Faith's had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

On the 30th our princess turned 5!  Wow, where has the time gone?  I can't believe she's already so old. But she sure is acting her age.  She's smart, independant, entertains herself, brushes her own teeth, picks out her own clothes, dresses herself, prefers to do her own hair, makes her bed, cleans her room, likes to do chores for stickers, wants a friend to come play everyday, and is a fabulous big sister.  

Faith's been talking about her birthday and how she wanted to celebrate since Christmas, so the pressure was on!  I think we pulled it off and she had a great day.  We started the day off with breakfast at McDonalds, then she took suckers to school for her class party.  Then we picked her up from school and went to Taco Amigo for cheese burritos and root beer floats.  Then the girls went and met Nana at the nail salon for manicures and pedicures.  And last, home for the princess party with seven of her favorite friends.

We colored princess pictures, made bracelets and rings, played games, broke a pinata, ate pizza and cake and the highlight...Cinderella came!  Faith made an invitation all by herself months ago and asked me to send it to Disneyland.  I was nervous that Cinderella wouldn't make it, being so busy with the prince and all, but Faith's faith was didn't waiver.  Cinderella was fantastic! She had all those little eyes sparkling with magic.  I'm so glad that she could make it;)

All the party girls

Faith dressed up as Cinderella, before her step sisters ripped her dress

The girls with their crowns and scepters. (And Wyatt who was the "bad guy" with out any pants the whole party) 

My attempt at a crown cake

Cinderalla had them all captured the whole time.  She was perfect.  She played a singing game and she had a wonderful voice, told them stories, and took pictures and talked to all the girls.  They were all Star Struck

Happy Birthday baby girl!  I hope it was as magical as you dreamed it would be:)

First Mtn Bike Race

Our family went down to St. George looking for some sun and a bike ride or two.

As we pulled into town Ben decided to pull into the bike shop to see if he could sign-up for the race the following day.

And to my surprise he signed me up too! I was so scared. I'm comfortable on a bike, but I've hardly ridden since I was pregnant with Hannah. So I'm not in bike shape and defiantly not in race shape. Plus being on a trail with hundreds of ambitious riders is very intimidating.

Needless to say my heart was racing at the starting line. But after I got going it was a fun challenge. I don't think my heart rate has ever been that high for that long.

Right off the bat I was in second then after the first mile, first broke off ahead and then third caught and passed me. I kept one and two in my sights then about half way through I was coming out of a fast downhill into a steep uphill and while switching gears my chain got crossed up. I had to pull off the trail to try and get it unstuck and was there for about 2 min. Meanwhile about 8 people passed me. Finally I got my bike working and then I set off chasing again. Passed all the people that passes me, and ended up coming in third!

I was happy with the finish. #2 came in 2 minutes ahead of me. If my bike didn't jam up I don't think I could have caught her, but it would have been a lot closer.

Anyways it ended up being a good experience and I'm looking forward to a summer of riding.

Ben did great. 10th in his class. And Jesse raced too! He did awesome. And was very brave despite crashing and super manning about 20ft. He got back on and pedaled hard to the finish.

A fun experience for our little family:)

Cutie Pie Sits Up

The other day my sister came over and was holding Hannah. Then she sat her down on her bum and stepped away--she wasn't aware that Hannah couldn't sit up by herself yet. Watching all this from close by I was amazed that Hannah sat up just fine clime she's been doing it her whole life. And continued to do so for about 15 min. All it took was a little faith I guess:)

I Made Bows....What?

Can you believe it?  All of Hannah's headbands were getting too small so I decided to make her some new ones.  If you know me I don't make things, but this was soo easy and kinda fun.  And It just took a few minutes.   

Isn't she cute?  I had to snap a few. 

Faith wanted some too, so we made her a couple too.  She wanted to match her sister

I love this because it captures her personality.  She love's blowing raspberries and she thinks she's  pretty funny when she does it too.

I didn't make this one, but I just added it cuz she's cute:)

And yes, she's as smoochable as she looks.  Even more.

Sad News...

We found out this Spry Guy has Celiac Disease:(  I've suspected it for a long time, so I finally decided to get him tested.  I felt like I needed a diagnosis to make me plunge into Gluten Free diet world.

We're sad, overwhelmed and now mostly mourning a normal life for our tiny guy.

Although, I also know the truth, and I'm getting ready to focus on that:
   He will have a normal life, just slightly high maintenance when it comes to food.
   He now will be more healthy and happy than he has ever been.
   His bum will be so much easier to wipe:)
   I will never get to just get him school lunch, but I don't really trust school lunch anyways.
   A GF diet will force us to eat most meals home, which will save money.  Perhaps it'll help pay for                          expensive GF flours and such.
   Being on a GF diet will probably make the whole family more health conscious.
   I'm going to have to become a real cook.
   I am sure we will fall into a new normal soon.

Wish us luck, we are going to need it!

Everything but Hannah

This is Hannah.  She's called everything but Hannah.  Mostly it's Bear, Hannah Bear, Hannah Banana,  Hannah Bob, Hanner Bananer,  Hanner, Hannerd, Hannie, Princess Pie, Sugar Buns, Baby Girlfriend, Tiny Baby Girl....and the list goes on.  I was hesitant to name her Hannah because I like nick or short names and Hannah didn't seem to have an obvious variation.  It looks like we've found a few though:)

Ahhh, Camping Again!!!

If there were any memories that I could give my kids, I think it would be of family camping trips.  I was talking with one of my oldest friends today and we both agreed some of our fondest memories were of our yearly easter camping trips to Arches that our families used to do.  For me a childhood isn't a childhood without free reign on red rocks.

Tent's are great, but not with 4 babies.  We used to have a trailer that we took out all the time, but we sold it because we got an offer for almost as much as we bought it for and we couldn't pass up the opportunity.  But I've missed it ever since.  Ever since we've been keeping our eyes open, looking for a good deal.  Well this last week we found one so so the camping trips resume and I love it!  It's so much work, but well worth it.

This last weekend we went to Sand Hallow.  The weekend was filled with sand toys, RZR rides, hiking, balls, bats, shovels and campfires.  It was great just having our tiny family together with nothing to do except play with and enjoy each other (most of the time:)) 

We had a few hiccups like getting the campground 15 min after the campground closes, spending the night in a Walmart parking lot with a leaf blower seeming to go all night, getting the motorhome buried to its axels in sand, and Ben ripping the tip of his thumb off.  But what's a camping trip without several minor disasters?   It's part of the adventure right?

Faith has turned into quite the little climber.  She's so independent and brave now!  It's cute , she'd talk herself up all the obstacles.  "I'm just going to climb up this. I'm just going to do it"

Ben with the lake behind.  I think we need a paddle board...

The park was empty.  So Jesse had an access pass to all the trails.  He was in heaven,  so was Wyatt.

An accidental picture, but we spent a lot of time investigating tracks.  Trying to figure out what animal or bug they came from.

Wy guy was quite the little climber too.  A little too independent.  It was hard to keep him in a safe distance!

Yes they scrambled up to here by themselves.  Scary!!!

The rocks here are sooo loose so you have to be careful.  Ben has the missing  thumb end to prove it.  Ben knocked the rocks that Jesse's standing next to a few moments later.

It was such a great trip and I can't wait for many more.  Such a great way to chase away the winter blues.