Morgan's 4th Birthday

This year we decided to do something different for Morgan's Birthday.  We asked her what she wanted!  

Morgan decided she wanted to have a tea party for her birthday.  So we started planning.  First step Morgan and I picked out her invitations and sent them to her friends.  Then we went to a thrift store and found some really nice tea cups and tea pots.  I admit I went a little crazy and ended up having so many tea cups I had to get creative in how to use them all.  

Once we had the tea cups and pots we were off for decorations.  I found a sheet at the thrift store as well that made a great table cloth.  Then I found some odds and ends at Party City in their 99cent section.  

Then (thanks to Ben and my dad) we needed activities.  For some reason boys don't think drinking tea is enough... I have to say they were right!!  but Ben's and my definition in activities were worlds apart.  We settled on making bead necklaces and then my dad found those fun bead ironing crafts, so we added those in as well!  

Finally Party day arrived!  Morgan came down stairs to find her party table all set up and her princess cake out on the table (she hadn't seen it yet).  

She was too cute!  It felt like Christmas morning all over again.  She checked out every detail at every place setting at the table and just chattered on about how her friends are going to have so much fun etc.  

She had 6 little friends come over for the party.  They all arrived in their pretty tea party dresses.  Found their names on tea cups at the table and sat down to some girly fun!  

They were so cute!  We served "apple tea" (or apple juice) and some snacks, and followed with the cake latter.  

They enjoyed the crafts and were super quiet while working and supper giggly girls the rest of the time.  Oh the fun of having little girls! :)  

At the end of the party all the girls went home with their crafts, a tea cup with their name on it, a little plastic tiara, and a star wand.  

I would do that party over again in a heart beat!  SO FUN!!  

The party table 

Morgan's first look at her cake

The oh so hard to make cake 

Making bead necklaces 

The girls (yes they were having fun! they just wouldn't smile for the camera, I promise) 

Drinking Apple Tea

Cake Time (the little girl on Morgan's right asked if she could eat 1/2 of the doll's dress...) 

They never do tell you how to cut these cakes! 

Present time.  (after the party and nap time) 

Easter Sunday 2012

Easter Sunday was a lot of fun.  We went to church in the morning, the girls all dressed up in their matching dresses and shoes.  After the service they had an Easter egg hunt for the kids and both girls just loved that! 

  

 Morgan spent her time casually picking out each egg making sure it was the right color.  She wouldn't want to get one that might not be just right now after all.  (not sure she got the concept).  All the other kids were running around like crazy picking up every egg in sight.  

Maya got to taste her first candy this Easter.  I think we created a monster! She loved it a little too much. 

 After the hunt Morgan and her best buddy Wyatt looked over what they had found intently comparing every single candy.  It was kind of funny to watch and listen to.  

At the end of the day even after all the candy and fun non religious Easter stuff Morgan was able to recite the whole Easter story, including a sad day (Good Friday) and a happy day (when Jesus rose from the dead).  And she concluded her story with how Jesus is in heaven now alive and taking care of PopPop Mangrich.  

Sleeping babies

For a Baby who didn't seem to like sleep Maya certainly is making up for all the lost time in that first year.  She finally started sleeping through the night in January with a few relapses here and there.  But I do have to say even though she didn't always stay asleep very long she was always able to fall asleep easily.  Now all she needs for a good night sleep is her blanket (Called "dadit") and Ernie.  

Honestly there truly is nothing better than a sleeping baby!! 

Except a sleeping mom at the same time!!  

Oh yeah and a sleeping Morgan along with that! :) 

Now if someone could just teach me how to get a consistent nap with a second child 

or how to get them to sleep in I would be golden! 

Dress Up Fun

 Our Morgan Loves many things, but I would have to say one of her favorite things is playing dress up!  She loves to put pretend outfits together and prance around the room making up all kinds of fun adventures (most of them where she is Cinderella).  She also loves to put her daily outfits together; you know the ones she wares out of the house. (some days are a real challenge)  I find myself telling people (who usually don't even ask) that, "She dressed her self today."

Use Feb Pics and some March etc..

Since we've Been Home (March 2012)

Since we have been home from our trips to Florida the girls have been very busy!  Just take a look!

Maya is trying to convince us she should learn how to drive! 

Morgan is always trying to sneak up on us. (little does she know we're not too surprised hence the camera!)  Now if only she can learn to do it quietly

Morgan loves to read (quote memorized books) to her little sister. 

Maya loves it! 

Morgan has learned to scale the metal things (I'm sure they have a name) on our back patio.  

Our whole family got the stomach flu!! (yes that's why she has that face)

But Morgan looked the cutest while sick. (even cuter than little Maya...I think it was the hair) 

They convinced daddy to climb on the rocks by the beach with them so they could look over and see the dogs at the dog beach. 

Maya has mastered the art of drinking milk from her sippy cup.   Now to teach her that Milk is not an endless supply we have and that water is good too.  

They both have learned to play very well together out side.  And Morgan is excited to have a play mate not just a baby at home now.  

Lastly for the month of march Maya has given up crawling!  She is now a walker all the way even seems like she's running half the time.  

Pop Pop Mangrich

On Sunday February 19, 2012 we got the news that Ben's Dad Passed away.

I can't speak for anyone really other than my self, but I have found it to be an interesting struggle between overwhelming sadness and a sense of rejoicing.

I wanted him to continue to play silly games with Morgan and get the chance to see Maya learn to walk, and see the girls grow up.  I wanted to beat him at a game of "hand and foot", and roll my eyes again when he talked about politics (not my thing).  I wanted to see Ben and him go on many more adventures and vacations together.  I wanted to continue to be his daughter in law, who probably drove him crazy.  We will miss him, and my selfish nature wanted him to stay with us here on earth but God called him home.

He has been a true warrior of God through out his life knowing the dark side of life and the light in Christ.  He was a mighty prayer intercessor and praised God with Dancing.  He was full of fun, and bursting with love for others.

On wednesday February 22, 2012 we had the viewing.  It caused the reality to sink in a little for me.  The most precious moment was when Ben and I walked Morgan to the casket so she could see him one last time and we could explain it to her.  She saw some praying hands on the casket and she asked what they were.  Ben told her and for the next 2 minutes she stood there holding her hands in a praying position with her head down.  After that it took many conversations with her to explain to her that he wasn't sleeping.  Oh the mind of a 3 almost 4 yr old is a wonderful thing.

Thursday February 23, 2012 was the memorial service and funeral etc.  Several people spoke including Ben and his sister Abby.  I held back may tears and let out many as well.  We sang worship songs including "we will dance" one of Rick's favorites.  As we did Morgan got out to the isle and danced her little heart out.  That girl just knows how to get to peoples hearts.  Rick would have been so proud.

Now as the craziness has passed and quietness is setting in we are sad and miss Rick, but God is granting us amazing peace and comfort in the midst of it all.

Valentine's Day 2012

Happy Valentines day!  It's always fun celebrating anything especially through the eyes of a child! We up'ed the fun this year.  We still had our heart shaped pancakes and dyed them pink even.  Before the pancakes though Morgan woke up to a trail of heart shaped papers that led her to a present from grandma and a card from mama and some candy from daddy.  Maya enjoyed the display as well though we had to keep her from eating the paper hearts.  Morgan was SO excited when she woke up and found the trail she didn't even know a present etc would be at the end of it.  It was nice to know she could be just as excited over paper hearts as she is over getting presents.  

Morgan picking up the heart trail 

Scattered hearts

Opening her present from Grandma

Maya opening her present 

Eating Breakfast

Enjoying her pancakes 

Sticky fingers!  

Pink Heart Shaped pancakes 

My cute girls in their valentines shirts from Grandma 

Just cute!