Birthday Girl!

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated our big 6 year old's birthday! Wow time is certainly flying. Lyda had some big plans for her birthday starting with going to breakfast, then pedicures, Jamba's, swimming, a trip to the movie theater, and then out to dinner. She had these plans set up for a couple of months beforehand but fortunately decided that a little swimming party at grandma and grandpa's house would be sufficient. So we threw together a spur of the moment birthday party.








Ruby was very sweet and happy to just watch the kids swim. She's been doing funny things with her head lately, this picture captures that perfectly.




This is the only picture that we took of the barbie cake, the back of the cake. Lyda really wanted to have a barbie cake for her birthday this year. I'd never made one before but after watching my friend I decided that it wouldn't be too hard. While the cake was baking Lyda went to check on it. It was bubbling over the bowl, because I put in too much batter, and Lyda came running to me very concerned that it was going to catch on fire. We made a few adjustments and the cake amazingly turned out pretty well.




Lyda had a pretty happy birthday. Her daddy took her on a special dinner date that night. They got dressed up and went to the Landmark to eat. But as special as that was, it was reported that McDonald's may have been the better choice at age 6. I sure love my Lyda and am so grateful she belongs to our little family. Here's to another wonderful year with our beautiful girl.

Kode's Favorite Songs

These are for you Lisa.

Easter 2009

Ruby had her first Easter Egg hunt this year. She sort of dominates this section of pictures for that reason.







The puppy party just happened to be the same day as the first easter egg hunt.





Santa forgot to deliver these sleeping bags for Christmas so the easter bunny decided to finish the job. The kids have never been more excited to sleep.





Since we can never quite make it to church on time, there was no chance of getting a picture of the kids beforehand. Steve so thoughtfully took a few pictures afterward just for me. I thought it was important since my mom made Lyda's Easter dress this year and bought Ruby's. Poor Kode asked as we were getting ready for church where his Easter clothes were. I didn't think he cared. I told him that next year we'd get him a tie. He was satisfied with that.



After church Grandma and Grandpa Crandell stopped by with an Easter basket for the kids. Grandma is so good at putting together special little presents for the kids. The basket she brought had a pinwheel for each kid, jellybeans and fresh strawberries from her garden.







Happy belated Easter!

Puppy Party

A few weeks ago my brother's daughter had a birthday and celebrated with a super fun puppy party.


(My dad with the birthday puppy)

My sister-in-law Amber throws some pretty awesome parties and this one did not disappoint. She pre-made dog ear headbands and instructed the kids to pick a pair out as soon as they arrived. Then they got their faces painted and beaded doggy collars. They crawled around and barked and played in the dog houses that were all over the place. (This was all a very big deal to Kode who has been obsessed with the movie Bolt lately).



They were served mac & cheese with hot dogs in dog dishes. So stinkin' cute. The kids loved it. As soon as they were done eating lunch Amber cleaned the doggy bowls and then filled them with treats and sent them home as party favors.


The kids had a blast playing games and pretending to be dogs. It was one of the funnest parties my kids have been to. As soon as we got into the car Lyda informed me that she would like a kitty party for her next birthday. And Kode of course wants a puppy party just like his cousin.