Sick Day

My girls looked like this yesterday



They had fevers and felt miserable, so we watched "Anne of Green Gables" and layed around all day. (Have you watched that show lately....it is a great one!)

So I kept them home from school today, even though they wanted to go. I just wanted to be sure they weren't contagious.

I found this when I walked down the hall...



And found them doing this....



Just organizing ALL of their books alphabetically! (seriously?)

Then I found her doing this without being asked.....



Finally! She has had a hard time learning to "love" to read. I think we have made it over the hump. (it was a difficult hump I might add)

I think I like these type of sick days. (That is until they started teasing and bugging each other a few minutes ago. But hey, 8 hours of happiness is pretty good.)

Jaicee is 9...and oh yeah - school started!

Our Jaicee turned nine.

She was thrilled.

Birthdays are so fun when you are a kid!



She loved her "long nails", Liv doll, jacket, and especially Miley Cyrus concert tickets.



What is a birthday without a PJ Party with 15 other girls? Glitter toes, necklaces, and "ninja" game were all a hit.

Jaicee we love you. You are a sweet girl - who thinks of others. You love to sing and dance, make any sort of craft or project, paint your nails, take care of your sisters, play soccer, tumble and cartwheel all over the house, make up "plays" with Halle as your co-star, laugh and be goofy.

You bring us joy!


And, oh yeah....school did start around here. I am just late posting about it. This is the last year Kason will be at school with the girls. I am not happy about this :(

Kason in the big 6th grade, Jaicee in 3rd, Halle in 1st, and Braden in preschool two days a week. I only have two kids at home all day long. That hasn't happened for a while.

I think I like it. For now anyway!

March Madness

I know it's April....but our March was so full of fun - that I had to get it documented.



Kason had his annual baseball tournament in St. George. We enjoyed 80 degree weather...HEAVENLY!

The kids relished in being outside!

Kason and his team did great - I can't believe it is baseball season already.



Jaicee, Ava, and I actually had a side trip while in St. George. Jaicee had a dance competition on Saturday. But, of course we didn't want to stay home and miss out on all the St. George fun.

So...we drove back home on Friday night, went to her competition Saturday morning, and drove back to St. George that afternoon. Can you say CRAZY??

Family time is so wonderful....I love being with my little family (even when they are teasing and driving each other crazy)!

Afternoon of Pampering

What do 12 little girls want to do for a birthday party.......

Get their hair and nails done, of course!

Jaicee had a great time at her birthday party. All the girls got their hair done into a beautiful "do", and their nails painted with their favorite colors! It was a perfect 8 year old birthday party. (Great for Mom too, because all of the entertaining was taken care of).

She's Eight!

Jaicee turned 8 years old on Saturday. She has been looking forward to this birthday for a very long time. She was lucky enough to be able to be baptized on her birthday also, which made the day so very special for her.

The day started with Jaicee extra excited to open her presents. She jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to start the fun. Her favorite present was a school kit that I put together for her. (Thanks to Lisa for the great idea.) Jaicee and Halle play "school" everyday...so to have everything in one box is heavenly to her! She also loved her "littlest pet shop" toys and "webkinz". Jaicee was such a kind sister, and let Braden open many of her presents...because he thinks every day is his birthday!

After opening presents, it was time for the traditional birthday breakfast of pancakes...with a candle in it! The kids look forward to this every year. (Such little things make them happy).





We then headed to the church for her special day. Jaicee was so excited, but also a little nervous. She kept asking her dad to explain exactly what was going to happen.

Jaicee and Brandon just before her baptism. Gotta love the white jumpsuit look!

The whole family

The baptism was beautiful. Jaicee was beaming with excitement afterwards. I loved the pure look of joy on her face, and wish I could bottle that memory up. It is a wonderful moment to see your daughter make a very important choice in their life, such as this.

After the baptism we had a lunch with all of the family, and then we began the birthday celebration. However we couldn't really celebrate until after Kason's soccer game and the youth duck hunt that Brandon took Kason and Braden on.

I know, I don't like the fact that he is holding a shotgun either! He did just pass "hunters safety" if that counts for anything!

Not so sure Braden likes this "hunting thing"

So, by 8:30 pm it was time for the birthday dinner. Jaicee picked Artic Circle. Seriously, out of all of the places she could go - I love that she still wants to go to a place with slides and ice cream!

I love my Jaicee for so many reasons. She is a great big sister, and cares so much for her brothers and sisters. She has a sensitivity for others, loves life, and has a "mothering" capability that not many have. She has a wonderfully free spirit and zest for life.

Jaicee has a sparkle in her eyes that is apparent to everyone around her. I love looking into them...crystal blue, intelligent, and pure. I am so proud of the choice she has made this day. I love you Jaicee with all my heart!

Tooth Box

Jaicee has had a loose tooth for weeks. She is the type that it has to fall out on its own - she won't pull it. She doesn't like any unneccessary pain. All year she has been wanting to loose a tooth at school so that she could get the "tooth box". Well, she was brave and pulled her tooth out at school the other day. She was proud of how brave she was, and so was I! So, I had to document the monumental occasion.