Piper turns one!

I can't believe that Piper turned ONE yesterday!!  I will be adding more journaling soon-but until I get back to the computer, here are some pics of the day.  We love you, little girl of ours!! You brighten up our day!! :)

In the dirt-like Dad.

Scott has been dreaming about having a child ride for a very long time. He bought Parker this bike when she was about 3 1/2 years old, complete with pink gear, helmet, boots, the whole 9 yards.  Well, Parker turned out to love dancing and being girly a lot more than the rough and tumble of a dirt bike.  Double ditto for Pacie.  When Landon came along, however, Scott was hopeful that he finally had someone to carry on his dirtbike riding legacy.

Turns out, he couldn't have been more right.

Last Saturday, Scott took Landon with him to Pocatello to have him ride on the dirt track for the first time.  About two weeks ago, Landon decided it was time to try the bike by himself, with no training wheels or Scott sitting on the back to help him out.  He was doing laps around our house in no time and so Scott thought he was ready for the dirt track.

I was nervous-and not there...probably a good thing....but Scott said Landon is a natural.  One of his proudest moments was when Landon went through the whoops for the first time and stood up.  If you know nothing about riding, that's a very good thing.  And Scott was so happy it was a natural instinct for Landon.  He took a couple of hard spills-but each time got right back up and wanted to ride again.  Scott came home a very proud dad.

Here are some pics of Landon from his first day on the track....

I have a feeling it won't be his last.

Here is his mentor:  his daddy, Scott!

Even though he doesn't feel like he rides much anymore, I still think he's got it!!

Oh, and he had another tag-along that day at the track.  Presley insisted on going and this is what I welcomed home....little field mouse all covered in dirt!! :)

A rite of Passage...

It starts with an obsession.  An obsession of earrings.   I'm sure I've talked in the past about my daughter's obsessions with earrings.  Desperation even.  To the point of wearing Mr. Potato head earrings, fashioning self made earrings out of pipe cleaners, stickers, paper and tape, anything really to look like a pair of earrings.
In trying to decide when a proper age was for this event to take place, I decided to take a page out of my childhood.  I had to earn straight A's in third grade and the reward for that 9 months of hard work was to get my ears pierced.  We decided that if it was good enough for me, it was good enough for our girls.
Fast forward to this year.  Parker striving for straight A's.  We knew it wouldn't be an issue.  She is a great student.  But I wasn't prepared for how fast the year would go by.
Here is the photographic journey of Parker getting her ears pierced.  A rite of passage in any girl's life.

Evidence-The report card.

And closer up-you can see, all three trimesters...A's on everything!

Taking her spot in the chair-nerves setting in!

Pacie was there to offer moral support.  As jealous as she was that Parker was getting it done-she was also there to lend a comforting hand-just the way it should be with sisters.

The "piercer" offered her the teddy bear to squeeze.  Presley thought that was pretty cool.

Piper, quite oblivious to the situation was entertaining herself with straps from the stroller.

This was also the first day she sported back pony tails...you can barely see them here below.  I think she may be offering up a little prayer for Parker's sake...;)

First earring is loaded and ready to click....

One down-one to go!  (I missed the initial reaction which was a big "O" mouth and an "ouch!"

Second ear? DONE!

This is my FAVORITE picture of the bunch.  This was her reaction on first seeing her ears for the first time.  I would say that she was thrilled.  She earned it!!

Showing the left side....

Now the right....

So proud of my beautiful daughter!!  

Matt and Ashley met us at the mall to be a part of her special experience.  So true!!

Parker, we are so proud of you for your achievement.  You are such a good girl and we love you more than you'll ever ever know.  Congratulations on this rite of passage!!