NINE!

She turned NINE last month. How is that even possible? I can't believe my baby girl is nine. 

We had a pretty busy weekend the weekend of both girls birthdays. Lily's was Thursday, Stella's was Saturday and in between we had a dress rehearsal, music recital, dance recital and two soccer games.

Lily opted to for-go a big birthday party and instead invite a few friends to go to breakfast and get their nails done.

We picked up her friends at 8AM and headed to Snooze. 

 I loved that all the girls dressed up and were anxiously waiting for us to pick them up. It was really fun to hear them chit chat in the back of the car. They suddenly seemed so old.

After Snooze we headed to Magic Nails to have their fingers and toes painted.

I think the birthday was a success and a whole lot easier than what I normally do.

We sent the girls home with a mini bundt cake made by yours truly and a sprinkles bracelet... I was making something similar for Stella's party so Lily wanted some for her friends too.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Lily. I love you more than I ever imagined.

park days.

I have so much to catch up on.

Birthdays, dance recitals, piano recital and more.

But first, some fun park day pictures.

We had some pretty bad weather in April and so it was nice to finally get out,

ride bikes and stretch our legs.

Ryan is really good about taking the kids to the park to play.

He's a pretty awesome dad, and this here is a pretty awesome kid who is starting to look so old and grown up :(

I love how serious he is about pulling Scarlet home. He is so good to her and she definitely loves him the most.

And I couldn't resist posting this picture, albeit a blurry one. I love that cute face.

the boy.

I seriously wish I could take Finn and bottle him up. I want so bad to remember everything about this age. He is hilarious, helpful, kind, determined. He makes me laugh everyday. I have list of funny things he says that I keep on my phone. When I'm having a bad a day, I take out his list and read it. It always puts me in a better mood. Oh funny Finn, we sure do love you.. backwards shirt, long scruffy hair and all.

saturday in pictures.

Morning hike up to the compass, it was windy and a little cold, but beautiful, and the company was worth the cold and wind.

Lily's early morning soccer game. Man!! did I mention it was cold and windy? She played hard. It is crazy to me how physical she is and how well she uses her body to beat other girls to the ball.

Definitely warmed up in time for Stella's game.

Where she entertained the other players with her rubber band tricks from the sidelines.

Lunch at Crave after soccer games. Yes.. those are donuts as the bun.

Playing outside.

A friends birthday/hotdog eating contest.

The coveted hotdog trophy. Ryan was not the winner, he opted to photograph this year rather than participate. The winner ate 8.5 hotdogs in 5 minutes. CRAZY!!

It was a fun Saturday.

easter egg hunt.

When we lived in Washington, my mom would host a giant Easter Egg Hunt.

We were excited we would be there over Easter this year and that she would once again host.

1,000 eggs, 50 or so kiddos, and lots of friends we haven't seen in a long time.

Ryan was busier living in the moment than capturing the moment, so pictures are scarce, but he was able to catch up with quite a few old friends so we will forgive him.

Finn was really excited! This was the first year he attended the hunt and was able to participate.

Stella and her cousin MaryLeigh. Two cute little hunters.

Lily and her cousin Annabelle. She was really excited her cousins from Ryan's side were coming too!

The amazing host and Scarlybug.. who wasn't all that in to the hunt. Maybe next year Scarlet?

The 'Couv.

If you were thinking the beach is the only fun part of our visits to the 'Couv, allow me to show you otherwise.

Tractor rides through grandpa's backyard are a favorite of all the kiddos.

Dinner at Arawan.. Ryan's favorite.

Dying Easter eggs with grandma and Aunt Cami.

Breakfast at Seize the Bagel with some of our cousins.

Golfing.

Feeding the horse and watching it "talk like Mr. Ed" with Grandma Debbie.

Trying on and modeling grandma's jewelry with cousins.

Feeding popcorn.. errr... eating the popcorn and feeding it to the chickens with Grandma's prompting.

Climbing giant evergreen trees at the park with friends and cousins.. can you find Lily?

Bowling at Big Al's for Grandpa's birthday.

and finally an early flight home with daddy for Scarlet.

The last thing I have to blog about is the big Easter Egg hunt. Overall a fun trip to the 'Couv. We always love to see family and friends.

conference sunday.

Every six months the LDS church has General Conference. We have come to love Conference weekends. It is a great way to be spiritually fed in the comfort of our own home. 

Ryan was concerned when we were invited to a baby blessing between sessions that he would miss out on our cinnamon roll tradition. I would not let that happen. I am all about traditions.

The kids swinging in pajamas, trying to get all the energy out before two hours of TV.

The fruits of our labors. We delivered some of our extras to friends and neighbors.

"Daddy... Take a picture of this"

I am so in love with this boy.

A hike for daddy and this grumpy baby. She loves him the best.

Trampoline jumping.. more energy to burn before session two.

Some of my favorite quotes from today..

"Marriage is a gift from God to us, the quality of our marriage is our gift from us to him"

-L. Whitney Clayton

Good to think about.

"A child who sings, is a happy child"

-Enrique R. Falabella

Perhaps I am doing something right, since they all sing :)

"I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have"

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Love him!

Overall a hopeful and inspiring day. I'm so thankful for this wonderful family of mine. The days are hard and crazy, and with each child comes challenges, but I'll take them, any day!