It's GREAT to be EIGHT!

The very lovely Bella has turned 8 years old! To celebrate, she had a much anticipated American Girl pajama party.  But first, she and I went on a date to the American Girl doll store so that she could spend her birthday money from the grandparents. She chose a doll that looks just like her...so very cute with the red hair and freckles.  

The attire for Bella's birthday party was PAJAMAS!  When the girls arrived, they decorated their own face and we tucked them under the blanket of this sleepover cake (probably the most fun I've had making a cake!)

We ate dinner and played freeze dance before opening presents and settling down to an American Girl doll movie.

For party favors, each girl got the cutest homemade pajamas for their dolls that I hired a friend's mom to make.  They turned out to be so adorable!

And each girl was given $5 in fake money to spend on concessions through out the movie.  They loved "buying" their treats and getting "dollar" bills back.  Most of the girls spent the night and when we woke up the next morning, we ate ghost cereal and played MORE freeze dance and painted nails.  Such a fun girly, girl party!

Although her birthday party was fun, being baptized by her daddy by far was the crowning moment of this birthday.  Bella was baptized on Oct. 27th.  It was a beautiful occasion and I am so very proud of her desire to follow Jesus and to do what is right.  Bella is such a caring, sensitive person.  She writes Blaine and I sweet little notes all of the time.  I am so blessed to be her mom.

The grandparents came out for the occasion.  Aunt Tiff gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.

It was SO VERY SPECIAL to me that Bella was able to be baptized in the very same dress that I was baptized in 28 years ago.  This dress was made by my mom and to date my sister Tiffani, myself, Tiff's girls and now Bella have all been baptized in it.  I LOVE it!  I am also so grateful to my wonderful husband who loves God and LOVES his children.  How special to see Blaine exercise the priesthood and baptize our sweet Bella.  Beautiful, beautiful day!

Throughout this whole month, we had friends and family SHOWER my children with love and support and gifts.  I am so grateful to have such a loving network of people who love my family.  We are so very blessed!

Ezra turns 5!

Oh, how I love this boy!  Ezra has filled the last 5 years of my life with such happiness.  When I think of my only son, I think of his sweetness, his calmness, and his easy-going nature.  Raising him has been  such a sweet experience.  I had no idea that little boys were so easy!  But Ezra is a lover, not a fighter, for sure.  He is so gentle and loving and kind and loved by everyone.  Even when his little sister hits him, which she does frequently, he never hits back.  Instead, I often hear him asking in his prayers that Cali won't hit.  Thank heaven for this little boy!  

 I had so much fun planning and executing his CARS party.  Thanks to the help of my seasoned sisters, they passed along some really great road sign decorations.

The whole family got dressed up for the occasion, of course.  

 We had the song Life is a Highway playing as the kids arrived, and each child was given his own driver's license.  And then they ate a race car lunch, complete with their choice of gasoline or oil to drink.  They usually chose BOTH!  
They got to keep the car from their cupcake and we played a few games with their new cars.  It was such a fun party, if I do say so myself.

Happy, happy birthday, my son.  I love you more than words can express.

Welcome to the Family!

The month of October was CRAZY busy with wonderful events including a wedding, two birthdays, and a baptism.  Not to mention Halloween fun.  So here I go trying to chronicle it all.  

Rial and Meagan were married on October 6th here in Colorado, even though they live in Arizona (lucky us!)  As always, it was so fun hanging out with everyone in the Allen fam and we are so happy that Meagan has joined the fun.  

 Unfortunately, the evening was a little "under the weather" and so the ceremony had to be brought inside.  It was beautiful, nonetheless.  The cousins loved hanging out together!

 Ezra stole the show as the ring-barer.  He did a great job!

 The best part of the night was dancing with the kids.  It was so much fun!

 

Being there with the whole family reminded me what a blessing my in laws are and how important extended family is.  Nothing shows support like the love of a large family.  I am so blessed to be a part of this one.