six is sweet

Where does the time go? I'm amazed that my Emma-girl is now 6 years old, in Kindergarten, reading, riding a two-wheeler and smack in the middle of childhood! *sob* :(

Last Saturday we held Emma's birthday party and invited her little friends from church. She wanted a chocolate on chocolate cake and purple & red balloons. She also wanted Hannah Montana decorations, but I was able to get by with just the color combination because, despite my best effort to sway my girls otherwise, they are now Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus fans. Ugh! Anyway, the party was a success--they played games, danced, ate food and opened presents. Between this and the skate party the other day Emma's birthday weekend has been "the best EVER!" I love you, my sweet-cheeks!

The night of her actual birthday we gave her the Hannah Montana movie DVD.

(Emma loves wearing Gene's shirts as p.j.'s to bed)

The day of her party, Emma with her presents and a rare "smile" for the camera!

Emma's birthday cake. Gotta love a girls who loves chocolate as much as I do! Yes, we were lame and had to do the 5+1=6 candle move.

Making a birthday wish.

Everyone waiting for the pizza & cake.
(front R-L: Emma, Morgan, Caitlyn, Sarah, Christina, Stella & Lily)

Emma opening her gifts (can never have too many Polly Pockets)

Funny girl, was more excited to get the My Meebas than just about anything else...

Gene opening the packaging and the kids playing.

K12 Valentine skate party

Time again for another school party/field trip. Every year the local K12 families get together at the skate/bounce house across town. So last Thursday we went--the kids bring about 60-70 valentines to hand out and their own boxes/bags to receive valentines as well as a treat to share. I started feeling a little foggy/sick that day so I'm going to let most of the pictures speak for themselves. Gene took the day off and got to join us. He helped Morgan hand out her valentines. All the families went out to the skate rink to do the Hokey Pokey and Funky Chicken, and after eating some munchies we just followed the kids as they played and played and played. It was a great time had by all.

Funky Chicken

Valentines...

Morgan handing out her valentines w/ Gene's help...

My three girls having a ball!

Monkeys...

Sarah coming down the Mt. Everest slide.

Emma taking a curve slide.

Emma getting bounced around.

Gene and Emma in the distance in the middle of the pic, getting help skating.

Emma, my "dancing queen", er skating queen.

Emma excited to see all the Valentine's that she got (all three girls bags on the bench).

superbowl XLIV

Ahhh, the Superbowl. The only time of year that I really get into football any more. Although when BYU plays the UofU is pretty exciting too. This year we decided to host the party at our house (since we now have a TV worthy of the big game). I had to teach my class at church but as soon as it got out my family started arriving and we got cookin'. I prepared a salad and lemon bars, while Flea made her famous egg rolls. We got our 10-square and questionnaire ready, handed out and games prepped. Then enjoyed the pre-game show. For the record I loved the Snickers Betty White commercial! About half-time we put in the pizzas as our dinner (along w/ salad), not that we needed more food, but hey--it's football time! My hubby wanted the Colts to win (because of BYU players on the team) but secretly I'm glad that the Saints won, being as this was their first time to the Superbowl and all.

Everyone enjoying some munchies pre-game.

A look at our buffet table (nachos, meatballs, veggies, brownies, eggrolls, olives, crackers, heartburn, etc.)

My cute little lemon squares ala football decor.

Colts vs. Saints

Quarter prizes

(Incidentally Jeff won the 1st quarter, Lysette the 2nd & Flea the 3rd & 4th)

Jeff & Gene sufficiently stuffed. :)

Lysette tickling her brother, Jordan's, arm. Awww. ;)

Another shot of our chaos, er, party.

Jeff and Gene watching a re-play of a close touchdown.

Some of our decorations.

daddy daughter dance 2010

Gene has been taking his girls to the annual Valentine's Daddy-Daughter Dance for 5 years now. You can check out the first one in 2006 here (when Sarah was only 5 years old). Also, check out the dances in 2007, 2008 & 2009. Next year Morgan will get to join them.

We started the afternoon by getting the girls new dresses for the special occasion, followed by curling their hair and painting their nails, etc. This year I had to put a little makeup on Sarah due to a sibling rivalry they had the day before (that left Sarah with a cut under her left eye that she was very self-conscious about). When Gene got home they all went straight to the dance and danced, ate cookies, played games, got balloons...Gene and Emma even took a Waltz class together. Awww. Then, per tradition, they went out to IHOP after the dance. I love that they all have this little tradition that they look forward to every year!

Sarah, Gene and Emma before the daddy-daughter dance.

Sarah looking soo grown up--wtfreak? (that little blond patch under her eye is a liquid bandaid w/ cover up on it).

Emma's curly hair (she loves it when I do it like this).