Back to Blogging Part 2-Alyson's Birthday and Baptism

We're going to back up almost two months before our June trip to Palmyra, all the way back to Alyson's birthday and baptism on April 30th, 2011.
Alyson turned eight, and she was very excited about this birthday for several reasons. First, she was looking forward to being baptised and becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Secondly, Nana and Papa made it out for such a special occasion.

We have many traditions in our family. One of them Kris and I have started in our family is that when our girls turn eight years old they receive a locket. On the back is the inscription, "AIOH" meaning "Always In Our Hearts". We included a picture of us on one side and a picture of Alyson on the other. If our picture is ever replaced we hope it's a picture of a righteous young man who takes our daughter to the temple for time and all eternity.

I love this picture. This is what Alyson's day was all about....love and happiness. This picture of Aly with her daddy says more about that day than any words probably could.

Nana and Papa gave Alyson a mini hymnal with an inscription on the inside cover. Very sweet.

Nana and Papa also have a tradition for their grandchildren that has been going strong for 20 years now. They give each of their grandchildren a statue of a child kneeling in prayer. It's a sweet reminder to stay close to Heavenly Father by speaking with Him often.
Alyson also received numerous gifts from friends and neighbors in honor of her eighth birthday and her baptism. This box was given to her from our neighbors, the Thomas' from across the street. What a kind gesture!
Alyson wanted to make something special for the little reception following her baptism. We spent Friday, the 29th busily and happily dipping strawberries into chocolate and making frosted covered sugar cookies.

The whole family got involved!

Here are some tender moments of Alyson getting ready to go to the church.

And this is Aly, Kris and I just before she was baptised.

Ellary is missing because she came down with strep and had to stay home. All of the children had strep at one point or another while Nana and Papa visited. Ella just happened to still be contagious on Alyson's baptism day.

This is a picture of Kris and Bishop Wille with Alyson following her baptism. What a special day!

And here are Aly and I that evening following her baptism. I am very proud of her and happy that she chose to follow in Christ's footsteps by being baptised and that she became a member of our church. She is a wonderful daughter with so much love in her heart. Thank you, Alyson, for being my daughter!

In Short

Alyson and Kourtney had their hair cut a week and a half ago at their requests. Although it was hard for me to part with their long hair (no pun intended), they really like their new does, and it takes less time to brush in the morning. All plus' for everyone!

Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration...And...a Moment of Despiration

Kourtney and Alyson both had feasts at their school to celebrate Thanksgiving. They had a fun time making hats and turkeys then chowing down on tasty snacks. Here are a couple pictures of Koco at her celebration. She's the lone pilgrim in the pic below!

Alyson's teacher asked her if she would play the violin for her class before feast. She played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and did a great job especially considering she's only been taking lessons for a few months.

So, here is my MOMENT OF DESPERATION. Alyson and Kourtney were suppose to bring a snack to share with their classes. I copped out on Koco's celebration because I bought strawberry shortcake rolls and cut them up into slices. I decided that I'd actually make something for Alyson's celebration the next day, but my plans were nearly foiled when Ellary and Keegan both woke up from their naps at the same time, just when I was in the middle of stirring up blueberry cupcake ingredients. How I have forgotten how complicated schedules can get with a toddler and a newborn! Ellary was hungry. Keegan was hungry. And I only had so much time before the cupcakes needed to be made and delivered.

Ellary found a bag of Cheetos in the pantry and began to squeal "Mooore! Mooore!" while Keegan cried in his bouncy seat and I stirred, stirred, stirred. Out of pure desperation I gave in and set Ellary in her high chair, pulled off her dress and let her plow into the bag of Cheetos. Notice, I gave her a cup of yogurt, just to balance it off! In a couple of minutes I had the cupcake batter poured and in the oven, and Keegan was eating lunch too. Wow-what a time! I took these pics after Keegan ate a little and settled down, just to let you know!

Alyson's Week

A piece of Alyson's school artwork was chosen to be displayed in the Michigan Education Leadership Group office for one year. We were excited to attend an opening reception and recognition ceremony tonight because we had never seen this particular piece before tonight, a pastel sunflower. She did a fantastic job! We also had the chance to meet her art teacher, Ms. Roltsch. She seemed very excited about Alyson's creative talents and hopes Alyson continues to enjoy painting and drawing, as do we!

Alyson also celebrated her 6th birthday this past week. We held a family party and ate Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake (one of mom's specialties that I occasionally recreate and what Kris calls 5 C's cake), let Alyson open her presents from us, Nana and Papa and Oma, and then the girls and I watched the new Barbie Thumbelina. movie The following night we saw the theatrical version of "James and the Giant Peach" performed by a local children's theater group. It held Alyson and Kourtney's attention and they seemed to enjoy it. Kris and I both agreed that theater may be right up Kourtney's alley.

Alyson also performed a science experiment for the school science fair. She took bean plants and fed one set of plants with water and the other set of plants with apple juice. The bean seeds fed with apple juice obviously didn't grow. And of course the seeds fed with water "grew like a bean". It was fun getting the whole family involved in Alyson's science project.

So, that was our week, and more specifically Alyson's week in a nutshell!

Alyson's Birthday Party

Alyson had a friend's birthday party this Saturday. She had a great time celebrating with her friends, and we are grateful for all who came. Thanks!

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It began to rain almost as instantly as her party began, so we moved everyone inside and played games as best as we could. Rylie, a friend from church, made Alyson's cake (very cute), and we let the kids bust open the ladybug pinata. The rain moved on soon after eating cake and opening presents so the children went outside and played water balloon toss and bubbles.

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Again, thank you all who came to Alyson's party. We appreciated you being there!

Alyson's First Soccer Practice

Alyson had her first soccer practice on Thursday night. She had a fun time which was so great because it was her first time playing...with a real soccer ball, in soccer cleats and wearing shin guards. Her friend Lizzy is playing too, so Alyson is especially excited to get the chance to play over the next month.

Kris' Update Wish Granted...

Kris reminded me that this blog is our family's virtual journal and that we need to provide updates more frequently. Well, Kris, your wish is hereby granted...


Kris

• Kris was on the road a lot last month. He had two accounting conferences, one in New Orleans and another one in Virginia. Kris has decided that he likes traveling for vacation but not for work! He also began teaching this semester.

• Kris also began teaching this semester. He really enjoys it, but grading has been very time consuming.

• On the bright side, Kris gets off the same vacation times as his students do. Whether he decides to work those days or not is up to him. In a couple of weeks we will be spending spring vacation at Myrtle Beach! We are so excited to see the ocean and take in some sun.

Alyson

• Alyson is ever growing and ever changing. She has lost two teeth in the last two weeks. Now Alyson is missing her front two top and front two bottom teeth. Surprisingly enough she can still whistle through the big gap in her mouth (she can not actually whistle with her lips).

• Alyson is beginning to read beginner books on her own. About two and a half weeks ago she read a book to a therapy dog at the local library. Kourtney sat beside the dog and let him put his head on her lap.

• Alyson also had a piece of her school artwork chosen to be displayed for one year in a local government office. A banquet will be held for the children and their families very soon. Kris and I haven't actually seen this particular piece of artwork so we can't wait.

Kourtney

• Kourtney is on a learning spurt. She asks me to make her homework almost on a daily basis and looks forward to going to Alyson's school on Friday mornings. Alyson's teacher is great about letting Kourtney participate in class, and now Kourtney can't wait until she is in kindergarten too!

• Koco has also been enjoying the hamster she got for Christmas. Twinkles gets a lot of attention whether she wants it or not and is an expert on warfare...ok, Twinkles really knows how to use her mouth to defend herself and is not afraid of letting people know it!

• Koco will almost daily say "It's so nice having a baby." And lately she's been adding, "I want a baby boy." If she only knew there's no choosing when a baby comes and what gender it will be.
  

Ellary

• Ellary is sick right now but is still such a good baby. She also knows what a camera is all about and will smile whenever one is pointed in her direction.

• Alyson and Koco are daddy's girls. Ellary on the other hand is a momma's girl and I love it. I hope she maintains her loyalty and easy going disposition as she gets older. She has been such a blessing and a pleasure!

• Ellary has just two teeth (really only 3/4 of one and 1/2 of another). They have taken their sweet time breaking through. Of our three girls it's taken her the longest to have any teeth!

Jessica

• I am on a sewing binge lately. I have several pregnant friends that I'm making burp clothes and tag blankets for. I have also made several sets of curtains, a skill of mine that is left much wanting. If anyone has any EASY instructions on how to make pleated curtains, PLEASE let me know (I may have to borrow your book again Crystal!) Needless to say, Kris' Christmas present to me is getting some good use.

• I'm also trying to take (when everyone is healthy) the girls out to story time at the library, playgroups and to other fun events in the community. We saw a folk singer perform a few weeks ago, and we attended a get to know Michigan kind of event as well. I can be somewhat of a homebody if I don't try to get out so it's been quite an achievement.