Yodelaheehoo!!

It's Party time!! Karmindy turned 4 on May 15th but we decided to have her birthday on Friday the 18th. Karmindy had Pre-School on the day of her birthday and we figured having preschool and a party may be too much for Karmindy in one day, so we didn't think it would hurt to celebrate with friends a couple of days later. This year, Karmindy begged me for a Toy Story Party. Her wish was granted but I went a slightly different route and focused more on Jessie and Bullseye (from Toy Story 2) with a Western Flair. I love parties, and I probably went a little overboard with all the planning but I just wanted my little girl to have a memorable day. I found her a cute Jessie Dress on Etsy and ordered it for her to wear at her party. We also ordered cowboy hats for each of her guests to wear while celebrating with our Cowgirl Cutie!

We ordered Karmindy's invitations for her friends online and I was tickled with how they turned out!

 Karmindy invited 11 of her closest friends: Avery Hawkins, Emilia Pidcock, Carson Bradford, Teagan and Kiya Smart, Grace Vanleeuwen, Corbin Epley, Madison Jackman, Claire Trimble, Luke Payne, and Sara Childs. It was quite the crew and I was just a little bit exhausted after the whole shin dig but it was worth it to see the excitement that Karmindy had on her face. I know that I couldn't have done the party by myself, so I was really grateful to have the help of Madison Pidcock(neighborhood friend) and Mark. It would've been way to overwhelming!

When the day of the party arrived, Karmindy was super excited and couldn't wait for her friends to arrive.

As her friends started to trickle in, we let the kids pick out a Cowboy Hat and then gathered them around the kitchen table which I decorated in a cow table cloth and Jessie and Bullseye Center piece with tiny hay bales.

The kids made their very own BullsEye Craft to take home with them. 

After craft time, we played pin the tail on BullsEye. It was fun to watch the kids get into it. I think that the majority of the kids had never played any type of game like this before so it was so cute to watch them go from not understanding it to being so excited for the person who got the closest to the mark. We were going to play a "There's a Snake in my Boot" Game but we ran out of time. I had drawn a boot and decorated it and was going to place a bucket in front of it and have the kids see who could throw a rubber snake into the bucket. 

After games, we opened presents, let the kids play outside and then it was time to head home. 

I made each child their own treat bag, which I thought turned out really cute. On the tag that I attached it said, "Happy Trails to You!" and then wrote a little sentiment thanking them for coming to celebrate Karmindy's birthday. We filled the treat bags with a tiny slinky dog toy, a bouncy ball, a ring pop and some "Jolly Rancher" Tootsie Rolls. They kids were excited to take home their treat bags, a balloon and their BullsEye craft. 

Karmindy was super spoiled by her friends and got lots of nice gifts. She truly had a great time! Happy Birthday to Our Cute Little Cow Girl!! We love you so much Karmindy!!

Celebration of Life!

May 15th, was a Happy, yet sad time for our family. It was a Happy Time because Karmindy turned 4 today, but sad because it was also the day that we had to bury Grandma Stewart (Mark's grandma). We didn't have much time to do anything to celebrate Karmindy's birthday in the morning because after waking up we immediately had to start getting ready for the funeral and to allow ourselves enough time to get up to Roy, Utah (an hour away). After we ate a quick breakfast, we headed to the funeral. When we arrived we were able to visit with family and got to see Grandma one last time and say our good byes. She was a wonderful lady and we will miss her. I have fond memories of Grandma because she truly got to know me when Mark and I were dating and got married. I always felt like she made a sincere effort to really visit with me and make me feel apart of the family. I have always appreciated her kindness, warmth and compassion and will forever be grateful to her. Mark and I both will remember her spunkiness and quick whit. She was a really intelligent lady and we have both learned a lot from her. We enjoyed visiting with her whenever she would either spend the summers in St. George or at her cute home in Roy. Kaleb also like to visit her home and check out her bird feeder out back and loved when Grandma would give him treats or little trinkets. We have some very fond memories of her and she will forever be in our hearts. 

Mark was asked to share a few feelings/memories about his grandmother during the funeral and he did a fantastic job. He wrote her a nice letter that he had written and talked about the special memories that he and his brothers/sister had with their grandparents. Mark also shared the loved and appreciation that us daughter in laws and son in law had for her. She was a really neat Lady and will be missed. Thanks Grandma for your example, love and kindness! You truly were a wonderful lady!!