Fun on the Ice

For Lizzie's "friend" party she wanted to do an ice skating party.

  I was all for it since it is one of the easiest parties to plan. 

 It was great to watch her and her friends skate and have fun.  Lizzie has such a great group of friends

right now which I am very grateful for.

 

 

Prep work-
big insulated jug of hot chocolate, whipped cream,
 party favors, kitty cupcakes and balloons

Close up of kitty cupcakes. 
 Lizzie was very excited.

 

Even closer view of kitty cupcakes

The group
Saige, Jack, Lizzie, Megan, Ella, Kade
Jane, Sophie, Dallin, Paige, Sarah, Kenna

Funny faces with a friend :)

More faces for the one with the camera

Thumbs up for when we asked if they are having fun!

Taking a little break

Parents of the new 10 year old

Not hanging onto the wall :) 
 For some of the kids this was a big deal.

The new 10 year old in the house!

Happy Birthday Lizzie

Taste of Spring

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful spring day. 

We decided to take advantage of it and went to the park. 

 Ethan was at a Scout thing up in the mountains so it was just me, Jim and the girls.

Cute little Afton

5 year old twins (in absolutely non matching clothes) on the swing

Lilly very happy to be outside.

Oh yeah, we even took the dog.  He wanted some of our picnic lunch.

Our 3 daughters having a little lunch.

Even after we got home, outside fun still continued with a  little chalk art.

So excited for warm weather to come soon.....

 

The wall

With a little supervision I have mostly let Ethan decorate his walls in his room however he wants.

 

  I happened to go into Ethan's room the other day and noticed this wall. 

I stopped in my tracks noticing a couple things that made my heart proud.

 

Let me explain....

At a first glance it looks like very scattered decorations. 

But everything on that wall is important to him.

 

  Yes it has very typical 11 year old boy stuff (Lego calendar, Honor Roll certificate, dart board, Indiana Jones, etc.) But, looking closely I saw pictures from his little sisters.  It reminded me of what an amazing big brother he is to his 3 sisters.  He has put pictures that they made for him on his wall.  He put a note from Lilly (saying "I'm sorry") up on his wall.  He hangs them proudly in his room which I think says a lot about what kind of brother he is to these 3 sisters.  He is patient, proud and caring towards them. 

 

 

 

 

 

I love it!

Lucky

Just a couple pictures of Lucky hanging out with some stuffed animals on the Afton's bed.

I like the cocker spaniel peeking out from the side of his head :)

Afton wanted to get in on the fun.

Usually what greets you when you open our front door. 
 Me and a dog who just got woken up from his nap on the couch.