Birthday Bash

So it's April and the last time I blogged was months ago!  Here's some catch-up.

Alina turns 3!

Jan. 5, 2014

 Haley made Alina's small baby a "Belle" outfit by hand.  You can't see the whole thing because Alina is covering some of it.  It was very sweet of Haley and Alina loved it.  She also made them matching necklaces.

Michael and Andy went through their toys and chose Alina a gift.  Andy gave her his "Bullseye" stuffed animal and Michael gave Alina his remote control car.  Michael does this every time it's someone's birthday and it warms my hear that he so willingly parts with toys, even those he really likes.  Andy caught on that it feels good to give and so he was really excited to give Alina his horse.

At the time of her birthday, Alina was really into Dora the Explorer or "Dooda" as she calls her.  It was fun to make this cake for her and she got a pretty Dooda doll out of it.  Haley beautifully frosted the cupcakes.

Make a wish my Princess!  Alina is a fireball and has a very strong personality.  A lot of times she uses those powers for good, but when she chooses she can be quite the force to be reckoned with.  You know that poem, "I know a little girl with a little curl right in the middle of her forehead and when she's good, she's very very good and when she's bad, she's horrid"?  That explains Alina!  She loves her family and lets us all know by constantly telling us she loves us "too much".  She's very social and does not like to be left alone.  Alina has a very nurturing spirit and loves to take care of her babies.  She also loves to sing and dance.  Alina sure keeps us on our toes and we absolutely love her for it!

Andy turns 9!
January 26, 2014

It is Andy's year for a birthday party, so we had it on the 24th, two days before his actual birthday.  He wanted to have a "Monster's University" party where we did activities, played games, and then watched the movie in 3D (we have a 3D TV).

Shrinky Dinks

Watching "Monster's University."

I got the idea for the cake from the internet.  I thought it turned out pretty cute, although Mike's eye looks a little too puffy.

 Ready to open presents.  Andy's birthday was on a Sunday, so thus the dress shirt.  Church was canceled on Andy's birthday because of wind chill and extreme cold weather, but Andy wanted to wear his church shirt anyway.

 Michael went through his toys again for a gift and parted with some Legos (he must really love Andy to do that!)

 Haley figured out how to make Andy a "Monster's University" student ID.

Doesn't look like much, but he was really happy with what he got!  Because we have 5 kids, we alternate who is going to have birthday parties.  The birthday party counts as Mom and Dad's gift.  If it's not your turn to have a party, you get to choose a restaurant for dinner and you get gifts from Mom and Dad.  So that's why it looks like Andy didn't get a lot of gifts.

I say this every year, but it sometimes is hard for me to grasp that Andy is only 9.  He is such a smart kid that it's hard not to think that he's older.  He is a reading level above Haley and his teacher can't keep him busy, he also rarely has homework because he finishes it at school.  But when you watch Andy play or interact with his siblings, you can tell that he's only 9.  Andy always has us laughing at the things he says and does!  When I look at him, I can imagine what Nathan must have been like as a little boy.  We love our Andy and love having him in our family.

Haley turns 12!
February 13. 2014

When children in our church turn 12, they get to move up to the pre-teen/teenage group.  The boys join Young Men and the girls join Young Women.  The Young Women have a night that they call "New Beginnings" where they invite all those girls turning 12 in that calendar year.  It's a fun night where all the new girls are introduced and welcomed.  It's fun.  Our ward had their "New Beginnings" on Feb. 2nd and they made each of the new girls their own cookie.

 Haley wanted to decorate her own cake.  I thought she did a beautiful job!

 Haley's gift pile.  She had recently gone through a growth spurt and was in need of clothes, particularly church clothes.  Haley is extremely modest and likes her skirts and shorts to go to her knee, which can make buying clothes a challenge.  But I wouldn't change her modesty for anything!

 It was not Haley's year for a birthday party, so she got to choose a restaurant for her birthday dinner.  She chose "Texas Roadhouse".  They brought out a saddle for her to sit on and they sang really loud - she was a little embarrassed.

Looking at this picture, it's hard to believe that a few hours later Alina was throwing up!  She got a bad case of the stomach flu!

 These pictures are out of order, but it's hard for me to change the order (well, I just don't want to bother with it).  Haley has really been into "Frozen" and I found these books for her.

Count them, 12 candles!  I got her re-lite candles, which are always fun because you can't blow them out!  This school year has been really challenging for Haley.  She started playing the Clarinet and really wanted to quit at the beginning, but she stuck it out and now she plays beautifully.  She has quite the knack for it and even discovered notes to the song "Let it Go" just by playing around.  We are so happy she decided to stick with it!  Haley is her own person and she always surprises me with how comfortable she is being silly around other people.  Haley loves to participate in school spirit days and loves to dress up really silly.  If you've ever seen the musical, "Wicked", I can totally see Haley playing the part of Glinda. She makes friends really easily and is our "social butterfly" (always has been).  We love our Haley!