Ellie's Big Day...

Look what Ellie is looking forward to this Sunday...

Ok, not the temple quite yet, but the opportunity to take another step in this direction.

We are so excited to share this day with Miss Ellie. Invitations aren't quite out, and we are getting close, so we thought we would share the info so everyone who wants to come and love this sweet girl, can calendar it for this Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Mainstreet building.

We. can't. wait.

"While mommy plays"

While I am desperately trying to accomplish a long overdue goal of playing the piano, this is what my two little girls do each day under my feet.

They roll around laughing and smiling under the enormous "sound machine" that occasionally produces a string of notes that sound familiar and fun.

Tymber and Annie are definitely sisters.

The way they interact and create this little moment that is just between them is like witnessing a small miracle.

A young child of three and a baby of only seven short months, communicating by smiling and touching.

It is truly amazing.

At first I thought I would squeeze in practice here and there when the little ones were busy playing, but now I have found that I have to set a timer, because they are happy as can be curled up under the piano listening away.

My dreams for them are that they will enjoy playing their whole lives, because they learned how to play as small girls, but if their lives turn out like mine, and they are trying to perfect a half-talent as a goal before turning 40, they couldn't be any more blessed than me with these two amazing miracle babies under my feet.

Ellie's Eighth!

Ellie's 8th started with a smile! She headed downstairs with an excited Annie trailing behind her.

They looked up and saw the streamers hanging and then ran to the fireplace to see the birthday tower.

Too cute!

We love Ellie!

This is a special birthday for her, because she made the decision to be baptized. She has been counting down to this birthday for almost three years. I remember her face as she watched Brooke take that big step.

Sometimes we forget that she is younger than the others.

She amazes us with what she can do!

Eight things that we all LOVE about Ellie are:

Her dad loves her intensity. She is always trying to do her very best. She works hard and it pays off.

She is generous! She will use her time, talents and whatever she has to bless those around her. Sounds like an eternal trait to me.

Brooke says that Ellie is sweet. Sweet and loving. She loves life and passes that on to us.

A.J. says she is tough! She rocks it!

I love how willing she is to help out. She sees a need and figures out a way to do it.

She is a perfect speller! She loves posting her perfect scores on the doors of our kitchen cabinets week after week!

Ellie is pretty easy going. She had a rough couple of weeks, and then woke up one day and said, "I am ready to be the good Ellie again!" And has been ever since!

We love her! And most of all, we love how she fits in our family. Absolutely perfectly!

Happy Birthday sweet Ellie!

Breakfast in Bed tradition! Annie jumped in and helped her with her birthday feast.

Happy girls!

Ellie's "favorites" birthday basket! This is a favorite tradition too, getting all the little things they love!

Ellie with her "birthday tower" that became a tradition the boys made up the first year we lived here. Some of the towers have been very impressive!

Ellie's "BE WISE" cupcakes! Thank you Pinterest! I am loving the ideas found in this little treasure on the internet!

Ellie took pictures by her gifts in the morning, but insisted on waiting until all her older siblings were home later to open all of her fun things.

Birthday coupon from Nana and Papa for a special night out!

I couldn't resist posting this picture! Look at that face!

Look at how kick-back Ellie's friend Tyler is in this pic! Love it!

We celebrated with cake and family! She shared the night with her dad!~

Look at that face!

We missed all the other unwrapping pics, but I love her smile in this one.

It was a great birthday week! I love Ellie, and we are so blessed to have her in our family!

Some of my favorite posts about Ellie are this one, this one and this last one with her cute friend, Emma when they were only 4 or so!

True Love

These smiles pretty much sum up our Valentines' Day this year...beaming bright!

We started the day, the night before, with all the preparations that go into a fun holiday with little purpose other than to tell the people you love, just how much you love them.

Nana and Papa dropped off their traditional goodies of cookies and chocolates. Each person with their own box of chocolates. Thank you Nana!

The children worked away on their special "boxes" that would hold all the loot from their class parties. This year Easton is in middle school, so I figured he would go about his day not giving Valentines' a second thought.

Boy, was I wrong.

This sweet boy decided that he would help Ellie build a classroom winning robot! John and I snuck away for a little date on Saturday night, and when we returned...there it was!

A life-size robot, painted and all, and ready for Ellie.

Amazing!

He had figured out everything, with the help of Ellie and Brooke, and created this adorable robot, complete with its' very own heart.

Well, let me tell about the heart of this boy. He is full of energy that is used in many different ways. Some for good and some, not so good. But he is one of the most thoughtful kids I know. He is a visionary. He looks around, sees a need, and fills it. He may be cramming for his Primary graduation with his Articles of Faith, and he may be playing catch-up quite a bit in other areas, but in the area of his heart...HE IS A ROCKSTAR!

Ellie was so proud to take that robot to her class! She actually came in 2nd place to a box with singing stuffed monsters on top. (Her vote for her friend, gave her friend the 10-9 vote to win.) She won in my book, because I told her she was the luckiest girl on the earth with TWO big brothers who love her! And one who would take the time to help her succeed.

This was the scene the night before! I was busy helping Brooke master her first duet on the piano, and when we finished...no daddy around. We had scriptures and prayer, and the kids headed off to bed. I figured something must have come up with work or a need of someone, but no, that sweet dad had gone to the store to buy flowers for all his girls and candy for his boys. When I came downstairs, he was carefully preparing each vase and each Valentine love note.

Now, I know no one likes sweet and sappy blogs, but this must be said. "I love John!" The talents and strengths that he has that know one sees or acknowledges, bless our lives here in this family. He prays for us. Works hard to provide for us. Encourages and believes in us. And so much more! I could not have had a greater gift than witnessing this site on our kitchen counter!

Morning came with fresh strawberry pancakes, lunches packed by Easton, pictures and excitement!

L-O-V-E this boy!!

L-O-V-E this girl!

L-O-V-E these girls!

This "candy gram" had Brooke greeting me in the hallway smiling. See who it is from? Who wouldn't want a "secret admirer" on Valentines' Day?

L-O-V-E this sweet baby!

A.J. woke up in the wee hours of the morning, before seminary, to write his girl, Meg a sweet letter about all the things he loves about her. Seriously, L-O-V-E that boy! She dropped this off on Valentines' for her favorite boy!

I think that this Valentines' will go down in the books as one of my favorites. Easton showing kindness to Ellie, Brooke beaming with her "locker" box, Annie playing with her special friend, Cate all day, A.J. showing maturity and strength, sweet Tymber smiling the whole day as I drag her from party to party, Madie being in a great teenager mood and my true love, showing me exactly why I know that I am the luckiest girl on the planet!

Happy Valentines' Day!