Birthdays

Before I can really move on to posting about our wonderful Christmas, I have got to catch up some very important happenings that occured at our house over the past few months.

Davis turned the big 1-2 back in September! It was the craziest of days that began with a soccer game 45 minutes away first thing in the morning. And having been still in the middle of our flooded basement renovation (more on that in a moment), the party thing was not happening. One of his birthday wishes was to have a birthday breakfast at IHOP. So we invited his friend, Bryson, to join us before they both had to be a the soccer game. He thought that was fun. And I hope that this day was special for him despite the juggling of a million things that needed to happen.

The next day he was able to be ordained to the office of Deacon by his dad. I am so thankful to now have two priesthood holders in our home. Davis takes this pretty seriously (as he should) and does a fantastic job at passing the sacrament, collecting fast offering and going early to set up chairs.

He is such an outstanding young man and I am so happy to be his mother. He is always so willing to do what is asked of him and does it cheerfully. He is a blessing to our family.

Happy 12th Birthday son! We love you!

Now on to our happy Marensita! She celebrated her 15th birthday in October! Dennis and I took her to a restaurant of her choice - Rodizio Grill - in celebration. It was so fun to be with just her... because it was all about her. She likes that. And she should... especially on her birthday, right? Maren is such a good girl. She knows what's right and she's never shy about doing it. She fills our home with her beautiful singing voice. She is very kind to let Eli play with her new iPod Touch - even when he sneaks into her room, climbs under her sheets so she won't suspect a thing, and plays the games on it - he really knows how to work that thing! Maren is always up for any kind of outing and she loves to watch chick flicks and sometimes I can even stay up long enough to join her! We sure love that Maren of ours! Happy 15th Birthday sweetie!

Millie has been asking when will she lose her first tooth. My answer was "about when you're 5''. As her 6th birthday approached, she was getting worried and I explained that it's different for everybody, but I bet that it would be in kindergarten. She finally lost her first tooth just days before her birthday. Whew!

She was very excited to have a "friend party" this year. And although we usually stick to the every-other-year stragedy for parties (her 5th was a friend party as well), it is her kindergarten year and it ended up being a very low-key, but super fun party! We decorated the treat bags with a Santa made from their hand prints, played some inside games, presents, cake and ended with a snowman pinata.

We are so grateful to have so many little friends in just our neighborhood/ward that are such good kids.

Millie was being silly waiting for the stick and her turn to whack the snowman.

We love this little fire ball of energy! Millie has such a creative imagination and a contagious laugh. She has quite a little booty shake and very good rhythm. Millie loves to snuggle and I love it when she does! She loves, loves, loves to play outside, but can be very well entertained being inside - preferably in her pj's. She will often come home from school, eat a little lunch and put her pj's on! We sure love our little monkey! She makes our home fun. Happy 6th Birthday Millie Moo!