Lydia's Luau

 My sweetest little treasure turned four this summer (insert tears here.)  How is my BABY four?!!

We had a Hawaiian Luau in Paradise, where else?

Pinterest makes this rainbow slushy drink seem a lot easier to execute than it is in reality.

 So you're probably thinking "Hey, isn't that the same photo stacked on top of each other?"  Well, no, it isn't.  They are slightly different angles, and I had to show both to get my time's worth.  Just a note for some of you.  If you don't like delegating (or are incapable of it) or asking for help, so you have a party to prepare for the whole family, well, you probably shouldn't carve fruit during the day of the party, it can really add to your stress level and put you behind for when the guests arrive, I'm just sayin'.

We HAD to do the Limbo, these are the top 3 winners.
1. Lydia.  It's her birthday, aaaaaand, look at that face, is she worried she won't clear the stick?

 2. My dad.  He is totally trying to participate.  There's his daughter on the left trying to cut him some slack, and his life partner on the right, finding joy and not budging on raising that stick!

 3. Kennedy of course, that girl is rubber I tell ya!

 We played some minute to win it games.  Boys vs. Girls.  We looked for hidden paper umbrellas, had yoga competitions, fire baton twirling, hula hoop contests, lei piling, and pass the orange.

 The best was the game called "Go Fish."  The kids had to reach in this vase and see who could catch a fish with their bare hand in the least amount of time.  Emma dominated with a 3 second catch!

 At the start of the night, everyone had a lei.  If you said the word "drink" then someone else could say "gotcha" and you had to give them your lei.  The person at the end of the night with the most leis was the winner.  Brody was thrilled to win, but not thrilled that he only won a fruit roll up.  Sorry kid!

We had some fantastic presents, Lydia was pleased as Hawaiian punch!  A Minnie Mouse nightgown...best ever!!  I don't support character clothing, but pajamas is an exception.  Look at Emma eying all her new gifts.

 The best ever was when we lit the candles and Lydia's paper umbrella went up in flames, she was scared for her life!!  I wish I could've caught her face on camera.

 I had two amazing parts of her birthday.  One was when Ryan and I pulled her aside and let her open a gift from our house elf.  She was finally returning Lydia's silk tag back to her.  Lydia has been missing it since the elf left Christmas Eve and took it with her.  It's a long story of the significance of this tag, but it just really means a lot to her and I went to great lengths to make the gift possible, so I was pleased to find that she treasured this present.  As a baby she used to suck her thumb and rub taggy on her nose.  She still love to rub that tag on her nose, and my nose as well, if I've been extra nice.

 The ultimate best part of the day was when the party was over, everything had been played, eaten, and unwrapped.  Then Lydia and I sat down by the pool and talked about her life and how thankful I am to have her in mine.

For the sake of the blog book I am going to address this letter to Lydia.  It's surely going to be cheesy, so you might want to spare yourself.  I just have to write it now, I know if I don't now, then who knows when I will. 
Dear Pipsquek,
I struggle to find the words to let you know jut how much you fill my heart.  You bring a gentleness and tenderness with you everywhere you go.  My life has a lot of big personalities, loud laughing, and playing hard.  Then you come along, with your tiny little body, your fluffy hair, and those bright blue eyes.  You instantly soften every room you step into.  When you were a baby I would just lay next to you and beg God to not let me forget the way you smelled, the little sounds you made, and the way I felt.  I think I have been blessed to really soak up the tiny moments with you.  I love it when you crawl in bed with me in the mornings, and gently pet my cheeks, and when I open my eyes I see the most loving expression on your face, just like the one I would wear when I watched you sleep as a baby.   I absolutely love watching you learn, you really soak it all in and value the importance of being smart.  I love that you know your limits, much better than I know your limits.  I never have to worry about you being in danger, but I am always surprised by what you are capable of, especially for someone so young.  Most of all, I love what an obedient little girl you are.  The ability to obey will serve you well in this life, and I mean that to be much further reaching than just obeying your parents.  I've loved watching you grow up, reach milestones, and give so much purpose to my life.  Six years ago I felt your absence in our family, we truly were incomplete without you.  I am so thankful for your sweet gentle spirit and the love and light you bring to this family.  Thanks goodness I don't have a choice whether you grow up or not, because if it were up to me you would have stayed 3 forever.  You are my sweetest little Pippie.  I hope you had the happiest birthday (which of course you did, look at all those above photos, how could you not love this day?)  All my love, literally, you can have every drop that I can give.  Love, Mom.

JUNE (also known as MEGA post)

The girls had their end of the year dance recital and loved every minute of it.  It was especially sweet watching them be in the same dance studio and participating in this right of passage together. 

 

Summer is here!!!!  Need I say more?

When my parents went to Africa they connected us with the sweetest young man named Jote.  He lives in a boy's orphanage down in Ethiopia.  He has Facebook and we've really enjoyed sharing a connection with him.  He calls Emma and Lydia his little sisters.  We were soooooo very touched when he sent the girls a package all the way from Africa!!!  It had this hat, scarf, necklaces and sandals.  Truly, I can't bare to think of the sacrifice it must have been for him to send something to these little girls.  It really means so much to all of us. Here is Emma posing it up....this girl of mine....I'm worried!!!

 Annie and I took the kids on an all day adventure to the Dinosaur Park and also Heber and Park City.  It was a looooooooooong but eventful day!

Before the heat got to hot I enjoyed beautiful hikes in the mountains right behind our house.  This hike below entails me, Lee, a wooden palette, and an angry tractor driver. 

Jessica came home for a week from her Vivint summer and we enjoyed seeing her as much as we could. 

With Ryan working during the days I have to take the girls with me when I work for Uncle Mike.  A special thanks to Lee and Cam for being so good to play with these girls and be so good to them. 

Many days spent at Logan swimming pool. 

What can I say about these two cousins?  Emma and Jaken.  They warm my heart.  The truly are best friends.  He'll be the brother she'll never have, and he'll probably be nicer to her than a brother ever would've been.  

We spend a lot of our time up at my parents....gee....I wonder why!

Look how OLD Lydia is getting!!!  I can't believe she is my BABY!!

Ryan spent a few days helping my dad put in this swimming pool....

 Here is the end result

 Above photo: Emma continues to get hurt.  Bless her heart.

Below: Lydia thought this poster at Buffalo wild wings was the funniest thing she had ever seen.  That's fluffy the pig she's holding, she usually comes everywhere with us.  I love that pig as much as she does.

 Sooooo.....this is a little wedding that I just had to crash.  My aunt got an invitation to the reception and the invitation itself was to die for!  So I knew that the reception would be amazing.  I just love a good party.  My aunt couldn't attend, so Lydia and I went and oooed and awwwed, and also left with some cotton candy.  There's a fair chance that crashing weddings might be my new thing.

We got out the birthday tree.  We set it up and decorate it.  Then it's like an advent calendar.  Every day leading up to the birthday you get to hang one candy ornament.  When all the ornaments are hung then it's your birthday!!  I've found it's a great way to help the little girls understand the concept of time.

Lydia's birthday will be a post all of it's own, but here is a photo from her birthday shoot.

The girls LOOOOOOOOOOVE to car dance!  Hmmmm, I wonder where they get it from. 

Watching a video that Jaken sent.  They were tickled that he specifically said hi to them. 

This darling sister of mine came for a visit!  It's always a great week when the Lakes come to town. 

Emma spent the entire week up at my parents with all the cousins.  She was in heaven!  Yep, that's a black bunny Camdyn is holding like a baby. 

One day we had a Land I Love Party.  We had themed foods, Patriotic songs,  and then we all went around and shared a song, poem or story about American History.  It's a family tradition and very important to instill patriotism into this generation, it seems that society isn't going to be doing that anymore.

We had a party at Aunt Lee's one night, complete with yummy food, games, and visiting. 

 Another day we all went to Bear Lake.  There is no description necessary for the joys of Bear Lake.

Annie and Papa always did a great job of entertaining the kids.  Hikes, adventures, camping, the works!

 This awesome day we went to Bountiful to have a BBQ at the Call's pool.  The water slide, grilling area, and overall ambiance just make for the perfect day!

 We washed it down with a beautiful sunset.  I know these two photos are similar, but I couldn't pick which one I liked best.

 The last of the Romney family was married.  I adore these new member to the family.  Chelsea is THE most beautiful bride I have ever seen. It was great attending their reception.  I believe that I spoke to every single Romney family member, which was great since I hardly get to see them on anything more than Instagram.  Below is a photo of us with the Smith cousins.  Too bad that some people's eyes are nearly closed, mouths open, heads turned, but it's the only photo I got and I just love these cousins so I had to post it.

On Stacey's last night everyone went up to my parent's for one last night of games and cackling. 

 I truly adore my sister Stacey.  She has been so generous and kind to me ever since I was a little girl.  She has NEVER once done a single thing that is worthy of an apology.  THAT is amazing.  She is a very large reason that I needed to make sure that I had at least two girls so that they could have the joy of a sister.

 Lydia continued the month as the little cheeser she is.  She loves her new minnie mouse pajamas from Aunt Lee and her math from Aunt Carol.

At the end of the month my mom and I headed to the Gateway to check out the chalk arts festival.  It did NOT disappoint. 

 What a GREAT month this has been!!!  Life in Utah is truly amazing.