Quick Adventure

A couple of weeks ago my dad invited us up to Smith Moorehouse.  We were planning to camp overnight, but I guess there has been a bear in the area.  Doesn't really go well with tent camping, so we opted for a quick day trip.  We were only there for a few hours, but the kids had a great time.  Their campsite was right along the river and it was shallow enough the kids could cross back and forth and enjoy some exploring.  It was really beautiful!  I forgot my camera and only had my phone with me, but here are some of the pics.

Such a poser!  He kept wanting me to take pictures of him.

Oh, how I love the Uintas!!!

What Once Was Lost, Now Is Found, and Lost Again

So...remember how all of those pictures on my camera were deleted never to be found again?  Well, guess what?  We found them.  One a dark, hidden spot on the server that I didn't know they knew how to get there.  Great news!  Maybe you will even get some belated posts out of it, who knows....

At any rate, I was making sure with Chris it was okay to make sure the camera was cleared.  It was so I took pictures of Zoe's actual birthday (the day before her "Z" party).  We celebrated her birthday along with my niece, Dahri's, 2nd birthday.  Great fun!  I had pictures of all the pink and black decorations, the cakes, etc.

That night Chris remembers me saying something about "blah, blah...clear the camera...blah, blah" (this would be one of his I-hear-you-but-I-am-not-really-listening-because-I-am-doing-something-else moments).  So before I can scream "NOOO!!!!" he, you guessed it, cleared the camera!  All of her birthday pictures GONE, and for real this time.  It is not like we could bring the cakes back, redecorate the house, have people reenact their enthusiasm.  Poof! Done.

Luckily, my brother-in-law provided me with a few of the pictures that he had.  Not everything is there, but at least you can get the idea.

Mini cakes for the birthday girls and cupcakes for everyone else.

(Even pink and black presents on the piano.)

Dad, Denise and Me

(Yes, I am even wearing pink and black.  I told you it's a disease!)

Denny sporting his new facial hair.

Beautiful Birthday Girl

Grandpa Den & Dahri

Dahri isn't too sure about the flames.

Blow out the candles!

Nothing like black icing!  :)

Present time...

Dahri love her new recorder.

Surprise, surprise!

New phone.

I even got a hug for that one!

Funnest part for Dahri was just playing in all the wrapping!

J-bud

We gave Dahri her own little Rody horse (it's a must-have). 

She loves Jonah's and carries it all around the house.

There you have it!  As much of a birthday recap as you're going to get!

"Z" Party of "Z" Year

This year I was a little stumped as to what we should do for Zoe's birthday party.  I decided to go with an idea I have had for a few years:  A "Z" party.  I am glad I waited until now.  It worked out perfectly for her age and a small group.  She decided to invite a couple of her BFF's, Sadie and Emily, and her cousin, Stacy.  Zoe did not know ANYTHING about her party this year (other than she was having one).  She didn't even see her invitation until it was over.

(Envelope with their initial on it.)

Yes, it was kind of a birthday party marathon, but we had a great time!  I made little baskets for the girls that had things they would need at various times throughout the day.  Yes, of course, everything was pink and black. (It is a disease I have.  I can't help myself.)

Let's see...there were flip-flops, popcorn, gum, treats and more treats, pink water bottles (love, love, love them), hand sanitizer, and even these cute monogrammed tissues that matched perfectly!

Once we picked everyone up we headed for the Zoo.  While we were there the girls found 11 things with the letter Z in them (gaZelle, liZard, Zuri the baby elephant, etc.).

Stacy, Zoe, Sadie & Emily

After gulping down some of our water bottle and using lots of hand sanitizer, we headed to Zupas for lunch.  Not only is it a "Z" word, but it is also the birthday girl's favorite!

Next stop was Gateway to see Ramona & BeeZus.  We were running ahead of schedule (yes, me) so the girls just ran around and played in the theatre.  Of course we used our popcorn and treats up here.  I must say that this movie was much cuter than I expected it to be.  Take your girls.

Escalator up to Megaplex

The party then came to my house.  We made Zebra Flipflops (in the basket) and I did GlitZy ToeZ on the girls.  They turned out so cute, if I do say so myself.

Emily was so cute.  She was nervous it would hurt, but I am happy to report there were no injuries.

So cute, right?

We took a few minutes to open presents, then had some PiZZa for dinner.

Gift from Stacy

Sadie & Zoe

Zoe wanted this messenger bag and lunch box from Pottery Barn sooooo bad.  Needless to say, when she got them from Noah she was elated!  Just look at her play with Noah after.

Look at Emily's face (left)...they loved this vest!

We wrapped up the night with the girls making Zeppoles (it is like an italian doughnut, sort-of).  They were YUMMY!  I also had pink chinese take-out boxes for the girls to take a sample home.

We were too full to even think about cupcakes, so the girls took those home as well.  It was a busy day but definitely memorable.

Happy Birthday Ladybug!