The Croslands

Sunday, December 6, 2015

It's Like We're Famous

The girls' first singer's company performance was on Saturday at the clubhouse while santa was there.

A couple minutes before the performance as they were getting the girls all situated I looked over and noticed Mackayla had started to cry.

My heart sunk since we had really tried to prepare her to be brave and be prepared.

I just called out to my friend who helps the class and pointed at Mackayla.

She has this magical way of getting Mackayla to do things I never thought would be possible.

I'm not exactly sure what she said but I know there was something about picturing everyone naked that made her snicker:)

I just want to give her a huge hug because suddenly the show was starting and Mackayla was singing, and eventually, singing happily.

Afterwords both girls were so excited.

Mackayla told me, "Mom, it's like we're famous."

Retelling Ben the same thing she told him "Everyone wanted to take our pictures."

Each of the younger girls get a solo in one of the three performances they do. Mackayla and Macey's is tomorrow!

Seven Years Old

Our cute Macey turned SEVEN on Saturday, Dec. 5.

We sure love her.

She told every person we passed on Saturday that it was her birthday!

Her enthusiasm is contagious.

We had a busy day that day with our ward party/service, a singer's company performance, a family party of laser tag and ice cream, and swimming after dinner.

One of the thing's she got for her birthday was a My Little Pony book making set.

As soon as she possibly could she set to writing her first book.

Macey is known to stay up far too late secretly reading books with her book light.

One of Macey's cutest traits is her gregarious personality.

Today one of her friends left a huge present on our doorstep while we were at church.

Her "friend" is a neighbor that is my age, doesn't have kids, and has four dogs. That's how they met, by her walking her dogs - with Macey after she asked. Age is irrelevant to this girl.

I couldn't imagine our life without any of our three kids.

Macey brings elements of fun and consideration to our family.

She is less concerned with winning than she is for the people she is competing against.

I have known her to purposely lose to help others win. And not just for Cody:)

She is incredibly expressive.

She wants to play soccer so she can get the treats.

She is a thinker. And things she thinks through at this age are so cute.

"When we die and we get resurrected will we be a baby or a grandma?...

"You don't know? Oh! Because you've never died before."

Every year a little part of me is sad to watch her unguarded innocence grow up.

I wish I could have bottled a dose of four year old Macey up and kept it to cheer me up, it was the most entertaining thing I've ever experienced.

I am excited to see what the future holds though!

Happy Birthday!

Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving 2015 Trip to Utah

We spent one afternoon visiting Santa at Farmington Station.

I heard good things about this santa, but he blew my expectations out of the water.

Mackayla was nervous about having to talk to santa.

He picked up on that and complimented her shiny new boots

immediately winning himself bonus points.

Then he knew she was 4 years old and started asking her four year old girl questions.

Before we knew it she was sitting on his lap all smiles.

This is nothing short of a Christmas miracle and I LOVE this santa!

Really, I love all people that love my children:)

Cody asked for indominous rex lego set. He decided this was the smartest thing to ask for since it is the most expensive thing he wants. That way Santa has to do it and no one has to buy it.

Macey asked for a remote control Kitty.

Mackayla asked for Shopkins.

The girls loved taking baths in grandma's bathtub with the jets.

I had no idea how much I would love Bo.

Mostly because while Cody has no cousins his age, and only mostly younger girls surrounding him, any time he got restless he would put on his shoes and coat and go run around outside with his buddy Bo. Or wrestle in the family room or play fetch on the deck. He's the perfect friend for a boy!

I even went running with Bo one morning.

I ran as fast as I possibly could and he didn't even break a sweat.

And that is just enough energy for a little boy.

One thing about the Crosland's is that no matter how much they have going on in their lives they will take time for people. We probably didn't arrive at an ideal time for them, but they worked us in.

Unfortunately one day Jessi had to go do her infusion, but we got Oakley out of the deal! She is such a Good, Easy Baby. We love her! I really failed on the picture attempt though.

We even had a quick celebration for Macey's birthday on Amy's birthday (thanks!),

cotton candy, a piñata and cake and ice cream. Lots of sugar - all Macey really wanted.

These two girls were adorable.

They kept wanting their picture taken.

And are two peas in a pod.

We went to lunch with my parents one afternoon and got the best hot chocolate ever according to Macey.

Blake is getting so good at the piano!

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner

Macy's day parade and lego building

I always love Thanksgiving dinners.

No corners are cut

and every dish is extra special.

It's a perfect time to eat double servings of everything!

After dinner we went to see The Good Dinosaur.

The kids did a cute snow globe craft one day.

The drive home was SO nice. Ben drove the whole way. I tried to organize life and figure out what's going on in December (chaos still reigns!)

Mid-way through I realized Macey had a school project with fabric due so we stopped somewhere in the middle at the craft store and everyone else in town was there. Other than that, pretty chill.