Birthday party events

We had an absolute blast celebrating the girls birthday yesterday!  It was like Christmas.  We started off by going bowling.  The stats were: Matt 1st place with 108, McKenzie 2nd place with 107, Madisynn 3rd place with 92, and Karen last place with 84.  In my defense we weren't able to use the bumpers they had already been reserved, and the girls had matt's help with the ramp.  blah blah blah  I just suck at bowling! LOL  We then went to pick up the girls 1st surprise present at petco, and no it's not a dog.  What do you think I am CRAZY?????  No we got 2 little fish. The girls named them Goldie, and Flower.  Here they are:

Kenzie named the orange one Goldie, and Madisynn of course named the black one Flower.  I think it would have been really funny if they swaped the names and the black one was goldie!
Next I needed to bake cookies, and get dinner started,  so Matt and the girls started watching Harry Potter and the deathly hollows part 1.  For dinner the girls wanted cheeseburgers and homemade fries.  Matt Grilled those and Pork chops, and I made a yummy green salad, prepped fresh stawberries, and made the french fries.  It was super yummy!

My Mom came and we all ate together.  So nice to chat at the dinner table.  After dinner we waited for Rex my Mom's boyfriend to come.  It was so cute my kids absolutely love him, and they were asking if he was going to come.  It was still up in the air from the last I had heard. I had Kenzie call Grandma Alice to see if he was.  They were thrilled that he was able to come.  So as we waited my Mom got really cold, Maddie took good care of her and piled about 6 blankets on top of her and then snuggled up by her. 

Then Kenzie wanted to be a part of the action and wanted to be in the picture too:

My girls had been eyeing the presents that my Mom brought, and wanted to open them up.  We told them they had to wait until Rex showed up.  They kind of peeked the little stinkers, but still we made them wait!  When Rex came he had brought them presents too, which was really sweet of him.  So we did things backwards and opened presents before singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles.  From My Mom the girls got Pillow Pets, and headbands.  From Rex Tangled Rapunzel barbie, and Tangled book with brush.  The girls loved it all! 
So the brush is really cute, but annoying =).  It goes off at the slighest bump.  Rex was so kind to even go buy batteries for it after they opened it up because it had died on the way to our house.  Isn't he so sweet?  No he really is, and I thought it was really funny!  I had to tease him and say you just couldn't resist brushing your hair all through the night, that's why the batteries died.  LOL  So here are the girls with their loot:

Then we went out to the garage to give the girls their 2nd surprise present.  Bikes!!!!  They have been needing new ones for a year.  Madisynn has been riding a tricycle that she is too big for.  McKenzie had way outgrown her little bike.  We thought let's get a 20" for Kenzie, and a 18" for Maddie.  Of course Maddie isn't ready for that size yet, but we wanted it to be an insentive to learn to how to ride her little 12" bike first.  Matt put the training wheels back on it, so it was all ready for Maddie to use.  Kenzie looked so little, but big on her big bike.  I'm so glad that they loved their bikes.  We let them ride outside for a little bit.  That's when Rex went and got batteries for the brush.  Plus it was getting dark, so it was time to come in.  Here are the girls and their bikes:

When we came back inside we got the girls 3rd surprise, their cake.  Here it is:

Okay I couldn't resist making a cake out of one of their most favorite things in the world, CANDYBARS!!!!  What Lucky girls!  Of course they Loved it!  We sang Happy Birthday and they blew out the candles.  Just when you thought you couldn't get enough sugar we added ice cream to the mix.  Cookie dough, and Rocky Road.  I really wanted to get some kind of candybar ice cream to go with the theme of the candy bars on the cake.  All they had was butterfinger.  I decided to go with cookie dough because the girls like it, and it went with the cookies on top of the cake.  My Mom really likes the Rocky road, so I wanted her to be able to have something that wasn't ridiculously gag you sweet! LOL  The girls each chose a big candybar.  Of course they couldn't finish it, too much sugar.  =)  Here are the girls and their cake:

We finished the night out talking around the table while the girls played with their playdough, and squinkes.  It was a very fun filled day, and the most important thing was the girls had a blast!  They were very greatful.  Thanks Mom and Rex for coming and spending the evening partying it up with us, and spoiling the girls!

7 & 5 Happy Birthday McKenzie & Madisynn!!!

I can't believe that we have a 7 and 5 year old!  The years have flown by so quickly.  I love my girls.  We are spoiling them rotten today, because they totally deserve it.  I'm so lucky and blessed to have these 2 precious little girls!  They are so so beautiful!

All about McKenzie:

7 years ago today @ 4:14 p.m. this sweet little angel came into our family.

Weight- 49 lbs.
Height- 47 3/4 inches
Favorite toys- Stuffed animals (Wiskers the cat, and Presenty the dog)
Favorite books- Princess books, and 3 billy goats gruff
Favorite T.V. Shows- Curious George, Super Why
Favorite Cartoons on Netflicks- Pink Panther
Favorite Movies- Despicable Me, Barbie Fairytopia, Mulan, Nemo
Favorite Video Games- Harry Potter
Favorite Board Games- The lady bug game
Favorite inside activites- Exercise, play board games, video games, Dance, Play downstairs with her stuffed animals makeing them go to school, and talk.  Color and draw mouses.
Favorite Outside activities- Jump on tramoline, Swing on the swings, and cross the monkey bars.
Favorite sports- Gymnastics
Favorite animals- Horses, pigs, cows, unicorns, ducks, and chicks.
Favorite colors- Black, pink, red, and light green
Favorite subjects in school- Reading and Math.
Favorite food- Hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, pizza, fruit, and pancakes.
Favorite desserts- Brownies, pie, and Ice cream
Favorite candy- Gum, and Candybars.
Favorite friends- Her sister Madisynn and Cenedra.
The thing she wants to do the most is play the guitar. =)

I love that McKenzie is a big helper.  She always wants to help me cook, bake, and do whatever i'm doing.  She is beautiful!  I love her smile.  I love that she still wants to snuggle with me.  I love that she has always been healthy.  I love that she is obedient.  I love that she is getting more and more confident with herself.  She is wonderful!  Happy Birthday sweet McKenzie!

All about Madisynn:

5 years ago today @ 6:16 p.m this sweet little angel came into our family.

Weight- 36.5 lbs.
Height- 41 inches.
Favorite toys- Unicorns, and Jewels
Favorite books- Barbie the 12 dancing princesses, and Dr. seuss books.
Favorite T.V. shows- Curious George, word world, dinosaur train, and super why.
Favorite cartoons- Looney toons ( sylvester and tweetie)
Favorite movies- Fairytopia, and Anastasia.
Favorite video games- Harry Potter
Favorite inside activites- play with the blocks cups( building towers, stacking them inside one another, putting her jewels and little animals, and polly pockets inside of them). do somersaults, play games, watch movies, and sleep on the living room floor.
Favorite Outside activites- Shoot the guns at empty water bottles with Daddy, cartwheels, and ride bikes.
Favorite Sports- Basketball, and dance.
Favoirte animals- Unicorns, polar bears, baby snakes, baby dinosaurs, momma dinosaurs, and elephants.
Favorite Colors- Pink, blue, and Purple.
Favorite things to do at Preschool- Rotate dinosaurs, learn about dinosaurs, volacanoes, lava, and waterfalls.  rolling on the floor, and reading stories.
Favorite foods- Oatmeal, hamburgers, pancakes, eggs, and waffles.
Favorite desserts- Jello, cake, and cookies.
Favorite candy- Chocolate Candy bars.
Favorite friends- Her sister McKenzie, Alice, Breeanna, Payton, Joplin, and MaKaydee.
The thing she wants to do the most is eat cookies, go shooting at the shooting store, and play with Payton.  =)

I love that Madisynn is a big helper.  I love that she constantly has to check and see where I am.  She wants to do whatever I do.  I love that she wants to snuggle up with me.  I love that she is healthy and growing.  I love that she calls me Mother, i wish she would call me mom, or momma, more often, it's just so stinking cute how she says mother!  She is beautiful!  I love that she is obedient as well.  She is getting more confident as well.  Love it!  Wonderful little girl Happy birthday!!!

I'm so greatful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to be able to give birth to these little angels, and have them be raised in our home.  I'm so greatful that they put up with me and all of my issues.  I really have been blessed to have 2 such wonderful kids!

Let it go already...

I have a problem that keeps getting worse and worse.  I feel like i'm spinning out of control with it.  Control is the problem I think.  I like to be in control of my life, and my surroundings.  Who doesn't though right?  Anyways When I'm not in control I just lose it.  I hate feeling like this.  Matt and I got into an argument a couple of weeks ago.  I won't go into details about what we were fighting about.  I had a right to feel the way I did, but still I just overreacted.  I couldn't talk to him, because I didn't want to say something that I would regret later.  A few hrs. went by, and it was about an hr. before Matt had to go to work that I said I couldn't just ignore it anymore.  Matt just responded back saying what does it matter whatever I say is just going to make you mad, so what's the point.  That really got to me.  He said some things that were true like I just was afraid to admit that I have and emotional problem.  And all I ever did was yell at the kids,and him.  He said that I take everything so seriously.  Then I started to cry because the truth hurts.  I do do all of these things.  Why can't I let things go? Why can't I just relax?  How do I stop being a perfectionist?  How do I clear my head?  I do feel better after I have exercised, but then I fall right back into it.  I can't exercise all day long.  Please help!  I need all the advice I can get.

Lucky

I have been building up St. Patrick's Day up for McKenzie and Madisynn.  Telling them that Lucky the Leprechaun was going to come and visit them.  I said maybe we can catch him this year, and hopefully he doesn't make too much of a mess.  The girls instantly started saying maybe he will mess up our play room again, and turn our water green, and on and on.  Anyways our St. Patrick's Day was a day of fun!  I'm so grateful for the ideas that I heard about from other families a few years ago to make it even more fun.  I really need to be more on top of things and have it ready to go instead of at the last second.  We made our Leprechaun trap the night before, i know cutting it close.

The Trap which we will use again:

 

This year we set up the trap in the girl's bedroom instead of the playroom.  They were so excited, it was like it was Christmas Eve.  We didn't think they would fall asleep, they were wired.  Luck was with us though, they fell asleep pretty fast.  We took advantage of the opportunity and went around the house making it look like a Leprechaun had been here making mischief of all sorts.  We knocked the kitchen chairs over, took off couch cushions, knocked over couch chairs downstairs, had my hand weights all over the floor, knocked over furniture in their play room, messed up the toys, left doors open, turned the girls outfits inside out, made mess of their bedroom, knocked the trap over, took the gold necklace from the trap, and left a big box of Lucky Charms by the bedroom door.  Then Matt decides to get a glass of water dye it green, and leave a note from lucky saying thank you for the gold!  It was perfect!
The girls woke up at the first sound of noise in the morning.  We just lay in bed smiling knowing what was going to happen.  Sure enough the light came on their room, and they were totally surprised to see what had happened.  They were so excited to get a box of lucky charms, and they came running into our bedroom calling Mom and Dad look what Lucky left us.  Then they started going around the house to see if he was anywhere in sight, and to see if he messed up the house.  Their was no disappointment they were happy to see the mess, and the note from lucky!
They got ready for school wearing their new leprechauns day shirts.  I pulled their hair up, and Matt put green and white ribbon around their ponytails.  Then we had breakfast Lucky Charms of course with green milk.  Matt put green food coloring in the milk while they were getting ready.  They were so surprised.  I made the miracle whip green on the sandwiches for lunch.  For dinner we had Green pancakes.  It was awesome! The things we do for our kids, it's so worth it to see how excited they get!  Yes Lucky got away yet again, and we told the girls there is always next year!

Lucky Charms:

I'm not Irish..... Kiss me anyways!:

 
I had to post these drawings that kenzie drew for Lucky.  They are of sponge bob, rainbows, pots of gold.  I thought she did a pretty good job!:

The simple things

Yesterday was Valentines day.  It most definately was a great one too!  This year Matt nailed what to get me for my gift.  It was so simple and perfect and made my day.  He didn't spend a huge amount and give me an anxiety attack, he spent at most $5!  If he would do these kinds of things for me here and there the small simple things life would be better for everyone! =)  Anyways he got me some beef jerky, and a card! :

The card was a sound card, so when you opened it up a smoke detector sound started going off, and then a fire engine siren went off.  What a fun cute card!  Way to hit it spot on Matt, and make me feel good about myself!  Love you!

Getting Crafty- Big flower clips!

McKenzie wanted some pretty Big flower clips for Christmas.  I was just planning on asking a friend to make them for me.  Well because it's me, i waited until the last minute, like 2 days before Christmas.  Anyways I remembered my sister Kate had made them before.  I gave her a call to see what I needed and if she would help me.  She is an awesome sister for helping me in such short notice.  I love her!  Anyways I went to Michaels and bought some very big pretty different colored daisies.  They had just arrived at the store.  They were pricey, but oh so worth it.  I can't believe how easy they are to make!  I will definately be making more.  Oh and lesson learned make them with lot's of light!  Kate and I were making them in her bedroom that didn't have the best lighting, which doesn't help when it's dark outside.  So with that said a couple of my first ones are crooked, but still turned out really cute.

Here are McKenzie and Madisynn Sporting their lovely Big Flower Clips:

I have to say the one McKenzie is wearing is my favorite one out of the bunch.  Madisynn was excited to have the big flower clips, but not on the day I took this picture.  Poor thing wasn't feeling the greatest.  They both look so stinking cute with these huge flowers in their hair though!

So now I need to make a big hair bow board to hang them on.  Does anybody know how to do that?

January.....I will be glad when it's February.

January is such a hard month.  All the parties, and celebrations are over.  It's Winter....so brrr freezing cold.  It feels dark and dreary.  I don't know if it feels like this to me because I have anxiety or what, but it just does.  Some or most of us have Christmas on Credits cards that need to be paid off.  We have taxes hanging over our heads.  I have tried to make the most of it and keep myself busy and enjoy life.  The thing that makes January so hard for me mainly is today Jan 31st. was the day my Dad decided to take his own life.  It breaks my heart.  So not only do I have all that other stuff looming over my head, I have this looming as well.  It has been 4 years now since my Dad died.  I really struggle with it all year long in spurts, but it is especially hard on the day that he died.
On the 31st. all the memories of that day come flooding back into my life.  It is the worst to have to be told that your Dad died over the phone, and told that it was heart failure.  It's not a lie, but I knew there was more to it.  My Dad was a very healthy man, and very energetic.  I knew he had been very stressed by certain things in life.  When I was finally able to talk to my Mom and my little brother Quinn I was told that we would talk about it when I got there.  So it was confirmed that it wasn't just heart failure but something much worse.
The drive was the worst.  I lived 12-13 hrs. away from my parents.  My siblings all lived within 2 or 3 hrs away from them.  I wanted to be there with my family to just hug and sob with them.  I have the most awesomest best friend in the whole world.  Without pausing to think said that she would take my baby Maddie and fly home to Utah with her, so I wouldn't have to stress over her and the issues that we were having with her.   I don't think Brittnie will ever know how much that meant to me.  Such a selfless act indeed!  I hope I can one day do something so selfless in return for her.
Having my suspicions confirmed was the worst.  I can remember my heart just sinking to the bottom of my stomach and sobbing.  Sleeping in the bed with my Mom was hard.  I think we both just sobbed most of the night.  I don't even think I slept.  Seeing my Dad dead, planning the funeral, having the funeral, was so hard.  Then actually having to go back to real life just sucked.  I was so worried about my Mom, and it was so hard being far away from her.  You get my point it's just HARD to lose a loved one.
This past year has been hard.  My Mom decided that she wanted to start dating again. So She took down all of the pictures of my Dad except for the one of our big family picture.  I sobbed when she told me.  It is hard when I go and  clean her house, and my dad's pictures aren't there.  It was nice to be able to talk to his picture in each room that I cleaned.  I know that sounds stupid, but it helped. 
Yesterday was hard.  My family got together at my MOm's house for dinner to celebrate my brother Chris's birthday, and my nephew Sam's birthday.  My Mom invited one of the men she has been seeing.  Nothing serious, he just wanted to meet our family.  It was hard to see my Mom with another man though.  I will not give my Mom a hard time.  I want her to be happy and not lonely.  I just want her to take it slow, and make a good choice.  I know that she will.  This man was really nice, but it was still hard!  You can tell he really likes my Mom, and that makes me happy.  He's not my Dad though. My Dad is irreplacable.
Anyways I just had to get all of this off my chest and out of my head.  I didn't sleep well last night, my stomach was cramping up, and my brain would not shut off.  I could not get comfortable.  I kept dreaming about this man my mom is seeing, my Dad and today.  I will be happy when January is over, and I can move on and deal!
I love you Dad! I miss you Dad!  I know that you miss us.  I know that this is hard for you too.  We will always think about you and cherish your memories!  Nobody can ever replace you.  Thanks for the things you have taught us.  I know that you are watching over us, and that makes me so VERY HAPPY!!!  Love you Dad!  Until we meet again!!!

P.S. to those that care:  The only reasons i'm greatful for January is that my Brother Chris was born, and good friends that were born as well!