My Big 5 Year Old!

A week ago today my sweet little girl turned 5. She is my youngest and my only girl, I can't believe she is 5. She had a wonderful birthday, thanks to many friends and family. Kate is very excited to start Kindergarten in the fall and know that she is five she talks about going to kindergarten almost daily.

I am so glad to have Kate, she is so loving and fun. She likes to be a funny girl and make people laugh. Even the boys are so cute when she does something funny. They adore her. She can also be very loving, she always tells me she loves me and I'm the best mommy. A mom really needs at least one of her kids to tell her that, even if it's not true. Kate and I have really enjoyed our time together this year, with Nick in school all day we have lots of girl time. We have started some fun things that just the two of us like to do together- like picnic lunch and a movie in our living room. Of course, the movie is always a princess movie! Kate is into Barbie's, dress up and playhouse. She is also starting to work on her reading. She is very excited to learn everything. She is also a bit sassy, with quite the I know it all attitude sometimes. This is partially my own fault, she definitely gets away with more than the boys, after all she is the youngest and the only girl. I guess I need to work on that one.

We are very blessed to have sweet Kate in our family. I am so grateful to have my little Kate and am grateful for all the joy she brings to our family.

A New Year Pledge to Myself and My Family!

I have not been a good blogger over the last year, which makes me sad because that means I will not remember a lot of great little things that I could have. I pledge to do better this year and I will blog weekly- that is my goal. I really want to have this as a tribute to my sweet little family and I want to remember every little thing that I know my kids will enjoy hearing about when they are grown up. So here we go.

The Story of a Mexican Postcard!!

Yesterday, the kids received a postcard. It was a beautiful postcard of an arch on a beach in Cabo San Lucas. You may ask who sent it.? Can you believe Bryan and I sent it to the kids from Mexico- When did we go to Mexico you may ask? We had a great trip there in early November- yes, early November. That nice little postcard must have quite the tale to tell, for it took seven weeks for it to arrive at our home. We mailed it approximately Nov. 9th or 10th and it wasn't even postmarked at the post office in Mexico until Dec. 1st. We had given up on even receiving it a couple of weeks ago, Yet it finally made it. What a long journey that little postcard had. I would highly recommend just bringing the postcard home with you!

Kate the Mannequin!!

Today Kate and I made a quick trip to Old Navy to make a return. Upon leaving the store Kate disappeared and I was walking around the front of the store looking for her. I was calling her name and looking about- suddenly I spotted her! She had climbed up on the little platform they have the mannequins on and was pretending to be a mannequin. She had one hand on the fake dog and was holding very still with the cutest expression on her face (she is such a poser)... She wouldn't even respond to me she was so in character. I laughed so hard. It totally made my day.

Hogle Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa!

At least once or twice a year we have the tradition of going the the zoo with my mom and dad. It is really a lot funner than me taking the kids to the zoo alone. 1. I have lots of help. 2. The kids love spending time with Grandma and Grandpa ( they are stuck home with mom all the time- and I am such a bore). 3. We can even convince Bryan to come with us.

Me and my dad!

Nicklas and Alex seeing how they compare to a gorilla.

Grandpa resting in the wagon with Nick and Kate!

Standing in line for the Carousel.




Zuri the baby elephant. She was adorable.



The kids just love sitting on this elephant trunk every time we go. The best is when it
starts shooting out water. I think Kate could spend a full hour there and not get bored.




Alex, my mom and I. Say Cheese.

Acorn Collecting!!

Have you ever considered collecting Acorns? Well, my Kate has and did! This was her entertainment for the entire duration of one of Alex's soccer games this past spring. When I informed her that she would not be bringing her large collection home (she seriously collected about 30), she quietly narrowed her collection down to five acorns and said,

"There is one for each person in our family!"

Sweet and loving Kate- I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my children and this day I thank him especially for Little Girls!!!

Kate's Soccer!

Kate's spring soccer was quite an adventure. She was definitely one of the cutest players. She sort of decided she was afraid of the ball after the first game, that's when she learned lots of little legs were all kicking randomly at an attempt to kick the ball- and that meant getting kicked herself. Every practice would help her get over that fear and then each game would again reinforce that fear. That's the kicks of soccer! She was so cute to watch, all smiles. She would run and then if she got tired she would just stop and stand somewhere on the field for a rest.

I can't even begin to describe my enjoyment of watching my sweet, petite Kate play soccer. She even said she wants to play again- I would consider that to mean it was a good experience after all. Way to go Kate! Love you!