Birthday Swim Party

Going to the Rec Center to swim is a favorite activity of the kiddos...and that is how Bailey wanted to celebrate her birthday with the cousins.  It was perfect, because we could celebrate 3 February birthdays all at one time.  Happy birthday AGAIN, Bailey! 

Man Alive! Bailey is 5!

Bailey had been counting down the days until her 5th birthday for the last 36 days.  Finally, last Saturday the big day was here!  Bayz had a weekend-long celebration, starting with a friend party on Friday afternoon (which I didn't get ANY pictures of).  She decided on a cowboy/cowgirl party and she had a great time.  Saturday morning (on her actual bday) Cory made her breakfast and then Mimi and Papa came over and watched her open presents.  She also got her bday flowers from her dad, which is something the girls always look forward to.  Later that day we went out to dinner with her little friend who lives next door (and who's 5th bday was the week before).  Sunday we had dinner over at Mimi and Papa's and opened presents from the rest of the family.  She was pooped by the end of the weekend, but she had fun!

Z had to get in on the bday picture.

FINALLY!  She is 5!

Mime and Papa and Bailey

 B and her birthday flowers from her dad.

Sledding Accident

A huge sledding hill + an out of control sledder (Riley) + a kid we don't know just sitting at the bottom of the hill = a broken hand for Riley.

Yep, Ry went sledding with Uncle Dave and her cousin, Brody, a few weeks ago and hurt her hand on the last run of the day.  I thought it was just bruised, so we waited a few days to see if it would start to feel better.  On day #3 after the accident I took her to the doctor and found out she had fractured a bone in her hand...her LEFT hand (yes, she is left-handed).  She was in a splint for a few days, and then has been in a cast for the last two weeks...two more weeks to go and it can come off.  Ry has been a pretty good sport about it, considering she missed the last three weeks of basketball and getting her school work done has been more difficult.  On the plus side, Ry said at least her teacher said she wouldn't be grading her handwriting until she gets her cast off!

Her hand wasn't looking too good...so off to the doctor we went.

 First the splint....

 then the cast.  

Grandpa Bluth

Cory's grandpa, Gayle "Chato" Bluth passed away this past Saturday (January 19th).  He was a good man and will be missed!  Here are some of our favorite pictures with Gandpa:

Christmas

We spent Christmas at home this year...Christmas Eve was spent at my parent's house with all of my siblings and their kiddos.  We had the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, even though my mom tries every year to "do something different" for dinner.  She has tried to have mexican food (nope), soups (no thanks), and even a chili feed (really?).  All three of my siblings and I say if it ain't the way we have done it for the last 30+ years, then we ain't coming!  Ma got the message and we had the traditional cheese ball, little smokies for the kiddos, Grandma Barbara's baked beans, different dips, etc. We even had Great-Grandma Gommy's orange cake for dessert.  After dinner we watched the nativity story on TV and everyone filled out an index card guessing where Mimi and Papa would be called on their mission when they turn in their papers in a few months.  I guessed Alberta, Canada.  Bailey guessed Alaska.  Ry guessed Australia, and Cory guessed London, England (I think).  Guess we'll have to wait and see who was closest!

Christmas morning we woke up to a dumping of snow.  Mimi and Papa were going to go up to Bountiful to my sister's on Christmas morning, but because of the weather they got to come over here, instead.  The kids were waiting for Mimi and Papa to get here at 6:45, and after seeing that Santa came, we started in on the gifts.  

Papa being Santa on Christmas Eve.

Cory reading "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids before bed on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning waiting for Mimi and Papa to get here.

Cute girls!

Poor Bayzie was sick on Christmas...a terrible cough and stuffy nose made for terrible night's sleep on Christmas Eve.

Zane got to open the first present...we didn't think he would be too interested in the actual presents but boy were we wrong.  He LOVED opening presents and as soon as he saw what was inside was saying "help, help, help" over and over until one of us would help him get the toy out of the box.  

 This was Z's present from Grandma and Grandpa Bluth.  He loves it!  It was the year of the truck and tractor for Z...every present he got had wheels on it.  He was in heaven.

 Ry and her new American girl doll.  Ry also got a gear bike that she had been wanting from Santa.

 Cory wanted to get Z a metal Tonka dump truck like the one he had growing up in Mexico.  Again, Z was in heaven.

 Mims and Papa on Christmas morning.

 Bayz opening up her presents.  She got a "human Ariel" doll from Santa, and she and Riley got a Barbie doll house from us.  

Bailey's Dance Recital

Bailey started taking ballet classes with her best friend in early fall.  They have been practicing for their winter dance recital for months, and they had their "Snow White" recital last weekend.  Bailey was in HEAVEN with her pink tutu costume!  I know she likes lessons, and being on stage was fun, too, but NOTHING compared to being dressed in that costume! Oh, and their teacher asked them to wear make-up to the recital...that was pretty awesome, too!

Bailey and her little ballet buddy after class one day.

The pink tutu:

 All ready for her recital.

The Remodel

When we bought our house 3 1/2 years ago I told Cory I wanted to redo the counters in the kitchen and make the counter all one level...well, it's FINALLY done!!!!  Here are the before and after pictures...even Cory admits we should have done this project a long time ago!  I love how it turned out.

Before:

 During: NOT fun to be without running water in the kitchen, a kitchen sink, or a dishwasher for TWO WEEKS!  

After:  I LOVE it!!!!!!!!