Our Precious Moments

Friday, March 5, 2010

A Party for Princesses

For McKenzie's 5th birthday she had a few friends over for a princess party. I didn't plan a lot of activities, because I wanted it to be pretty relaxed. We first went on a treasure hunt to find princess tiara's for all the girls, then we made bracelets. The girls loved making the bracelets. We then decorated cupcakes and sang to McKenzie. After everyone was finished eating the girls wanted to dance to the princess music playing. They even got Ryan to dance with them. We then opened presents. McKenzie loved everything she got and said it was the best day ever. Later we took her to dinner at MacKenzie River Pizza Company and then came back home for presents from Mom and Dad and from the Grandparents. She was so funny I had set up everything while they were getting in the car, so when she came in the house after dinner she was just beaming. She was so excited with her new bike and presents. It was a fun day.

We had just found our treasure and I was putting on all the tiara's for the girls.

Kaylee, McKenzie, Emma, Rosie, Brooklyn and Olivia

The girls making bracelets

The girls decorating their cupcakes

McKenzie enjoying everyone singing to her

Make a wish!

Brooklyn gave her a polly pocket van and some dolls

The girls passing around the bing bag to see who's present McKenzie opens next

One of the guys from Ryan's work found out that he had two little girls and brought these to the job for him to give to the girls. I think they are the cutest hats I have ever seen.

Our big 5 year old.

McKenzie and Mom at Restaurant.

Daddy and Boo

McKenzie with her new bike. She was so excited.

McKenzie loves baseball, so she was very excited to get a new mit and ball. She has been playing almost everyday with dad.

Brooklyn modeling her new hat

McKenzie showing off her stuff

McKenzie was pretty spoiled with a new bike, baseball stuff and a lot of clothes. She said it was the best birthday ever.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Guess Who's the Big 5?

Yes our little McKenzie is going to be 5 today. I can't believe it time has gone by so fast. McKenzie is so excited to be 5, she is going to have her first friend party and a few other surprises from mom and dad. It's going to be a fun day.

Five things we love about McKenzie

We love how she loves her sister Brooklyn.

We love her beautiful smile.

We love how she always makes us laugh.

We love her strawberry blonde hair and cute freckles.

We love how she is so excited about learning new things.

Happy Birthday McKenzie. We love you!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I Love Chocolate!

I Love Chocolate, and for Valentine's Day Ryan always gets me my favorite chocolate which is V-Chocolates. I didn't think he would even try this year sense it's a Utah based company, but he did. My friend Brooke and her kids were over hanging out and the doorbell rang, I wasn't expecting anyone and was very surprised. Ryan later told me that V-Chocolates doesn't ship out of state and that he had to work very hard to get them to send it. He just had to keep the tradition going and get me my V-Chocolates. Thanks Ryan your the best. Love ya!

For Preschool we made Valentine's for our families. For mom and dad each of the kids wrote I Love Mom and I Love Dad on a heart and then I helped them make cookie flowers. For the brother's and sister's they decorated hearts and we attached a fun treat to the hearts. The kids loved making something special for their families. We also decorated Valentine mailboxes and made some really cute ladybugs. It was a full day, but the kids loved it and everything turned out super cute.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Super Bowl Fun!

Go Saints! Go Colts! Who know who we were cheering for, it was just fun to go hang out with the friends. The Saints ended up winning, which I thought was cool because it was their first time to the Super Bowl. Thanks to the Pfiles for hosting we had tons of fun.

Everyone watching the Half Time show. Yes that is Ryan playing with Benson.

The girls hanging out in the basement.

Freezing Rain

Last week we woke up to freezing rain. Yes I said freezing rain. It's really pretty, but also really cold. Everything is covered in ice. I thought I would take a few pictures of the trees in the back yard and our neighbors across the street. Even though it gets really cold up here it is still beautiful.

A couple days later the clouds finally cleared out and the sun came out. It looked like it was snowing all day, but it was just the ice falling off all the trees.

Primary PJ's Party!

The Primary had a PJ's party for all the primary kids. PJ's stood for Prayer, Journal and Scriptures. The kids all wore their pajama's, and the presidency served breakfast and had some fun activities for the kids.

The kids waiting for breakfast to be served. Muffin's, fruit, and juice. Yummy!

McKenzie coloring her prayer rock.

Brooklyn decorating her prayer rock.

Brooke teaching the kids about the Book of Mormon stories

The kids decorating their journals.

Brooke talking to the kids about what they learned. This is about the size of our primary, we were missing a few of the kids.

We all had a lot of fun. The kids loved wearing their PJ's to church and they always love learning things about Jesus and the church.

Let's cut each other's hair!

Yes the girls decided it would be fun to cut each other's hair. They were both down stairs being so good and playing, at least that is what I thought they were doing. The both came running upstairs excited that they had cut their hair shorter. I on the other hand was not so excited. They both cut the front of their hair pretty good, Brooklyn's was the worst of the two. I was so sad, because Brooklyn's hair was getting so long. They both lost their favorite toys for a week, lost Movie night on Friday and not toys or treats from the store. They had to miss out because now we had to pay for hair cuts. The next day I took them for hair cuts and we were able to fix it so it didn't look so bad. Kid's, gotta love em.

Miss McKenzie's

Miss Brooklyn's

Our little stinker's!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Home for the Weekend!

We decided that it would be fun to go home for a visit. We have now been in Montana for over 5 months and needed a break from being in the house and we were really missing Family. On January 27 we started the 9 hour trek home. The girls were great in the car, we only stopped twice once to lunch and once for gas and a potty break. They were so funny once we reached Layton they started to remember restaurants and different land marks. I'm so glad they haven't forgotten home. After a long drive we were glad to finally crash at the Cook's house. We didn't want to dirty our house or start up the water heater, so we were lucky to have Ryan's parents let us stay there. That first night my parents, sister and Macie came by to say hi, I couldn't believe how much Macie had grown up. She is walking and playing with the kids. The little one's always change the most. Thursday Ryan had to work, so I left the kids with my mom for some much needed Grandma time and I headed off to run as many errands as I could. It was so nice to be in familiar territory and have shopping available. Later that day I picked up Ryan and we headed off to the mall for a little shopping with out the kids. Thursday night we headed to Centerville with Ryan's family to see Aunt Katie and Chase. We went to dinner at the Fire House Pizzeria, which was very yummy. We then spent some time catching up and rubbing Katie's belly trying to talk baby Tatum into coming out. Friday Ryan spent the morning helping Matt with his house and the girls and I hung out with Grammy Lur, we then headed off to the house to check things out and register McKenzie for Kindergarten. The house looked great. I'm so glad our family is close and has been able to check on it for us. Our neighbor kids were eager to play with the kids and were sad that we couldn't stay longer. We went to visit our friends the Harward's really quick and then we were off to Mike and Natalie's to visit and play with the cousins. My parents were there and Katie and Macie came over, so it was a full house. After a full day we headed back to Ryan's parents for dinner and to hang out. Katie and Chase came up so Katie, Lur and I headed off to Old Navy to check out the sales. We didn't stay long, Katie wasn't feeling well and the boys needed food and drinks. Tyce spent the night with us and the girls. Trying to get them to sleep took a while, because they wouldn't stop giggling and talking, finally around 11:00 they crashed. Saturday was another full day. Ryan, the girls and I spent the morning together running a few errands and then we went to Cafe Rio for lunch. It was sooooo good. We don't have a Cafe Rio up here, so we had to have some while in Utah. After lunch we headed over to Ryan's Aunt's house for a baby shower for Katie and to visit with the family. When we arrived at the shower we found out that Grandma Ludwig had fallen that morning and broke her leg. Poor Lur was already busy with work and Katie and now one more thing. After the baby shower she headed to Salt Lake with her sisters and we headed off to my Dad's Birthday Party. We meet up with the family at the Sparetimes Bowling and had ton's of fun playing games, bowling and spending time together. We then went back to my parents for presents and cake. It was so fun to have all of us there together. We haven't all been together as a family for 2 1/2 years, because of Kevin's mission and Katie and Jake's work. After a full day we headed home to crash. Just as we walked to the door, Ryan's dad announced that Katie and Chase were at the hospital and that Tatum would be coming soon. Katie had been having back pains all week, so we were not surprised. A few minutes later Lur walked in from seeing her mom and had just heard the new about Katie. Ryan's parents and I jumped back in the car and headed for the hospital. Ryan stayed home with the girls waiting for updates. When we arrived at the hospital it was about 10:30 pm and at 12:30 am baby Tatum was born. It seemed like forever, but it was only 2 hours. He was so cute, it was so fun being able to be on the other side. Lur and I stayed and watched him get washed up. He sure was a screamer. I don't blame him they were poking him and washing him. He just wanted to be snuggling with mommy. Lur and I got home about 3 in the morning. What a day. Sunday was much more relaxed we went out to the house to get a few things we wanted to bring back with us and then back to Ryan's parents for Dinner. After dinner Ryan and I went up to the hospital with his parents to see Katie, Chase and Tatum. He was so cute. I'm so sad that we are far away and can't hold him more. All in all we had a crazy and fun weekend with the families. Monday morning we got up early and started are 9 hour trek all over again. It has took a few days to recover, but we are back to normal now and busy with kids and work.

Thank you to both families for making time for us and for such a great weekend. We love you all!

The girls and Katie. It was so fun seeing her pregnant.

The Girls and Tyce trying to wind down.

Happy 54th Birthday Dad!
The family bowling

McKenzie and Aspen

They are both turning 5 in a week.

Brooklyn and her favorite Macie and Aunt Katie.

Brooklyn and Uncle Philip.

McKenzie and Dino

The girls really love their uncles.

George Bowling.

He is growing us so fast. What a cutie!

Me and Lainee.

Lainee makes me smile. Every time I saw her she would run up to me and give me the biggest hugs. She is also growing up so fast. I'm so glad she didn't for get me.