Mommy's Birthday {And Nora's 1st Haircut}

This year I celebrated my annual 21st birthday.  We decided it was as good of a day as any for some haircuts.  I cut mine off and then took Nora to get her first haircut.  To say she loved it is an understatement.  She still asks about once a week to go get another haircut.  She is a girly girl!

I kept with tradition and spread my birthday celebrations longer than a week between dinners with different family members, to a cake with my Primary counselors, and a girl's night out.


I'm not sure if this video will work, but it was my 'good morning' from Nora as she sang "Happy Birthday" to me.  She loves birthdays and was excited for it to finally be Mommy's birthday.

This girl is getting so big!  She can reach the magazines at the salon.

Tutu went with us to get our haircuts.  Nora did amazingly well.  I thought she may wiggle too much or not want to sit in the chair to get her hair cut so we went to a children's salon.  She could not have proven me more wrong.  She was so excited & happy to get her hair cut.  She turned down to 4 Wheeler chair & the Lightening McQueen chair for the regular chair.  Then, she chose to watch a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD but barely watched it.  I couldn't believe how still she was.  It was like she was scared to move!

One happy girl with her new haircut!

She even got a glittered heart on her face for being so great!

Our new haircuts!

Blessings

Grandpa Steve bought a new (used) toy...an RV.  It's great & the timing was perfect for Thanksgiving.  We had The Brown, Johnson, & Bagwell families come into town.  We also had Katie, Bridget, & Ella come.  (It was really exciting to see Ella for the first time since her mission.)  It was a packed house.  We lucked out to have the Bagwells stay with us.  We loved it!  Millie & Nora played dress up every morning and night.  Everyone liked have Baby Loulis (Louis) to hold and squeeze...especially Aaron.  It was a busy week, like usual when family is in town.

 

 

Louis is fun to hold, pet, & poke.

 

 

 

On Wednesday, we had a special party.  I didn't get any pictures of it, but Baby Louis was blessed.  It was sweet.  Then, to add to the special day, we had Millie's 3rd birthday party.  It was a tea party & everyone enjoyed it.

 

 cupcakes for party favors

 

 

After the baby blessing, everyone was invited to get dolled up & ready for the tea party.  There were hats, necklaces, gloves, & mustaches.



 

 

 

 

Eventually it was time to wake up the birthday girl.  (Millie managed to sleep all through the blessing!) She was ready with some fun mustaches.

Nora loved all the snacks & 'tea'.  (She drank lemonade & lots of it!)  We had all kinds of luncheon foods like veggies & dip, pinwheels, etc.  Then, we had desserts from cookies to truffles. 

 

tea with Ruby

and lots of tea with Daddy

 



After tea, we played a couple of games like draw-a-teapot-on-a-plate-on-your-head (boy did those turn out interesting!) and learning the song "I'm a Little Teapot".  Then, it was presents time.  Millie sure made out with the presents!  Nora hated she didn't have to share.

 

 Our last big hurrah was Thanksgiving.  We had some delicious food...including multiple fried turkeys.  Aaron (with help from the other men) built my mom a new table.  Just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

 

 

And since he's such a good son-in-law he also helped (with Xan & the boys) recover her chairs to go with the table.  Dinner was ready for the table but had to be put on hold while the chairs got finished.  It's never a dull moment when all of us are together!  

 

 

We did a little shopping on Friday & some crafting.  (Perfect!)  Then, Saturday morning family started leaving.  It was great having them all around for a few days.  We're so glad they came. 

 

I am surprised & sad that I did not get any pictures of Millie & Nora playing.  They were always together & Nora loved every minute of it!  Now we can't wait for the summer!

4 x 2: {Four Years Old Times Two}

Tyler & Aiden turned four in November.  Rachael threw them a dinosaur party to celebrate.  All the kids had fun with tattoos, dinner, games, cake, & presents. 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Tyler & Aiden!  We love you!

Ellie's 5!

Sweet Ellie turned 5 in August.  A few months prior, she informed me she really wanted to have her birthday party at our house.  I told her she had to ask Aaron herself, which she did.  She had an ice cream party. 

Before party time I had my little 'workers' helping.  Well, Nora did dance a little in between jobs.

We made bleach shirts for Hayley & Ellie the night before.

Finally it was time for everyone to come for the party.  The kids were so happy PawPaw was here!

Rachael got the party all set up (with some little helpful hands).

Then, it was time for ice cream & birthday cake.

And finally, presents!  Ellie really raked it in!

Happy Birthday, Ellie!  We love you & are so glad we got to celebrate with you!