Happy Birthday Lydia!

 Happy 4th Birthday Lydia!

Since we had Eliza's MOJO concert to attend the night of Lydia's birthday she got to open up her presents before sisters headed off to school that morning.

 Then that night before the concert she had her requested spaghetti dinner and blew out the candles on some cupcakes.

 On the 21st we had cousins come over to celebrate her birthday again...and Aunt Elayna's!  Dallin, Cassie, and family were in town as well as Mitch, Elayna, and Avery.  We had pizza for dinner and again Lydia got to blow out her candles on some cupcakes!

Happy 4th birthday Lydia!

We love you so much!  We're so proud of who you are becoming!  You are smart, funny, determined, brave, and such an important part of our family!  4 years ago you had a rough entrance into this world but you've conquered everything that's been put in your path!  We couldn't love our sweet Lydia more!

MOJO Christmas concert...

 Eliza had her Marimba Band Christmas Concert at school on December 19th.  It was so fun to watch and she did such a great job!

 Talia's book buddy.

 Some of the kids "tried out" to play a Christmas song as prelude before the concert started.  Eliza played Away in a Manger.

Earlier in the month Eliza had played at the mall with the Marimba Band.  Grandpa and Grandma took her because we had our company Christmas party that night.  Here are the pictures they took...

Cable Bridge Run...

On December 16th Darran and I decided to brave the cold and do the Cable Bridge Run.  We both surprised impressed ourselves and met our goals!  

 Before the race (attempted to get the bridge in the background)...

...and after!

Christmas songs at preschool!

On Lydia's last day of preschool before Christmas Break they had a performance for the parents to attend of songs they had prepared.  Lydia knew the songs and sings them all the time at home but she got pretty shy singing in front of everyone!  After they were all done they sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then we joined them for birthday cake.  Grandma and Tami got to come and watch too!

Seattle appointment...

 We drove over to Seattle and back on December 13th for another one of Lydia's doctor's appointments.  We turned Karisa's car seat around so she is facing forward now.  And she discovered the TV that has been in the car all this time!  Lydia is such a trooper...she knew that she was getting Botox injections but you would never have known that by her demeanor.  This appointment was actually with Dr. Pham who we are hopeful to be able to also see in the Tri-Cities to frequent less Snoqualmie Pass!  Dr. Pham gave her the three injections of Botox that she has had in the past and then also gave her one in her right hamstring.  The one in her hamstring we hope will help her to walk more with her leg straight instead of turning her knee inward.  Dr. Pham also recommended that Lydia wear her knee immobilizer (brace) all through the night now.  Which means we put her orthotic on and then the brace over that so that it stretches her all night and keeps her leg straight.  Nothing seems to slow this girl down so I don't know why I worry about her so much!    

More tree decorating!

We joined mom and dad for their tree decorating party.  We sure do love this tradition!

Gingerbread houses...

Making Gingerbread houses!  I thought we did pretty good...it was about half and half with the candy.  Half on the houses and half in their mouths.  They're pretty creative!