Happy Birthday Emma!

Happy 4th Birthday Emma!

Today was a very anticipated day for the past several weeks, months really. Emma has been really excited about her birthday, and especially her party. Several weeks ago, we decided to have an ice cream party for her birthday. She loves ice cream and I liked the idea that it would be pretty easy since it's just a couple weeks before my due date. We ordered some cute ice cream cups and I congratulated myself for early planning....

Then.... Emma decided what she really wanted was a pony party. She wanted a pony cake, and not just any pony cake, but one with wings.

No problem I said, we'll have a pony/ice cream party. Then she showed me a backpack with the exact pony she wanted on her cake. Oh boy!


My idea was to find a plastic toy that I could stick on top of a cake. Unfortunately, this pony is one that is no longer available and Emma was hoping for THIS pony on her cake. Jared, the artistic one in our family saved me and offered to decorate her cake. Phew...

Didn't he do a great job?

Before the big day rolled around, Emma had a lots and lots of other ideas to add to the party planning. We couldn't do them all, but officially it was an Ice cream/Pony/Show party! Here are some fun pictures.

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!!!

Making ice cream Sundaes.

mmm.. doesn't it look delicious!

Opening presents is always fun, I loved this picture!

The cake was a big hit!

I used the ice cream dishes as party favors too. It was perfect!

Emma has such a cute group of friends. It was a great party and a really fun day for all of us. Happy Birthday Sweet Emma!

A Great Weekend!

My parents came out for a visit this past weekend! They arrived early Saturday morning. My dad, Jared and the kids all headed of to Linsey's soccer game. It was a gorgeous day and her team won 6-3. Grandpa offered to treat everyone to donuts to celebrate Linsey scoring a goal. I'm sure she did it just for him.

My mom and I headed off to my baby shower, it's so nice she was able to come out for it. My sister-in-law and good friends did such a cute job, the shower was perfect in every way. Even though this is my fourth baby, they went all out and made everything extra special. I'm so lucky.

Just look at all those cute details. From the invitations to the favors, it was all color coordinated and darling.

I'm NOT one to take many pregnant pictures, but my friends insisted I pose for this shot. (They say I'll be grateful later.) I wanted to show off the delicious breakfast buffet so focus on that..

My mom waited to give me her gift until we got home from the baby shower and Linsey could be there with her since they had worked on making it together. It was a darling BYU quilt. I love it and it even matched the boys room perfectly. Thanks mom and Linsey!

Later we went to a park for a picnic. Emma was such a sweetheart and kept bringing me fistfuls of flowers..... ya gotta love that.

My mom taught Linsey to play hop scotch.

My dad and Jared supervised Hunter doing what boys do best.

We had a great weekend and were glad for the chance we had to visit with my parents.

Once they left and I started trying to find places for the new baby items I got from the baby shower, I got busy setting up the crib and arranging Hunter's room into a BOY's room. We decided to keep the extra bedroom a playroom and we're hoping to put little brother in with Hunter as soon as he sleeps through the night. (Wish us luck.)

Easter Fun!

Happy Easter!

All dressed up and ready for church.

Our kids love the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Here they are Saturday morning all set to go.

Emma was very slow because she would find an egg, pause, and then look at us with a big smile. We were all yelling for her to GO, but she continued this little routine each time. It did make for lots of cute pictures.

Hunter got to hunt for eggs in a more woodsy area of the park. When they said go, he darted off for the trees and came back with a full basket of eggs and a giant smile.

He had so many eggs that he decided to give some away to a few of his friends.

Here Linsey is all lined up and ready to run.

She didn't do so bad either.

Of course we always have to get a picture with the Easter Bunny.

The kids came home with a pretty big stash of candy. They divided it up and since none of them like nuts or peanut butter, they ended up with quite a pile of unwanted goods like Snickers and Butterfingers (really, can you believe our luck). They cleverly decided to make and easter egg hunt for dad in his office. Jared found a note instructing him where to start and played along great. He said it was actually quite fun, I guess it's been a few years since he got to do something like that.

The kids were still left with plenty of candy and really started off with pretty even amounts. This is what was left by the end of the day. As you can see, Linsey is our saver, Hunter made a pretty good dent in his stash, and Emma wasted no time at all eating EVERYTHING but a few measly jelly beans. After so much sugar, I was really wishing I hadn't bothered buying any candy for Easter.

Here are a few pictures taken Easter morning.

...waiting to see the easter baskets... come on dad!

Happy Easter!