Easter Dresses 2010

There is nothing I love more than finding the perfect Easter dresses for my girls. They are getting older and more particular which makes it a challenge, but still fun.

With it being conference weekend during Easter weekend they were more than happy to wear their dresses a week early. I am a bit prejudice considering they are my kids, but I think they looked absolutely beautiful.

I knew that I had to have this dress the moment I laid my eyes on it. Most days purple is her favorite color. It can switch from day to day as it does with most three year olds. With Micah having meetings every Sunday morning I have the pleasure of getting four girls ready and to church before nine o'clock by myself. We always try to lay out our dresses the night before to save a little time. The Saturday before they wore these dresses we had an Easter dress fashion show to make sure everyone was happy with their purchase. The girls put on their dresses, turned on some music, turned on a spot light (Abbie's reading light) and came down the stairs modeling them for Micah and I. Aliza was first to model. She came down the stairs strutting her stuff. Twirling as much as she could for us to see how her dress twirls, reached the bottom of the stairs, did a full turn and blew us a kiss like she was a professional. What a ham.

Avery did pick this one all by herself. She tried on many dresses and this was her favorite. She looked like a pink princess.

Abbie's favorite color is green. When I found this green dress that looked a little bit grown up I knew it would be a hit. She is looking too grown up.

What girl doesn't love a new dress.

Student Of The Month

Avery was awarded Student of the Month this past week. We are so proud of her accomplishment since moving to Henderson. She has grown and learned so much these past few months. Her teacher mentioned that she received this award for her kindness she shows toward the other students and I know Micah and I have seen her work really hard and push herself academically.

Her favorite part was being able to have a pizza lunch with the principal of the school. She also had her picture taken to be displayed in the cafeteria.

She also received a license plate cover that reads "Twitchell Student of the Month" which she did really want us to put on the car. I never thought I would be one of "those" parents, but Micah put it on without a fuss. We are really proud of Avery.

Aliza's 3rd Birthday!!!

Aliza officially turned three on March 21st. I still can't believe that our baby is three years old. After celebrating with family in Utah a few weeks back her birthday was quiet and relaxing with just our little family here to celebrate. When she woke up the morning of her birthday she kept saying that she didn't want a birthday. I'm not sure what she thought we were talking about, but she quickly changed her mind when she was given presents and cake.

Her birthday did fall on a Sunday so her nursery class was able to sing to her also. She loved all the attention.

I love this surprised look in this picture. She really enjoyed all of her fun gifts. Avery gave her a bubble blower and Abbie chose a new play dough kit.

One happy little girl!

Abbie really wanted to make Aliza's cake this year all by herself. She did a great job! She was drawing it out on paper for weeks just to get it perfect. It of course didn't go exactly as planned which caused her some stress, but she really did a great job for this being her first cake decorating experience.

Abbie even wrote Happy Birthday Aliza in frosting around the cake. Aliza enjoyed all the phone calls and now wishes that her day wasn't over. Who can blame her. Happy Birthday Lizzie!!!

Moab 1/2 Marathon

OK--so we didn't make it to Moab for the half-marathon. After a lot of consideration and thought we decided to stay home. Once we realized that it would be a 9 hour drive (one way) we began to think "is it worth it to spend 18 hours in the car for a weekend trip?" We really missed being with our family, but had our own half-marathon here in Henderson Nevada.

Micah did well for his first run that was this long. He ran his 13.1 miles Saturday morning and the girls and I cheered him on. We did spend an hour trying to find him along his running path to bring him some water because he ran his course in the opposite direction than I expected. If I would have just asked him which way he was going first it would have solved that problem. I guess we live and learn for next time. When we did spot him we ran to the side of the road to hold up signs and cheer "Go Dad Go."

Here is the finish line we held here at our home. Unfortunately I was in the car trying to turn on some fun finish line music when he came home and crashed on the grass from exhaustion. So, there are no pictures and everything didn't go as planned on my end. But he finished in great time. After a few hours he was feeling enough strength to finish painting Avery's bedroom. Micah really has enjoyed running and luckily there are always fun runs happening here in Henderson.

St. Patrick's Day 2010

Our annual St. Patty's Day party was a success. We started out the day with green pancakes and ended it with annual green potatoes and gravy, green jello, green beans and even green colored apple sauce. Last year I actually died the meat loaf green but decided that was a bit much. So that was the only non-green food item for dinner.

The green freckles they did come up with on their own. Abbie planned a fun scavenger hunt for the family which ended out on the patio with green colored cupcakes. Even at school they were aloud a free dress day which was a fun break from uniforms. I love any excuse to have a party.

Oh No!!!

You may be thinking that you have already read this post because you have seen this picture before. But, you're wrong. This picture is a repeat to show you Aliza's favorite hair do. Just about every morning she asks for "kitty ears." I think it is cute, and it keeps the hair out of her face so she usually has "kitty ears."

Until today................

I used to pride myself on the fact that my girls have never tried to cut their own hair. Leave it to Aliza to change everything. As I was blow drying my hair this morning she was standing right behind me just jabbering away to herself. I wasn't paying much attention (but now that I reflect back on this event I do recall her saying "I don't want elastics mom.") I turned around just in time before she cut the whole kitty ear off. Luckily it kind of cut a chunk out underneath all the long hair on top. Needless to say we will not be doing kitty ears for awhile.

Ultimately she has the hair-do she wanted for today, and mom has learned a good lesson. ALWAYS BE LISTEN!!! You think I would have learned that by now.

Abbie's 9th Birthday!

I just can't believe that our Abbie turned 9 years old last month. Her birthday was drawn out into several parties, and luckily we were able to celebrate with both family and friends.

We started out her birthday celebrations while visiting in Utah for their cousin Tobins Baptism. We were able to have dinner with my side of the family (of course forgot my camera) at one of her favorite spots, The Old Spaghetti Factory. The next morning we were able to bring my mom home with us for a visit. We love having guests.

Micah was going to be out of town for her actual birthday, so we celebrated the day before with her favorite meal. She chose Ravioli with garlic bread with a chocolate cake for desert. It was fun to let her plan her own menu and of course she made us all wear party hats for the occasion. When my mom and I hit the outlets that day we found this fun cupcake/cake mold. The sparkler candles were a fun touch.

I love that Abbie is at the age that she likes getting clothes for her birthday. She loves anything with peace signs. I really do think this girl is going to single handedly save the world. Her new church shoes were one of her favorites. They do have a slight heel on them which makes her feel even older. She keeps telling me that she is almost a teenager. Wow-I need a few more years to just prep for that one.

Webkins are one of her favorites also. This is her newest pet "Stripes".

Two weeks after her birthday Abbie and Avery went off track for school and the girls and I made a fun trip to Utah to spend with family. We decided that it would be a good time to celebrate a late birthday for Abbie and an early birthday for Aliza (March 21st). It was kind of right in the middle so we headed to Leatherby's to celebrate with the Phillips side of the family.

I love the big glob of gum in her cheek in this picture. She wasn't going to part with it for even just one picture. I can't believe that our baby is turning three so soon. Time really does go too fast.

After Leatherby's all the cousins headed to the farm at Thanksgiving Point which was really fun, but windy. We are so glad that everyone came to see us.

Friends are really important to Abbie, even more so than for our other girls (so far anyway--of course, Aliza makes friends with anyone and everyone so it isn't an issue for her). Abbie has made a lot of friends at school, but they are not people we really know or could even make play dates with. So, when I asked her about her friend party she asked if she could please see her old friends in Utah. I felt like that was reasonable since we were headed that way anyway so we took two of her good friends bowling. I had such a great time just hearing them giggle and enjoy each other.

Abbie's little fingers kept slipping out of her hand when she would swing it back to bowl. I was laughing so hard because several times the ball would go rolling backwards into her friends. Luckily no one was hurt and we got a few good laughs.

Cute Friends!!!

Still Finding Scorpions

I'm so glad we made a rule to wear shoes outside at all times (not that they obey at all times). We have a small patio area where they can ride their scooters and get some fresh air. A few weeks back when they were cleaning up Avery came running in saying there was a scorpion on the ground. When I went outside to investigate I found this dead scorpion right where they were playing.

We came to the conclusion that Aliza must have stepped on him while playing. Luckily she did have her shoes on and didn't even realize that she had done it. This guy was one of the largest we have found here in Vegas.

Micah made this fun contraption to scoop it up with. They really are fascinating to look at but ohhh so creepy. We are up to a total of 11 scorpions found since our move. Just when I forget about them one will show up unexpectedly and freak me out. Last week I found a little one by our back door that was very mad. As I scooped him up to take him outside he had his tail up ready to strike. We will start spraying for bugs soon and hopefully the scorpions will leave to find food elsewhere.

I had to throw in a picture of Aliza's new face she pulls when I ask her to smile for a picture. Silly Girl!!!