I Almost Forgot. . .

Well, we've been a little busy! It's busy for everyone this time of year, but toss in your oldest daughter's birthday, and well, it's a little crazy! Morgan's birthday is on December 16. She turned 7 and I can hardly believe it. It feels like she has always been a part of my life and yet I can still remember her crawling around and it feels like that was just a few months ago. Morgan is a sensitive big-hearted little girl who loves horses, playing with friends, helping and playing with her little sisters, and loves, LOVES her daddy! I am so grateful for their relationship. McKay can talk her out of her hysterics like I never can. He has patience for her that I simply can't seem to muster. And, although, she never has been much of a cuddler, she will, with her daddy. But only for a second! We really love that girl! My neighbor pointed out to me that once they hit 7, they start their middle stage of childhood. It comes down to three stages of 6 years, the first 6 years are the baby years, the next 6 years are the middle growing-adolescent years, and the last 6 years are the teenage years. Well, when she boiled it down like that, I almost had a panic attack. I feel like I still have so much to teach her. AND, "they" say that children learn the most during their first 7-8 years of life. Oh crap! I hope I got everything in that she needs the most!

On her birthday, it also happened to be Wacky Wednesday, GREAT! Hence, the lipstick and bright red school t-shirt!

I had Morgan write and put together her own birthday party invitations. I mean, why should I do all the work? I don't want the party!

This was the cupcake-cake we took to share with her class. She wanted one that was shaped like a horse, but they didn't make those, so we opted for the horse scenery. She loved it anyway!

While Morgan was at school I made her "family" birthday cake. All that means is that it's not nearly as cool, cause only family is gonna see it! When I was finished, Emmie and Rhyan were generous enough to offer their assistance in removing the unwanted frosting from the bowl. . .

Such sweet children. Always thinking of ways to help out. . .

Being the oldest means always receiving "help" from the lesser in age. Even when unwrapping your birthday presents.

Morgan's favorite gift was her new cd player with accompanying Taylor Swift cd. Most of you know that I really don't care for other teen idols like: Hanna Montana (aka Miley Cyrus), Jonas Brothers, or anything that has to do with High School Musical. I guess they just felt too cheesy and grown up for my little girl. But when she said she loved Talyor Swift, I thought, well, it could be worse. At least she's (Taylor Swift) a good girl that is talented/hard working enough to write her own music. I also like her music,and she became famous for it. Instead of the other ones that are famous for being famous. Or maybe, I just like still being able to control a little bit of what my daughter is exposed to. I have to remember, though, whatever I let Morgan do, see, or listen to, Emmie will do, see, or listen to. Only Emmie is 3 years younger when she is liking and doing the same things! So, that makes my heart break a little. Can't I just keep my girls young and innocent forever?! I guess not. . .here they are singing along to a song about young love!!!!

We had Morgan's friend birthday party on the Saturday following her real birthday. She wanted a Christmas theme party. Which I was TOTALLY fine with since my house is already decorated for the blessed Christmas season. She made sure that I at least bought a "Happy Birthday" sign. I, however, was not responsible for the hanging of it.

We played a few fun games. The first was one where you pass paper ornaments to another person with straws. These two were the most successful at it.

Morgan's frustrated face/psychotic glare

This game was the most loved. It's called mitten munch. The kids have to try to beat each other unwrapping candy with mittens on. It was hard but they all eventually did it! Plus they got to eat the candy.

Our neighbor Johsua was, of course, the smart one that figured out it's easier to use your teeth.

Present time! She loved all of it! Emmie got in the picture at the last minute to tell Morgan how much she "LOves kit kat candy!"

A picture of all the rug-rats. front row is Katie and Lilly. Back row is Morgan, Audrey, Joshua, Emmie, and Whitney.

The silly face picture. . .we always have to do one of those!

Pre-Christmas Festivities

I love Christmas time. I love the hectic, crazy, things we only do once a year. Like buying gifts for the neighbors you haven't talked to since last Christmas! I love the snow, as long as it stays on the grass and mountains. So that hasn't happened just right yet, but I know I would miss it if we didn't have it. I love the music on the radio all month long. I figure whatever station I listen to, they play the same songs over and over and over again anyway. I might as well enjoy all the same Christmas songs being played over and over again since it only lasts a month. I even witnessed a Christmas miracle on I-15 a couple of weeks ago as several cars allowed another frantic driver to merge in to their lane so she could get to her exit. . .that almost never happens. It's eat or be eaten on these here Utah roads! Everyone seems to be in a Merry sort of way, unless they are McKays, I mean Scrooges! SO, with that. . .on to the pictures!

Emmie enjoying a huge fat snow fall. I said, "let me take a cute picture of you in the snow." so this is what she does. Hand on hip, finger pointed at me and says, "you're hot!" Well, I mean, I'll take it. I don't care if the compliment comes from my 4 year old daughter. I just wish she didn't know what "hot" means.
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, I just can't wait to decorate thee! La, la, la! Every year for the past 3 years, we've gone to Home Depot to pick out a tree. I know, we're pretty rugged folks. But, they always have the perfect tree. Every year, I think they don't have enough selection , and every year they keep getting more and more perfect. This was the one we were going to get, until we found the REAL perfect one! *side note: I sure wish Morgan would still let me dress her!

Cute little Rhyan so excited for the "tee"

This is one of those pictures that is quite the phenomenon, and not in a good way. I meant to take a picture of all 3 girls, but the car was moving and we hit a little bump, so Rhyan, the only one smiling, got cut off, Emmie put her blanket up at the very end, as she likes to do these days just to tick us off, and Morgan looks like she's pretty sure I'm an alien coming to take her to the mother land! WHY?

Well, now I got Rhyan, but her coat flapped up and we can't see her cute smile. And Morgan looks like she's saying,"it's ok puppy." SRSLY.

If it wasn't for McKay's only request during the Christmas season, I would have had a fake tree long ago. However, I have to admit, I love having something special that's a living thing inside my house for a short time. I love the smell. The girls now have a new little chore of watering the tree, and I , personally, think the real ones usually look better. Plus, look how happy it makes McKay! If that's all it takes, we'll buy a tree every year till the day we die!

After trimming the lower branches, sweeping, and putting up lights, McKay and I decided to take a seat to watch the Jazz on T.V. and let the girls do the decorating of the tree.

Emmie hugging the tree

Yup. This is what we get for letting the kids do it by themselves. . .

The girls fought over who got to put the star on the top. Emmie won. . .kind of

Morgan got to plug it in and turn it on. Don't ask me what we're going to do next year when Rhyan gets in the mix. I think I'll let them fight to the death.

Before church a couple of weeks ago, I dressed the girls in their holiday dresses and had McKay take some shots in hopes we got a future Christmas card picture. That dream soon ended. Morgan, although not a dancer, felt it necessary to pose as one. Oh dear!

Hands on hips was Emmie's choice

Well, if Morgan's going to pose as a dancer, then so is Emmie.

Maybe if I put all three of them together. . .nope.

So, I'll try holding Rhyan, and . . .Emmie. ..Emmie. Where did Emmie go?

Oh, there she is. Just in time to show me her stocking. Say Cheese! Or Rhyan says, "Teeee"

We tried, honestly! Last year we got some good ones, but this year is a bust. What's worse is that we don't even have a family picture that's decent since last year. But that feels like it was just a couple months ago, not twelve! ridiculous how time is passing us by. Here's to a cheery Christmas!

Forgotton Fall Photos

There are several different fall moments that I had good intentions about blogging earlier in the season. Here are a few of them:

In the first weekend in November we went to Idaho to go to Morgan's favorite cousin's baptism. It also happened to be my friend's same weekend to bless her new little bambina Sophia. This is the one and only picture from that weekend (thanks Marcee), because I let McKay have the camera for his biking adventure in southern Utah. That's a whole different post. Look how beautiful Grace and Sophia are in their white dresses.
I came home one night to find an intruder in my bed. It doesn't happen often (thank goodness), but here she is in all her hooker boots glory! It really is hard to fill my shoes/boots! Look how her arms and legs seemed to have given up. I know the feeling.

"Harses, Harses, Harses" Anyone remember that line from Sleepless in Seattle? Well, My friend Kim was nice enough to make her sister, who lives in Provo, share her horses for a day. Morgan was in heaven. I love this picture of Reese and Morgan in the old "farm pose."
Morgan seems to be a little too comfortable with her arm around Reese. . .hmmmm.

The girls took turns brushing the horse.

*Thanks to Kim for using all her battery life on these pictures.

Morgan and Emmie were in love with the horse. Morgan was really getting the hang of it. We started with Laura (Kim's sister) holding the reins and walking the horse with riders. but by the end, Morgan was not only riding with the reins by herself, but she even started to gallop before we left. Granted, this horse was EXTREMELY well behaved. Nevertheless, I think we have a future horse whisperer on our hands. Then again, I also thought she loved soccer. . .just wait.

Emmie and her best friend Elle have birthdays 2 weeks apart and this is Elle's birthday party.

It's like a mini-me and Kim standing there.

This was seriously the high light of soccer season-being goalie. She had several difficulties with this season compared to last. Being un-interested in the game was a small problem compared to how she felt about her coach! Long story short- we need to teach her to love everyone!!! Favorite picture of the year! My rock star husband dressed up to play rock band at Chad's house! Scary how real it looks right?! I think he's in the wrong business. . .(said with a thick layer of sarcasm). Well, he's my rock star!

More Fun Pics From TOFW

I don't know what happened last time I tried to upload these pictures, but something went haywire. Anywho, it works again so I wanted to share some more FuN pictures of my Time Out For Women experience.

Here's all of us: Kim, Christie, Sabra, Marrya, Me, and Rachel

Here's all of us with Sherri Dew (AKA -The general)
"Look" out, there's cRaZY people on the streets of SLC at night.

I said, "let's make funny faces for this one." Ha-ha everyone! Those are pretty funny faces!

Look at those posers!

Awww! Me and Rach waiting for the "show" to begin.

Rach (in her best Minnesota accent) said, "SO, what do you want to talk about?" I laughed and then paused to see the very coat that calls out to me,"Andrea, Andrea." This lovely girl in front of us sat down and took off her Delicious houndstooth coat that I was willing to snag had I not been at the kind of "do-gooder" event I was! I tapped her on the shoulder and asked her where she got it, "Express, a couple years ago."( In my head, "GREAT! I'll never find one now.") So, the story doesn't end well for me. Somewhere there is a red houndstooth coat that needs a loving home, and McKay, if you're reading this, you could be the one to bring it home to momma!!! Christmas, I don't know, surprise me!

Well, there was only boredom from that moment until the "show" began. Luckily, I had some hooker-red nail polish in my bag. So, rach decided to use it.

I should've told the lady behind us to not look so grouchy!

Or, to duck!Silly Marrya, you can't wear brand new boots to walk 5-6 blocks twice, wear them for 3 hours, and without socks, no less! They are pretty smokin' hot boots, though!

Good times with good friends!