Caitlyn's Birthday Party

Caitlyn had her first all-friends birthday party. We invited over 20 6/7 year old girls - Yikes! It was an all-girl princess party. We did our nails and makeup. Then we took it outside for a photo shoot. It was a really fun time and Caitlyn was over the moon.

Thank you to Lacey, my mom, and Sarah for coming over to help me wrangle these girls!

*I have purposefully chosen pictures that you cant see any of the girls' faces.

"Pin the tiara on the princess"

Each girl decorated their own cupcake ...

and their own picture frame...


Then posed. Caitlyn definitely was the sassiest.
I highly misjudged how tall these girls are with my backdrop. Its so white trash but they really didnt care.
I got the cutest group shot of all of them - including Nathan - he was having so much fun. Earlier that morning Chad took Nathan to get blood drawn. It was a horrible expirience for him (and Chad for that matter). The only thing that made him happy was knowing that there was a birthday party to come home to. (Nathan LOVES a party). Originally Chad was going to take Nathan out to do something else, but after that we couldnt help but let him take part in the festivites. He might of even gotten some fingernail polish :)

When I looked at it later it reminded me of a Cabbage Patch Kids party I went to when I was about her age. It was at the Bradshaws. I have a picture of all of us girls on the couch holding our dolls and right in the middle is Mason with his gremlin. Hillarious. I'm going to try to find it and scan it in... so check back.



I cant believe her next birthday she'll be getting baptised! Crazy how time flies!

Right before Christmas we had a great photo shoot with my sister-in-law. She was visiting from Texas and we were so happy to have her capture our family! If you are interested... she comes into town periodically, shes very affordable, and would love to shoot your family.

So without further adiu - some of my favorites....
P.S. - anyone who can get this great of pictures of Nathan deserves a medal. Thanks Linsey!
http://www.clintandlinsey.com (There's a link to her photography blog at the top of the page)

I have been busy looking through all of our pictures of Christmas festivities over the past week and I came across this gem.

My Grandma and Grandpa Vance. Two of the sweetest people you could meet - and a little bit of a spitfire (in describing my Grandma). Glad I caught them for this photo at our annual "Grandma's Breakfast" where all the grand kids (well, now its great-grandkids) come together to act out the nativity.

Dont worry. Those pictures, and more are coming - but I just had to get this up!

Christmas Miracle

Nathan's car has been found. Quite the saga! Did I mention that after we had lost the car and pig at our photo shoot I sent Chad back the next morning (at 6 am!) to look for it! It was so crushing that it wasnt there, and that for the next few days, and several Ross stores later, the toy could not be located. I couldnt believe how unavailabe they became in stores! I had the strong feeling though that I would get one again. Either through finding the original or buying a new one.

Fast forward to Christmas night. After arriving at my inlaws Caitlyn came walking up with it out of their toy box. Apparently my sister-in-law did have it in her purse and left it there! It may seem like such a small thing to most people. I'm sure some of you are thinking that I have gotten myself too worked up over a small toy. Perhaps. BUT when Nathan goes looking for his car/truck combo (he loves to group them together) I'm glad that it will be there.

Merry Christmas

Happy Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to this guy!

(we have way too many birthdays around Christmas!)

ROSS alert

Okay - if you go to a Ross anytime soon could you please look for a toy for me? We lost a very key part of this toy and up until recent I had seen it in a couple of Ross stores. With Christmas I am sure those got purchased, but I have to believe that it is somewhere! Anyway - this is what it looks like and it should be $20.

You dont have to buy it (but if you do I will pay you back immediately). Just put it on hold and tell me where to go.

THANKS!

Caitlyn's 7th

Caitlyn is 7 and shw couldn't be more excited. Here is our traditional birthday picture that we do each year. Follow the link below for past years. They are great. Happy birthday Caitlyn!

Click Here

Alison in the morning

What we get to wake up to in the morning.... She is very talkative! This is may be boring to most, but since Chad is out of town I put it up for him.

Documentation

Big appointment (first of three) for Nathan tomorrow.
I hope it goes well.

Word World - Oh No!

Chad and I went out on Saturday to do some Christmas shopping. We hit Target because they have the "Word World" line of toys.
Nathan specifically requests to go to Target just so he can see the Word World toys, but when we looked for them they were gone! Seriously, I paniced a bit inside. We calmly asked a store employee and he said that they discontinued carrying it. WHAT?!? Do they have any idea of the consequences?! I'm guessing not.
So, now I am on the hunt for the Word World line of toys. If any of you see them in a store let me know.
Yes, I know they can be purchased online, but they are twice as expensive and then you have to pay shipping. As much as he likes them, I'm not nice enough to pay that much.