The Countdown is Over

About two months ago, Cydnee started asking me how many days until her birthday, so each night we'd figure it out and she would sigh saying that's "so far away!"  I finally got smart and dragged out the countdown blocks and we literally counted down from about day 53.  The big day finally arrived.

Our present to her was bigger than she was

A new tumbling mat!  She was sooooo excited!

It's not an Amy cake, but was made with love.  She insisted on a ballerina, in case you wondered what that creature is. I tried.

Cydnee wanted to have a Fancy Nancy tea party, which was really a lot of fun.  The girls looked adorable in their fancy clothes and cute hats I found. 
The boys were good sports about it even though I'm sure it wasn't their party of choice- Alex looked like a little stud in his Sunday clothes.

Kennady and her cousins were our servers

We played games

We ate some yummy food. I think the girls loved being fancy and acting like little adults.  They were so cute trying to keep their pinkies in the air while drinking their "tea" (pink lemonade). The party seemed to be a big success

We can hardly believe our baby is 5 years old!!  We love you Cyd!

How'd I do Amy?

I am completely lame at blogging.  I was reminded yesterday that it's been quite some time since my last post. And that post was done at the suggestion of  Janelle.  This time it's Dara's idea.  So, thanks friends for the ideas and motivation.  I'll try to do better.

We had a fabulous cookie bouquet class at Relief Society taught by the wonderfully-oh-so-talented Amy Flores  and I thought I'd give it a shot for Dave's Valentine gift.  He loved it.

Holiday confusion

My porch has no idea what holiday it is. We got back from Thanksgiving in Blanding this weekend and haven't had time to pull out the Christmas decorations, other than my wreath. Of courseI haven't had a chance to put away Thanksgiving yet. And I guess this one pumpkin from Halloween somehow got overlooked. Wow! What a mess, huh? Thanks for the picture idea, Janelle.


Speaking of Halloween--while I'm here, I guess I'll post a few Halloween pics that I never got around to.

This seemed like a pretty simple costume when I saw it in a magazine, but it was sure a pain! The packing peanuts kept spilling out the leg holes and poor Kennady couldn't even walk in it. That's when we decided to go with Plan B.

 

Much better!

Sweet little fairy

Peace, mon.

Sorry Amber

I have this amazingly talented sister-in-law who I know won't want me bragging about her, but I just had to share her incredible family Halloween costumes for the past few years.

 I knew you'd be impressed.  Makes me tired just to look at!

Just a bit behind the times

I finally looked through our September pictures and thought I'd post a few of our little Labor Day getaway to Yuba.

The weather was beautiful and the lake water wasn't too bad, considering it was September.  The kids don't seem to mind even if it is FREEZING, but even mom and dad jumped in a time or two.

 

Cydnee tried surfing with dad and even tried to waterski for the first time with Dad's help. He neglected to tell her to let go of the rope once she fell down. Needless to say, she didn't want to try a second time.

 A little tubing, a little wake boarding.

 A little getting stuck in ooey, gooey mud.  Yuck!

I love a good little family vacation where the kids are completely at our mercy and have nowhere to go!  Boats are great for that sort of thing.

Making Momma proud

Spencer turned 11 a few weeks ago and as has become Halls family tradition, we let him open his presents early birthday morning, surrounded by crepe paper and balloons.  The girls had been working secretly in my craft room-they wouldn't even let me in- and were so happy to give Spencer their very own homemade creations.

I couldn't be more proud.   Really, what choice do they have with a mother like me who is just slightly stamp-obsessed? We like to start 'em out young over here. Spencer had a great birthday.  The only thing on his wish list was an itouch like his brothers.  After much hemming and hawing on our part, we finally gave in.  He even had to pitch in some of his own money- those dang little things are expensive!!

 This looks like a really lame birthday cake, but caramel brownies were his request.  I promise, it tasted better than it looks.

Just humor your mom

I have to do it every year.  It's just one of those things.  And mostly they cooperate, although the 13 year old was a little more difficult this year and wanted to do it inside.  What if one of his friends walks by and sees him?  But, Mom prevailed another year.  Woohoo!