Taylin's 5th Birthday!

This past weekend we celebrated Taylin's 5th Birthday! I can't believe she is 5! Was it really five years ago when we brought her home for the first time? I tried telling Taylin that it was a special day for me, too. Getting sentimental with her, I told her that it was the day she came out of my tummy and that I had to do a lot work on that day, so that it was kind of a celebration for me too. She replies simply with an "oh," and a smile and then on with the rest of her special day! And oh it was a full day! We were awoken bright and earlier in the morning at 6:30am by her excitement from all the presents that were in the living room! So, first it was presents in her jammies and then her favorite breakfast, heart shaped strawberry pancakes and bacon! Then Grandma and Grandpa Troup arrived, we went to the store to pick up her balloons and birthday cake, and then home again for her princess party! We had 5 other little girls come over for her princess party which was full of princess crafts, games, cake and ice cream, and of course presents! After the party was over I was ready to collapse, but Taylin was sure not. We had promised her we would go to Peter Piper Pizza for dinner, so we ended her day with more games, pizza, and prizes! I don't think she could have asked for a better day. She says her favorite part was her party with her friends! (An improvement from last year, it was the presents that were her favorite part!)

Bright and early in the morning, riding her new bike!

Taylin's all decked out for her party!

My sissy!

Craft time!

This is serious stuff.

One of the finished products, princess wands!



Getting the wiggles out with Grandma, silly time is the best!

Presents!
And more presents!

CAMPING!

This past weekend we went camping at Clear Creek, which is about 1 hour southeast of Flagstaff. It was a beautiful weekend. We were trying to get out of the cold, and were successful to find 80 degree weather! It was perfect. Our first night was a little chilly, and we all bundled up with lots of layers and even our beanies, but when the morning came so did the sun! The girls had a blast just playing in the water with their buckets and fishing poles. We did a little hiking (walking) and a little fishing (Daniel caught one little one), and the rest of the time was spent relaxing and the typical camping chores. We saw a few different species that we haven't seen while camping, one was poison ivy, and the other was a weird looking centipede! We kept our distances and just enjoyed looking at them! We also were blessed to have our family grow after this trip. We left with just the four and 1/2 of us and came home with a lizard and 3 minnows! Daniel caught a lizard for the girls to see, and Taylin couldn't stand to let it go. So now, Sparkles (the Lizard) is in an giant Parmesan container with holes sitting on Taylin's dresser. We were privilege to go get crickets for it yesterday. The minnows were caught by Taylin and she decided Rayna needed a pet too! So, the minnows do not yet have names, but our now sitting on the girls dresser as well. I'm so excited to have these new members to our family (can you hear the sarcasm?).

Easter Events!

After our trip to the zoo, everyone met back at my parents house and we had dinner and the kids dyed their eggs. You would think 5 dozen eggs was enough, but they wanted more! In the morning they opened there easter baskets and then off to church we went! After church and lunch the kids got to do there long awaited Easter egg hunt! The little kids went first and then the big kids had their turn. Kolton had his last year being the younger child with an early start, he made out this year compared to his elder siblings (and their hunt involves money!) All in all it was a great weekend celebrating our Lord's Resurrection and trying to teach the little ones that it is not about all the extra fun activities we do, but about the empty tomb! The girls played hard and know are feeling the effects of some serious colds. I don't think all the wet rain and tons of candy helped!

The Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium

To start off our Easter Weekend we met up with my family at the Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium right outside of Phoenix. The kids had a blast. They saw all the animals, got to feed the parrots apples, touch the starfish, ride the carousel, feed the giraffes, go into the petting zoo, have an easter egg hunt, and finally ride the log ride! It was quite the day. We did get rained on quite a bit, but it definitely cooled things off. It was a whole family affair and was the first time my whole family has been together for a while. The girls just love being with their cousins!

Daddy and Rayna

Henry and Kyle on the Carousel

Rayna of course, wanted to go again!

Feeding the parrots with Aunt Jena

Jennica's got her parrot

I was fortunate enough to get pooped on! I just love parrots!

This beautiful peacock was struttin his stuff.

Rayna trying to pick up the baby deer in the petting zoo.

All of our little pirates before the log ride.

Cute Comments

Yesterday was one of those days that the girls were just full of cute little comments that made me smile. You may not see the humor in them, but they tickled me pink!

Comment #1

While getting ready for school in the morning I was doing Taylin's hair and I asked her to squat down. Rayna sitting close by awaiting her turn, confused says, "Mom, you squat when you go poo poos and pee pee." We have made her into our outdoor girl!

Comment #2

While at the store I bought the girls some candy as a treat. When we got back into the car and they were eating their candy Taylin says, "Ummm. Fresh Candy. It's so good." So, I guess candy has become a fruit!

Comment #3

We have been working on the days of the week with Taylin a lot lately and she has been trying to figure out how far things are away, by figuring out the days of the week with it (i.e. Easter). After one of those conversations, Rayna had been sitting there pondering something and she randomly blurts out, "Mom, on Friday's do you have to eat fried eggs?" This morning we had fried eggs for Rayna.

Lenten Singing

Yesterday, Taylin sang at her preschool for Lenten (Easter). The kids are so cute and so proud of themselves. Hopefully you can pick her out, she is way in the back with the bows that she had to wear!

Working On the Baby's Room

Here's some pics of the baby's room. We've been working on it, trying to get it done by know because this is when I tend to start having problems with my pregnancies. Although, this time around we're still doing good! Hopefully, things stay that way, and if you desire, I would love all the prayers about keeping this little one tight for another 6 and a half weeks! I have to say his room is not very original. It is a mix of Jaden's, the girls, and a little bit of his own stuff, although mostly all hand-me-downs! I guess that's what happens when your not the first child! We've still got to get some of the other baby accessories down from the attic and cleaned, but we've done a lot! I am starting to get anxious! If you can't tell by my 6 and a half weeks I've been counting down, and I think that makes it worse! I got to stop that! I think the Lord is definitely teaching patience right now.

1st Haircut!

The other day Rayna and I went to get her first haircut! She was such a big girl. She sat so still the whole time and just starred at herself in the mirror. After the stylist was done, she asked Rayna what she thought. With a big smile on her face, Rayna fluffs her hair with her hands and says, "It's beautiful," as she is looking in the mirror. She is so precious! It's amazing how all of that beauty stuff just comes so naturally girls!