BFF

Before we moved, we crammed in an impromptu photo shoot with the Bates kids. Our kids have been inseparable since birth! We would do everything together! Back when it was just Sadie and Evka, we did an activity practically ever day. From playgroup, to Story time at the local library, to puppet shows, shopping...we did it together! Then Lucy and Averee joined the group and we were thrilled! Although life got a little busier, we continued our traditions like Burger King after dance class (although Lyndsee and I got sick of Burger King and started to influence their decisions to choose Chic-Fil-A especially after being pregnant with both of our third and having to stomach it all that time) We always did things together that normally you would do with family. But since neither of us had any family close, we really became each others family.
The past 5 and a half years will always be so important to us! This was when we started our family, when we grew from childless to having 3 kids! SO much has changed and we are so thankful that we got to go through it together with our new family!
The Bates and Monson kids:
Sadie 5, Evka 5, Lucy 4, Averee 4, Ryder 1, Daphne 9 months

We have laughed and cried so many times together! We have really grown "up" as we made the journey of becoming new moms together! I know I can share anything with Lyndsee and she will still love me! I admire Lyndsee in SO many ways and hope that some of her goodness will rub off on me! I am so thankful our paths crossed when they did and I know they will continue on together! I love you Lyndsee Bates!

Lucy Turns 4

The weekend before we moved, we through together a party for Lucy. We would be traveling on her actual birthday, so we needed to do something fun! Plus, we needed one last excuse to play with friends! So we did a dress up party. The girls came in some of their own stuff and then accessorized once they got to the party.

Even Lyndsee joined in on the fun! Haha! (I love you Lyndsee!) :)

Music and balloons are always a hit! They had fun dancing around and playing with balloons!

Daphne had fun with the balloons too! She loved watching all the girls dance around!

We needed every chance we could get to hang out with our Besties! :) Evka and Sadie

We had different stations set up to beautify the girls. Lyndsee painted fingernails.

Lucy was holding her breath from the spray but thought she had to close her eyes too. It was cute!

Lyndsee even let Lucy paint her nails! So pretty!

Sometimes it's hard to be patient when you are a princess! :) Ellory too cute!

Grandma Christy curled hair.

Sadie and Evka did makeup. They LOVED this and both of them brought their caboodles with their own makeup. I love how sweet Sadie is being with Amelia!

Lucy wanted to apply her own lipstick and because it was her party, Sadie reluctantly allowed it!

Mirrors to view how beautiful they look. They would show each girl when they were done!

Ellory looking SO beautiful! :) Lucy says to me after seeing Ellory, "her make up kind of looks like a clown! " haha! Poor Ellory.

Once they were all beautiful, we had a fashion show down the stairs. We shined a light on them and announced them as they came down! For being cheesy, they LOVED it! They wanted to do it over and over!

Once again, they danced!

They were anxious to open presents. So we did! She got lots of fun stuff!!

Then we decorated cupcakes. They had lots of fun with it. Good thing, because mostly I had them decorate them because I didn't have time to! :)

Lucy mostly just ate the frosting.

The big girls started being silly. They have so much fun together!

The little girls were quick to follow!

Blowing out the candles!

What a pretty Birthday Girl! I can't believe she is already 4! Lucy Jean, you are so much fun! We just adore you and all that you are! You make life so fun and are so sweet! I love that you cuddle! You still like to suck your fingers and twist on hems of shirts but before we know it you will grow out of that and I will miss it! You are such a smart little girl. You always surprise me with how much you know! You are very creative. You have the biggest imagination! I love to hear the stories you come up with. I love that you create situations in your mind that are so elaborate! You are a little silly goose and love to make people laugh. Our family would not be complete without you sweet LuLu!

Primary and Packing

The beginning of January meant that Lucy got to finally go in to Primary at church! Since she has a January birthday, she was in Nursery for what seemed like forever! She was SO excited! She got to be with her Best Friend Averee! They were so excited! They lucked out and got Sister Hancock as their teacher! She is GREAT!

Chris got offered a job in Las Vegas so we took this as a chance to finally be closer to family. It was BEYOND difficult to say good bye to all our Austin friends but we know they will be friends forever! We initially thought Chris would just go for the first month and stay at Tricia and Damon's and then come get us after that month. But then once it became a reality, we quickly realized how hard that would be to be apart for so long and going through all the changes by ourselves. So we packed up and were gone within a week! It was CRAZY!

We found lots of fun treasures as we were packing up! The girls loved it! These shooting headphones have now made it to the toy box! Nice right!?!

We pulled out the paraffin wax spa and heated it up. The girls thought it was so cool. They were nervous about it at first but then they loved it!



I guess we managed to have some fun amid all the chaos of packing! Thanks to some GREAT friends we got it all done! :)