everyday moments make the best memories

2010-03-07T22:32:00.001-08:00

i've had a few people ask why i changed blogs. basically i just wanted a new look and to do some new things with my pictures and stuff. i couldn't remember how to tweak the html code to get this blog the way i wanted, so i thought starting a new one would be easier. sorry if it has caused you any grief. but i am still glad that you are visiting me:) (oh, and the new one is still about the family.)

2010-03-04T17:01:00.001-08:00

okay...i lied. i will now only be posting on my new blog so come and visit me there. see ya!

2010-02-23T13:44:00.001-08:00

I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not, but I have a new blog. It is not a family blog, it's just more about me and what I love. You can visit if you like, or not, but I just thought it would be best to let you know. I will still be posting here, just not as much. The address is kissedbythesunblog.blogspot.com. :) Have a great day.

2010-02-17T18:06:00.001-08:00

Today is Bryce's 2nd birthday! He is getting so big and he is so much fun. (You'll have to indulge me, there are a lot of pictures because he is just so darn cute:) It was a Spongebob day from morning to night and Bryce just couldn't get enough!

Spongebob from Gma Linda

Opening his present from mom and dad.

I think the face says it all:)

And tada...he got his own barn with animals that makes noise, so now he doesn't have to play with Kate's Dora house which makes dad crazy!

Let the party begin:) Spongebob hats and all!

Intently watching Spongebob.

The birthday cake.

It was yummy!

At the end of the day Bryce was still going strong with the Spongebob toys. What a fun day. He LOVED it!

2010-02-15T15:09:00.001-08:00

We had a great valentine's day.

Pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast,

A visit with Gma Linda, and Dave made yummy pot roast for dinner! I love when he cooks.

Then we had our traditional chocolate fondu. Here are some pics of what we ate. It was so so yummy and the kids loved it! Hope yours was great.

2010-02-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

Thankful for all the love shown to us.

Thankful for good friends and family.

Sending you hugs and kisses. Happy Heart Day:)

L-O-V-E

PS (I copied this picture idea from Lisa Leonard - I thought the idea was so cute:))

2010-02-13T15:49:00.001-08:00

What better way to spend a semi cold winter day than eating ice cream!

i love the little drips on their chins...

and the glow in their eyes...

and the fact that they each shared a bite with me:)

seeing them so happy warms my heart!

AND for my treat - I got to shopping just for me and buy a new shirt!!! They were THAT good!

what warms your heart this cold winter season?

2010-02-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

Lisa Leonard is my absoulutly favortie jewelry designer - I have her "be still" necklace and I wear it ALL the time. She is having a fabulous giveaway on her blog. You can win this beautiful handcast pewter heart to hang anywhere in your home. It can also be personalized with your babies birthday...

your wedding date...

Or anything else you would like:) I love this idea to hang it on a photo. All you have to do to win is leave a comment on her blog. So go enter for your chance to win!

2010-02-11T17:41:00.001-08:00

My little girl is growing up and usually I am fine with it. In fact I think it's great that she is getting more independent and can do things for herself....but, at about 6:00 tonight Kira decided that she was old enough to walk her friends home in the semi dark by herself and my inner mommy, the one that sees her kids as babies forever, came out and I had a momentary brain freeze - what should I do. The house is down the street and around the corner out of my sight and it's dark and she would be alone and yada, yada. But, she was so insistant, that I decided to let her do it - so off they went. It took me about 5 seconds to run and get my keys, jump in the car and start following them at a safe distance. By this point I realize that I am so pathetic, but I just can't let her go alone, so I keep following until they get around the corner and to her friends house. Then it happens. She turns around and sees me. CRAP! How do I explain this one. She rides up to the car on her scooter and shouts "MOM WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" So I say, I just wanted to give you a ride home because I thought your legs would be tired after riding your scooter so far:) She bought it, but told me she wanted to ride home herself, so I let her go as I follow after her. To give her a little sense of satisfaction I beat her home and let her come down the long straight road by herself - but you guessed it, I was hiding, secretly watching her until she got home safe!:) Isn't being a mom great!

2010-02-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Have any of you heard of the magazine "Seeing the Everyday"? My dad introduced it to me and even bought me my own subscription! (Thanks dad). Anyway, I LOVE IT! It has all of these great stories in it about paying attention to the small things, learning things from our parents and teaching things to our children and how important that all is in the scheme of things. It is a "good thing", to steal a line from Martha Stewart, and I just wanted to share.

Here is "WHY" they started this magazine:
"Why SEEING THE EVERYDAY?
Because our lives are the sum of each moment and interaction.
Each day we work, eat, laugh, teach, play, read, remember...
and work at it all again the next day.
Because within daily rituals we find opportunity to build relationships,
develop character, find joy for the price of our time.
Because the most common rituals are manifest plainly in homes.
It's where we share, teach, grow, learn, serve, give our best without praise or fanfare.
So we pay tribute to fathers and mothers who have sacrificed self for the good of their children. That perhaps we might each find the poetry within life's daily prose.
To all who SEE THE EVERYDAY."

I love that! Hope you have a great day.

2010-02-09T09:35:00.001-08:00

Heart Attack Fun! Yesterday for FHE we talked about loving others and then we wrote what we loved about each other on foam hearts and taped them all over the kitchen. The kids LOVED it! Their favorite part was hearing all the great things about each of them. I think we'll make it a tradition. What are your Valentine's Day traditions?

2010-02-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

I found a new quote that I needed to share -
it is by Howard Thurman and it says,

"Don't ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

Basically follow your dreams, develop your talents and share them...Isn't that amazing. Living in my world tainted with depression, I have come to learn that very few things make me feel alive anymore, but, when I do find something, I hold onto it because it is in those moments that I feel worthwhile again and like I have something small of myself to share. One of the small things that brings me alive are beautiful words - quotes that inspire - and this inspired me, I'm hoping it inspires you too:)

2010-02-06T18:07:00.001-08:00

Valentine's just wouldn't be Valentine's without a sweet gift from Grandma Jane and Grandpa Guy, and this year was no exception. Today we got a "semi" visit from them - we have been very sick at our house with ear infections, fevers and coughs, so they just stayed on the front porch - but what a better way to celebrate a sick week than with a special visit and valentine treat. We got some cute shirts... (Kate loves her BEE shirt)

Some fun treats and an adorable book,

and a special treat from grandpa - STRAWBERRIES!!! He sure knows what we like:)

My favortie thing though was when Kira said "Grandma really loves us:)" Yes she does! And we know you do too Grandpa.

2010-01-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

Hey! Can you believe that this is my 200th post?! I am so excited and you are in for a big treat:) Just kidding. I just thought I'd bring you up to date on my latest projects. For a long time I have been wanting to beadboard the kids bathroom and I've had beadboard just sitting behind the toilet. Well, I decided that it was time to glue that baby to the wall. So here are the before pics... I started by ripping the wierd countertop off of the wall - that was really fun. Then I started putting up the board. Then I put up the molding and painted it all "swiss coffee" a beautiful white color. It took a lot more time than I originally thought it would, but I loved (almost) every minute! These pictures are maybe in order. You can decide!

After doing the beadboard, I painted the cabinets the same color because I hate the oak color that they were...

Here is the best picture I have of the almost finished project. I still need to put knobs on the doors and drawers and replace the faucet and the countertop, etc....but it is "done" for now...

After I finished all of the above, I knew that I needed a new light for the space so I ran to my friendly neighborhood walmart and found a great deal on a new light. So here is the before...

and here is the after. Much better don't you think:)

My next project was finding a spot for a home office. I have been wanting a space to put all the "officy" stuff in the house, but there is just nowhere to put it. So I got this great idea from another blog to put it in my linen closet. Yea!! Now I have an office and I love it to pieces. I even painted it a light blue. Dave, as always was sceptical, but I think I now have him convinced that it is a good idea. Here is the finished product.

Sorry they are not the best pics but I couldn't get far enough away to take one all together.

Oh yeah - I forgot - Before Disneyland I painted one wall in my kitchen into...you'll never guess...a huge chalkboard! (That is the picture at the top of this post because I couldn't get it to move.) What can I say. I was bored one day and thought it would be fun. Again, Dave was not a huge fan at first, but once again I think he is coming over to my side, and the kids LOVE it. So do their friends. It's a hit!

Our Disney Trip 2010!

2010-01-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

Santa was so nice this year to send us to Disneyland and we had a GREAT time!! Here are some favorites from the trip.

Bryce trying to come with us:)
Disneyland!!! We made it!!!

Kira's purple carousel horse - she picked it out special:)

Sisters!

It's a Small World all lighted up.

Meeting the new Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from the Princess and the Frog!

Adoring eyes for her sissy!

We survived the Tower of Terror!

Playing in the water at A Bug's Life on a hot winter day:)

Meeting her favorite princess - Ariel was so beautiful!

Swimming and cuddling with daddy.

Hanging out by the pool:)

Putting our smiles back on even when our feet where sore!

Waiting for the parade down mainstreet.

A favorite ride!

Daddy on the Carousel. He had a blast for his first time at Disneyland!

Looking out for briar rabbit - where could he be?

Posing in the "A" at California Adventure

Fireworks the last night and.....

Seeing Bryce again at the airport - we missed him lots! What a fun trip!

2009-12-26T08:51:00.001-08:00

My favorite Christmas Moments...

What were your favorite moments from Christmas? Hope you had a great one!

2009-10-31T16:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween to everyone! We are having such a fun night. I even dressed up as a newborn's mom - in my pj's and robe with crazy hair and black circles under my eyes. Kate is a carebear, Bryce is Tigger and Kira is Hannah Montana. So fun. Also, here is a song for your listening pleasure from the one and only Hannah Montana!

2009-10-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Halloween is one of my FAVORITE holidays. I love the pumpkins and the spookiness and everything. One of my favorite parts is carving pumpkins and so here we are carving our pumpkins this year. The kids had tons of fun. The girls actually got to do some of the carving this year and Bryce love playing in the pumpkin guts! Hope your halloweens are going well and are especially spooky this year.

PS. My frames are not selling as quickly as I would like and, while I am still making them, in order to satisfy my cravings for being creative, I have decided to design my own line of personalized stationary and invitations. It is at pinkinkdesign.etsy.com and I would love love love to know what you think about the designs I have come up with so far because it will help me to design better ones in the future. I would also love to design something especially for you. Thanks!

2009-10-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

I thought this was so so cute. It is all the creative genius of Brooke from Little Wonders. She made this for her brother for his wedding. She has a free download to make it on her website if you would like to make one yourself. She does the most amazing things.

2009-10-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

SHE'S POTTY TRAINED!!!!! I can't express my excitement enough in words, but Kate is finally potty trained!!!!! She just woke up one day and she knew what to do. I couldn't believe it...the doctor was right. I am so happy. So is Kate. Now she gets to wear big girl undies and go to preschool! YEAH!

2009-10-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the corn maze at the American West Heritage Center. It was so much fun. There was a hay jump and a train ride and of course the corn maze and other little mazes. We were pretty much the only people there and had the run of the place and the kids had SO MUCH FUN! Here is a video on the Super Slide!

2009-10-09T12:20:00.001-07:00

Fall photo shoot at the playground!

2009-10-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

I am finding that it is hard to come up with something to blog about everyday since Kira has been in school and it has gotten so cold outside, so I guess my 365 day challenge is not going to happen, but I am still going to try to see the beauty in things everyday and blog as often as I can. :)

2009-10-05T19:39:00.001-07:00

This made me laugh! Kira came in and asked me to write this sign for her, "Club at Kira's house. Be there and you'll get your own napkin!" Then she went and taped it to the mail box and started yelling "CLUB, CLUB." She never ceases to amaze me at the things she thinks up:)

2009-10-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

I am SO SO EXCITED!!! I pooled all of my birthday money and bought a FLIP digital camcorder. (I am not so good with thank you cards, so here's to all of you who sent me cards and gifts for my birthday - THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love you all:) I'll still try to remember to send the cards) I have been playing with my Flip all day and, just to see how it worked, I thought I'd show all of you my Halloweeny House. Sorry if it's boring. Happy October to you all.

2009-10-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been busy making more frames and after leaving the garage a huge mess for several weeks I decided to clean it up today. The girls were out playing, but Bryce was more than willing to help me:) Here he is swooshing around the sawdust that I JUST swept up and then he started throwing it all over himself. It was funny. Don't you just love how they love to help you out with things that you just really need to do alone!

2009-09-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

Picture this: my little 5 year old, out in front of the neighbors house yelling, "vegatables for sale, vegatables for sale" as loud as she can. Then her uncle Ryan pulls up out of nowhere to visit and gives her a quarter for her veggies. She was so happy. CUTE!

2009-09-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day for a birthday! Yes, today is my 31 birthday, can you believe it? I, myself, cannot. I am now "in my 30's". Oh my goodness, time flies. Well, I couldn't have asked for a better day. I slept in and stayed in my jammies all morning (okay the jammy thing is an everyday occurance:)) got to go shopping and take a very small nap, read one of my favorite books - Twilight - and then I went on a date with my cute hubby. We went to see "Love Happens" the movie and then went to my favorite restaurant, which happens to be Blimpe, for dinner. I ate my favorite sandwich, had my favorite chips, and then ate my favorite frosted sugar cookie* (*see "things I love" on the left side of this blog). What a fun time. After we got home I went to get us all shakes - I got a fresh peach one - to end the day. My cute kids and hubby got me some fun gifts too. Some halloween socks, a magazine, and MAMA MIA the movie. I just love my birthday. Now we're off to watch MAMA MIA. Goodnight!

2009-09-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

I am feeling so domestic today and I am excited about it! For the first time ever I canned something. And it worked, YEAH! Peaches and Pears were my fruit of choice, and my mom came and "helped" (meaning she did most of it:), but I was there too putting peaches in jars and filling them with the sugar juice stuff. What a fun thing. I was not at all excited about learning to can things, but it really was fun and so rewarding. At the end you have this finished product that is something that you made that is beautiful and yummy and can't talk back to you and call you "the worst mom ever!!!" It just is there to be admired and devoured. Thanks mom. I love you.

2009-09-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

We have a butterfly!!! Meet Sarah the butterfly. The crysillas turned black this morning before church and by the time we got back it was a butterfly with dry wings trying to get out of the bottle. So here we are letting her go. She flew right to Kira's window - we think she was saying goodbye:) - and then she flew off into the sun. What a beautiful sight. Kira is a little sad now because her butterfly is gone, but we have assured her that we will get another one next year. Goodbye Butterfly!

2009-09-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd update on Sarah the catepillar. We saw her hang in a "J" shape like the top picture and then she started to make her chrysillas (sp). Now she looks like the bottom picture. What an amazing miracle to watch this process happen. The kids have also loved it and can't wait until it turns black and then into a butterfly.

2009-09-17T19:50:00.001-07:00

Today was Kate's first visit to the dentist and she did SO GOOD. She just opened her mouth and let them do their thing ... and.... she didn't have any cavities!! I was so happy, considering that Kira has had more cavities than I can count. I don't know what the difference is because we brush and floss their teeth the same amount and I KNOW that Kate eats more sugar than Kira. Wierd. But anyway, I am so proud of Kate and the good girl that she is. Now if we could just get her potty trained:).

2009-09-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

I absolutley LOVE a rainy day and what could be better than splashing in the puddles! So Fun (Kate was running around somewhere:))

2009-09-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Well, Peach Days are over but we had so much fun at them. We went to the parade yesterday morning and it was SO LONG - as long as the Days of 47 Parade - but the best part was Bryce's cute wave to every float that went by. He just sat there waving and I was eating it up. He also loved the candy and would get out with all of the big kids to pick it up off of the street. What fun. We also had more Peach Cobbler and Perry Ice, but the BEST part of the day was when Bryce got to go on the Merry Go Round. His smile was bigger than his face and every time he would see us as he went around he would just laugh and laugh - of course I didn't have my camera for that - I could just die that I missed that photo op. Oh well, we had so much fun. Thanks Peach Days.

2009-09-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I now know what put the "Peach" in Peach days here is Brigham. It is the delicious, fabulously famous peach cobbler. Of all the things I could blog about Peach days -- the carosel and other rides, the kids parade, the booths full of fun things to buy, the peaches on every rode side stand, even the perry ice -- my very favorite thing has to be the peach cobbler. It was so rich and tasty that I couldn't even finish the last bite...rich, creamy (because there was vanilla ice cream melted into it), peachy, cakey, with a touch of cinnamon on top...oh the yumminess! Too bad I didn't have my camera to show you my new found love:)

2009-09-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

They sold, they sold!!! I sold 3 frames and my window shelf!!! I can't believe it and I am so excited. Ahhh - the sweet smell of success - just kidding:) I am far from becoming a frame selling expert :) but I can now say I at least sold some. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!!

2009-09-09T19:48:00.001-07:00

Reading to her brother and sister - warms my heart:)

2009-09-08T19:18:00.001-07:00

Meet Sarah the catepillar! Can you see her there on the leaf? What a beauty! One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of each school year when I was growing up, was going with my family to find monarch catepillars on the side of a country road and then bringing them home to watch them grow and turn into butterflies. My dad is such a nature person and loved to show us all about the wonder of nature with this experience. Each year we would also take one to school so that our class could watch the wonder of a catepillar change into a butterfly. What a fun tradition to pass on to my own kids. This weekend at the cabin my dad took Kira to go and find catepillars. They found this one and Kira named her Sarah. I am so excited to keep the tradition alive, and so is Kira:)

2009-09-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

Well we're back and what a very fun weekend we had. Sleeping over at the cabin with grandpa and grandma, yummy food all weekend long - including grandma Jane's famous chocolate chip cookies, new toys for the kids to play with - barbies for the girls and a little garden set for Bryce (but he liked the barbie hair brushes the best:)), bear noises outside at night and a momma and baby deer walking past the window this morning, hummingbirds, camp fires and roasted marshmallows, movies and pajamas all day, hiking and a beautiful scenic drive to see the red koakanie salmon fish at Strawberry. Thank you to grandma and grandpa for a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! We loved it! (This picture is at Strawberry Res. looking at the fish and Bryce was LOVING walking with Grandma).

2009-09-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

YUMMY! Can you smell the deliciousness! (sorry the pic is blurry:) After a LONG LONG week of Dave being gone to work A LOT and us all getting used to bus riding and school going, the kids "made" me make cookies for a fun treat. They were just the thing to start the weekend. We are also getting away and going on vacation this weekend so I'll see you next week.

2009-09-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

I was in the house cleaning it up for the ump - teenth time today when I looked outside and found my cute Kira and her friend building this fort. Those were the days weren't they - coming home from school and playing with your friends for hours, not worried about anything except what you will have for an after school snack and who gets the best side of the fort. Enjoying the fresh air and the green grass and just letting your imagination take you away into whatever adventure you can think of. I miss those days when responsibilties were less and relaxing was more...funny thing is, I wouldn't trade those days for what I have now (most days:)) because even though I am always cleaning and picking up toys and never getting any time to myself, I love watching my own kids enjoy this time in their lives when they have no worries and are able to be themselves. It's so fun to watch them learn and grow. I just love them.

2009-09-01T22:57:00.001-07:00

I just got home from watching the movie Julie and Julia. What a great idea. I loved the concept behind this movie and, even though it was really long and slow moving in some parts, I thought it was inspirational and I'll tell you why. Here are two women that want to do better, be better, and make something of their lives, and after searching they find something they love and they follow it. That just speaks to me. I don't know about you, but I feel that way every day. I want to find the thing that makes my heart sing and follow it. I think that we can do that in all sorts of ways and for me it is not in cooking, but in creating things. I love to create. So for me, it is finding that thing each day that I can put myself into and make better. What is it for you? What makes you feel alive? I love that we can rediscover ourselves everyday and do the things that help us to become that person that we know we can be. What a great thought to end the day. Goodnight:)

2009-08-31T15:28:00.001-07:00

It's official! She's a kindergartener! Yea! Here she is checking herself out in the mirror, giving me the "no more pictures, mom" look, and the classic 'on the front porch' pose. We had such a fun morning getting ready, and the bus just couldn't come fast enough. I think Kira asked me about 20 times when the bus was coming and funny enough, it never came. Turns out the driver was there 20 minutes early and when no one got on he just left! Wierd huh. Oh well, we'll be ready earlier tommorrow. She got home okay and told me she had "so much fun!" playing with friends on the playground and doing things in class. Oh my, what a day!

2009-08-30T20:20:00.001-07:00

As I sit here blogging my emotions are running wild. Tomorrow is Kira's first day of Kindergarten and I just can't believe it. I can't be old enough to have a child in school, can I? This feels so surreal.

I am so excited that she finally gets to go, for lots of reasons:
1. she is SO SO ready - she is so creative and loves to learn,

2. she can't wait to go and meet new people and have "so much fun mom" so I am excited for her socially,

3. I am excited to have 3 hours with only 2 kids - one of which will be taking a nap so really only one child:)!!!! (I know I am not the only one who feels like this:))

I am also so scared...what if she hates her teacher, what if she doesn't make any friends, what if she won't get on the bus because she is so scared herself, what if she has homework that I can't understand, what if, what if what if...

Oh well. I guess it is here so I will have to be a grown up about it. I am just so proud and excited and scared and nervous and seriously in need of some chocolate to calm me down. I'm off to the pantry.

2009-08-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated our last day of summer before school starts by going to Bear Lake. It was cloudy for most of the day but that didn't stop us. We played hard and laughed lots. What a beautiful place and so much fun! We love Bear Lake, and its Raspberry Shakes:)

2009-08-28T15:57:00.001-07:00

I have been looking for some things to do with the kids because summer is winding down and I am all out of ideas. I feel like we've dinosaur parked, zooed, swam to death and I just needed something new to entertain them with. Then I found this list a week or two ago on simplemom.net and I loved the ideas on here for things that you can do inside. (She has more info on each of these if you want to head over there for the her original list.) I know that inside things are more for fall and winter, so here is a head start for next season.

1. Read a book
2. Write a book
3. Act out a book
4. Listen to a book
5. Make a clubhouse
6. Perform a puppet show or play
7. Have a carpet picnic or tea party
8. Make homemade playdough
9. Have the kids help you with chores
10. Bowl down the hall with toilet paper rolls as the pins and balled up socks for the ball
11. Dance around the house
12. Craft on an outdoor table cloth - paint, etc.
13. Write a letter to a friend
14. Have a simple playdate - invite a friend over
15. Play house, shop, restaurant, etc.
16. Rearrange the kids bedroom furniture
17. Make different things out of cardboard boxes
18. Go on a treasure hunt
19. Have the kids help you cook
20. Nothing - have the kids entertain themselves!

2009-08-27T16:07:00.001-07:00

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to all climb into mom and dad's bed and cudddle or wrestle or just goof around. Usually this happens on Sunday morning, but today Dad was reading and we all piled on. Everyone was having fun at this exact moment except for Kira - Bryce just head bonked her on her head. Ouch! What are some of your favorite things to do as a family?

2009-08-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

Perry Ice in our Pajamas at the Park - what could be better:) Have I blogged about Perry Ice before? It is the best shaved ice in the world!!! That's no lie either. I don't even like snow cones or shaved ice all that much, but this stuff is yummy. They fill up your cup with thinly shaved ice, fill that with as much juice as they can, then they top it off with a cone of more ice and cover that with even more juicy flavoring. They are DELICIOUS! If you come to visit us, remind me and we will go and get some so you can taste a piece of heaven on earth:) Kate's favorite is blue!

2009-08-25T18:15:00.001-07:00

This has been my day - babies hanging onto my legs and ketchup on the ceiling - what more can I say?:) Is it betime yet!

2009-08-24T15:49:00.001-07:00

One little monkey swinging in a tree, teasing Mr. Alligator can't catch me...Along comes Mr. Alligator quiet as can be a...n..d... snaps that monkey right out of that tree:) Kira loves to climb the tree in the backyard. She is always up there trying to get higher and higher.

Today I had such a fun day. My wonderful friend Jodi and her kids came to visit and it was so fun catching up and seeing them all. What a sweetheart she is, talking, listening and bringing me candy orange slices - my favorite. Aren't friends great!

2009-08-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Dancing in the rain...I love a rainy day and it was fun to go out with the girls and their sun-brellas and dance around...it was also really nice to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication today...what a beautiful place and a fun thing to participate in.

2009-08-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

The last couple of days have been great for blogging entries - a trip to the dentist where Kira DIDN'T scream or cry or run away, YEA! - a trip to the Hogle Zoo with all of the new babies around: the elephant, the giraffee, the snow leopard, and some monkey babies all of which were completley adorable, although my children were not with all of the whining... - and a trip to the Ogden Temple where the primary children in our ward got to touch the temple wall - so cute! But did I remember my camera for any of these fun things. Of course not. So you get a picture of Bryce hanging in the hammock with daddy. He is a total daddy's boy and they love to just "hang" out:)

2009-08-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

We just watched Hannah Montana the Movie and I didn't think that I would like it, but it was really cute. Here is my new theme song - it's from the movie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BWcCbQM5-4

2009-08-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today is hot - the perfect day for a daddy, daughter date on the waterslide. Kate the daring, Dave the crazy and Kira the cautious! They had so so much fun going down the waterslide, just the three of them - no neighbors and no Bryce to get in the way:). Dave is such a great dad and his kids just love how much fun he is. Thanks to grandma Linda for the slide!

2009-08-18T14:29:00.001-07:00

Today we had the chance to go down to Salt Lake to spend some time with Grandma Jane and go to Wheeler Farm. The kids had so much fun running around and seeing all of the animals. They especially loved the little playhouse, which always brings back fun memories of my own growing up years. Bryce loved all of the animals so much that with each one he threw the biggest tantrum when we would leave to see another one. What fun:) But really, it is always a lot of fun to get to go someplace you don't get to see much and we love the farm.

2009-08-17T16:50:00.001-07:00

Enjoying a little bit of fruit with the kids from an anonymous neighbor! Yummy Yummy! It just showed up on our front porch yesterday, so thanks to whoever you are - we love a ripe, delicious canteloupe, and sharing it together even more. Happy Monday!

2009-08-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

These flowers were given to me late last night, for our anniversary, which was 9 days ago:) We actually both forgot this year - oops! What a sweet hubby I have to finally remember! Happy Anniversary Babe. After 8 years we are both loosing our minds, but at least we're doing it together. I love you:)

2009-08-15T17:15:00.001-07:00

I have decided to do a 365 day blogging challenge where I blog about something every day for one year. I'm sure most of the entries will be short and quick, but I think it will be fun to take more pictures and have a record of our entire year, day by day.

The very first one is of my sweet Bryce. He is 18 months on Monday and loves to be outside. He was out enjoying the grass when I snapped this one of him. One of my goals, spend more time outside with my kids enjoying the rest of the summer:)

2009-08-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

I don't know who said it, but I know it's true. Thanks for all of your encouragement.

the blahs

2009-08-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so i'm not just blah about blogging. I'm blah about life right now. I'm not going to go into any more detail than that because I am not ready to share, but I have found some things in the last few days that have strengthened me and my resolve to be better. I thought that I would share them with you. The first is a new website called (in)courage. http://www.incourage.me/ . It is a bunch a faith inspired women (not LDS) who live in courage and I have found strength in their messages. The next are three quotes that have inspired me.
#1
The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself. - Anna Quindlen

#2
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Howard Thurman

#3
What is it that excites you, and gets you fired up in a positive way, and makes it impossible for you to sit still? Whatever it is fill your awareness with it. Bright, sparkling, delicious enthusiasm will get you going in a powerful, purposeful direction. Enthusiasm will keep you going strong even when nothing seems to be going your way. There's something, some goal, some dream, some intrinsic purpose that will put you in a state of irrepresible enthusiasm. Get busy, find it and connect with it because when you do your effectiveness will skyrocket. Let yourself dream your biggest, most wonderful and fulfilling dreams. Then reach in, grab the very esscense of those dreams and you'll have a handful of priceless enthusiasm. The best that you can imagine is already within you. So bring it to the surface and let it positivley infect your whole world. Find your own unique, joyful and powerful enthusiasm. And let it carry you to magnificent places. - Ralph Marston

24th of July

2009-08-05T14:32:00.001-07:00

I have been kindof Blah on Blogging latley. Not really been taking many pictures either. I think I will take a little blogcation. But before I go, here are my pictures of the 24th of July. We slept over at grandma jane's the night before and got up early to go to the parade downtown. It was long and hot, but also lots of fun to be there with grandma, grandpa, amy and the cousins.
Here is Bryce with cookie on his face.

Here is Kate as her usual charming and happy self:)

And Kira, enjoying the whole thing, especially the princesses. Have a great rest of the summer.

Bear Lake Trip

2009-08-05T14:19:00.001-07:00

Our annual trip to Bear Lake was interesting this year. Playing at the beach was very fun, but the water was COLD!!! The kids wouldn't even barley get in, except for Kira, and even she only stayed in for a few minutes. Here is our first few minutes at the beach:
Bryce wasn't quite sure of the water...

Kira was off and playing from the first second...

And Kate was her usual unadventurous self and just sat in the chair with a wierd look on her face, but to her credit it wasn't all her fault that she didn't want to get in the water...Kira had just yelled SHARK!!! and scared her to death:)

After a while the kids found a little pond that was warmed up by the sun and so they played in that for the rest of the day.

Kira found a CORONA bottle and that was what she collected sea shells in because mom forgot the plastic bags:)

Kate even got in the Shark infested waters:)
And Bryce loved to splash. All in all it was a fun trip even if we didn't stay the whole two days. Camping with a baby is not very fun:)

Shabby Straps

2009-07-29T16:11:00.001-07:00

I just found the cutest cutest things and I KNOW there are some of you out there that would LOVE these. They are straps for your camera - any kind of camera and they are so cute. I am getting one for my sister and myself and wanted to share because I think everyone should have one:) Here is the website: shabbystraps.etsy.com . Go and check them out!

Jane Elise Designs

2009-07-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

So, I have decided to start my own woodworking business. Some people (Dave, my family:)) think I'm a little, okay a lot, crazy, but it is something that I have been wanting to do and so I went for it. I have never made anything out of wood before so this is all baptism by fire, but I have a spot for consignment in the "Just Bee Scrap'n" store here in Brigham. I am starting out doing frames, because I love them and they seemed easy to learn on (BTW I was wrong about that) and here are some pictures of the ones that I have finished! I am so proud of myself! They actually worked and are cute. Now we'll see if I can sell any:)

Dave's 32 birthday!

2009-07-17T16:27:00.001-07:00

July 10 was Dave's 32nd Birthday!! Yeah!! And me, the attentive wife that I am, put a 31 on top of the birthday cake...what a DUH moment! Oh well. We still had fun. The night before Dave and I got to go out, by ourselves - that was the best part for me - to have dinner and see TRANSFORMERS. It was so fun. So the next day we had a TRANSFORMERS birthday party for Dave with his yummy German Chocolate cake and a new Ipod to download all his 80's music too. He was so excited. Here are some pics.

Here are the girls, well I just got Kate in the pic, doing a balloon dance for their dad. They were SO SO SO excited for his birthday.

Weight Loss Blog

2009-07-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

I have been debating wether to track my weightloss online or not. One reason not to is because I don't know if you all would even want to read about it, and another reason is that it could be very embarrasing. But it could also be very motivational. So, with that in mind, I have created a new blog called "belly laughs" where I can track my weightloss journey without clogging up this blog with things you may not want to read about. Also, if I know that someone might be looking at my "belly laughs" blog, then I think it will motivate me to actually exercise, eat right and loose some weight. So, if you want to follow me in this crazy journey, the address is mbellylaughs.blogspot.com. Here goes nothing.

What we've been up to

2009-06-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

We have had a crazy few weeks. Teeth coming in...

Teeth falling out, and a broken collar bone from hanging on the couch and falling off, which led to our first trip to the emergencey room...

Infections in not so pleasant places... second trip to the emergency room in three days. What a week!

I wasn't going to show any more of the projects I've been working on because I thought that they probably bored you to death to look at, but I've had a few requests to show what I've been up to in that department, so...here is my old white legged and oak topped table, sporting a new coat of black paint on the chairs and the legs of the table, with a top that matches my cupboards. I love the new look. Paint is so fun.
I just finished some window coverings for my naked kitchen windows...I also am really into using chalkboard paint right now, which I think is a nice change in my decorations. Here are two chalkboards on the side of my new cabinets...

One to write fun things on in the kitchen...

And one in the laundry room.

Here is the bed I picked up for a steal at the DI. It used to be a wooden color but I wanted it white, so again, I used heirloom white spray paint from Home Depot. I love how it turned out. It is now in my guest bedroom just waiting for a mattress and a guest to sleep in it. So, if anyone wants to visit...come on over!

I also found a great deal on some old windows and I have been busy transforming them into shelves and coat racks. This one is also in my guest bedroom. I think it still needs a little something. Well, that's what I've been up to. Now it's your turn:)

Our Trip to Dinosaur Park

2009-06-12T15:13:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday we went to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden and we had such a fun time. Bryce LOVED the water and the slides and the girls loved the dinosaurs (after they quit being afraid:)) and the playground.

Feeding Bryce to the T-REX

Digging for fossils.

Great Quote

2009-06-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Be Kind,
For Everyone You Meet
Is Fighting A Hard Battle.
- Plato

The Original Garage Band

2009-06-06T13:02:00.001-07:00

Ever since we took Kira to see Taylor Swift, she has been in love with her and her music. She found this guitar today at the thrift store and she decided that she just had to star in her own band:). It was a complete show with costume changes, jamming out on the guitar, lip syncing, and she even came out in audience (which was me) to touch my hand and then she pretended like she was touching hands with all of the other pretend fans. It was SO CUTE!!! She even got her sister to dance and the neighbor boy to play the drums. Here she is playing her guitar.
Kate as the dancer.

Bryce was the groupie - dancing his heart out to the "music".

Their first venue was on the porch...

Then they changed to the garage.

A paint party

2009-06-04T08:19:00.001-07:00

I am joining 320 Sycamore's paint party today.

This is my favorite color right now. It is Toffee Crunch from Home Depot and I painted my entire first floor this color, except for the bathrooms and bedrooms because all the rooms sort of flow together. I love it so much I even painted the ceiling! It is a little dark, but I love the cozy feel that it gives to the rooms.

Then I just painted my kitchen cupboards with Heirloom White spray paint from the Home Depot and I LOVE how they turned out, especially against the brown of the walls.

Here they are together. This picture is kind of dark, but they really do look great together:)

Green Laundry

2009-06-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I've heard, and seen first hand that you can turn your whites into pinks if you wash them with something red. But I had no idea that I could turn my laundry green. Here is the proof. Luckily they were just some towels and bibs. I think that my green microfiber dustcloth is to blame, pictured here - now blue - with the bibs. Oh the crazy things that happen to us.

looth tooth

2009-05-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

Kira has had two loose teeth for about a week and today, at my brother Nate's farewell (great job Nate), she lost the first one! I can't believe that she is old enough to be loosing teeth already. It seems like just yesterday that we were so excited when her first tooth came in. She has already put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy to come tonight. What fun! (The look on her face here is priceless because she was so scared and excited at the same time and this captures her reaction perfectly:) )

The little tooth is in her hand.

It's Heavenly!

2009-05-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

I have wanted a white kitchen for as long as I can remember, but with no budget to do a major kitchen remodel I thought it would never happen. Then I thought, if I hate my kitchen cabinets, what harm could come from trying to paint them myself? They couldn't be worse than they already are. So, with some major hesitation from the hubby, I bought ten cans of Heirloom White spray paint at Home Depot and started to spray...the end result - I LOVE IT!!!

The before...
Priming the inside...
And the doors...

Another before...

And the after!
Before...

Putting on the beadboard - Thanks to Dave for the flattering picture - I was trying to help it stick better. Side note, the liquid nails from Home Depot didn't dry fast enough so, I got out my handy glue gun and that did the trick!

Add some cute knobs...

And voila! The kitchen is done and I am in love. I am so happy right now:)

It's amazing what a can of paint can do!

PS. If you want to see a really cute kitchen redo, go to bethany's blog. She did a really great job.

Mother's Day Books

2009-05-28T08:18:00.001-07:00

We were finally able to visit both my mom and Dave's mom and wish them a Happy Mother's Day, so now I can blog about our gift to them because they have now seen it and I didn't want to spoil the surprise. These were so fun to make. They are chipboard books from mayaroad that come with their own box holder. Mayaroad has tons of fun things that you can makeover like board books and other things. (Also, I got this idea from a girl on tipjunkie). I just measured the boards and then digital scraped them with each of our pictures on them. I used a kit called "where the heart is" from GGdigitaldesigns.

Then on the backs of each picture I put some things that each of us loves about each grandma. It was fun to get the kids to think about what they loved about grandma. It was just a fun project to make and give.

Stupid Old Pickup Truck Girl

2009-05-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to see Taylor Swift, aka "Stupid Old Pickup Truck Girl" - Kira LOVES that song - and was so excited to go and see Taylor in concert. She put on an amazing show and we had tons of fun - except for Kira's meltdown at the beginning:) Here are Kira and daddy.
Here is Miss Swift and the band

Taylor on the big screen - what a fun setup she had.

Posing in front of her tour buses.

Dance Yourself Silly

2009-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

The girls had their very first dance concert on Saturday. It turned out so so cute. They had two dances. The first was to the "Cars" song and the second one was "Cruella De Vil". They were so much fun to watch. Kira came out on the first dance and just looked through her hands as binoculars to find us in the audience. Kate just watched Kira and copied every move she made. They were so funny and cute shaking their bums and doing all the dance moves that they could remember! What a fun memory. We love you girls.

A new finish

2009-05-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

I love a great makeover, especially when I can makeover a wonderful piece of furniture with my favorite can of black satin spray paint. I found this beauty at my local DI and just thought it had so much potential. Here it is ready for the paint. It was originally gray with white, red, blue and yellow colors. Closeup
With a coat of primer
Painting it black

The finished product. I have been looking for something for the entryway from the garage to the kitchen and when I saw this I knew it was perfect. I think it turned out so pretty. Gotta love that spray paint.

2009-05-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

I know that I post a lot about food, but I love it a whole bunch, and I have to rave about the dinner we got from Maddox on Thursday night. We have been trying to go to Maddox since we moved here but with kids is just doesn't ever sound too much fun to go to a fancy restaurant, but then we found out that they have a 4 person takeout meal deal for about 23.00$. We thought we'd give it a try and it was everything I could have imagined and more. I thought it would be one of those skimpy 4 person meals you get sometimes where there is never enough to go around but get this...there were four HUGE baked potatoes, 6 delicious rolls, a pound of yummy roast beef, a big bag of salad and then as if that wasn't enough, they sent us home with all the dressings too, there were bowls of gravy and salad dressing, sourcream and a stick of butter, and even honey for the rolls. I couldn't believe what an awesome deal it was. This is definantly one of my new favorite places to eat from at home. What a meal. If you ever come up this way, first you need to come and see us:), and second, go and eat at Maddox - or better yet, we could get the amazing take out deal and eat it here and enjoy all the good food and fun company at the same time!

ALOHA!

2009-05-10T12:20:00.001-07:00

I LOVE MAUI!! Hawaii is one of my favorite vacation spots because it is so beautiful and relaxing, and I swear, every time we go it just gets better. This time we were lucky enough to go with my side of the family (without the kids - yeah!) and celebrate one last hooplah (is that a word?) before my little brother, Nate, goes on his mission in June. There is so much I could show and tell, but I thought I'd just go for a few of my Maui Favorites:

The beautiful view from our balcony on Kaanapalii beach...
Leaving my sandles behind and running around in my barefeet with the sand squishing between my toes... Snorkeling at Black Rock and...
at the nature reserve where I swam with my first turtle:)...
Making sand sculptures with my cute sister...
Hanging out on the beach with my awesome brother...
Whale watching from the beaches. The whales were all supposed to be headed back to Alaska by now, but a few hung around and we saw them slapping the water a lot and we also saw a baby humpback jumping out of the water. If you look really close in the middle back of the water in this picture, you can see a tiny arm sticking out. It looks like a little black line...
Hiking to the Iao Needle and...
to the top of Haleakalea, the volcano...
Shopping in Lahina is always a favorite and here I am hiding in the amazing Banyan tree ...

Drinking Pina Colada smoothies on the beach at the hotel with my brother and sister-in-law...

The DELICIOUS food at the Luau that we went to on our last night...

The beautiful and delicious smelling flowers everywhere you go...

All the fun animals at the Maui Ocean Center Aquariuam...And finally my flower lei from Dave. What an awesome trip!

Aloha and Mahalo Maui! We love you!

2009-05-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

We are in Maui and here I am swimming in the ocean! What a beautiful place. I LOVE it here! More to come later:)

Pizza and Movie Night!

2009-05-01T15:09:00.001-07:00

Lately I have realized how fast time goes. My baby girl is now 5 and just had her Kindergarten Roundup Evaluation - talk about a reality check on how old your child is getting - I can't believe that she'll be going to Kindergarten this year. My real baby is finally walking at 14 months and we are so excited to see all of his milestones, but sad to see his baby-hood fading away. So, I have decided to start a new tradition at our house so that we can bond as a family and enjoy our time together while we still have it to share. We started Pizza and Movie Fridays. I found this great recipe from a site called simplemom.net and it is delicious homemade pizza and sauce, then you just add your favorite toppings! It is super easy and the kids help me put all the toppings on so it is fun for them too. We have a great time making it and eating it and then watching a movie. So far it has gone so well that I thought I'd share the idea and the recipe. If you have any other fun family traditions let me know! Have fun making pizza!

Pizza Crust:
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 1/2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon yeast

Mix water, butter and sugar in bowl. Add part of the flour and stir. Add the rest of the flour and yeast, stir together. (I usually need to add a little bit more water). Knead for 6-8 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Set dowgh in bowl and grease the top. Cover with towel and set in warm place to rise for 45 minutes. Knead again until air bubbles are gone (if you don't have time, skip the rising part and just press dough into pizza pan or cookie sheet). Liberally butter a 16 inch round pizza pan and press dough into it. (I use a cookie sheet) Spread with sauce and any additional toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Rotate crust and bake for 5-10 more minutes - until top is browned.

Sauce:
15 oz can tomato sauce
6 oz can tomato paste
1 Tablespoon ground oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons dried, minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground paprika

Mix tomato sauce and paste together until smooth. Mix in spices.

Road Trip to Tropic

2009-04-22T15:17:00.001-07:00

Where you ask? Tropic - home of Dave's childhood - on the outskirts of Bryce Canyon. We went down to visit with his grandma and aunt marjorie and to hang out with his family in the place where they grew up. I was so excited to see it because I have heard about Tropic since we were dating, but I'd never heard of it until then. So here we go! Here is Bryce on the trip down. He was so happy and smiley the entire trip.

Climbing the T hill. Dave used to spend hours on this hill with his sisters and friends playing and building forts.
The VERY TINY town of Tropic from on top of the T hill. It is a tiny place, but so peaceful and quiet, that I had a really great time here.
Bryce and Aunt Pearl hanging out on Grandma Mecham's front lawn.
Bryce and Dave in the very spot where he and his dad had their picture taken about 30 years ago in front of great grandma's fence.
The beginning of the famous Mecham family hike to Mossy Cave.
Aunt Marjorie, Grandma Linda, Uncle Cameron, Aunt Coni, Aunt Pearl and Katers.
Aunt Coni, Kate and Kira at the Mossy Cave.
Bryce, finally, in Bryce Canyon.
The beautiful backdrop of the Hoodoo's at Bryce Canyon.Bryce and Grandma Linda enjoying the view.

A tunnel on the Sunset hike. We had such a fun trip and loved hanging out with everyone, and we can't wait to do it again!

OOPS! I think I forgot something!

2009-04-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when I stay up until 1:00 in the morning. My brain goes to mush. Here are the pictures that were supposed to go with the last post. Thanks for the reminders! I don't know if you can tell it is brown in these pics or not, but it is all the same color and I love it!

And the final decision is...

2009-04-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

First of all I have to say THANK YOU for all of your great advice about my ceiling painting problem. I have been going back and forth about it for two weeks, and about a hundred more times since I got all of your feedback, and I have to say that it was a hard decision, but you all helped me so much in making it. The numbers came back 4 for white and 2 for brown, and because of all the great comments, you helped me decide that what I really wanted was to get away from the traditional and try something fun and new, so last night I was up until one o' clock painting my ceiling brown, and I think it turned out so awesome! It is a little darker in the room, but it actually makes it feel a lot more warm and cozy. I'm so glad that I took a chance and dared to do something different because it turned out better than I expected. So that is my advice to you...do something that you've always wanted to do if it feels right to you, and in the end it might turn out better than you even thought. And if not you can always repaint your ceiling back to white! :)

Please Help Me!

2009-04-14T14:53:00.001-07:00

I need help with a decision (big surprise:)). I just painted my whole upstairs this awesome shade of brown and I LOVE how it turned out. But, as I finished the walls, I had some more paint and thought that it I would paint the ceiling. Well, I ran out of paint and now I can't decide if I should go and get more brown to finish the ceiling, or if I should get white paint and paint the ceiling back to the way it was. I like the brown but I am afraid that it will be too dark. i just don't know what to do. I have a friend who has brown on her ceiling and I think it looks nice, but her house is pretty dark inside - but her brown is a little bit darker than mine. I took some pictures to help you form an opinion so that you can help me. (Here is my other helper - an apple and a chair and he let me paint for 3 hours. Who knew an apple could be a GREAT babysitter!)
The house before.
The same room after, without the ceiling painted.
Here is where I ran out of paint and you can see about how dark it is compared to the white.
Here is the room which is painted, ceiling and all, but here's the catch with this room...it is always dark already, even without paint, so it doesn't really help me to decide about the darkness factor. So PLEASE HELP ME to decided. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
Oh, yeah. Here is the cutest cake ever that my sister in law, Amber, made for Easter and her own birthday! It is a sunflower and it's made with peeps and chocolate chips in the middle. I just had to show everyone and tell her how cute it was. And so yummy:)

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

Here was the first sign of Easter at our house. (really I am just showing off my talented girl's artwork). Kira brought home the Easter Bunny from preschool. I thought it turned out so so cute. Easter Eve: Last night I wanted to bring out the spiritual side of Easter so that the kids understood that Easter is about more than bunnies and candy so...after we dyed eggs, which was lots of fun...
...we talked about Christ's death and resurrection with the aid of some salt dough puppets we made the day before. I made the tomb, Kate made Mary Magdeline (the blob on the left), and Kira found the big rock to put in front of the tomb, made Jesus (the one in the middle) and made the angel (on the right-see the wings:)). I think it went over really well and they loved that they were able to participate in telling the story. Then we watched a fun family movie and went to bed...eagerly awaiting the Easter Bunny.
Easter Morning: First we woke up find our baskets with lots of fun things inside...
Bryce got hot wheels to play with...
the girls got Ariel movies #2 and #3...
and they all got new swimming suits. They also each got a book with pictures of the scripture stories that they can take to church or just look at at home or do FHE with. (these were only $3 at the distribution center).
Next we found all of the eggs hidden around the house. Kira was really good at it. She found a ton of eggs. Kate didn't really understand until she found out there was candy inside, and Bryce just loved to hold onto the eggs. We did find out that peeps are his favorite, just like his mommy:)And here are their new Easter outfits...Kira picked a blue polka dot,
Kate picked a brown and pink cute frilly dress with flowers on it, and Bryce is in a cute little pastel colored shirt with cute shorts. It's been a fun Easter Morning and we are excited for the Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma Jane's later. Happy Easter from all of us!

A day at the farm

2009-04-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went to the American Heritage center in Logan for Baby Animal Days. We went with my sister, Amy, and it was so much fun. They had all sorts of baby animals. Cows, chickens, bunnies, lambs, goats, pigs, you name it. You could pet and hold all of them and the girls had a blast. Here is Kira riding a miniature horse. She was loving it:)
Kira was too afraid to hold the animals, in fact she kept dropping them -oops!, Kate on the other hand loved it. Here is her and Amy holding a little baby chick.

Bryce didn't really get into the animals, but he sure enjoyed his twinkie! Thanks to Amy for a fun day!

(I thought this lamb was so cute)

8 random things about me (I couldn't think of 10)

2009-04-05T16:10:00.001-07:00

Here are some things about me. I tagged myself from Marissa's blog. (I've done this before and if you are interested, here is the link for that

1. I never had a date or a kiss until I was in college. I was pretty shy, especially around boys. I am surprised, still to this day, that I ever got married:)

2. I love to eat raw potatoes. I just had one while I was making dinner. Yummy!

3. My toenails always have to be painted. It's just the way things work around here.

4. I hate to shower and I hate bathing my kids. I think it more stems from the ENOURMOUS amount of time I have to spend drying all of our hair. What a waste of time. But I do it because it is socially acceptable and, it's gross not to! (I do like a nice, long, relaxing bath though)

5. I don't like roses. I think they are ugly flowers. Wierd, I know. My favorites are forget-me-nots.

6. I can never make up my mind. Making decisions is like life and death for me. I just can't do it. I can't, I can't, I can't. It drives Dave crazy. One time I had to pick a children's book to buy from Kira's preschool and it was taking me forever to pick one because of this reason and that reason and I just couldn't decided. So I made Dave pick for me and I ended up crying, at her school, in front of everyone, because I couldn't make a stupid decision. How lame can I get!

7. I love paint. Sometimes I go to Home Depot or Lowes just to look over the paint samples and dream of all the wonderful things I could decorate with the paint. I just painted my house a beautiful brown color and it is so much more homey and nice inside.

8. I admit to being deathly afraid of bananas. I hate them. I have been known to run screaming from someone who had a banana and chased me with it. I don't know why this is. I'm just mental. I finally decided that I needed to at least be able to touch one so that my kids could eat them. It took me 10 minutes at the store of putting my hand out and pulling it back before I could even pick one up without a bag over my hand. I have trained myself to be able to touch them, and now I can even peel them if I don't have to touch the inside. But if one of those stringy things gets on me or near me, it's over. I can't deal.

Cute Finds

2009-04-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

I have two things that I wanted to share...the first is this cute book of "Kate's Colors" that I made for Kate to learn her colors. Giving credit where credit is due, I got the idea from Little Wonders, which is one of my favorites for cute ideas and things. Hers turned out so cute and I just tried my best to recreate it. Each picture has part of Kate in it (i just used pics i already had), and the color. Then I put each picuture in a little 4x6 album so she can flip through it and learn. I think that it turned out so so cute and Kate LOVES it. I didn't want to post them all so here are some of my favorites.
My second thing is that one of my favorite digital scrapbooking sites, GG Digital Designs, is having a celebration for their 2nd birthday and they are giving away all of these cute freebies on a "blog-train" that you can follow on their blog or on the Little Wonders blog (link at the top of this page). Here is what I did with one of my freebies. They had the layout done and I just added the picture and text.

Then, I thought the kit was so cute that I bought it, and made this second layout to go with the first. They are both of Bryce's first birthday and I love how they turned out. So go check these things out if you are interested. There are so many cute creative things, and people, out there to be inspired by:).

2009-03-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

I just found a great quote while I was blogsurfing...

"The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful. We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.” ~Marjorie Pay Hinckley~

I love this because I know that I have a tendency to always try to run faster than I need to or than I even can, and then I crash hard. I am always trying to be better like so and so, or do something the way that "they" do it. I told Dave one night that I wish I was more like my mom, getting things done all the time and having a clean house, etc. He said to me, "Megan, that's fine, but you have to do it in your own way." That really hit me and so lately I have been trying to be more comfortable with who I am and what I can do and then trust that that will be enough. Because of this, I had an "aha" moment a few weeks ago where I figured out that I am NOT a multitasker like most women I know. When I try to be, I go crazy. With me it is either take care of the kids, OR clean the house. There is no AND. It just enlightened me when I realized this because it changed my whole cleaning, laundry, life schedule. Now I try to do things at more of a "one at a time" pace and it is working so much better for me. I've been second guessing myself though, wondering if there is something wrong with me because I can't do it all at once. Finding this quote was an answer to my questioning. We are all different and need to do things the way that is comfortable for us and our family. I needed this today.

Enjoying the freeeeezing cold

2009-03-30T15:50:00.001-07:00

Just like me, my kids are so ready for warmer weather...so in the 5 minutes (it's so true Amber!)that it took me to grab something, they decided to have a picnic in the freezing cold. I thought they looked so cute - and so cold. Funny kids.

I did it!

2009-03-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am so sick and tired of being overweight! So, I joined Weight Watchers Online. I don't know if this was a smart idea or not, but I haven't been successful on my own and I really need some help in this area. I now have these cute new boobs and I can't even "show them off" (like my mom told me I need to do:)) because now my huge belly sticks out and I look about 7 months pregnant! I just bought some new clothes from Old Navy and I had to get XXL because of my ginormous belly. I am not telling you all this because I want sympathy or comments like "oh you're not fat",I mean come on, let's call it like it is:). I just wanted to sharebecause I thought that maybe if I put this out here in blogland that it would help motivate me to loose the weight even more because everyone would know that that is what my goal is. I just want to be healthy again more than anything. I have gained 60lbs since I got married, which makes me gag to think about. I gained a lot of that after I had Bryce and had some really bad post partuem depression, but I am over that now (yea!) and feel ready to take on the big bad world of weight loss. UGH! p.s. on a food sidenote, last nights brownies were yummy!

FFN

2009-03-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

I am upstairs making Hershey's Triple Chocolate Chunk Brownies - can you say yummy (jodi I know you are drooling:)) - and I have 25 loooong minutes left until they are done so I thought I'd blog a little. Fridays around our house are Family Fun Nights and we either watch a movie as a family or go out for dessert or ice cream somewhere. Tonight we are watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (that is where I am supposed to be) and waiting to eat the brownies - 24 minutes left - and the girls were just so cute laying on the couch together that I had to take a picture of them. - 23 minutes left - Okay. I'm all done. ps. I'll let you know how the brownies taste:)

Potty Training Troubles

2009-03-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

I don't know what has happened since I took this picture, but Kate has completely regressed in her potty training progress. I have even put her back in diapers because I am so so so tired of cleaning up poopy messes and pee on everything. If any of you have any suggestions about what to do or how to potty train a little 3 year old PLEASE tell me! I need some help! Maybe she just isn't ready and I need to wait longer. I don't know. HELP!

1st Haircut!

2009-03-20T19:14:00.001-07:00

I just cut Bryce's hair for the very first time! It really was time, but he just went from my little baby face boy to a handsome big boy. It tugs on my heartstrings. Why do they have to grow up so fast?

Here is the before...
and here is the after:)

I'm a Cowboy, baby

2009-03-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

Bryce's Aunt Coni sent him this cute cowboys outfit, from Texas, for his birthday and we just wanted to show her how cute it is on him. Thanks Aunt Coni! B with his proud daddy:)

Little Green Visitors

2009-03-17T08:14:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Last night we had some leprechaun visitors come to our house and cause a little mischief (emphasis on "little" because they almost forgot to come at all:)). They stole our shoes and filled them with gold.
and they dyed the toilet water blue (they must have run out of green food coloring:) and PLEASE excuse the dirty toilet - how embarassing!). The girls couldn't figure out what a leprechaun was, but they were excited for the gold candy and they couldn't stop laughing at the blue toilet water. They finally got the idea about the leprechauns when I showed them Lucky on the Lucky Charms box. We ate them for breakfast and they were magically delicious! I hope you all have a great St. Paddy's day!

2009-03-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

I just had to share the cute suggestion box that I just made for people to write suggestions in for Relief Society Enrichment Nights. I bought a 7X7 cardboard box from Walmart and then I used a free digital scrapbook kit called Happy Go Lucky from Shabby Princess to make the top and side covers. The picture is kindof washed out but I think it turned out so cute and I am excited to take it to church:) BTW - I just found the best website. It tells you where a lot of the cute freebies are for digital scrapbooking. If you are interested the site is raspberrypatch.

New Blog

2009-03-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

I just made a new blog for my brother Nathan while he goes on his mission. Just thought you would like to know so that you can check out his adventures and everything. I don't think he leaves until June so it won't really be going until then, but I just wanted to get a shout out for him. The address is natemorrismission.blogspot.com