"Bee" is for BIRTHDAY!!

Kendal is turning FIVE on Tuesday (APRIL 1st), and with ever changing schedules, we decided (with about two days notice) to have Kendal's party this past Friday. A "Bumble Bee" theme seemed all to awesome since "The Bee Movie" was just released and I was sure NOBODY would have seen it by his party.

So, we bought fun plates and napkins, yellow and black balloons, and some cake mix, and we were off to a great start! Well, then my husband went into work. So, my mom stepped in to help (you have points in Heaven for this one, Mom). She held and rocked Drew and changed his diapers while I tried desperately to keep seven children happy, entertained, and fed (it is still a mystery to me how bodies so small can eat so much). We played "Pin the Bee on the Beehive", "The Indoor Bug Hunt", and they even made their very own "Buggy Hats". We ate pizza and bee-striped cupcakes and we even threw in "The Bee Movie" (WHICH EVERYONE HAD SEEN EXCEPT OUR FAMILY), and by the time it was all over...Cameron came home from work.

It made me wonder why we go through all the trouble every year to make birthdays special...and then,...there he was. Happy Birthday, Kendal "Bee".

Rainbow Dyed "Eggs"travaganza

Just look at the mess...I mean look at the artists at work. I am sure you are paying special attention to the artists' fingertips. Yeah, that took a couple scrubbings to get that off, however, they still went to church with uh, "colorful" fingernails. We bought a kit to tie-dye the eggs and it turned out to be really for tie dying children. Kendal loved dipping each egg in each color. Avery kept picking up the eggs to show everyone and so consequently each of hers has at least one disasterous crack (wet eggs are slippery eggs). I think Easter was a great excuse to do more fun family things together. It is great when all the kids are happy doing something creative besides the WWF Wrestling tournament on our living room floor (Avery usually wins). Happy Easter All!!

An "Egg"stra Special Occasion

Our neighbors have a Easter egg hunt every year in their back yard. We have a ball. The youngest children go first, then the 4-5 year olds, then everyone else. Our whole neighborhood looks forward to it. There were so many eggs, people were just dropping them on the lawn because all the hiding places were taken. As you can see from the picture, Kendal was one of the first from the gate.

It was also nice to get out of the house for awhile. We put Drew in the Snuggly covered with a blanket and we stayed outside for more than 30 minutes. The sun was shining and I was so ready for spring and summer. Can't wait for the wading pool out back, the garden growing, the watermelon, strawberries, and late evening walks.

It was a short rendezvous with nature, but it was very refreshing.

Pure And Straight From Heaven

Drew had his first earthly blessing yesterday. Lots of friends and family were there to celebrate his arrival. We truly have great families on both sides. Thanks to all of you whether you were there in body or in spirit.
I just love to hear the talents and gifts our Heavenly Father has given to each child individually. Drew has been blessed with compassion and empathy, health and intelligence, and great friendships with his brother and sister. He has already blessed our home with such joy. We feel honored to have him in our family. We know we are just the earthly stewards of this heavenly being, and he really belongs to our Heavenly Father. It is great to have him here. I feel like he is a very old soul and he has much to teach us. We sure love him, as we do Kendal and Avery. There is really something to this whole FAMILY thing.I just love it!!

Snow Day!!

We were invited to the infamous Island Park Condo to sled and swim!! WOW!! A getaway with an infant? Who knew? IT CAN BE DONE!!! So we tossed in some crackers and cheese, hats, boots, gloves, extra clothes, swimsuits, towels, pajamas, baby supplies, and the kitchen sink, and WE WERE OFF!! We all had a great time. Even Grandma joined in with the oldest snowing outfit ever... the YELLOW SUIT!! She is now known as the BANANA GRANDMA!! The weather couldn't have been better, and the powder was off the charts (or so I hear...I am not really the snow-bunny type). Anyway, we may have just created an annual excursion for the Bryan Family. Thanks to Matt and Sondi for the opportunity and the nice warm fireplace.

She Could Have Danced All Night...

Our ward had organized a Daddy Daughter Date this past week and all girls were invited. You should have seen how excited she was to put on her favorite party dress, and get her hair curled. She also got to have a little eye shadow and lip gloss. They stayed out past 8:30PM (an hour past her bedtime)and brought home balloons and a shiny tiara. I'm sure she will never forget her first date with the first prince she has ever known... her Daddy. No other prince will adore her more.

SMILE!!!

Drew is starting to SMILE!!! As any mother will tell you, these smiles are why we go through the first six weeks of sleepless nights, sore nipples, and 3,000 diaper changes a day. Those smiles that show there is life in that tiny little body are the thanks that we moms get for sticking with it. They happen to be some of my very favorite things right now. I could watch him smile ALL DAY LONG!! We just happen to catch this one on the camera, and though it's a bit crooked, anyone would have to admit, it's a good one!! Hope y'all enjoy it, too!!