Day at the Park...

On Friday my sister Jamie and I packed a picnic and took the kids to a Park in Provo. It was such a nice day (finally some Spring weather) and we had lots of fun. In the picture above the kids were showing me the sticks they found.

Maddy pointed out this huge tree to me and said he wished he had a tree that big.

There is this cool boardwalk at the park so we took a little walk... mostly I tried to keep up with the kids and keep them from climbing off the boardwalk into the swampy water.

The kids loved pushing Lola in the swing and she would giggle so much-it was too cute! They also all loved being pushed in the swings (at the same time) and I think I got an arm workout.

Every once in a while it would get a bit chilly (because of the wind), luckily we were prepared with jackets. While we were at Ikea on Wednesday we picked up some little portable potties, it's a good thing because the bathrooms were still locked and they came in handy...

I usually edit my pictures with Picasa because it's fast and easy. I decided to edit the pictures for this post in Photoshop Lightroom. I had lots of fun and I liked how the tree picture turned out in a bunch of the settings so I made a little collage with a few of them. They are kind of spooky looking and it makes me excited for Halloween... I know it's only April but I already know what we are going to be and have started looking for costumes. I'm excited!

The kids racing back to the car. I love how Maddy is always looking out for Avery and holding her hand. They still hold hands all the time while we are driving. After we left the park we went through the McDonald's drive through and got some ice cream cones and then went back to Jamie's house for a while.

Thanks Jamie for a fun time! Stacy we miss you!

Music Monday: Haven't Met You Yet...

Love me some Michael Buble! This song can always make me happy no matter what my mood.

Michael Buble: Haven't Met You Yet...

Ikea...

On Wednesday my sister Jamie and I (and kids) went to Ikea. We had lunch and did some shopping. The girls had fun swinging in this swing. Somehow it ended up being a five hour trip. I guess time flies when you are having fun (or chasing kids around.) I did fix Avery's hair but by the time we got out of the car it was a complete mess and her ponytail holder was nowhere to be found.

Birthday Girl...

Today is Avery's third birthday. I can't believe she is already three... pure craziness! We are having a little birthday celebration next week for her with my family. Here are some things I want to remember about Avery at three years old...

*Weight 26.2 lbs. (8%), Height 36 inches (24%), BMI 8%. Her doctor was very happy with these numbers-especially considering where she started.

*She is definitely a Daddy's girl.
*Maddy is her best friend and they play together all day long.
*She is still very determined and feisty.
*She is doing a lot better with her chewing and wants to eat everything in sight.
*She loves Ben 10 and Diego just like her brother and has no idea what a princess is. Probably our fault for not exposing her to them yet.
*She knows all the Ben 10 alien names and shouts them out along with Maddy.
*Still throws tantrums whenever she doesn't get her way.

*She loves to be where all the action is.
*She loves climbing and I'm constantly telling her to get off tables and chairs.
*She insists on giving us all hugs and kisses before going to bed (and every time Steve leaves the house.)

*She doesn't need naps anymore but most days I need her to take a nap.
*She LOVES her "baby" and carries her around all day. Baby desperately needs a bath-I see a trip through the washer coming.

*Picture taken by Maddy

My Birthday Wish...

Love this quote...

i wish there could have been

an invention that bottled

up a memory,

like perfume,

and it never faded,

never got stale.

then whenever i wanted to

i could uncork the bottle

and live the memory all over again.

~daphne du maurier-rebecca

found here (linked from here.)

photo found via Google search.

Today is My birthday-big 34 (so don't forget to wish me a happy birthday-haha.) Lately I've been thinking a lot about how fast time goes-especially how fast my kids are growing up. I've also been thinking a lot about memories and how something (or anything) as small (or big) as a smell, song, photo, place, etc. can trigger a memory. I think it would be so awesome if it was possible to bottle up memories and relive them whenever we wanted. We could all have our own "memory bottle" collection. But since I'm pretty sure that's not possible (at least not in this lifetime-I have a feeling that someday we will be able to) I'm going to wish for many future moments that are the kind I would bottle up and keep to relive later (in all their potency) if I could. I'm also going to work on being better at living in the moment.

P.S. Blogging has done wonders for my memory collection. I love looking back at my past posts and pictures and remembering all the fun things we have done.

Whatever Wednesday: Love These...

A really good friend recommended I watch the new TV series "Community." The first season just ended and I started recording the last four episodes when they aired about a month ago. Before I watched them I watched the episodes from the beginning on casttv.com. It's a great series. It's super funny and kind of makes me wish I was back in college. The second season starts in the Fall if you want to check it out.

I discovered another awesome photography blog this past week. It is Crave Photography. She does an awesome job capturing and editing and has some cool before and afters posted on her blog. Definitely check it out! Here are a few of my favorite photo/posts...

... from this post.

This is such an awesome engagement session-I seriously had a hard time choosing which one to post!

... from this post.

... from this post.

What have you been loving lately?

Thoughtful Gift...

Maddy: "Mom do you know what I'm going to get you for your birthday present?"

Me: "What?"

Maddy: "I'm going to get you some new socks with no holes in them."

4/5/10

Blocks From Papa...

My Dad made us kids some of these blocks when we were growing up and recently made some for our kids. There are four different sizes and the kids love playing with them. I think it's pretty cool they have some just like we did growing up. The picture above is Maddy's latest creation. We haven't decided if we are going to paint or stain them yet. Thanks Dad we love them!

When I was taking the picture Maddy also wanted me to take a picture of him holding his new Ben 10 toys.

Easter Afternoon...

On Easter Sunday after the first session of Conference we went to my sister Jamie's house. She made us the yummiest (custom order) grilled sandwiches. My order was turkey & roast beef, pepper jack & cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and mustard. We also had a bunch of stuff to munch on like fruit, chips & salsa and salad.

My sisters Shalane and Jamie and I.

My Mom wasn't feeling well and didn't make it but she sent these cute matching dresses for Avery and Claire. Thanks Mom we missed you! We missed Stacy and Jen (and families) also. I can't wait until Jen (and family) come out this summer and we can all hang out.

Maddy and his cousin Dallin playing and having fun as always.

My brothers Shawn & Justin.

All the boys (big & small) had a ton of fun with the air dart guns. Seriously it was so much fun!

Here are a couple videos of some dart gun fun. The first is the older guys and sadly I didn't get video of the best parts... things got really crazy as soon as I stopped recording (it was quite the battle and I think we all got nailed at least once.)

This one is of the kids and my Dad...

Thanks Jamie for having us it was so much fun!

Easter Morning...

We had a great Easter and the Easter Bunny made his way to our house. Maddy was so excited the night before. I took advantage of his excitement and told him he had to get the house cleaned up because the Easter Bunny wouldn't come to messy houses. He started cleaning right away... if only it was always that easy. Then he didn't want to go to bed and I told him I thought I could hear the Easter Bunny hopping. He got so excited and ran and got into bed. He took a late nap and was so excited that I think he had a hard time falling asleep which is very unusual for him. My brother Shawn came and spent the night and so we were up talking a bit and he kept yelling from his room for us to go to bed so the Easter Bunny could come. We finally went to bed and then a little while later Steve decided he wanted a protein shake. He was out in the kitchen making it and trying to be quiet. Maddy heard him and said "Who is out there?" I think he thought it was the Easter Bunny. Steve told him it was him and went in his room. He asked Steve to look out his bedroom window to see if he could see the Easter Bunny in the neighborhood (over at Ava's house.) He finally went to sleep and was excited the next morning to see the Easter Bunny had made it.

Of course Maddy got some Ben 10 figures and a shirt (green of course.)

Avery got a new dress and sandals. I'm sure you noticed her poor red swollen eye. She has some kind of eye infection (probably the same one Maddy had a couple weeks ago.) She looks so miserable and I hope it clears up soon.

My brother Shawn made us an awesome breakfast (eggs, homemade hash browns and wheat pancakes.) It was so yummy! I love when I don't have to cook! Thanks Shawn! Then we all got ready for the day and watch the morning session of Conference. In between sessions we went to my sister Jamie's house (for lunch and the last session of Conference) and spent most of the day there. It was so fun to spend the day with family!

Music Monday: I Know That My Redeemer Lives...

I love that Conference fell on Easter Sunday this year. It was really nice to spend the weekend reflecting on Christ and the Atonement. For both I am so grateful. We spent the majority of the day on Sunday with my family and it was a great day. More on that in another post. I love this song and think the video is done so beautifully...

Coloring Easter Eggs...

Wednesday my sisters (and kids) came over to our house and we colored Easter eggs. It was lots of fun and the kids can't wait for the Easter Bunny to hide them (if they don't get eaten before then.)

Mini Photo Shoot...

On Tuesday I was at my neighbor Brooke's getting my hair done. Her husband Rick has been playing around with a photo editing program and doing some photography work. During my appointment he came down and asked if he could take some pictures of Maddy and I (Avery was napping) when my appointment was over. I think he got some great shots and did a great job editing them...

Thanks Rick for the pictures. Thanks Brooke-I love my hair.

Music Monday: Clementine...

I came across this song a while back and really loved it. It's really catchy and I love it more and more each time I listen to it. It's different then what you hear everyday, it's like a breath of fresh air.

Sarah Jaffe: Clementine...

Here are a couple more of her songs that I really like (she has a full length album coming out this spring)...

Two Intangibles Can't Be Had

Even Born Again

Easter Egg Hunt/Picnic...

On Saturday our ward had a Easter egg hunt/picnic for the Primary kids. We brought sack lunches and then the kids could decorate bags for the Easter egg hunt. My kids decided they didn't want to decorate their bags because they wanted to keep playing on the playground. Then it was time for the Easter egg hunt. Maddy knew exactly what to do and took off and I stayed with Avery. They had a fun time and were too busy checking out their candy to look at the camera.

Krispy Kreme Donuts...

On Wednesday my sisters and I took the kids to Krispy Kreme Donuts. They loved watching how the donuts are made and then of course loved eating some.

Avery is very messy and this picture was taken after I had mostly cleaned her up... thank goodness for wipes!

Maddy and his cousin Claire hanging out for a minute (they were mostly running around.)

Thanks Stacy and Jamie for another fun outing.

Whatever Wednesday: Are you a Gleek?

I am and I can't wait!

Body Building Competition...

Saturday our really good friend Justin was competing in the NPC Body Building Competition in Salt Lake. We have seen him compete on several other occasions over the years (Steve hasn't missed a show yet) and so of course we were excited to go. Steve usually misses most of the show because he is backstage helping him get ready. He also helped Justin's wife Heather and his friend Scott. They all did such an awesome job. Seriously... I can't believe the human body is capable of looking like that. They each won first place in their class-Justin in the Mens Heavy, Heather in the Women's Figure Medium and Scott in the Mens Super Heavy. Heather and Scott also took the show and won the overall categories. It was a great show and I have such admiration for the hard work, dieting and dedication that goes into competing in these shows. While Steve was backstage during the show I hung out with four of our friends-Brad, Jamie, Brooke and Aaron.

Justin (Mens Heavy Champion), Steve & Heather (Women's Figure Medium Champion and all around champion.)

Scott (Mens Super Heavy Champion and all around champion) and Steve.

Topform Nutrition Supplements sponsored the show-they also sponsored Justin, Heather & Scott. You can see Steve in the back row, in the middle behind the winners.

Already?

Yesterday Maddy was getting dressed so he could go play at his friend Ava's house. He had put on his long sleeve red and gray shirt and black jeans. He then proceeded to try and put his short sleeved green shirt over his long sleeved red shirt...

Maddy: Mom, I want to wear this green shirt over my red shirt so I look super cute when I go to Ava's house. *with a shy smile and blushing a little* I want to look really cute so she can say "wow" and "cool."

Me: Well that shirt doesn't match what you are wearing.

Maddy: But it will match because I'm going to wear my green shoes with it.

I talked him out of wearing it but I can't believe he is already wanting to look "super cute" for girls...

3/22/10

Pirate Pizza...

My sisters and I are finally back to getting together during the week. Jamie had a gift certificate to Pirate Pizza she needed to use so she treated us all to lunch on Friday. None of us were fans of the pizza when we went last time so we tried the burgers this time. They were just OK. Of course the kids had fun playing as usual.

AAARRH!

They must've wore themselves out because they both fell asleep on Steve when they got home. One of them may or may not have peed on Steve... good times!

Thanks Jamie for lunch. I'm glad we are hanging out again and I can't wait for warmer weather!