Cinderella and Her Castle

During the day of Elora's birthday, I was busy decorating her cake. We did a princess castle cake, and Elora absolutely loved it! She kept asking when she could eat birthday cake, and I said after dinner. So before lunchtime, she said she wanted dinner, so she could eat cake. I told her we couldn't have dinner until Daddy got home... Very clever though... I was a little worried about how it would turn out, but I'd say it looks pretty good if I do say so myself...

It had ice cream cone towers, green (coconut) grass, and a moat to go around the castle.
Elora was eyeing the castle all day long.
The highlight of her birthday presents, was a Cinderella Barbie. Yes, Katie, I think it's awesome that Elora is old enough to play/like Barbies...
Ever since her birthday, she has carried around her Barbie everywhere around the house. She would sleep with her, if I let her. But before she goes to sleep, we put Cinderella away in the special doll box.
We had a few friends come over just for cake and ice cream, it was a mad house with ten kids age 6 or 7? and under...

One of my friends, who has a daughter Elora's age, gave some homemade flower hair clips. They're so cute! Elora has wanted to wear those all the time since her birthday as well...

And even now, Elora constantly tells me... "Me like birthday presents."

Elora is THREE Today!

Yes, where did my baby go....

Elora is now at the age that as my Dad says is, "A real person." No longer a baby, she can walk, talk, and poop in a pot...

Elora, Elora, what can I say about you... It has been quite the three years, and I'm glad you are my daughter, what would I do without you?

Stay tuned for the recap of her birthday festivities...

Max is Growing Up!

Max is big boy!! Yes, he is in the 95th percentile in height, but this is not what I'm talking about. On Saturday morning he climbed out of his crib! Travis and I were still in bed, not wanting to get up. Elora came up to see us, and then went in to see Max because he was playing in the crib. Well, then it went quiet, apparantly Elora had gone back downstairs to get her shoes...don't ask why... Well, Max climbed out of his crib, because the next thing we know, he's strolling into our bedroom with a big smile on his face. We were just like, "Max! How'd you get in here!?" So Saturday night, we decided to put Max in the big boy bed, and I put the crib mattress on the floor next to it in case he fell off. He's done really well with his new bed the past two nights. After all, he is the same age that Elora was when we moved up to Ogden, and switched her out of the crib... That's really weird to think about... And shown here is a picture of Max eating his yogurt all by himself! (Even though he gets really messy) And next month, he gets to go to nursery! I'm so proud of my big boy!

This One's For You Mom!

I just wanted to wish my Mom a Happy Birthday! She is 58 today, but has been my Mother for over 25 years. She is the best Mom in the world. She always knew how to take care of us when we were sick, she is the best cook ever! And she is just fun to go shopping with. Her voice is beautiful, she was always good about teaching us how to work, and to keep the house clean. She taught me how to sew clothes. (After I taught myself how to sew Barbie clothes.) She always made the Christmas holidays extra special with all the home cooked goodness, and special goodies.... (Can anyone say, homemade rolls, chicken kiev, or chocolate peanut-butter bars? Mmmmmmm...) She has always encouraged me in my talents, and my schoolwork. She has loved each and every one of us in her family, and has been such a good example of serving others, and befriending others... We sure do miss you Mom! Happy Birthday!

So... I fell on the stairs...

So, on a friday night, a week and a half ago, I fell on the stairs. I didn't fall down the stairs because I didn't go all the way down to the bottom, I just fell ON the stairs. It was in the middle of the night, and Elora had wet herself. So I was holding her and taking her back down the stairs to her bed at 2:00 in the morning. My foot slipped and I landed right on my tailbone on a step, and I must've hit my upper back, neck, and/or head too. Travis came to help me up, Elora was fine because my body took all the shock for her. But when Travis came to help me up, I passed out. All I remember next was Travis calling my name. So when I came too, he helped me back to bed, so he could take care of Elora. The next morning when I woke up, I felt horrible. I could hardly get out of bed. There were bruises on both my elbows, my whole upper back/neck was stiff and I could hardly turn my head. When I tried to sit down for breakfast, it was painful to sit on my tailbone. That day I had to sit during a funeral, and sit during church the next day. One of our friends said I needed a donut to sit on. That would've been nice. For the next couple of days, I was in pain, and uncomfortable in any position. Luckily, we found out that Jared, Travis' massage therapist brother, happened to be coming up the next weekend, so we made an appointment! He came this past saturday, and although I was already feeling much better, he got a lot of the kinks out. So I'm ok! And no, Mom, I didn't have a concussion, all is well! But hey, because of the little incident, we sprung for a nice computer chair, so I could be more comfortable at the computer. All we had before was a hard folding chair-very uncomfortable!