Day 23... Happy Birthday Miss McCall!

*Disclaimer* This is going to be long.  It's not everyday your first born turns five!

McCall turned 5 today.  Time flies.  Just 5 years ago Rob got a breakfast burrito from Del Taco at 5 am.  That same morning I walked into St. Luke's looking like this...

After a few hours, I got this...

Then a day later we went home with the sweetest little girl.

Now that little girl is five, and for the most part she is still sweet. But you have got to be kidding me.  Where did that time go.  (Oh, ya.  I had two more kids.  Funny how that eats up your time!)

McCall woke up and proclaimed that "she felt five".  I wonder what "five" feels like?  Then Rhys got out the guitar and played while Bodie and I sang Happy Birthday.

Just for the record when your daughter turns 5, you are required to spend your time babysitting dolls...

When Rob was done babysitting, the kids and I made cupcakes.  After much deliberation in the cake aisle, and I mean MUCH deliberation, McCall settled on Devil's food cake mix.  I think it must have turned out alright.

Then we added candles.

We had a little spare time, so I thought we would do a fun little activity.  Bubble snakes.

So we cut the pop bottles, fastened an old sock on the end and dipped them in diluted dish soap.  But I forgot to tell the kids just to blow and not to breathe in.  Whoops.  I made my daughter throw-up on her birthday.  There goes my Mother of the Year award.  Damn I just got that award back.

After spitting and regurgitating bubbles for 20 minutes, we relaxed in the grass.  It was finally nice outside.

Bodie looks like he might be contemplating his next move, what do you think?

Aren't my boys cute.  I'm partial, but I know I'm right.

What a sweet sister.

Adorable kids, their parents must be cute.  Ha, just kidding.  It skips a generation.

McCall made this birdhouse.  She insisted that I take a picture.  It's a dried squash with a hole.  She painted it really cute and the little birds love it.

After a wonderful dinner, it was present time.  McCall waited so patiently all day long.

Rhys loved the wrapping paper.

Ohhh, how cute.

Bri Bri and Amber gave these gifts.  McCall's necklace set is blocking the water from the squirt gun.  Thanks for filling up that water gun Bri Bri!

Papa Burt and Nanny Rene gave her the cutest skirt with a little something extra in the pocket.  McCall is ready to go shopping.

Papa Don gave her a credit card, and she said "yeah I needed another one of these!"

Yeah!!!!

I got a.....

SCOOTER!!!!

Let's not forgot that Papa's birthday was yesterday.  I don't have any baby pictures of him.  That would have been a good idea, but I'm not that organized and I don't think that far ahead.  However, he did get the Wii he has been wanting and I think he liked it.

After all that, we blew out the candles and enjoyed our cupcakes.

Wow, that was a BUSY day!

Day 22...Those silly Vian boys

Bodie was "working" today with this bowl on his head.

Then he spotted Rhys, who was watching his big brother. 

So what does Bodie decide to do...

well put the bowl on his brother of course.  I'm not sure that Rhys enjoyed it as much as Bodie did, but he played along well.

And Bodie thought it was about the funniest thing ever.

He is easily entertained.

Day 21...We have been crafty around here

McCall and I have been busy.  It's her birthday month, so I made a balloon wreath for the front door.  It was really fun to make, and she had a blast helping me.  I under-estimated the number of balloons I would need.  I started with 100 and when all was said and done, I used 400+.  Man I love the dollar store.

Tomorrow is McCall's last day of speech with Ms. Allen.  She has come a long way this year and we are so thankful for that.  Ms. Allen is a great teacher, so McCall and I painted a terra cotta pot with chalkboard paint and McCall picked out a flower.  I think it turned out really cute.

On another note, I'm 21 days into my "365 project".  So far so good.  I have always heard it takes 21 days to form a habit, and I'm getting used to taking pictures everyday.  My family on the other hand...I'm not sure.  I have had a lot of positive thoughts from many of you.  I'm glad you enjoy, and I love your comments (thanks Amber!)  So 344 days left...

Day 20...Bodie had a BAD day.

Well the day started out good.  We had a yummy breakfast at Sunrise Cafe before Papa and Sue Sue left town.  Then we went to pick up a few groceries.  Nothing exciting, right?  That's because I forgot to mention that Bodie spilled an entire container of blueberries on the floor at Fred Meyer.  Just a tip...don't let a almost 3 year old hold blueberries.  When they fall they bounce, they roll...they make a real mess.  The workers were nice enough, but I've been in their shoes thinking, "God people control your kids."  Bodie was really sorry though, and that was cute.

Once we were home, McCall and Bodie decided to "cook" some dinner. 

Then once our real dinner was ready, Bodie didn't want to eat he wanted to play with balloons.  Unfortunately for him, Daddy was being funny and popped the balloon with a fork.  Oops.  Then the water works happened.  Poor Bodie.

Day 19...more camping

After spending the night in my nice cozy bed, Rhys and I headed back up to the mountains to meet up with the rest of the Vian's.  They had a good night, but I didn't let on to how well Rhys had slept or how warm I was.  It will be my little secret.

McCall found the water hose, and she thought we couldn't see her since it was on the other side of the camper.  However, little did she know that the splashing water and her two little feet were a dead giveaway.

Bodie loves to pee in the woods.  I'm going to have a problem this summer, but at least I won't have to clean the toilet too often.

I brought the "good dog" up camping today.  It's kinda like Brian and I growing up.  I was the "good one", at least that is what Mom and Dad think!  (Just kidding...I WAS the good one, I swear!)

Rhys loved taking in the sights.  I've said it before and I'll say it again...he is the best baby!

Camping is hard work, just ask Bodie...

Day 19...Camping

We joined the rest of the family camping today.  We settled at a spot just before Idaho City, in nice little campground.  Bodie and McCall had SO much fun.  They love to play in tents.

I tried to tell them not to run around in the tent...

but it tipped over anyways.  Yes, they were in it.  Yes, I took a picture before I helped set it up.  No, no children were harmed during the photographing of today events.

However, we did have a dog fight.  Ginger broke though her leather collar to get over to the kids who were petting another dog.  She is so protective of those kids. Too bad for Rufus, (the other dog) her collar snapped and then he got a nip on his back leg.


So Ginger spent a while in a doggie time out.  I wonder if dogs have to be in time-outs 7 times longer than their age?  Random thought!

We went on a hike.  McCall picked flowers.

Bodie did too, and made sure to give his to his Mama.  What a sweet boy!

On our hike we saw hundred's of sheep being herded down the hill.  The kids thought this was really cool.

But they needed a better look.

Then we headed back to camp for some yummy dinner.  And a early birthday party for McCall and Bodie too.  Sue Sue baked a cake and the kids both blew out candles.


Overall, just a nice relaxing day in the woods.

Bye.

P.S. I sacrificed spending the night in the beautiful woods, sleeping under the stars to be a good Mom.  I wanted to  make sure Rhys was home nice and warm in his bed.  So now I'm going to have a hot shower and sleep in my nice warm, comfy, pillow top bed...the things I do for my kids!!

Day 18...1 kid is SOOO easy!

Bodie and McCall went camping with Papa and Sue Sue. So Mommy and Daddy went to sushi with Rhys.  He laughed, and was perfectly content in his seat the entire time.  We enjoyed adult conversation, didn't assist anyone to the bathroom and did not have to rush though our dinner.  It was heaven.

But our house is quiet.  Really quiet.  Scary quiet.  I miss my munchkins, but I love my little one!