Hallie turns 8!

It is beyond crazy to me that my firstborn is EIGHT.....How can time have possibly gone by this fast?!?! Here's a bit from her birthday and some copying from Instagram posts with details about her. 

From Instagram: Yesterday was a stress fest...I worked all day, the kids had karate, dance, and piano, I have 5 home studies to write and a stack of emails to respond to...it was the type of day where I literally didn't sit down until 8 pm. In the midst of it all, Hallie politely informed me that we had forgotten to complete her Star Poster because she's Star of the Week at school since her birthday is this week. Total mom fail. I felt so bad that she didn't get to have it there all week because I forgot. We made a run to Hobby Lobby and completed the poster together late last night. It was so fun to reflect on this sweet little (almost) 8 year old's life. She's a dream child. So helpful, so giving, so kind (mostly) to her siblings, and oh so forgiving of her parents and our shortcomings. We love you, Hals. Cannot believe she's been ours for 8 years!

And from the post I wrote on her birthday:

It's true what they say that the days are long but the years are short. I can't believe that 8 years ago today we were blessed to have this beauty join our family. Fun facts: Though she's not our oldest, she was our firstborn and she's the only one who didn't come with a sibling the same year. 😄
Hallie has been an absolute amazing child who is mature beyond her years. In some ways, she's had to grow up quickly because of the way we've built our family after her. However, Hallie's most beautiful qualities of care, compassion, and kindness have truly blossomed as she's welcomed 4 siblings after her. She's especially embraced Flor and Mishell, loving them unconditionally from day one, despite the challenges they brought with them through no fault of their own and depsite the fact that they require a lot of mom and dad's attention. Hallie is happy to fly under the radar and does not need outward praise or recognition, she just goes about quietly being a wonderful daughter and sister. We are truly blessed to have her in our home and I'm so glad we get to celebrate her today for her birthday and tomorrow for her baptism. Love you always, dear Hallie. Thanks for being you.

Hallie was lucky enough to have extended family here for her birthday since the next day was her baptism. It is not often (or ever) that my kids get to have their grandparents or cousins at their birthdays, so that was a special treat. We had Costco chocolate cake, per her request, and opened presents. We of course had Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner (Every year-- wonder if this request of hers will ever change!)

My grandma Clark sent down this tiny tea set for Hallie that she got years ago in Japan. It was special to her and she wrote a card saying how she wanted Hallie to have it, which was just darling. I hope Hallie recognizes what a special gift this is.

Jace picked this gift out for her at the grocery store and requested I buy it for him to give to her. How can you say no to that?

Love this girl!!

Hallie's Pre-Baptism pictures

Hallie was baptized on November 5, 2016 as a member of our church. We didn't think about getting pictures taken of her before hand, but then an announcement came in the mail for her cousin Ryder's baptism (they were baptized together), so she was wondering where her announcement was. You'd think she'd learn that her parents are just not that on top of things! :) So, we took her to the Ogden Temple on a Sunday afternoon and took some pictures ourselves. That's why they look so professional ...;) We made up an announcement and sent them off, you know, a few days before the baptism. That's okay; at least we have the keepsake I guess! 

Hard to believe our girl is 8. Here are some of the pictures we took:

 And a few of just the temple, because it's pretty gorgeous.

Halloween 2016

Our poor kids got to wear hand-me-down costumes this year (or the same thing they wore last year). That's called quality parenting right there....:) They think they are deprived, but ya know. A good costume shouldn't go to waste by only being worn once!

Jace had a Halloween parade and then party in his class, which I volunteered for. Good times. Kindergartners and a lot of sugar= a lot of fun. 

decoriating their teacher, Mrs. White, to be a mummy

Also quality parenting is giving your kids a sharpie to color their pumpkins because we are too lazy to help them carve them. They had a good time nonetheless! Also, Lizzie's face in this picture-- too cute.

Flor kept leaning over and giving Lizzie a kiss, so I told all the kids to do it. That was cute, except Mishell over there. Hahaaha.

Flor the cowgirl

Hallie as Hermoine

Mishell the witch

Jace the Ninja Turtle

Lizzie the Chip or Dale Chipmunk

 We took Flor and Lizzie one loop around the neighborhood, then sent them to bed. I took the other three around with some neighbors for quite a while and they MADE A HAUL!! We still have some candy left and it is now December! It is fun to live in a neighborhood with so many families and kids. The kids all had a great time.

A few more pictures of Lizzie in her cute costume

Train Trip to Temple Square

Jace has literally been asking since June to ride the train to "Square Temple" (he still calls it that), so we finally took a day while the kids were on Fall break to go. I was a brave woman and took all the kids myself. The bad thing was that we missed the train leaving Layton by like 1 minute, so we had to wait an hour for the next one. I didn't want to haul all the kids home and then turn around and come back, so we just ate lunch on the platform and called it good. I had Lizzie strapped to me and Flor in a stroller and luckily the other three can walk on their own :) We made it alive, so that was a win. Devin met us once he got off work. We toured Temple Square and watched a part of the new "Meet the Mormons" segment being shown. We then went and got ice cream and then headed home. Devin took a few kids in the car on the way back, so that was nice. It was a fun little adventure. Jace keeps asking when we will go again. :)

A nice man walking by asked if he could take a picture of me with the kids. How nice. :)