Happy Birthday, Riley: Part Two

Like I said, we had her family party on her birthday, the 22^nd. I was thinking of having it during the week sometime, but it just worked out that my parents and some of my family were going to be down our way on that Sunday, so we figured we’d just have people over for dinner and then cake and presents after. We ended up having about 13 people for dinner, and then another seven came afterward. Wow. Our house isn’t a shoe box, but it’s not really equipped for that many people, either! It was packed, and more than a little warm. I have to say, Riley made out like a bandit this year—she now has more technology to her name than I do. Eric and I got her a pink lap top to help teach her letters and numbers, Patti got her a kid’s digital camera, and Uncle Cort and Aunt Donna (and Spencer and Garrett) got her a princess CD player. Of course, she got some other wonderful presents as well, lots of books and cute clothes. I was just thinking of the difference a generation makes, and wondering what kind of presents she’ll want in a decade. Oh boy. I made the cake for this party, and I was pretty proud of it, seeing as how I don’t bake, as a general rule. It was cookies and cream with melted chocolate and crumbled Oreo’s on top. Tastey. So, thanks to everyone who came and for all your love and support to Riley. She loves you, too—and prays for you daily.

There was something up with the camera, so the pictures are all blurry

Happy Birthday, Riley: Part One

It was Riley’s birthday on February 22—I can’t believe I have a 4 year old! We had a party for her little friends on Saturday the 21st, in the morning (princess themed, of course) and a party for the family on Sunday evening. We had a few cancellations/ no shows for the friend party, which I was a little disappointed about, but it all went well. We had crowns for them to decorate with stick-on gems and other bling, and we played “Pin the Tiara on the Princess”, using a 4 foot tall poster of Sleeping Beauty, the current favorite.

Since the party was just an hour long, we only had time for cake and ice cream and presents after that. I had made up little gift bags with all sorts of princess trinkets, and didn’t make any changes for the two boys who came. So they left with Ariel bubbles, Cinderella stickers, Snow White and Jasmine balloons, etc. They didn’t seem to mind. I got the cake from Harmon’s, mainly because I couldn’t resist. I took a picture which doesn’t do it justice. It had little plastic figurines on it: Belle, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. It was covered with that horrible processed frosting (that, unfortunately, I actually like) in the shapes of flowers, and I had them write, “Happy Birthday, Princess Riley”. It was beautiful.







Riley is such a fun little kid. She’s got tons of energy and enthusiasm and is so curious! Although she sometimes wears me out, I wouldn’t tone her down if I could. She’s in Sunbeams this year, and loves learning so much about Jesus and Heavenly Father. She says her prayers by herself each night, and actually pitches a fit if anyone else prays at mealtime. Her prayers are so sincere and heartfelt (albeit a bit long winded), and I’m so proud to hear them. If you are reading this, then she’s probably prayed for you! I’m so grateful to have her in our family; it really wouldn’t be complete without her.

She’s still a bean pole—tall and skinny, although she hasn’t gotten much taller lately. I think she’s not too much taller than other kids her age anymore. I think the doc said she in the 63 percentile or something like that. She’s only 32 pounds, which is only double Iris’ weight. Her doctor isn’t concerned about it, so neither am I. She doesn’t react well so change unless thoroughly briefed beforehand, so we get used to going over things in advance. She keeps us on our toes. But I’m really not complaining—like I said, I wouldn’t trade her passion even if I could.

Happy Birthday, Riley! We love you!

Draper Temple Open House

We were able to attend the open house for the Draper temple the other night- wow, it’s so beautiful! They said it’s the 129^th temple worldwide and the 12^th temple in Utah. Wow. It’s smaller than other temples I’ve been it, but set in an incredible area, right up in the hills. It’s a pretty striking scene. We took both girls with us, and even though Iris was ready for bed around the time we started, she did really well. Riley, also, was so great. We’d tried to prep her as best we could about the need for reverence and respect, and she did much better than I expected. It blew her mind, though, that she was allowed in, because when I go to the temple, she always asks what I do in there, and I tell her that she can know when she’s an adult. So she was really confused that we were bringing her inside. Every time I see a sealing room, I think of our wedding day, when Eric, Riley and I were sealed together. This was obviously the only other time we’ve all been in one of those rooms together, and it was really special. How blessed we are as members of this church! They showed a quick video clip in a church house before we were shuttled over to the temple, and it had part of an interview with Jeffery Holland. He said, among other things, that heaven just wouldn’t be heaven to him without his wife and family, and how grateful he is for the sealing power we have. I feel just the same way.

On the way home, after being generously praised for her good behavior, Riley was looking for more compliments, and waxing poetic. She talked about how much she loves Heavenly Father and Jesus, how happy she was to go in their house, and she said, “I love them so much that I would give them everything I have! I would give them all my books and toys- I’d be OK without them.” And even though I know she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, my eyes just filled with tears of gratitude for this special daughter—and family—we have.