Logan's Birthday ...um...Party?

Okay, so I know it's a month late, but we finally had Logan's 3rd birthday party! Sorry, buddy, it was such a crazy month (car accident, family visiting, Niagara Falls, Palmyra, two-weeks of stomach flu, Hannah's blessing, Daddy's big exam...), but better late than never, right?

Actually, it was more of a "birthday playdate-in-the-backyard-with-cake-and-ice cream" than a "birthday party", but Logan didn't seem to mind. We had a few friends over, let them play in Logan's new sandbox (THANKS, Nana and Papa! It's a huge hit!) and ate cake and ice cream.

Logan's cake was chocolate Micket Mouse Ears (like the ones you wear at Disneyland) with his name on it. He wasted no time, taking a big bite out of one ear before we'd even lit the candles!

Was it good, Logan? Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Mommy's Little Helper

We've been giving Andrew a few chores around the house to hopefully teach him responsibility (and to earn PlayStation minutes). One of these chores is to clean the glass oven door. He sprays it with a little bit of Windex and wipes it clean with a paper towel. No matter how messy the rest of the kitchen is, my oven door is usually sparkling, thanks to Andrew!

The other day, I was upstairs folding Hannah's clothes, when Logan came up and joined me. He seemed to have a glistening look to his face; almost "buttery," I thought.

"What's on your face, Logan?"

"Broccoli Spray."

"What?!"

"Broccoli Spray!"

"Show me!"

He took me to the kitchen where I slipped and nearly fell in a puddle of something greasy. I also noticed my oven door.

Logan had sprayed it with non-stick cooking spray and then scrubbed it with the sponge. Somehow, he also managed to spray it on his face and all over the floor.

"I did a chore!" he announced proudly.

He was just too cute to get mad at him (look at that face), so I thanked him, wiped his face, and then put the cooking spray on a MUCH higher shelf.

It took me a while to figure out why he called it, "broccoli spray." At our house, I would think he would call it, "cookie spray," or "cake spray." Finally, my Mom pointed to the picture on the can.

OH! Broccoli Spray! I get it!

This is Kirtland Idol!

Last summer, I had the opportunity to be in the Church musical, This is Kirtland. It was such an incredible experience that I was really hoping to get to do it again this summer. Unfortunately, we've got too much going on this year, so I'm not going to be able to. I'm pretty bummed about it.

Needless to say, I've been thinking about the Kirtland musical a lot lately. So, it's not very surprising that I had a dream about it. What was surprising was who was cast as the lead actor in my dream.

David Cook as Joseph Smith!

AWESOME!!! I practically woke up laughing! Now that show would get some attention! Hmmm, maybe I should suggest it to Polly!

I WON!!!

I can't believe it!!! I won something!!! And not something little or dumb... Something VERY COOL!!!

I WON A DIAPER BAG!!!

And not just any diaper bag, mind you. A Ju-Ju-Be! These are seriously THE COOLEST diaper bags ever made! They are very well-made and smartly designed, and come in so many fun styles and prints! I know, I'm starting to sound like an advertisement, but I'm SO excited (in case you couldn't tell)!

Ju-Ju-Be decided that instead of giving away free diaper bags to celebrities (who can afford whatever they want), why not give them away to everyday Moms who maybe couldn't afford them and would probably appreciate them more. Thus the "Real Mom Giveaway" was born. They have a topic each week that you write a short response to, and then from the entries, they select a winner who receives a bag of their choice! It's pretty impressive to me that a company would be willing to do something like this in this day and age!

Bryan thought I was a little silly, entering every week, but I told him that I was going to keep entering every week until I won! I guess sixteen times a charm! Woo-Hoo!

Hannah and Grandma Anderson

Too beautiful to not share!

Hannah's Blessing Day

Dear Hannah,

Today was a very special day. It was your Blessing Day!

Many of our family, that were able to, drove or flew from far away to be here with you today. Your Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, Nana and Papa Thompson, and Aunt Danielle came all the way from Utah, and your Uncle Chris, Aunt Deb and Paiton came from Michigan. Other members if our family called to wish you well and your Aunt Jenny crocheted a beautiful white blanket for your special day. So many people love you, Hannah! I hope you will always feel that love!

You looked so beautiful today, Hannah. You wore a long white gown and matching bonnet that I have been admiring for almost 7 years! I bought it the very week I found out that I was pregnant with a girl! I was so excited to see you in it! It was stunning with your pretty dark hair and dark eyes and sweet smile. You also wore a silver and pearl bracelet with your name on it that I gave you today.

Standing in the blessing circle were your Daddy, Grandpa Anderson, Papa Thompson, Uncle Chris Christensen, and Eric Palfreyman. (Brother Palfreyman is a good friend who came to help Daddy give you a blessing when you were sick in the hospital.) Daddy gave you your name and a special blessing. I could feel the Spirit telling me that you are a precious Daughter of God. I feel so humbled that He has trusted your Daddy and me to be you parents and raise you here on the Earth. I will try to be the best Mommy I can be for you!

Today I feel especially grateful that Heavenly Father sent you to our family. Someday when you are a mother, you will understand how much love I feel for you and your brothers. It gives me just a small glimpse of the great love our Heavenly Father must have for each of us!

Always know that your Daddy and I are proud of you and love you very much!

Love,

Mommy

Andrew's New Career Plans

"Mom, I'm not quite a Ninja yet. I have all the moves of a Ninja. I'm as good as a Ninja. I'm almost as sneaky as a Ninja. I just need to be a little quieter. That's all I need to work on."

Washington, D.C.

This is what I expected to see when we went to Washington D.C. on the way to OBX - After all, we did arrive in time for the last weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Unfortunately, the Cherry Blossoms had an early bloom this year, and we missed them by about a week. Darn! I was so disappointed! But we had a great time anyway!

We arrived late Friday night at our hotel, The Capitol Hilton (yay Priceline!). What a great location, only two blocks from the White House!

Logan wated to check out the bed first thing!

We were so excited to see everything, that we went out for a little walk that night.

I think we stayed out a little past Logan's bedtime!

In the morning, we went out to see the sights.

We tried to teach Andrew about all the monuments and the people they stand for, but I think he got all monumented-out!Andrew and Logan were good sports and posed for lots of pictures for us.

Logan was very upset that we wouldn't let him swim in the Reflection Pool.

We were able to see the National Cherry Blossom Festval Parade. Underdog!!!

We all got a kick out of the 3-D IMAX show at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

What a great city!