Brinley is 2!!

Our little munchkin is two! I can hardly believe it. (I think I say that with every birthday.) It was a fun day, although I don't think she was too excited with all the attention. We couldn't get a smile out of her for pictures. This year we had an owl theme, so cute! I made little owls and hung them on "branches" made from strips of plastic tablecloth. Did you know that if you hold the edge of a plastic tablecloth in both hands between thumb and forefinger and slightly stretch it, that it ruffles and looks like double ruffle ribbon! I didn't get a good picture of it but it looked so cute as drapey tree branches with the little owls. Here is Brinley's cake and dessert table.


She was ready to blow out the candles! We had to light them a second time so we could sing before she blew them out. And then she actually smiled when we clapped, which was rare for the night, so we did it again just to get a grin out of her.

She was completely spoiled by everyone. Unfortunately I had to exchange all of the clothes she was given for 3T's! I am in denial that she is actually that big. She still has some baby chunk, but really does not seem that big to me. She loves her tricycle! She found it earlier in the afternoon and there was no way she was getting off to wait until party time. I love it when she asks for her "cycle".

My sweet Brinley, I love you so much. These last two years have flown by and I can't believe that my baby is 2. You are such a sweetie and little stinker at the same time. Sometimes you are so snuggly and others times very stingey with your kisses. You know what you want and aren't quiet about voicing your opinion. Just like your brother and sisters were, you are a great talker for a 2 year old. And we love listening to everything you say. You are definitely the superstar of the household and have us all wrapped around your little finger. And we're pretty sure you know it! I love our little snuggles at bedtime each night. The way you snuggle into me for just a minute and I catch that sweet baby smell as I steal some kisses. You are amazing. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

How can SHE be 10?!

I don't know how it happened. Just a few days ago I looked into this angel's eyes for the first time and now she is 10! I am so lucky and blessed to be her mommy. She is my friend and my right arm. She is so much like me it is scary sometimes, however she is so much smarter than I was at her age. She loves to cook, sing, organize, design clothes (she will be famous someday), write stories and take care of her baby sister. She is the only person Brinley will go to happily, besides me, and sometimes won't come back to me when she has "her Katie". Her testimony is growing and she constantly gets after her slacker mother for our lack of FHE. (I really hate to admit that. I am working on it.) And she is such a BEAUTIFUL girl! I am always in awe of her in so many ways. Heavenly Father knew I needed her, I don't know how I could function without her! I love you Katie-girl! (Please pay no attention to the exhausted looking mother in the photo below)

Now on to the PARTY! It took us a while to finally decide what to do for her party. Pirates, jungle, purple, polka dots...she finally decided on a pink, black, and white diva-ish theme. Her decorations were fun to put together. I picked words I felt described her (and probably every other 10 year old girl) and made some banners. We love tissue pompoms at our house so we had to have a few of those.

I love the dessert tables that Amy Atlas puts together. If you haven't seen them, you should. So beautiful! Here is just one that I love http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p2wr5bT9nx0/TA5osebz2-I/AAAAAAAADNg/8XL5nW9Cpl8/s1600/WBP1006101_AA_017.jpg. I wish I could put together something that fabulous! I only have a few things against me, lack of unlimited finances and an entire team of professional food stylists. Someday! But for now I do what I can do. We did some flavored popcorn, licorice and strawberry. (However I did not like the recipes so I will not make them again.) And then we did skewers with chocolate and powdered donuts in pink cellophane bags. Her cake was the centerpiece. I was so excited for how her cake turned out! I made marshmallow fondant and it turned out just like I wanted. So cute!

And Katie loved it! It was a fun day! And a week later we had the "friend" party. Oh wow! When thinking about her "diva" theme we decided that divas love to shop and that was the foundation of this party. The girls came over after school and we decorated their "shopping bags". Brown paper lunch sacks (because I already had them) with diva stickers. Then we played a bunch of games. At each game they earned "diva dollars" to shop at the "diva store" with. The store was cute and the girls were excited to shop. But I made them wait, we had to sing and have cupcakes first!

Then on to the shopping! The "store" was stocked with some cute little tablets and pencils, earrings, lip gloss, candy jewelry, and some bracelets I made. I think they are so cute.

Some of the girls were worried that they wouldn't have enough diva dollars - it really didn't matter there was one of each for everybody. So they all made their purchases and then went outside to run around until time to leave. It was quite the afternoon, we had fun, and I was glad to run them all home! ;-) However that was not the end. Katie's two besties got to spend the night. Last time they stayed over they said they didn't sleep at all. I have proof that they slept a little more this time. At 2:00 they were out and I didn't hear anything until morning.

Only, dumb me! That is the only picture I got of the slumber party. The played Barbies downstairs most of the time. And had lots of red licorice. Such cute girlies, I am so glad Katie has such good friends. I tried to make this birthday a little special for her. The big 10 you know! But I have to admit I was glad when all the partying was done.

My baby is 1!

Yesterday was Brinley's birthday. This year has flown by so fast, and at the same time it seems we've had her forever. She is so sweet. I spent the first six weeks of her life just holding her. I hardly ever put her down. I may be paying for it now, she is a total mommy's girl. Those nights that she wouldn't go to bed until 1:00 am seem so far in the past. She's a good little sleeper now. She got her first two teeth at 81/2 months and the third is still just teasing at coming through. She took her first crawl on her ten month birthday, and she is all over the place now. She's starting to think about walking along the couch. She started out so big, 9lbs. 10 ounces, and is just at 20 pounds now. Although you wouldn't think she'd be little to watch her eat. I don't think she has ever been satisfied enough to stop eating. Just don't give her peaches - puke fest! I'm not brave enough to try it again yet.

These are some pre b-day pics I took to get one for her party invitation.

I did a "Super Sweet Lollipop" theme and made these lollipop invites.

The cake and decorations! I'm sure my husband thinks I'm crazy. Thanks for your help, Katie!

Not my best cake, but I thought the lollipops were cute. It did taste really good, though!

We had her party on Sunday to make it easier for the fam to come. Unfortunately Sundays are always hard on the nap schedule. She had only gotten a one hour nap all day long! We had to give her a lollipop off of the cake to keep her in a good mood. Whatever works! It was a lot of fun.

She is the only one of my kids who hasn't been sick on her first birthday. Therefore she is the only one who has enjoyed her cake. And enjoy she did! There was cake everywhere, I completely dismantled the high chair to get it clean.

I love you, my sweet little squishy munchkin!!

July 4th

We always do the same thing on the 4th of July. Start the day with the parade, hang out at Grandma's for a while, come home for a rest, then head over to the green belt somewhere to have dinner and people watch while waiting for the fireworks. Pretty much the norm, and it was a fun day. We also always celebrate Hailey's birthday, which is on the 5th, while we are all together. And I get to make her cake! This years cake turned out really cute. Usually I do something Patriotic because she loves it, but with her being pregnant I had to do something different.




I wish I'd gotten a picture of her with the cake. She laughed and thought it was cute. I was a little nervous. You never know what reaction you'll get when dealing with pregnancy hormones!



Playing cards and enjoying some fabulous food while waiting for the fireworks.




Me with my sweeties. Unfortunately Doug had some farm work to do and didn't meet up with us until almost dark.



Everyone ready and waiting for the fireworks to start.

The last couple of years my grandparents have met someone and gotten us a spot on that persons yard for the fireworks. I don't know how they do it! This year we were able to watch the fireworks on Dr. Orchards lawn. I guess my grandparents and uncles know him well. It was such a nice spot and they invited us to their family barbecue! The food was amazing and we had such a good time. My favorite part of the day is the fireworks with Klassy's radio program in the background. How blessed we are to live where we do. We have so many freedoms that others only dream of. I am amazed at the sacrifice that has been made for our country by so many. It is a great blessing to be an American!

"Katie Girl"

Katrina turned 9 on Mother's Day. And with Brinley only two weeks old, I feel like she got the bum end of the deal. Normally I make invitations, decorations, and cake to match. It just didn't happen this year. I made some very simple invites and got a cake from Broulims. It was a Hannah Montana cake and she did love it. I don't know what I would do without my "Katie Lady". She is not only a huge help to me but is my best bud. We help each other pick out our outfits, we love to shop together, and we love to listen to music, sing and dance. We just love to be together. She loves to write - stories, poems, songs. They're all so cute! It's probably not fair that a mom depend so much on her daughter. I can't get out the door without her help. And she amazes me at the things she can do. I don't give her enough credit for the kitchen skills she has or for how good she is with Brinley. And it seems to come naturally to her. I still want her to be little and she is growing up so fast! We're starting to butt heads more as she tries to grow and I try to hold her back. But neither of us can stay upset at the other for very long. Have 9 years really gone so fast? A couple of months ago Doug mentioned that as she turns 9 her time living in our home will be half over. Just stab a mother in the heart why don't you! I don't even want to think about it. Her smile brightens my day and her hugs warm my heart. I love you, Katie girl!