Happy Birthday Ella

2006
2008

Since we already celebrated Ella's birthday earlier in the month, we decided to spend her "real" birthday doing whatever Ella wanted (not much different than every other day of the year). We started out by watching "Cars" in Daddy's bed. Then we went for a drive in the "bye-bye" to find "moo-moos." Then we went to the park and played. We came home to let Ella go down the waterslide in the backyard until nappy time. After nappy time we went to McDonald's for dinner! What a perfect day for Ella. Best little friends. I didn't realize, until I looked at this picture, that Ethan and Ella are matching. haha.
Of course I had to make cupcakes.

Party goers- Cameron, Ella, Devon, and Ethan (mom and Brooke too!). Ella loved having the boys to play with. They watched out for her and helped her up and down every slide she wanted to go on. What good boys. Happy Birthday little Ella Bella.

Don't count the years- make the years count!

Happy Birthday, Reaggie

Can you believe Reagran's birthday is one day before mine? It's perfect because I get to celebrate her birthday with her and the next day she gets to celebrate my birthday with me. Rock on!

For Reagran's big day we went to breakfast at Bon Vino's and then to get our nails done! Annie and her friend's babysat my kids while we pampered ourselves. Then Reagran and I went to the "big city" to some shopping. I had such a fun time with Reagran. She has a very tight schedule lately, so I'm glad she let me spend some time with her on her birthday. I love you Reaggie!

Kathy's birthday dinner

Today we went over to Kathy's house for a birthday celebration for her and Jory. Jory and Kathy both have birthday within a couple weeks of each other, so they shared the birthday candles!
Kathy's mom, Lucy, worked so hard making empanadas. They were delicious!
Don't they look professional?

A busy weekend

Saturday
This morning we started early with a Pee Wee Track and Field Meet. Ethan participated last year and had such a great time. He was very excited about running again this year. He placed 2nd in both races he ran. Then he won 1st place in the ball toss for his age group.
He threw it over 36 feet!
He was only able to place in three events so he just did the long jump for fun
Ella is our little runner. Today it paid off. In the first race she ran, she got mad that she couldn't start before the flag went down and so she threw a fit before starting. She placed 3rd on that race.

In the second race, she knew what was going on so she was ready when the flag went down. She ran and ran and ran. She won 1st place. The only problem was she didn't want to stop at the finish line.

They tried to give her the blue ribbon and she just turned and then kept running...
...and running!
Later, Saturday afternoon, we had a Goodbye BBQ for the Whittle and the Wilson's. They are two families in our ward that are moving on to the next phase of their lives. We bought this waterslide so the kids would have something fun to do outside while the parents actually got some time to talk and laugh together.

Brook and Becky I will miss you dearly. You two have welcomed me in wholeheartedly. I will forever be thankful for your friendships. I am sad, for myself, to see you leave but I am genuinely excited and happy for your next step in life. I am looking forward to seeing how you will change and grow. I wish the best for you and your families. I pray that you will have "Brookes and Beckys" in the places you move to that will make you feel right at home. I love you girls! Thank you for everything you do.
After the BBQ, I noticed the sky had the most beautiful rainbow. It was a full rainbow that touched the ground on both ends. It was so close to me that I could not fit the entire rainbow in my lens. In the top left corner picture you can see that there is a double rainbow. The sky was so colorful and amazing. I watched it for a few minutes as it turned from blue to purple to pink. It was truly breathtaking.

As if the day couldn't get any better, Heavenly Father said goodnight to Sunnyside with this beautiful sunset. I am so thankful for the beauties of the earth.
Friday

Tonight Ethan and I went on a special date. We went to dinner with Reagran and Annie and then to a dance recital that some of our friends were performing in. Ethan and I always look forward to the nights we get to leave Daddy and Ella at home and have our own time.

The dance recital was so much fun. Ethan and I clapped and yelled and danced in our seats.
After the show, Ethan gave Lia and Aline their flowers. They did a wonderful job performing their parts.

Happy Birthday Johnny

My brother-in-law, John, is celebrating his birthday tomorrow (today in China, right? He lives there so it all works out). Since our birthdays are so close to each other, we shared many of cakes and candles. John is so much fun to be with. He has always helped me feel comfortable and welcomed into the Copeland family. Happy Birthday John!

Get Well, Shannie

My friend, Shannon, just had surgery last week and I wanted to let her know that I am thinking about her. I made her a collage of things that she loves, and things that remind me of her. Yes, that is George Lopez.
Shannon, you are so strong and amazing. I am thankful for having met you. You taught me so much while our husbands were in dental school. Even now that we are done with school, it is so nice to have someone to talk to about the "real world." I miss you so much. Take care of yourself. I hope these pictures will make you smile!

My little athlete

Ethan loves it when Kent will play sports with him. Every night, Kent and Ethan have there time to play basketball, football, soccer or wrestling. Ethan loves to play hard and Kent loves to make him play even harder. Ethan came inside from playing with a bloody nose. Kent rolled up some tissue and stuffed it in his nose. With that Ethan said, "The bad news is- I'm bleeding. The good news is- it's funny." He is so cute. I just love this little boy.

Happy Birthday Kathy!

Kathy is having a very exciting week, with just having a baby last Thursday. She is such a wonderful, loving, fun person and I hope her birthday is just perfect. This is a picture of her while we were in Leavenworth last fall. They have a darling hat shop there. Kathy and I (and the kids- of course) had so much fun trying on all different hats. She has always made me feel so happy and comfortable. Kathy, thank you for being such a genuine person. I look up to you in so many ways. Happy Birthday!

Enrichment Service Project

Last night was Enrichment again. We went with a picnic theme. Reagran worked so hard while I was in Fiji, taking care of business and getting all the details figured out and ready to go. Thank you!!

Some of the Relief Society sisters stayed at the church with Reagran to put together goodie packages to send to the missionaries that are serving from our ward. The rest of the sisters went with me to a local nursing home to do a service project. It was such a rewarding night. I once read a sign that said "What a blessing- to be a blessing." I was thankful to be able to be a part of this service to bring cheer to these elderly women that live in this nursing home.
Since there are only women at the nursing home, we did a "spa night." We curled hair, gave hand massages and painted nails. We sang songs and had a wonderful time.
Here are the spa kits that we gave to each woman. Erin (Martin) helped me put these together. I am so happy she and Brent and Tanner are official Sunnyside residents now.

Before we went to the nursing home, we had a picnic dinner at the church. At the end of each table there was a picnic basket with all of the plates, cups, and utensils. Reagran worked so hard on the food.
By the time we were finished cleaning up- Ella was exhausted. She laid down on the floor of the gym. Poor little thing.