Carly Turns 9!!

This weekend was Carly's 9th birthday party. We had oh-so-much girly fun at Justice Just for Girls. They got their hair & makeup done, got to go shopping, made a fashion t-shirt, and everyone in the entire store sang Happy Birthday to the birthday girl. The pictures speak for themselves.....

Here is the AMAZING cake my good friend Marcella made!

It was almost too pretty to eat!

But in the end, it was just too delicious to pass up!

Here is Carly playing fashion designer!

See what I made?!

Now lets shop!!!

Sassy Girls!

See how cute we look!

Too grown up!!

Well, I guess they can't stay little forever, although I sure think she's growing up way too fast!

But the girl sure can party!!

Happy 9th Birthday Carly Rose!

School Days

Today was the first day of the new school year! Brady started kindergarten, Parker started first grade, and Carly started fourth grade. Wow, time goes by fast! They all looked so cute marching off in their uniforms and backpacks! Here are some pics of my adorable (if I do say so myself) kiddos:

Brady Turns 5!!

Yesterday was Brady's 5th birthday party. His actual birthday isnt until Tuesday, but seeing as how school starts on Monday we held it early. He wanted a karate themed party. Now, if any of you have ever had the pleasure of searching for karate themed birthday items you know there is NOTHING available! So we had to get a bit creative. We used Kung Fu Panda decorations & balloons. I got each kid a different colored karate belt to wear. The first game was "karate chop." I got a large piece of styrofoam from JoAnns and cut it into pieces. Then I painted it brown to look like boards. Each kid got to chop a "board." Then we played "pin the belt on the uniform." I made a huge karate uniform out of posterboard and we played a twist on the old donkey classic. Next was the "dumpling relay." I filled two bowls with cotton ball "dumplings" and the kids had a relay race to pick them up with chopsticks and bring them back to the waiting diners. Finally, we had a Kung Fu Panda pinata that the kids got to karate chop the heck out of. It was totally crazy but such a blast! I think Brady will remember this party for a long time. The craziness isnt over yet, though! Tomorrow is the first day of school. Saturday we move into our new house (yippee!) and next week we do it all over again for Carly's birthday. Phew!! Here's a look at Brady blowing out his candles...

Parker's Kindergarten Graduation!!

Today was Parker's Kindergarten graduation! It was so cute...each child got called up and given a diploma and the teacher called out what they wanted to be when they "grow up." There was every occupation you could imagine...One kid wanted to be a super spy. Another wanted to be an Edward Jones consultant. Another a Wal-mart manager. There were lots of wanna-be doctors and nurses. Several girls wanted to be Queen. And one little kid even wanted to be a Subway sandwich artist. When our little Parker was called, what do you think his chosen occupation was?

Ta-Da!!

He wanted to be a teacher!!! Following in Grandpa's footsteps, I guess. We couldn't be prouder of our little graduate. On to First Grade!!

Brady's Preschool Graduation

Brady is stylin' in his graduation cap!!

Brady & his AWESOME teacher!!

See my diploma??

Even Daddy got in on the cap action!

Today was Brady's preschool graduation and, as you can see, it was a smashing success! They wore graduation caps made out of paper bowls & yarn and got to do a march to receive their diplomas. They sang all of their favorite songs for the parents and the teacher even made a DVD for each of the parents of pictures and songs from throughout the year. We had a really fun time celebrating the fact that my baby is growing up!! Next week is Parkers kindergarten graduation, and before I know it they'll be wearing black and marching for real!!

Kindergarten Homework...AAARRGH!

So Parker's homework for kindergarten this week was to make a pinata! Who knew that homework for a kindergarten class could be so complicated!! We started out with the intentions of making a mouse but soon realized that the grey metallic tissue paper we bought to cover the whole thing was indeed green. So plans quickly changed. Parker wouldnt get his hands in the goop and so the whole thing ended up being another "mommy project." In the end, we got a palm tree (something seen often here in the desert oasis)! Hope you all like how it turned out!

HAWAII!!!

So here are some pictures of our trip to Hawaii last anniversary......James took over 200 pictures so I just posted the best. Enjoy!!Our hotel lobby...

Cars that got stuck and couldnt pass on the road to Hanna. What a mess - and we're right behind in a Hummer!

A black sand beach and blow hole on the road to Hanna.

We saw dozens of waterfalls - so beautiful!

One of our many "hikes" on the side of the road...just for fun.

We had a great time and cant wait to go back! This year for our anniversary we are taking a cruise to the Caribbean!

Christmas - 4 months late!!

Brady & Parker playing with SPIKE THE DINOSAUR!!!

Look at that grin!!

Carly got Pixie Hollow Fairies from Grandma & Grandpa!

Carly unwraps her American girl books (that were accompanied by a Felicity Doll!)

As you can tell, we had a great Christmas this year, I just wish I had gotten the pics posted sooner!

Parkers Birthday

Ok, Ok, so I know its 4 months after the fact, but I still wanted to post some pics of Parkers birthday party. We had a fun time at Ridemakerz (a build a bear for RC cars)!! Here are some pics of the highlights....

Hooray for giant cupcakes!!

Oh Goody...a HUGE tub of LEGOs!

The big surprise was a Leapster and games!!