The Birthday that was a "Little Bit Boring..."

Gracie just wanted 'more guests' at her Sixth Birthday Party.  As she explained in the video, she had a decent time; she appreciated my effort...but when she was being completely honest with herself...the party was...well...just boring.  But just a "little bit boring" (as to not totally hurt my feelings).

This video cracked me up.  I was trying, the entire time, to not burst out laughing.  Polite Gracie, hesitant to explain that next year she would like to see some changes made to the way I throw parties.

Gracie and her 3 "Guests":  Morgan Rich, Alexa Peterson & Ruth Pilling. 

I made Gracie a Rainbow Dash Birthday Cake.

  Gracie was excited about the Princess Luna Pony Morgan gave her as a present; so excited she toppled her over with a giant hug.

And what would a Rainbow Dash Party be without cups full of skittles?!?

We also celebrated with Grandpa and Grandma Tait at their house.  
Gracie had decorated this cake for us to enjoy.  

Aunt LaMae gave Gracie a Tinker Bell doll for her birthday.  Her reaction was awesome!

Gracie's birthday always falls around Thanksgiving.  It's a busy time of the year, but we wanted to take her out to eat.  She chose to eat at the 'Spaghetti Factory' in Orem.  Then we went to Build a Bear to stuff some highly talked about My Little Ponies.  The girls were so excited!

 

Gracie knew Sienna would be devastated if she didn't get to take home a pony too!  Gracie was way happy to share the fun with her younger sister.  Gracie chose Rainbow Dash (of course) and Sienna picked out Twilight Sparkle.  All was hunky-dory until little sis changed the music that big sis was rocking out to.  Sometimes you just want to let loose to "One Direction"...and then....

We Have Some News....

Chocolate didn't look good.
My brand new liquid eyeliner suddenly smelled like a beef stick...so I buried it in a drawer.
The scent wall plug-in's in my home that used to smell so good - sent me running for the bathroom to throw-up.

Something was happening to me - I was pregnant!



I found out I was expecting the end of November 2013!  I was thrilled.  We had been trying for nearly a year, with some medical complications and a miscarriage mixed in between - so this was great news.

The foods I look forward to at Christmas Time weren't nearly as appetizing.  There were days I sipped on sprite and ate 2 saltines...and avoiding throwing up every time I brushed my teeth was one of my main priorities. 

I started prepping the girls by asking Gracie when we should have another baby.

"Probably when I'm ten," she replied.  "That sounds like a good time.  I just don't want you to get a giant tummy, Mom...okay?"

Well - that was a problem.  The giant tummy was inevitable.  And months later (when I was 9 months pregnant) she was singing a different tune.  Gracie was very complimentary about the expansion in my mid-section.  She told me, all the time, that I looked great.  It made me feel happy.  She was very sweet during my pregnancy, and now that baby Adalynn has arrived, she is a great helper.

Sienna was also excited.  In the beginning, she insisted we name the baby 'toothbrush' or 'twilight sparkle'.  She gave my tummy kisses nearly every day.  We had these pictures taken in November - soon after I found out I was expecting.  Our little family was about to grow.

We would later find out we were expecting our THIRD girl.  Another sister to love and make memories with.  Look at these two; such different personalities...yet even in the moments where they disagree - we all know they could never live without each other.  Sisters have a special bond.  I never had a sister growing up.  I love being the mother of little girls.



The second week of February 2014 - we surprised Grandpa and Grandma Tait with our news.  Jeff, Lacey and their girls and Greg, Kylene and Summer were there too for the announcement.  Gracie and Sienna were WAY excited to tell everyone.  I was 13 weeks.  My talented friend from High School, Kelsey Behrend, made these darling cookies.  Gracie & Sienna offered everyone a cookie...and waited for their reaction!

   We shared the good news on Social Media when I was 15 weeks along.

North Pole Express

DECEMBER 2013

There are so many fun Christmas Activities - it's impossible to fit them all into *one* holiday season.  I like to try one new activity each year.  This season it was THE POLAR EXPRESS.  It had all the elements our girls love: trains, hot chocolate, reindeer and a visit from Santa Claus. 

It was lightly snowing as we arrived at the Heber Valley Station; So pretty with the snow falling on the light posts and train as passengers loaded.   

We boarded the train, and the elves in our car, turned our seats so our family was facing each other.  As we started inching along (there's a reason it's called the Heber CREEPER) Gracie spotted a deer out the window.  She saw it long before the elf who was holding the microphone, announced it to everyone in the car.  She was elated.  I whispered to her that we must be getting close to the North Pole if we were seeing reindeer.  Her face!  She was awestruck and had that sparkle in her eyes!  Her expression made the whole evening worth it.

The elves handed out cookies made by Mrs. Claus.  We sipped on hot cocoa.  The historic train car was decorated with garland and lights.  The girls enjoyed making a human train and dancing with the other kids on the North Pole Express. 

The elves sang songs and told jokes.  One elf held mistletoe over Gracie's head...so Gracie gave her sister a kiss.  Sienna got mad and tried to bite Gracie.  (Sigh)  The outing wouldn't be complete without some bad behavior.

Pouty Little Miss

 

Dad knows how to make everything better.

As we got closer to the North Pole, they told us Santa makes the North Pole invisible, so the fisherman & boaters won't see the magical town, from the lake.   The only way the North Pole appears,  is if the elves can feel the spirit of Christmas by hearing loud singing.  We were singing 'jingle bells' LOUD.  Suddenly, hundreds of lights turned on - illuminating village homes...Santa's Workshop...an entire magic city...and the Big Guy in red waving!  All the children squealed and clapped.  It was really surprising!
Santa Claus worked his way through each car.  He scooped both Sienna and Gracie up and held them, while they told him their Christmas Wishes.  (Gracie asked for a Rainbow Dash Pony Costume and Equestrian Girls Doll.  Sienna asked for Princess Cadance, also from 'My Little Pony'.)  This was the best picture we got....Sienna looks unimpressed.

Santa gave the girls a bell.  One of the elves came up to Gracie after, and asked if she could take a look at her bell.  The elf rang the bell.

"You are special,"  the elf said.  "I brush the reindeer everyday.  And I know the sound of their bells.  This bell comes from Rudolph."

Gracie's eyes lit up!  The elf could not have said anything better than that. Gracie is borderline obsessed with Rudolph...her fascination with the deer with the red nose started when she was three.  It was really cute!  She went right home and hung her bell on our Christmas Tree.    It was a fun night for our family. 

Halloween 2013

I am behind (by about nine months) when it comes to blogging....but slowly and surely, I will make some progress.  Life is so busy.  It's so difficult to find time to sit down and blog.  I love the journaling, pictures and documentation.  Looking back - the blog is so beneficial.  So if you are interested in reading about what we did and how we felt 

three seasons ago

this is the blog for you!  Ha ha.  

Halloween is so fun!  We had an UNDER THE SEA theme in the fall of 2013.  I appreciate that Jody is willing to dress up and have a good time. Gracie and Sienna look forward to the family themed costumes, and get a kick out of seeing mom and dad in character. 

Jody went as Prince Eric (look at that black hair...who is that guy?!?!?!) Gracie was Ariel, I was Ursula the SeaWitch and Sienna wanted to be Flounder.  Everyone was happy.  I was somewhat expecting Sienna to throw a fit about not being Ariel - but she didn't care.  My friend from Junior High sewed this custom-made Flounder the Fish Costume for Sienna.  She loved it!!!  Not only did it keep her warm, but the details on this costume are so cute!   

The weather was perfect, and the girls had a blast Trick or Treating!

My mom bought this Candy Corn outfit for Sienna -
perfect for a little girl who loves tu-tu's!

Before the Spooky Holiday - we had a party with some friends in our neighborhood.

Ben * Pete * Scott * Jody 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

There were games (who knew balloon popping could be so potentially dangerous?)  When the dart or knife (seriously - what were we using?!?!) bounced back and sailed right by Jessica's face...then we knew the party was getting real -- No one was injured.

Bekah * Brittany * Brooke * Lindsey 

There was dancing (Bekah Ackerman - even pregnant and dressed as a 1st Mate - had some killer moves), spooky stories, chilling drinks and frightening food. 

Papa and Grandma Tait stopped by for a visit before they left town for California.  

Uncle Michael and Gracie 

Grandma Wiscombe put together quite the legit witch costume!  

Pumpkin Pickin'

Mom and Sienna (age 3)

Fall wouldn't be complete without a trip to a Pumpkin Patch.  We visited the Mabey Pumpkin Patch near Grandpa and Grandma Tait's home.

Cousins: Gracie and Nahla

Gracie got a big kick out of pulling the wagon around the field, looking for the perfect pumpkins.

Such a pretty night -- with a hint of a rainbow in the background!  

Gracie - Age 5 

Papa holding Summer and walking with Nahla and Sienna.  

Change in the Air...

It's that time of year when breathing in some fresh air - just seems fresher.  A crispness of Fall and all the beauty that comes with the season.

October 2013

We really enjoy going to the "Hidden Park" that is nestled not too far behind my parent's house in Highland.  The girls LOVE to feed the ducks, and we could go through loaves and loaves of bread.  There are plenty of ducks, and the girls never get bored of this activity.  

Sienna LOVES her daddy so much.  She just adores him.  She wants Jody to be the one who does everything for her; get her shoes, warm up her chocolate milk, wipe off her face....There are many mornings where she wakes up and cries for about 20 minutes when she realizes Jody has already left for work.  She is definitely a Daddy's Girl.  

Sienna has her pad of paper and pen in her hand (as always).  She loves to doodle, and she always wants to be holding onto some toy or random object.  

"OH NO!  WE RAN OUT OF BREAD!!!"

After feeding the ducks, we walked the trail around the pond.  In October, it looks so pretty.  

A few weeks later, in November, my parents took a vacation to Las Vegas.  We watched Michael and stayed with him in Highland for the week.