My baby is 5

Life will soon be very different as I send my baby boy out the door for school next year. It's hard to believe that he's already 5. He is such a tiny little bean that I still carry him around like I did when he was two. I will truly, madly, deeply miss these days of my life. He has been a joy -- and well worth any effort it took to get him here.

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Last Year in Single Digits!

My little girl is growing up! How the years have flown with this angelic, spunky, creative, beautiful little whirlwind we call Kate. She has been such a joy to raise. She is a tender-hearted, snuggly little redbird, but she manages to hold her own with her two brothers in a most impressive fashion. I love that she ADORES animals of any and all kinds (be they stuffed or otherwise). I love that she loves to dance and sing and play dress up. I especially love that she and her best friend, Sadie, dream up crazy make believe games like "Scientist Princess"! I love? that she is so naive and tender that she gets absolutely scared to death during Scooby-Doo! She makes me laugh so hard when she gets up in the night to go to the bathroom -- she never remembers a thing -- but she is highly entertaining!! What a blessing to have been entrusted with one of the most angelic little spirits to have ever graced heaven's planes. We are truly blessed. We love you, Katie-bug! Happy Birthday ... and many more.

Birthday Girl - Why don't I feel that old?

 

I had a fabulous 37th birthday in January! Brad and the kids spoiled me with breakfast in bed, dinner out, and lots of fun, fun presents. I also had many wonderful birthday wishes via cards, email, and Facebook. Thank you so much to each and every one of you for your thoughtfulness. I am a truly blessed person. Love to you all.

Jack's birthday

I always forget how quickly Jack's birthday sneaks up after Kate's. Only 11 days between them. I was preparing for a trip to San Francisco, Spring Break, recovering from Kate's birthday/baptism and was completely caught off guard by it! Luckily, we had made some plans for a birthday cake a few weeks before and Jack was pretty clear on what he wanted for his birthday. "Trains and cars" -- yep, we can do that!

What a fun, energetic, smart little whip of a 4 yr. old he is. He's a joy to have in our home and he completes our family in a way no other person could. We love you Jack-a-Boo!

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Kate's Special Day

I can't believe my little girl is 8! This past Saturday she had the opportunity to be baptized on her birthday. She just happened to turn 8 on the first Saturday of the month (which is our designated Stake baptism day). We had a beautiful service, attended by many wonderful friends and family members. Thank you all for your wonderful support and kindness. A big thank you to those who travelled so far to be with us. It was such a special day. Kate felt like a princess. She reaaly felt loved and cherished. It was wonderful having so much family there. We love you all!

Grandma Rose and Uncle James gave beautiful talks at her baptism, and all the cousins plus Sadie and Emma Tribe sang "When I Am Baptized" accompanied by Regan. She is such a great little pianist! They were a darling group and sang like little angels.

I'm so proud of Kate for taking this important step in her life. She is such a special little angel girl. We're blessed beyond measure to have her in our family.

A Birthday Surprise

January 8 ... 6am ... cake and ice cream?!? You bet!

My birthday fell on a busy day this year. Mostly because we had play practice all evening and wouldn't be home at night to celebrate. So the kids and Brad woke me up with a fun surprise party before they had to go to school and work. We had a great time (but decided that, while very delicious, cake and ice cream don't make for the best breakfast ever!).

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my family????

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Also, a big thank you with attached hugs and kisses to each of you for your birthday cards, gifts and wishes. I truly have the best family and friends in the world. Love you all.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Brad's birthday was Sunday (thanks for all the cards and phone calls!). We had a little party, dinner, etc. on Sunday, but decided to continue the celebration today with dinner and shopping in Twin Falls. After a yummy dinner and shopping for running shoes and shorts, we watched some base jumpers (crazy!) jump off the Perrine Bridge, and then spent some time at Shoshone Falls. They are absolutely incredible this year. All the extra water has truly helped them live up to their nickname of "the Niagara Falls of the West". Very cool!

My Baby Girl is 7

I can't believe my little redhead is 7 already. The years have flown by with this little spitfire angel in the house! She's been a joy and a learning experience all wrapped up in one. She started out extremely willful and full of mischief (evidenced by the crayon we still find on walls and windows to this day!). As she has matured she has become a sensitive, sweet, helpful, obedient child. She is a joy to have in our home and adds so much in her own special way. We love you little Miss Kate.
Kate saw a pattern for this outfit at WalMart several months ago. I had a devil of a time finding the right fabric, but I think it turned out pretty cute. She got to open this present before school and wear it on her birthday. I'll refrain from calling it her birthday suit. :)

We even tried a new hairdo for the special day.

Look at those predawn hours sleepy eyes! She was so excited, she woke up on her own!

Rock star guitar birthday cake!! (Thank you Family Fun.)

This birthday was extra-special since Kate's good friend Sadie got to spend the afternoon and even stay for dinner and the party!

Thanks to Amber and Joe for making the extra effort to come all the way from Twin Falls for the party. We love you both so much. It was terrific to spend some time with you. Joe was the absolute hit of the party since he brought his RC helicopter and let Todd fly it around the living room. You're a brave man Joe!

Daddy and Jack.

A big thank you to G&G Rose for coming to the party and spending the night! We had the best couple of days with them. They are amazing in the way they support each and every one of us on our special days. Thank you for the efforts you make to stay close. We love you both.

Todd -- being 'helpful'. Kate -- letting him.

Thank you G&G Rose -- Kate has played with her Littlest Pet Shop every day since her birthday. It was a definite hit!

New Webkinz: Aly & AJ.

How cute is this dress from Joe and Amber?! Kate wore it Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday. I finally had to pry it off of her and introduce it to the laundry basket. She LOVES it!!!

Kate's choice for her birthday activity was to go to JBs for the breakfast buffet. She was introduced to that particular delicacy by Grandpa Wilson and has been dying to go back!! We had a great time. I think we were there for 2-3 hours. Todd nearly exploded. :)

Another Year ... Where Does the Time Go?

Hard to believe another year has passed and I'm a year older. I celebrated my b-day last Thursday and really had a fantastic day!!! So many dear friends and family remembered me and I received numerous phone calls, emails, cards and presents as well as a fun lunch with my great friend Amber, and a rip-roaring party with Brad and the kids. I maintain that I benefit from many peoples' New Year's resolutions to stay in touch with and remember people's birthdays. The 8th of January is usually early enough in the year that the goal is still in tact! :) At any rate, thank you to all of you for your care and love. I've decided that birthdays are great and a really good way to bolster your self-esteem. (As long as you don't acknowledge the ever climbing number attached with the day.)

Each of the kids has to practice blowing out candles for their next birthdays.

Happy Birthday Mom

Just a quick post about my amazing, beautiful, wonderful mother. It's her __ th birthday today! I just want you to know how much I admire and love you, Mom.

Thank you for teaching me how to be a mother by mothering me with care, love, and dignity. It's amazing how easy it is to follow the example that has been set. I'm thankful that my example was such a supremely good one.

Thank you for believing in me without pushing me. You are always so complimentary, so encouraging, and so genuine. It never occurred to me as a child that there was anything beyond my capacity. I credit you for giving me confidence in myself.

Thank you for loving the gospel and for teaching me to walk in faith. My life is the best it could be because I have you as my mother.

The Big One-O

Thanks to everyone for the calls, cards and gifts for Todd's birthday! He really ended up having a birthday weekend. Grandma and Grandpa Rose came for a party and spent the night Friday, then Saturday we went to Twin Falls where the kids got to play at Joe and Amber's while Brad and I went to the temple. Then we went out for a birthday dinner. Then Sunday (the actual birthday day) we went to church where he was wished a happy birthday by nearly everyone he saw. Plus the primary sang to him. Also he got a special birthday dinner and we had Lego cake and ice cream for dessert. One of the best things about the weekend was having our little Chloe-bird here to stay with us. This is the second year in a row she's been here for Todd's birthday, by pure coincidence, but we love the tradition!!! She's been a doll and has fit right in with the kids. We'll be sad to see her go this Thursday. Enjoy the pictures.