The Belnap Family: March 2009

Here we go with a few more of the Top 20 for 2008. (Editorial note to any readers of my blog: I know this may not be very exciting and you're probably thinking, "What the heck! Get on with 2009 lady!" but let's not forget this is my personal journal/scrapbook/history and once again, I don't want these events to be forgotten in the cyberspace of my computer! So bear with me. And besides, who wouldn't want to see more pictures of my cute kids, no matter what year it is!)

Memorial Weekend at Ensign Ranch

This is the place that made it's debut on my very first blog post almost two years ago! And once again, we had an incredible time and only a little rain! My brother Ryan, and his family were staying with us at the time while he was doing an away rotation for school so they got to join in on the fun. I can't believe that was a year ago! We had a great camping spot and had a blast canoeing, riding horses, eating smore's, playing bocce ball and town ball, tubing on the homemade water slide hill (which for some reason I don't have pictures of) and just hanging out with all our great friends by the camp fire.

**********

Belnap Family Cabin

It is always such a blast when we spend time at Papa's Cabin. We played our hearts out in the snow and discovered a new favorite; being pulled behind the "mouse" on the sleds all over the mountain. I think we could have done that all day long. We loved spending time with family. (and are so giddy that we get to do it a whole lot more often! WooHoo!)

So, many moons have gone by and I'm still working on this Top 20 list. I think I'm only up for one more round. There's already way too much to blog about in 2009 as it is and I think I'm ready to move on.

P.S. Is everyone else as blown away by Adam Lambert as I am? Amy, I know you're with me :) Is there anything that kid can't sing? Love Him!

Could this year be going by any faster? It's the end of March for cryin' out loud! (that was fun to say). Well, I once again have found myself leaving this blogging business on the back burner of life. I admire all you bloggers out there who are posting daily or even weekly. Either you manage your time super well, or you've just got a lot of time on your hands:). Neither one of those applies to my life, so here I am playing catchup, again.

Today I'm going to avoid talking about our current events of.....pointless-timewasting-doctor-appointments, and the economic-can't-sell-our-house-unless-we-fork-out-a-bunch-of-$-crisis, or the finally-got-my-three-year-old-in-big-boy-pants (which is very exciting blogworthy news for later!). No, those topics will have to wait another day. Today I've decided to go back to something I wanted to do in January but just haven't gotten to it yet.

I spent some time looking back over my posts (which didn't take me too long. sigh.) and going through pictures on my computer. And I've realized there have been many events in our lives that have been forgotten and I want them to be blogged about. If only for the sake of documenting them so we can look back and say, "Oh, look at all those great things that happened!" and, "We did spend time together as a family!"

So that's when I decided to come up with a list. Yip, a list. It started out as the 'Top 10 of 2008' which quickly turned into a lot more than 10. So much happened last year and why oh why it didn't make the blog I just can't figure it out? (Oh, yeah, refer to the 1st paragraph.) So bare with me. It may take me a few posts, which I'm hoping doesn't translate into a few weeks, but I am bound and determined to document our life events.

So while I should be doing the things that are on my own "To Do" List for the day, I am going to instead, work on this list:

The Top 20...more or less...of 2008 (in no particular order.)

Brooklyn's Dance Class and Recital

We finally got her into her first dance class and I'm not sure who had more fun; Her, doing what she loves and is very good at. Or me, watching with a perma-grin as my little dancer twirled, tapped, leaped and spun each week.

the Ribbon Dancing was her favorite

Practicing for the "Daddy-Daughter Dance" performed at the recital. This is always the hit of the show and Brian 'graciously' accepted the challenge. Who could refuse the opportunity to dance with the cutest dance partner ever, to the hit "Danger Zone"? (just admit it babe, you loved the thrill of performing)

The Recital, "Lights, Camera, DANCE!!"

Brooklyn's teacher who she absolutely adored!

Box Seats at the Sonics vs. Jazz Game

Our friends, Jill & Daniel, hooked us up with free tickets to the game. We were a little shocked (and ecstatic) to find out they were located in a suite!! We had such a fun time and Brian was in heaven. We ended the night with burgers and shakes at Seattle's famous Dick's. Too bad the Sonics left town and it would only be a one time opportunity. We had a blast. Thanks Martins!

The picture of the Sonics Mascot is not a great one, I know. If you can't tell, he's a big Sasquatch, and he literally climbed up into our box and gave me a big hug. It happened so fast I was unable to get a photo with him!

A Year's worth of Birthday Celebrations

Yeah, so what kind of a blogger am I that I didn't even post the birthdays. A strugglin' one, folks.

First off, we celebrated Brian and the big 31!! We had to alert the fire department and detach the smoke alarm ahead of time! Check out those flames. It practically melted the icecream cake:) The kids and I had fun decorating for the party and making him a candybar poster. We sure love you babe!

*********

Brooklyn's 5th birthday was so much fun. She wanted a 'Princess Tea Party' and wanted the decorations to be pink. Brooklyn planned the whole thing. The girls all came dressed as princesses and had fun decorating crowns, munching on tea party treats, playing Limbo, dancing, opening presents and eating a (very challenging to make) Barbie cake which she helped decorate. I love my little girlie girl.

*********

Next up we celebrated Lillie's 1st Birthday. We were lucky to have Grandma Belnap in town for the festivities. (that explains the insane amount of presents:) She got spoiled!) We had a little party with just our family and Lillie enjoyed being the center of attention. She didn't want a thing to do with her little cake and was disgusted with it at first. But, with the help of Brooklyn and Isaac, she soon warmed up to it and was having a great time.

*********

In November it was Isaac's 3rd birthday. He wanted an alien party. We had a few little friends over and had fun playing "hide the alien", opening presents, and eating blue frosted alien cake. Thank heaven for spot shot! He was thrilled to get a big boy bike and has been riding non-stop ever since.

*********

And finally, we had a big hoorah for my birthday. Let's just say I feel alot younger than I am! The kids helped Brian decorate a cake for me and once again we had to alert the fire department and detach the smoke alarm. Maybe we'll resort to using number candles from now on! Anyway, I had a great birthday. Brian took me to Red Lobster for dinner and then to a chick flick, The Secret Life of Bees. I Loved It! Oh, and what birthday could be complete without birthday hugs!

********