Paige Turns 3!

Yesterday my little girl turned 3! I can't believe it, where has the time gone? It is amazing to me that she is already three years old, I so remember the day she was born and it feels like a few days ago. Now we have another baby and Paige is growing up into a beautiful little girl. Matt and I convinced Paige that she didn't need any toys for her birthday (our kids have WAY too many toys!!) and so she said that all she wanted was REAL makeup and a big girl bike. She told my parents that she wanted a bike, so that left Matt and I to handle the makeup part. She is all girl and loves to watch me get ready and always asks me to put makeup on her too. I am going to be in trouble when she is a teenager if she is already that into makeup!

Paige wanted a Dora cake for her birthday party and I was able to find a Dora pan so I thought that decorating would be a breeze. Well I was wrong. It wouldn't have been too bad if I didn't have a whiny baby that thinks he always needs to be held and 2 other kids that seem to always need something as well. I was about to have a breakdown when one of the piping bags sprung a "leak" and almost messed up all of my previous work. But somehow I managed and 5 hours later we had a pretty darn cute cake. Amidst all of the work I kept wondering why I was doing this, and what I had started with making my kids homemade decorated cakes for their birthdays. Now that I have started this tradition, they look forward to it and love to watch the progress of the cake. I guess it is something special and will be something they remember as they grow up..I hope!

We just had my sister and parents over for a quick little celebration. I semi-homemade pizza and salad for dinner. I say semi-homemade because after all the work on the cake from the day before I was tired of a messy kitchen and doing dishes so I bought the pizza dough from Papa Murphy's and did our own topping. What a lifesaver! It worked out great and was half the mess! We had pepperoni pizza, Hawaiian, and tomato basil pizza. All of which were so yummy. I even made homemade croutons for the salad, just for Matt! We had cake and Neapolitan ice cream for dessert. Paige only wanted the chocolate ice cream.

We opened presents in between pizza and ice cream and Paige was outfitted with a whole new summer wardrobe. She got a cute brown zebra print dress, 2 pair of shorts, 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants, and a cute pink velour sweat suit from Matt and I. Along with the clothes we got her 24 mini nail polishes, lip gloss, chap stick, and some eye shadows. She also got a Dora swim suit (which is too small) and Dora flip flops and beach towel that is also a bag. From Aunt Charyn and Uncle Mike she got a Purple flowered rain jacket and goulash's. My parents got her a cute new pink and orange outfit and a NEW BIKE and helmet!! It is adorable with a pink frame and polka dots all over. It even has a seat for her baby to ride in. She loves it, but it will take her a few weeks to figure out how to ride it. She was spoiled and didn't even miss the fact that she didn't really get any new toys for inside. I am so glad that I don't have one more thing to pick up!

Here are some fun facts about our little Paige:
1. She loves all things girly. Makeup, purses, shoes, dresses. She doesn't like hair bows or having elastics in her hair.
2. She love to watch Dora the Explorer and Max & Ruby
3. She loves the colors pink and purple
4. She love to have her clothes match. If she is wearing black pants, the shirt must be black as well.
5. She is feisty and can hold her own against her big brother.
6. She is a great big sister and love Baby Paxten Wayne...when referring to him she always uses his full name.
7. Her favorite food is a hot dog and cheese
8. She loves the movies Cinderella, Tinkerbell, and Tangled
9. She loves to sing Intsy Winsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and The Wise Man and The Foolish Man.
10. She loves to give hugs and kisses, but at her own discretion, you can't force this girl to do anything.

We love her so much and can't even remember what it was like in our family without her. Happy Birthday Paige!!

Show and Tell

Parker had show and tell yesterday at preschool. I asked him what he wanted to take, expecting him to say the usual thing...a weapon of some sorts. But to my astonishment he told me he wanted his class and teachers to see Paxten. This kind of caught me off guard and then I asked if he wanted to take a picture of him. Then I remembered I had seen a girl bring her dog for show and tell one day as I was dropping Parker off. After asking him a few questions I learned that they do show and tell right at the beginning of class. So I asked Parker if he wanted to take Paxten to class for show and tell. He immediately got excited and said that he would tell his teachers he had the best show and tell ever! He was so excited when we got there that he kept telling all his little friends what his show and tell was before class got started. Finally when it was Parkers turn to show, he stood up while holding the baby and said, "this is my little brother Paxten Wayne!" He was the proudest big brother in the world and I was pretty proud too that he wanted to show off my sweet little baby. I guess Parker does like having a little brother after all. I think he is a good helper and loves to hold Paxten whenever I need 2 hands. I am so glad he feels this way and shows how much he loves his little brother!

Camera Comparison

New Camera


old Camera
I took pictures of Paxten with the old camera and then the new camera in the same clothes just to compare. The new camera takes a more crisp pictures and can get closer without getting blurry. Also it takes the picture faster, so if the subject moves it can capture the picture instead of being a blurry mess. This is my new fun toy and I am loving trying all it can do out.

Mini Photo Session

We had a little photo session at our house the other day, trying out the new camera. I think it is going to be so nice! The kids love having their pictures taken and to see themselves on the computer. And my theory is...never too many pictures, right!

New Camera!!

Matt and I went and purchase a new camera the other day and I have loved playing with it taking pictures. We went with the Canon Rebel T2i. There is a lot of buttons on it so I am sure it will take me a while to learn all that it can do. But already I can tell a difference in the quality of the pictures. I am really excited to have nice pictures of the kids from no on.

Paxten's Blessing

We blessed Paxten on Sunday, March 27, and it was a wonderful day. He was blessed by his father. Matt gave him such a wonderful blessing. So now he is official I guess. Matt and were able to do a lot of the preparation for the dinner the night before. So the day of the blessing wasn't too chaotic. Thank goodness for 11 o'clock church. That worked out so well for us. My mom made the cutest little blessing outfit for Paxten (she has made each of the kids an outfit) and my Grandma Sharon made a crochet blanket for him too. (Each of the kids has one of these as well, I am all about sentimental items!) Paxten looked so adorable in his little white outfit. I took about 50 pictures of him!

We had a nice lunch after the blessing at our house. We served BBQ chicken sandwiches, salads, chips and dessert. It was soooo good. And thanks to a great family everyone pitched in and helped bring something.

(this next part is for me to remember those that attended)
Those people that were able to come and support us were: Grandpa and Grandma Yancey, Aunt Charyn, Grandpa and Grandma Williams, Grandpa and Grandma Christiansen, Kitty and Lexi Baron, Kaylynne and Bridger Baldwin; Kendall, Stephanie, Keegen, Kade, Klay, Kwynn, and Kooper Keller. Josh, Lydia, Austin & Makayla Christiansen. Grandma Linda Christiansen. Josh, Anne, Breeanne, Aimee, & Hadlee Hubbard. Melissa & Sophia Pariona. Matt, Melanie, Hayley, Hayden, Hansen, & Hastin Reid. Thanks so much to all those that came and made the day even more special.

Anniversary

Matt and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary last Saturday, the 26th. WOW!! I can't believe it has been 7 years, it has gone by so fast!! We didn't do anything too special, just enjoyed a dinner out without the kids. It was nice to have a conversation with each other and not be interrupted by kids or having to tell the kids to sit down, eat your dinner. It was great. Then we came home and watched a chick flick. I couldn't ask for more. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive husband. I am so glad that we met and that we both were committed to making the 2 year mission gap a time for us to better get to know each other. And that when he returned home that we better knew each other and loved each other more. I am so grateful for the hard worker he is and all that he does to provide for us each and every day. I am so blessed that we have been given the opportunity to raise 3 sweet spirits and to be their parents. Matt is such a wonderful father and the kids just love spending time with their daddy. I look forward to 7 more wonderful years filled with great memories!!