Makelle turns 7!

I can't believe my little girl turned 7!!!  She was so excited for her birthday of course.  This year she had her first friend party.  She had 2 friends from church and a friend from school. It was so fun to watch her with these girls.  She wasn't the quiet shy girl like she usually is at school and church.  Her friends were shocked to see her dance and let it all go!!  We had a backwards party a few days before her birthday.  It was a great idea....so easy and anything goes.  We ate under the table instead of at the table.  We opened presents at the beginning and Makelle told everyone your welcome instead of thanks!  We ate ice cream after presents and didn't have cake with it.  Instead after ice cream we sang to Makell and the girls decorated their own individual cake to take home.  After dessert we had snacks.  We played the skittle game, doughnuts on a string, the balloon around the ankle game, and did a craft.  All of the losers were the winners and we didn't have presents...since it was a backwards crazy party.  I am telling you it was the greatest idea ever! The girls loved talking backwards all night.  A huge hit was simply writing their name backwards on their cups....so easy to please.  They kept saying it was the worst party ever.....meaning it was the greatest party ever!!  After the festivities the girls played and ended up dancing.  It was such a fun time for Makelle.  I am so happy and thankful that my kids have been able to make friends easily!!

On Makelle's actual birthday she chose to go out with the whole family instead of a date by herself.  She chose Japanese Hibachi.  We love the dinner and the fire show!!  She got this yummy free dessert too!  It was great!  Thanks to all of her grandparents and Aunts for her great gifts.  She loved everything!!  I sure love this girl....can't believe she has been mine for 7 years.  Next year she gets baptized...crazy! 

Random pictures from Sept, Oct, and Nov 2013

Enjoying our first hot dog roast outside.

Primary Program 2013

This girl is a CLEAN eater!

Lantz had a family fun night and he got to have his face painted like a shark.  It was amazing!

Makelle's sunset

Our Dolphin cruise (Zak's delayed birthday present), our last outing before the baby was born.

Zak's last flag football game!

Grandma Joan and Grandpa Bagley Visit

I was so excited when my Dad called to say that he would be stopping by on his trek back to Utah.  It was way out of his way but I was so glad he came.  I tried to talk him into just meeting me somewhere but he insisted he could make the drive.  I know it was a long way to start a really long trip but I am so grateful that he and Joan did it.  The three days we had together were some of the best days ever.  We made memories with my kids that we will never forget.  Everything about our visit was perfect.  Thank you Dad and Joan!!

 Here is their visit in Pictures!!

They came expecting to see a newborn.....well that didn't happen.  Damon his quite the big boy.  He didn't stay little for long....like 2 days it seems!!

 

Dad and Joan got here on Monday afternoon.  We spent the afternoon showing them our house and yard and just being together.  We ended up outside and decided to watch the sunset.  We took them to the "white trash beach" just down from our house.  The sunset was different but beautiful.  The temperature was great and the kids were fun.  We all enjoyed the waves and the atmosphere.  Then we went back home and had a fire.  We roasted hot dogs and marshmellows  and it was great!  We ended the night with FHE around the campfire.  It was great to sing and talk together.  Being together with my dad and my kids around the fire brought back so many great memories.  We didn't have a lot of money and we didn't take lots of vacations, but we enjoyed the simple things.  I love being outdoors and I love the memories of my mom and dad when I do those things with my family!  It was  a great night!

Tuesday the kids went to school for half a day.  I got to visit with my dad and enjoy the little ones with him.  He got to take them for walks, push Karlee in the swing, read books, take naps, and enjoy some quiet.  We picked the kids up and headed to Destin.  We went to one of the public beaches close by.  It was a beautiful day in every way.  We spent a long time just enjoying the beauty.  The boys were brave enough to play in the water and Makelle and Joan walked the beach gathering shells.  Dad and I just got to visit and observe.  Once again a great time!!  We went to the alligator place to feed the gators.  I guess they are pretty boring during winter.  They don't move and they don't want to eat..oh well we made the most of it.  We ended the night at Bass Pro where my Dad got us a dutch oven so we could make more memories over the fire...THANKS!

On our last day together Zak and Makelle stayed home from school.  Lantz was cooking at school so he wanted to go have fun there.  Makelle and Grandma made rolls and cupcakes for her birthday treat at school.  Zak and Grandpa hung out.  They went shopping for BB's and pop!  They spent some time shooting together in the back yard.  We enjoyed our last night together doing games and puzzles and chatting!  We love visits from Joan and Grandpa Bagley.  It means cupboards bursting with treats and food, and bottled tomatoes  Freezers full of corn, homemade strawberry jam and orange juice.  Best of all are the memories together. I was so grateful to share our home with them.  It made me love my home, yard, and the weather here even more.  What a great place and how blessed we are.  As they drove away and Karlee and I waved them off.  I turned around and started to cry.  It could always be the last time I see them.  Life is so crazy and we never know what the future holds.  The thought made me sad...but then I was so happy that we had some of the best days ever.  We were all healthy, my kids were good and got along, we had fun and the weather was great....PERFECT!!