Kendyl's Birthday...

Kendyl could not wait to get started on her birthday so she was up extra early to open her presents before school.

She was very excited about all the great stuff she got. A big thank you to everyone who sent her cards and gifts--she loved them!

She played with her new stuff all weekend and every spare minute she had.

We hid the new bike in the family room and it took her several minutes before she even noticed it...then her reaction was, "Oh! There's my bike."

I spent the morning with her at school and brought birthday donuts and juice. Her class was almost more excited than she was! :)

Kendyl and her friend Gigi, who is in her class--they share the same birthday!

Kendyl wanted to go to TGI Friday's for dinner and while we were there they had a balloon maker twisting balloons into all kinds of shapes. Both girls went for the princess crown.

We came home for cake and icecream, although she was thrilled when the waitress brought her a sundae with a candle in it. I must admit that I tried making a fancy birthday cake on Kendyl's first birthday and it turned out really ugly, so I have not attempted to do anything since then besides cupcakes or bundt cakes. Usually I just buy a cake.

So this year, for Kendyl's friend party she wanted to have a beach theme and asked for a flip flop cake. I was hesitant to attempt anything, but after searching online I found some really cute ideas, examples, and tips.

I made two sets of flip flop cakes, one for her actual birthday on Friday and one for her party on Saturday. I must admit, they turned out pretty cool! The biggest downside was that it took me 2 hours to cut, frost, and decorate essentially 4 cakes! My feet were killing me!

We had Kendyl's birthday party at Michael's where she and her friends made these cute bags.

And decorated these cute flip flops (hence the cakes). They all turned out super cute and the girls all had a fun time being creative. I was glad for the extra help and expertise from Michael's.

I'm so glad my cute Kendyl is seven, but where has all the time gone? It seems like yesterday she was just this small.

Happy Birthday Kendyl!

Our sweet Kendyl is seven today.

I remember holding her while she slept because I just couldn't get enough of my perfectly sweet baby, checking on her all the time to make sure she was still breathing when I finally did put her down. I remember teaching her words and how to color and how to play. I cherish her first steps, her first time sleeping in a big girl bed, her first days in preschool and her first trip to Disneyland. Now I savor the times we can do things, just the two of us, shopping, going out to lunch, helping in her class at school, or lying on her bed at night talking about the day.

She is helpful and kind and caring and sensitive and smart and excitable and fun and happy and musical and sincere and honest and confident.

This past year Kendyl graduated from Kindergarten, remembered how to swim, started 1st grade, learned how to ride a 2-wheel bike, lost her two front teeth on the top, was Citizen of the Month at school, was on the Principal's Honor Roll at school both trimesters, learned how to play tennis, took gymnastics again, and learned how to swing on the monkey bars.

We hope this next year is full of learning, love and fun times together! We love you Kendyl!!

Easter Sunday...

Here are pictures of the kids in their Easter finery. It is always fun to dress up in a fluffy new dress that poufs out when you spin. :)

Ryder looks especially handsome in his little vest and tie. :)

Brityn came home from church very excited about the Easter Story she learned in class. She used her pictures to tell us 'her Sunbeam' version. Very cute.

Easter Egg Hunting...

The easter bunny likes to leave empty baskets outside the kids' bedroom doors leaving a trail of eggs that lead to their filled baskets. Kendyl is all ready to go, bunny ears and all. :)

Ryder was so excited looking at all the eggs scattered around the house and on the floor, he wasn't sure where to look first!

Brityn was all about gathering eggs this year. She was keeping pace with Kendyl. :)

Ryder would put eggs in the basket...and then take eggs out of the basket...in...out...in...out...in...out...repeat a hundred times.

Brityn with a princess egg...we save our eggs each year, thus the collection has grown (almost out of control) so we have Dora, Disney Princess, Tinkerbell and now some sports ball eggs (for Ryder).

Kendyl asked me how come the easter bunny uses the same eggs every year...uh, the easter bunny recycles, you know, it's good for the environment and saves money! ;)

Tons of eggs!

Like my hair? Daddy did it, I'm so cool.

Easter Egg Coloring...

We colored easter eggs on Friday, since the easter bunny comes to our house on Saturday. The girls were very creative this year and the eggs actually look pretty!

Kendyl was a pro and tried experimenting with colors and writing with the wax crayon.

Ryder's 1st Easter, even though he's already 1! Last year, Easter was right before he was born, and this year it was after his birthday. He didn't get to dye any eggs, but he banged on the egg holder and tried to eat it!

Kendyl with a picture she drew of the easter bunny. Can you see it?

We gave Ryder an egg and he thought it was a ball, he kept trying to bounce it, and that upset the girls because they thought he would break it.

Some of our finished masterpieces..and yes, we all wear the blue jackets to keep our clothes from getting stained. :) Who knew these old jackets would come in so handy? ;)

I think Steve loves decorating eggs almost more than the kids. I did twice the amount of eggs this year because he didn't get to do enough last year! Good thing we like to eat egg salad sandwiches!

Play house fun...

We just finished a week of Spring Break for the kids. Steve worked and we stayed home, but made sure to do something fun every day. Steve built this play house for the kids and they couldn't wait to play in it.

It kept them occupied and entertained all week long.


We also went to the park and the library and did play-dates with friends and had lunch with Daddy at his office.

We had great weather so we spent a lot of time playing outside and in the back yard.

In the new play house!

Ryder loved to swing while the big kids played.

Kendyl's awards 2nd trimester...

Our smart little Kendyl got straight A's again this semester. She is a wonderful student and loves to go to school and learn. She loves her teacher Miss Ransom and always tries her best. She was on the Principal's Honor Roll again which is very special, only her and one other student in her class were on it. She also got an award for Good Attendance with only 2 absences.

Way to go Kendyl!!!!

Tutu and Papa Jack...

We always love when Tutu and Papa Jack come to visit! They spend lots of time playing with us and having fun. They like to bring us treats and fun things to do! Thanks for coming to visit and for watching us while Mommy and Daddy go to the temple. We love you!!!

Papa's 83rd Birthday...

We were so happy that Papa and Auntie Cheryl Lou and Uncle Glenn came to visit from Hawaii. We love to see them, especially since it is not very often! We were lucky enough to have them here for Ryder's first birthday and then a few days later we celebrated Papa's 83rd birthday!



Singing Happy Birthday...and I did not even attempt to put 83 candles in this cake!

Everyone helping to blow out the candles.

Opening presents and cards.

Kendyl and Brityn were great 'helpers' again.


I tried to capture some moments of the kids with Papa since he is their only living great-grandparent. Here is Papa reading a book with Kendyl.

Papa and Brityn opening a birthday card.

Ryder was most content to have Papa hold him and Papa did not hesitate to play with him and pick him up.

All of us with Papa.

A picture with 4 generations: Papa < Tutu (Mom) and Auntie Cheryl Lou < Suzie < Kendyl, Brityn and Ryder

Ryder's birthday party...

Ryder had a fun first birthday. We loved having family here to celebrate and he totally loved opening his presents. Kendyl and Brityn 'helped' open his gifts, but once he saw some new toys to play with, he was all over it. He loves his Lightning McQueen car, car keys, and basketball hoop. Thanks to everyone who came and for all the presents--they were great! Ryder absolutely loved his chocolate cupcake! He ate some, played with some, and totally destroyed the rest! He was a mess, but very happy! :)

Happy 1st Birthday Ryder! We love you!!!