Temple Square and Birthday Week.

Grampa Jim and Adam drove Aunt Linda home to California the last weekend of July.  It had been a while since we visited Temple Square with visitors, so we were excited to take her there for her first visit.  Of course, it's a great place for photo opps...

The fam.  It was unintentional, but a happy accident that the background was the Church Office Building where Joel worked for 6 months - the place he got a great job after such a long unemployment period.  He may have moved on to different employment, but we will be forever grateful.  :)

Joel's Aunt Linda.  Love her!

Adam really was having fun...I swear!

See?  

They left Sunday morning after attending Sacrament with us.  Short and sweet, but it was great to get to see Aunt Linda. The little girls will now forever be in love with "Aunt Linda that lives in California". :) (and thanks for the Pet Shop toys...they LOVE them!)

 Ellie's 8th birthday was two days later on Tuesday.  In the morning we had our fruit breakfast and gave her the gift she had been begging for for months...a new bike.  She also got a new swimsuit and some nail polish.  The day was filled with playing, riding, and preparing for the party.  We invited 3 of her school friends to come for a swimming/sleepover party.  Only one of her little friends was able to come - but we made the best of it.  Ellie was such a trooper - I was kind of a wreck behind the scenes, but she truly had a blast swimming at the rec center with her friend Halle and the rest of the family, and then enjoying cake and presents with her afterwards.  She ended up not being able to stay overnight, so Mom and Ellie had a sleepover instead. :) We camped out under a canopy of butterflies in the living room.  Ellie told Joel it was 'the best birthday ever'...not bad for all of it going awry!  My beautiful girl is growing up way too fast!

 Three days later, on Friday, it was Syd's turn!  Big #5.  Since she knew what Ellie had asked for, all she wanted was a bike of her own to ride - so of course, we accommodated.  She also got a basket and bell to mount on it, and some nail polish of her own.  I loved seeing her face at  breakfast when we brought it in from the garage...total disbelief and excitement. Ellie had to congratulate her.  :) Of course, all the girls had to take a ride immediately on their new bikes.  I should note that Paige felt like she was right in there since she inherited the mini bike with training wheels. :) Oh, and do you like Joel driving along with them on his way to work? Priceless.



Syd had requested a fancy tea party...with butterflies...(because big sis had them too. :) We turned it into a 'Fancy Party' where all the guests were to come have a 'proper' lunch in their finery.  So. so. cute.  They showed up in princess dresses, and thoroughly enjoyed using British accents while eating tiny sandwiches, fruit, ring pops, and cheese cubes.  (So easy to put together might I add!)

 One happy birthday girl!

 I made crowns and scarves for each of the girls, and since one of the girls wasn't able to come, 

Amelia became an honorary 'princess'.  Adorable!

 Of course, they had to pose in their finery! I'm sooo loving the pose of little pink up front. ;)

 Not long after the party ended, Grandpa and Grandma Hallberg, and Annie and Dennis arrived to celebrate the festivities over the weekend.  Chad and Melanie were in town for a family reunion, and blessed their new sweet baby Halle on Syd's birthday.  (Thanks for letting us be a part of her big day guys!) Afterwards, we enjoyed meatloaf in honor of both b-day girls...their request. :)  We had some very excited, happy, (& spoiled) birthday girls.  Thank you for coming guys!

Happy Birthday to my two beautiful girls.  I'm the luckiest momma in the world!