{Feliz Cumpleanos}

 Maisey turned 9 and we celebrated with a fiesta theme.

 The theme, pinata and all, came from the fact she wanted taco salads for dinner. I couldn't resist decorating, and thanks to pintrest I made a tissue banner and pom poms.

 These lime colored HUGE cupcakes were a BIG hit- cotton candy icing and all.

Gotta love Pintrest as much as these cute jars filled with limeade!

Skating was 80's theme. When my friends and I decided not to use the theme for a friends birthday, I thought someone ought to! The girls LOVED it, all the neon and pink hair mascara streaks in their hair!

Did you ever get a rose from Skate World? I sure as heck did, and this one I bought just so I could send her a happy birthday over the mic, along with the song dedication, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."

I don't believe these are a youth 3! I guess we will be reordering...

 Though she's never liked toys (rather art, science, cooking, anything hands on), she is still into American Girl Dolls (she calls them collectibles and styles their hair).

 Thanks to uncles Tod's idea, a ballet bar at home.

 Wings and Wave was Maisey's choice for celebration. The above, was my idea.

 Cousin Ruby and Maisey

 Ryley love the water, fortunately in this family.

The inside of out favorite slide. After sliding on a tube, you frop into this swirling vortex and go around a couple times before being sucked down the slide backwards.

Our 9 year old! Happy year spunky Maisey!

{The BEST}

This picture is of Ms. Angal. She is the BEST teacher we have ever had and we were fortunate enough to have her for 2 years! She was always attentive to each child and gave Maisey and amazing experience. We are SO sad we won't have her anymore, but we are so grateful for the time we had with her. Next year she will be teaching part time and leading the school as they become a science based STEM school and so we got her just in time. Best of luck to her in her new responsibilities. She is a blessing and asset to anyone who is privileged to know and work with her.
Just one example of her patience, she had to put up with all my grandiose "room parent" party ideas!

{Bridging}

 Today Maisey "bridged up" from a Brownie to a Junior Girl Scout. Next year her involvement with the troop will be a less due to another scheduling conflict, but she wants to continue on with the troop for her 5th year. She still plans to sale cookies (so she will be coming for you!), do service projects, and go to camps.  

The next color she will sport is Girl Scout teal!

{Modesty and Specialist #1}

Our kids are EXTREMELY modest. We appreciate their virtue, but it seems a little extreme when they visit their pediatrician each year for well child checks. Maybe I am just hyper-sensitive to their behavior concerning this issue (nudity) because of my former job with child-welfare, but we keep trying to explain to them that it is ok to undress for doctors.

Anyway, this upset face is due to the fact Ry had to get undressed and put on a gown. I slyly took out my camera and snapped the pic nonchalantly because I didn't want to disrespect him, but at the same time, it was too cute.

Now, Ry had an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist.

He was diagnosed as we all suspected with Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease which is not harmful (yes, the one Michael Jackson had).

We are blessed Ryley is healthy and that he is fair enough it isn't too noticeable. We aren't even going to do treatment right now, as it is cosmetic and hardly noticeable to areas where his clothes do not cover. 

I will admit that when they discussed the heightened risk of other auto immune diseases as he gets older my heart raced a little. However, what I mostly thought about was how terrible it would be to have a sick child. And the thought of receiving a life threatening diagnosis. It surely put some worry in me and I am counting my blessings a little more right now. I don't ever want to take for granted the gifts I have been given. I am one lucky woman. I know this and give thanks continually.

Specialist #2 is this Thursday but that is for another post.

{I know}

Just to make it known, I do acknowledge the fact that sometimes I am a little extreme when it comes to planning things. This was one of those times. It started out when I decided to make a cute wreath for an upcoming baby shower I am planning. The picture of the fabric below only total 1/3 of what I used. I traced, and cut, and glued, and then pinned cirlces only to find out the 12 or so hours I spent on this thing, could have been drastically less, IF I had known Olfa makes circle cutters!!! Lesson learned for the next third time (ok, that is embarassing, I made another wreath out of felt for Valentines one year, a heart).

 

 I also made these little balls to add more color. I used some foam (which are a rip off) and some plastic bags that I taped to be smaller for size variation.

Lastly, see this rosette ball? DO NOT make one! I expect it to take 10 hours- IF I finish it! This portion took me 4 hours. If I could re-do it (but I won't, I was going to make 3, no I may not finish one), I would use fabric because it is far more durable and quicker than this crepe paper.  

{thank you}

Thanks Naomie for the trip to ID and thanks Jamie for hosting! I am so lucky!

{Day 2: Rexburg}

We flew into Boise on Thursday AM. Spent time with Michelle, drove 4 hours to Idaho Falls, had dinner with Naomi's twin and her husband, and then arrive shortly after 9 pm at the Tonks.

 On Friday we visited the temple, toured BYU- Idaho, shopped, and had dinner in Idaho Falls.

 We also visited a candy shop with fine chocolates.

Texas Roadhouse is the best in ID Falls!

That night Aaron took the kids to his folks for the night, and we slept in till 8! We are l-a-z-y!

{Day 1 & 5: Boise}

It happened again... Another friend ditched "us," and for Idaho! But, who could blame them for the little rain, and for the big beautiful homes, and nature which consume the state!

 Michelle left as quickly as she bought this home! In lightening speed. But, we are so excited for their family and all the new changes!

 I couldn't tell Ry I would be going because he just stopped talking about following Eli to Idaho. He did love his tractor picture that I  brought home though (thanks Eli, you thoughtful boy)!

We ate out at some great places too and likely gained 15 lbs. The scale only says 3, but I will work all week to lose it. It WAS worth it!

 Strawberry stuffed french toast

 Banana custard stuffed french toast

 One HUGE burger (the scale just doesn't look right)

 Hot butter cake (tasted like dutch oven)

Michelle, it wasn't long enough, but it was great to see you and I miss you already!

{Day 4: Rigby}

Day 4 included a visit to the Tonks' ward and a trip to the hot springs in Rigby. We also went back to Idaho Falls to visit some of Naomi's friends. The first night in ID we also visited her twin and spouse. On Sat. Lisa introduced us to some long time friends, and so we certainly came away with some connections!

 

 Naomi

 It was hot, and we smelt like sulfur, but it was certainly relaxing.

This frozen custard was a treat from the night before. I had lemon.

{Day 3: Rexburg}

Day three  was beautiful! We took the rain with us, and hail, but this day the sun came out! We headed to Mesa Falls.

 On the way to the falls we stopped at the coolest fish feeding area. All the shadows which look like rocks, are a school of fish. There were about 15 of them waiting for bread. It was so neat, I wanted to reach in and grab them.

Afterwards we went and walked around the falls. We also visited inside this old cabin where there were tons of animals skins and skulls.

 This ledge was right over the falls. I didn't use zoom, and it was a lot closer than it looks. The rainbow at the bottom was also hard to catch on camera.

 This lady looks dang good for getting ready to deliver baby number 4 in 5 weeks!

 We all shared this MONSTER burger for lunch!

 Followed by dessert at the cupcake shop (we visited their 2 times)!