Anna Turns Six!

 Our sweet Anna celebrated a birthday a few weeks ago.  She turned six years old and loved every second of it.  That girl loves attention.  She gets that from her mama.  Her birthday was on a Tuesday.  We made her a yummy birthday breakfast of her choice and then sent her off to school.  The boys and I went to her school to eat lunch with her.  She got to wear a special birthday hat in her class.  We brought cupcakes up to share with her class.  They all sang her 'Happy Birthday' and she got to pass out the cupcakes.  It was so fun to see how she acts in a classroom setting.  She is very quiet and reserved and strictly obedient to her teacher.  I think she's afraid to step out of line even a little bit because she doesn't want to get in trouble.  I'm totally the same way.  I hate, HATE feeling like I am in trouble.  That night, she got to pick where we would go out to eat.  She chose Wendy's.  We had a little family birthday party for her at home where she opened her presents.  We also watched a little video we made of her birth story.  She cried during it and said she couldn't wait to have her babies.  SO sweet!
A few days later, we threw Anna a ballerina birthday party where some of her friends came.  It was so fun to prepare for this special day.  Anna helped with the decorations and my parents came down to join in on the fun.  It was a lot of work.  Parties always are.  However, when your child is as happy as Anna was that day, it's all worth it.  Below are some pictures of our party day.

 We made this glittery ballerina about a week before the party.  Anna laid down on the foam board and I traced her.  She then helped me put the glitter on.  She definitely took ownership in this project, which I think is great!

 We bought all of the girls princess crowns, tutus, and made our own ribbon dancers.  It was so fun to prepare for these little ballerinas.

 Anna also wanted to play pin the tiara on the ballerina.  She drew this ballet dancer all by herself.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the bun in her hair and the slippers on her feet.  So cute!!

 At one point in the party, we passed out all of the girls' tutus and ribbon dancers.  Then, I taught them a little dance.  We practiced a few times and then the girls got to perform for their moms.  It was so fun!!  They loved it.

 Even Jenna got her own tutu.  Darling!!

 Here are the girls making their tiaras.  They did such a good job.  ;-)

 Having my parents there was amazing.  It was great because of their company and also because they were SUPER helpful.  There's no way I could have made it otherwise.

 Jenna was having a great time with Grandpa and just smiling ear to ear.  The balloon was a big hit with her.  She was laughing like crazy at it.

 Singing Happy Birthday.

 I

t was SO funny because I set out some ballerina berries but the girls couldn't reach them.  Haha!  That did not even cross my mind.  

 It was a great party.  ;-)

 Here is Anna on her actual birthday being silly.  We could hardly get her to stop laughing!!

 Making silly faces.  She would hardly give us a half-way decent smile.  ;-)

 Here we are up at Anna's school.  It was seriously fun.  We loved going to see her and talking to the other kids.  She was just as happy as could be.

 Here is Anna passing out her cupcakes to her classmates.  She was SO excited!

 On Anna's actual birthday, she got to go to dance.  All of the girls sang to her and she loved it.

 I love this face.  She was beside herself excited to get an alarm clock.  Such a simple gift.  Such a happy girl!

I sure do love this girl.  She is very tender-hearted, thoughtful, obedient, and fun.  Our family would not be the same without her.  ;-)

Good Times in Georgia!

 These are the last pictures from our winter break.  Enjoy!

 We went and spent the afternoon down at the River Walk.  It was the perfect temperature outside and we all had a blast.  The kids loved playing on the rocks, watching the zip liners, putting on a show for us in the amphitheater, and just being goofy.

 I have realized more and more over the years how great Columbus is.  I really love that city.  I love that there is a river there.  Look at this background.  Isn't that pretty?

 Jenna was conked out for most of the afternoon but we didn't want to leave her out of the pictures.

 Grandpa helped the kids put on a show for us.  It was hysterical.  We even had random people stop and watch too.  The kids were doing "magic" tricks and telling jokes.  Every joke was followed by tons of laughter.  It was the cutest thing.

 Amanda bought these dresses for the girls.  Aren't they ADORABLE?  I think they look beautiful on the girls.  Thanks Amando!

 We went out to eat at Olive Garden on New Year's Eve.  It was a fun night, and the kids did really well at the restaurant.  First. Time. Ever.

 Anna loved that we "matched".  She is such a sweetie.

Good times.  Good times.

Happy Seven Years to Us!

 Josh and I celebrated our seven year wedding anniversary on the 28th of December.  I seriously feel like we were just made for each other.  He and I are incredibly similar, while at the same time, different enough that we help each other where we need it.  It is so easy to be married to Josh.  He is so easy going and fun to be around.  He is also highly motivated with all the right goals.  I feel confident in saying that I would NOT be who I am today without his support.  I really did find my true love.
For our anniversary, we decided to leave the kids with my parents and go up to Atlanta to celebrate.  It was SO much fun to be just the two of us.  I love my children dearly, but we needed a night away.  While we were in Atlanta, I felt like it was me and Josh, not Mom and Dad.  I felt like we were a couple again.  It was so nice to get some couple time.  It's what I needed.  We had a nice dinner, went to a movie, and then spent the morning at the temple.  It was perfect.

 Yep, he loves me.

 Here we are at our restaurant.  We went to Sage in Sandy Springs.  So delicious!

 Here we are at breakfast the next morning.  The hotel was super nice but I could not believe how gross the breakfast was.  I ended up eating cold cereal.  It was awful!!

I love this man.  He is my best friend, and I'm so glad I get to be his wife.