Forever 4!!!!

Purrrty Pet Party!!!!
Elisabeth was very particular about what kind of Birthday party she wanted this year. She loves Puppies and kitty cats, so we decided to invite her friends and we had them bring their favorite stuffed animals with them to Elisabeth's Purrrty-Pet Salon. At the party the animals were dressed in tu tu's, collars and super capes(for the boys). We played musical paw prints and Aunt Becky painted the guests faces the animal of their choice (they all seemed to want to be kitty cats) We had about 15 kids 4 and younger in our tiny apartment.... and it was way more than crazy here, but it was fun... and our Birthday girl loved every minute of it ... except for the couple meltdowns she had when she didn't win the musical paw prints game :)

The past month and a half... Lots of random Pictures

So this last little while we have had many of adventures! To name a few... moved to Philly, celebrated labor day, my birthday(Jenn and kids came to play for the day), Elisabeth's Birthday(pics coming soon), we have taken several trips to the Philadelphia zoo with and without Daddy,enjoyed the visit of Stacy and Kyle, explored downtown Philly, Liberty Bell etc., eaten our fair share of Philly cheese steaks,Elisabeth started preschool,Isaac is potty trained (night time included:) we have enjoyed the great weather(Elisabeth fell and got a black eye... Ouch), and have been having fun getting to know the area of our new home.

Zoe's Birthday

The most recent fondant cake I made for a neighbor friends 11Th Birthday. She wanted zebra print... this is what I ended up with.

Best Friends!

I remember growing up, my very best friends were the ones that I called Brother, or sister, and quite frankly they are still my best friends today. There is something so special about siblings which relationships can not compare in the same way to any other. I have been blessed with the greatest siblings and have great memories with each of them.
I love watching Isaac and Elisabeth play together around the house. When one is gone the other one seems lost and confused. If one is leaving the other asks why they both can't go. It has been so neat to see them play, imagine, and love each other more and more every day. For instance, yesterday Isaac was upstairs taking a nap and Elisabeth was downstairs with me, Jake had just left to go home teaching and Elisabeth was very sad because she was not allowed to go with him. So of course this sent her crying and crying because she really wanted to go. All of the sudden we heard a soft yet hurried voice say "Sissy, Sissy, Sissy", it was Isaac, he was rushing down the stairs to arrive quickly at Elisabeth's aid, with his arms open he gave her the biggest hug... and then another one ... and then another, followed by an requested kiss. Elisabeth immediately calmed down and had already forgotten why she was even upset in the first place. We were at some friend for dinner last night and I was telling this story to them at the dinner table. Isaac and Elisabeth were sitting by each other and as soon as they heard me tell the story they wrapped their arms around each other again for another hug... it was way too cute for words. This incident melted my heart it was so darling! I love how they can be playing for hours at a time by themselves in the next room over, dressing each other up, jumping off of the furniture, or just playing make believe. They have both already tried to include baby Andrew in on the fun... I tell them they have to wait a little longer until he can join in...

Heaven Sent

I was feeling a little down today. Realistically it was most likely because I was just tired. But I was feeling sorry for myself, a little stressed out about upcoming events and overwhelmed about a series of other things etc.....
I went up to my room to check on the baby and found my scriptures on my bed where I had left them earlier.I knelt down by them and offered a sincere prayer and asked for peace, I opened my triple and the pages fell to Helaman 5:12, immediately I felt an overwhelming feeling of love and peace, I knew that everything would be alright. of course this didn't stop me from crying a little, in fact I was in tears before I could finish the verse.
Elisabeth came up the stairs to find her pj's and we said a few words to each other and then I came downstairs with Andrew to comfort him. About 5 minutes later Elisabeth was at my side at the computer she said, "Mommy I have a surprise for you!", I replied, in my fake (I'm OK voice), "oh you do?". She then proceeded to reach oh her tipee toes for something that was tucked up behind the computer monitor and this is what she handed me...

Then she said,"my grandpa gave it to me when he was here and now I want you to have it."
Once again my eyes filled up with tears and I knew for a second time in about ten minutes that he had heard my prayer. What a blessing prayer is in my life, and what a blessing it is to be a mother to children who teach me the things I am supposed to be teaching them.
So for all of you that are having a tough day, I have a surprise for you,(to the left) my daughter gave it to me and now I want YOU to have it.

Water Balloons!

Remember as a kid loving to get to play with water baloons, not really loving to be hit by them but just loving to hold them, throw them and fill up more? Elisabeth and Isaac have found their love for water baloons too. We had a couple of their best friends over and they played and played. Isaac wanted to keep all of his and not throw them. The girls were the opposite, telling eachother "hit me, hit me".