Ooops...Eden turns 2

September is a pretty great month. I means that it is finally starting to cool down and brings my favorite season...fall. A couple of years ago I was super excited because it meant Eden was finally abel to join our family! I have to say I definitely get mom of the year award, because I totally forgot about her birthday. I KNOW!!! Eden came and got in bed with us and after a few minutes of giving morning hugs and kisses, Evan perked up and said, "Hey, its Eden birthday!" He looked at me and said, "What do you have planned for her..." then trailed off when he saw the look on my face. A big fat whoops! 

 We quickly made her a birthday sign and took her "shopping" in our basement for her birthday cereal. She was really excited about the fuss being made over her. Evan ran to the store for birthday gifts while I threw together some cupcakes. ( yep, even had to have the neighbor bake them for me since I had fruit leather cooking in our oven)

 Eden loved her thrown together cupcakes, so we snapped a quick picture of them and rushed to a baptism of one of our close friends. After the baptism we headed to Idaho for a quick visit home.

 Good thing Grandma was prepared with a gift for Eden. She got a little bit of a celebration!

 We headed up to have dinner with some of Evan's family the next day and we had another celebration where she actually got to blow out some candles and eat some cake.

I bet she wished for a mom who is more on top of things... and heres hoping next year is a little bit better! :)

Addie's First Day of School

Addie was up first thing this morning with her backpack on saying it was her day to go to school! She knew the drill! She spent some time playing with her little sisters then it was time to get ready. We had to go through EVERY piece of new clothes for her to decide what she wanted to wear! On the way over to the school she started asking if I was sure someone would be there to pick her up after school.

 We held hands until we got in the school then she let go of mine and told me she would be fine. She walked into her classroom and found her cubby.

 She was excited to start building something with some blocks when I saw this...her sign that tears were trying to work their way out of her sweet little eyes. I asked her if she was ok, and she smiled and said yes as the tears started coming down her cheeks. ( I have never had a kid cry on the first day of school!)

 I went over and gave her a hug and asked her if she was ok. She said "yes mom, I'm fine. REALLY!" Then she put on a brave smile and waved me out the door.

Addie Loses a Tooth

Adelle realized that a bunch of her friends were starting to tell her stories about visits from the tooth fairy and she was getting a little concerned that she didn't even have any teeth that would move at all! So she has been pushing and pulling on her teeth and one day let out a little shout of excitement when one actually moved. Since then she has been seen with her finger in her mouth...pushing and pulling on that tooth. The other morning all the kids started yelling and cheering! 

It finally happened! She was abel to get that silly tooth to come out. 

Addie was really excited to get 4 quarters so she could get treats at the candy machine at the gym. (What a great way to spend her money!!) What a beautiful smile, just in time to start school!

Back to School

Gracie is in the 4th grade. How did she grow up so fast? She is excited to be in Mrs. Hansen's class with some of her close friends. I know she will have great year because she is such a positive person! 

 Sander is in 2nd grade. What a stud!! He was so excited to wear his Vans. Okay, I like them and all but I didn't really know what they big deal was, until I saw a couple of his closest friends and guess what they were all wearing? Good thing they were on sale or I never would have bought them for him!

 I love the friendship these two have, when they decide to get along, I know that they will look out for each other.

 Addie is just dying to start school next week. She wore her backpack around all day today! Hannah is just beginning to understand that she is going to be left at home! She wasn't happy about it...

 We have a picture like this for the past three years. I love these boys!!

 Gracie and Emery were so glad to be in the same class, and even more happy when they realized they would be sitting by each other too!

 Our numbers are smaller now that so many of the kids are in Jr High now, but we still put together a pretty good little gang of kids.

 The future... they can't wait for it to be their turn. They are practicing their poses for when they get to go to school too!

4th Of JULY

Evan loves fireworks so we were excited to have some friends and family over to watch a few with us. It reminds me of when I was little and my dad would put on a big show and all our neighbors and cousins would come to our backyard to watch the show. I cried and cried when we stopped doing fireworks. I'm glad my kids are getting a taste of what I got when I was a kid. 

 It was a little too much excitement for Hannah.  But she had a smile on her face anyway!

 Little do these kids know that life is about to get really exciting. Some of the fireworks went off really close to the ground. Two kids ended up with little burns. Oops!! But they all left smiling so I guess it was worth it. The dads said that was the greatest interactive firework show they had ever been too! :)

 I don't know why I don't have pictures of Eric and Janine but they were able to come spend a few days with us! By the look on Sanders face you can tell he was super happy having his cousin here with him. We had fun going on bike rides, playing in the park, watching movies, and staying up late. Of course when Janine is involved you know there is always going to be wonderful food too! She is an amazing cook. We loved having them come and hope we can all get together again soon !!

Birthday Girls

I got a phone call from a sweet lady in our ward who called to see if I would put out the flag on Gracie's Birthday. She said we should put out the flag when we are celebrating something special and she thought Gracie was special enough for a good celebration. Sister Castleberry said that was her family's birthday tradition. I like it!! 

 Gracie with her birthday breakfast and fan club!! Everyone loves a birthday girl.

 Evan made this cake too. Gracie wanted a beach cake. I love how she always surprises me with what she wants. What a beauty

 This is some of the crowd who came for some cupcakes. We love having a reason to have friends come visit.

 Jodi turns 31??? Sheesh.....One of my friends brought this cake over for me. She said that I should get a cake for me too. Thanks Heather! 

 Gracie is 9. It seems like yesterday my mom was bringing a birthday cake into the hospital to celebrate my greatest birthday gift ever. Gracie is such a blessing in my life.

Adelle's Big Day

The moment she has been waiting for finally came. Addie graduated from pre-school. She will now get to go to school with Grace and Sander. She has been counting down the days until this moment.

 Addie has so much spunk in her, but she will also disappear for hours to play her own games. Lately she loves to sit under the desk in the kitchen and color. She is a good little artist.

 She missed her dad at the graduation, but she had a great cheering section from her brother and sisters.