Emma turned 5!

We got to Utah on Wednesday and had a birthday party at my mom's house for Emma on Saturday. Levi's favorite part was the balloons. 2 1/2 weeks later we still have a couple! Next time we will buy less awesome balloons. :) We were so happy that Aunt Kate was in town and came to the party with cousins Tanner, Colton and Braden!

We had a Strawberry Shortcake party. We planned to start the party outside with some little games, but Emma went outside...saw a BEE...and then came back inside. SHE WOULD NOT GO BACK OUTSIDE! Maryn's now husband, Jared, was there and helped me talk her into going back outside. She was still terrified of the bee outside so Aunt Trisha saved the day and took her inside to spray on some "bee spray."
Here is a picture of her pouting...hehe

Emma and Aunt Trisha...

The kids played for a few minutes then we decided to do the pinata that Grandpa had bought for Emma. It was a strawberry shortcake pinata! Thanks Grandpa! It was a different kind of pinata. Each kid got to pull and string and only one string was the one that opened the door to the candy. We thought we might have to do the party inside because of the weather and that that kid of pinata would be better for indoors. I was amazed that each kid got to pull a string and it was the very last string that did the trick. We weren't sure it was going to work at all for a minute. :) When all the candy came falling out the kids huddled together...all except for Emma who stood back and cried because she couldn't get any candy. We helped her put some in her bag and her cousins were nice to share with her. She really just doesn't do well when there are a lot of people around. Next year I think I will just give her a cupcake. :) We finished up the pinata just as it started to storm so we headed inside.


Grandpa made us hotdogs for dinner and we had lots of other good food too including strawberry soda.


After we had dinner we sang Happy Birthday and had some strawberry cupcakes and strawberry icecream. Levi likes to lead the music...



Emma was spoiled rotten and loved opening all her presents.


Aunt Kate and the boys got her an awesome alphabet train puzzle. She was excited about this cause it's the same one they did at gearing up for Kindergarten. Grandma got her several Strawberry Shortcake DVD's so we watched one while we ate. She got a travel glow station from Josh and Trisha and the kids. Emma was soooo excited about that! Hailey and Caden got them for Christmas and Emma was sad that Santa didn't bring her one. If only Santa had known they existed. Jacky and the kids got her an awesome Strawberry Shortcake toy which she loves. The Workman's got her one of those terrifying little zhu zhu pet baby buggy things. Thanks Ash! ;) Daddy got Emma the Baby Alive doll that she had asked for and let her open it before we left North Dakota. I got her a remote control my little pony airplane that does not fly. Yes it is as weird as it sounds...and it plays the theme song from my little pony. She asked for that also. Like I said, the kid is spoiled rotten. We were so happy that everyone was able to come and that we could share this birthday with our family. Next year Emma will be in school and we probably won't be here for her birthday.
I still just can't believe that she is FIVE! I am so grateful for my sweet little girl...even when she chooses to be sour!