My daughter turned 8

There is just something about birthdays that make me a little weepy. Maybe it's that darn slide-show I've started putting together for each child for their birthday. Looking at all those pictures, seeing how they have grown up, how fast time has flown by, how sad I am that they are growing up but so thrilled that they are becoming such amazing young people. It's enough to get me teary-eyed real quick. Kate's 8th birthday has been especially tender for me as I have asked myself - have I taught her enough? Is she ready to be accountable for her own choices? Yikes it's scary being a mom.  Yet somehow our kids seem to learn despite our many, many faults. Don't get me wrong, we definitely have our struggles, but as I look at Kate I am just so happy with her and the young woman she is growing up to be.

  Here are eight of my most favorite things about Kate:

She is so thoughtful and loves doing things for other people.

She loves to help me do things around the house and take care of her brother and sister.

She loves to sing.

She is a planner and very detail-oriented - in fact she started making very detailed plans about her birthday celebration a couple months ago :)

She loves to learn in school and in the Gospel.

She has the greatest laugh and smile.

She tries so hard to do what is right.

She always gives me lots of hugs and tells me she loves me all the time - especially when she can tell I'm "stressed out".

We are so blessed to have Kate in our family!

Her birthday was on a school night and she also had gymnastics that day so things we pretty crazy. But Grandma Ginger came and helped me with everything that day - what a gem! Grandpa Sam, Bailey, Darren, Brandi, Cade and Blakely came over for cake and presents. Fun times.

Kate had requsted a butterfly cake and so I copied this one off one of my fave cooking blogs - the Sisters Cafe.

 



Sorry guys, but Blakely was our cutest guest, hands down.

 



Some of her favorite gifts!



 

Love this girl!

Gas Works Park

Brent was feeling adventurous and we took a last minute trip downtown to gas works park last weekend.  It was early evening and just beautiful - we have been having the most gorgeous weather here lately!  I am loving every second of it.  I took the chance to try playing with my camera and got a few good ones, plus a couple more that may not be the "best photos" but that I really love anyway.

 

 

She was getting pretty good at climbing that pole!

 



Love the skyline in the background - see the space needle?

 



Sadie found a fuzzy Caterpillar

Spence was running around like a maniac :)

Kate took this one of Brent and I

It was a lovely day.

First day of school 2012

We're alive! Wow, I can't believe it's been over a year since I posted on this blog. But the new school year has me trying to get back on top of things, and that includes sharing snippets of our lives for family and friends. If anyone reads this blog still then hope you enjoy!

The first day of school was exciting this year. Kate is in 2nd grade and had picked out her outfit well in advance. We even pulled off a fancy hairstyle - which was quite a feat because I am not good at braids.

Sadie started Kindergarten and she was thrilled! I was a nervous wreck sending her off to school because I'm so scared of her getting hurt (and we have had plenty of meetings with the school trying to make things safe for her). But she was all smiles - except for the camera.... she hates when I turn into the papparazzi.  This was a lucky catch between all the annoyed faces :)

And here's a picture of Spencer for good measure.  (Yes he is eating cucumbers with nutella.  We have resorted to letting him eat basically anything he wants just in hope that he will actually eat something!)  All day long he kept asking me where Kate and Sadie were.  He was so lost without them.  When we picked up Sadie (she has half day) he shouted her name across the courtyard and was so excited.  Then he couldn't figure out why Kate wasn't coming home with us.  Sorry buddy, she has to stay at school a little longer...