The Reeve Family

I made it to 2016!! Whee!! Now I'm only a year and two months behind, haha! It might take a while, but I'll get caught up eventually. I want our kids to have an account of their upbringing. This is truly our family history. I'm looking forward to journaling on a regular basis. Here goes...

January 2016

Annika was home sick one day and I decided to try out my new camera. Her eyes look almost grey. Poor sick girl!

I caught Annika reading the Ensign. Someone should probably tell her it's upside down.

I had to take a picture of Tamzyn with my childhood Christmas stocking before putting it away for the year. My sister Jennifer made it for me when I was little. Tamzyn is my last kid to use it this year. I'm feeling sentimental!

She thinks this cupboard is hers. I guess it kind of is.

Irelynn and Abby's first day at their painting class! They are so cute! What a fun Christmas present.

Look! I have friends. :) I love these ladies and I'm glad we celebrate our birthdays and babies and special events together. All good excuses to go out and have fun. We went to a Thai restaurant that was amazing, but the company was even better!

I love this sister love!

The kids earned Taco Bell - a treat! I took this picture and sent it to Daddy to tell him to come home and join us.

This girl cracks me up! She spends just as much in my kitchen as I do!

Twinners! McKenzie Neibaur and Annika, little besties.

I love Sundays at our house because we "unplug" from all electronic devices and just play.

Irelynn, for the love, just pull it out.

These kids are like 3 peas in a pod! We play with Henry Oh frequently. They're like family.

Tamzyn, for the love, get out of the dishwasher- again!

And put the knife down.

Another Sunday favorite is this weird ball game that the kids made up years ago. I couldn't explain it if I tried.

Irelynn got a Shark Bite Award for reading! Way-to-go Irelynn!! Mom and Dad are so proud.

And Branson got an award and this sweatshirt for his football team winning the championship! Woot-woot!

I can't get enough of this little face. She's sunshine.

Ugh.

Irelynn and I went on a mother daughter date! We decided to get manicures at a salon, then go out afterward for ice cream. It was so nice to spend time with my middle kid. She's pretty wonderful and I truly enjoy our one-on-one time.

Mother-daughter selfie!

It's Great to be 8! These cute kids will be baptized this year in our ward. Irelynn is so excited - and we are so proud of her. I'm grateful she has these cute friends. They are all such good kids. Left to right: Seth Nelson, Irelynn Reeve, Lauren O'Dell, Lydia Talbot, Rexi Oh, Jon Hussey, Abby Barlow.

February 2016
Annika is our big 5 year old! She might be tiny, but she's got a big personality and an even bigger heart. Annika is kind and a good sister and friend. She is the first to get an ice pack from the freezer when someone gets hurt. She is quick to obey and will spring into action when mom needs help. We bought her a Nike shirt that says, "Always Fast, Never Last" and it's true! She's quick in so many ways. Not only is she a fast runner, but she's a fast learner, and never even hesitates at an opportunity to serve. We're incredibly lucky to her in our family! In fact, I think this world is lucky to have Annika in it. She makes us all better. Happy Birthday to our little big girl :)

Favorite gifts include: a bike...

a new leotard and shorts...

Blaze, the monster machine... (love the facial expression)

Despicable Me 2...

...and a trip to Build a Bear Workshop.

Breakfast was donuts (because I never buy them, haha!), OJ, chocolate milk, and...

...Minion bananas!

Happy Birthday Annika Ba-nannika!

Annika chose to make Bob at Build-a-Bear. This is her putting his heart in. She LOVED the whole experience, and the lady that helped us was awesome! Watching Annika was so fun. It felt a little magical. :)

Branson helped her get him dressed. He stayed home from school sick that day, so he got to participate in birthday fun.

That afternoon, we took the family and one of Annika's friends, McKenzie Neibaur, to ride the High Roller at the Linq. It was SO much fun!!

There was music playing in our pod so we had a dance party almost the entire time.

The view was spectacular!

Even Tamzy had fun.

Afterward, we walked around the shops and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was seriously a perfect day. The kids were good, Annika was happy, and mom and dad had a blast.

She asked for a Minion cake and mom delivered! I used chocolate chips turned upside down for eyes. She loved it and it tasted good too :)

Annika told me that it's not a birthday party unless there's a piñata.

We love you, Annika! You're an amazing 5 year old!

February 10-28, 2016

Tamzyn's favorite time of day is bath time- with all her friends!

Annika learned to ride her bike. Daddy is the best.

Sunday cuteness.

Our family loves hiking. We have these beautiful hills behind our house that has a path back to a large water tower. Sometimes we walk back there and throw rocks as far as we can...

You can kind of see it here, but the view on the walk home is beautiful.

Tamzyn trying cow's milk.

She's thinking about it.

Maybe...

She's a little baby model, haha! She loves my glasses.

Riding bikes in the Oh's cup-de-sac.

I surprised Brian with an office makeover. It was about time! I wish I could paint...

I bought the green plant, photo clips, and printed pictures of the family.

I bought the clock, bulletin board, two frames, the plant, desk light, and a canister full of mints. You can also see his Juris doctorate framed and hung.

Now if I could just get him to clean up his desk, haha!

Then on this wall I hung his diplomas and certifications. I also bought a room spray so he can freshen it up from time to time. He spends so much time at his office, I just want him to like it!

Daddy Daughter Dance 2016 - these girls are all dressed up and ready for their ride... Dad!

They had a blast and went to In 'N' Out after, per tradition. :)

February 28, 2016

Tamzyn's first birthday!! I can't believe her first year went so fast. I kind of wish she could stay a baby just a while longer. As fun as it is to watch her grow, I want to savor every minute. Tamzyn is such a little light. She brings us joy every day. I know she was meant to be in our family and I'm so grateful for that knowledge! My heart is so full. I love her more than I can express.

Tamzyn's favorite gift? Baby food! Haha!!

I guess she doesn't like being dirty.

Saturday, March 5, 2016
We celebrated Tamzyn's birthday with a party on the Saturday following her birthday. When I thought of what party theme would make Tamzyn happiest, I decided to go with dogs! She is our biggest dog fan. One day we'll have to buy a real one. Until then, we enjoyed eating Scooby snacks and delicious chocolate cake with chocolate pudding and crushed cookies that made it look like dog food! But first we had a Belgian waffle bar with a variety of toppings. (Tamzyn's favorite foods are pancakes and waffles.) The afternoon was such fun! We're lucky to have such wonderful friends and neighbors to celebrate with. Happy Birthday Tamzy-girl!!