Happy 11 Susanna Belle

Susanna turned 11 and it was right around the release of the horrible movie Hunger Games.  She was a little obsessed with it and still is.  I was the lucky mom who took her and a few friends to the midnight release and thought it was an awful idea and will never watch it again.  For her birthday breakfast we had homemade cinnamon rolls.

 

 This year I let her have kind of a teen party but with all girls.  This made Nathan pretty excited because most of her dance friends are his age and he was the center of attention.  This was the first time I let her have dance and school friends and it was just a big blowout.  We had a chocolate fountain, a fire pit, just dance battles, lots of dancing outside, ping pong, pool, and minute to win it game.  Too much fun if you ask me.  I am hoping I am off the hook for a few years now because it was quite an undertaking.  Hopefully she had a great birthday that she will remember.  We sure love this shy sometimes, crazy othertimes, best babysitter, big sister, best friends with her brother big girl She works hard at everything she does and rarely complains.  She is the worlds worst cleaner but slowly getting better.  She hates piano but is still sticking with it.  One of my favorite things about her is that she is nice girl.  She is always a good friend and tries to never get caught up in the gossip that girls get into.  There have been several times throughout the year that girls have tried to gang up on her and get people to not be her friend.  She always just stays nice and keeps her close friends.  I love her and am so proud to be her mom.

 

 

 Amelia is always a crowd favorite

watching dance battles

 

Some of Justin's friends came over and danced with the little girls.

 

Chocolate fountain fun...Eliza loved all of it.

This is Abby one of Justin's friends.  Susanna did Toro Camp with her and she has loved her every since.  She came to wish her a happy birthday.

Cute little sisters

 I took a few pictures before dance once morning.  I love the cute expressions Amelia makes right now.  She is just discovering that people love her and she performs for them all the time.

 And of course Eliza is always ready for a pose or smile.

 But my favorite is to see these two together and see how much they love eachother.  I know they will bug eachother often as they grow up but they are such cute sisters.

 This is Elizas favorite book right now and carries it around with her. 

GIRLFRIENDS

 

Last year on a few Mondays, Eliza got to bring some of her favorite friends over to play.  It was so much fun to have all of these girls together.  One of the days it got really quiet so I had to go investigate.  I found them out in the garage going through a box of books and pretending to read to eachother.  I loved watching all of them get along so great and hear the funny conversations they would have.  Eliza has some really great friends. 

 Eliza, Bliss Robison, Ainsley Esplin, Halle Hironaka, and Tess Pierson.

 

Justin has become a die hard swimmer this year.  As a sophomore he made it to state championships and swam really well.  We are hoping for some good places this year as a junior.  He pushed himself all year and swam year round.  I can't believe how many times he woke up for 4:45 practices.

 I am a horrible picture taker but he is in the red MAC cap.

 and I am pretty sure that is him winning...see the red.  If not, I am pretending.

 Some of his swim attire, I could do without.  He went and found some really ugly sweat shorts at the thrift store that he likes to wear to his meets. Yes, they are better than running around in a speedo but just barely.

 But this little girl sure adores his big brother.  They have such a cute relationship.  I love seeing them together.  I hope they stay close the next couple of years.  Too bad little sisters seem to get more annoying as they grow up.

The ZOO

Before it got too hot, my sister in law and I bought some zoo passes.  Every year I wonder if it will be worth it because there are so many months that I am just not going to sweat it out at the zoo.  But, we did get in a fun outing with Grandma and Grandpa and cousins before the heat set in.  I'm still hoping I go a few times when it cools down.

 

 Amelia and Grandma checking out the giraffes

 Bliss is our honorary cousin and we bring her along whenever we can.  They have so much fun together.

 Grandpa and Cedric

 Tree climbing is one of the best things for little boys

 Grandpa and Baby Carter

 Grandma and Amelia

 Best FRIENDS

Look at these happy dirty faces.  We loved it.

 

We went to Las Vegas as a family in January for a little dance convention.  The family always has tons of fun when we go.  Susanna and Clara were in the same classes this year.  Here they are with one of the head teachers at West Coast.

 Before one of their dances goes on stage for competition.

 Riverside was one of my favorite dances of Susanna.  It was a lyrical small group and so beautiful.

This year the girls did a large group called Seven Nation Army.  It was fun because both Clara and Susanna got to be in the dance.

 

Christmas Eve 2011

 

After we go to the temple lights on Christmas Eve, we go home for our traditional Christmas Eve puppet show.  The kids get so excited and it is the perfect length of puppet story and singing to keep everyone happy and interested.  The kids love picking which puppet they get to be.

 Then, we usually (if I can find some and decide to, this tradition is more hit and miss) get new Christmas pajamas.  The girls really wanted those footie pajamas that I think are so sweaty and miserable.  The boys I have resorted to just getting some exercise clothes so they actually get used more than pajamas.

 But these cute owl pajamas were so cute, Clara got two pair of pajamas because they had a great sale and couldn't resist.  Lucky Clara.  I made her dress up in both of them for pictures.

Finally, they kids open a video of some sort that they all watch together while mom and dad start getting some things taken care of.  This year, it was kind of fun because Justin stayed up and did a little helping.  I hope I didn't ruin the magic for him.