Thursday, January 26, 2012

Mackayla turns 6

Our baby is 6! We got home from our Christmas trip on the evening of January 2, and had a nice family birthday party for her on her birthday, the 3rd. We had another little birthday party for her with her cousins on Friday the 6th. That gave me a few more days to get the pinata done and the house back in order after our trip.


She wanted cinnamon rolls for her birthday breakfast. Then she got to take treats to kindergarten and had a good time at school.



That afternoon she got to go to dance class. Another great way to spend her birthday.



After dance, we met Daddy over at Texas Roadhouse, which is where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner. They sang to her at the restaurant, but she didn't really appreciate the extra attention from strangers. She did enjoy the ice cream though!



At home, ready for presents.





She got some new clothes and couldn't wait to try them on!






Mackayla wanted a mermaid themed birthday, and gave me specific instructions on how to make her cake. She wanted her mermaid barbie sitting on a rock in the ocean with a little of the cake being a beach. She is wearing the crown she got from school that day.


On Friday she had mermaid cupcakes. She asked for a fish pinata. She wanted it to look like Flounder, but pink and purple.


The Nelsons joined us for that party along with the Henry girls, Brooke and Michelle.


Mackayla picked out the games she wanted to play. They played pin the mermaid on the rock, had a cake walk, and had mermaid races with their legs tied together like one fin.





Mackayla was pretty sad when it was actually time to destroy her beautiful fish, and wanted one last picture with it.


Hitting the pinata.


Cake time! The party kids.


She got a few more gifts at this party, and had a wonderful night!


Mackayla at six:

Mackayla is a wonderful, lively little girl. She thoroughly enjoys kindergarten, dance, and playing with her brothers. She plans on being a professional ballerina when she grows up. Both Bradley and Jacob can't wait for her to get home from school, and love to play with her all afternoon. She loves to teach them both how to do everything from reading, writing, and talking properly. Also, she is SO excited for her new sister to join the family in April. She likes to play with dolls and barbies, playing on the computer, and LOVES to draw and do crafts. She is a great help around the house, and a great sister and daughter. We love you Mackayla!


In between her two parties we received our Christmas package from Papa and Nini, and had another little Christmas party.


The boys in their new camp chairs from Great Grandma Jones


Let the fun begin!




January was a busy month. Bradley did Itty Bitty Basketball a few mornings a week and loved it. It really sparked his interest in the game, and he loved playing defense and making baskets. Jared took him over to the church gym in Yakima to practice before his class began, and within a few minutes of trying to dribble he jammed his finger. It was black and blue, and hurt. So, he decided he wasn't going to dribble anymore, and never did during his basketball class. He is going to have to overcome that before he can make it to the pros. :)


Jacob started potty training right after we got back from our trip as well. The first week went so well, but he has regressed a little since then and is still having occasional accidents. Its such a frustrating and exhausting process, but we are so excited to not be buying diapers right now! I had not had a single day of not changing diapers in over 6 years, and now we are diaper free!!! Of course, we have less than three months until we have a baby and start all over again. :)


We've had a stomach bug run through a couple of the kids, and the rest of us had a cold, but we are feeling good again now. The first couple weeks of January were also rough because I had cracked (or something) ribs and was in a lot of pain. My doctor said they see that more often in 3rd and 4th pregnancy as things in the body are expanding. It kept getting worse and worse and I wasn't sure I was going to survive, but then it did finally start getting better. It's so nice not having to dread a sneeze or a cough, and not having to get mad at people for making me laugh and bringing me more pain! Our baby is still looking really healthy though, and my fluid levels have gone up, so all the hardships of pregnancy are really just a small sacrifice! We're getting so excited for April to come and to have our new baby!


I think that about sums up the month of January!


Monday, January 16, 2012

Finishing 2011

We spent the week between Christmas and New Years just playing and having a great time. We left on the afternoon of New Years Day to head back home.


Here are the kids playing with the stamps they got for Christmas


Bradley playing a game



We went over to the church gym one afternoon to play, and try out Mitchell's new car he got for Christmas. Everyone played a very dangerous game of soccer, while Jacob and Eden drove around in circles the whole time.




Jared playing some pool



Dad and Mom trying to blow their ball in during a couples game.


Mackayla reading the new books Jacob gave her to Grandma.


We went bowling one afternoon. It was the kids' first time to bowl. They loved it, but poor Jared had to help all three of them throw the ball everytime. I'm sure his back was pretty sore by the end of the game.



Jared and Jacob in their matching "pirate shirts." Jacob helped me pick out this shirt for Jared at the store. He helped me wrap it, and was so excited to give to him for Christmas. On Christmas morning when Jared opened it, Jacob yelled, "Yay! Your pirate shirt!!" Apparently, the whole time he thought he was giving his dad a pirate shirt for Christmas. It was pretty funny. Then a few days later we were at a store, and I saw a little shirt just like it on sale so I got Jacob one that matched. He loves having a matching pirate shirt.



When in Yakima, we always get to spend our lunches at Taco Bell with Grandma Davenport.



Since we were leaving on New Year's Day, my mom made a nice dinner on New Year's Eve. Then we Spent the rest of the night playing and hanging out.



Scott and Jaden happen to already own some "pirate shrirts" so they decided to join in on the fun.


Using a spatula as a sword




Ha Ha




Playing twister





We rang in the new year with the East coast at 9pm our time, for the kids. Heather had lots of the noise makers for the kids.


Mackayla got to open a few early birthday presents from Heather and the Aprils that night also.



I did it! I was so tired, but I stayed awake (mostly) until midnight.

Celebrating with some sparkling cider.

Happy New Year!



Thursday, January 12, 2012

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas 2011 was another wonderful Christmas! We left a couple of days before Christmas to head up to Yakima to spend the Holidays with my family. The weather was clear and the kids were great travelers.
Here they are all loaded up and ready to head out.

We got there the afternoon of the 23rd, and that night Santa came to visit at Grandma's and Grandpa's house. He really wanted to pay a special visit to Mitchel,l but we all got to enjoy his company for a full hour. The Tree family was all there too!
Here are the boys with Santa. Mackayla preferred to keep her distance and never left her Daddy's side the entire time he was there.


Mackayla hanging on to Jared's leg while Santa was there.


Everyone enjoying the show that Santa put on.

Jacob helping Santa

Mackayla was in charge of apple pies for Christmas dinner and made some beautiful poinsettia pies on Christmas Eve.


Christmas Eve dinner at Burger King! We had a big group there with all the Hatfields and the Trees.


Enjoying our whoppers


After Burger King we drove out to the Trees for a few minutes to see their lights and visit. Then we headed back for our Christmas Eve program and festivities.

The Holts performing a number

The Hatfield Family

Performing our Jingle Bells dance

Jared and kids enjoying the show


Then downstairs to enjoy the fire and lots of goodies!







Opening their Christmas pajamas

Jacob was really tired so we had trouble getting many good pictures in pajamas.

They all got monkey pajamas this year!

Some of the cousins in their pajamas. We're missing the youngest from each of the three families because they were all too tired.

Aunt Heather and Mackayla

What's better than being a kid at Christmas? Being a parent at Christmas! (I stole that from Danielle's blog.) Santa came and I was so excited, I hardly slept all night. Once I finally got to sleep, I woke up at least once every hour hoping it was time to get up!


Church started at 11:30. We got started by 7am and had plenty of time to open all our gifts before hand.
We were waiting at the stairs to go in and see what Santa brought!

Jacob got the game Elefun

Mackayla got a baby bed and play set and the Baby Alive doll she wanted so badly, and she was even wearing matching pajamas.

Bradley wanted star war toys, and got the Millennium Falcon spaceship


Jared going through his stocking


The kids opening their soft blankets from Jason and Elena


The few days before and after Christmas there was a stomach bug going through the families. Luckily our family escaped it for the most part. Unfortunately, my mom spent the entire night before Christmas throwing up. She at least felt good enough to enjoy the festivities from her chair behind Mackayla in this picture.


Lots of new toys






Playing guitars



I love Jacob's face in this picture



Grandpa Santa burning the wrapping paper



Mackayla and Bradley have been asking for a pogo stick for Christmas for years. We finished off the presents with the kids finally receiving their pogo stick.



Then we had some Cinnamon rolls and fruit for breakfast



Taking Mackayla's new dog for a walk.  We can't wait for Christmas to come again this year!