More Alaskan good stuff :)

I loved Ikey's fur hat! That's so fun! Mason has been carrying his puppet Moose around with us everywhere--the grocery store, church, etc. He thinks it's really soft and likes to put his hand in it. And the shirt fits great :) There is a music class here on Wednesdays that we attend, and they use puppets for one song. I brought the Moose and got some pictures--





Going to take a drive to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Idaho

And we finally got Mom's delicious granola recipe (Mmmm) and Mason helped me make it. He's a great helper in the kitchen :)

Ike’s little Birthday Party!!

 

We had a little party with grandparents tonight because our day tomorrow is so hectic.  I think we highly entertained everyone, especially Grandma Vonda for the evening.  Between Ivy yelling, “look at me!!!!” as she slides into the splits (I have to get a picture of this before it comes and goes without documenting it), and ike unwrapping gifts and bouncing off the walls, I’d say we are completely ready to add a THIRD to our lot.

I made this super awesome cake.  It tasted good, but looked horrible.

 

Ivy wearing ike’s new Alaska raccoon hat.

Ike in his new Alaska pajamas with 4 dollars from Grandma Vonda, and his sweet hat.  Thank you all who made it for the evening.  And wish you Uncles and Aunts and cousins could celebrate with us.  We miss you all!!!

Marathon - Utah Valley Provo, UT

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IVY DEAR!!!!

How we adore our sweet, funny IVY! It is hard to believe she is turning two today! Dad and I will never forget going to the hospital to see her for the first time. She was almost a rolling 9 pound baby and she was looking for food! It was so fun to cuddle with her and to listen to her cute little grunting sounds. If her two year mark indicate her future possibilities, there will be no stopping this girl---she is strong, determined, and loving---(what a combo) not to mention her ability to hold her own!

Here's to our IVY....some of our favorite pictures! What beautiful eyes!!

WE LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOUR DAY IS A FUN ONE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to all!

I was going to do a happy birthday post to Dad and Mason, but it looks like Mom beat me to it so . . . here's to all the other men celebrating big birthdays this weekend!

It's Birthday Time for MASON!!

It is so hard to believe that Mason has arrived at his one year mark!

It seems it was not that long ago that we were wondering if he was going to be born on Grandpa's birthday!! What an exciting time!! David called to let us know he had finally arrived, we left to be with Garrett when he opened his mission call, and the next morning I got on a plane for Omaha!! What a beautiful baby boy!

WE LOVE YOU MASON!! Have a wonderful day!! Take lots of pictures :)

Here's a couple of our favorites!!

February 18--Happy Happy Birthday Neil--Missing You

Dad is trekking around the Netherlands, meeting potential customers and gearing up for the Euro Ag Show in Paris on Monday!! It sounds like everything is going smoothly! It seems odd to be wishing "happy birthdays" when we are so far apart! We did a little celebrating before he left, but it doesn't seem like we did the occasion justice--especially since today is the day and our celebrating was nearly a week ago!!

Sooo, here's is a huge birthday wish from Declo all the way to Dad in the land of the wooden shoes!! Hope you have a great day and that your day isn"t all work! Dad was hoping to go to the temple at the Hague tomorrow and maybe even make a trip over to Fredericksborg Castle. We hope to see some quality photos and stories.

I'm so thankful for such a great husband and father for all of you. You won't find a more patient or thoughtful man who is as concerned for the welfare of his family--not to mention all the fun times along the way, made possible because of his own love of play--and his hard work!

I love you and look forward to your return!!

Lily has a birthday!! Shout Hooray!

HOW WE LOVE OUR SWEET LILY!! Here's a few pics to sum up our memories from the last year--We hope to make many more! Lily with the squirt bottle during a hot day of boating. Great way to cool off ! Lily enjoying her own private pool which was dug especially for her by Uncle Greg, Grandpa and Daddy--such a fun day! Lily with Uncle "Elder Garrett Harper" (Ahhhh, I miss both of you)!! Lily with Aunt Claire and Uncle Devin on their wedding day--SMILES :) Grandpa terrorizing his two favorite grandaughters (look at those faces) at the Harper Family Reunion in August (Lily and Ivy were all smiles at the bottom of the hill) The family after our Christmas sharing night--Lily starred in a western dance, riding a very fine pony (golf club)--most original I must say!

LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU

HOPE YOU HAVE A MOST WONDERFUL DAY!!

Well it only took till January 12th

Yes, Lily finally got her Christmas. Derek finished up his last final for last semester on Tuesday, he finished putting her kitchen together that night and Wednesday morning...tada...it was Christmas...again. She LOVES all of her fun little surprises and I love that she finally has a few toys to play with. It even snowed several inches that night so she woke up to tons of snow too. It was a perfect Christmas...in January.

And she can finally wear a pony tale, huge moment for us - had to post it.

isn't that awesome that the vacuum made it's debut too

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom has been a lifesaver these past few weeks for us here in Omaha--and that is just like her, continually going out of her way to help us and build us up. She once said that her favorite hobby was her kids :) Sure do love you Mom--we love you!

A few pictures of a delicious lemon chiffon cake (let me know if you want the recipe--highly recommended!), bowing out candles, and Skyping with Dad.

Happy Anniversary and Birthday!

Here's a little shoutout to Derek for his 29th birthday on January 3rd--Happy Birthday! It was really fun to see you three at Christmas :)

We hear that Derek got all of his favorite desserts for his birthday--chocolate layered dessert from Mom, Talane's delicious apple pie, and homemade pumpkin pie from Grandma Harper, mmmmm. Good way to start out the new year!

PLUS, Derek and Talane reached their Four Year Anniversary on December 22nd--woohoo! We love you guys!