A year in review.

My cute cousin Jessie did this on her blog. I thought since I have so much to catch up on I'll give a review of 2013 in pictures as well.

January

Michelangelo's birthday.

February

watching gymnastics

 March

Brad and Rachel's wedding

Bug learning to ride a bike

April

Girl's birthdays

Mike's grandma passed away

Liza's birthday

May

Miniature golfing

 June

Monkey's doctorate and graduation from 3rd grade.

Bug's Kindergarten Graduation

Andrea left on her mission

Visiting with a good friend.

 July

Children's parade

Extended family reunion

Family reunion with my family

 August

Lagoon

Scarlet Pimpernel. My brother and sister-in-law were the stars of the show.

 September (I lost my camera)

Flying in a hot air balloon! (almost)

October

Despicable Me Margo, Edith, and Agnes. Halloween 2013

Birthdays for Boo and I

November

Gingerbread houses

Michelangelo's sculpture in Deseret Book's Christmas catalog.

Love visiting the temple with my better half.

December

Monkey in the Little Mermaid play at her elementary school.

Gingerbread Kids

Meeting Baby Clara for the first time.

Christmas Morning

Zoo Lights

Niece's blessing

Boo with Grandpa O. So sweet.

 2013 has been a great year, full of growth, learning and happiness. I am so grateful for good family, friends, and the gospel of Christ. I am excited to see what 2014 holds.

Long lost post: Bug's Birthday Party

I have recently realized as I have gone through my posts that I never posted about Bug's birthday. Since my girls only get friend birthday parties on their even years I will never live it down if I don't post about it. After all this blog is my substitute for a scrapbook.

Not only does my Chadley love insects and had such big eyes when she was a baby, but she is also my social butterfly. This is why I call her bug. Her friendliness was also the cause of a dilemma for me as this was her year for a friend party. There is quite a large group of kids her age in the neighborhood that she plays with, not to mention her friends from daycare and her friends from school. I felt guilty about limiting her guest list to 10 plus her sisters. But a girl has to draw a line somewhere, or else she might as well go crazy. And NO ONE wants that. Lucky for me one of my friends introduced me to a perfect solution for my dilemma.

We went to a local gymnastics place. The kids loved it. They had relay races, bouncing competitions, and parachute activities. It was perfect for a bunch of energetic 5-6 year olds. I didn't have to clean my house, be in charge of activities or stress about carpools. The party host was so cute with the kids. It was fantastic. I'm going to have to remember this place when Boo gets older.
Here are the pictures.

 Some of the cute kids at the party. They were all so sweet, talented and so well behaved. Bug has some great friends.

The Gymnasium.

 Playing with the Parachute. They had a great time.

My princess, the birthday girl.

Blowing out her candle.

We had a great turnout. I was so glad so many could come. I am so grateful for our neighborhood and the great friends my girls have.

I love my Bug so much and the energy she brings to our home. I can't imagine life without her.

Count my many blessings. Name them one by one.

Today was a bit stressful so I'm going to follow some good advice and start listing things I am grateful for today....
I am grateful for our second car that we just got today. My sister-in-law sold it to us. This car is going to make it possible for me to get to work in the fall and I will be the master of my time. :)

I am grateful for businesses like Barnes & Noble who recognize that teachers use a lot of their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms and so they offer a discount for us. With my gift-card I was able to buy a few new books for my classroom!
I am grateful for a wonderful daughter who loves to help out around the house. She is going to be a wonderful mommy someday.

Monkey's Native American project

 I am grateful for this guy who is willing to take time out of his long day to register the car, let me go for a long walk and scrub my floor. I'm so lucky he is mine.

Us at the Cheesecake factory at City Creek

 I am grateful for that spunky, artistic 6 year old who marches to the beat of her own drum. Sometimes her quiet stubbornness drives me crazy, but I love that she is her own individual.

Girls at the zoo

I am also grateful for my sweet, silly, tender 3 year old. I love that she loves to cuddle and give me kisses. She is learning so much so quickly. I am grateful that she is doing really well with her potty training. Just in time for daycare to start. Hooray!
I am also grateful for a good job as much as I am stressing out about it right now and a good support system.
I am grateful for family that is close by and the opportunity I have to spend time with them.

Bryan as the evil Chauvelin and Kelsey as the beautiful Marguerite in the Scarlet Pimpernel

I really am blessed.