Definitely Two Peas in a Pod!

Martha and Jaina love the little rocking chairs. Instead of each sitting in their own, they both wanted Dara's old one. First, Martha was just walking around pushing the chair with Jaina in it, but then. . .

she decided she wanted in it as well!

Martha was so proud of her self for getting in the chair with Jaina in it! Aren't her facial expressions just adorable?!

Happy Birthday, Eva!

Eva's birthday was on Friday, but we had her party on Sunday with our family and friends. She wanted a Little House on the Prairie party. We always buy the girls new dresses for their birthdays, but Eva wanted a prairie dress so I bought a pattern and planned on making a dress for her. I kept putting it off because I didn't think I could do it. Finally on Wednesday I cut the pieces, and sewed about half of it. My friend Jennifer came over on Thursday and helped me finish it. I am thankful that she had me to do all the sewing and only helped with with explaining to me what to do and helping me pin it together. I made the apron on Friday. Jennifer's daughter, Ali, wanted to make Eva a bonnet, so I sent the extra material home with her and Jen and Ali made a matching bonnet. She happened to have been given a pair of black boots that looked very similar to the kind of shoes they used to wear so she had a complete outfit!

I had been given a prairie girl cake pan a couple of years ago so I made that and a log cabin cake. I had a little problem with the cakes coming out of the pans nicely, but they didn't turn out too bad! We decorated by putting out all the Little House on the Prairie books and movies we own. We also had Little House on the Prairie playing in the background during the party.

Eva had a great time and truly enjoyed her party. It was fun to reminisce about Little House on the Prairie with everyone as well.

Papa and Nana Carmichael gave Eva this beautiful dress and a book to read.


Uncle Jim, Aunt Amy, and Madalynn couldn't make it to the party, but they sent a card with $10. Eva hasn't told me how she plans to spend it yet.


Papa and Nana Smith gave Eva some new barrettes since she plans on growing her bangs out.


Eva didn't have any crocs that fit her, so Papa and Nana Smith got her some new crocs as well.


Papa and Nana Smith also gave Eva seasons 8 & 9 of Little House on the Prairie!


Tracy gave Eva her own lockable diary and pens as well as some candy (which she is always giving to the girls!).


Uncle Doug, Aunt Charity, Lil' Charity, Cole, & Claydon gave Eva a beautiful heart necklace.


The Inglerights also gave Eva and Sabra a large bunny rabbit to share.

Fun at the Carmichael House!

I made Cora another skirt since she has been only wanting to wear skirts. If she can't get away with wearing her one skirt day after day, then she will try to wear one of Allyn's or Eva's skirts. She is just too funny! She is on day 2 of wearing this one!


Jaina finally decided she wanted to try walking, but got down to her knees before I had the camera ready.


I waited a little longer and she tried again!


Martha was jealous that Jaina was walking with "her" toy, so they shared! They walked all the way down the hallway and back together.

The Wood Stove is Actually Completed!

Chad finally put the finishing touches on the woodstove! He has to do some revamping to the door because it warped this past winter, but he is waiting until we can shut it down completely before fixing that. It looks a lot nicer now that it is all enclosed, but I liked having it no matter what it looked like because it saved us so much in propane! I am so thankful for Chad and his ingenuity!

LifeWalk 2009

It's that time of year again . . .time for us to walk and raise money for life! Every year the girls and I walk for Care Net of Cadillac's LifeWalk. The money raised helps Care Net of Cadillac offer free services such as:

*Spiritual counseling

*Pregnancy tests and individual counseling

*Parenting classes and Bible Studies

*Limited Obstetrical ultrasound

*Material Assistance (baby clothes, diapers, formula, and furnishings)

*Fatherhood Support Services

*STD & Abstinence Education & information

*Referrals to Local agencies

*Abortion recovery groups

If you feel called to help support Care Net of Cadillac, you can do so in a number of different ways!

1. Pray for Care Net of Cadillac and the LifeWalk
2. Support Team Carmichael as we walk (just let me know how much and Care Net of Cadillac will bill you after the walk)
3. Become a walker yourself (let me know and I will get you a pledge form!)

Our goal for this year is $500. Last year we raised $350. Please consider helping us reach our goal this year. We would also love for someone to join us on our walk and help keep all seven young team members safe!

Another Sleepover

Allyn, Sabra, and Cora wanted to do a sleepover in the living room because Dara and Eva were gone with Daddy for the night. Although we no longer have a couch for me to sleep on, I said that we could. I don't think I got much more than an hour of sleep all night! I guess I am just too old for sleeping on the floor, but it didn't seem to bother the girls as the pictures below show! They stayed up late and watch Princess Diaries II.

Easter Fun!

Easter was a fun and hectic day! We were able to get everything ready for church and the service went well. I did the Resurrection Eggs with the kids in Children's Church. It was great reminding them of why we really celebrate Easter--Christ rising from the dead!

After church we went over to Chad's parent's house. We visited, the kids did an egg hunt and we enjoyed a delicious meal. Charity and her family joined us for the egg hunt. The kids had a grand time.

Chad worked with Marth and Jaina on climbing the stairs since we don't have any at our house. They had so much fun and it wasn't long before they were racing up the stairs!






The egg hunt pictures are a little out of order, but here they are.


Cora won second place for the most eggs found in the younger age group (4 and under)! She had 28 eggs and won a roll of pennies.


Sabra won first place for the younger age group! She had 31 eggs and won $2.


Dara won first place for the older age group (5 and up). She had 39 eggs and won $2. Cole won second place with 35 eggs.


Here is the whole gang after finding the eggs.


We did a scavenger hunt with the eggs first. The kids all worked together to figure out the clue of where to go next. They each got 2 eggs at each spot. They emptied the eggs of their loot (coins, candy, chalk) and then the men re-hid the eggs for another traditional egg hunt.


Daddy carried Martha during the scavenger hunt. Papa filled her basket for her.


Nana carried Jaina and Papa filled her basket too.


Family Easter Picture


The girls in the coordinating dresses.


The girls attacking our family Easter Basket!


The family Easter basket contained new tights for the girls, raisins, chocolate Nature Sunshine bars, fun character band-aids,Little House on the Prairie Season 7, Veggie Tales Easter Carol, and two Air Bud movies.

My parents sent the girls gifts for Easter since we couldn't see them. They each got a book, coloring books, or activity book.