Happy Birthday B!!

Yes, this is dedicated to B but I thought seeing as she was SO excited to make a cake for her Daddy--almost a month after his bday due to travel--before any birthday celebrations for her began that I'd post it. Here we're having one of his favorites, Fruit Cocktail Cake. Soooo good! (this whole entry is about a month late too.....)

She and her friend decorating--aka playing "keep the balloon off the ground" and "stick the balloon to the wall"

The Candyland Cake

B with the friends who could make it to her party--strep was unfortunately going around, again, and several kids missed because of it. She was glad that 3 of her best friends could make it.

What Candyland party would be complete without a pinata?



The First bite of the cupcake is traditionally taken by the birthday child.


(The teacher is a sub for anyone curious)

After the party we went on a walk down to the lake just a hop, skip, and jump away!

B was excited for her new 'do'. and no, I didn't tell her it was how Jeniffer Aniston did hers for whatever recent award ceremony and I thought it looked super cool.

I think as kids get older their accomplishments are harder to see and decipher. B has definitely changed in the last year, for the better of course. We have been working a bit on communication and she is coming along well in that regard, most of the time. Her reading is really taking off as of late and she read the scripture for Primary by herself for the first time just today. She continues to be positive, sometimes with a gentle shove and sometimes on her own. She also continues to love the outdoors and we hope that doesn't change. She's had several firsts still: fishing, ice skating, skiing, day camp, Kindergarten and succesfully making whole new group of friends, sledding on an inner tube (twice! it's MUCH faster), doing the hike up to Timp Caves, touching the chains (getting to the top) on an outdoor rock climbing adventure, going in the LDS Conference center in SLC and doing the roof tour, visiting and hiking and swimming in Freeeezing water in Glacier National Park, gymnastics class, learning to read, counting to 100+, taking lunch to school, is taking up piano and much more I'm sure I'm neglecting. She is so giving and thoughtful for the majority of time and she is always telling me how she is helping out her friends at school when they get hurt or are sad. She continues to be helpful around the house and enjoys playing with her bestest best friends: her brother, sister and mommy and daddy. She never seems to mind that little J also plays with her friends when they come over and he's always included. She has also made a huge breakthrough. She will finally play by herself sometimes!! Unless you have had a child constantly in need of attention you will have no idea what this means to us. Our other two children have this down beautifully on their own, it's just in their personality. She can be a leader and a follower, loves art, music, dance, riding bikes, going on adventures, animals, helping others, gymnastics, coloring, spending time outdoors and having something to look forward to. She is growing tremendously in the gospel knowledge aspect, impressing her teachers and grandma and grandpa alike and we hope her testimony is becomming truly heartfelt as she navigates through new emotions, new atmospheres and new challenges of deciding between right and wrong as well as deciding exactly what IS right and wrong as it is no longer so clear sometimes. As we did our traditional Easter story with the 12 eggs that tell the story of Jesus Christs' resurrection it was evident that she has quite a good memory and knows the story well. She is Very good about doing her morning responsibilities and helping with whatever chore we are in need of getting done. We love our little Nani!!!