A Wonderful Birthday!

Aren't birthdays super fun as a kid.  I felt like we celebrated for a full week . . . wait, we did!  And Hannah is sooooooo worth it!

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah!  We're off to a fun-filled birthday breakfast with Daddy (Mommy and Isaac came too).

Wait a second, Isaac got a present too?  What a lucky little man.

Next stop, Gateway Discovery Museum in Salt Lake City.

Hannah and Isaac love dressing up!  The museum is such a fun place to play and explore!  It is one of our favorite places to go to.

Next stop, Hannah's Birthday dinner!  Visited Tepanyaki in Salt Lake City for the first time.  It was a blast!  The chef cooks the yummy food right there in front of you . . .  ooh, fire.

They were using chopsticks for the first time (well, kid-friendly chopsticks).  Hannah is so lucky to share her birthday with her uncle Erik.  They each received a special birthday ice cream.

Isaac got a special ice cream too!  It is hard work celebrating Hannah's birthday!

The next day we celebrated Hannah's 5th birthday at her preschool.  Mommy and Isaac brought cupcakes for her class!

Her sweet teacher, Ms. Angela, made her a crown and certificate and gave her a little stuffed bear.  So sweet!

Finally, we celebrated with all of her friends at the The Wild Child in Centerville, UT.  This was a great place to have her party.  I didn't have to cook or clean or entertain.  I paid to have someone else do it!  What a relaxing night it was and most importantly a super fun and special night for Hannah!

Whew!  We were all very exhausted after partying for three days straight.  We are so thrilled to have Hannah in our family and love her sweet, kind nature.  She is the best daughter (and sister) that anyone could ask for.  It was a very special birthday because Hannah is a very special girl and she deserves it!  We (Daddy, Mommy & Isaac) love her sooooo very much.  

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah Bear!

Hannah is 5 . . . Already?!

I can't believe that 5 years ago tonight I was laboring in the hospital eagerly awaiting your arrival.  You were a little stinker at the end of that pregnancy and it took all your Mommy had to get you here, but you finally arrived and you were PERFECT!!  As soon as Daddy and I saw your sweet little face for the first time, we were IN LOVE.  We had no idea what life was going to be like with a baby but we were ready for the adventure and you sure kept us on our toes!

  

Your daddy and I were so excited to bring you home and get to know you better.

You didn't have any trouble learning how to eat . . . in fact, the only problem we had was getting you to stop eating!
Hey, but you were hungry because you were busy playing and growing!

As soon as you were getting around on your own, you were curious, adventurous and independent.
You got into EVERYTHING!  We love your spunk!

You were such an active little girl and we were thrilled to find out that soon you would have a little brother to play with.  We knew you would be an amazing big sister!

Look at you!  Such a big girl . . . learning how to dress yourself.   So stylish!  Love the bloomers as outerwear!  :)

You were so excited when your brother was finally here because now you had the best playmate in the world!  And you know what, daddy and I were right, you were the most amazing big sister!

The two of you have had the best time together.  What a blessing to have a little brother!

You are a great friend.

You love to play with all of your cousins.  You are so lucky to have so many.
They can't help but love your sweet smile (and you know what, Daddy and I do too). 

We cannot believe that we have been blessed with such a special little girl in our home.  We have enjoyed every single second that we have spent with you and we can't wait for many, many more years together.  Watching you learn and grow, and getting to know you has been an absolute pleasure.
We love you more that words can express Hannah Bear.  Happy 5th Birthday!  
Love,
Mommy, Daddy and Isaac

SNOW!!

Okay, so earlier in the day yesterday it was relatively warm (high in the 40s).   The sky was partly cloudy with a few sprinkles here and there.  My children were wearing open-toed sandals as we went to run our few errands.  The weather was tolerable.  Well. . .  don't get too comfortable . . . evening was a completely different story.  In an instant, the sprinkling we experienced throughout the day, turned into heavy sheets of snow.  So much for wanting to take the kids to the McDonalds playland tonight to run off some energy.  It was a complete white-out by 5:30pm.

This morning I woke up to a foot of snow outside.  A FOOT!  The poor husband had to get up way early to plow the snow (poor guy) then has had to spend a long day at school.   This California girl is not used to this kind of craziness!  YUCK!  I am so over it!  Yeah, it is kinda pretty, blah, blah, blah, if you can just sit inside and enjoy it, but I've got a life to live, places to go, people to see.  ENOUGH already!!  Can you tell I am not a huge fan of the white stuff?  And talk about dangerous!!  I get worried sick if my hubby has to drive home in this stuff.   Luckily, the sun is shining today and the roads are clear, but I am sooooooo ready for WARMTH and SUNSHINE, SANDALS and SHORTS!!  Needless to say, the kids are in winter boots today (no open-toed sandals for these little Tongans).  Summer, where are you?

How did I get so lucky?

I don't know why I am blessed with such a wonderful life but my heart is so full at this moment.  I have so much to be thankful for.  I was born into such a kind and loving home.  To two wonderful and sweet parents that gave me the world.  Although, along the lines of earthly possessions, we didn't have much, our home was filled with laughter, happiness and all the riches a child could ask for.  My childhood was magical.  Now, I am living that dream.  I am married to a kind and caring husband who gives his all for me and for Hannah and Isaac.  He is our hero!  My children are healthy, kind and perfect.  We have it all . . . so how did I get so lucky?  I thank my Heavenly Father many times a day for the blessing that is my life.  And although my life has had its share of high ups and incredibly low lows, I feel blessed for every moment that I have lived and for the wonderful people that I have shared and am sharing it with.  Tonight (as it is routine, every night), my heart  is so incredibly full after putting my children to bed.  Holding Hannah's wiggly hand in the darkness, feeling Isaac's hand on my belly . . . I could not ask for anything more. . . knowing they are safe and comfortable. . . then finally hearing their breaths become slower and deeper as they drift off into their sweet dreams.  What an amazing time in my life!  I am so lucky.

I finally gave in!

So after convincing myself that I would NEVER, EVER have my own blog . . . I finally gave in.  It actually didn't take too much convincing by my husband before I could see the light.  I'm pretty easy like that.  Anyway, I knew I needed something to document our family's life and since I am horrible at keeping a journal, a blog is probably the best way to do that.  I am going to try my best to keep it up on a regular basis so that I won't forget the important things my family is involved with.  So here I go with my first official post  (I sure hope it is not my last).  Presenting . . . The Tipton Family Blog!