Ainsley's Horse Birthday with Friends

Can I have a birthday party with my friends mom? It was fun to have Ainsley really participate in creating an invite list and picking out gifts for gift bags this year. Last year was fun but this year had so many new things. Crafts, games, and a pinata!

Ainsley invited seven friends to come and paint unicorn sun catchers, play pin the tail on the horse, break a pinata, and just plain celebrate with her. Favorite snacks, apples and popcorn along with sparkling juice were served. It's always easy to gather around a bowl of fresh popcorn!

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We had friends from all of the things we enjoy doing. Playgroup, church, and those we have just met in our daily routine. All of the girls did great together. Despite not everyone knowing one another.

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From Rankin Family

Here's a close up of Ainsley's cake. It was horse number two for the week. The pan definitely got a work out along with my cookie press with frosting attachment.

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Making a wish, again!

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Ainsley said she had a great birthday! Overall, I think it was a success.

Happy Birthday Ainsley and Andrew!

Isn't it amazing how time flies. I seem to have blinked and now we have a 5 year old and 2 year old. This year the theme was horses and footballs. Yes, two very opposite and uncoordinated themes but we made it work. Football and unicorn balloons. Football and horse cakes.

Here's our birthday girl. We've been talking about the horse party for over three months. Needless to say, that was plenty of time to find a horse dress. Ainsley saw a horse cake pan one day at Hobby Lobby and requested that particular cake. I had two months to prep myself for making cakes this year and what a joy it was! We had so much fun just enjoying her. We even had a birthday breakfast, cinnamon rolls, her favorite.

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From Rankin Family

And then, there's our little man. He was so excited for his football party. He was greeted with football balloons and a football cake. He hasn't figured out yet that he went from one to two years old. But he did know how to say party and presents before the party weekend was through. He has asked for cake at every meal since with a candle to blow out. I think I have sung happy birthday at least as many times as their combined ages.

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Blowing out the candles!

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Enjoying the cake!

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1st Snow Storm 2011

Ainsley has been so disappointed in our winter this year. She says it's just not winter without snow. Well, now we have snow and a lot of it! This was the first true snow storm of the season for us, we got about 6-8 inches in about a day. The temperatures are getting ready to turn bitter cold so before that happens we all went out for a romp in the snow.

Andrew's first snow suit experience!

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He loved the snow and enjoyed our hike as long as I was carrying him. He had a hard time walking in the boots. Then, we got out the dump truck and shovel and he loved it even more. It was enough to keep him occupied while we shoveled the drive.

SInce it didn't look like we would be in for a bad winter I didn't purchase a new snow suit for Ainsley this year. So, we are making due with our old pant and mismatched coat. Thankfully the pants are just long enough to cover the boots. We are definitely in need of a new snow suit for next year though.

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Ainsley could have stayed out in the snow all day. But eventually the snow did make its way into her boots and her feet got cold. I think Ruby took a cue from Ainsley and decided she loved the snow just as much too!

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Ruby, Bolt, Ainsley

Ainsley and Ruby have become really good pals over the last month. Although Bolt is still very much in the picture. (See white dog in background.) Ainsley still takes Bolt everywhere when Ruby can't tag along and she still sleeps with Bolt. But Ruby is her official play mate and would follow her everywhere in the house if she were allowed.

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From Rankin Family

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Ruby is a great family dog. She's fit right into our life and looking back, I don't think I would want to spend a day without her now. Despite some things we have had to go to the vet for, it's been a rather uneventful transition. We are no longer getting up in the middle of the night with her, the crying has stopped, and she likes her kennel. Training has been easy and she sits, stays, lays down, and shakes on command. We are excited for the weather to get warmer so we can take her on walks and get some of her energy out but for now she's great at playing fetch in the house. Adding Ruby to the Rankin family was a tough decision for me, but looking at it now it really should have been a much easier one!

Randall Christmas

And now we are at Christmas part three....we celebrated Christmas on New Year's morning with Gigi and Papa. One of my new favorite characters is Rapunzel. I went on a daddy daughter date with my dad and saw Tangled the movie. I told my Papa and Gigi all about it and was surprised on Christmas morning with some new Rapunzel things. I love playing Rapunzel and would like to grow my hair out long like hers.

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Andrew got some of his favorite things! Sports balls. He also got cars and a huge fire truck. All Andrew talks about is his cars, trains, and football. Sounds like a brother to me.

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