Happy Birthday Emily!

Emily had a great birthday party day yesterday. God blessed everything and she had a fantastic time. Even before the party she had the chance to "CHEERLEAD" with Heidi at the last basketball game of the season. (See the video at the end for one of her cheers!) She was beaming when she was up cheerleading! What a big girl!

Great Grandpa and Grandma came a day early so they could come to the basketball game. What a special honor to have them here! And to top it off, it was Grandpa's 86th birthday! WOW! He is such an amazing man. At 86 years old, he comes into our house on his hands and knees so he can be eye level with the kids. He engages them, plays with them and thouroughly enjoys watching them. He had some good smiles watching Heidi cheer and Isaac play ball. Grandma did too. She was sure excited when Isaac made a basket! She is amazing also. The baby we are expecting in late May will be their 46th GREAT GRANDCHILD. And she cares about each of them, even apologizes when she has to ask them when their birthdays are! I am impressed she just knows all of their names! The kids got their trademark bunnies and kitties on their arms before Grandpa and Grandma left!

Time for the ELMO PARTY! Lots of friends over. Emily really wanted her friends, Simeon, Keegan and Elizabeth to come to her party. She even thought they could come by themselves and "she would take care of them". So cute!

Some girls eating lunch:

Playing games: "Pin the eyes and nose on Elmo" and "Find the Elmo cards" (Isaac thought of the second game and made the cards with Heidi. Super helper!)

Opening presents: (Aqua Doodle from Grandpa and Grandma in Florida! Thank you!)

Sweet doll clothes from Great Grandma Miller who made it by hand! So pretty. Fits the doll perfectly. Thank you!

A "new" bike from Nana and Papa- She spent most of the day Sunday riding the bike around the kitchen. Suppossed to be nicer weather tommorrow so hopefully we can go outside!

Passing out party favors:

The cakes: (Yes, Travis decorated the Elmo cake. It is probably the 4th cake he has done. I think he has a new career!) (And No, it's not that I am not willing to do it. I found out on Friday that he volunteers because he likes to eat the extra frosting....!)

Eating cake:

One of the presents Emily received was rollerskates. Thanks Sears! She put them on first thing when she woke up the next morning. Here she is in her PJ's.

After the birthday party we met our family in Michigan for a dinner at Applebees. Here is Emily and Sophie:


Today was also Child Dedication Sunday at our church which is where, as our minister said, the parents commit to be dedicated to raising and teaching their children about Jesus.

The cheerleading video.