Birthdays

My birthday was Jan 12th:

We met my mom at Joe's Grill where we had breakfast (mine was free) and I had the best pancakes I have ever had. Seriously. Try them. I rode the kids over since our car was in the shop.

Twas a bit chilly but of course Natalie refused to wear a jacket.

Had a little party with the fam. Mike's birthday is a few days before mine so we always celebrate together. I'm singing, in case you were wondering.

Hannah was occupied for a long time with some cellophane.

Played wii for the second time in my life. Can you tell that we're moving our arms really fast?

Natalie's birthday was December 28th. Pics are out of order but here she is unwrapping presents.

Natalie with Brooklyn and Ava Kishpaugh. We were so excited the Kishpaughs were in town and could come party with us!

The cake for grown-ups. Ricotta nut torte. Twas really good.

Kids got cupcakes. Natalie bashfully stared at her candle with her chin resting on the table the whole time. This year she actually blew the candles!

Playing musical chairs. Natalie won!

Pin the tail on the donkey. Hilarious.

We ate at Joe's again for Natalie's birthday. She had corndog bites.

She woke up to find the house all decorated for her birthday. Mark cousin makes these banners and sells them on etsy (see her shop here). She helped a few of the girl cousins make their own a few weeks ago and I just love mine!!!

Girls were thrilled to find balloons and streamers.

She got a play kitchen and accessories from other family members. She loves it!

Hannah's birthday was November 30th. She had a great time squishing her cupcake!

Nice and messy.

A girl can always use two big helpers to open presents for her.

Happy birthday to my sweet little girlies!!

Natalie-isms

Overheard while playing: "Moroni is building a boat on the 6th day of Christmas."

Mark calling from upstairs: "Natalie are you ok?"

Natalie: "Yeah, I'm ok by myself. I'm not dying."

After reading about yet another battle in the Book of Mormon, Natalie says, "Someone gets killed every night!"

Love this little gal.

A favorite activity

Hannah loves to flop around on fluffy furniture. She will spend a good 10-15 minutes at a time rolling around on our couch and will easily be happy for a while on a similar couch or chair at church or someone else's house. I caught a few of her favorite moves this morning on the chair in her room:

time to get off?

no, not yet

It's all fun and games until....

someone bonks a head.

the end.

A big change

This morning we said good bye to this:

And said hello to this:

Natalie is donating her hair to Locks of Love
a non-profit orgnaization that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair and cannot afford to purchase wigs themselves.

We were tired of the battles of shampooing, combing, keeping out of the face, etc that long hair brings. So, now she's a short-haired girl. And she is sooooo beautiful!!

We are proud of our little Natalie to help out a child in need.