LONG OVERDUE: Easter Pix!

This Easter, Caroline and I tried the sunrise service and although it was dark at first when we arrived, it was quite moving. We came home and colored eggs with Kaley and then all went to my parents for the annual brunch and egg hunt with the littlest members of the family. My girls helped their little Nieces, they had a blast and I have never seen so much candy in all my life! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday too. Here are some snaps from the festivities:

Here's what the girls woke up to bright and early on Easter...hooray for goodies!



Sisters checking out the loot on Easter morning...


Ouch!



Caroline gets down to eye level with chickie to teach her that pecking feet is not polite. :)



I think this picture of Kaley is beautiful!


This is my favorite shot of Caroline! She looks so pretty in her dress and is smiling so proidly with her chick in the basket. :)

Honor Roll Award-HOORAY for Caroline!

Last Thursday, our Caroline Elizabeth got an award for academic Honor Roll and for being a "star student" according to her teacher. We are SO proud! She has struggled this year with both her grades and behavior as many of you know, so a celebration was in order. After the award ceremony at school, I took her to the mall for yet MORE Webkinz as a reward. Here are some photos from the ceremony:


Check Liney out with her award (top left), she's so happy!




Here is our smarty pants with some of her 4th grade friends...



Grandma and Poppy came to support Caroline too!



Here is one proud Mom with her star student! :)


GO CAROLINE!!!!!

Kaley's Birthday-Part 3 (the last)!

We had part 3 of Kaley's birthday festivities last night...to celebrate her on the day. She requested spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for dinner and we included her Grandmother and her new friend in the fun. Grandmother brought her a cake (vanilla-her fave) so we blew candles out again and wished her the best 13th bday ever! Here are a few snaps...didn't get many as the camera was acting up (or was it the photographer...I really need to read the manual for my new camera, ha ha):


Kaley & her sister's chick...can you believe how big it's getting already?!


Doug's Mom and her new friend Joe helped celebrate on Kaley's actual bday on Wed.!


I love this pic of the birthday girl! :)

Kaley's 13th Birthday- Part-2

We had a lovely brunch with my entire family today and finished the rest of the huge cookie cake from the day before with everyone...



Carolie picked out this very pretty purple candle for her sister...sweet!



Whoa...awesome! A new 20" TV for her room from Mom and Dad!


Kaley got a DVD player from Grandma and Poppy to go along with her new tv!


Kaley is a very special young lady and is so blessed to have a family that loves and spoils her the way they do! She made out like a bandit and has been the center of attention (something she is shy about) all weekend...I think she's relieved to have 2 "regular" days before she officially becomes a teenager on Wed.! :) Stay tuned for part 3 soon...

Kaley's 13th Birthday- Part 1

Kaley Rose celebrated her upcoming 13th birthday this weekend with a great skating party with her friends. I think they all had a blast! Caroline was very brave and although petrified, didn't give up and ended up doing very well for her first time. I, on the other hand, only lasted on the ice for about 30 minutes...my ankles were killing me, LOL! I gave up and let my sister Lisa hang with the kids on the ice while I took pics and video. Kaley was most excited that her boyfriend Austin came to her party and was a good sport being the only boy there. He gave her a sterling silver heart necklace too...I've never seen her smile so big! She has some wonderful girlfriends too, so thanks Brooke, Sheryl, and Jordan for helping Kaley have a great birthday! I'll post some video, but here are some snaps from the fun:

SURPRISE! Look What Was Waiting For Me When I Got Home...

Yet ANOTHER Update (sorry, no pics yet)...

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've been down with the new flu strain that's kicking people's butts around here. It comes with the oh-so-much-fun side effect of extreme dizziness, LOL! While I was in bed with a high fever and spinning head, I channeled "Super Mom" (visual the air quotes people) long enough to get Kaley's bday festivities planned in 2 weeks. Can't wait to blog those pics as she is having an ice skating (her new fun hobby) party with some of her BFF's. I printed out a cool invite with a graphic of skates and she and I made a CD with the same graphic on the label called "Kaley's Skate Mix" as thank you's. I must have been delirious from the fever to have been that creative...I was impressed with myself and they turned out great too! Thanks to a special far away friend with the consult on those too. :) I now have only a handful of days left too process the fact that my firstborn will officially be a teenager, yikes! How come no one ever told us Mom's that we have to grow up again (and learn to let go) as our kids do?! I'm strapping on my seatbelt for what I know will be the scariest but best ever roller coaster ride of my life...wish me luck!