Nine?!

Isabelle is now nine years old! When did that happen?

Isabelle has started reading the Harry Potter books and she really wanted a Harry Potter cake for her birthday. I fretted over this because when I thought "Harry Potter cake" I had visions of broomsticks, wands, and lightning bolts, and had no idea how to pull it off. She finally explained to me that she wanted a literal "Harry Potter" cake. "You know, his head." Fine with me! I told her I wasn't a great artist, but that I would try. She responded that maybe it would turn out better if SHE made the cake. Even better! Why didn't I think of that! Without further ado--the Harry Potter cake!

Note the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. There are glasses as well, but the light colored frosting she used for them didn't show up very well.


One of her presents was a bike. Unfortunately, we ran into a few glitches putting the thing together. Let's just say we're not the handiest of families! Long story short, she unwrapped the bike box. After a few days (or weeks), we finally figured things out, and she finally has a bike! Too bad we didn't have a magic wand of our own! Maybe a firebolt would have been better than the bike!

Harry Potter loot! All she wanted was Harry Potter!

Big is as big does...

I actually had some much better/worse pics of the belly, but when push came to shove my vanity just wouldn't let me put up the really fat pics. But, I am getting quite large now! Here he is! Seven and a half weeks to go!

Girls Rock!

Dad agrees! He's even getting in on the action!




Isabelle got one, then Ava had to have one too! And dad, well, dad doesn't want to be left out!
They are so funny; they sleep with them every night!

Christmas

Isabelle and Ava got some cool presents this year.
A trampoline!!

I can't believe how much they love it (and still love it)! Every day they want to jump and are out there all the time! One day they were out there from 7 am until 5 pm! I thought the novelty would wear off, but they're still going strong! Awesome!

They also got a jeep! Again, thought the novelty would wear off, but they're still going strong! Ava drives it everywhere--and by everywhere, I mean everywhere. She drives to the bathroom, parks, does her thing, gets back in and drives to her bedroom, parks, plays, loads stuff up, drives to the loft...you get the idea! The other day I made lunch, gave it to them and left for a minute. When I came back they were both sitting in the jeep eating. I jokingly said, "Are you eating in the jeep?" To which they replied (quite emphatically), "It's our car!! We can eat in it if we want to!" Better their car than mine!!

Huge props to grandpa and grandma for coming through with that one!!

Christmas Eve

The missionaries and the Mason's came to dinner. The kids did a nativity. Very short and sweet!!


Cookies and milk for Santa, veggies for the reindeer, and new PJ's.

Getting ready for X-mas

Gingerbread houses and sugar cookies!!

Christmas Concert

Isabelle played the part of Mrs. Claus in her third grade play. She did a fantastic job!