their lips.

Silly faces!
Your Dad and I love you so much and still remember the day you were born, like it was yesterday!

We're so happy to have you in our family!

Trying on clothes for school

Happy 2- year old Tanner (BIrthday)

Saturday we went to Tanner's birthday. It was the perfect combination of food, people and fun! Cars theme-perfect for Tanner who is obsessed with anything on wheels, It was out at Leslie's Dad's place in Carbonado: There were hot dogs, watermelon, and a blow up jumpy thing that the kids loved! Happy Birthday Tanner!

Taken with the cell phone-missing my camera

tried to steal these from Leslie-but they are small

The following story is a side note that looking back just shows my own stupidity. Those who know me know most of the time I run about 5-15 minutes late. I was running 5 minutes later than I wanted when I left my house for the party, but should've been there on time. I even debated stopping at the store on the way there but I wanted to surprise Leslie by being on time. I didn't keep her directions to the party like I should've but I did go online and print them out. Unfortunately I couldn't get the map to print out and John had loaned our GPS to the new sister missionaries but I was pretty confident with the area and not too worried about it...until an hour later I was still driving in circles knowing that I wasn't very far away but couldn't get a hold of anyone on the phone to help me. I eventually backtracked and even tried to follow the directions and I still got lost. I even had to stop for gas, and at one point tried to convince McKenna who had to use the bathroom to use a port-a-potty or to even squat on the grass. She doesn't have an issue doing that in the backyard so I'm not sure what held her back...maybe the cars driving past. That would be a good thing. :) We did eventually make it there, but I was a lil embarrassed and so close to just turning around and going home.

McKenna became my own personal cheerleader and sensing my distress she asked me what was wrong. When I told her I was lost she responded, "It's ok Mom, just try again." I don't know where she hears or learns some of this stuff, but it was exactly what I needed and even made me smile.

Life a week at a time.

The days are slipping by all to quickly and I can't believe I'm about to comment on the weather AGAIN! Mostly because it feels as though Fall as come and the leaves are already changing.

Things are progressing around here, mostly in the form of Tate who is now scooting himself around the room. If he catches me walking by him he's been known to dive at me to grab my feet. Smart lil fella.

Things we've done this week:

Monday we started Swim Lessons at the Y. They are actually every M/W. Leslie set us up so that at 6 pm Tyler and I go to a Mommy and Me swim class where we play and dance in the water. at 6:20 McKenna and Lil Miss C go to their class, Tyler and I get out at 6:25, shower, take tate while Leslie and Tanner go to their Mommy & Me class. At 6:50 I pick up McKenna and Lil Miss C-shower them and get them ready to go. Leslie and Tanner finish at 7, shower and then we pile in the car and head home. It makes for a busy hour-it's very effecient though. Thanks Leslie.

Tuesday we went to the Park in Bonney Lake and saw the Bubble Man. He was pretty amazing making bubbles out of "Really cheap toys" or junk as some might call it. :) He was also pretty good at sliding political jabber in there. The Pierce County School district give free lunches to kids 1-18-at the schools and at the parks, so we've been taking advantage of that as often as we can. As we were heading back to the car I was pushing Tate and I realized just how big and long the kid has grown. I realized my baby is not an infant anymore-my how the time is flying. John now has Tuesday's free so he finished the flooring of the deck and then we all ran to the library that evening and then onto the park for a picnic dinner. We love being able to spend time with our Dad, especially at the park.

Wednesday morning we went to a toddler Gym class that is held in the gymnastics room. 0-5 year olds are free to pretty much run around and the kids had a blast. There is a huge pit with big square sponge blocks in it, a long runway tampoline and lots of mats to climb on. For privacy reasons there won't be any pictures of this or swim classes, so you'll just have to use your imagination and I'll hope that my memory will somehow hold up.

Thursday we went to the school for lunch-I got to go running after a 3 week lapse--felt like I was just starting again after a year. Thursday night John took McKenna out for a "Special Date". They went out for ice cream cones and then looked at Barbies and Patio furniture. :) An hour after they left Tyler realized they were gone and asked where McKenna was. When I told her she started frantically calling, "McKenna, I need my sister, I need my sister." So to distract her we climbed in the wagon and I strapped Tate on the front of me and we went and picked Blackberries. The first of them are ripe and oh so YUMMY!!!

Today, Friday has been pretty chill-we went for lunch again and then onto Costco. Usually it's a pretty smooth trip and the girls are really cooperative and good. It was not one of those trips-but you can't win them all. Makes you really appreciate the times they do listen. (Don't worry Dad-I still have my Happy!)