Happy 7th birthday Reesa!!!

This year we celebrated Reesa's birthday an EXTRA time.  Mitchell spent 5 days in the hospital in December so when we came home the last thing I could do besides, my anniversary, Christmas, and Reesa's birthday was plan a party!  So I told Reesa we could have a big party in February.  Well, she didn't forget!  She was telling everyone about her party in February so I knew I couldn't get out of this one...  It was really fun.  Valentines was the perfect time to find super girly decorations, party favors, etc.  It was awesome!!!  We played lots of games, like guess how many candies in this jar, decorate a bag, pop balloons tied to your ankles, rolling a dice to get a prize... until everyone got one.  The biggest surprise was the pinata.  My kids LOVE them.  Jake filled it with so much candy that each kid took home and entire lunch sack FULL.  It was WAY too much.  But I guess that's what happens.  The party was a hit and all the kids had a blast, especially Reesa! 

 The smartest thing I did was order a cupcake, cake!!!  It was great.  I didn't have to deal with the mess of cutting anything, and look at what a great job they did!  You can't even tell from the top they're cupcakes!!!

 Reesa is in a tumbling class with Cami.  One of the only pics I have... She loves it! I tried to get Jansen to join, but he likes sitting with me better!

Happy Valentines DAY!

This year for Valentine's Day we actually went out!  Alfonzo's does a couples night with the newly wed game.  So we bought tickets to go.  It was a funny night.  Jake and I were not called up, but sat in our chairs playing the game with each other.  We had a great time.

 Vanessa and Eli

 We enjoyed some dancing too...

 I even had my nails done for the occasion!

Vineyard

Our ward has the awesome privilege of working in the vineyard several times a year.  We get to harvest the grapes, and help dry them, and get them ready to package as raisins.  They showed us this video that melts your heart and makes you feel on top of the world!  Raisins are easily shipped everywhere in the world.  They provide help to so many people in distress.  I've never been able to go because you can't bring young children, so Jake to represent our family.  This last time he took Reesa and Cami Kendall to help out.  These girls worked so hard, Jake was so proud of them, he took them to Boomers afterwards.

  

Jansen says the funniest things.  He wouldn't eat dinner so after he got dressed for bed I found him in the kitchen with this.  He told me he was making "lunch for dinner."  I loved how he put a different food in each section of his plate.

January 2013 at a glance

Jansen is just darling!  He is growing up so fast!  First day of school back from Christmas break and he just looked like a little man to me!

We love our cats!

Reesa and Cami begging for a playdate together...

Fun with the Kendall's at the park

Reesa holding Olivia on her lap.  It was so cute seeing her being a little mom.

Jumping at Skywalk with the kids!  They love it there and always beg to go back!!!

Reesa & I go to Virginia

For Chelsey's birthday, Reesa and I got to fly to Virginia.  Our first big trip together!!!  It was so much fun getting to spend sometime with the Gregory's and Reesa!  We did so many fun things... Here are some of the highlights!

SNOW DAY!!!!  Brinley and Reesa went sledding in the wild...

We made lots of yummy dinners...

Tyler is growing up so fast!

Celebrated with dinner at Red Robbin for Chelsey's birthday!

Waiting at kidmed to have Reesa checked out for a fever with a rash while Jake is in California nursing Jansen with the same illness! 

She had poison ivy... thought is was a scary rash... but just painful.  Yay Virginia!

Reesa begged and begged to go iceskating!  Rylee and Brinley have been taking lessons, so it worked out perfectly!

And this is what Chelsey did the whole time... ha ha

Went to Cheesecake Factory with Brie and Chelsey during happy hour and just ordered appetizers!  So yummy!!!

Remember this place?  Had to stop by and say hi to our old house...

Some of the Valentine crafts we made.

Meanwhile, back at home... dad was taking care of the boys!!!  Jansen requesting his crazy animal pancakes...

 and Mitchell getting to eat in the family room!!!

Jansen got sick and actually took a nap!

At the airport, getting ready to come home.

More fun at the airpot.

Reesa is getting so big!  We bought those matching neck pillows for the plane ride out here.  So fun to use!  I left my ipad on the plane out here and went back to get it and GONE!!!  So sad.  I tried track my ipad, but whoever took it was too smart and reset it with in an hour.   My kids we ADDICTED to it, so maybe it was for the best... Just a really expensive lesson to learn...