Party for a Princess

The kids are allowed to have a friend party on their even year of birth. I don't think Scott and I thought that through very well cause it turns out all 4 kids turn an even number all in the same year! lol

Since Paige turned 6 she decided to have a Barbie Princess Party. She invited 5 of her friends to dress up and come to her castle for a party. I love party planning and decorating.

Party invitation!

Paige wanted a Barbie cake, so I tried my hand making and decorating a Barbie cake. Here are the steps of my cake decorating.

1st Step - baked cake - start of skirt

2nd Step - butter cream frosting

3rd Step - dyed fondant blue, place fondant on cake

4th Step - Add fondant top to Barbie

Place Barbie in cake

Backside of Barbie cake

Look how beautiful she turned out!

So Pretty

Fondant tiara!

Close-up

Princess Barbie Cake!!

Our home turned into the Castle!

The Castle entrance

Tulle entrance into the ballroom (FYI-I made the tulle canopy)

Gift Table - party bags for the princesses

Ballroom

Grandma (aka Cinderella) and Princess Paige

Princess Paige blowing out her candle

Activity - Princess candy necklace making

Princesses making their candy necklaces

For an activity the girls decorated their own Barbie gowns

The party princesses showing off their decorated barbie dresses

The party was a huge success. So exhausting, but so much fun! I love Paige, she truly is my princess. Somedays I may say "Why a girl?", but in the end she is my pride and joy and so much fun!

Happy 6th Birthday Paige!

More 2010 to follow

Disneyland Vacation
Thanksgiving
Emmett's Birthday
Preschool
Christmas
New Year's

Halloween

There wasn't a lot of excitement in our house for Halloween. The kids had a hard time deciding what to dress up as. I don't like Halloween and would have rather skipped the whole festivities. Emmett and I attended Garhett, Trent, and Paige's class parties and watched their school parade. Emmett and I dressed up as skeletons.

Garhett designed his own costume this year, must be something about this age. All my friends said their boys did this too when they were 11. Garhett wanted a plain black t-shirt with iron on letters saying "Name" on the front and "Costume" on the back.

Here's Garhett with some of his classmates enjoying their party!

Next is Trent, he has dressed up as some sort of Ninja for the past 3-4 years. Completely by choice (no parent forcing). This year he wanted to be the Black Ninja of Death (Is there such a thing? I am not sure, but for him there is).

Here's Trent enjoying his class party!

Our sweet Paige! The one I hoped would stay with the Princess dress up a lot longer than she did. Last year (in preschool) she decided that she would be a vampire. This year she wanted to be "Bat Girl". So I made bat wings out of foam for her and attached them with elastic around her arms. She hated it! Decided that she would be the "Evil" Vampire this year. Are we seeing a pattern here with my children - not caring, wanting to kill, and just wanting to be BAD!!! I think it's time to sit down and have a heart to heart with my children! lol

Without further ado - Here is Paige! The Evil Vampire with purple fangs. Here she is with her BFF Aubrey!

Here's Paige and her classmates enjoying their Halloween Festivities.

Paige and Emmett waiting patiently waiting while I got a pedicure! A much needed one. 

Our ward had a trunk or treat. I stayed at the car and handed out candy while Scott took the kids around trunk or treating!

Halloween was fun, but am glad it is over. We got home dumped everyone's candy on the table and went through it. Everyone is allowed to choose their 2 favorite candies, the rest goes into a community bowl.

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch

We sent grandma and grandpa home for the weekend to rest from the labors of the Morgan Clan. Today I was feeling pretty good, so we decided to take the kids to the pumpkin patch. We thought we would be adventurous this year and go through the corn maze. The corn maze was shaped like the BSU Bronco's football player. It was fun at first and then kids were bored with the tedious turn after turn after turn and seeming like they were getting no where. Emmett did awesome!

We bought him a monkey pack that he wears and then we hold onto the tail, so he can't run off. Yes, I know another word for this would be a leash. I am so against leashes for children. I would mock people who put their children on a leash, and would just be disgusted. Well here I am once again, eating crow. Emmett is so busy and active and I must say FAST!!!! That since my surgery there was no way I was going to be able to catch him if he took off. Hence the "monkey on his back" pack. Emmett did so well wearing the pack that he didn't mind us holding the tail. I think he was just happy not to be in the stroller and could walk around.

So here are doing a few different activities at the pumpkin patch.

 Here we are entering the corn maze!

 The look out bridge as we cross over the other half of the corn maze.

 Here is the kids bail of hay maze! Emmett was happy to be free to run!

 Emmett and Daddy feeding the Camel.

 Paige enjoying the pony ride.

 Trent and Dad launching pumpkins! Ready

 Set - GO!

 Emmett playing in the corn box.

 Paige enjoying the corn box too!

 Here is our family on the hay ride out to the pumpkins.

 Trent trying out the bungee jump.

 Attempting the back flip!

 Attempting the front flip!

Silly Kids!

We let each of the kids pick an activity that they wanted to do. Emmett chose the jump house, which we didn't get a picture of and Garhett chose laser tag. I wasn't able to get a picture of Garhett playing tag.

All in all it was a good, long, and dirty afternoon at the pumpkin patch, but we all had FUN!!!! I was able to get around pretty well, but let's just say after 3 hours of walking the patch, I was in need of some serious pain medicine. Hahaha!

How do you say Thank You...

I don't even know where to begin with this post. I have been born of goodly parents. I get teased quite often by friends and neighbors of how lucky I am for my parents. I want to take a moment and pay tribute to my wonderful parents, who I know I am so blessed to have living close by.

My mother is a saint. She is a kind hearted, selfless, unconditional loving woman. She has taught me to not judge a book by its cover and to always be a friend, among many other attributes that she has. My mother is my friend, shopping partner, sounding board, and babysitter.

My parents have been involved in all of their grandchildren's lives. I feel so blessed to have parents who want to spend time with my children. Who call up to say they are on their way to spend time with us.

It's been a long time coming for me to have surgery and knowing that I would be out of commission for at least 6 weeks had me a little nervous. My mom said she'll be there. And here is where she has been, day in and day out and all through the night, my mom has been the keeper of my kids (family).

My mom has been the cook, the cleaner, the laundry master, and the chauffeur running kids to practices, scouts, and Emmett's therapies. Thanks mom for being so great!!!!!! I love you and I know that I couldn't have made it through this recovery without you, just the relief of knowing that all is well with you at the helm. So thank you.

The other night Emmett was wanting to play while my mom was trying to finish up dinner. He kept tapping on my mom's leg saying, "Grandma down". So my mom bent over and Emmett kept persisting "Grandma down" until she was laying on the kitchen floor. I was laughing (not really cuz it hurts too much, so I was giggling and wanting to laugh). Next thing I see is Emmett and my mom doing rollovers. So here a few pictures of Grandma and Emmett rolling on the kitchen floor.

My dad has been very patient as well. It's a little joke in our house when anyone asks where Grandpa is, Emmett automatically says "golfing". Even though Grandpa wasn't mentioned as much as Grandma, he is appreciated for joining my mom during all the time she's been asked to take care of my kids. Thanks Mom and Dad for always being there for me and my family. I really appreciate all that you do for me. I love you!

I do what you do...

Emmett has finally gotten to the stage of toddler hood that he wants to interact with his siblings and do the things that they are doing. Paige dresses up everyday and dances around whether it is before or after school she is dressed up. Well today Emmett felt like he should dress up to. So I am laying on the couch and Grandma brings Emmett down to see me. I almost busted out my stitches laughing so hard. Here's Emmett!

Emmett keeps us laughing all day. His personality is really starting to blossom! Here is Emmett marching with Grandpa to include Grandpa in the fun!

Arrow of Light

Tonight was a very special Cub Scout Pack Meeting for Garhett. Garhett has turned 11 and advanced from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. In honor of completing all the requirements, his Weblos leader presented him and a couple other boys in his group with a special presentation. Unfortunately I had to miss it, I was still in the hospital, so Scott and my parents took the kids and here is there recap.


Garhett's leader Brother Davis stood at the front with a bridge between him and the boys' new Cub Scout leader and shared some of these words.


As a Cub Scout, you have been guided through the Cub Scout Trail with the help of many people. Soon, when you become a Boy Scout, you will find that, while there are still many people willing to help, you take on more and more responsibility for blazing your own trail to Eagle. 

Garhett  - you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied the requirements for Cub Scouting's highest rank: The Arrow of Light. 

The first band of color is to remind you of the lessons you learned as a Cub Scout.

Blue represents the spirit of Cub Scouting : the spirit of giving goodwill and doing your best. Do you promise to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and the Cub Scout motto, Do Your Best, when you receive the Arrow of Light badge?

Webelos Scouts have faithfully promised always to keep the spirit of Cub Scouting. As their parents, we also promise to continue to help Garhett in his Scouting adventures.

The second band of color, white, represents the Scout Law. Youth and adult leaders will cheerfully show you the skills you need, but it will be up to you to live up to the 12 points of the Scout Law. Daily you will be faced with decisions and, at times, the trail will seem most difficult to follow. Make your choices by always remembering the Scout Law. In all you do, do you promise to be forever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent?

The third band of color, yellow, stands for the Arrow of Light. Within the teepees of many braves, the Arrow of Light has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow : just as is the path that you Scouts should follow throughout your life. Its tip points the way : the way to success in all that you do. It is pointing to the right : a symbol that nothing should be left undone; if it is within your power to do it, see that it is done. And lastly, this is the symbol of the seven rays of the sun, one for each day of the week; this is to remind you that every day is a new day : a day to Do Your Best in everything: 

A day to honor your God and Country,
to do your Good Turn,
a new chance to follow the Scout Law
and to remember these words: On My Honor

Each boy has blazed his own trail toward the Arrow of Light award, and now the Arrow of Light will help them remember their promise to keep the Spirit of Cub Scouting alive. 

You are now full-fledged Arrow of Light holders!

Next, they asked the Webelos to pin upon their mom a miniature Arrow of Light, but since I wasn't there Scott received in place of me.

The last band of color, is Green; it symbolizes the beginning of your path toward Eagle as a Boy Scout. Then Brother Davis  lead Garhett to the bridge that connects Cub Scouting with Boy Scouting. Garhett crossed over the bridge where his new Boy Scout leader Brother Patton was waiting to welcome him into their troop.

What a special evening for Garhett. As my mother and Garhett told me of the evening it brought tears to my eyes. One because I missed it and two because of how special Brother Davis made it for each of the boys advancing. Brother Davis took the time to engrave a personalized plaque to each of the boys advancing. Brother Davis really went above and beyond to make this advancement a night to remember. This year of Weblos has been Garhett's best year in Cub Scouts. Here's a big THANK YOU to Brother Davis who came in mid-year as a leader to the boys and rocked it! Brother Davis came in, took notice of where the boys were lacking in completing the requirements and helped each one of them progress and had fun while doing it. So thank you Brother Davis.


Now to my dear sweet Garhett, I am so proud of you. You worked hard to complete the requirements, sometimes you and I both in tears, but the job got done. I'm sorry that I missed your special evening, but I want you to know that this is a great honor to have achieved your Arrow of Light and my heart is full of love for you. This is a stepping stone for you as you continue on with scouting and earn your Eagle.

Great job Garhett! We love you!