Christmas Day

We got to spend a quiet Christmas Eve at home with Aunt Holly and the kids opened up their stockings and then Christmas morning they opened their gifts from us. We had a great breakfast and then spent the day until 3 playing with all the new toys!! Grandma Leasure got the kids a "50's Diner" which turned out to be the hit of the day. It came with lots of fun features and Aunt Cathi sent an apron and lots of fun food. At 3 the family all came over for soup and sandwiches and the kids opened more gifts. What a crazy, fun loud day. My children are very blessed and we are so thankful for the family that we have to celebrate with. Here are pictures of the two days. Enjoy!!

A quieter birthday for brother...

With all of the princess party excitement at our house this year, it would seem that our little boy turning one was overshadowed. Not true!! We did celebrate his birthday today. We were just a little less over-the top about it :)! A little cupcake, a toy to open and he was more than happy with his birthday celebration today. And his momma is caught up in one of those bittersweet moments of remembering --my sweet 8lb boy, born after 30 hours of labor is now over 22 lbs and walking all over the house!! How short a year is! I just know that I will blink and he will be off to school. All the more reason to enjoy each moment of him--sloppy kisses and sweet hugs, mischievious little grins and sturdy little legs. He is a blessing to be sure. We couldn't be more thankful for him. A shout out to our favorite aunt Cathi who gave up month of her life last year to come help us wait for his birth ( and a huge thanks to grandma who watched her kids) and who now fittingly shares his birthday. Happy Birthday Aunt Cathi!!! And Happy Birthday sweet Rylan James!! Love-- your mom.

PRINCESS PARTY

Morgan Paige had her very first big-girl birthday party yesterday. Six of her friends came over to celebrate with her and my, what a pink princess day it was! We started out by having the girls hunt through the house for all of their princess accessories (necklaces, rings and crowns). Once in the proper princess attire, we had them play some games and color some princess pictures. Next we had them decorate their own cupcakes with sprinkles, decorating gel, and princess toppers. Then we lit the candles and let Morgan blow them out while we sang to her. The gift-opening was hilarious with all six girls "helping" Morgan open everything. She got a remote controlled pony, a "MyLittle Pet Shop" house, a mermaid Barbie, a princess computer, a princess memory-game and a cool princess art set with big-girl scissors (note to self: remove the scissors!). That was all in addition to the huge package that her grandma got her which included a beautiful green dress and a doll. Whew! So our little four-year-old princess had a wonderfully blessed but exhausting day.

This is Aunt Holly confiscating the blog for a moment. I was also invited to the party and have to say that it was the prettiest, pink princess party on the planet! I have never seen so much pink in all my life. Morgan Paige is one loved little girl! She had 6 friends, 2 Aunt Hollys and mom and dad in attendance. Oh, and two little princes. It was a great party!

p.s. For those of you who's children returned home with face paint, my apologies. (Note: "1/2 cup of salt, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and a loofah! Scrub, scrub, scrub!")

p.s.s Purple is still the best color! :)