Marianne turns 4!!!

Marianne had quite the birthday this year. It all started on Thursday, at preschool. I got to go with her and spotlight her with a poster with way too many pictures on it. Hs also shared her favorite treat...popcorn and M&Ms. It was a lot of fun. On Friday, we spent the day as a family...until later that night. Then , Saturday was her big party. I hope you enjoy the pictural account.

Marianne and her mom at preschool the day before her birthday. As you can see, the poster didn't have a blank square inch with all of the pictures and the decorations. Isn't she the cutest little blonde you've ever seen!?!

Marianne's Actual Birthday

Justin took the day off of work and we played all day. We went to breakfast at Doug and Emmy's in Kaysville. Then, we came home and baked and baked and baked. Then, the girls took a snooze. When they woke up, we called a few people at the last minute to go bowling...one of Marianne's favorite pasttimes. This is everyone that went, except for Aubry's friend, Carley Longhurst, who was snapping the photo.

(L-R) Kyle, Josh, Joann, Bo, Allison, Jim, Jeri, Marianne, Sadie, Austin, Aubry, Madie, Justin, Madi, Emily


Kyle is praying for a strike.

Austin has some great form. Think it was a strike?

Justin helps Marianne roll the ball down the ramp. She got a couple of strikes, which is pretty good for a four-year-old. That reminds me. Jim has a Wii that you can bowl on. Marianne is a pro. She got four strikes in one game...with no help! It's pretty hilarious.

Looks like this must be one of the times she got a strike as she gives Daddy a high-five.

Alli is wishing her big sis a Happy Birthday. Cute, girls, huh?

Bo is having a blast, too. He got passed around quite a bit, which was good for his overwhelming separation anxiety!

Allison gets help from her mommy to roll the ball down the ramp. I think she got a couple of spares that night, too.

This must not have been one of those times...you can see the pins still standing behind us.

Nice form Justin, who I am sure was the top bowler of the night.

Not a bad form either, Jeri Ann. Strike?

That *$%@# Dog!

The girls and I baked the cake and all the cupcakes on Friday, so the cake would have time to freeze and would be easier to frost. So, when it was done, I put it on the tray and covered it with saran wrap. I then placed it carefully outside next to the house, on the deck. I asked Justin if he thought an animal would eat it overnight. He assured me it would be fine. So, I went to bed with no worries.

When I went out to start the ice cream on Saturday morning, this is what I found! That blasted canine had eaten half the cake! I hope he enjoyed it. I also hope he enjoyed the upset stomach he had later that day when we were all playing outside. I was still frosting cake number two when people were arriving at the house. So, needless to say, it wasn't my favorite cake I have decorated. But, such is life and I will eventually get over it. Either I will or I won't, right?

Tubing/4-Wheeling in the "Backyard"

Here are most of the pictures of our tubing and 4-wheeling activity. I hope everyone had fun. Marianne was beside herself all day just waiting for the fun to begin!

Everyone waiting for their turm to ride.

Most of the kids had a little fun on their own while they waited for a turn. I LOVE Jackson's face as he throws this snowball!

Tyler Arrington (Jeff and Angie) gets pulled by Joann, Lisa and Allison.

Savanna and Luke Gilmore enjoying a turn around the yard.

Nathan Arrington (John and Ann) holds on tight for his ride.

Ann couldn't get shown up by her own son...so here she is holding on for dear life!

I had just as much fun pulling people as they did riding behind me. Here I am with Katelyn (Gus and Sharon) and Allison. She loved riding on the 4-wheeler, too.

I honsestly have no idea who this is. Maybe Justin does. It is just a great picture! A little blurry, but still funny!


These could possibly be my two favorite pictures of the day. My dad's face is priceless as he approaches the jump and then, when he hits it...

Ann and her son Carson getting a ride!

Another one of my favorite pictures. This is one of Breck and Robb's kids, Savanna and Luke. The lighting is gorgeous and their faces are adorable!

Josh (Jim and Aimee) getting pulled behind his dad's 4-wheeler.

Justin pulling Cody (Jay and Liesel) as he screams to go "FASTER!"

Another of my favorites! Katelyn (Gus and Sharon) can harly contain herself!

One of the three little girls. Allison, Marianne and Reagan laugh it up as they hold on.

Justin pulls Robb and his little boy, Luke.

I have to laugh at this one. You might have to enlarge it to see just how funny Reagan is trying her darndest not to fall off!

Here's all the onlookers watching from way up on the deck!

Baylee and Audrey (Jeff and Angie) get a ride as a cute set of sisters.

I love this one, too. Grace (Jeff and Angie), Jeff and Nic, who is the son of one of my really good high school friends, Angie, loved riding on the 4-wheeler more than tubing. I think they rode on the 4-wheeler for almost the full hour and a half we were out there!

Opening Presents!!!

Finally! Marianne kept asking when the party was going to start. I tried to explain to her that it was already going, but she wouldn't believe me. So...here are a few pictures of the "party."

Marianne's fancy pink cowgirl boots from Mom and Dad.

Enjoying having everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Ripping into just one of the many gifts she received.

Just a snapshot of the final cake. Turned out well under the circumstances.

It's pretty blurry, but still cute. Marianne took about four puffs to get all the candles out. Only because she kept blowing OVER them!
***
Thanks to everyone who helped make the party a success. To Jeri and Mom for making soup and to Sharon (and her kids) for the yummy homemade bread. We hope everyone had a blast! We sure did and Marianne enjoyed every second of it!

Marianne Is Turning 4

Marianne's Birthday party is coming up. We'll be taking invitations around this week, but in case you miss it, here it is.

Snow Fun!

Last Saturday, Jim and his boys came over and helped Justin shovel snow off the roof. Then, after all the hard work it was time to play. We built a snowman first (with the help of Austin and Josh) then headed out to the back yard. We hooked up a sled to Jim's 4-wheeler and made a few runs around the yard. Everyone had a blast and we got some great pictures. The pnes of Justin, Austin, Kyle and Josh are of them hitting...or "not-so-hitting" the jump we built. Enjoy!

Our family with a new member...at least until he melts!

Bo catches a ride with Mom on the sled!

Bo loves the snow!

Joann and the kids, watching the boys go off the jump.

Justin "not-so-hitting" the jump!

Austin "not-so-hitting" the jump, too.

Kyle nailed it!

Got the best picture of Josh. He really got some air!

Allison only rode the sled twice...she really didn't like it.

Marianne, however, couldn't get enough. She wanted on every chance she could get!

Marianne loved pulling riders with Jim, too! I love the look on her face!

She was even brave enough to go it alone!
Marianne's favorite part was honking the horn on the 4-wheeler. She laughed her head off whenever she scacred one of us with it! So cute!



We had a blast. We are hoping there is enough snow to do this activity for Marianne's birthday party on the 26th! Pray for snow so you can come celebrate and have some snow fun with us!