Makayla's 9th Birthday

All About Makayla

• favorite colors are pink and blue
• favorite treat is strawberries with sugar
• favorite video game is Mario
• creates art, reads, & plays in backyard for fun
• teacher is Mrs. Randolph
• likes tennis and soccer
• favorite games are Old Maid, Go Fish, Sorry, & Guess Who?
• likes  to sing church songs
• would like to be a butterfly to flutter around
• dream vacation would be to go to the Oregon coast and ride a train and see some whales
• would never want to be a policeman, fireman, or construction worker
• would like to be a teacher or business owner
• likes the 'Boxcar Children' books
• favorite cartoon is 'Oscar's Oasis'
• has a nickname of  'Kayla'
• hardest accomplishment is doing the chain monkey bars at recess
• is improving on the piano
• is ticklish
• likes to remember our cats who have passed away, especially Muttsy
• best friend is 'Christie' from school
• would like to be invisible to go see ancestors
• one wish for 2016 is get get better at the piano

Makayla was thrilled to get checked out of school for a birthday lunch date. We went to Cafe Zupas a few days earlier since her birthday was on a Saturday this year.

She requested to have a friend birthday party and after some brainstorming, we settled on a Nickelmania arcade party.  We chose to have her party on Friday, February 26th since it was a day off school.  The party went from 1:30 to 5pm.  Scott and I both drove and helped manage the kids.

Friends from left to right: Christie, Amelia, Camrie, Claire, Tayton, Evie, Makayla, and Nerissa

We played at Nickelmania for a few hours and then came home for presents, cake & ice cream.  Makayla scored lots of art projects and stuffed animals, including Beanie Boos.  

Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Makayla with Evie and Tayton.

Everyone played outside in the beautiful weather.  Party was a success!

The one thing Makayla wanted for her birthday was a trip to Build-a-Bear workshop.  We took her there after the birthday party where she had a blast shopping for her perfect animal.  

She helped fill the cat after she recited the pet pledge oath.

After a brush she picked out clothes.  Her cat smells like lavender and meows and purrs when you press her paw.

Her cat is named "MaryEllen".

They are pretty inseparable from each other for now.

The next day was Makayla's real birthday.  We got to spend the day together and kept pretty busy.  From the Lowe's project to the Safe Kid's Fair to Grandma Diane's house and a trip to the Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, it was a good day for our now 9 year old.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  We really lucked out to be gifted such a sweet, thoughtful, helpful, spiritual daughter.  She is just awesome!  She has great ideas and is never too cool to play with her brothers.  She includes them both in many adventures.  During their Friday night sleepovers, she usually has planned and prepared games and activities to make sure her brothers have a blast.  She is a wonderful daughter and we are blessed.  We love you lots Makayla!

February 2016

We started off this month with a visit to Grandma Bjarnson and a bingo night at her care center.  We didn't win anything, but it was fun anyway.

Played at Nickelmania and the kids used their tickets for fun digging projects.

We helped Maria & Dallin move to their new home up north!

The older two celebrated Mardi Gras with a school parade.

Saw a star show at Clark.

Played well for the most part.

Had a great time at the Safe Kids Fair.

Built trucks at Lowes.

And mailboxes at Home Depot.

I chaperoned for Lincoln's Aquarium preschool field trip.

And we ventured to the zoo later on in the month.

Class celebrations were had.  I helped out with Makayla's.

Decorated cookies for friends.

And my parents took us out for Scott's birthday at Chinese Gourmet.
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Our best part of the month was when we took a quick trip down to Cedar City.

We stopped at the new Nickelmania in Springville.

And then made it to Cedar City just in time to celebrate!

Everyone gathered for Scott's birthday party!

We checked out the progress on the temple being built!

A few games of Monopoly were played.

And the piano too.

Gave loves to Princess.

We crammed lots of cousin playing time in.

And celebrated Valentines day too.

Makayla thoughtfully made each of us a personalized Valentine.
Mom's: "Roses are red, violets are blue, you are the best mom in the whole wide world."
Sterling's: "Here is a twirl, here is a Sterling, here is a swirling. Here is a whirling, twirling, Sterling."
Dad's: "That is a pot, that is a Scott. That is a hot pot Scott, hot."
Lincoln's: "Where is a balloon, where is a cocoon, where is a baboon, do you know?"

Christie's cancer is back and growing in 5 places in her body including her head, right arm, breast, lung, and hip bone.  We are sad and worried for her.  There have been many prayers, fasts, and tears for her and will continue to be.  She is a rock and very calm about this trial.  She knows of her plan and of God's plan.  Her four boys are so young, ranging from 14 to 5 years old.  We love Christie!