Six

 So the boy turned six even though I tried to stop him.  We celebrated his birthday as a family on Thursday.  Addie and I had lunch with Brighton that day and we took ice cream cone cupcakes to share with his classmates.  Then we threw him a party with his friends on Saturday. 

 Brighton decided he wanted his birthday party theme to be The Lorax.  For the invitation I downloaded The Lorax movie poster from their website and photoshopped out all the text.  Then I added his birthday party info.  Is that illegal?  It turned out cute though.

  We had lots of cute guests.  We played pin the mustache on the lorax, had a treasure hunt, and broke open a pinata.  I wish I would have snapped a few more pictures, but those kids were crazy!

My attempt at making Lorax pops.

 I made the kids cute Lorax mustache straws and I am bummed I didn't get a picture of anyone drinking out of them.

Brighton loved every second of it, which was the best part.

My Family Tree

 I took Brighton to the kids play area at my gym last Monday while I worked out, because he didn't have school.  When I picked him up he presented me with this.  I love how he wrote my family tree at the bottom and there are four stick figures in the tree.  He really is sweet.  His writing is getting really good too.  

On the other side he drew a picture of our family  including the dogs.

The Karate Kid

 Signed this kid up for karate this week.  He is smitten...as if you couldn't tell.

 

Zoe's 8th

The Birthday Girl.

 We felt like turning 8 was a pretty big accomplishment for Zoe, so we threw her a little party on her birthday (March 8th) this year.  Addie and I made her a birthday hat.  We made her pork tenderloin and asparagus for dinner.  We wrapped her presents in pretty paper.   The kids loved it.  And I must say, you could tell Zoe felt special.  It was so obvious, and so sweet.  We really love this dog if you can't tell.

 This was the yummiest cake ever.  I added lemon zest and juice to my favorite hot milk sponge cake recipe.  And I tinted some whipped cream pink instead of frosting. 

 No candles because if Zoe tried to blow them out that would be, well, slobbery.

In other birthday news, Brighton's is tomorrow!

Winter recap all in one post. I know...lame.

Apparently I am hilarious...or at least Rachel thinks so. 

 Travis and Rachel invited us down to N.C. for Thanksgiving this year and the  food was great as usual.  We are always looking for some excuse to get together, and the kids love being with their cousins. 

 Bright and Audrey play wii.

 My adorable nephew and niece.

 We got to go play at our favorite park while we were there and yes, Jared  is wearing shorts.  The weather was so nice.

 Christmas came early this year and a cute little package arrived at my doorstep at the beginning of December...my sister!   It was so much fun to have her visit even if it was only for five days.  My brother Travis and his family and Heather's boyfriend John came a few days after Heather got here.  We played games and ate way too much food. Which is why I am now having to go to spin class six days a week.

The cousins watch a movie together on the ottoman.

 Christmas came and went.

 The lights a the D.C. Temple were beautiful.

 It has snowed a total of two times this winter and one of them was in October.  We were excited when it snowed for the second time a week ago.

I pretty much can't get enough of her lately...

It seems like literally overnight she went from being a mischievous tomboy to being a sweet feminine little thing.  She is my little sidekick now and I'm loving every second.  She talks my ear off all day long(hmmm...I wonder where she gets that from).

Strasburg Rail Road

 We've been super busy this fall with house projects and such, but we did manage to squeeze in a few fun activities including an evening ride on the railroad through the Amish countryside. 

I am really crazy about this little guy!