Ta-Da!

 Here it is! Ella's completed birthday cake! I just couldnt wait to show you all-

I think this is by far the nicest, most creative cake

I have done to date and I just love it! 

Ella does too!

She likes the hair the most, she said! 

I REALLY like the cake bunting the most! 

(they sell that stuff on etsy for like $20 for what you see on my cake!- 

and it cost me like $2 to make!)

Today is her party and its at a gymnastic place- everyone is so excited!

Including me, because I dont have to do much! They run games and everything! 

And it was VERY reasonable and she can have 20 kids 

and an unlimited number of adults- 

so we have around 35 people coming today! FUN!

I made a new chocolate cake recipe for one layer and 

the other layer is half strawberry and half vanilla with a chocolate mousse filling. 

I got a bunch of tips to make my cakes better from another blog 

and they really helped this time around! 

Megan is taking professional pictures for us at the party

so I thought I'd try to wait to post really nice pictures of the cake but I just couldnt, 

so my little camera ones will have to do...

Recap: New Year's Day

 Another tradition our family has is our annual New Years swim!

We go to our local rec center and swim in the indoor pool.

They have the perfect kiddie pool and the kid just love it!

Markand I love the hot tub the best-

the jets do wonders on achy backs and sore shoulders.

On another note, I am so very thankful for God's protection of our family.

The other night the girls kept coming to us saying their were weird noises coming from their room. 

We dismissed it  but they were persistent and we finally checked. 

Sparks were flying out of a socket in their wall. 

We immediately shut off the breaker to their room.

Praise God it didnt happen in the middle of the night.

A fire could have easily started seeing as the socket was right behind their book shelf! 

The electrician came and replaced several old sockets 2 days ago.

Just so thankful God protected our little family! 

Ellas 2 year Video

So, I have been on a video craze lately. Its fun to go through all the old photos and videos that we took of the kids. As I was doing so, I realized that Ella really was a VERY mischievous little girl. I forgot about half the things she got herself into- pens, markers, toilet paper, wipes, black eyes.. and she was always SO messy! It was hilarious to see it captured on video and film! Ella was definitely more so than the other kids! and I forgot about it completely! Good thing I have all these memories saved up so I wont forget to tell her future boyfriends and husband someday! so, here's one more video of Ella from 1yr to
2yrs old.. Enjoy and I promise to wait a while before putting another one up! They are long!

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Ella Bella!

 Hard to believe that this little girl is now 4 years old! 

Ella is a HUGE blessing to our family!

She is very loud and energetic, yet has a very sensitive side.

She loves to try to keep up with her older sisters

and usually fits right in with the older kids! 

She is SO very smart and could write her name by the time she turned 3! 

She knows how to count by 5's and 10's ad knows her alphabet 

and some sounds and all her numbers up to like 60!

Yes, I'm bragging about her:)

We love you Ella and pray that you grow up to be a woman 

who loves Christ and His gospel!

I think I'm going to let the twins stay home today to play with Ella. 

She misses them so when they go to school!

here is a little video of Ella's first year of life! 

Sorry for the "loud" song right at the beginning!

It was Marks pick:) 

And one other thing- just wanted to ask you all to pray for our friends Giles and Janel Litzner- their little 18 month old boy, Elijah.  is having his 3rd serious surgery today at this very minute. The surgery is over 8 hours long and my heart is SO very heavy for little Elijah and his mom and dad. Please pray for wisdom and accuracy for the doctors,
for little Elijahs body to be strong
for quick and complete healing
for grace and peace for the Litzners.
"unto our God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly-
above what we could ask or think!"
To God alone be the glory!!!

Ringing in The New Year!

Yes, we stayed up till midnight 

playing The Settlers of Catan,

getting our butts kicked by Bobby,

eating snacks,

watching the ball drop,

kissing our spouses,

all while the kiddos slept soundly in bed!

Here's to a New Year filled with more memories made with family and friends

and more opportunities to see Christ proclaimed and glorified

and His church and people strengthened and built up!

Happy 2011!

I am my love's, my beloved is mine

Arise, my love, my lovely one come,
Winter is past and the rains are gone.
The flowers appear, it's the season of song,
My beautiful one, arise and come with me.  

Who is it that appears like the dawn?
As fair as the moon, as bright as the sun?
Show me your face, let me hear your voice.
My beautiful one, arise and come with me. 

 Set me like a seal on your heart,
For love is unyielding as the grave.

The flash of it is a jealous fire,

No flood can quench

for love is as strong as death. 

Arise my love and come with me
Before the dawn breaks and the shadows flee.
You ravished my heart with just one glance
My beautiful one, arise and come with me.  

Do not arose or awaken love
Until it so desires.  

Arise, my love, my lovely one come,
The Winter is past and the rains are gone.
The flowers appear, it's season of song,
My beautiful one, arise and come with me.
I am my love's, my beloved is mine.
Arise and come with me.

-Song by Michael Card

Taken from Song of Solomon

I love you, Mark, and am so blessed to call you MINE!

Happy 9th Anniversary to us!!!

Girls Night Out- Happy Birthday Melody!

 Our dear friend, Mel, had a birthday right after Christmas, 

so we surprised her and took her out to dinner

at The Elephant Bar and Grille 

and then to a night at The Magnolia-

a swanky hotel downtown.

 Its nice for us moms to get away from everything for a night 

and sleep uninterrupted 

and spend some quality time with friends:)

and a milk and cookie bar!

Yes, you heard that right

chocolate milk

white milk

strawberry milk

and LOTS of cookies..

 The hotel had a nice lounge area where we could chat 

and eat our delicious bedtime treat!

We love you , Mel, and are so glad that you were born so we could celebrate with you!!