7 Years Old

 WOW! Our first baby turned 7 yesterday. I know everyone says it but the time really does pass so quickly. We couldn't be more blessed and happy to have Zoey as our daughter. She is an amazing little girl. She is smart and beautiful and is a really great big sister. Of course as time goes on she develops a bit more or an attitude but I am pretty sure she isn't the only one. When that attitude isn't present though she is helpful and playful and so grown up. She has 2 younger siblings that look up to her and want to be around her all the time. She handles it pretty well most the time and is good about including them in what she does. Zoey is not our most cuddly, affectionate child but I know and can see how much she absolutely adores and loves her family. Zoey is wonderful and we all love her so much and can't imagine life without her.

7 Years Favorites Questionnaire (The new thing I want to do every year for each kid)

Color:   Pink
Animal:   Monkey
Dinner:   Meatloaf and corn on the cob
Drink:   Chocolate milk
Treat:   Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Toy:   Barbies
Activity:   Drawing
Friend:   Wesly
Restaurant:   Chilis
Song:   Let's Get Crazy (Hannah Montana)
Number:   100
Breakfast:   Breakfast pizza
Movie:   Veggie tales
Outfit:   Dresses
Sport to play:   Soccer
Sport to watch:   Football
Football team:   Cardinals
Thing to wear to bed:   Nightgowns
Candy:   Twix
Ice cream:   Chocolate with brownie chunks
Store:   Target
Thing to do outside:   Ride my scooter
Thing to do at school:   Computers
Holiday:   Halloween
TV show:   Good Luck Charlie
Place to go:   Utah
Thing about Mommy:   That she's nice
About Daddy:   He plays D&D with me
About Noah:   He's really funny
About Olivia:   She's cute
About yourself:   That I like to go to school
If you could do anything you want tomorrow what would it be:   Eat as much junk food as I want
Where do you want to go on vacation:   Paris

(These are all I have for now but I am sure the list will be added to over time.)

Ha ha! The view from this side shows one very leaning tower.

It isn't the prettiest thing ever but Zoey had been asking for a princess castle cake for a few weeks now. She was thrilled by it so that's what really mattered. I think it turned out pretty decent considering I am not a professional and I just made it up.

Silly Zoey asked if she could do a silly face now.

I guess she had more than one in mind.

Birthday dinner at Chilis. She had to have her favorite baked potato soup.

This was the look on her face the whole time the servers sang to her. Just FYI, she requested she be sang to. She isn't my daughter because I certainly have never liked it myself.

Poor Noah started crying because he didn't get a treat like Zoey did. He was so upset. Poor guy.

This is his happy face when he saw that Zoey sent over some cake and ice cream to share.

It was great they let Zoey have whatever dessert she liked. I thought places just gave a scoop of ice cream. Instead she got a delicious piece of chocolate lava cake, free of charge.

The birthday girl and all her goodies.

In true child fashion, one of the best parts of the evening was popping all the bubble wrap from a package. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa McKinlay for that one!

Olivia partied too hard I guess. The way she fell asleep was too funny.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY ZOEY PAIGE!

Utah - 4th of July

 Pirate Island - July 5

We went to Pirate Island. It's a pizza place with awesome decor and an arcade. We all had fun playing games and spending time together.

 Yay for bread sticks!

 I don't want to play on the zebra!

 Much happier "playing" some arcade games.

 The decor was my favorite part.

 Our own little pirates.

Utah - 4th of July

 Playtime - July 4

After the parade we went and hung out at Jay's parents house. At some point all the kids passed out and had nap time. The rest of the time was spent hanging out and playing. That night we went to the Gauchay's house to do fireworks but unfortunately we didn't stay long. It started raining and we were all just miserable. The kids were so bummed but none of us were really enjoying it. We just headed back to our hotel and passed out for the night.

 Me, Noah and Olivia spent some time playing outside. Imagine that, playing outside in the summertime and not dying from the heat and the blaring sun.

 Between lack of sleep and the allergy medicine she had to take poor Zoey was passed out on the couch while we played.

 After a long day and little sleep we all pretty much looked like this after getting back to the hotel room. It was a long, exhausting day but a lot of fun.

Utah - 4th of July

 The Big Parade - July 4

After the big kids enjoyed a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house we met up early in the morning to grab our seats for the parade. There was a lot of sitting and chatting and just hanging out until the parade actually started. It was enjoyable though with so much family around. This was the kids 2nd time at the huge parade and they were so excited to be there again. Even active Olivia did super great considering how much time we spent there.

Look at those adorable siblings.

No matter how many times I were to see it the crowds would never cease to amaze me. A good load of these people all camped out over night too.

We love us some Chick-fil-a!

Doing some bike tricks with the portable pop out ramps.

The Little Mermaid

Always happy to see the Star Wars bunch in the parade.

Just some really cute kid I saw during the parade. :)

There was a family member sitting behind us who was hollering a lot and this was Olivia looking back to see what was up. I love the look on her face.

Llamas!