Monday, January 26, 2009

The Party

Ella decided she wanted a My Little Pony party for her birthday. As we were decorating our living room for the party she was getting so excited. She would see her friends get out of the cars and then would run to the door to let them in. Ella seemed so surprised that her friends were bringing presents with them. I think she just thought they were coming over to play.


We played a few party games and then did the pinata. As we were planning the party she kept saying how she REALLY wanted a pinata. I have always thought they were cute but never wanted to pay that much for a 10 second game. But did I mention she REALLY wanted one?! She was always really sweet about it and we found a cute one so I caved. The only let down was that she wanted to hit it and the one we got had the ribbons that you pull. Not really a way to get out some aggression, but she seemed happy with it.

Playing pin the symbol on the pony.

I had to make Natalie really dizzy to make it fair.

The much anticipated pinata.

Ok I know it isn't a pony, but Rainbow Dash has a Rainbow as her symbol and that seemed much easier than trying to make a pony.



Getting ready to blow out the candles

Cameron enjoying his juice box.

Presents! Ella was so sweet when she opened her presents. She told each person thank you a million times and when she was done she said "Thank you guys this is such a lovely presents!" We were so happy that Ella's friends could help us celbrate!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Happy Birday Ella!

Today our sweet and sassy Ella turns 4! I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She adds so much fun and entertainment to our lives. Ella loves to play with her sister and brother, explore the backyard, dance to High School Musical, help in the kitchen, do her "homework" and do gymnastics. We love you Ella and are having a blast watching you grow up! Here are some pictures of her growing up (sorry I had a hard time choosing). Brand new! 9 1/2lbs and completely healthy. A true miracle.
Ella with Grandma Cindy on the day of her blessing.

Just looking cute!
For awhile she was always sticking out her tongue.

Taking a bath in grandma's sink.
8 months old and so cute in this sweater from Rabia!

6 1/2 months I think. :)
Have you ever seen a cuter swimsuit picture?!

She has always had her own sense of style.



Some wild morning hair after Ella cut it herself.

Silly faces.
Our big 4 year old!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year and Are You a Doctor?

At midnight in downtown Portland my sister Rachel and I rang in the New Year by running a 5K along the waterfront. It was cold and rainy with a lot of strange people, but was so fun! While we didn't win any prizes for our time or costumes we did finish strong and are already planning our next race. We took the Max down and back to avoid the nightmare of downtown parking and because it was free. On the way home there was only standing room for the first half of the ride. When we had a chance to sit down this guy leans over to me and says, "Are you a doctor?" Me trying to contain my laughter, "Uh, no." Guy, "Are you sure?" Me, "Yep I'm sure." I have been having to wear my glasses because of an eye infection so I thought I must look so smart with them that now people are thinking I am a doctor. Ha Ha. Maybe I will keep wearing them!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

100 Facts

I saw this idea on my sisters blog. The idea is to write 100 facts about yourself so people who don't know you and look at your blog will have some idea of who you are. Really I don't think many people will take the time to read 100 facts about me but I kind of wanted to see if I can come up with that many things.


1. I am the first girl after 6 boys.
2. I have 7 brothers and 2 sisters.
3. I think all of my kids have neat birthdays. Natalie's is my 1/2 birthday, Ella's is the same day as Eric's grandmas and Cameron's is the same day as Eric's moms and is 05/06/07.
4. I have an unhealthy fear of heights and bridges.
5. I don't like vegetables but I love artichokes.
6. Abe Lincoln and I share a birthday.
7. I always wished I had blond hair and blue eyes.
8. My younger brother knocked out one of my teeth with the plastic hose attachment from the vacuum. I now have a fake tooth.
9. I drink cocoa just about every single day.
10. When I was little I got mad and ran away to the forest in our yard. I think I was gone maybe 30min and no one noticed so I went inside.
11. My middle name is my moms first name, Mary.
12. My freshman year of college I fainted in health class with about 200 people when they were showing pictures of animal bites. Hey because of me class got out early!
13. I faint when I give blood, but not because of the needle. I faint and have some type of seizure because my body treats it as a trauma.
14. I have had the same best friend my entire life.
15. My Dad is proud that I manage all the money. That makes me happy.
16. I graduated Summa Cum Laude when I was 7 months pregnant.
17. My favorite season is spring. I love when the leaves come back on all the trees and all the flowers.
18. I have never broken a bone.
19. I only go to the doctor when I am pregnant or need a prescription. Not a fan of those places.
20. Baking is more fun because I like eating the result more.
21. Diet Dr. Pepper is my favorite thing to drink.
22. Chiara double pierced my ears at Tiffany's house with a needle. My mom didn't notice for a week. Then she was not happy. I never wear earrings anymore.
23. I used to be so tan I was once mistake for being of a different ethnicity.
24. My favorite flowers are tulips and I don't like getting roses.
25. In 7th grade I got glasses and thought that I had super vision because I could see all the leaves on the trees. Then Tiffany told me "I can see all of them too."
26. My favorite job as a kid was mowing the lawn. We had a riding lawn mower and it was almost like driving a car.
27. I am currently in the middle of a lawsuit.
28. Shopping for my kids is fun. Shopping for myself is a pain.
29. I hardly ever wear my hair up because I think I look funny.
30. I had a crush on my high school math teacher.
31. I have never gotten a ticket. I did get pulled over once because my break lights weren't working. The police officer was not nice and made me cry.
32. When I was little I told my brothers I was going to live with my parents forever. They laughed.
33. I went to the worlds fair in BC when I was 7. Expo '86! That was my only time out of the country.
34. I tend to be a bit sarcastic. Just a bit.
35. I am shy until I get to know people.
36. I gained the freshman 15 with a lot of help from Dining Plus.
37. I purchased two items from infomercials. They were crap. In my defense one was at like 2 am with Tiffany.
38. My mom made my breakfast and lunch until I graduated from high school.
39. My first car was an '86 blue Volvo.
40. I danced in the Nutcracker three times with a professional dance company.
41. My daughter got second place in a beautiful baby contest and I got concert tickets.
42. When I was in 5th grade a new department store opened and they were giving away prizes. My brothers and I entered for the bike. Since it was a boys bike I told them they could have it if I won. I won. I kept that sweet bike for myself.
43. When I would sleepover at my grandmas and she was out of milk should would soften vanilla ice cream to put with the fruit loops. It was good. Now you want to go try it. You should, its good. 44. I only buy fruit snacks for my kids lunches because if I buy cookies I eat them all.
45. I had a 9 1/2 lb baby. Not by c-section!
46. I straighten my hair everyday.
47. I have lived in Portland almost all of my life but I don't know my way around downtown.
48. In first grade I fully believed that the kid next to me could draw so well because of his crayons. I really thought I needed to get those crayons so I could draw like that!
49. I have never had cable tv.
50. My first job was at Hallmark. I liked to read all the mushy cards and pretend that boys I liked would get them for me.
51. My brothers and I would set the alarm for 3 am on Christmas morning and get up and see what Santa had brought us.
52. I have to be at least 10 minutes early or I stress out.
53. I don't like to watch movies more than once.
54. When I was at BYU I wanted to get a job in the laundry because I used to love folding clothes. Now I fold so many clothes I laugh to think about those days.
55. When I would do the ironing as a kid I would pretend I was Cinderella.
56. I took piano lessons and hated practicing, but would love to have a piano now.
57. I had a dogs, cats, a guinea pig and a bunny when I was little but will most likely never have pets now. This relates to my current lawsuit.
58. My favorite color is blue.
59. All of my siblings and I have graduated from college.
60. One of my brothers is a firefighter and one is a police officer.
61. My parents have 19 grandchildren.
62. My sisters are twins, my uncles are twins and my niece and nephew are twins. I was always worried I was going to have twins. Dodged the bullet with that one.
63. I dream of going some place tropical.
64. I can't stand clutter so I probably throw away more than I should.
65. I didn't get a cell phone until I was 29.
66. I blog to keep track of things my kids do. It makes me feel better about not keeping a journal. 67. I love to take pictures but hate to be in pictures.
68. I took three years of French and pretty much don't remember a thing.
69. I used to want to be a math teacher.
70. Speaking in front of a group puts an unhealthy level of stress on me. Maybe I could get a doctor's note and get out of any future assignments. Then I would have to go to the doctor so I guess that wouldn't work.
71. I sold over 200 boxes of Girl Scout cookies one year.
72. One of my dance recitals was on cable tv.
73. I work part time at Gymboree.
74. I run to clear my head, work out problems, relieve stress and escape. I like to run by myself at night the best, with good music of course.
75. I would rather have a personal chef than a cleaning lady, but would take both. And maybe a landscaper and a nanny and a personal trainer and a stylist.
76. My mom was adamant that I went by Elizabeth. Only my brothers and Chiara call me Liz. My mom loves that.
77. My favorite cookies are Mexican wedding cakes. I used to sneak these at Christmas time because I could fit the whole thing in my mouth.
78. In my head I sing really well. Out loud, not so much.
79. I believe chocolate has healing powers.
80. I have a brother that lives in Hershey, PA.
81. Before I had kids I wanted 6 kids. I think three is good.
82. I am really sensitive, maybe too sensitive.
83. I like to do jigsaw puzzles.
84. I got knocked over when I was ice skating 10 years ago and my wrist has never been the same.
85. I have a dimple in each cheek.
86. I don't like the food at fancy restaurants.
87. Round Table has the best pizza and the best breadsticks.
88. I have three kids. Natalie (6), Ella (4 in a few weeks) and Cameron (2 in May).
89. I sneak candy into the movies.
90. I believe my friends can get me through anything.
91. I love my ipod.
92. I scar really easily, physically and emotionally.
93. My mom always had fun birthday parties at home for us and I want to do the same for my kids. They want them at fun places.
94. I get migraines.
95. I know all the High School Musical songs. Fabulous!
96. Someday I really want to get Lasik but I am scared about going blind.
97. You know when you go to the ER of hospital and they have you rate your pain on a scale of 1-10, I hate that scale, too much pressure.
98.Before I had kids I never was afraid of flying. Now I am.
99. I love the smell of my kids after a bath with Baby Magic.
100. I am a total planner and find it difficult to accept when things don't go according to plan.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

The best shot of all three in their Christmas best. We love you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas. And Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Who Stole the Cookie from the Counter?

I don't think anything about the fact that all of our kitchen chairs are lying on the ground until a visitor will ask "What's with your chairs?". Well they are all lying on the ground because Cameron likes to push them across the kitchen to either play with the CD player, get into the butter, give him a boost up to the counter or open the microwave. Today something occurred to him that had yet to occur to me. There are other chairs! Ok I knew we had other chairs, but I thought since they were in other rooms we were safe. Turns out I was wrong. I walk into the kitchen to find that Cameron had pushed one of the chairs from the girls' little table into the kitchen to help himself to some of the cookies I had been baking.

Oh no I've been discovered!

These are good!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Decorating the Tree

The girls and Eric did the tree all by themselves this year. I am usually very particular about the lights so I do it myself, but I had a migraine that day and the girls were DyInG to decorate. Unlike my friends, we won't name names, (Huston, Tx & West Jordan, UT) I have not redecorated it once! They seemed to have had such a good time they feel the need to redecorate it everyday. I have been impressed by Cameron's ability to not bug it too much. I really thought he would be pulling the tree over, breaking ornaments or trying to pull all the lights off, but for the most part leaves it alone. We have had some ornaments suffer terrible casualties from the constant redecorating. For example the cute Woody that is in the first picture with Natalie now only has one foot.