Addi's special day

Addi got baptized on Saturday, November 3rd, 2013. It was such an amazing day. My oldest daughter made the decision to get baptized and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We were so blessed to have over 50 people attend this special day for Addi. Family started to arrive on Friday night for her baptism the next day at 10 am. Addi was pretty quite that morning. She told me she was a little bit nervous, but mostly excited. We arrived at the church a little bit early to find a baptism jumpsuit for her and her dad. Then we waited in the chapel while the rest of our loving friends and family arrived. Addi's aunt, Tiffany gave a wonderful talk about the 3 bears of baptism. She brought 3 little bears. One for bearing your testimony, one for bearing one another's burdens and one for bearing His name. She did a great job. Addi's friend, Madison was also getting baptized that day and her aunt also gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost. It was her turn to get baptized. The feeling was so special as she went into the baptismal font with her dad. We watched as she was baptized and then I was ready with a towel to help her get dried off and dressed. Next she got to put on her BEAUTIFUL dress and she looked like an angel, with the fresh glow of being clean and pure from baptism. I pulled her hair into a bun, placed a flower on her head, she slipped into her "high" heel shoes and we walked back to the chapel where her dad would confirm her a member of the church. Tim was so nervous, but he did an exceptional job. What a special day for Addi and the one's that love her most to share with us.  Next, we headed back to our house where we had Hawaiian haystacks at Addi's request with lots and lots of desserts. She got to spend the rest of the day playing with her cousins. It was a perfect day.

Addi, I'm so proud of you. You're becoming an amazing young lady. Thank you for being a great daily example to me, your dad and your sisters. I feel so blessed for the privilege of being your mom. I pray that I will be able to show love and acceptance to everyone the way that you do. I love you so much!! :)

The dress

Excitmenet:)

Addi with her dad, her hero.

Addi and Madison, the other girl in our ward that got baptized. 

The three of us afterwards. Addi looks so happy!

Addi turns 8

Addi is 8! I love this little girl so much! She has such a tender heart, she's a great helper, she loves to read, she does great at school, people love to be around her, she likes to organize things and she's very creative! I am so blessed to be her mom and can't imagine my life without her!

This year for her birthday, we had just been in our new home for only a few weeks and didn't really have any new friends yet to have a friend party. I felt bad about this, because turing 8 is an important birthday. She was a sweetheart and was fine just having a family party.

Part of her present was getting her new room ready. This is an old door that I painted blue for her headboard...

The after picture. I think it turned out cute and Addi loves it so I'm happy!

The bedding is from Target.

Then my parents came over (so excited they live less than 5 minutes away now!), we had pizza, opened presents and had cake and ice cream. It was a fun low-key birthday. Sometimes those are kind of nice.

Usually it takes me hours to make my kids' birthday cakes, but this year Addi wanted strawberry cake with chocolate frosting and a strawberry on top. Easiest cake ever! Thanks Addi!

A full shot of her bedroom with her new reading chair and light fixture.

Swan Lake

Although I wasn't a huge fan of The Academy of Ballet, which I talked about on a previous post, the girls still had fun and I'm proud of them for learning lots and preforming well at their Swan Lake performance! 

Beautiful Ballerinas!

Some of the girls in their class.

A little nervous to be on stage, but they did so good!

With Grandma and Grandpa Allan after their show.

Walking to the car afterward with their dad, so cute!

GYMNASTICS

Addi and Hally had their first "gymnastics meet", which was very small and casual. They just competed against the girls on their level. Their teacher didn't even announce a winner, but they did have judges and were scored just like at a normal meet. All of the girls got a trophy. It was really fun to watch. I have missed Kristy McMurray's gym in Eagle Mt. Now that we've moved I haven't been able to find a similar place. Kristy had all of the equipment in her basement and was sooo good. She was a competitive gymnast and decided to open a gym in her basement, providing affordable and high quality gymnastics. The girls thought she was mean at first, because she was so tough. There was no down time during their 1.5 hours of gym each week. If they were waiting their turn, they had to be doing sit-ups and push-ups. See what I mean by tough? I liked it though because they improved so much! 

Addi's 1st Grade Program

The 1st grade program at Hidden Hollow was darling! The theme was "Around the World" and Addi even had a speaking part. We were already to record it on the one side of the stage where everyone was saying their parts, when all of the sudden we heard her speaking on the other side of the stage! Darnit! We missed it on the video! She did such a good job though. She said, "Dancing is very popular in Germany. Many people would meet their future spouses at dances." Then her class did a cute German dance, all dressed up in German attire. So cute! I was begging her to smile during her program, because she's notorious for not smiling when she's in front of people. She promised me she would, but as you can see in the video, she doesn't look very happy. LOL! One of these days I'll get her to smile more! I do think she's the prettiest one. I may be a little biased though:)

Waiting with her class.

A cute friendship bracelet from her friend, Lyvia.

Kind of blurry, but she's on stage ready to preform. This is about the only smile I got during the whole performance.

The Academy of Ballet

Addi and Hally have been taking ballet this past year at The Academy of Ballet. There are 4 academy's in Utah County and they're all preparing for the big ballet in June, Swan Lake. They had a small in-studio performance at Christmastime. While I like their instructor a lot and have noticed them progressing, I have not been thrilled with some things that have happened. Like no one showing up to teach the class, TWICE! Then when I called the main owner lady to complain, she just came up with excuses and never apologized. Yeah, whatever. We will finish out the year and let them preform in the big ballet in June, but then that's it. We'll find somewhere else to go and I won't recommend them to anyone.

Hello Kitty Party

Addi had a Hello Kitty birthday party. We made cat ears, played don't pop the bubble wrap while crawling on all fours, who can find the most mice, who can guess the meow and pass the kitty hot potato style. Lots of kids, craziness and fun!

Beautiful cupcakes! Betty Crocker has done it again!

Addi and Haven

Addi and Sayge

Addi with Roxy and Riley.

Addi and Colby

Hally and Addi with Suzie.

Addi and Tally.

Addi and Lyvia.

Addi and Mason.