Sunday, January 26, 2014

Kendall turns 4!

My how time flies! I can't believe Kendall is already 4!! We have had an exciting, challenging and wonderful 4 years raising this little one. She has been a blessing to our family and I am looking forward to many many more birthdays with this sweet and sassy thing:)

Since Andy was going to be out of town on Kendall's actual birthday, we celebrated before church on Sunday! The special birthday trip to Dunkin Donuts, is always a hit! HEre is the birthday girl enjoying her sprinkled donut and a special morning:)

blowing out her candles

On Kendall's actual birthday (which happened to be MLK day as well!), we celebrated with a party. Kendall has loved being part of a ballet class this year, so when discussing what kind of party she wanted, she said Ballet...of course it kept changing, but I told her she was stuck with the first idea she told me she "really wanted". After finding out one of her friends (who is a boy) was coming, we added a "fairy/butterfly" part to the party. This way the little boy could be the "fairy/butterfly" catcher and still have fun and be a part of the party.

my 3 ballerina fairies:)

For the party favors, I made butterfly wings out of hangers and used some stretchy purple tape from Andy's work...it turned out great! 

for the activity, the girls all made little ballet dresses from paper. I had glued a leotard cut-out onto cardstock for each girl. We then traced their hands to make the tutus and they colored everything in. HEre are the youngest party goers getting serious about their coloring:)

the finished product...

minus the little ballerina/butterfly who had a bad attitude...

After the "projects" we sang happy birthday to the birthday girl and dug into some yummy, pink snacks!


You can never have a party without some lego play!

Happy Birthday sweet sweet Kendall!! We love you!!

Portraits

Over Christmas, we had a photographer come out and take pictures of our whole family together. It had been so long since the "original" Alley children had been together, that it was about time for a BIG family photo shoot! The best part was that Granny was able to come down and be in the pictures with us! It was so wonderful getting to reunite with Granny:)

We had a fabulous photographer, HGB photography, and she got some excellent shots of everyone. 

Granny visiting with Alley

Kendall

Alley

MC

MC was NOT interested in smiling for the camera...she actually is crying/screaming in all the other ones we have with all the kids...go figure;)

a family shot...I think from here on out, I will always pack outfits that would look good together just incase we have a surprise photo shoot! Not too bad though...next time I'm ditching the scarf!

Everyone all together

family shot

the oldest cousins...so sweet!

the big kids!

And, I leave you with a picture of the MOST "handsomest" man in the world...I am honored to get to walk through life with this man!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Family Fun!

We are very excited that Team Alley is FINALLY close enough to us that we can have monthly visits! My brother, Will, and his family are stationed (for the next 6 months) at ft. Jackson in South Carolina. Yeah for family fun! Our first visit with them was the week of Owen's 6th birthday. We had a great time celebrating Owen and getting to show Team Alley around Andy's stomping grounds. 

The celebration is just getting started! Wild, crazy times with the McPherson-Alley's!
Whose child is that with no clothes on??! Someone really needs to control the situation! ;)

the kids super excited about Death Valley...they all were panting to get onto the grass;)

Uh oh, looks like Andy has a lot of work ahead of him;)

Cheerleader Kendall to the rescue...

 chillin in the football locker room

 yes, my girls definitely like to pose and be in the center of everything...

Andy showing Owen the football helmets

yup, Kendall striking a pose again

aaaaaaand, again

Andy showing the basketball stadium

Andy my girls thought it was a perfect time for a little work out.

We had a WONDERFUL time and can't wait to see Team Alley again next month!! We've got a lot of fun things planned:)