Carlee's Milk and Cookies Party

Carlee was begging me for a birthday party this year, but during this season with all of the holidays, activities, parties, and all of our birthdays a few days and weeks apart, it gets a little stressful throwing another something together.  Since I already had the decor from Laurie's baby shower, I convinced Carlee to have a simple milk and cookies Christmas birthday party and it was great.  The kids were out of school for parent-teacher conferences so we had her friends come over for a quick afternoon party. 

Carlee, Leah, Aliyah, Ella, Eliza, Ava, Luke, Ammon, Olivia

 

We played Pin the Nose on Rudolph,

 

Had cookies and milk,

 Opened presents,

 Sang Christmas Songs and played a game that Carlee made up,

 Decorated sugar cookies,

 And went home.  It was a fun and easy party.  Perfect for this busy time of year!

Crazy kids:  Evan, Ava, Leah, Aliyah, Carlee, Luke, Ammon, Amberlie, Ella, Eliza, Olivia

Happy Birthday, Carlee!

Carlee turned five years old this year and couldn't wait to be that magical number.  At five years old, Miss Carlee . . .

*Loves to play with, dress, and push her baby, Lizzie, around in her stroller
*Loves to play with Barbies and watch princess movies
*Loves to wear dresses and skirts
*Loves to dress up and wear make-up
*Loves to paint her fingernails
*Loves to be wherever I am and help me do whatever I do--clean, cook, shop, exercise, work on things
*Loves to color and print out coloring pictures from the computer
*Loves to "mother" our friends' and ward members' babies
*Loves to play with friends
*Loves to sing, dance, and put on "shows"
*Loves to snuggle with Mom and watch T.V. in the morning after we get the kids off to school
*Loves to watch Bubble Guppies, Jake and the Never land Pirates, and Good Luck, Charlie
*Loves to play with Katelyn and be one of the big girls by hanging out with her and her friends
*Says the funniest things
*Acts very grown-up and mature
*Answers the phone every time it rings, "Hello?  Stuarts.  Hi . . . Just a minute.  I'll get her . . .  Mom!  Telephone!  When you say hello, I'll hang up."
*Follows directions explicitly and is very obedient.  She is always the first to get her shoes on and be ready to go.  She is always the first with her pajamas on, teeth and hair brushed, and ready for bed.
*Loves to stay in her pajamas if we don't have to be anywhere.
*Doesn't like to have her hair curled.  She likes it long and straight or in a ponytail.
*Loves to call Daddy during the day multiple times to ask what he is doing and when he will be home.  Or, if he calls on his way home, she wants to know which exit he is driving by and how long it will take.  (At least she keeps him honest.)
*Loves to go on little dates with Mom and Dad when Dad doesn't work or gets home early and we wash the car, grab some lunch, or run errands.
*Has a lot of spunk and pizzazz.
*Has a cute little attitude but surprisingly it's not "brat"itude
*Makes everyone in our family laugh, smile, and melt whenever she says anything, wants anything, or does anything

We celebrated by eating a quick dinner at Cafe Rio (Carlee's favorite place) between guitar lessons and YM/Scouts.  Then she patiently waited for Joe and Clark to get home so she could open her gifts. 

A Pinkalicious big girl bike.  No training wheels!

She LOVES this movie.  It has definitely been watched at least 30 times and sometimes twice a day!

Ooohhh.  Her very own makeup!  Gorgeous!

After I picked her up from preschool, we ran some errands because she specifically wanted to pick out a cake.  She has stated that this will be her birthday tradition every year.  She and I "shop and buy" her cake on the day of her birthday.  Sweet and so easy for me!

Notice her pretty pink/purple eyeshadow

Blow them out, baby girl!

A Zoobles character, Barbie make-up, Barbie clothes, Barbie "A Perfect Christmas" DVD, a Fairy book, a Hello Kitty watch, an Ariel doll and some clothes (missing from picture), and a big girl bike.

We love you so much, sweet girl.  Happy Birthday!

Carlee's Dance Class

I got to visit Carlee's dance class and see what she is learning and developing in ballet and tap.  She is in the class with some of her friends, Leah Okuda, and Eliza and Olivia Smith.  I got a ton of pictures of Carlee and Leah but the twins were on the other side of the room so unfortunately I missed them. They have a fun time together and it was fun to watch her dance for me.

Olivia and Carlee

Carlee and Leah.  Pay attention to Miss Diane, Carlee!

Way to go, my little dancer!  Can't wait for the recital . . .

Jacob's Baptism

Jake was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, December 3, 2011.  Jacob has been so excited for his baptism and it has been really neat to see the changes in him as he has prepared for this special day.  Both sets of grandparents came down from Utah and Aunt Steph, Ty, and Madi drove in from St. George. 

Our baptisms are done on a stake level and each ward takes a turn every month choosing the program, giving the talks, and conducting.  It was our ward's turn and since I am the Primary President, I got to give a talk on baptism.  I loved standing up front to look down and see my Jake sitting next to his dad and my worthy husband all dressed in white while I gave my talk.  Another boy from our ward, Ryan Watts, was also baptized.

After the talks and scripture/song program, we headed into the Relief Society room for the baptism.  Jake went first and gave a huge grin when he came out of the water.  Ryan went next and while we waited for them to change, Bishop Reese gave some remarks.  When the boys came back, friends, siblings, and family members were invited to introduce themselves and share their testimonies to the boys.  Clark and Jake shared their testimonies and so did both Grandpas.  Grandpa Holt shared a great message using a clean white sheet of paper and likened it to how we are when we come out of the waters of baptism.  He drew big circles and scribbles on it while explaining that the marks represent what happens when we sin.  Then he crumpled it up and folded it really tiny in his hand.  When he re-opened his hand, he unfolded a brand new clean white piece of paper.  We can repent and there may still be some wrinkles from our mistakes but we can be clean and forgiven of our sins if we use the atonement of Christ.  My children stared at Grandpa with complete attention and were very impressed with Grandpa's "magic trick" but even more so, they learned a great lesson about baptism, repentance and how it all works together.

Jake's buddies:  Joshua, Jake, Michael, Cole

Jake's Baptism Buddy:  Ryan Watts

After the baptism we headed home for tomato soup and Subway sandwiches per Jake's request.  Then he opened up some wonderful presents from family members--a picture of Christ, a picture book and song about the Savior, a CTR mood ring, and a soft cozy blanket with a poem about "The Comforter". 

        

Grandma and Grandpa Stuart                             Grandma and Grandpa Holt

Aunt Stephanie, Tyler, Madisyn                              A proud big brother.

We are so proud of your choice, Jake.  We love you very much!

Laurie's Baby Shower

Melissa and I threw a baby shower for our friend, Laurie, who also serves with us in the Primary Presidency.  She is having her first girl after two boys so she is completely excited for all things girly.  I decided on a Christmas theme since she is due in December and we went with different flavors of milk and Christmas cookies.  It was a lot of fun and Laurie got a ton of darling outfits and gifts for her new little one.

Snowflake Sugar cookies, Gingerbread men, Coconut Cherry Macaroons, and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies

Chocolate Chip cookies and Snickerdoodles

Wassail, Chocolate Milk, Skim Milk, 2% Milk, and Hot Chocolate

It's so funny to watch ladies talk until they see you looking at them through a camera lens:  Jen, Austin, Brandy, Kaydee, Rachel, and Beth

The many faces of Laurie.  She will probably be so embarrassed by these pictures but she was so excited for girl things and her facial expressions showed it.  It was so cute and fun to see that.

 

 Congratulations, Laurie!  We can't wait to meet her!