Haley's 4th Birthday

Haley had a big birthday weekend. Kevin and I surprised her at school with cupcakes for her snack. The kids were away at music when we arrived. We set up cupcakes, and Miss Heather brought all the kids back in the room and made Haley wait until last to come in. Haley covered her eyes, and when she opened them the kids, Kevin and I said 'Happy Birthday.' She was stunned at first.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Once she realized the surprise was for her, she smiled.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Haley asked me to sit next to her at the table while the kids had snack. They enjoyed their cupcakes.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Haley had her birthday party at a local horse farm. As soon as we got there, Haley was very excited to see the horses. I had no idea how interested she would actually be.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

We arrived a little early and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Here are Papa and Kendall.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

There was a tractor tire swing at the farm. Haley and all the kids loved it - Kendall got to ride, too.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Haley really enjoyed her horse ride! She got to go around the ring 5 times or so before her guests arrived.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Here's Savannah in the outfit uncle Kevin picked out for her and gave her for Christmas.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Griffin, Haley, and Anna watch the horse.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Our friend Jasmyn (aka Jazzy Jazz) in the tire swing. She enjoyed it for about 30 seconds before she got scared;)

From Haley's 4th Birthday

The kids had cupcakes; here's Jakey Jake enjoying his.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Two stylish cowgirls - Miley and Haley.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Miley wasn't the only member of the Phillips family who dressed the part. Pete was all decked out, too (I believe it was HIS idea to wear his cowboy boots;)

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Kendall enjoyed her first juice ever - a capri sun. She actually sucked it out with the straw.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Cowgirl K.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Jackson did not want to ride the pony until the end of the party - Kevin walked with him.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Abigail and Kendall. Abigail loves taking care of the babies.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Kendall enjoyed petting our sweet horse Mia.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Our family.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

Pete, Haley, Kendall and Miley enjoyed one last ride in the tire swing before we left the party. The Phillips family spent the night with us - this has become a regular tradition with our kids' birthdays.

From Haley's 4th Birthday

We had a great time at Haley's party, and we hope everyone else did, too!

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Kendall's 1st Easter

The girls had a fabulous Easter, and Kendall enjoyed lots of 'firsts.' We started the Easter weekend by dying eggs with Grandmama Jenkins. Kendall napped at Mom's while Haley and I spent time with Grandmama. I'm not sure who enjoyed the eggs more - Grandmama or Haley.

From Easter 2009

On Saturday, we spent time with the Starnes family. We started with an Easter egg hunt at Tami and Bryan's church. Kendall didn't participate in this hunt, but Haley had a blast. Bryan, Kevin, and the girls helped her find eggs, since she arrived late.

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009

We enjoyed lunch and family time afterwards at Tami and Bryan's. The girls had fun passing Kendall and Savannah around.

From Easter 2009

Aunt Stacey brought treats for the kids; here's Kendall opening hers.

From Easter 2009

The kids' table at lunch.

From Easter 2009

Trampoline fun - for little AND big kids.

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009

Abigail, with Kendall and Savannah - the first Easter for them both! Savannah's dress was worn by Haley and Kendall.

From Easter 2009

The Starnes' cousins.

From Easter 2009

The girls had just a few minutes Sunday morning to look at their Easter baskets before we went to church. Kendall expressed great enthusiasm about her first Easter basket ;)

From Easter 2009

Haley enjoyed hers, too. Note that these baskets don't compare to the baskets from Marynell; the Easter bunny knew not to even try to compete with her baskets.

From Easter 2009

After church...Mom made these dresses for me and my sister. I was 4 1/2 and Kendall was 1 1/2 when we wore these. Haley and Kendall Jane are nearly 4 and 1.

From Easter 2009

Our first Easter day celebration was at Mom's house. Here's Kendall enjoying one of her first Easter meals.

From Easter 2009

We had an Easter egg hunt after lunch. Mom and I 'hid' over 60 eggs for the kids. Haley wanted to open each egg and check out its contents before finding another.

From Easter 2009

Haley and Jake did a great job helping each other.

From Easter 2009

I'm not sure that Marie and Kendall did much hunting. They did enjoy sitting in a shady spot and playing with the eggs.

From Easter 2009

Marie is such a little love.

From Easter 2009

Kendall had fun with her eggs. She enjoyed shaking them to hear what was inside.

From Easter 2009

We also enjoyed Grandmama Jenkins' birthday. Jake and Haley helped blow out her birthday candles.

From Easter 2009

Kendall and RiRi had an important conference call after lunch.

From Easter 2009

Grandmama, Kendall, and Haley.

From Easter 2009

Later that afternoon, Haley enjoyed opening her basket from Marynell and O.

From Easter 2009

Kendall really enjoyed pulling all the toys out of her basket. At one point, she spotted a Pooh that was attached to the top of the basket. She bounced up and down and waved her arms excitedly then reached for it.

From Easter 2009

Sunday night, we celebrated Easter and Grandmama Wooten's birthday at Grandmama W's house. Haley helped Grandmama Wooten blow out her candles. Grandmama pointed out that she made her own birthday cake (pretty good for 85 years old, I think). She made the only cake that I think she's made for the past 15 years or so - chocolate with chocolate icing.

From Easter 2009

Kendall and Bailey, who just returned from her senior cruise.

From Easter 2009

Marynell and Kendall.

From Easter 2009

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Easter Eggs

I haven't had time for a full Easter post, but I wanted to share this picture of my girls after one of their egg hunts. They were both very serious about their eggs. Each girl enjoyed each egg they found and carefully examined every one. More Easter pics will follow later...

Jake's 3rd Bday Party

I just realized I have no pictures of the birthday boy at his own party!!! Even with Mom there to help me, Haley and Kendall had us both pulled in multiple directions. Happy Birthday, Jakey!

Grandmama had a fun time watching the kids play. Here she is with Haley. CHEESE!

From March April 2009

Helen served the kids ice cream sundaes outside. It was a gorgeous day, and all the kids had fun playing outside.

From March April 2009

Haley got a little cake first.

From March April 2009

I tried to feed one to Kendall, but she was insistent on pulling it out of my hands and eating it herself. Here's the result...

From March April 2009

After seeing Kendall, a much wiser person (my mom) suggested that I should have scraped the blue writing off the top of the cake BEFORE giving it to Kendall. Oh, well.

Kendall and RiRi played inside for awhile (after I realized that Kendall was starting to show signs of sun burn from the am...).

From March April 2009

After a long day, Haley gave up and took a little nap in the car.

From March April 2009