Barbie Party!

Raquel decided on a Barbie birthday theme for her party this year. We had fun coming up with things to do for her celebration but ultimately decided on a little barbie make-over party.

Once all the girls arrived and colored a few barbie pictures we played pin the glasses on Barbie. For prizes the girls got their own Barbie glasses. Then it was time for our mini make-overs. With the help from a couple of neighbors (Kathy, Kaitlin and Julie) all the girls got their nails painted complete with stickers, make-up with glitter and their hair done with flowers and bows. All the girls had lots of fun and were very excited to be able to wear make-up. After cake, ice cream and present opening we sent home 6 very happy girls.

Raquel & her Cake

The Barbie Cake

Alexa, Gracie, Grace, Hannah, Autumn

Natalya & Raquel

Showing off their fabulous make-up and hairdos.

Eating cake & ice cream

Opening presents

Alexa, Nora & Raquel

and the happy mom during

the party.

We're Famous!

We're famous! Not really but our picture did make it into the local newspaper.

Bonfire!

We had our first bonfire of the Summer. I guess technically it is only Spring but its been such great weather that it has been like summer. Our neighbors had some wood that needed cutting up so Mike offered to help. They then invited us over for a bonfire with hot dogs and marshmallows. The kids had fun roasting their own hot dogs and playing by the fire.

Mike showing the girls how its done

Tom, Autumn and Raquel roasting dogs

Marcus enjoying the chips

Roasting more hot dogs

6 yrs. old

Our little girl Raquel isn't so little any more. She turned 6 yrs. old today!

She enjoyed her birthday with some of her favorite foods. Donuts for breakfast, sticky rice for lunch and tacos for dinner. Raquel thought it was pretty neat to go to church and get sung to in Primary on her actual birthday. She finished off the day with a bit of present opening.

We sure love our big 6 yr.old girl. She is always willing to help, loves to swim, color and go to school. She is a great big sister and very helpful with her siblings. She is learning to cook and loves making cookies with her dad. Raquel loves being in Kindergarten and riding the bus to school everyday. She loves playing with her friends Gracie and Autumn but also really enjoys just being home and playing with her sister and brother. She is very sweet and caring and just a great kid!

Raquel and her plate of donuts

The birthday girl opening her presents

On Tuesday Raquel helped make pink cupcakes for her school class.

The girls were all excited for pink but all the boys had to think twice about eating pink frosting.

Here are a few questions I asked Raquel on her birthday.

Favorite food : Sticky Rice

Favorite treat: Chocolate Chip Cookies

(that she makes with her dad)

Favorite toys: Barbies

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Movie: Rapunzel

Favorite Day of the week: Sunday

(because it was her birthday day)

Favorite Activity: Coloring

Favorite Place: Home

When I grow up I want to be: A cowgirl

I wish: There were unicorns

I dream: about unicorns running & I'm riding on them

My favorite vacation: Going to Grandma's House

Best day: When its my birthday!

SciWorks

On our way home from Chapel Hill we took a little pit stop in Winston-Salem to have lunch and enjoyed the SciWorks Center for a few hours before heading home.

Enjoying our after lunch ice cream cones.

Up, Up we go!

Playing the floor piano

Static electricity

Natalya looking at her hair sticking up.

And Raquel's hair sticks up

Mom's hair sticking up from the static electricity.

Pool and Park

Day three while in Chapel Hill the kids and I explored the NC Botanical Garden, Played at a local park and swam in the pool.

This is the hairdo that Raquel gave Marcus.

She used the water out of the fountain in our hotel lobby while eating breakfast to style it.

THE BOTANICAL GARDENS

Since it was so early in the year there wasn't much to explore and see at the botanical garden but the kids and I found a little kids area to enjoy the warm weather and play for a while.

Playing with the natural wooded blocks

More block building

Digging in the sand box.

This is how Marcus would play, never getting into the box just reaching over the sides.

THE PARK

The kids all had fun playing at the park

SWIMMING

Marcus

Natalya

Marcus having fun with dad

Flying Natalya

Soaring Raquel

Museum of Life Science

Our second adventure while in Chapel Hill was much more of a success. After dropping Mike at his conference the kids and I headed to the Museum of Life Science in Durham. We arrived about a 1/2 hr after they opened at 10am and stayed until they closed at 5pm. The kids and I really enjoyed all the fun things to see and do. We . . .

Rode a train

Played at the seed tower

Explored the dinosaur trail

Dug for fossils

Watched the frogs, spiders and insects

We closely watch the frogs as you can see from Natalya.

Marcus was doing the same thing but stopped right before I took the picture.

Hunted for butterflies in the tropical conservatory.

It was neat having all the butterflies flying around us

Took a picture break on the butterfly seat

Petted the farm animals

(I think this was Marcus' favorite thing to do.)

Played in the sandbox

Built things

and played with fun toys.

We also got to explore the Carolina Wildlife exhibit and watch the snakes and alligators while they were being feed. It was cool watching the poor little goldfish trying to out swim the snake but finally getting eaten.

And after finishing our day at the pool the kids and I were really ready for bed.

Chapel Hill

Once again Mike had a medical conference to attend and we tagged alone for the ride. This time we went to Chapel Hill, NC. Besides a bit of sickness that hit most of the family while there we really enjoyed our time exploring and soaking in the 80 degree weather. We spent a lot of time outside and in the hotel pooling keeping cool.

The first day of the conference the kids and I decided we would go explore the Planetarium and Science Center on the UNC campus. After finding parking about 5 blocks away, which wouldn't have been so bad if I wasn't 36 weeks pregnant and had to carry a 18 month old in 80 degree weather. But we did make it and to the planetarium which ended up being not much to see for the kids because the exhibits are only open on the weekend during the school year and all the shows were sold out because of lots of school groups. We did enjoy the nice weather and the kids got to run around a little outside.

It ended up that we had to pick up Mike early from his conference because he wasn't feeling well so it worked out ok. After bring Mike back to the hotel the kids and I enjoyed some lunch and a little shopping before heading back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. So not the day I had planned but we all had fun anyways.

The girls posing while exploring the UNC campus

Sunny Days

We have been enjoying the nice spring weather and playing outside. The kids really like it that they can be outside and jump and hang out on the deck.

Marcus hanging out in his big boy undies.

Having fun on the trampoline

35 weeks

I haven't been pictured on the blog lately since I'm always the one behind the camera so I thought I'd post about me. So here is a picture of me. Notice once again I'm the one behind the camera. I'm now 35 week and doing great. The baby is measuring small (3 weeks to be exact) and so I'm headed back to the doctor next week for and ultrasound to make sure everything is all right. We are not worried and neither is the doctor because all our kids have measured small, just a precaution. Very excited to meet this new little guy and introduce him to the family. Hopefully we can decide on a name before we leave the hospital or better yet before he comes.

35 weeks and counting!

Marcus 18 months

Our little man Marcus turned 18 months. If I had been a little more prepared we would have celebrated with a cake or something, but I'm sure he has eaten lots of cookies and brownies this week so that should make up for it.

Marcus is such a happy little kid and loves just playing by himself. I'll go to find him and a lot of the time he has let himself into the basement and he is happily playing. He loves his cars, trucks and trains and is usually carrying around one or two in his hands. But he loves his necklaces too, as you can see from the pictures. Thanks Grandma Kennedy for all the fun jewelry. I think Marcus gets the most use out of is lately. He is just like Raquel at this age, she loved her necklaces too and it wasn't just one or two but as many as can be found.

Marcus had his 18 month check-up and is doing great. He is growing and gaining weight like he should. We all love an adore our little guy!

18 month stats

32 1/2 inches (50-75%)

25 lbs 4 oz. (25-50%)

18 1/2 in. head