Ruby Mae Is 5

Ruby turned 5 January 28, 2010. She wanted a Tinkerbell cake. I thought I would try a cupcake tower. Ruby chose strawberry and lemon flavored cupcakes and the cake layers were also strawberry and lemon. This was Ruby's year for a "family" party. We had the Joel Steveson family and her Grandma Colleen and Grandpa Larry over for Dinner and a party! Ruby has had a wonderful year. This is her second year of preschool. She loves doing "homework" when she gets home from school. I have her write her new reading words and sound them out. She seems to be catching on quickly.

Ruby has hit a milestone. On Friday the 29th Ruby went into the doctor for her 5 year check-up. Her immunizations were all caught up and she doesn't need to get her TSH levels checked until March. First time EVER she has gone to the doctor and not gotten poked with a needle or had to have a blood draw! She was a bit confused. She asked me if she still got a sucker when we were done! We are really hoping that the Endocrinologist is right and that her Thyroid issues will be smooth sailing from here on out.

Some of Ruby's favorite things: Emma, makeup, fingernail polish, Tinkerbell, her DS, swim lessons, gymnastics, her CTR4 teacher Dianne Kienholz, playing with Brittyn, and helping Mom with chores.

Ruby loves choosing the right and not the "left"!

Cold & Miserable

Have you ever been to Zoo Lights? In past years if you bought a season pass to the zoo it included free passes to Zoo Lights. In past years we have gone. Only to come away thinking that it was the same as the year before and if it wasn't free it really wouldn't be worth it. Well, 2009 will be the last year we ever go to Zoo Lights! This year we were turned off by the huge crowds, long lines, freezing cold weather and to top it off we only got a 50% discount on our admission. Rip off! On the bright side, Brittyn looked so cute in her front pack with dad.

Notice: Missing Toothbrush

Found: One Candy Cane
"I can't find my toothbrush! So I have this candy cane and it makes my teeth smell gOOOOOoood!"-Ruby

Rice, Rice, Baby

Brittyn's first rice cereal! And the verdict is...she likes it! It has been nice to have her be able to eat something else besides just nursing. She has a healthy serving every night right before bedtime. I am hoping she will sleep better. She really has a hard time sleeping at night. Maybe it is to quiet. She is so used to older siblings making tons of noise!

Randomness

Bayley was chosen to accompany the 6th grade program. It was quite the event. Bayley did an awesome job keeping tempo with the choir and other instruments involved. She was presented with flowers and chocolates from Mom & Dad at the end of the evening.

Before I Forget...

Max taking his turn cutting down the tree.

Our children are growing like weeds.

Bayley, Max, and Ruby helping me trim the tree.

These past few week have been a marathon. I am pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels that way before Christmas. So I thought I should post some things before I forget . Last year I ended up just doing a Christmas slide show. I know, lame.

Giving Thanks

Brittyn, Bree, Bayley, and Sadie excited for Turkey Day.

Pie makes me smile:)

Isaac, Ethan, Emma, Ruby, Max, Josh, and Sadie. Making ginger bread houses. Josh is Sharsti's fiancee. He will be joining the family in February. Josh is really great. The kids loved him. We are so excited to have him a part of our family.

The lovely center piece my Mom put together for our Thanksgiving spread. Only thing more impressive is the giant mashed potato mountain right behind it.

We had a great Thanksgiving. We love our family so much. I am so grateful to my parents for building a family that loves to be around each other. My Mom has made her home a place where everyone wants to be!