New Toy

Tim bought me a Canon Digital Rebel XTI Camera this week for Mothers day. (Thanks Jessica!) It have wanted one for years but they are quite expensive. (And I am a cheapskate.) It came in the mail on Thursday and I was ready to play with it. We went to the park and the boy's baseball games that night and tried it out. I have a lot to learn but I love it.

Quick Vegas Trip

We drove down to Vegas the Saturday before Easter. My cousin Josh had just returned from his mission 2 days before, and my Aunt was throwing a welcome home party AND and surprise 50th Birthday for my Uncle Russ. No one knew we were coming except my cousin Justin, his wife Roseann, and my mom. Everyone was surprised! My Grandma and Grandpa McDonald were there too. They hadn't seen Avery yet, just pictures. They were so happy to see her, and the rest of the kids. It was a good but quick trip. We left Saturday and came back Monday night. And yes, we drove!

Great-Grandma McDonald & Avery

4 Generations: Me, Avery, Great-Grandma McDonald and Grandma Redding.
(Alexandra was taking a nap when we took this picture)

Me, Avery, Great-Grandma & Grandpa McDonald

We have a Sharpay Evans on our hands ...

Today is Alexandra's 2nd Birthday. Grandma Doll picked up Alexandra this morning and went shopping for a birthday outfit. They went to The Children's Place and Claire's at the mall for this most Fabulous outfit. She is turning into a little diva ... and she knows it!

Girl's pictures

I took the girls on Friday to get their pictures taken. I was planning just on doing Avery for her 6 month update. But decided to do Alexandra while I was there, instead of going back in 2 weeks - for her 2 year old photos. Here are my favorites!

Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory

The kids could take home their postcards they decorated or they could put them in the huge mailbox for Mrs. Grossman's dog "Angus."

Yikes!

I have been a very bad blogger lately. I realized that I have not documented a few happenings that have past in our household including: Christmas Day, Disneyland, Miles' birthday, Caden's birthday, Blue & Gold Banquet and other small happenings. I am going to attempt to try and catch up. Mostly for my sake. (I would like to put a book together one day via Blurb). One day that may happen ...

Little Avery is almost 6 months!

Avery was in the best mood yesterday, so I just started taking pictures. I can't believe she will be 6 months on Sunday! She still does not like any kind of solid food. She is rolling over from her stomach to her back. If she is on her back then she moves around the floor in a big circle. I think she has a lot of my personality. Kind of reserved and sits back and watches others, but also likes to have fun!

You can see her 2 bottom teeth in this picture. One top tooth is trying to make it's way through too!

Grandma Redding came for a visit!

Grandma Redding came out to visit us the week of February 9th. She loves being with the kids, holding Avery, and taking me shopping! (Or it's the other way around and I just like her to come out so we can go shopping!) I think we wore her out though with all 4 kids and all of the running around I have to do. While she was here she helped me put up curtain rods and valances in the kitchen, family room, and in both of the girl's rooms.

Blue & Gold Banquet 2009

The Blue & Gold Banquet every year has a theme and the boys are to make a cake that pertains to the theme. This year was America. Miles and Tim decided they wanted to make a guitar cake for Nashville, Tennessee. (The dads are supposed to help with the cake making.) I ended up making the cake or cup-cake cake. This is our guitar:
Miles received his Wolf Badge that night. The leaders have a face painting ceremony to congratulate the boys. (Not sure why they do this, I personally think it is dumb and nobody listens to what is being said.)

First Tooth!

Tonight we were sitting on the couch watching The Little Mermaid as a family. Avery was chewing on my finger when... ouch! she bit me and it hurt. So I pull out a flashlight to get a better look and her first tooth has popped through on the bottom. Already!!

Our Meat Eater

The other day Tim brought home some Panda Express for dinner. Alexandra pulled up a stool for herself and drug right in!She liked the Chow Mein.Then on Saturday night we had an Elders Quorum BBQ. There was baby-sitting but Alexandra was done of being in there after an hour. We brought her in and she starting eating the ribs. She LOVED them.



I love how she is double fisting the ribs in this picture. So unladylike like but so funny.

Caden's 6th birthday

We celebrated Caden's birthday pretty low key. Grandma & Grandpa Doll and Great-Grandma Duncan came over to celebrate. We had Papa Murphy's pizza, salad and Cold Stone ice cream cake, and he opened his presents.
$6 from Jana & Anthony!!
Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii. He had been wanting the game for months.
6 candles!

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That night was pretty special to our family because Tim's parents opened up their mission call at our house. They had been called to serve as Mission Presidents in a Spanish speaking mission, but did not know where for about 3 months. We took a poll and most of the family had guessed somewhere in South America. They opened their call that night to find out they will be serving in the Illinois, Chicago North Mission. (1/3 of the mission is Spanish speaking.) We were ALL shocked at first, but are VERY excited for them to be serving stateside. (Tim is already planning our trip out there to visit them in about 2 years.)
The Lord will bless them for willing to serve there!!