Teya's Baptism: March 29th 2014

On March 29th 2014 our beautiful little Teya choose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

 It was hard to believe our first born baby was already old enough to be baptized. 

At 8 years old she was growing into such a lovely and spiritually mature little girl. We were so happy she made the decision to be baptized.  

Grandma and Grandpa Uda flew out to Chicago from Utah to be there for Teya's special day. It was a really big deal that they could be there because Grandma had been in the hospital and had many health complications from a car accident that resulted in a painful neck surgery that left her with some awful side affects including seizures. Despite all she had been through it was such a blessing that she was able to make it out for the baptism. 

It was also her first time meeting Nori since her surgery kept her from flying out when Nori was born. It was love at first sight for both of them. 

We didn't waste any time putting Grandpa to work to help prepare for the baptism. I think we wiped him out pretty good. 

 On the day of the baptism we went to the church in our Sunday best. 

Teya looked beautiful in her white dress. 

Naomi and Kevin drove up with their girls and it was so fun to have cousins there!

 We had a great turn out from our ward and the neighboring St. Charles ward. Teya also invited our neighbors and some friends from school who weren't members of our church. It was a great missionary opportunity for her to be able to share her testimony with them. 

 As part of the program Teya, Brinley, Cam and Brooklyn and Lily sang Families can be Together forever. 

 Then Grandpa Uda gave a wonderful talk about baptism. 

Mommy also gave a talk about the Holy Ghost and presented Teya with a baptism jar that sister Burgess from our New Hampshire ward had sent out in the mail with little symbols to remind Teya of the covenants she was making. 

 Then Daddy got to take Teya into the baptismal font and baptize her. 

It was a very special moment. 

 Afterwards Grandma and Aunt Naomi made some sandwiches and refreshments for our guests.

Teya enjoyed eating and chatting with all her friends who came to support her. 

It was also really nice to have the Morgan family, who had recently moved from New Hampshire to Illinois make the hour drive from their new home to support Teya. 

 And of course Teya was beaming to have her Grandparents there. 

Jess and Henry, our neighbors who aren't members of our church gave Teya a beautiful journal and a sweet card congratulating her on her baptism. It was really sweet to see how loved she was by everyone who came. 

 Later that evening Teya got to top off her day by attending the first General women's broadcast for our church where all girls ages 8 and up were invited. 

It was awesome to be there with Grandma and auntie Naomi. 

 It was a very special day and one that I'm sure our little Teya will never forget. 

St Patricks Day 2014

St. Patricks Day is always more fun to celebrate when you have a tiny human to dress up. 

Nori totally rocked Cam's old Froggie jammies, a gift from aunt Scarlet. Nobody's gonna be pinching this little babe!

 Brinley also looked extra specially cute in her neon green tutu

Of course it was the leprechaun beard and hat she made at school that totally took the look to the next level. We don't go too crazy on St. Patty's day around here but it's always fun dressing the kids up in green. 

Riding Trains with Daddy 3-15-14

When Nori was born the transition to big brother was a little tough on Cam. 

Cam is a an uber fanatic train lover, so Taber decided to take him for some rides on the Metra since there was station 5 minutes from our house. Cam LOVED the train rides and it kind of became Cam and Daddy's Saturday thing for a few weeks. 

He was pretty over the moon to be on a real life actual train! His trains were excited to ride the train too. 

Their train adventures took them to some pretty cool Chicago suburbs

Cam had a blast running around, chasing geese, and getting his energy out. 

Mostly though I think he just loved having one on one time with Daddy. 

Teya's 8th Birthday: March 1st 2014

So I'm over a year behind on my blog. And would've just given up on it long ago, but Taber and the girls absolutely love the blog books. Teya especially reads them over and over and always wants more. So for family history sake, I'm going to try to catch up on a YEAR's worth of blogging. Slow and steady, a post a day, and hopefully in a few months I'll get there. : ) To start off, Teya the great turns 8!!

She wanted to have a Frozen party, of course. And all the Elsa dresses were sold out EVERYWHERE because Frozen was ALL the rage at that time, so we ordered a snow princess dress that looked kind of Elsa-ish and she loved it. 

The night before her birthday we went shopping for a few last minute birthday items and Teya insisted on wearing her dress. The cashier at Trader Joe's was very impressed with her fancy attire and asked her why she was wearing it. When she told him it was her birthday he said, "Well hold on just a minute..." Then he grabbed some flowers, paid for them, and handed them to the birthday girl. She was beaming with giddiness. 

The next morning she woke up and requested ego Waffles with strawberries and cream for her birthday breakfast. Easy peasy!

Her birthday was on a Saturday so it was a lazy morning. She opened presents from Mom and Dad and Brinley and Grandma Karen. 

Then Teya and Cam helped mommy make Teya's Frozen birthday cake, which was blue, of course. 

I bought an edible personalized frosting topper and it was the easiest cake I ever made. 

 We spent the rest of the day decorating, cleaning, and preparing for the party. Everything was set to perfection. 

Then Teya's little friends started showing up, we told them to dress Frozen-y. They all looked great!

I also enlisted several of my Young Women to come and help run the party, since Nori was just barely a few weeks old I figured I'd need some backup. 

 The Young women were great. They painted everyone's nails all blue and sparkly. 

And helped them make little marshmallow Olaf snowmen. 

 Then they gave them french braids, just like Elsa. 

 We finished off with a piñata, because every good party needs a piñata! Then the girls sang "Let it Go" At the top of their lungs while we sprinkled snowy glitter on their heads. 

Then it was cake time!

 Cake and cuties!

Everyone had a great time. Including Cam and his pink jammies. (I'm actually kind of sad he grew out of his pink phase, those were good times. ;)

 And the birthday girl was very grateful for everything. Sure love our little Teya tot. 

A Baby Shower for Nori! Feb. 15th 2014

I get to serve with the Young Women in my ward and I LOVE my girls! After Nori was born they wanted to throw her a baby shower, just because they are awesome like that. All the young women and their mom's were invited and they spoiled Nori with lots of cutie cute clothes and baby gear. Also the food was amazing! Here are some pics from the shower.

Cutest decorations and cupcake tower with pink onsie toppers.

The lovely ladies of our YW presidency did the lion's share of the work. They are amazing!

Yummy spread!

Some of my sweet Miamaid girls. 

Teya and Brinley were invited too and they loved helping me open the presents. It was so fun that they got to be a part of the festivities.

The most popular person there was Ms. Nori. She slept through most of it but when she woke up there was a line of people wanting to hold her. Who can resist a sleepy snuggly newborn?

So grateful for these wonderful girls and women and for their kindness and generosity in spoiling our little Nori Bidori.

And one more just because Brinley cracks me up in this picture.