{happy baptism day}

You talk about their baptism day their whole life, yet it seems like it arrives much more quickly than you ever imagined it would.  Kate and Emma were both so excited for the big day, and we spent months talking about it, practicing, and preparing.  Finally, it was here!!

The morning of their baptism day they actually went swimming.  ☺ Our pool opened that day for weekends only, and the kids couldn't contain their excitement.  They spent a couple of hours at the pool and then still had plenty of time to come home and get ready.  

I felt so harried when I got there--trying to get everything in its place, take a few pictures, and keep all the kids under control. When it started though, everything became calm, and everything went beautifully.  There was one other boy getting baptized that day, and the first half of the program was done by his family.  My parents were able to take a small leave from their mission to come, and of course we were all so glad they could be here.  The girls asked my dad to give a talk, and my mom to say the prayer, so it was fun to have them not only be here, but be a part of it too.  We performed our "I Am a Child of God" quartet, and it went really well--even better than the recital.  All of the talks were wonderful, and the whole program just couldn't have gone smoother.  

 

 

 

I've never watched a baptism from the steps of the font before, since Ryan didn't need me back there with him, and it was such a neat experience for me to be back there with them, waiting for them to come back up the stairs to get dried off.  Kate went first (since she's the oldest), and I loved watching her watch Emma from the top of the steps, all wrapped up in a towel.  I will never forget it!

When they had finished, we hurried quickly to get them dressed and back to the chapel.  I was worried that with two of them, people would be waiting. With my mom's help, we were super fast, and we even beat the one boy that got baptized!!  

Afterward, we met with friends that had come to see the girls, and it was the icing on the cake.  Such a special day!  

To celebrate, we headed to one of our most favorite restaurants, Pappasito's, and had yummy Mexican food--and Fried Ice Cream too.  

It was a PERFECT day.  We love you girls, and we're so proud of you!!!

{no training wheels!!!}

It simply became a necessity for Henry to learn to ride his bike with no training wheels.  He had outgrown his bike, and the next size up doesn't come with them.  He also was so hard on training wheels that we had already gone through a couple sets.

Our other kids have all learned to ride their bike around age 6, so at age 4, it seemed a little early, but we decided to go for it with both Jack and Henry while my dad was here (he's great at teaching kids how to ride bikes).  We had Henry try it on his smaller bike to practice, just until he learned, and you'll see how little it looks on him!  

The day before, my dad had a "prep" session with the boys, and talked all about riding bikes, and how it was going to work.  It definitely helped, because literally, Rick held Henry's seat for two steps, let go, and off he went.  He kept going, and never stopped.  He kept saying "I'm a natural", over and over again, and it was pretty hysterical. Then it was Jack's turn, and the same thing happened!  Rick held his seat for two steps, and off he went, never looking back.   They were able to get started all on their own from the very beginning, which is usually one of the most difficult aspects.  I think they're both naturals!

Way to go, boys!!!  I think Henry will be getting a new bike very soon.  ☺

{emma's first violin recital}

Emma started taking violin lessons a few months ago, and she has really enjoyed it.  Because she's young, I go with her to her lessons, and basically take the lesson with her, so I can come home and teach her at home.  Correct technique is essential from the very beginning, and it's been interesting for me to compare it to the piano.  It's also been really fun for me to spend that time with Emma, and since she loves it so much, it's never a battle to practice.  That's the best part.  ☺

Her first violin recital was this past weekend, and because she and Kate had been working so hard on the piece for their baptism, it was decided they would do the same one for the recital.  It was "I Am a Child of God" played in a quartet, with Kate and me on the piano, and Emma and her teacher on the violin. It's actually quite difficult to play in an ensemble anytime, but most especially as a beginning violinist or pianist.  I was really impressed by both of their willingness to work hard and learn their parts individually, then put it all together.  One day I heard the piano and violin at the same time, and when I went into the music room, I saw Emma and Kate practicing together, and counting "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and". I seriously teared up--it was so darling.  I hope this will be the beginning of many years performing together!

They both did a fantastic job at the recital, and I'm so proud of both of them!  I wasn't able to take a picture of all of us, but I did get one of Emma on stage while she was warming up.  

 

Great job, girls!!!  

{the smiths}

Trenton and Lyndi and their family had a huge layover at the Houston airport on their way back from Peru, so we were the LUCKY ones to spend the day with them before they headed back to Michigan. I kept it a secret from my kids, because I love a good surprise, and I couldn't wait to see their faces!  

After they got to our house, I took the Smith girls with me to get Kate and Emma out of school.  I had the Smith girls wait outside the doors, so as soon as Kate and Emma came out, they would see them.  It was fantastic. They kind of stood there, frozen to the spot, with huge grins on their faces, then there were hugs all around.  I loved it!!!

 Trenton and Lyndi were both absolutely exhausted after such a long trip through the night, so they headed to bed while I got to hang out with the kids.  We headed to the park that afternoon, and even Rick was able to come meet us for awhile.  What I loved the most was that it was like no time had passed--these little friends love each other, and it was so fun for me to see. 

All too soon, it was time for them to go.  It was too fast, but I'll take even a few hours!  We love you, Smith Family!!!

{birthday girls}

Remember how I said that Easter was a little crazy this year? Well, it continued on to the girls' birthday.  I went out of town that week, and flew back home on their birthday afternoon--just in time for cake, birthday dinner, and presents.  It was a BIG birthday this year...EIGHT years old!!!  I seriously cannot believe that they are this age--it happened in the blink of an eye.  

 

I'm so proud of who they are, and who they've become.  They are lovely, beautiful, smart, kind, funny and good girls that bring a light to our home that can't be described.  

{Kate}

Kate is the best little mother to Caroline and the boys.  She's extremely nurturing, and loves to help take care of the baby, read stories to the boys, and really anything I need her to do to help with the younger kids.  She loves to be active, is a great athlete, and loves pretty much any sport. She's happiest when she's outside riding her bike, climbing trees, playing volleyball, or playing at the park.  She's great at math, and it's her favorite subject in school. She plays the piano, and especially loved playing in a quartet for her baptism and Emma's violin recital.  She is such a sweet girl that loves to help me in the kitchen, make crafts, and go shopping with me.  Her favorite food is anything sweet.☺

{Emma}

Emma loves to read.  Mysteries are one of her favorites, and I'll often catch her snuggled up reading one of her American Girl mystery books.  She loves science, and wants to be a scientist when she grows up.  She's deciding between working for NASA and being a marine biologist.  She loves ballet, and is so excited about her ballet recital in a couple of weeks.  Playing the violin is one of her new favorite things, and she's really doing well and enjoying it.  She also plays the piano, and she and Kate like to play together.  Emma loves to write, and I get lots of love notes and stories on my nightstand.  She is so funny, has a great sense of humor, and keeps us all on our toes.  Her favorite food is pizza...and anything sweet.  ☺

We love these girls!!!!  

They were THRILLED to get new bikes as a present, and considering they had completely outgrown their old ones, it was perfect timing.  They also got new robes, which they've been asking for forever, new books, and from Gramme and Poppy, a tea set (Emma) and Raggedy Anne (Kate).  

They can't wait to be baptized in a few weeks, and are anxiously awaiting the big day.  

Happy Birthday, darling girls!!!! xoxoxo

{happy easter...barely}

I think I was the most unprepared I've ever been for a holiday. Honestly, April was so jam-packed that it feels like a blur.  I was getting ready to go out of town for a week, Caroline got really sick, and Rick was traveling, plus all of the other usual things, so it came and went without us doing some of our traditions.  But...we did go on a fun family getaway that weekend to the waterpark, and had a great time, so I don't think any of the kids missed them too much.  We did manage to hide Easter eggs and have an egg hunt, and they got their baskets, so I think we can call it a success. 

Our neighborhood had a huge egg hunt and festival the weekend before Easter, so I took the kids to that while Rick was working.  There were SO many eggs, and SO many kids, but they all loved it.  There was also a yummy BBQ, train rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and a ton of other stuff at the clubhouse, so the kids were pretty much in heaven.

I did manage matching skirts for the girls, and ties for the boys...that's a tradition that I love.  Easter Sunday dawned bright and beautiful, and it turned out to be a really lovely day.

We did spend more time talking about the true meaning of Easter, and our Sunday afternoon was spent talking and laughing as a family.  Seriously---the best time of the week.

{waterpark getaway}

After Rick's extra long busy season this year, we were SO ready for some family time.  He finally had a weekend off when it came to Easter weekend, so we spontaneously decided to go on a mini vacation for a few days.  Even though it was pretty warm here, the outdoor waterparks weren't open, so we headed to an indoor waterpark.

We do have a Great Wolf Lodge just a few hours from us in Dallas, but on such short notice, for a room that fits eight, it was $600!   So...I went on the hunt for another one nearby, and found the second largest waterpark in the state just a couple of hours away.  It was actually designed by the same people that do Great Wolf, so it looked almost identical to it, and had pretty much all the same things--but at a fraction of the cost.  

We decided to surprise the kids, so I packed during the day while they were at school, and when they came home, we all hopped into the car and headed out.  Staying in a hotel is always a highlight for my kids, and really, we could stay in one in our own town, and the would think it was the most exciting thing ever.  We still fit in one room, although I know those days are getting numbered.  Ryan sleeps on the pull out couch, the four little sleep the opposite way on one of the beds, Rick and I have a bed, and the baby sleeps in her crib. It works for us, as long as we can find a suite like that.  So far we've been able to!  

It was an absolutely beautiful drive.  Rolling hills, tons of green trees, and a quiet countryside roads. It was a much appreciated respite from the busy highways we're used to. 

We woke up early the next morning, and enjoyed the kids' second favorite thing...the free breakfast.  They had a good one, even Texas-shaped waffles.  (Seriously...ONLY in Texas.)  After breakfast we still had a couple of hours until the park opened, so we walked outside to let the kids play. It was in a town with pretty much nothing else in it--just farmland, and so we walked a little ways and found ourselves in a huge green field with cattle and horses.  We played tag, the kids played in the mud, and we enjoyed the perfect weather--not too hot, not too cold.

 

Soon it was time to head inside and to the park, where we stayed and played all day.  Henry could not be contained, he loved it so much.  He's tall enough to ride anything, which is sometimes a dangerous combination with a four year old mind.  He and Kate were buddies, and they rode all the big rides together.  Emma stayed in the lazy river pretty much the whole time, and Jack loved the smaller waterslide in the treehouse.  Caroline loved the lazy river too, and so Rick and I took turns going on the big rides.  

 

  Soon the day was over, and it was time to head home.  We changed the kids into their pajamas, loaded up the car, then stopped quickly to get something to eat.  The drive home was quiet--the kids watched movies, while Rick and I talked.  It was only 24 hours, but it was like a breath of fresh air after the last four months of crazy. I'm so glad we could get away--it was wonderful!!! 

{bluebonnets}

One of the best times of the year in Texas is the early spring when the bluebonnets bloom.  They are only here for a few weeks, and everyone goes on the hunt for the best patches.  With the girls' baptism coming up, I knew I wanted to take their pictures in them for their own invitation, and if I was REALLY lucky, get a photo of all of my kids.  We aren't going to live in Texas forever, and it seemed fitting to capture them in the beautiful flowers that will always remind us of our time here.

Fortunately, the kids all cooperated, and I was able to get one of the six of them, with all of them smiling!! It was a bluebonnet miracle.  I *may* have done a little bribing and threatening, but I won't admit to that under oath.  I spent just a few minutes with all of them, then moved on to the girls.  We were really pressed for time--the wind was blowing, the sky was dark and cloudy, and rain was threatening.  It was supposed to rain the next day, and the next weekend the flowers may not have been around. I took as many as I could, and hoped for the best, and thankfully, I got some that are perfect for their invitation--and for our house.  

 

 

Happy Spring!

{one}

Happy Birthday, Caroline! You are ONE!!!!

 I'm just trying not to cry...

Honestly, this year has probably been the fastest of my life. I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by, and that she's no longer a baby. She's walking, running, talking, and running the whole household.

We LOVE this girl so much.  She is most definitely the queen bee, and she has seven people that pretty much will do anything for her.  So much so that she won't hold her own sippy cup, the little turkey! There is always someone there, seeing if she's thirsty, and holding it for her.

She started talking around 10/11 months, and now she runs.  She knows when she's doing something she shouldn't, and she'll start running, but look backward to see if you're coming after her.  Her first word was "go", which basically tells me I'm in trouble. ☺  She is busy, busy, busy, and loves to traipse around the house seeing what everyone is doing.

What a good eater she is! So good, in fact, that one of her nicknames is Henrietta.  Ha! She eats a lot, and drinks a ton of milk, and it was super easy to wean her from a bottle right at 12 months. She'll eat pretty much everything except oatmeal, but especially loves pasta, strawberries, deli meat, string cheese, waffles, and after my girls' trip....candy.  Rick decided it would be fun to feed her M&M's while I was gone, and now she stands below the cabinet and points.  She's smart, I'll give her that!

She especially loves her siblings. When the doorbell rings in the afternoon, she knows it's the girls coming home from school, and she heads to the door as fast as she can. I LOVE seeing her big grin, and Kate or Emma scooping her up for a hug.  Jack is her protector, and can take care of her really well, and she mostly just has to watch out for Henry.  ☺ He loves her a little *too* much, and we're working on being soft and gentle.

Needless to say, she's totally and completely adored by everyone in this family. None of us can even comprehend what life would be like without her, and we are all so grateful that this little miracle baby was sent to our family!!

I was out of town on her actual birthday, so we celebrated the following weekend. We headed to one of our favorite parks for a BBQ, birthday cake, and played for hours.  It was a great day, and perfect way to celebrate Miss Caroline.

Happy Birthday, baby girl!!! xoxo