Ivy's First Birthday Party

Ivy's first birthday came and went...and so did all of April, May and part of June.

Things have been busy around here.  But I couldn't let this ol' blog go another day without updating this big event. :)

We are pretty low key for birthday's around here.  No big bashes with friends, just our close little family for these first few birthdays.  Ivy got some new books, and a lame toy that the girls don't even play with.  But oh well.  They both love the books!

I went with a gold, orangey, yellow, pink theme for this birthday.  She's a girl, what more could she want right?!

Ivy wasn't all that into opening her presents.  She didn't really know what to do, so Millie helped.

the life of the party!  Such a ham!

She loved her cake.  Honestly it wasn't pretty.  Just a round cake with pink frosting and cheap sprinkles.  But it was just going to get thrashed anyway.

I think it was a success!  And what a fun year it has been!  We love our Ivers!

St Patrick's Day 2013

Our traditional St. Patrick's Day was a hit this year.  We had our friends over for a green dinner of green buns, hamburgers, asparagus, kiwi, green salad and green cupcakes.

We put the girls down for a nap after church, and prepped for the festivities.  I put little green footprints on the floor to pretend that a little leprechaun came and decorated the kitchen.  Millie came downstairs, gasped and said, "don't step on the pawses!"  It was really so cute!

She kept looking at them and was a little confused.  But they were a fun surprise.

After dinner, Millie and Will went on a little scavenger hunt around the house.  The clues led to the mailbox where their treasures were.

We look forward to St. Patrick's Day every year and we are thankful for friends to share in this funny little tradition of ours!

Michigan Winters: Snow Day

A few weekends ago we had our friends over for a delicious breakfast and a morning playing in the snow.  We had waffles with pure maple syrup tapped from Michigan trees from a friend.  It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!  We all can't stop talking about it!  After our delicious breakfast we bundled the kids up and enjoyed the snow.  

They all loved it at first, but once they realized it was a bit cold, a few tears were shed.

Millie was obsessed with sledding.  She'd ask to go again time after time.  

The girls all loved it!  I must've been afraid or something by the look on my face.  It's been years since I've been sledding, so this little hill was a good one to start on.

Our friends enjoying their first winter here in Michigan.  We love having them so close to us!

Ivy started to get tired/cold/hungry so I took her in and Millie and Cason made snow forts and snow angels.  She was loving it!

We ended the morning with sips of hot cocoa and a show of Mickey Mouse.

We love the weekends when Dad is home.

It's always more fun!

The Girls First Time to Disneyland

Over Thanksgiving break, we decided (well I pleaded and begged Cason) to take the girls to Disneyland.  While Millie and Ivy are still free, it couldn't be a more perfect situation, right?! Ha!  We went with Cason's sisters and a few of Millie and Ivy's cousins.  

Good morning!!

We started the morning off with delicious donuts and a ride or two or three or five million on the carousel.  Lets just say, we shouldn't have booked it to the carousel first.  ugh!  Millie is obsessed!!!!!  We pried her hands off the carousel and took her to dumbo.  She cried the whole time because she wanted to go ride the horsey...So back to the carousel we went.  We bribed her to try out some other fun rides.  She loved the teacups with Cason, and wanted to do it again again!  There was lunch, a few other rides, and naps in between.  

Ivy loved being on Cason's shoulders.  She patted his head, played with his hair and giggled.  

Next up...Minnies house.  I waited 45 minutes in line to see Minnie.  I love Minnie and Millie loves Minnie.  So I thought she'd love it!  Well...not exactly.

She loved to play in the play kitchen inside though!  She would've stayed there for hours if we let her.  Ivy wasn't sure about her.  She made a little pouty face at first, but then just stared at her.

"cheese!!"

Another ride on the carousel

Cason and I went on a few rides without the girls and had a great time!

We ended the night with the parade.  Mills and Ivers loved it!! They watched the whole thing from start to finish.  Lots of fun dancing, lights and characters.

And our last ride was Autopia.  Millie was in  h e a v e n ! ! !

She got to drive all by herself!!  Her dream come true.  Cason said it was hilarious.  She'd laugh so hard every jerk and crash.

We really did have a great time at Disneyland.  And would definitely go again!  There's something so magical about that place, especially at Christmas.