Our baby shower

Precious little Ella

We are missing a few brothers-in-law, 3 to be exact, but this is everyone else in the family.

From front to back- Marcia, Kim, Hannah, Miriam and my mom- Kim is a cousin to my mom and is also a twin- both on my Grandfather's side and his mother was a twin.

Marcia, me and my mom- the twins with the future twins

Such good friends- we have so many pictures posed just like this over the years- Amy, myself and Jena- I was so happy they could come and celebrate with us. Later this year I am sure we will be posting pictures of Jena's wedding!

The cake

The cake earns it's own page and since I am trying to use this as our scrapbook now- it earns it's own post. Tanya made this beautiful cake. Two tiers were chocolate with coconut cream filling, one tier was carrot cake with cream cheese filling and the final tier was key lime with margherita filling. They were all from scratch and so delicious. We were able to save the top tier and take it home to enjoy, which we did! Tanya made me a little sampler plate of each of the flavors and I am not sure which was my favorite. She covered the cake in buttercream which was actually tasty- usually I do not like buttercream but her recipe was very good, and then covered in fondant which was actually good to eat as well.

The detail work was amazing, all the flowers were hand made and from gum paste, the nests were gum paste as well. I didn't get any pictures of it, but Tanya was so patient with Ella who wanted to help and she was even able to place a few flowers on the cake with the help of her mom. It was best kind of centerpiece to have- beautiful and delicious!

Our baby shower

My sisters threw a baby shower so wonderful it should be published in Martha Stewart or The Food Network magazine. And, they prepared so much of it while in different states. My mom helped out when she was here, but her help started on a trip to Utah. I have always been blessed to be part of such a wonderful family and this is a beautiful display of one of the blessings I have enjoyed because of my family. I should also the wonderful friends that I have- it was held at my friend Dawn's home and other ward members volunteered to bring items and were so kind and supportive. The candy bar was a hit- especially with the beautiful tins that people were able to take home.

I will show more detailed pictures of the cake later, I like the angle of this picture and I am very appreciative of whoever it was that took pictures with our camera so we would be sure to have pictures of this very fun party. Little Ella was so excited for "Nadia's baby shower" she wore her cute party dress and was a lovely miniature hostess.

There was delicious other food too- fresh fruit, croissants, turkey wraps, vegetable trays and dip, raspberry lemonade and individual water bottles that Manda re-covered using her cricket cutting machine to match the nest theme.

There were so many little details that made the party so fun- there were grapevine nests accenting the house to tie in the theme.

Everyone was so generous at the shower and we have wonderful wishes from those who attended. I have enjoyed reading over the advice and wishes from so many.

More cousins!!

The next day brought more cousins to our party. It was wonderful to have everyone here and we were so touched that people made the long drive from the east and the west to celebrate with us. It is so fun watching the cousins play with each other.

This little girl is growing so tall and has every bit of energy and spunk that her older brothers have!

Liam and Josh played all the time together- if you needed to find one you just had to look for the other.

They made a lot of new friends at the park that day and came home talking all about them. I wonder why we as adults make it so much more complicated to become friends or simply enjoy an afternoon with a stranger? I learn a lot from my nieces and nephews.

The water boy

I know the angle of this picture is strange and the lighting is off- but I love the expression on Jack's face- he really is such a sweet little boy and he had a lot of fun in the water.

I also learned about Jack this weekend that he likes to make music and so even though I filled this bowl of water for him to play in, he enjoyed it more when the water was dumped out and he could turn it over to bang on it. I guess this is another example of not needing a lot of expensive of interactive toys to entertain and child- just some basic kitchen items will do. He also really enjoyed the measuring spoons on the tile floor. Whatever keeps the talent happy!

He got a shorter than expected summer haircut the night before this picture was taken- the night before they arrived in Arizona. I think he looks adorable and the good thing about hair is that is will always grow back.

We don't have a pool and I am not sure I ever want one- so in the mean time we make due with a big rubbermaid tub. It's great for watering the plants and if you are the right size it's a great spot to cool off.

A more controlled approach

Liam was also busy working in the garden, however he had a much more controlled approach to his building and design. He still loved getting hosed off- but who doesn't in the warm Arizona sun!

I remember seeing Liam right after I came home from my mission. He was only 5 or 6 weeks old and I have loved watching him grow. We were married on his 2nd birthday and so in many ways I feel like the time after my mission is referenced off of him- which makes it all the more fun to remember.

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

This Memorial Day brought lots of visitors to our home. During one evening we were sitting outside to enjoy the cooler weather and Ella started to build a nest in the garden. We didn't plant a garden this year due to being too big to bend over and tend it- but Buck had tilled the ground so the dirt was nice and soft. She was so happy to play out in the dirt and mud.

Periodically she would clap her hands together to get the excess dirt off and look around to see where else she might get some dirt and mud for her nest.

The cutest part was when we suddenly heard her say, "Look Mom, I pick a flower for you!"

And Tanya, being the loving mother that she is, was able to retrieve her lovely flower from her happy yet muddy girl. And I, being the loving aunt that I am, hosed her off before we went inside for dinner.