Look where I found Liam!

Liam must have climbed on top of my recliner and then climbed into the box. Amazing that he did it without tipping over. Once he was in, he called for me. As I approached, he ducked for cover. I went to get my camera and this is the shot I got as he jumped up.

Ella's Baptism

Ella’s baptism was wonderful. I am so proud of Ella’s decision to obey our Heavenly Father. The spirit today definitely testified to me again that this is what we need to be doing.

The day started off with a small breakfast and fast showers. Once everyone was ready, Ella’s primary teacher, Rachel Shipp, came to the house to do her hair. The braids looked great on Ella. We then drove to the church house. We arrived a little before 9:30 am. Luckily one of the members of the bishopric had already set up the room and filled the font. I just added a few finishing touches (i.e. table cloth, programs, guest sign in sheet, digital photo frame of pictures of Ella from birth ‘til now and set up the refreshment table.) Ella was so excited; therefore we also quickly got her dressed in her baptismal clothing so she could greet her guests.

The service was held in the Relief Society room because we were expecting about 40 people to attend. It was nice to see the room filled with so many of our family and friends. Everyone who participated did a marvelous job especially Nia who sang, “I am a Child of God” all by herself. Aunt Jenna conducted the opening and closing songs. Ella’s Grandmas gave the opening and closing prayers. Aunt Danna gave a talk on Baptism. Ella’s Grandpas were the witnesses of the baptism. Uncle Jacob gave a talk on The Holy Ghost. Those who were in the confirmation circle included: Great Uncle Mark, Great Uncle Merrill, Uncle Eric, Uncle Jacob, Grandpa Cody, and Grandpa Baird. And of course I am honored to have such a worthy husband to be able to perform the ordinances today. Ella chose all the participants and their role. It was nice to have so many of our family members contribute. Thanks to Brother Jones for playing the piano. I was scared that I might have too.

Afterwards we visited and celebrated with cookies that I had made. They were sugar cookies with almond flavored icing. Yummy! Each one had CTR written on them. CTR is an LDS motto and it stands for “Choose The Right”.

All the family joined us for lunch at Pei Wei, which needless to say was really good. The rest of the day consisted of playing games, resting and getting ready for the family dinner that night. We had taco salad with a lot of fixings plus leftover CTR cookies. It was nice that we were able to eat and play outside. We are finally getting a few glimpses of fall weather. But of course the bugs eventually found us and we moved inside. Once the kids were put to bed, all the adults spent the evening playing the game of “Scum”. We also had some Blue Bell ice cream that the guests from Utah bought for all of us to enjoy. They are deprived of the best ice cream in the country where they live.

Ella is 8!

Ella turned 8 today. We woke up this morning to a rainstorm. And of course Ella's party is scheduled to be at a park at 10am. We decided that we did not want to have to reschedule it so we decided to make the best of it. Luckily most of her friends decided to do the same. We had a great turn out (12 of her friends plus family).

She picked "Peace" as a theme. Each girl was given a peace sign necklace when they arrived. Ella wore a tie dye shirt. We decorated with tie dye balloons and primary color table cloths. The paper goods were tie dye as well with peace signs. It rained pretty much the entire time, but the girls didn't seem to care. After they played on the playground equipment for a while it started to thunder, so we decided to play some games under the pavilion. They played a Hula Hoop Game, Duck Duck Goose standing up and Silent Ball. We were hoping to play some field games but the girls had fun playing these just as well. After the games, we served hot dogs, grapes and chips. They played a little bit more in the rain before Ella opened her presents. Ella loved them all. We served cookies instead of cake. I have to say they were awesome. I made them and decorated them with a peace sign and wrote "from Ella" on each one. Ella helped a little, but it still took forever, but it was well worth it. They then played some more on the playground and took a walk in the rain until all the girls left.

It was a great success even though it was raining. Except we forgot to sing "Happy Birthday" so Grandma and Grandpa sang to her on the way back home.

Nia is 5!

Nia turned 5 today!

Aunt Jenna helped Matt decorate the house last night because I had a volleyball game. It looked good.

I had a chiropractic appointment this morning so I dragged all the kids to that and then I treated them to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.

We then spent the afternoon at home playing and making mini-cupcakes.

Nia wanted pizza for dinner so we decided to take the family to CiCi’s. It was easier than making a mess at home. The McMurdies met us there as well. Tyler and Nia are best buds.

Afterwards we went home where my parents, Tyler McMurdie’s family and Sade Peterson’s family joined us for cupcakes and ice cream. The kids got to play for about an hour together.

All and all it was stress free and Nia enjoyed her birthday.

Campfire Songs

I am the Stake Primary Music Leader so I was asked to teach the 8-11 year old girls some camp songs at the Stake Activity Day Girls event today.

Ella and I spent the last few weeks learning the following songs: "Little Green Frog", "The Milk Song", "Rise and Shine", "I Love the Mountains", "Baby Shark", "Boom Chicka Boom", and "If All The Raindrops". We sang them so much that I went to be with them in my head and I woke up with them in my head as well. I wanted to be prepared so I could sing/teach them to the girls without looking at the words. They divided the girls into 3 groups of about 30. I was one 1 of 3 rotations the groups went to. I think everyone had a great time and so did I. I was exhausted when it was all over with though. Ella was amazing. She loves to sing and was a great help to me.

My friend, Amy, gave me the idea to create a campfire in the room. Of course, it didn't even cross my mind to do such a thing. But with her idea and Matt's convincing, I decided to do it. I think it worked out pretty good. After cutting the tissue paper, I taped it to a fan and then tipped the fan upwards.

Easter Afternoon

Grandma Debby gave the girls an art project.







Cousin Leah, Aunt Danna and Uncle Eric joined the fun in the afternoon.

Easter Egg Hunt

Grandpa Cody, Grandma Debby and Aunt Jenna joined us by 10 am so they could be apart of the egg hunt in our backyard. Click on the movie below.

Easter Baskets

The kids found their Easter baskets on the coffee table this morning. The girls received some candy, bubbles and a movie each.

We still have not given Liam candy so he got Gerber treats in his.

They were able to pig out for a little bit before breakfast. Ella is lounging on the couch. All rules are broken on Holidays.

Decorate Eggs

This afternoon Aunt Jenna came over to help decorate eggs for Easter Sunday. Liam was napping so it went well.

WUMC Egg Hunt

Today Matt and I took the girls to the Wylie Untied Methodist Church for their Easter Activities. Ella was so excited because Nia had already attended 2 egg hunts earlier in the week (preschool & playgroup). We saw the Easter bunny, played games inside and had an egg hunt. There were tons of eggs to be picked up, but I told them they had to stop once their baskets were full. (Luckily I brought their smaller ones.) It didn't take Liam long to figure out what he was suppose to do. He had a blast, but at one point he started to throw them back on the ground.

My Easter Bunnies

The girls had ballet class tonight and came up with the idea to wear their bunny ears and dress to match.

Daddy & Daughter Dance

Ella's first Daddy & Daughter Dance was tonight at the YMCA. Ella was so excited. Matt bought her a wrist corsage. I think it is such a silly tradition because most of the kids take it off by time they get to the dance. But Matt didn't want to leave her out because he knew that most of the other dads would follow the tradition and they did. Ella kept it on at least through dinner, which was a nice catered dinner. It was a Luau theme as you can see in the picture they took at the dance. Ella said her favorite thing about the dance was playing with the beach balls. She also did very well at the limbo game. She was one of 5 girls left when they finally called it quits.

Snow Again

After a beautiful Spring Break, we had snow again today. 9.5 in. Can you believe this crazy Texas weather? I've already put our winter stuff away. We decided to stay home and have an indoor family day. Liam wasn't sure what to think when he saw the girls eating snow.

5th day of Spring Break

Today was the last day of spring break. I took my kids to Bounce Town (Indoor Inflatable Fun Center). Ella was so excited because she doesn't get to go anymore because they are only open on Friday mornings. So I told all my friends that we were going and a good group showed up to play. Aunt Jenna came too. I am so glad she decided to spend her Spring Break with us.

4th day of Spring Break

I took the kids to our church's playgroup today at the Pirate Cove Playground.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Of course we all wore green to the zoo and we finished our day with a green dinner. I made green beans, chicken and rice. I put green food coloring in the rice. The girls thought it was weird, but they liked it.