Happy 7th Birthday, Arianna!

Arianna with her Birthday Caterpillar

Arianna turned 7 years old today!  We have had a very special day.  Even the weather gave us a treat!  It got up to 72 degrees today!  Arianna got rollerblades for her birthday, so she took full advantage of the gorgeous weather and went rollerblading 3 times!  We also met up with several homeschooling families at the park this morning and then Dad joined us for a picnic lunch.  (When you have this kind of weather in January, you've got to forget about the regular schedule and enjoy it while you can!  Of course, this sort of thing is hard for someone like me who is pretty rigid about our school schedule!) 
For breakfast, Arianna chose to have blueberry breakfast cake, green eggs (made with kale- no joke she picked that!), and of course, the Birthday Caterpillar.  Delicious!  For dinner we had Chicken pot pie and even broke out a bottle of Martinelli's.  We will have ice cream cake for dessert.  (Thanks, Betsy for the inspiration- it's the best!)  Arianna and Emma had piano lessons this afternoon and their teacher even took the time to go rollerblading with them afterwards. 
On Friday we are having a couple of families over to celebrate even more!  Arianna is very excited about that evening.  It should be lots of fun!  At Christmas time my mom gave me a castle cake making set, so I get to make that cake on Friday.  Ice cream cake was more up my alley these days (i.e. super easy to make!), but the things we do for the love of our children, right?! Thank you very much, Mother, for further complicating my life! 
We are so glad to have Arianna in our family!  Arianna is witty, happy, intelligent, fun-loving, snugly, and sweet.  She is in 1st grade this year and is learning so much.  She already knows how to write in cursive, reads like a champ!, is learning Latin, and is really good at math.  We are so proud of her!  Love you, Arianna! 
Don't forget to checkout her Birthday interview after the pictures! 

Three happy girls ready for a birthday breakfast.

Mommy making the caterpillar

Getting ready to eat. . .

Diving in!

Opening gifts.  Arianna made this birthday sign last year.  I think she was jealous that for so many years we have just used the one Emma made.

Her siblings bought her little animals and made barns for her.

Kate is excited about the new horse, too!

She's a happy girl!  Look at those cool barns!

 Unfortunately, a few days ago, the doorbell rang during resting time and the girls made it to the door before I could.  Arianna's rollerblades had come in the mail with no outer box!!!  So, Arianna knew what she was getting for her birthday.  At least the first thing I heard her say when I came downstairs and she was looking at the box was, "They're beautiful!"

Strapping on the rollerblades for the first time!

Kate wants to be part of all the action!

Arianna's piano teacher went rollerblading with her this afternoon.  So nice of her!

Arianna made a lot of improvement today from this morning!

Chicken pot pie for dinner

Our dear neighbor, Melody, gave Arianna a plate of cookies this afternoon.  She is excited to share with her art class tomorrow afternoon.

Ice cream cake!  We face-timed Grandma Pilz for the singing and blowing out of the candles.  It was fun to have her 'here' with us!

Arianna chose penguins (mom and babies) to be on her cake this year- fitting for an ice cream cake, I'd say!

Here is the Birthday Interview:  Note: Grant's commentary (some, but not all included) was funny.

Do you have a nick name?  Yes.  What is it? Anna.  
What do you enjoy doing most?  Watching television.  Wait, no - being pushed on the swing and rollerblading.
What is your favorite book?  Geronimo Stilton.
What is your favorite animal?  Goat.  
     Since when: Oh, a few days ago.

     Why?  Because.

What is your favorite color?  Yellow.

What is your favorite food? Banana cookies and ice-cream.

What is your favorite treat?  Chocolate and candy canes.  [Grant: Yeah, she's in love with that stuff]

What is your favorite song?  Our Father has a Family.  [Mom: The name of it is: "The Family is of God."]

What is your favorite movie or show?  Frozen. 

What is your favorite thing to do?  I think I already told you that.  Television, rollerblading and swinging. [Grant: Burping.  Check it out.]

Where is your favorite place to go?  The zoo.  Wait no.  Don't write that.  I didn't mean to say that.  And, and, and Pump it Up - The place where you bounce on things.

Have you ever caught a fish?  Yes, wait no.  [Grant: Dad, I've caught a fish, at the farm.  A blue gill.  Ask me.]

What is your favorite toy?  All my animals.  What's your favorite one?  The Goat.  [Grant: I knew it]

What is your favorite sport?  What's that mean?  What athletic event do you like to play the most? What we play with you.  Baseball.  You know.  Do you mean soccer?  The one where we get the ball in the goals.  We run around the backyard kicking it in the goal.  [Emma: That's soccer, Arianna]  Oh, well, whatever you call it.

What is your favorite time of the day?  The middle of the day. [Grant: That's the afternoon]  Wait no, lunch time.

     Why? Because I don't feel as overwhelmed.

Who is your best friend?  [after much thought] Rachel.  Rachel Ellsworth.  What about Emma?  She's my sister, not my best friend.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A farmer and a veterinarian.

Who is going to pay for your college education?  Dad.

Who loves you the most?  Heavenly Father.

What have you learned in your years of experience so far?  To clean up.  To clean up what?  Everything.

Anything else?  No.

What grade are you in?  First Grade.

How is school going for you?  Pretty much good.  I finished all my school today except what I needed to do with Mom - She was too busy today.

Are you a mammal, an amphibian or a reptile?  Umm reptile.  [Grant: Omnivore.  A plant eater.]

How many marbles have you eaten this week?  None.
How soon will you seek employment to help pay the family bills and fund this operation?  Never.
On what day of the week were you born?  Wednesday.  Is that really it?  I think I was born Monday.
Can we be done?
If you encountered a predator crossing the road, please describe what you would do first:  I would just walk by.

What are you going to do for your special day today?  I don't know. 

What does Dad do for work?  I don't know.

What does Mom do for work?  Clean the house.

Do you treat your siblings well?  I don't know.

Do you love them?  Sometimes.

Arianna, how would you describe yourself?  Beautiful.  I want to be done.

Any last words for your Birthday interview?  I love you.  Just me?  Everybody.  Can I go now?

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

 

Enjoying the lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday!  I must admit, the business of the season with baking, caroling, present preparations, etc. about wore me out. (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that baby #5 is due in July!)  But, we made it!  A few days before Christmas, we traveled to Colorado and Utah to be with family.  First, we stayed at my sister Sheri's home outside of Denver for two nights.  The timing of our visit was great because we arrived just before her children all came home for the holiday.  All but one of her 8 children were there!  (One is serving a mission in Brazil).  One of them, Cami, I hadn't seen in 5 years!  She has served a mission, gotten married and had a child since I saw her last!  We were able to see my other sister, Terilynn, her husband,  and her children- Ryan, Elisha, Trisha and Christina- the next day.  So great to be able to catch up with everyone!  I did not do a good job of taking pictures of our time in Colorado- we were just soaking up being with everyone!
Sunday morning, we attended Sacrament meeting with Sheri and her family.  It was the day of their Christmas program and, being a musical family, they shared their musical talents in a few numbers.  It was incredible!   My niece, Debi played 'O, Come Emmanuel' on the harp accompanied by her brother, Derek, on the cello.  It was incredible!  I thoroughly enjoyed being there. 
We left after sacrament meeting to make the drive to my mom's in Salt Lake City.    The kids actually did quite well traveling this trip.  I read a loud The Forgotten Carols by Michael McClean, listening to each of the songs along with the story.  It was very nice.  It is a favorite of Kenneth's and I loved reading it again.  I was still touched and got emotional which the girls always think is funny/ interesting.  Emma told us afterwards that she felt the spirit during the  'Let Him In' song.  Pretty special. 
We also started to listen to The Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett. One of my most favorite books from my childhood.  The girls didn't want to stop listening!  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it again after all these years. 
We had a great time being with my mom!  She lives right in the heart of Salt Lake City, so we walk out of her apartment building and are on Temple Square.  We made several trips over there and to the conference center, Joseph Smith building and Deseret Book.  So much fun!

Grant with his reindeer pancakes

Cute!

During a tour of the conference center.  It was interesting with these kiddos. Notice Grant crawling on the ground behind the roped off area.  Nice.  That is the original of that painting.  Isn't it amazing! 

The girls in the Conference Center

Walking back to my mom's apartment. . .or shall I say running?  I love her face in this one!

Monday evening, Emma, Arianna and I went to see the Nutcracker ballet performed by a community ballet.  It was very well done and we thoroughly enjoyed it!  It was special to share that with the girls. 

These girls looked so beautiful for our outing!  Here they are posing with Grandma's nutcracker to remember the night.

We will remember this night!  What a great memory!

Grandma sure made special food for us!

On Tuesday, we did some more sightseeing around the temple square area. In the afternoon,  Kenneth and I were able to a session in the Salt Lake Temple.  It was wonderful~ especially since we live 3 hours from the temple here in Kansas.  While we were at the temple, Grandma made gingerbread houses with the kids.  They loved it!  What a good grandma!  In the evening, friends from our ward in California, the Lindsays, came to eat dinner with us.  They are in Salt Lake serving a mission at the family history library and live right above my mom in the same apartment building!

View from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Arianna and downtown Salt Lake City

The interesting big Christmas tree in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  I had to hold those little ones to get them to stay in the picture!

All of us hanging out enjoying the view

The kids thought these were cool!

Hello, Santa Baby!

Grant is so proud of himself!

The girls had so much fun decorating these little houses.

Our family and my mom with the Lindsays.

Wednesday morning while my mom, Kate and I went out to get our celebratory food for that evening and Christmas morning, Kenneth took the big kids out to temple square and specifically to the visitors' centers. 

In front of the conference center

Three cute kiddos from the South visitors center.

Grant in front of the Temple model.

Grant with the Nativity on the reflecting pool.

Blowing their trumpets like Moroni in front of the temple doors.  The gospel has been restored!

Kids with the Christus Statue

With Daddy!

Wednesday night, Christmas Eve, we walked over to see the lights of temple square up close.  A couple of years when we were there at Christmastime, it was so cold we could hardly enjoy seeing the lights.  But, this year was pleasantly chilly without being uncomfortable.  I was grateful!

Getting on the elevator to go see the lights.  It's fun to have a grandma who lives in an apartment building!

Beautiful

I don't ever get tired of seeing these lights.

Happy Kate during the outing.

Gorgeous!

I can't even imagine putting all those lights on the trees!

Bad picture, but I love how Emma takes such good care of Kate!

Daddy and the kids

 We came home, read the Christmas story, had dessert, and the kids opened their pajama present.

Kate's first!

She sure is pleased with her pajamas!

When they were all in their pajamas, the games began- - the elf riding the reindeer, etc.

Grandma joined them in her red pajamas.  Now Santa is riding the reindeer!

 
 

Love this one!

With Grandma!

Last but not least, Arianna remembered to put out Santa's cookies! Yes, it's a camel and 2 wise men.  (Daddy ate the third one not knowing it was supposed to be for Santa)

Christmas morning was fun and magical with the kids.  After packing up and having some lunch we drove up to Logan to share the rest of the day with Kenneth's sister, Karen, and her family and his brother, Dennis. 

Opening stockings

Kate got a new hat!

Treasures!

Grandma made special cinnamon rolls

Kenneth with our third annual smoked salmon Christmas breakfast.  Yum!  We added capers this year- even better!

Arianna and Emma each got their own set of scriptures with their names on it.

Emma made Grandma a necklace that said how much she loved her. 

It snowed on Christmas and was beautiful!  Luckily, it wasn't enough snow to make the trip up to Logan dangerous.   Karen made a killer Christmas dinner which we all really enjoyed.  After we got the little children down for the night the rest of us had a gift exchange sort of activity that Kenenth and I prepared.  It was a riot!

Karen got a crepe maker

Allen got. . .er. . .packing peanuts!  Just kidding- he got a gift card.

Kenneth lovingly gave his brother a pet harness- to signify his upcoming marriage. Ha ha!

The next few days were spent playing and enjoying time together.  Kenneth's brother, Dennis, who lives in Logan, was recently engaged and we were able to spend more time with his fiancé and get to know her better. They are getting married in March, so we'll come back to Utah for that!  We went to the Logan temple two times!  Wonderful!  Monday morning, we went into Logan to visit the Ralphs who moved from our ward here in Kansas at the end of the summer.  It was fun to see them and their little baby.  We are so thankful for friends we have made that are scattered all over the country! 
Kenneth's other brother, Jason, and his family, came up to join the party for a few days.  Good times.    Karen is such a gracious host.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time there in the beautiful Cache valley.  Oh!  And Kenneth and his brother got to go skiing, which they really enjoyed.  They wanted to go a second day, but, it turned frigid and they had a tiling project to do at Karen's, so they didn't. 
I got the stomach bug that Arianna had TWICE during our visit to Utah, but luckily it was short-lived and we were able to keep to our regular travel schedule. 

Dancing with Xbox 360.  Boy was that fun!  Even Kate got into it!

Karen, the kind, fun-loving soul that she is, made the girls 'snow'.  Boy did they have fun!  Sorry kids of mine- that was way too messy for me to want to attempt at home!

Arianna really got into it- literally!

The girls put on a play for all of us.  They had a lot of fun!

Part of the play

Watching a replay of the play since Dennis and Beth missed it.

Kate with Uncle Dennis

All the cousins together with one unhappy Kate

The whole bunch of us together

Kenneth insisted we stop and get a picture of him here.  Right above Bear Lake.  It was beautiful- this picture doesn't do it justice. 

We stayed New Year's Eve with my nephew outside of Denver and then returned home on Thursday the 1st. 

Kate loved seeing my nephew's baby!  She couldn't get enough of that live little 'doll'!

On our drive home I started feeling under the weather and wasn't able to do hardly anything on Friday- I laid around all day and fed the kids cereal.  By Saturday morning I could hardly move and decided to go to the doctor.  She figured in was bronchitis and gave me an antibiotic, which, in combination of lots of rest really helped me to get over it pretty quickly.  Kenneth did an awesome job of taking care of everything while I was out of commission.  He made dinner one night and was so proud of himself for sprucing up the jar of spaghetti sauce.  I think he really enjoyed cooking!  (Maybe I should let him do it more often!)  During the course of my recovery, Kate, Grant and Arianna all got the stomach bug.  And Kenneth shortly thereafter.  Boy!  What a week it was!  Seems we are in the clear now, thank heavens.  Sure does make you appreciate being healthy when you deal with that much sickness! 
Well, there you have it.  Just took me a month to get this posted.  That's about par for me nowadays.  We had a great holiday.  Grant declared that next year was the year to stay at home and not travel.  I think maybe I agree with him.  It is fun to travel and be with family, but there is also something special about staying at home in your own home for Christmas.  We'll plan on it!