Don't shoot!

It's official....Ryan is a big boy. He, without any help or coaxing made himself a gun out of blocks. I noticed this when he was making shooting noises and pointing it at his sister! :) I can't believe how fast this little guy is growing up! He is still my little mama's boy, but is doing so many new things latley!! Love you buddy boy!

Andalyn's Preschool Thanksgiving Presenation and Feast.

Andalyn's preschool class worked on some very cute Thanksgiving and Fall songs to sing for their friends and family. It was such a sweet Presentation. Here is a picture of Andalyn's preschool class.

This is Andalyn and her Teacher Miss Angela.

Andalyn and her other Teacher Miss Heather, she loves them both so much!

The mini Feast...

The kids enjoying their "Feast"

It is so fun to watch not only Andalyn but all of her preschool friends grow as the year goes on. They are all such good friends and love their teachers.

Thanksgiving 2009

We have so much to be thankful for this year. We have a roof over our heads, an income to support our little family, extended family whom we love and appreciate, a free land to live in, and the Gospel in our lives! I love that we have a time of year to reflect on what we are truly thankful for although it is something that should be on our minds daily. I know I could be better about being more appreciate to those around me and my Heavenly Father for all that I enjoy.

This year we were lucky enough to celebrate Thanksgiving twice! On Wednesday the 25th we went to my in-laws home for a beautiful thanksgiving dinner. My Mother In-Law made most of the yummy food, however I was able to make the stuffing. I have never attempted to make homemade stuffing before however thought I would attempt it this year. I turned out really good. I really got into cooking this year. I really had never before. We enjoyed the company of my In-Laws and shared in some delicious pie's my Mother In-Law made.

We then, on Thursday the 26th, headed to my Mom and Dad's for a traditional McFadyen's side Thanksgiving with about 25-30 people and enough food to feel almost twice that. :) It was delicious though!! I love having such a large family! However I do love having a small family on the Cashdollar side. Best of both worlds!! :) Everyone that came for Thanksgiving at my mom's all brought something to share. I was asked to bring mashed potatoes. I had again, never made mashed potatoes for that many people. After peeling 27 potatoes and adding a few things they turned out pretty good. I also made a pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese frosting. This was a recipe I got from a women in my ward and it was wonderful. I ate way too much of it! We all enjoyed visiting with each other and getting caught up.

To all of you, the Cashdollar Family hopes you had a great Thanksgiving!!

Courtney's Cooking adventures....with some little helpers!

Here is the stuffing that I took to my In-Laws.

The pumkin spice cake before frosting.

and...my little potatoe helpers. We are all in our jammies since we had to get an early start with so many potatoes to peel, cut and cook. :)

Happy 4th Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Our Sweet Andalyn Belle,
I can't believe another year has gone by! You are getting to be such a big girl. You are surprising us everyday with how smart you are. You have started preschool this year and are loving it! Your teachers Miss Angela and Miss Heather love you so much! They tell me how good you are and how well you listen to them all of the time! They also tell me what a great example you are to all of your friends in class. When Mommy and Daddy hear things like that we are so proud of you! We already know these things about you, however to hear that you are such a joy to be around when Mommy and Daddy are not around makes us so happy!

You have also been in Primary now for almost a year. You are loving learning about Jesus and being kind to others! You are starting to really understand basic principals of the gospel and enjoy talking about them. Your little testimony is budding and it is beautiful to watch. You are so close to the spirit and love to pray to your Heavenly Father. You also love to have Family Home Evening every Monday night! You and Ryan loved to stand in front of the TV and lead us in songs. You never let us forget to get you a "leading stick" so that you can direct the music properly.

You will never know the pure joy you bring into our lives. You made us a family, joining Mommy and Daddy 4 years ago. You brought us together closer than we could ever imagine we could be. You are such a great big sister to Ryan. He is learning so much from you. You guys play pretend all of the time. It is so precious to watch. I can see it in Ryan's eyes when he looks at you, that he really leans on you to lead and guide him. Knowing what a good girl you are I know that both of you will continue to learn and grow and experience wonderful things together.

You have so many friends and family that love you so much. Our lives will forever be touched because you are in them!

Stay close to your Heavenly Father and Savior Andalyn Belle, you will always be lead and guided on righteous paths as you do so.

We love you more than words could express!! You will always be our baby girl!!
Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Andalyn's Asian Inspired "Ni Hao Ki Lan" Birthday Party

Her Ki Lan Cake...she put the flowers on around the cake...she loved it!

Andalyn posing in front of her Ki Lan poster that they played "pin the heart on Ki Lan"

The party table complete with chinese sweets and carry out boxes with goodies in them.

Andalyn's primary friend Ashley and her cousin Eden enjoying birthday cake

Andalyn and her cousin Montana enjoying birthday cake.

Andalyn's primary friend Maddie enjoying her cake.

The girls hang'n out and having fun.

Ryan having his fair share of cake.

My sister, cousin and mom visiting around the party table.

Present time!!!

Andalyn opening up her presents.

Thank you to those of you who came! She loved all of your company and gifts!

Happy Birthday baby girl!!

Andalyn....your hiccups are gone!

Today, as we were getting in the car to come home from Target, Andalyn had the hiccups. She was really upset about it and wanted to know how to get rid of them. I said "honey, you have to breath in really deep..." she said "but mommy,I can't." I finished up getting the kids and the bags in the car and she didn't say anything about it all the way home. As we were walking in the house I noticed that her hiccups were gone...I said" Andalyn, your hiccups are gone!" She said with excitement, and a little surprised because she had forgotten about them too..."Heavenly Father answered my question" I couldn't of been more proud at that moment...but I did try and correct her and say, "You mean, Heavenly Father answered your prayer?" she said, matter of factually "no mommy! my question!" I said " oh, ok....what was your question?" she proceeded to say "if he would make my hiccups go away." This is why I am a mother...if could only have the perfect faith of a little child! He does say come to me in ALL things! :)

Happy Birthday to Daddy!!!

July 28, 2009 This is a flash back due to me not being up to date on blogging. :)

Dave,

On this day and every other day I hope you know home much the kids and I love and appreciate you! I know you do, and sacrifice so much to provide for our family. You are such a wonderful daddy! The kids love and adore you. When you are not home they always are asking where you are or when you are coming home. The excitement they show when you come home, I'm sure...shows you how much you mean to them! You are a wonderful husband as well. We may have our ups and downs but when it comes down to it I know that we can get through anything! Thank you for being the one person that I can be 100% myself! I find that very comforting! You are as attractive and charming as the day I met you. I love you so very much and hope that your birthday is great!

I love you!
Courtney

We started out Dave's birthday at the river feeding the ducks as a family. This has become a favorite pass time during the summer since we have moved to Fair Oaks.

Daddy and his kiddies!

Dave wanted brownies instead of a birthday cake however I had to at lease frost them so it looked like a birthday cake! :) Andalyn helped with the sprinkles and candles.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Daddy, Happy Birthday to you!

Ryan enjoying some of Daddy's birthday brownies!

Andalyn doing the same.

Dave being Dave....and Andalyn following in his footsteps. :)

Daddy got some new shoes so he can play basketball.

We love you Dave!! Glad we could have a great day together as a family!

(Just wish we could of gone to the Paramore Concert like we planned....darn flu!)

Pier 39

During that same trip to San Fransico we decided to walk along Pier 39 to enjoy the shops, ocean....and WIND! :)

Such a great family trip with Grandma and Grandpa Cashdollar!