Playing Catch Up

While I think it's fun and important to document the "big events" in family life, I think it's just as if not more important to capture the everyday happenings. Those simple things that I don't want to forget, but I'm sure I will if they are not documented somehow.  

Every baby needs a bath tub picture! Dallin at 12 months

 Aliza doing her reading homework - Kindergarten Age 6

 Charlotte with her lovely necklaces and beautiful smile

 A happy reunion with some old high school friends! It had been nearly 13 years since I'd last seen them.

 Dallin sporting mommy's new sunglasses, which apparently make me look "cooler than a teenager".

 This boy loves grapes

 And recently started walking.

 Playing outside on bikes and scooters.

 Aliza drawing with chalk. The girls love to draw houses on the driveway, they each make their own room and then have a kitchen, etc. They also makes roads and restaurants too.

 You can generally find a boy or two talking with Carmen.

 Lovely girl

 Aliza was running around so happily this day. I tried to capture to happy spirit, but they were mostly blurry!

 Dallin crawled all round and has the grandest time. It was one of his first times really playing outside.

 This girl loves to do flips and cartwheels.

 A bouquet of flowers held with all the hands that picked them.

 Dallin eating the chalk.

A closet full of little girl dresses. I'm sure I'll miss this some day.

This is how we pass the time at the doctors office. Always bring crayons to color on all that white paper! We like to draws roads and houses. Be sure to have a couple of cars in your bag as well. 

 The girls enjoying the aftermath of Charlotte's party.

 This is how bedtime looks at our house.

 I know you really shouldn't take pictures during Sacrament meeting, but I just had to capture David holding Dallin, feeding him cereal, Charlotte drinking out of his cup.... it's always a crazy meeting. And David just always grins and bears it so well.

Charlotte wanting to hold my hand as she fell asleep one night. 

 Oh, another grape picture! ;)

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Charlotte's 4th Birthday

Charlotte was pretty excited about her birthday this year. I just love the excitement of little children! She was super excited to get birthday money from Grandma Bean, which she used to buy a long time coveted umbrella and Popstar Lego's.

 These blanket pictures were taken on her actual birthday as she was cuddling with me in the chair. I just love how she loves her pink blankie.

 

She also helped me bake her cake, which we took to Great Grandma Teerlink's house for "Ice Cream". She was lucky her birthday fell on a Sunday and we were able to go the grandma's to share with everyone.

A few weeks later we FINALLY had her party. Boy howdy, did we hear about this party for months beforehand! Charlotte had the details planned in her head and she was going to have a friend party - NO MATTER WHAT! She's never had one, so I guess it was finally time to indulge the poor deprived girl. 

If you aren't familiar with the Barbie movie - The Princess and the Pop Star, that was the theme of the party. We sent out great invitations, inviting all the honorary popstars to join us.

 We were decorated to perfection

 What party isn't complete without a some version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey? In this case it was Pin the sunglasses on Barbie.

 We enjoyed a yummy lunch of PBJ, cheese it crackers, fruit salad and there was Chicken Pasta Salad for the grown ups.

 Some party favors: Bubble Microphones, popstar shades, candies, necklaces, ping pong paddles, tiaras, and star cake pops

Each guest got to decorate their own guitar!

 Then we played freeze dance with some of the songs from the movie.

 Which happens to be Dallin's most favorite music! He really rocks out every time these songs come on.

 Opened presents

  And then blew out the candles

These parties are always SO MUCH WORK, and after this one David asked me if I thought it was all worth it. And I quickly replied that it was worth every minute! I loved seeing Charlotte so happy and excited. And I think her little friends has fun too.

We just love having Charlotte as a part of our family. She adds the spunk where everyone else is lacking it. She loves to sing and dance, color, eat fruit snacks and chocolate milk, play with her big sisters and play board games. I believe she has really come to appreciate mommy time this year while both her big sisters are in school. She started the year off feeling pretty bored, but now she seems to really know how to take advantage of having mom mostly to herself (she does have to share some with Dallin) And if she could, she would make chocolate chip cookies every day!

Just Funny

Aliza got this funny mustache at the dentist office. One morning she put it on and came running in my room and exclaimed, "My Pistachio!".  I thought it was so cute that I didn't even correct her.

Birthday Loot

On a random warm day, between snow storms, we were able to get outside and enjoy Dallin's new birthday presents. His fire truck ride on toy and a bubble blower. Both here huge hits!