It's Birthday Time For You!

We threw a party for Ashley's first birthday over at the Panorama chapel back on the 21st of February. Most of the extended family from both sides were there, which is the reason we have these things at the church. The plan was to take all the kids tobogganing afterwards, but everyone seemed pretty burnt out, so we played around in the gym instead. Aunty Kelly had the best camera there, so most of these pictures were poached from her blog.

Ashley diving into her first taste of chocolate yumcake.

She was polite enough to read every card before she let her sister and her cousins open her presents. Books and clothes were the main ticket items as we're already fully stocked with little girl toys.

Trying on a great new shirt!

Here's a shot of all the cousins that could make it. Ashley gets a real kick out of having the kids around. We're all glad they could be there to party with us, and we're thankful for all the wonderful presents they brought. Even the Wet Willy from baby Brooke.

The Family That Sleighs Together...

Here's Emma flying solo down the tobogganing hill here in Citadel on Family Day. Her Mom had a hard time letting her go because that sled has a history of being unkind to children (again, we're sorry Braysen).



Ashley was feeling the need for speed, so we took her down a few times too. This was the trial run however, so we're taking it slow.



These two videos are the only evidence we have of our huge day on the slopes because our camera's battery died. It seems to be doing that a lot these days, and at the most inopportune times. I shake my head when I think of all the action we could have captured that day. Battery Aziz!

Valentines Day 2009

Again it's hard to remember what we did all the way back in February, but we're not a spontaneous bunch, so I'm going to make some educated guesses.

I know the girls spent a lot of time with Mom making some neat Valentines for each other and for all the cousins and Grandparents that we have. They consisted of a piece of paper and a piece of transparency, both cut into the shape of a heart, coiled together with some yarn, filled with candy, and then topped off with a special note on the back. I can't remember where Tammy got the idea from, but it was no small amount of work considering the number of people we know who deserve a Valentine.

There were also some cookies made, and Tammy managed to snap a quick picture of them before our resident cookie monsters finished them off.

Now I'm going to venture into educated guess territory by saying that I'm sure I took Tammy out for a nice dinner and bought her flowers and such, but as there is no photographic evidence to back me up, I may not get any achievement points for it. At least I got cookies.

SunBEAMS!

We celebrated Emma's first graduation at the beginning of the year. She's moved from Nursery into Sunbeams, and she loves it! Mindy Mayfield and Melinda Palmer take turns teaching the class which consists of Emma, Emily Mayfield, Dan Bee Kim, Gabby Halowski, and Nixon Ward. Emma came home with a crown and a CTR ring on her first day, and she's learning new songs in singing time that we practice during Family Home Evening each week.

Being in primary now also means she gets asked to say prayers or read scriptures during sharing time. She was supposed to say the prayer last week, but she had a fever all weekend and had to miss it. So sad. I'm sure when she gets the chance again, she'll do a great job. She offers the blessing on the food at every meal whether she's asked to or not, and she never misses a chance to hold the microphone and bear her testimony on Fast Sundays (which sometimes starts out a lot like the blessing on the food).

We're very proud of the little lady she's growing up to be, even though she still has moments that people automatically associate with my genetic contributions to her personality - "Hey Dad! Come smell this before I flush it!" What a sweet little sunbeam.

Guess Who's One Today!

Ashley turned one today at 8:17am, just as this picture was taken!

Happy Birthday you little goblin!