Anndra's 'big 5' b-day party

In our family, we've chosen to give our kids their first 'friend' birthday party when they turn 5. Anndra was well aware of this, having watched Lincoln wait until he was five to have his first big party. Anyway, I'm pretty sure this party was the most ANTICIPATED 5-year-old birthday party ever. Anndra has been planning it for years.  I'm not kidding.  She's been talking about party plans more and more the past few months and of little else in the weeks and days leading up to it. Amazingly, I think the party lived up to everything she imagined.  Here are pictures of the happy event.

the guests

the decorations

the cupcakes

kicked off the morning with PINK PANCAKES

fun with balloons

pin-the-tail (and horn) on the unicorn

the girls loved watching me spin each friend around

dance, dance, dance!

glitter paint - so glamorous!

pinata (Kyla trying to decide which string to yank)

helping Anndra open her presents

New 'Neighbors', New School Year, New Job

We have had quite a month with getting the boys back into school, starting to nanny Ada full-time, and best of all: having Grandy & Gpa Paul move in next door!

silly mustache fun during a playdate

taking Ada to the pool

falling asleep at Lincoln's meet-the-teacher night

Grandy-granddaughter snack time

I love the way Parker plays with Ada after school

their funny little games help him unwind after a long day of learning

Anndra adores all living creatures - even worms!

teaching Ada how to make pizza - notice the alligator under Anndra's arm... she never does anything without a stuffed animal or two in her hands these days

showing off the sunflower book he made at school

thanks to Ada, Anndra has re-discovered the joy of swinging

even the boys have gotten in on it

this little lady brings some much-needed sparkle into my day

lately playing 'dress-up' is about jewelry, not costumes

we call Lincoln our little monkey - he can climb anything!

walking up the path at Logan Pass

picking flowers and enjoying the view

Camping at Hungry Horse Labor Day weekend

We finished off our summer with a great family camp-out.

Ada & Anndra went up early with me to claim our spot...

...and set up the tent (which Ada thought was a grand adventure in itself).

P's friend Graham and his family were just a few campsites away.

We did LOTS of kayaking, but since I don't have any pics of that you get these of us milling about the campsite instead

Lincoln pretending to be a little old man

Anndra's favorite thing (wearing pajamas EVERYWHERE) works for camping too!

The Papa kept a great fire going for his chilly children.

Such a great little smile

Linc took this ugly pic of me, but since it is the ONLY one - I have to include it to prove I was there!

Utah trip (mid August)

We made the drive down to Utah (once again!) because we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Erika and her girls before their move to Germany.

The cousins (except Ellie & Jane) at FHE Sunday (with Gpa Paul in the back)

Jessie helping Jane read a story from the friend for FHE lesson

Ellie chillin' in Relief Society

Running errands with Grandy & Gpa Paul on Monday

On our way to the Ogden Temple open house on Tuesday

The whole gang (including Aunt Camile & Uncle Tod) at Ogden Temple

The boys messing around on the driveway Wednesday

With so many girl cousins, these fellas have to stick together

Anndra excited about new pajamas

Aquarium on Thursday

Parker & Bruce

Lincoln & Maren

Kate, Anndra, Addie (and Ellie running by)

Everyone loved the rope bridge!

Addie being so brave

Parker couldn't believe he didn't have to help any little ones

Our three 4-year-olds in Jessie's backyard - playing ponies of course!

These girls are so wonderfully unique - it's a small miracle anytime they actually agree on something

Jane and Lincoln at the park Friday

Erika and Addie

Mini-golf on Saturday

Carousel at the pizza place