Anna's Birthday

Anna turned 5 this year, and since her birthday is on Thanksgiving, we celebrated on Saturday. I've never had such a quiet, calm, sweet, clean birthday party before! (Boy, she and Bekah sure have opposite ideas of fun...) I attempted to make the birthday cake for Anna this year. Not too bad, but I was sure nervous about it. All the little girls dressed up like princesses and had to earn their jewels by playing games. Their fairy god mothers came and helped them along the way. Anna said it was the best party ever! I just love her positive attitude about everything.

One of the best things we did lately was take the kids out of school and head for the beach. We spent 2 weeks just playing in the sand (and managed to see a good number of our friends too! Who wouldn't want to come to San Diego to say hi!) We stayed at the military hotel on the beach and practically had it all to ourselves.

we have lived here in Rapid City for 12 months. Of that 12 months craig has been deployed for 8 of them. At least he finally got to do one of the great things there are to do around here! Climb devils tower!

Kaid got cornered at old macdonalds farm this summer!

We enjoyed a beautiful hike up spearfish canyon after Craig returned home in Aug.!

THese are from Kaids birthday in July. Isn't it interesting the how each kid approaches the big slide!

These are some of the 'attitudes' present today as we were trying to get a nice family picture for christmas cards...