Dalen turns 1!!!!!!!

Hard to believe it, but on Dec. 12 our baby boy turned 1!!! Our theme was fire trucks. I found the cutest idea to make fire trucks with graham

crackers, oreos and candy. And of course Dalen had to have a cake, so we made him his own fire truck cake. The frosting in the picture looks pink, but I promise it was red. When it came time to open presents he wasn't a very happy kid. Everybody bought toys that make lots of noise and so every present he opened he wanted to play with instead of opening the next one, but we finally made it through all the presents.

I can't believe that it has already been a year since he was born, but I love how much fun he is right now. Happy Birthday Dalen!!! We love you!

Rylee Turns 4!!!!!

The big day has finally come and gone. Can anyone guess who the guest of honor was????

That's right, Tinkerbell! I think the brown haired version is much cuter, but that's just my opinion!

I was very happy with how the cake turned out. It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Rylee loved it.

We had such a good time. When I asked her if she had a good party she told me "Momma, this was the very bestest birthday party ever". Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!!!!

Parties, Parties, Parties

Wow!!! What a crazy week this has been. We started our week with George's grandmas birthday on Sunday night. Then it was off to Billings Monday. Tuesday was the ornament exchange. Wednesday, the ward Christmas party. Tonight was our little Rylee's 4th birthday and tomorrow is George's Christmas party for work. I would like to think that things can settle down now, but next week we have something every night.

The ornament exchange turned out pretty good, I think. I had fun and it seemed like everyone else did too. We are really hoping to make it an annual event so if anyone has some good suggestions on what to do next year please let us know. Here are a few pics of some of those who joined us and some of the decorations.

And of course it wouldn't be a ward Christmas party without Santa!!!! Can you guess which one of our angels doesn't want Santa to bring us toys?

Dad's Response

Well, I wasn't sure how the whole fake birthday party for my dad was going to go over, but apparently it went over great in his eyes. He tried to go in and leave a comment, but said that it rejected it both times and he doesn't know why so he asked if I would please leave his comment for everyone so here it is:
Sissy,Wow...now you went and done it. You made your old dad shed some tears! I can honestly say this was the nicest birthday present I ever received in my whole life. You tell me I have taught you to do good things for people,which is an awesome compliment. I only wish I could have done more for you and Jordan as you were growing up, but you grew up sooo fast. But as I grow older...I find more and more that the gifts you give do not have to be monetary or material. The important gifts you give and receive are those that you can pass on to make you a a better person or make someone else a better person. The creativity and time you took to put together my 'birthday party' with your precious angels...planning the video, baking and frosting the cake, singing happy birthday without me being there, and most importantly, setting the example for your children, make me very proud to be your dad and I consider that gift to be priceless. Your kids see you taking care of missionaries, spending time with the kids teaching them important life lessons, helping them to understand reality, but then showing them that no matter what, everything can be 'ok' in the world, sets the stage for their positive development to be good citizens in this crazy world and it makes your dad want to be a better father, grand father (papa), husband and community member, too. Thank you for my awesome birthday present and for the wonderful words you wrote in your blog. I am proud of you as a daughter, as a mother, and as a wife to George. Thanks for being a wonderful part of my life. I love you, Sissy, as I love your whole family! All my love, Dad

Thanks for making my eyes squirt some tears dad!!!!