Happy New Year Birthday

Emma turned seven yesterday.

i love it when the kids don't have school on their birthdays.

lots of time to prepare for the party.

Jen Cole gave me the idea for the cake. Thank, Jen! it was a hit!

taste the rainbow...

love our cutie Emma June

for anyone who has read this far, I can report that Christmas was so fun! We traveled to I.F. on Chritmas Eve (the roads were thankfully clear). Grandma Weaver had pajama pants and the traditional ornaments ready to unwrap before the kiddos scampered off to bed. (thanks, Smells for sewing the pj pants. so great!) Santa couldn't bring the big presents like a new desk and Moroni poster, but did manage to squeeze a pink scooter, barbie and "How to Train Your Dragon" action figures in his sleigh. we prolonged the opening of presents by going over to pick up Grandma Walker so she could watch the fun. I think it was about 11:00 by the time we got through the stack. (Smells-please send me the pictures you took so I can put memories with pictures. thank you.) Grandpa and Mel bought a 2000 piece puzzle of Neuschwanstein. i think we dedicated at least 2 hours a day to the monster. still don't know if it is completed. I hear Amy is the advocate now that we are not there.

yummy food, more yummy food and lots of yummy food. thanks, mom. grandpa made pancakes every morning with homemade plum and chokecherry syrup. clam chowder, stew and tortilla soup. and lots of great snacking in between--mostly late at night during the game playing/movie viewing/puzzle construction. orange rolls--double yum. the best day started off with haircuts for all the kids compliments of grandma's piano fund bartering system. then off to the nativity museum where we spotted several cool nativities belonging to Grandma. Next grandma took us all to Barnes and Noble where each kid got to pick out a book. She then treated us to a new Frozen Yogurt shop--brownie bite toppings. yumm. then we went to Secretariat. so fun. i think that was the night we were too tired to cook so Taco Bell and Wendys graced the table. I think that was the night I was most willing to help with the dishes. speaking of dishes, mom pulled out the Christmas china on Sunday for a great turkey/potato dinner. very festive. on Wednesday the weather was a little snowy--oh darn, we had to stay another night. more puzzling and movie viewing. Mel and I pulled out the crochet needles and whipped out some hats. thanks, Laurie, for the pattern ideas. Melanie = mentor, me = protege. now i have a cute purple hat. great for the grocery store run when you don't have time to do your hair. by this time Mike and Tami's family had arrived. their end of the party was rising while ours was fading--but not before we could play several games. victory for me in settlers, thank you. the kids had fun, sleep was optional and we all need to exercise nonstop for the next three weeks. it was great!!

Thanks again for all the fun, Grandma and Grandpa! We love you.