Sweet Sixteen

It’s been a few years since Jordan has had a birthday party, now don’t get to quick and make me out as the worst mother in the world.  She’s had a cake every year with presents and a special dinner, but she’s not had friends over to celebrate in a while.  In fact, the last party she remembers with fond memories was the year she turned 12 and we loaded up in the car with cake and presents and went to the Oklahoma State Veterinary clinic.  Chad was working that night and couldn’t be home to celebrate, so there we sat in the middle of the student lounge singing happy birthday dear Jordan.  As I recall there was even a few other vet students helping us sing. 

So this year we wanted to have something SPECIAL, I mean afterall, a girl only turns 16 once!
After weeks of thinking and having NO, and I mean NO input from the birthday girl I decided to have her friends get pedicures...however where in Forks do you find someone to come and give a bunch of teenagers pedicures on a Saturday night?  Answer, no where!  So I went to the local (an hour away) Dollar Store and loaded up on supplies.  After a few hours browsing Pinterest for the latest and greatest ways to apply a home pedicure. 

 

 

Not everyone can say they had a 4 year old and 9 year old give them a pedicure. 

Morgan was thrilled to be able to paint toenails and making everyone sparkle. 

The birthday girl is still humble enough to make sure little brother is included. 

Mom and Dad made their best attempt to make a giraffe print cake. 

 It wasn't from the pros, but it was made with lots of love. 

See she even got presents, again this year. 

Try Again

I think it's time to revisit the blogging world.  I have missed keeping a family journal in this way, mainly because it hasn't been happening. Sure I post the occassional photo on Facebook, but I rarely post the adventure or result along with that picture.  So, if there is anyone out there still who might happen to occassionally look at this blog bear with me while I attempt to ressurect this project. 

For now, have an enjoyable November! 

P.S. Happy 16th Birthday to Jordan!!

A little bit of nostalgia



As the ornaments were removed from their year of hiding, I found myself really reflecting on the journey they have made.  Luckily, our family took that journey with them and have so many memories that accompany each and every ornament that hangs on the tree. 

 

 

 

The years each of our children were born will always hold a special memory.  We recall each childs first Christmas and experience with the lights, the sounds and smells of Christmas.  I can only imagine how it must have felt that night in Bethlehem when Mary and Joseph looked down upon their little miracle, knowing he was a miracle to the world and would grow to be the Savior to us all.  



 

 

The sheep ornament represents numerous events to our family.  It was given to us by Lyle "Doc" McNeal, a professor at Utah State University.  He not only educated the parents of the household, gave the girls a love for sheep watch but also became a very dear friend.  The snowflake ornament, brought back memories of alot of different things, from Jordan playing in the snow the night we got 18" in one night to our Christmas' spent with not even a hint of a snowflake in the air.  It's been fun to recall each childs first experience with snow.  Oklahoma State was a big year for us, it not only brought Kordale into the world, but was also a beginning to the end of school.  We spent our last Christmas as students there and made so many fun memories.  

 

Our truly homemade Christmas' will probably always be the ones we remember the most, at least the two older girls.  As we removed these special ornaments from the box with great care Jordan and Tori both had memories come flooding back.  From collection the sea glass and carefully hot gluing them to our hand me down ornaments.  The following Christmas we got a little more creative and gathered shells from the beach to make our angels, whos heads were formed from modeling clay because wooden balls were to expensive.  We made our angels with The Kitsmiller family and will always remember Christmas with them. 

Here is our final masterpiece! 

May your Christmas be as memorable as ours. 

Crazy little thing called life!

It's crazy how quickly life can run away with all your time.  We have been overly busy all summer!  I don't know about the rest of the family, but this mom is looking forward to winter and possibly life getting to slow down a little. 

Girls camp

Just hanging out at girls camp this week, stay tuned for more info when we get home!

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Girls camp

Hanging out at girls camp for the week. More details to follow

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

It's official!!

After many years of grueling online classes between helping Chad through veterinary school, I have earned my own diploma!!!