Our Little Princess is 3!

July 27th, 2008 our whole world changed when this little lady joined our family. She has the ability to melt your heart and make you smile so much your cheeks hurt. She's always had a great personality- a true entertainer and social butterfly. We've loved watching her explore our new home and meet new kids. Her most common sentence when arriving at the park "What those kids names?" to which I always respond "Why don't you ask them and introduce yourself?" It's great to watch my little extrovert in action!

I'm sure some of you are wondering what we did to celebrate her day, so here is quick synopsis.
We started the day at Cultus Lake, playing at the beach with Skye and Charis Farr. Sadly, I didn't remember the camera. Then we headed to the Cheam centre for a swim (because it wasn't as warm as we the weather man had hoped). The girls loved the not-so-lazy river and the "hot" tub, but weren't quite so keen on swimming. Kara has recently gotten the courage to let go of Mommy and "swim" as long as she is geared up in both her life jacket and her water wings.

After swimming, we went home for lunch and our normal afternoon nap. Upon waking up, we went to pick up Daddy at the hospital and Kara was invited up to see a baby that was just a few hours old! She was delighted, especially given that her only birthday wish this year was to have a new baby.... sorry Kara, not this year.

For dinner Skye and Charis came over for pizza and ice cream cake. It worked out totally that we were babysitting them this night due to Nate and Marcel's 9th anniversary! 

Kara was thrilled to find 4 birthday cards and even a parcel with clothes and goodies! (Thanks to both sets of Grandparents, Aunt Christie, Auntie Marj and Nana and Papa).

Modeling some of her new clothes.

Skye was delighted that the outfit from Auntie Christie would fit her first, then Kara, then Emily. Good taste and good thinking Auntie Christie!

She loved the bright green and found some "matching" socks right away.

It was a busy day but the fun has only begun as Kara is going to have a "planned" Strawberry Shortcake birthday party, complete with invitations and goodie bags next weekend. No presents allowed but a perfect opportunity to have a bunch of her new friends in our home at one time!

An impromptu night in the backyard with some of our neighbors.

It's been a while since I've had the time or the energy to sit down and bring this blog up to date. Our last two weeks since we returned to Chilliwack have been a blur. I'm happy to report that my prayer to open our house up to our neighbors and friends has transpired! Tonight we had my friend and "soul sister" (your prayers have already been answered April),  Sarah come over with her 3 munchkins for dinner. I think I have mentioned Sarah before, but just incase, I will reinstate that she is a total answer to prayer. She lives just across the lane way from me and attends the same church. We prayed together our first morning together and have been meeting every week, sometimes more than once,  to pray together and hold eachother accountable. I've never been so functional and excited to roll out of bed to pray at 6am! Sarah and I are so similar in character, that at times it worries me. However, I have thanked God for her each day as we get to know eachother deeper. Besides Sarah, my neighbor Shay came over with her little daughter, Molly. Shay has quite the story to tell and I am so thankful that she feels comfortable to share it with me. We've had a couple great talks in my back yard or on our shared front lawn; I pray there are more.

Here are a few pictures of our night together. It was a riot, complete with air bounce (brought over by Sarah) and a visit from Bubble Gum the snake!

Deflating the air bounce- I finally thought to get out the camera!

Isaac is always full of smiles :)

Cade and Kara showing off their "head stands"

Sydney (who turned 5 yesterday) masters it!

Emily, Kara and Molly sharing secrets???

Molly and mommy Shay

When Dave came out with his guitar all the kids settled down next to him for some pre-bed-time worship.

 

Kara is in heaven sharing her back yard with her new friends...

Molly, Kara and Cade are getting sleepy...

Bubble Gum the snake! Sydney was so brave!

I'm proud to say that this snake is totally my friend, until she grows longer than my arm that is.

Bubble Gum shows off her strength

Emily wasn't too sure, but would touch Bubble Gum as long as her slithering red fork tongue was nowhere in sight.