Evelyn's 5th Birthday Interview

Our sweet Evelyn Jane Lucille, as it goes with every kid at every birthday, it's hard to believe how big you are.  I remember so vividly the day you were born.  You were my most traumatic labor-coming in the middle of the night and five weeks early, but pink and beautiful and completely healthy.  Now that I know your personality, I have no doubt you meant it this way.  I'm sure if you could've you would've have given us a big cheesy grin and blurted out "ha-ha".

I love your sense of humor.  You are genuinely funny and bring joy into our home.  You are always saying or doing something mildly inappropriate, always trying to walk the line and see what will make us laugh and will get you into trouble!

You can also be a fireball when angry.  Your newest thing is to put your hands on your hips and shout, "how dare you" when you feel violated.  May the Lord soften your heart and give you a desire for righteous justice.

You love to try new things, and you go forward in life with little fear.  If your big sisters are doing it, there's a good chance you are going to do it as well.  You will not be inhibited by your age or size-you will climb that tree, you will ride your bike, you will run that race...

I am always asked, "where does she get her hair?".  It is still so bright and golden blonde.  The quick easy answer is from her father.  The other day you told me you wanted to dye it brown...

You are our most snuggly.  Always giving a hug or a kiss, or when we are caught off guard, a lick on the cheek. 

I pray that God will use the sweetness in your heart (and the fire in your belly) for His kingdom work.  May your love for Him grow more and more!

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Evelyn's 5th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Gummies!!

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Swimming & Skating  

The best show on t.v. is:  Mickey Mouse & Elmo (we don't even watch these shows ever...)

The coolest person on Earth is:  God

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: God  

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Reading Lesson

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  China

My favorite color is: Orange...I mean, pink.

When I grow up I'm going to be :  a Vet, even though I don't want to take care of snakes...actually, I want to be someone who works at the pet store

My favorite song is:  How Far I'll Go (Moana)

The book I am loving right now is:  an Animal book...actually, my favorite is a baby book

Three words that describe me are:  E-V-E

When I was little I used to:  Throw away my own diaper

My favorite season of the year is:  Winter

The snack I like best is:  Gummies

The food I really dislike is: Zucchini

My best friend is:  Krista & Veronica

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  Having baby rabbits.  Lots and lots of baby rabbits until they are stacked up and touch the sky.

My best memory is:  Finding Treasure in Swimming Lessons

Evelyn's 4th Birthday Party!

Eveyln's theme for her fourth birthday party was "ocean sprinkle".  It combined her two loves: sprinkles and Nemo. 

  

As her party was starting, I realized my camera battery was dead and the iphone photos seem to have gone missing, so I missed photographing the first half of the party.  You can picture it though: food, drinks, eating, and kids running throughout the house.  

After eating and wrangling the kids back inside we had birthday cake.  Evelyn's favorite color is still orange, so she wanted orange frosting on her cake, and of course sprinkles. 

Like most kids, Evelyn loves to be the center of attention!

Following cake and ice cream, we went to the other room for presents!

 

Once again, she received lots of great gifts like some clothes, a puddle jumper, a Hello Kitty pillow, a movie, and some gardening supplies.

The big hit for the afternoon was some bubbles she received from Papa.

We were blessed with great weather, just a little wet so some kids were slipping and sliding a little!

It's always a joy to get together with family and celebrate!  

We're so thankful for cousins, grandparents, and aunties and uncles that are near! 

Evelyn's Birthay Interview : age 4

Our dear sweet Evelyn, you are growing up before our very eyes into such a big girl.  Already you are 4 and full of beautiful, spunky personality.

You love babies (and pacifiers) and are always eager to help out in any way.  You make us laugh every day with your quirks, from the popular "Are you joking me?" to the daily licks and hugs that you give.  You love to belt out worship music when you go to the bathroom, whether at home or in public, and we can hardly go out without someone commenting on curly blonde hair.  You are quite the story teller-which sometimes get you into trouble.  

You love keeping up with your big brother and especially playing house with your two sisters.

I can't imagine our little family without you in it.  

God has a great plan for you, and we're so glad that we get to witness the journey.  

We love you!

 The kids and I love to look back on their birthday interviews.  So, even though it's a couple of months late, here's Evelyn's 

4-year Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Mac & Cheese

My favorite sport to play is:  Soccer

The best show on t.v. is:  Clifford (side note: I think she's seen Clifford one time)

The coolest person on Earth is:  an Astronaut

My favorite thing to learn about is:  Jesus

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Hug People

If I could anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  Arizona

My favorite color is:  Orange and Yellow

When I grow up I'm going to be :  a Princess or a Momma

My favorite song is:  Away in a Manger

The book I am loving right now is:  Christmas in the Manger

Three words that describe me are:  Away in a Manger, Papa, and You (pointing to me)

When I was little I used to:  Eat some gummy worms

My favorite season of the year is:  Snow

The snack I like best is:  Popcorn

The food I really dislike is:  Salad

My best friend is:  Olivia and Lisa


If I had one wish, it would be:  Puppy

My best memory is: Sucking on sippy cups, bottles and pacies

Arizona Trip 2016.

When we got married, we planned on visiting Matt's mom in Arizona about once a year.  Easter naturally became the perfect time for a visit since it's still chilly in SD but sunny and 80 degrees in Tucson.  It also means we get to spend a holiday with Matt's family.  

Well, four children later, once a year turned into four years.  Evelyn had never been there outside the womb, and the other children were barely able to remember it, so it was a top priority to go this year.  As a family of 6, traveling by plane costs a small fortune, but we have no regrets!  It was a wonderful visit, well-enjoyed by all, and we definitely won't be waiting four years until we return again!

So, it's been a few months, but here is a photo recap of our trip to Arizona.  

Lots of photos, few words:  Arizona Trip 2016 in a nutshell!

Favorite part of Arizona, Grammy and Grandpa's house!

 

A trip to the Desert Museum:

Ella still likes snakes...sigh.

 

Thompson cactus!

I had to take a picture of Nathan because I had such an enjoyable time at the museum with him.  Instead of keeping up with the group we walked slowly through and observed and discussed several of the different plants and animals.   We were amazed at how beautiful the dessert can be when you get down close and look at it.  God is such a wonderful Creator!

Bedtime stories with Grammy later that night.

Next day-getting ready to go horseback riding! 

It was a very casual setting;  no pomp, no real structure...manners and business etiquette seemed to be optional as well.

These places sometimes end up being the most fun.  Everyone gets to relax and enjoy themselves.  We ended up waiting over an hour for our horses to all be ready, but the kids got to run around in a covered pen filled with goats, ducks, chickens, lambs, and other farm animals (including a tortoise).  It was great!

Nathan and Logan definitely enjoyed chasing the ducks around the most.  They were able to grab a couple, but they definitely missed a lot!

Finally, time to ride horse.

Evelyn got to get on first to see how she would do.  Not well.  Thankfully she had a very patient, gentle horse.  Once others started getting on their horses, Evelyn warmed up to the idea.  She ended up riding Stormy for the full hour without ever complaining, a real cowgirl! 

 The kids were all very into whose rode which horse (which we had no say in). 

Here's Uncle Josh on Blacky.

 

Grammy on Nugget.

Ella on Wilbur.

Julia and Annie.

Nathan and Buddy.

Addie and Molly.

Grandpa Joe on Kimmy.

Matt on Pal.

Matt and Pal were a sweet pair.  They brought up the rear (right behind Goody and I).  I found out that both of them were highly reliable and hard working, but also a little obstinate and head strong.  They bonded.

Following the trail ride, we had hot dogs and baked beans for lunch.

For dessert, cupcakes to celebrate Ella's birthday!

Next day:

Start off with some egg dying,

then hiking at Sabino Canyon.

 Everyone loved hanging out in the small stream.  The boys were also highly interested in a small "cave" they found.  Thankfully no mountain lions were discovered!

Next day:

Egg hunt!

The boys probably did about a hundred potato sack races.  We started making them bring their prizes back because they were piling up too much stuff.

Everyone was very amazed by a local magician.  He was pretty good.

Later on we went swimming, then watched a few episodes of the Andy Griffith Show.  Aunt Elaine and Uncle Danny drove down from Phoenix for the afternoon.

This was likely our children's first exposure to Andy.

Human Pyramid!

Easter morning, getting ready to head to church.

Klein Family.

Girls.

Thompson family.

Evelyn was not into it.

 Grammy and Grandpa with the grandkids.

After church and lunch, egg hunt at Grammy's.

...then time for some more relaxation!

 Final day before traveling home:  zoo day!

As you can see, it was a great trip!
We look forward to doing it again (hopefully next year)!