Ella Turns 5

Ella Bella was so lucky to celebrate her birthday with cousins this year. In fact, she got to have a sleep over at Emrie's hotel the night before her birthday! Can't get any better than that.

While she was away the birthday fairies worked their magic, hanging Ella and Maddie's homemade stars and white puffy clouds to transform Grandma's house into Care-a-lot.

The birthday girl arrived and got lots of birthday hugs! 

While she was hugging Daddy she spotted her Care Bear cake. 

Ella requested Lucky Charms for her birthday cereal (about 7 months ago). It was perfect because it had rainbow and star marshmallows!

After church we had birthday lunch of stuffed shells (also Ella's request) and then cake. When I was looking for Care Bear cake ideas online Ella asked for a fancy fondant one. I told her I didn't know if I could pull it off, and she said, "Well Grandma can then!" We did utilize Grandma's mad skills to make the bears, but I figured out the rest! Fondant is actually pretty fun to work with, and easier than it looks. Toothpicks, cardboard, and hot glue certainly helped.

Ella got super spoiled by all the nice gifts. They know her well... Care Bear and Hello Kitty galore! She is also really excited about her new gymnastics leotard and rolling suitcase (like Maddie's).

Speaking of excited, Emrie was excited to give Ella leggings that matched her's!

We ended the festivities with a rainbow pinata. The birthday girl got the first swing..... or five...

And then every kid in succession took a turn at bat. Maddie...

Emrie...

 Daxton...

Tyler...

Bodie...

We thought Jaymison might be the one to break it open...

But in the end we had to get Uncle Zak to help us. Whammy!

Ella requested bubbles for all and we added star and heart slinkies, and of course candy!

My little care bear is really so caring. I often tell Ella she has a soft heart because she is sensitive to other people's needs and likes to be a helper. She definitely has a spunky streak and is known for her lungs when she's upset, but most of the time she is a ray of sunshine in our family. I can't believe we've had her for five years!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a very happy Thanksgiving and counted our many blessings. I like to think of them in H's this year: Husband, Hooligans, Health, and Home. We are also always thankful for our faith in the God who gave us life, our freedoms, and for those who have come before. 

Ella had a fun preschool program and feast and came home looking like a little Pilgrim.

Maddie also had a Thanksgiving feast and came home looking like an Indian.We had the chance to cut out the Indian costumes for her class so I wasn't too surprised she chose to wear one.

They made colorful feather compliments for a turkey bulletin board and Maddie's was about baby Jake, the highlight of our year!

Thanksgiving Break was spent in sunny St. George at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We did go over some rivers and but no woods or snow on this trip!

Everyone was able to come except my brother Cole and his girlfriend Miyoko. Auntie Em even got to stay the whole weekend due to her husband's change of employment--he used to work retailing and had to be back for Black Friday, so we really enjoyed having them to ourselves!

To entertain the littles (there are 10 now) they went to feed the ducks and play at the park.

I was able to stay back and help finish the baking and setting the table. I love setting all the pretty plates and glasses and tasting all the dishes. It reminds me of when I was young and my favorite things to do was get out my mom's pretty china.

Of course Grandpa entered the picture at the end to carve the turkey and whip the mashes potatoes. He is the master!

Mike found a few moments before dinner to take a nap... gotta save your energy for all that feasting, you know?

Jake's feast was mushy green beans. He acutally did try a little pumpkin pie, and loved it of course!

With appetites mounting and patience waning, we broke out the Christmas movies and playdough! These cousin moments are just too cute.

And then the moment we were waiting for... dinnertime! This plate epitomizes pure heaven to me. It is my absolute favorite meal of the entire year. Mom's crescent rolls (made by Noelle this time), turkey and stuffing, Dad's mashed potatoes and Mom's perfect gravy, Dana's divine sweet potatoes, a big spinach salad, and my herbed green bean casserole and cranberry salad. If only I could eat it every day, but we had a funny conversation about how it probably wouldn't taste as good in July.

Dig in Ella! Stuff your mouth Maddie!

My silly sisters compared food stuck in their teeth. We lingered around the table after dinner and went in a circle sharing something we were thankful for. It made for some poignant moments and a few wet eyes. We have all had a good year and loved being together.

To burn off some calories we went outside and climbed on the rocks. Maddie and Landon played King of the Rock to see who could get highest.

Jakee provided everyone with sweet cheeks to kiss and cute smiles. Noelle called him cream puff and it stuck--he is white and fluffy!

The other thing we always look forward to in St. George is the spa. We keep it lukewarm for the kids and they can play and plash to their hearts' content. Daddy turned on the jets and we got ourselves some Santas!

G&G are dog sitting Cole's dachshund Titan and he became beloved, especially by Maddie. He patiently provided a few doggie rides for the little ones.

The ladies got to steal some time away and we went shopping on Black Friday. Crazy I know, but it's fun when you have a group to go with. We braved Target and got some good deals. We attempted Old Navy but the line wound around the entire store, so we bagged it! (Incidentally, I am mad at retailers for slowly stealing into Thanksgiving. Keep Black Friday on Friday!!!)

To keep the troops entertained we went out a few times, one night bowling and the next night to the new movie Frozen. We took up a whole row in the theater! Amazingly all my kids stayed in the movie and I got to enjoy it.

I think the cousins had a fun time together. There were very few problems and lots of smiles.

Choo choo! We are only missing baby Jake in this one! They loved moving these miniature folding chairs all weekend long.

Grandma got out the festive headbands. We kissed Ella under the mistletoe.

 The snow queen.

Ho ho ho!

These last few are just some cute ones of my family. My handsome boys at the mexican restaurant.

Cameos of each kid on the pretty red rocks. I will never tire of the beautiful contrast between earth and sky.

 Ella is wearing her birthday hat... more to come on that next!

 Baby Jake was still in his handsome church duds.

Oh how we love St. George! It is such a fabulous place to visit, and I am so grateful my parents provide a place for us to gather, crazy and wild as it may be!