Farewell Sweet Honey

Honey was one of the best dogs in the world. Seriously. She had such an awesome, fun and sweet personality for a dog. She loved to run, to play all types of games with us, and cuddle with us as we took naps on the floor or watched a movie. She would smile (literally) when one of us would come home, but especially for my mom and dad when they would walk in the door. She was so sweet and gentle with our little ones when we brought them home, even in her old age. We all have so many good memories of Honey, and we all loved her so much. She was truly another sister to us. We got her as a puppy, and spent the last 15 years with her. It's hard to let go, and it's weird to not have her around any more. Honey, we know you are in a better place, and that you are pain free and able to run again, but we love you and miss you. You were a wonderful dog...one of the best. I don't think any of us will ever find a dog that can compare to how special and sweet you were nor will we ever find a dog to take your place in our hearts. Farewell Honey-we sure loved you!!

Gwen's Birthday Pictures

Gwen had a wonderful birthday as well. We ended up getting a huge snow storm that day, so my brother Jake and I took the girls out to play in the snow. I had taken them out the previous Saturday, and had made a snowman with them, so that's what they wanted to do again. The snow didn't want to cooperate though, so my brother and I decided to build a snow cave on our back porch (which ended up being a snow tunnel cause the girls didn't like not being able to sit up in there). We shoveled all the snow from the porch into one corner, and my brother dug the tunnel out. Gwen loves playing in the snow, and she had so much fun.

After we had her birthday dinner of Bowtie Pasta, we did cake (which is further down) and then presents. Gwen of course got her dollar bill in her card from her Great Grandpa and Grandma Sessions, which she was so excited about.



Their present to her was the movie Hercules, which Gwen absolutely loves and has been bugging us to get it for a long time.



Gigi and Pappy got her the coolest game. We had seen commercials on TV for it around Christmas time, and Gwen had been asking for it, but by the time her birthday rolled around, we had forgotten about it. Gigi and Pappy picked out the perfect game for her!!



Grace and Georgia got her a preschool puzzle. It's the very hungry caterpillar puzzle, and Gwen was really excited. She loves this book, and was so happy to get a puzzle that goes along with the book. She and Georgia both got other presents as well, both from Rob and I and from their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Gwen's birthday theme was Princess and the Frog. Gwen is having a birthday party with her Primary friends in two weeks, and this is what she decided on. So I made her cake to look like Princess and the Frog since at her party she is going to have cupcakes that look like frogs. She loved her cake.

It did turn out pretty good. I used vanilla frosting and made three colors...blue, green and purple. Used the blue for the water, then added green in different places to make little spots of land, like a swamp. Then I used some sparkly green decorating gel to make the lily pads, and used some white edible dust to make the water look two toned. I covered a round caramel candy with the purple icing, and cut up a strawberry airhead to make the lily pad flowers and the flower petals around the purple candy. I also used edible green flakes to make the grass look like grass. I ended up having to use actual toys on Gwen's cake because they don't make a Tiana candle or a Princess and the Frog candle, so we used a miniture toy Tiana, Prince Naveen in frog form, and Gwen even wanted Ray the Firefly on her cake, so he's right next to Tiana. Gwen had an awesome birthday. Thanks to all who sent her things and called her and made her birthday so special!!

Georgia's Birthday Pictures

Georgia had a great birthday. We had a lot of fun during the day-going to the library, and playing with her cousin Madison and her sisters.



Right before dinner my other sister and her kids came down, so all the cousins were together (and Georgia decided she didn't like her hair any more and took it out...sadness). She had a yummy dinner of homemade mac and cheese, and then she opened her presents.



She got the three bears as stuffed animals from her Gigi and Pappy, and freaked out when I tried to take one of them to show my mom..."no, mine!!"

My Grandpa and Grandma Sessions started giving the girls dollars in their cards thanks to Gwen. Right before we moved here from Idaho, my Grandparents came up from St. George, Utah to see us one last time. Gracie's birthday was just a few days away, so they brought her birthday card with them. Gwen was so upset that Grace got something and she didn't that my Grandpa gave her a dollar. Gwen was soooo excited over that dollar (dancing and singing about it for the next two days) that they now put a dollar in each great-grandchild's card. Georgia was so thrilled to get hers too.

This was Georgia's birthday present from her Great Grandpa and Grandma Sessions. It's a fisher price little people stow and go camping set. We love camping, and this little tent has a handle so Georgia can put all the toys inside the tent and take the tent along with her anywhere she goes.

Georgia got a tag junior for Christmas, and loves reading the books. So Gwen and Grace got her an Elmo book for her birthday that she can read with her tag junior. She loves Elmo.

And because she loves Elmo so much, that kind of became the theme of her cake and party. We had Elmo streamers, and after she opened her presents, we got out the Elmo party hats. She loved those.

She was so excited to see her Elmo cake, but couldn't quite figure out how to blow out the candles. Gwen, Grace and I all helped her blow them out.

This was her Elmo cake. Nothing special. Some Elmo candies around the sides, an Elmo candle, some snickers minis covered in icing to look like more presents, some sprinkles around elmo and the writing to look like confetti, and that's it. I had a hard time finding things or ideas I could use for her cake, so this is the way it came out. Didn't matter to her though. She loved it, and had an awesome birthday. Thanks to everyone who came to spend time with her on her birthday, and to all who gave her gifts. You all made her day very special!!

Happy Birthday Gwenyth!!

Happy Birthday little peanut!! Today you turn 5, and I just can't believe it. How are you 5 years old already? Where has all the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that we were calling you our little orange yoda...and now 5 years have passed and you have grown into such a smart, healthy, and beautiful little girl.

We were so thrilled when we found out we were pregnant with you. Daddy went into shock for a couple of days, but he was just as excited as I was for you to come. As your due date came closer and closer, we wondered and hoped that you would come early. Already showing us you were stubborn, you finally came right on your due date. You were so tiny that the doctors thought for sure you were really early, but you were just our little peanut!

That first year went by so fast!! You continued to stay a little peanut, but you made up for it in how fast you learned. You hit every milestone early, and were walking by the time you were 9 1/2 months old. The only thing we worried about was you not having any teeth...it took forever for you to get your teeth. You were a very stubborn and trying baby, but we loved you so much and would've done anything for you.

And then you turned two!! I couldn't believe how fast time had gone. Your body still didn't grow very fast, but your mind did. You picked up on words so quickly that by the time you were two you were talking in almost complete sentences. You loved to read, and you still enjoyed snuggling with Daddy and I. You proved to be an excellent helper and such a loving sister when Gracie joined our family. You were such a curious little girl.

You almost had to share your 3rd birthday with another sister, Georgia. You didn't care though. You were so excited to help out with yet again another baby, still showing how loving you were. You did so many things that year...finally potty training, moving cross country, starting preschool, and going on your very first field trip. You grew up so quickly, and though it was hard to watch, I was so proud of you for all that you were doing.

By the time you turned 4, you were writing your name, recognized and could write from memory all the letters of the Alphabet, and knew all your numbers up to 20. You knew all your colors, most of your shapes, and loved loved loved preschool. You continued to amaze us with how great your memory was by telling us about things that happend when you were two and three that we didn't think you would remember. You also developed a very quirky sense of humor, and always said and did the silliest things to make us laugh.

Now you are 5. It makes me tear up to think of how fast you are growing up. Instead of the little baby and toddler toys that used to make you so happy, you enjoy playing computer and wii games, board games and leapster games. You like puzzles, princess dress up, and tinkerbell. You are so creative, constantly thinking of new ways to pretend play and finding creative uses for the things around you. You still love to read, and you absolutely love tickle fights, and look forward to them. You are starting to like the bigger kids cartoons, and even like watching Bones with Daddy and Mommy. You love learning new things, and are always spouting off different facts that you learn in your church and preschool lessons. You still enjoy snuggling, and are such a wonderful big sister, constantly trying to make your sisters laugh, or cheer them up when their sad, or just making sure they are included in all your fun. You have so many dreams about what you want to be, and your daddy and I will do everything to help you acheive those dreams.

You are a wonderful daughter and sister. Your Daddy and I love you more than words can say. We are so proud of our loving, smart, sweet little peanut, and we are so excited to watch you learn and grow over the coming years, and to be a part of your life and who you become. We sure love you Peanut!! Happy 5th Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Georgia!!

Happy Birthday Georgia girl!! Today you turn 2, and I can't believe how fast time has passed. You are officially a terrible two toddler, and not my little baby any more. As much as that makes me sad, I am so happy that you are a healthy, growing little girl. You have changed so much in the last year, and even more over the last two years.

You must have been so excited to come and join our family. We were really surprised when you came a week and a half early. We worried that you would be born on your sister's birthday, and we so wanted you to have your own special day. Thankfully you were born the day before her birthday, and you were a very healthy baby girl. We felt so blessed that you wanted so badly to come to our family.

You grew so fast over the next few months. You kept hitting milestone after milestone early. We had one big health issue with you when you were about a month old, but after that you grew and changed and were a very healthy little girl. When you were six months old you went through a big change-moving cross country-and you did so well! You were always such an easy going baby.

Then you turned one. I couldn't believe how fast the year had passed. You had gone from crawling to walking to running every where so fast!! You were starting to say more and more words, and you loved to dance. You got to have your own chocolate birthday cake, and oh how you loved it!!

When you turned 18 months it seemed that time was passing too fast. I couldn't believe how big you had gotten in just 6 short months. You had developed a great love for dancing, and you had become the biggest hambone-always making people laugh and loving to make people laugh. We were amazed at how fast you were learning new words and picking phrases up.

Now you are 2. It's hard to see my baby get so big, but you make up for it in all the snuggling you like to do with your Daddy and me. You have such a big heart-always concerned for others, and so full of love. You love blowing kisses and giving big hugs. You still love to dance, and you love tickle fights. You have so much fun playing with your sisters, and it makes my heart soar when I hear you giggle and screech with delight at the things your sisters do to make you smile. You are still my hambone-always finding ways to make people laugh, and in turn making yourself laugh. You have no problem letting us know what's wrong or what you want-you speak in clear sentences almost all the time now. You have even made it clear already that you want to use the potty like your big sisters. You look up to them, and want so badly to grow up and be big like them, and while it makes me sad that you are growing up so fast, you couldn't have better role models to look up to.

Everyone around you loves you Shmoo...it's hard not to. Your sisters love you so much, as do your Daddy and I, and we would do anything for you. I look forward to all the years to come-the laughing, the playing, the bad and the good. We sure love you Shmooie. Happy 2nd Birthday!!

A Gwen Funny

Christmas posts have to wait until I have all the pictures...so it'll be until after the girls birthdays. Sorry. But I wanted to put something funny up that Gwen said this week.

I was making the beds in our room, and had started on Gwen's. I noticed that one of her stuffed animals was missing, so I asked her to find it and put it back on her bed. She came into the bedroom with her stuffed animal and asked if she could put all her stuffed animals on her bed. More than pleased that she wanted to finally help me make beds, I said of course. As she placed each one on her bed, she would say "Lion blanket goes here...Rooster goes there..." naming a place for each. Then she got to two of her favorite stuffed animals-a care bear and puppy dog. This is the conversation that followed:

Gwen: "And puppy dog and care bear have to go together. And little teddy goes in between her mommy and daddy, puppy dog and carebear."

Me: "That's an interesting combination Gwen"

Gwen: "Yeah, well, first they went on a date. Then there was the pregnancy. And, well, it's a long story."

And then she walked out of the room as I cracked up laughing. Guess she's overheard my sisters and I talk about our pregnancies. Lol. What a silly goofball.

Primary Program

Back in the beginning of November our ward had their Primary Program, and it was the first one Gwen got to participate in. We were really excited for her, but she did not want to go up there. She eventually did, but sat on one of the teachers laps and cried. She got up and said her part really well, came down to see us, went back up with the little notebook that my mother in law had brought her that day, and was fine for the rest of the program. She sang along and participated...it just took a little bribary!!

The girls before church...I put these new kind of curlers in Gwen and Grace's hair the night before...their hair turned out so cute!!

And here are my sweet girls and my big Primary girl...can't see it, but they had awesome pink striped tights on. So proud of my peanut for the good job she did and proud of her sisters for actually listening to their sister say her part and sing. Love my girls so much!!