New Pictures

Just in case you are wondering - my children are charming, handsome and beautiful.  (and my photographer - Kristen is amazing!)

Ashley's 2nd Birthday Cake

On Ashley's first birthday we were in Disneyland so we didn't celebrate with a cake.  This year I wanted her to be able to have a cake.  A neighbor gave us this idea and Isabelle was the primary decorator.

At the end of decorating Ashley and I did the second cake and a border around the first cake.  Ashley's idea of decorating the cake was to eat a handful, drop a couple, eat a handful, drop a couple.  Not really surprising but not a super effective way to get her to eat her dinner either.  :)

After dinner at Grandma's we sang "Happy Birthday" which she loved (although she was nervous of the candles and kept trying to reach them).  She blew out the candles and then we set her down to feast.

She enjoyed the frosting and the M&M's and with Ryan's help got frosting all over her face (thanks Ry).

After licking it nearly clean she announced that she was done and we cleaned her up.  She has since figured out a little better how to enjoy a piece of cake but the frosting and M&M's are still definitely her favorites!

She had a great day and has since decided that the "Happy Birthday" song is one of her favorites.  I think she even tried singing it during a hymn this Sunday at church.  (Incidentally, she loves to sing during the hymns and sings out nice and loud even though she doesn't know the words or the tune! The trick is to keep her from singing at other times during the meeting.)

While I'm talking about church I should mention that she LOVES(!!!) nursery!  Every Sunday after each prayer she tries to hop off my lap (or Grandma's or Ryan's, etc) and head to do Play-doh.  She just can't wait to get there!  I am so pleased about this (even though Sacrament meeting is still a bit of a challenge) because I was worried since she is my most bashful and my most clingy.  Luckily, I guess there is a bit of magic to the combination of bubbles, Playdoh, music and teachers who care that she comes to class.  I love nursery teachers!!

Isabelle's Father's Day Tie

Izzy made Scott a Father's Day present.  When she handed it to him she said something like, "It's a tie and it's toilet paper!  So when you need to blow your nose, you can use it!"
Cute cute girl.
I love her.

When I posted this on Facebook and lots of people "liked" the picture I told her and she was beaming with pride.  Who doesn't love to be appreciated?!?

Summer Fun

We got a pass to 7 Peaks this year with the "Pass of All Passes".  We've been 3 times thus far and according to the kids, it's not nearly enough!  They love being in the water, especially the wave pool, the slides and the rope swing.  Ashley is a little fish as well and has enjoyed her little bit of freedom as she navigates with her little life jacket.  Her only complaint is that she gets cold too quickly (she has no insulation).  The big kids cocmplaint is that we don't stay long enough but since we head in early and out about lunch time we miss the crowds and I handle things much better.  Luckily Scott has been with us each time we have gone, one of these days I'll attempt it without him but I'm not lookin forward to it very much, I have too many fears of drowning children.

Ashley says goodbye to Cody

Katie and her family moved to Texas this past weekend.  While we are excited for them to be headed out for new adventures, we mourn them leaving us behind.
Izzy has asked me several times if we could move to Texas too. 
I was a little tenderhearted to see Ashley and Millie decide to be beautiful friends (they both love sparkly, shiny, pretty things) the day before they left.
The night before they left we went to say goodbye to the kids at Grandma's.  As we left Cody came to watch through the window (to be fair, Jennie was pulling up as we left, so he could have been watching them).  Ashley spotted him and quickly started to wave and say, "Bye Cody!  Bye Cody!  Bye Cody!".
Unfortunately by the time I pulled out my camera she had to be prompted.

We love our Chase family!!!

Izzy's note to the Mailman

I found this in my mailbox this week:

"Dear mailman, Rock on and pease! (peace)
From your big faan  Izzy"
I love that sweet girl.