One Whole Hand

Happy 5th Birthday to Kenzie! This Birthday has made me realize that my baby is not so baby anymore. Kenzie is still, and I'm sure will always be, spoiled like the baby of the family is. For instance, she is well more than half my height and yet, when she wants me to, I carry her around on my hip!:) She pretty much gets what she wants, if within reason, and it drives the other kids crazy. But we all love her to pieces! Kenzie loves playing with friends, coloring pictures, going to school and dance, being a helper, acting silly, and giving hugs! This day was Birthday celebration from morning until night!

Kenzie's yummy birthday breakfast in bed: scrambled eggs w/ ketchup, toast, strawberries, and orange juice. I love how she's holding her glass to drink...so funny!
Kenzie opened up cards and gifts from Grandmama and Uncle Shane's family. Grandpa and Grandma Debbie called to sing "Happy Birthday". Thanks!

What a cutie in her Birthday outfit!

Kenzie has been showing interest in getting her ears pierced and I thought it would make the perfect Birthday present. We headed for Claire's first thing. She picked out beautiful, sparkly flower earrings. This is a before and during picture. Kenzie was so brave! It was over pretty fast. She only said, "Ow"... not a single tear was shed!

Kynlee and Karley convinced me to let them miss school so they could see Kenzie get her ears pierced. They were so sweet with her! I love these girls!

We went to McDonald's for her Birthday lunch. She enjoyed her chicken nuggets Kid Meal!

After being Queen of the Day at Pre-school, I brought the kids from her class and met others at our house for her "Soccer" Birthday party. This was her first friend Birthday party. It was rainy, so thankfully a neighbor offered their basement for our soccer game. The kids had a blast!

The little soccer pros!

We came back home and had cupcakes and Powerade drinks.

Kenzie and her friends had a lot of fun at the party!

Kenzie loves her Baby Alive doll! We ended the fun filled day with her favorite dinner, Hot Wings. Happy Birthday to the sweetest and cutest 5 year old...I love you so much Kenzie! Grandma Slider took Kenzie the next day to Build-A-Bear Workshop for her Birthday gift. Kenzie had fun picking out her purple bear, bathing and brushing her, dressing her, and giving her loves. She named her bear, "Snuggle Bug"...so cute! I know Kenzie enjoyed having Grandma all to herself for a little while. Thanks Donna!

Lights Out

Matthew gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting yesterday and did a fantastic job! His topic was "How Choosing Good Friends Will Help Him Prepare For His Mission". What a great topic! He talked about having courage to live gospel standards, and how friends are an influence in thoughts and actions. I loved the quote from President Monson that he used, "Friends help to determine your future. You will tend to be like them and to be found where they choose to go. Remember, the path we follow in this life leads to the path we follow in the next." Half way through his talk, the power went out in the building...lights and microphone! He calmly looked back to the Bishop, who encouraged him to continue. Matthew didn't hesitate and started in a loud voice right where he left off. Luckily, the power outage lasted only a few seconds. In closing with his testimony he shared, "I know that if I surround myself with good friends that share the same values, I will be prepared and ready to serve a mission." I was so proud! On a side note, Matthew played on the Young Men's basketball team. Their team placed 2nd in the Stake which gave them the chance to play at the Regional level. They just finished up this weekend in 4th place...way to go! Matthew was so fun to watch and I was the "loud and proud" Mom on the sidelines screaming with each shot, including 3's, that he made!:)

Star Wars Birthday

There is a 4 year gap between Karley and Kenzie and so for those 4 years, Karley was my baby. Well, my sweet "Karley Baby" has turned 9! This girl has the best personality! It has been fun to watch her grow up over the years. She puts her whole heart into anything she does and she is often seen with a big smile on her face! She loves being active and has such a great imagination. Karley wanted a Star Wars themed birthday this year...so fun!

Karley with her special breakfast in bed: scrambled eggs & ketchup on toast, and a smoothie...nice mustache!:)
Karley opened gifts and cards from Grandmama, Grandpa & Grandma Debbie, and Uncle Shane, Aunt Wynnie, & Rynn. Thanks for your love!
Karley is so cute in her new shirt from Mom!
I look forward to Birthday lunch as much as the kids do! It's such a great tradition! I picked Karley up from school and we headed to Del Taco, where she got 4 soft tacos, no lettuce of course...yummy!

I made Karley's favorite, Hot Wings, for dinner and then we had Grandpa & Grandma Slider, and Ryann & Corbin over for a little party. These are the fun gifts she got from us! She is so fun to buy for...as long as it's not girly, she'll love it!:)

Karley loves the Star Wars figurines she got from Grandpa, Grandma and cousins!

I had to make a Star Wars cake and this is about as crafty as it gets. Karley loved it and said it was perfect!

What a cute girl getting ready to blow out the candles on her cake!

I am so glad you had a fun Birthday, Karley! I love you so much and I am grateful for the sweet girl you are and have always been. You have a gift of making others laugh. People can't help but smile when you are around. This world will never be dull as long as you are in it!

Let The Training Begin

It's official! I have talked about wanting to try a Sprint-Triathlon for about a year now. I figure I need something to show for all of the hours I spend working out. This summer, on June 5th, in my very own city, I will be participating in one! I signed up, paid the fee, and now there is no backing out or wishing that I would do one. This particular Sprint-Triathlon consists of a: 600 meter swim in the lake, 12 mile bike ride, and 5K run. That's doable, right?:) This might be the start of a new love...we'll see. I will be training hard the next few months in hopes of being ready to accomplish this goal!