Kacy is 5!

My baby girl turned 5!! 

It has become a tradition in our family to get breakfast in bed on your birthday and the breakfast they usually choose to receive is their name spelled out in pancakes. Kacy gets her "KACY" pancakes.

One thing she kept saying over and over was she wanted balloons for her party. We spent all morning blowing up almost 50 balloons which the kids discovered was really fun to bury each other in balloons. Many popped during the 'digging' out phase.

We had a great 5 year old party! We played games, danced, kept balloons flying, made Froot Loop bracelets, ate pizza and decorated cupcakes.

Kacy loved all the attention and was thrilled to be surrounded by her friends.

I love this happy, fun loving, always singing and dancing little girl!! It is crazy and exciting to think she will begin Kindergarten in the Fall.

All the kids decorated and frosted their own cupcakes. I have never seen so many sprinkles fit on one cupcake. They loved it!

Oh yeah, I didn't leave all the dressing up to the kids. Too bad you can't see my tutu and fairy wand. The kids thought it was pretty funny. ;)

Happy 10th Anniversary to us!!

Ten years ago I married this awesome man:

I am more in love and proud of him today than ever before!

10 years! TEN years! It has been a wonderful and terrific 10 years!

Here is a list of our "Top 10" as I look back on the last 10 years:

1. Getting Married and Sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Mesa, AZ Temple

2. Becoming parents to Bridger James

3. Becoming parents to Kacy Ann

4. Becoming parents to Aron Donald

5. Vacations! Nauvoo, Costa Rica, Cancun, Washington DC, New York City, Florida Keys, Hawaii, Carribean Cruise, visiting family in Arizona, California, New York, Maryland, Texas and Ohio, and going to Israel!!

6. Graduating from BYU together

7. Moving to Bedford, TX

8. Moving to Oregon (and living in Lake Oswego and Sherwood)

9. Camping, hiking, family 5k's, road trips, snow shoeing, theme parks, regular parks, riding bikes and many nights of FHE

10. Building a happy, healthy family

On our big day Jim planned our night out by making one of these folded paper games (I think it is called an origami fortune) and I had to 'choose' how the night unfolded by revealing what was under a paper folded flap. It was fun to feel like a 10 year old with the Origami and to have a choose your own adventure activity. Since we only chose one of the 4 activities and restaurants we now have a couple more date nights already planned- bonus!

Of course our BIG celebration was going to Israel for our 10th Anniversay. And we got to share some of that experience with these fine folks.

And yes, more about that trip is coming! I just need to comb through the 2 camera phones and Go Pro material we took and pick the best shots.

Israel, Day 1 - Traveling

We had a wonderful Christmas week with my whole family, but it came time to say good-bye and travel to Israel!

It was hard for me to leave! Not only was the house full of people I love, but my mommy sense was on overdrive and the reality if leaving my kids for 10 days to be across the globe made me a little emotional.

However, I know my kids are in great hands and I am so grateful for my family who will be taking great care of them. 

So, we are going to enjoy this trip to the fullest! We know it is a trip of a lifetime and it is a great opportunity.

We boarded "El Al" airlines and it was officially the biggest plane I have ever been on.

We got a nice surprise because it was a full flight but we somehow got the only empty seat next to us, so Jim and I were able to spread out a little on the 15 hour flight.

I spy Tel Aviv!

The guidebook says "you should get by with knowing only English". Good thing!

We have our rental car and we are off!

After a long travel day we made it to our first destination outside Toberius. We are staying two nights in the "Shavit Family Guesthouse" in Arbel. The owner, names Israel, is an amazing cook. We enjoyed lamb casserole for dinner, which was osso bucco lamb roasted with onion, garlic, pear, potatoes and carrots in a ceramic dish. Also had some cabbage salads and fresh crostini bread with house made bruschetta-type spreads to go on top. So yummy!

Bridger is seven!

Bridger is 7 years old!

We were in Arizona for the big day and celebrated with pancakes spelling out his name.

After some fun and games at home we headed for the pool for a pizza party.

We had family pictures scheduled as a group, so we got cleaned up.

Smile!

We headed to the Mesa LDS temple for Christmas lights and visitor center time.

Caught a beautiful sunset.

We finished the night with special order chocolate-chocolate Dilly bars.

Yum!

We also celebrated Bridger's birthday before we left with a friend Star Wars pizza party.

We had a paper airplane throwing contest, hide and go seek in the dark, ate pizza and cake, opened presents (lots of Star Wars and Lego stuff!) and even turned on episode 4 for a bit.

Bridger was thrilled and had a great time. His teacher also recognized him in class before Christmas break let out, which meant a lot to him.

Happy Birthday Bridger! You are a smart, happy, helpful, wonderful boy! We love you!

Christmas in Arizona

Christmastime is here and we had my whole side of the family gather under one roof for some family togetherness.

We had 9 adults and 6 kids all under one roof!

Enjoying the sunshine!

We had enough kids for an official kids table! They loved it!

We role played the Nativity story. Kacy took her duties as Mary very seriously.

Grand kids with grandma

Christmas Jammie's!

Christmas morning!

We enjoyed multiple trips to the pool.

We had great for hiking. 

Bridger climbed up to the top of hole in the rock twice.

The kids loved the train park.

These kids turned into part fish with all the swimming we did!

Cannonball competition!

It was a great week in Arizona for Christmas!