Birthday Girls

8 years ago this past September, sweet little Vivian came into our lives.  And every day I am so grateful that we have her.  Not a day goes by that I don't think or say, "What would I do without my Vivi?".

She was almost born on my mom's birthday.  She missed it by a mere 35 minutes.  I guess she wanted to have her own special day.  ;)

My mom's birthday was on a Saturday this year.  We started off the day at Preston's soccer game.  After soccer, we all headed over to Olive Garden for some birthday lunch.

 Jilly was exhausted!  She slept on Trent's shoulder for most of the time.  It was lucky we saved a little food for her because by the time she woke up, she was starving, as usual.

 The birthday girls.

After lunch was over grandma decided it would be fun to go see a movie with everyone.  They all went to see "The Odd Life of Timothy Green".  Jilly and I went back home because baby girl and movie theaters are not a good combination.

 Once the movie was over, everyone came over to our house for some DQ ice cream cake, my mom's personal favorite.

 Getting ready to blow out the candles.  Grandma is always so nice to let the kids help her.

 Yay!

The next day was Viv's birthday.  Her special day landed on a Sunday this year, so it was a pretty chill day.  We went to church then had all the family over for dinner and cake and ice cream.  Viv chose her all time favorite, chicken pot pie, for dinner.  I always know what she's going to pick for her birthday dinner, but she likes to mix it up on the cake every year.  This year she chose a fudgy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  We found the recipe on Pinterest, and honestly, it was the best chocolate cake I have ever had.  I haven't made it again since because I would probably eat the whole thing.

 (There's some Sunday football going on in the back ground.)

 Birthday wishes.

My sweet Vivi girl.  Love you little chica!  You are wonderful!

Catch Up Time

Oh heavens... It has been forever since I have done an update!  And there have been so many things I haven't blogged about!  So this is going to be one heck-of-a catch up post.  There are things I need to get recorded before the year is over!

First of all, way back in August, the kids started school.

 Colson (with his best bud Jared) is in 5th grade this year.  I can't believe he only has 1 more year until middle school!

 Vivi (with her bff Ashlynne) is in 1st grade.

Preston is in his second year of preschool with Miss Jen.  He's off to Kindergarten next year!  Good thing we had another baby so I don't have to be home alone during the day quite yet.

And the totally space cadet mother that I am lately, I didn't even get a picture of Trenton this year.  Hopefully my brain will be in better shape for next year.  He started 7th grade.

Back in September we celebrated Vivi's and my mom's birthdays.  Vivi turned 7 this year!

 I just love and adore this girl.  I would be totally lost without her.  (Love, love, love Trenton's face in this picture.)

It was a good birthday. :)

And of course, the beloved balloon launch.  This picture makes me miss my green grass and trees.

Also to celebrate the birthdays, us girls all went out to lunch and shopping on a Saturday.  Vivi had gotten some Charming Charlie gift cards for her birthday.  That girl loves to shop!  She must have gotten than gene from Trent's mom and sister; she surely didn't get it from me.  Look at the gorgeous flowers!  Sigh, I miss my flower garden.

In September, we also participated in a family scavenger hunt that some super fun ladies put together.

We had to get a picture of all of us on a slide together.  (Preston hadn't quite gotten into the spirit of things yet and wouldn't join in the picture.)

For bonus points, the boys all climbed the big rock.

Next up, we had to spell the word "love" as a family.  Again, Preston not shown.  He gets a little camera shy sometimes.  The boys look a little more like an "a" than an "o",  but we did our best.  And what is up with my back?  I look like a hunchback!  I better work on my posture.

 The next challenge was to use our hands and feet to write our family name in chalk.  This was Preston's favorite and he was finally ready to participate in all the fun.

Next up, a picture with a buffalo.  And yes, Jilly is hanging by the horn in her car seat.  Trenton wasn't entirely comfortable with this situation though, so he dubbed himself the spotter.

 Luckily we had our stroller in the back of the car for this one.  We had to hike into the reservoir to get a fish-lip picture with the fish.

The final challenge: stop by Chick-Fil-A to get ice cream for everyone and a picture with the cow.  I think this was the favorite.  Not necessarily because of the ice cream, but because of the cow.  As I have mentioned before on this blog, my kids love the Chick-Fil-A cow.  Being the cow is Colson's dream job. :)  This was one of the funnest Family Home Evenings we have ever had.

Also in September, Jilly had her first taste of a lollypop.

She LOVED it!  Shocker, I know.

She also had cereal for the first time, which she loved.  Just a word of advice, never come between this girl and her food.

The words on her bib... totally true. This girl LOVES her daddy.

That's all for now.  I have to download more pictures, then there will be more to come. ;)