Taylee's 5th Birthday

Taylee's birthday this year was a little different. Aaron was going to be gone on her actual birthday so the Sat. before we went to Rexburg Rapids and Ryker and Conner joined us. I think they had a great time swimming and floating the lazy river.

I told her she couldn't have a party with friends EVERY year so this year she decided to have Ryker and Conner come for a sleep over. They stayed up late watching movies, eating treats and playing. They woke up Sat morning and it was Tay's real b-day. We had a yummy breakfast and then opened presents.

Emberley joining the party...

Taylee got spoiled again. Thanks to grama, gram and cousins for the gifts.

Including this one. LOL! Capt. Jack Sparrow in the house!

Looks even better with princess skates!

After presents we went to the water park to play for a few hours. Taylee got hurt and spent a big chunk of her time too afraid to get wet cause she didn't want her band-aid to fall off, crazy girl, go have fun!!

And eventually she did...

On Sunday we went to Lacey's for our family party and to have cake and ice cream. Yes, our patriotic child wanted an American Flag cake. Don't ask me why she likes the flag so much, but I can't complain, this was the easiest cake iv'e made in years and the kids had fun helping decorate it.

Blowing out the candles.

We got Aaron on the phone to help us sing.

Taylee is an awesome little girl. I would never have imagined getting a girl quite like her, but I wouldn't trade her for anything. She is such a good girl who tries so hard to do what is right and be obedient. She likes order and follows rules to the T. She makes us laugh a lot and I'm so glad that she is healthy and happy and in our family. Happy Birthday girly!

Big Kindergartner Here!!

Taylee's feelings about starting school have been a little up and down. Mostly up all summer, she has said she was so excited, but then we went in for registration and she saw how big the school was and she started getting cold feet. We had lots of talks and I reassured her she would love it and when the first day came she was ready to go. Taylee takes a little while to warm up to new things, she always has, but she put on her bravest face and woke up that morning really happy and excited to go.

We documented lots cause daddy was out of town...

Backpack shot...

Catching the bus! She just had to ride the bus, and I wanted her to also so she could know the routine. So she hopped on and Emb and I got in the car to meet her at school.

She got a little confused getting off, she wasn't sure where to go exactly, but there were teachers everywhere helping. This teacher here and the principal are in our ward. Not only that, but all the bigger kids know Tay from Primary and they look out for her. They sit by her on the bus and help her know where to go, its awesome!

All kids and parents to the playground first! They are actually getting a brand new all access playground which sounds super nice.

Then they called everyone into the gym for a welcome assembly. Teachers came to round up all the kindergartners. This is Tay with her friend Evelyn from church. They are in the same class.

They called them up one by one, class by class to line up and go to their room. Glad kindergarten went first! By this point, she was fine, a little nervous I could tell, but ready to be on her own.

I snuck a peek in her room on my way out. Tay is way over at the red table. I waved to her one more time and then went home. Emberley napped most of the time and I cleaned up, got ready and then it was time to pick her up again. She said she had a great day and every day since then she has come home more and more excited and comfortable. Her teacher is named Mrs. Hill and she is only like 23. She seems like a good fit for Tay. It was crazy to be sending her to school, how can she be that old?! We miss her while she is away, but I'm glad I put her in, she needed something of her own to do with a new sister here and is learning lots already.

Party at the Park

Here in Rexburg every year the day before school starts they have this huge party in the park. They bring in tons of blow up toys, have carousel rides, cotton candy, popcorn, popsicles, trolly rides, dinner, raffles, tons of free-bies all for free for any kid who comes. We went with Lacey and her kids for a little bit and they had a good time.

I couldn't believe Taylee wanted to do this...

She may have lasted 3 sec!!

yee-hah!

And little sweetie here along for the ride

Emberley ~2 1/2 Months

I love that babies just let you dress them up and take tons of pictures and don't complain one bit. I can't believe how much she is growing and changing, why does it happen so fast!!

She is 3 months right now, but has been doing some fun new things for a little while now.

~She started responsively smiling a while ago, probably around 2 months (my memory stinks)

all you have to do is look at her and smile or start talking to her and she gets the biggest grins that make her entire body move, she gets real into the smiles!

~Sometimes she gets so happy and excited she almost sounds like she is letting out a little laugh, or the beginnings of one, its so so cute.

~She loves Taylee. Tay can calm her down, make her smile and she looks to find her when she hears Taylee talking.

~She is really into sucking the side of her pointer finger or whatever part of her hand she can get in her mouth and sucks loud!!

~She drools which makes me hope she isn't teething already!!

~She is good at putting weight on her legs. We stand her up and she holds strong for a bit.

~She is getting especially good at holding her head up and loves to be up looking around.

~She is like Taylee was in that she isn't real snuggly unless she is sleeping, she is too busy checking things out.

~She coos and baby talks, its fun to see how long we can keep her going.

~She goes to bed around 9pm and sleeps a good 6-8hrs. before needing to eat, then eats and goes back to sleep for another 3-4hrs.

~At her last check-up (she was 3 months) she weighed 12lbs 7oz. and was like 26 inches long (?)

(her weight was in the 70th %, height 60th % and head 40th %)

Love the smiles

And the feet!