Celebrate

Nammy took Carli to get her hair done and her...

finger nails painted and...

her toes done!

Carli enjoyed the pampering!

She was sparkly from head to toe!

Then I took her over to Color Me Mine to do some painting. One of her favorite things to do!

We went for lunch and then for sweets at the Bakery that made my wedding cake!

Then we went to Toys R Us so she could pick out a toy. She chose a barbie!

When we got home there were a few a surprises for Carli!

A new bike from Papa Stan and Nammy!

And a box of cookies from Grandma & Grandpa Anderson along with a phone call!

We ended our celebrations at BJs for dinner and Birthday p'zookie! I hope she had a wonderful day. I know I really enjoyed sharing it with her.

My Baby girl turns 5 today! I cannot believe how big she is getting. It doesn't seem like 5 years has past already. I remember walking the OC fair with my Mom and going into labor with her. It wasn't until later that night at the hospital that we finally decided on her name. I think we picked well. Carli seems to fit her perfect. My labor went perfectly and she was perfect. It was a wonderful experience to hold my baby girl in my arms the first time. I remember thinking about her wedding day and the day she will make me a Grandma. She has been a ray of sunshine in our home from the first day we brought her home!

She has always been a fun loving girl! She makes friends everywhere she goes and is willing to try anything. She likes to take charge which can be challenging but I think it is a strength she has.

This past year Carli has really become Daddy's girl. She loves to be with him and I know she brightens his life too. She has always been a little artist (she knew her colors before she was 2) and her creativity has really grown this year at preschool! She is a wonderful sister to her brothers and the princess in our home! We love you Carli!!!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Week Carli

We like to celebrate Bdays for the entire week. So, here is the kick off to Carli's Bday week!

She got to pick out a special FHE treat. Usually I make a cake but it is tooo HOT to turn on the oven so she picked out an ice cream cake and added decorations of her own.

Then she picked out her favorite (sugar cereal) breakfast. It is one of the few times the kids are aloud to pick out sugar cereals.

After all the shopping and prep work was done we had Birthday dinner and Birthday FHE. The kids love doing this we pass around the "Bday candle" and each person take a turn telling the Bday girl what they love about her.

I am sure there will be more to post as the week progresses!

HOT, HOT, HOT

It is has been HOT here in Riverside.  It was perfect timing for the EQ swim party this week! The boys BBQ and the families got wet!  There was a huge pool with "cliff" jumping, water slides and even a little splash zone for the little guys.  I think everyone had a great time!

It took Jeremiah some encouragement to make the jump... but he did it!

Carli went off this jump ALL day over and over!  She jumps in swims to the side and climbs right back up without any help.  I was tired  just watching her!  She has always been my brave girl.

We spent a day at CDM to beat the heat!

I love that CDM has tide pools too.  It gives the kids so many different things to do!

My Mom finally got to come with us.  She has been working so much this summer we have not spent much time with her.  She watched her grandkids build sandcastles, took them to the tide pools and helped Bryce take on the waves.

Bryce spent most of the day chasing the birds.

We spent Tuesday with the ADG making a trip to the temple.  We had a good time.  As I talked with some of the Moms we realized that so many things had been standing in our way of making this trip happen.  I think it was a much needed activity and I am glad that we stuck with it and made it happen.  

Fishy Friends

I think Carli may be a fish!  We have spent a lot of time in the pool this week and she has mastered swimming.  The one day we didn't go swimming we spent watching fish swim at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Don't Shelf Your Love

As the light casts shadows

Time may change our view

Blackness from behind

But I still reach for you

Soft lines fade

Giving way to life anew

Light brings hope

When trials are not few

As life settles in

The dust must not stay

Frames can't preserve 

You and I this way

Love must remain 

The one constant thing

Change pushes back

What will our love bring? 

Bryce finally TALKING

Bryce is 20 months now and is using his voice to communicate!  He has been able to sign pretty much anything for a while now but getting him to talk has been a different story.  My other kids talked before they were one so this has been a different experience for us.  I was wondering if his speech would ever come and it seems to have come all at once.  In about a weeks time he started using all kinds of new words and phrases.  Here are just a few:

Ya

Ball

Balloon

Cereal 

Bubbles

Apple

Bye Bye

Night Night

Moon

Eyes

Choo Choo-trains and cars

zoom-airplane

ah huh this- I want this

ta go-basketball

bah ball- football

gaga ball- soccer ball

JAJA-Jeremiah

CACA-Carli

get this

its ok

good job

no no no

He is just at such a fun age.  We are all enjoying him so much!