Maliah turns 4!

While Karen was on a work trip to LasVegas (and Tim was at work) we had their girls over. It was a day after Maliah's birthday, so we headed over to her house to party.

Audrey, Abree, Katelyn

Sydney & Maliah

We partied HELLO KITTY style.

  Isn't her cake sooo cute?

Good job Tawnya.

They crafted...

and crafted

..and had an egg hunt.

How old are you Mia?

HELLO KITTY slippers from her Daddy.

The girl's were having to much fun, I stayed and chatted with Tawnya for several hours. 

When serving cake and ice cream, I told the girl's that this was their lunch..I was sorta kidding, but not really. We had a VERY late lunch when we finally got back home..late as in almost dinner time. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Maliah!

New Year's Eve

I saw the idea for a New Year's Tree on Pinterest and thought we'd try it out for our family New Year's Eve party/FHE.

Maybe it will become a new tradition???

 The kids helped me to decorate the tree. We stuffed balloons with silly jokes and also placed sparkly icicles, circle garland and noise makers on the tree.

 We topped it off with a Happy New Year hat and 2013 glasses.

 In the evening, we gathered for pizza and treats.

 After dinner, we did the kid gift exchange. Each cousin brought a white elephant gift to give. We sang "Jingle Bells" as they passed the gifts around in a circle. When the song ended, the gift in their lap was theirs.

 The Clawson's had just moved back from Arizona. We were so happy to have their family back in our midst.

Missing Dean and Candice's family though.

 We sent the kids to play, and then the adults did their own white elephant gift exchange.

As midnight approached, we popped the balloons and read the silly jokes. Kyrick was the most entertained..and most entertaining. We would read the joke and then the kids would laugh. As Kyrick figured the joke out, he would laugh extra hard and really get a kick out of it. Sometimes he would admit he didn't get it..but when explained, it was funny all over again.

Taylee 

Treyson 

Kyrick 

Abree 

Audrey 

Grandpa Waite 

Grandma McKinley 

 Lexie & Tyrel

Sydney

Maliah

Minutes before midnight, we turned on the t.v. and watched the ball drop as we counted down from 10. The kids went crazy with noise makers..for the few minutes we adults could stand it...then it was back on the tree for next year. :)

Happy 2013!!!

Sterling Turns 2!

At Family FHE (Tim and Karen's house), we celebrated Sterling's 2nd birthday.

The kids wore dinosaur masks, as we sang Happy Birthday to Sterling.

He seemed quite pleased with his dinosaur cake.

Isn't it cute? Nice job Amber.

Cake and cupcakes were enjoyed by all.

Happy Birthday Big Boy Sterling!

It's Great to be 8!

Abree turned 8 years old on October 5th. Because of General Conference, our stake baptisms were moved to October 13th. So instead of having to wait until the first Saturday of November, she was able to be baptized the week after her birthday. We thought that was pretty cool.

Powdered doughnuts and pumpkin/cream cheese bundt cake. Yum.
It's GREAT to be 8! (get it?)
I had to spell it out for many of my family members. :)

 Taylee and Abree washed and braided Piper's hair (doll) and Abree put her white dress on.. so they could be "twins".

 Abree's dress was made by Grandma Smullin. Isn't is pretty? Thank you Grandma Smullin!

 Months before Abree's birthday..at least 6, Abree told me she wanted "high heels" for a gift. I found these "high heels" brand new at Goodwill. They were a little big, but fit ok with socks. She'll be able to wear them for a while. :)

 Taylee braided Abree's hair and we put her flower headband on that she got for her birthday.

 Abree is ready to get baptized.

This year, Abree's Primary teacher Sister Morrison, asked me (as Primary president) if their class could attend each baptism. I thought that sounded like a great idea (if parents supported it).
Each month, as Abree would go to her classmate's baptisms, she would get more and more excited for her own. She and Catherine Chandler were the LAST ones to be baptized (in our ward) for the year...finally. Abree also had a school classmate (Tyler) and a friend from another ward (Allie Brown) get baptized the same day..kinda cool.

After the baptism, we gathered in a classroom for her confirmation, so family and friends could participate.
Family pictures followed.

 Sweet cousins... a.k.a. the "princess posse" (in part).

 Julia-Christian-J.C.-Me-Jason-Lexie-Tyrel-Tim-Dad Waite-Dad Smullin

Treyson-Amber-Rylee-Taylee-Mom McKinley-Karen-Mom Smullin-Baby Savannah

Cameron-Audrey-Katelyn-Sydney-Abree-Lizzy-Micaela

Joshua-Adam-Matthew-Jackson

 We gathered back at our home to have homemade soup and bread. I made a potato soup and chicken vegetable noodle soup. Karen made whole wheat and french bread.

Thanks Karen! Yumm-o.

Grandpa Smullin-Grandma Smullin-Lizzy-Amber

Lexie-Tyrel-Tim

 We took turns holding sweet Baby Savannah, J.C.and Julia's newest addition. Isn't she cute?!

 Christian

 Cameron-Jackson

 Matthew

 Daisylyn

 Joshua

Grandpa Waite-boys-J.C.-Jason-Audrey

Katelyn-Taylee-Micaela

Julia-Savannah

Amber-Tim-Karen

Grandpa Waite-J.C.-Grandpa Smullin-Julia-Savannah-Rylee-Grandma Smullin

Tyrel-Lexie

Family, thanks for being with us on Abree's special day.

It was lovely.