Anna's 8th Birthday!

Anna turned 8 this March and she was so excited to be baptized!  It was a great day and we had lots of family that were able to come and share the special day with Anna.  We had quite a few people from our ward come as well and we had a big lunch afterward for everybody.  She was quite worried that she would have to be baptized twice because her toe or hair would come up, but she and Matt had a practise run the night before and we braided her hair so it would stay in place.  Unfortunately my camera was not working, but I did get my sister to take some for me -- I just haven't gotten them yet.

 Anna had a birthday party with a few of her friends as well.  She had that on March 17th and had a St. Patrick's Day themed party.  The girls had fun searching for fairies, playing "Don't eat the leprechaun" and decorating little boxes as a craft.  We ate green food and had a green cake too.   My cell phone doesn't take the greatest pictures, but at least I got something!

Brendan's 15th Birthday

 Although it is crazy to think that I have a 15 year old son -- it really did happen.  We had a family dinner with Dan and Mindy because it was Mindy's birthday too.

Later in the week, Brendan had a sleepover at his Young Men's leader's house since they were heading to the temple early the next morning, so we sent along a cake for him and the other boys. 

Brendan has had a good year so far.  He started grade 9 last fall and made the basketball team which kept him pretty busy.  Brendan also got his learner's permit in December and then got his braces of in January.  Brendan is a great big brother too -- most of the time anyway!

Conversation with a 6 year old

This morning we had pancakes for breakfast.  I am not sure why it is so hard for Rebecca to cut her pancakes, but she really struggles with this.  Only for me though -- if one of her aunts or her grandma were the ones making the pancakes, and I (her own mom) was not around, she could cut them with no problem.  This morning, she once again asked if I would cut her pancakes for her, and I decided to pick my battles and give in.  The following conversation made it all worthwhile though!

Rebecca: Mom, will you cut my pancakes, please?
Mom: Of course, Rebecca.  I will always cut your pancakes for you.  Forever and ever.
Rebecca:  Even when I am a grown-up?
Mom: Even when you are a grown-up.
Rebecca:  What about when I have kids?
Mom:  Don't worry, I'll come  to your house and cut their pancakes too.
Rebecca:  What if you are dead?
Mom:  Hmmmm..... What do you think?
Rebecca:  Will you invite me to your funeral?
Anna:  Of course she will -- you are related!
Rebecca:  I am going to bring a plate of cut up pancakes to your funeral and say, "She was the best pancake cutter EVER!" (fake sobbing with a big smile at the end!)
 

Totally made my day!!

Tea Party

 Matt took Grace and Anna to a baseball game tonight and while they were away, Becky, Sarah, Gideon and I had a little tea party.  We had fun drinking our "tea" (water) from our little cups and eating our oreo cookies for a treat!

And of course had to add a little craziness into the mix too!

A new haircut and a little duck.

 Sarah decided to get close and personal with a pair of scissors and this is what she ended up with.  I was a little sad at first because Sarah had such beautiful curls, but I have really ended up liking this look on her.  It is so easy to take care of!

I wish I would have taken a video of this because it was so cute to watch.  Gideon decided that he was going to be a little duck and waddled all around the kitchen.  What a funny boy!

Sarah's 4th Birthday - Part 2

 

 Sarah was excited to share her birthday with a couple of her cousins and Grandma and Grandpa Murray.  She loved her new bunny and her new clothes!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!

Sarah's birthday finally came!

Sarah has been not-so-patiently waiting for her birthday since Gideon had his birthday -- last September!!  She asked me pretty much every other day if it was her birthday yet, so it was a long wait for her and for me!  Her day finally came today and she was pretty excited!  It has been a great week already for her as she had the primary sing to her on Sunday, and then all her preschool friends sing to her yesterday in class.

Sarah requested chocolate smoothies for breakfast and enjoyed hers in a fancy cup!

 Sarah and Becky have become really good little playmates lately -- I love that they love each other so much!

 We had a little party this morning with her cousins -- glad she didn't notice that there was only one candle and not 4!

 We had a fun table-full of little guests!

 What girl doesn't love a new pair of shoes!

And a new dressing table as well.  It was hard to get a good picture of it with the crowd of kids.  All in all it was a great birthday.  I just hope that she doesn't start asking about her next birthday anytime soon!   Sarah has been such a fun little girl and we are always on our toes trying to keep up with her.  She loves to go to school and is learning to love Sunbeams.  She is actually really good as long as I am not in the room, which doesn't work so great when I am trying to teach the primary during singing time.  Fun times!  Sarah loves to snuggle at bedtime, and is trying really hard to learn to stay in her own bed all night.  Sarah loves to laugh and loves playing with Gideon and her older sisters too.  Sarah can tease and torment with the best of them, and is starting to communicate a little better too.  We sure love having her in our home -- it wouldn't be the same without her!