Make up

The girls are so obsessed with make up. I never let them wear it, unless it is for a dance recital, so they get creative. Syd figured out that the pollen from the lilies is pretty easy to get on her fingers, so she put on some eye shadow...

...and then Jess thought it was a good idea. How beautiful. FYI: It's a lot harder to get off than it is to put it on.

First Girlfriend

Kayman has found himself an older woman. Bella is just a month older than he is, and they are two peas in a pod! These two are so cute together! They were actually holding hands last week, but today they just partied outside.

Too cute!
They both like to pretend to be dogs. Kayman is lapping up the water that collected in the back of his car from the sprinklers. They kept taking turns getting drinks.

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Jessica turned 4 today! She has been so excited to be 4. For some reason, it is just so much better than 3! She is very excited to go to preschool in a few months and start doing things her big sister is doing. In February, right before Syd's birthday, Syd kept talking about going to Chucky Cheese's for her birthday, and she ended up choosing Boondocks when the day actually came. Ever since then, Jess has been saying that she is going to have her birthday party at

Chucky Cheese's. I couldn't let her down.

Here are the kids being themselves, after LOTS of sugar...if you couldn't tell!

Kayman got to play a little ball and couldn't have been happier! He loves to play ball!
The girls played lots of games and rode lots of little rides together.
Jess chose the party hat cake pan at the store the other day. This was my first attempt in decorating a cake in a creative way. She chose the colors and I did my best. I could use a little practice, so it looks like this may be the traditional birthday cake from now on!
Jess is the sweetest little girl. She is still very into princesses and dressing up. (She slept in her Cinderella dress last night!) Her gift from Andy and me was a Princess vanity for her room, and she was sitting at it all day long! She loves to put on make-up, paint her nails, and dress pretty. It is rare when she doesn't have a skirt on.

Jess loves to sing songs she has learned at church and on movies. She doesn't like to be caught singing too often, she gets a little shy. Jess is a funny girl who makes me laugh every single day. She even makes me laugh when she is in trouble. She knows just the right face to pull at just the right time to get off the hook. It's hard to discipline when she does that, but somehow I manage. :)

I am so lucky to have Jess in my home. She is a wonderful child. She is happy and energetic and very creative. I love her originality and unique personality. She likes it when I lie down with her at night and the talks we have are hilarious. I learn a lot about her during this special time with her. I admire her and try to be as carefree as she is. Happy Birthday Jess! We love you!

Newborn Goat

Syd got to hold a 1 day old goat today! Our home teachers own quite a bit of property and they raise goats and hens. They have 2 female goats and one just gave birth yesterday to two cute little baby goats. We were excited for the invitation to come hold them. Jess was a little hesitant and didn't want to touch them, but Syd loved it! They also had kittens and bunnies there. A few months back these wonderful people brought us a few dozen fresh eggs from their hens! We are so lucky to live where we do and have such great neighbors! Who needs Wheeler Farm anyway?!

Independence Day

We had a wonderful 4th of July. We went camping at Bear Lake for a few days before the 4th and avoided all the Holiday crowds, and them headed up to the cabin on the 4th. The kids had a great time playing outside, riding bikes on the dirt roads, and Dallas gave himself a bath in the river. (I guess he was tired of waiting around for us to give him one.)

Here are the kids at the house before we headed to the cabin. They love the flag and were excited to have one in our yard. Kayman kept shaking the pole and making the flag wave, he loved it! They are all decked out in their red, white, and blue!

Smile!

This is what happens when we turn Syd loose with the dog and an old Halloween costume! Syd loves to dress up and she thought shed let Dallas have a turn. He didn't seem to mind too much, he is smiling for the camera!

I can tell he is just a little embarrassed though. This dog puts up with a lot!

Fathers Day

Andy got a tie for Fathers Day, and Kayman got one to match. So cute! Look at my handsome guys! I am so lucky to have them in my life. What a wonderful father Andy is to all the kids, and we are all so luck to have him. He is such a devoted and loving father. Thanks babe! We love you!

WAY too busy!

A few weeks ago I decided to do a boutique today. It kept me so busy making enough jewelry for the show and getting all of my supplies put together for my booth. It turned out to be a great experience, the only problem was that it was supposed to be outside at Wheeler Farm, and it was a very stormy day. Luckily, they moved the boutique inside, but not many people came. I don't blame them, a rainy cold day is not ideal for taking your kids to a farm. I did have a good time though and sold a few items and got a few orders! Yay!

This is all in the midst of planning a Primary Activity for 110 kids, which I pulled off last weekend. And planning Sharing Time for Sundays, which is a huge task for me. I am not a fan of being up in front of people, especially when I have to entertain and teach them for 15 minutes. Not my favorite thing to do, but tomorrow is the last time until September! Maybe I will have a little time to clean the house and cook meals for my family! We have been eating out a lot lately.

I am so grateful for Andy and all of his help with everything while I was so busy the last few weeks. He has spent hours designing my business cards, order forms, etc. while helping out with the house and kids a ton. He is the greatest husband and best friend I could ask for! What a lucky woman I am! I count my blessings every day. I am so blessed.

Where is your mother?!

Kayman loves to give Dallas his milk bones, so I gave one to Kayman to take to Dallas and let him outside with it.  About 1 minute later Kayman walked up to me like this.  Yea, that's the milk bone he is eating.  Not sure if he ate the top part, or if Dallas ate it and at Kayman snagged it back from him.  Either way, Kayman was quite enjoying his little snack.  He didn't mind when I made him give it back to Dallas though, he just laughed as Dallas ate it.  Silly kid!

My big helper Syd asked me if she could take Dallas and Kayman on a walk this afternoon.  Seeing as I HATE to take the dog for a walk, I was thrilled that she would volunteer to do this chore for me.  Don't worry, she only went about 2 houses down and back a few times, not around the neighborhood.  She strapped the leash through the handle of the stroller and took off with the boys.

Apparently Dallas saw a cat or something he just couldn't resist because suddenly I heard screaming coming from the front yard.  I ran to see what was going on.   Dallas had pulled his leash so hard that it dragged Syd to the ground and she skinned her elbow, and the stroller was literally upside down, with Kayman strapped in.  The poor guy was face down on the street!  He had a bloody nose and the scrapes you see here, but he was more scared of the blood than anything.  He's not a big fan of blood.  So we had an eventful evening.  Dallas was banished to his dog run as I cleaned up the bloody kids.

Strawberry-licious

My favorite fruit has always been strawberries, so naturally I grow them at home.  I grew up with them in my garden and remember eating them all summer as a child.  I loved picking them fresh and having a little treat right there without having to go inside.  Strawberry is my favorite flavor in most candies and flavored drinks, etc.  I love it!

Two years ago I planted 5 strawberry plants in my back yard and they have spread to about a 4 ft. by 12 ft. area.  We already have tons of strawberries, and now my kids love to go out and pick them.   Nothing better on a hot summer day, or an extremely rainy summer day in our case this year, than fresh strawberries from the garden!

Farm Day

We went to Wheeler Farm last week and I got some priceless shots of the kids that I just love!  Had to share...

Syd and Kayman feeding the ducks bread.

Jess playing in the club house.
Syd, Jess, and their friend Samantha looking at the cows.

Here are all 3 kids looking at the cows.  I wish you could hear Kayman's impression of a cow, it's hilarious!

Kayman playing in the dirt.
Watching the cows.  I love that he was looking through the bench, he was just chillin' there for a few minutes!
Kayman's favorite animal at the farm was by far the ducks and geese.  He would just watch them like this with his hands behind his back, or he would chase them quacking.  
Peeking through the club house window.
We love Wheeler Farm.  It's a few hours of free entertainment for the kids.  Pack a lunch and make a day of it!  We go there quite often.  The kids love it.

Dancin' in the Rain

The girls took ballet and tap and had their recital at the Sandy Amphitheater on June 1, and it rained harder than I remember in years!  It was insane.  The recital went on for a little bit, and then right after my girls' dance they cancelled the recital.  It was miserable for the dancers and most of the audience had taken off by then anyway.  Only the parents remained.

Here is a picture of syd dancing with some of her friends.  Syd is the 5th from the right.  She did the dance well and loved being on the stage.

Jess, on the other hand, was not a huge fan of the stage.  She is on the left with her hands in her mouth sobbing.  Her friend Rebecca is next to her wondering what on earth could be wrong, and her teacher Tiffany is trying to console her right before the dance started.   It didn't work.  Jess looked like this through the whole dance and by the time I got to her backstage she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown!  She was so upset!  Poor little thing got scared at the last minute and was cold in the rain.
Here we are after the show was cancelled.  I look like I just got out of the shower.  My mom was holding Kayman and kept him pretty dry, he loved watching the rain.  They rescheduled the remainder of the recital for the following week.
Here are Syd and Jess just before the second go at the recital, which also had a terrible rain storm.  Don't they look beautiful!  They were more excited to wear make-up than to dance!  Well, when it was time go to on stage, I saw that Jess didn't go out next to Syd like we had talked about.  Then I saw her in the arms of another mother who was trying to console her.  She got scared again and didn't even walk out on stage this time.  She had a slight case of stage fright! :)

As soon as Syd finished the two dances beautifully we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream.  The girls are changing to a studio my friend just opened and we are so excited!  They love to dance!

Preschool Graduation

Sydney graduated from preschool!  I can't believe my child is going to kindergarten next year!  I always told myself that when I had kids old enough to Elementary school I would officially be old.  Well, I guess it's official.  

Syd had a wonderful time at Preschool and is ready to go to Kindergarten in a couple months.  She learned a lot from Ms. Teresa and will always remember her.  For about a week after school got out she kept begging me to go visit her.  She loved her experience there.  She memorized her part for the graduation ceremony and said it perfectly, and she was one of the only kids I could hear singing the songs.  I really love my Sydney.  Here are some pictures...

Here I am with my sweet graduate and my 2 other very cooperative children.  Andy was out of town, but my mom and mother in law both came to support Syd.

Syd said her part perfectly!

Me and my Syd.  She's looking more like me every day!
Syd and her teacher, Ms. Teresa.  She is a wonderful woman who always had very nice things to say about Syd.  She will get to teach Jessica in a few months!  Thank you Ms. Teresa, you are wonderful!

BFF's

Kayman loves his chocolate milk and loves to sit against a wall to drink it.  Jess wanted to join him today.  I usually have her drink out of "big girl" cup, but she really wanted to sit with Kayman.  These two are so cute together.  They love to mimic each other.  Jess is a great big sister!

Are we boring you?

Either the family is VERY boring at dinner time, or Jess was exhausted after a long day of jumping on the trampoline in 90 degree weather.  Yep, I said 90 degree weather.  We actually hit 91 yesterday, it was delightful!  I spent most of the day in planting flowers, tending the garden, and just enjoying the sun while the girls jumped on the trampoline and Kayman watched and played with Dallas and his ball.  Apparently Jess was pretty tired by the time evening came around.  She took a good 10 minute nap like this!  And she didn't even fall out of her chair!

For family night we had a fire in the back yard.  We roasted marshmallows and read a story out of the Friend.  It was a lot of fun to spend so much time outside!  We LOVE out yard and our fire pit!  S'mores anyone?!

Rain or Shine

We got the trampoline that I used to jump on as a kid from my parents a few weeks ago, and the girls can't stay off of it!  They love for me or Andy to bounce them high, and they really love to have a "water trampoline" as they call it.  We put the sprinkler under it while they jump.  We can't do it for too long though because I don't want to drown the grass under it, but today they were in luck!  It started raining shortly after I told them we had to turn the sprinkler off!  They were so excited to still get the water trampoline they wanted.

It was a little cold, so Jess came in for her snow hat, and Syd put her robe over her swim suit.  Rain or shine, these girls are jumping!  It came to an end for Jess when the rain started coming down really hard.  She just stood there crying and told me that ice was falling on her.  I am sure it wasn't hailing, but whatever it was hurt her bare skin.

I love how carefree these girls are.  They have so much fun together!  They are best friends and find so many fun things to do with each other.  I love watching them together.

Workin' in the dirt

I have spent the last few weeks in the yard doing lots of weeding and moving dirt.  The dirt out here where I live is pretty bad and needs lots of added nutrients each year.  I borrowed my parents truck and got 2 loads (4 yards) of compost from the land fill.  It is very inexpensive and it's great stuff.  Here is a picture of what the beds looked like before the compost was spread around...

And here are some shots afterward.  I love the dimension it creates.  The flowers really pop and it's much easier to keep the weeds under control.  Now I have a few bags of nutrimulch and steer manure to chop in and I will be done buying dirt for another year.  I never thought I would spend so much time and money on dirt!  It sure makes a difference and the yard has never looked better!

The lawn definitely needs some attention now, but here is the flower bed out front.  I LOVE spring!!!!

Shoot it up!

Andy and I bought a hand gun a few weeks ago at the gun show, and Andy bought an old Russian M44 that was used during WW2.  We went out shooting with one of Andy's buddies the other day to test them out.   

Here I am with the M44.  I did pretty good with this gun.  I hit my target about 60 yards away.  This thing sure has some kick to it!

This is the 9 we got at the gun show.  It is super small but definitely packs a good punch.  It was so fun to shoot!  Andy's parents took the kids for us so we could go out and do this.  It was a great morning and the kids had a great time with their Nana and Papa.

Finding the humor

I have had a terrible cold for the last week and have hardly had enough energy to get much done.  I did manager to get lots of yard work done, but the house was severely neglected. Nearly every room needed major attention.  So, today was my day dedicated to cleaning the house.  The girls were on board and helped wipe down the tables, mirrors, mop the floors and they both cleaned their rooms. 

With a toddler in the house, mopping isn't just grabbing the mop and the bucket of soapy water and going for it.  You first have to sweep up the 3 dustpans full of crumbs, playground mulch that made it way inside, cereal he threw on the floor during breakfast, and our fair share of dog hair.  After sweeping, I sweep again to be sure I got it all.  Moving the chairs (which REALLY need a good wipe down after all the sticky fingers have been all over them) out of the way...now we are ready to mop.  It's just a matter of waiting until nap time so I can do it without any casualties. 

Finally the time came when I was able to mop the floor.  I got it done in no time, and even mopped all the bathrooms and laundry room while I was at it.  Go me!  Then Kayman woke up.  In the mean time, Jessica decided she wanted a snack and got the container of fruit cocktail out of the fridge.  She is in a bad habit of not putting things back where they belong when she is finished with them, and Kayman usually finds them before they get put away.  Well, this is a classic case of that scenario.  This is what I found when I came downstairs...

Kayman had no problem with it, he got an easy snack!  The good thing is that I had just mopped the floor so I know it was clean.  The bad thing is that I JUST MOPPED THE FLOOR!!!!!  So, needless to say, I got to do it all over again.  

I am pretty strict about the kids cleaning up their own messes, so I asked Jess to pick up the fruit since she left it out.  She was fine with that, and I went upstairs to get Kayman cleaned up.  When I came back downstairs, Jess had grabbed the broom and swept all the fruit onto the dustpan.  She did her best to clean up the mess, I was so proud of her for figuring out the best way to clean it up on her own.  The only problem for me was that she swept it all the way to the wall before she was able to get it onto the dustpan.  The entire floor was sticky by the time she was done because she walked through it numerous times.  It was pretty cute to see how hard she was working and how proud she was that she got it cleaned up.  What a sweetheart!  Hopefully she will remember to put things away from now on!

P.S.  I realize that most of the pictures of Kayman are of him not dressed.  Really, I do dress him.  I swear he is always dressed, except for when he is in pictures!  I took his clothes off just prior to his nap due to the fact that he got into the swimming pool outside when it was not even 60 degrees!  He's nuts!

Baby Dancers

The girls had dance pictures yesterday.  They got such cute costumes and the girls love posing for the camera.  I am anxious to see how the professional pictures turn out.  Here are a few that we took at  home.  Aren't they just adorable?!

Stink Bug

Jessica found a stink bug in the garage and started yelling, "Mom, there's a stink bug in here, come and kill it!" I assured her it wouldn't hurt her. Then she said, "Oh yea, it only stinks up other bugs and animals, not people, uh mom." After watching it crawl around for a while, she started laughing hysterically. I looked back at her and she had a boot and was trying to smash it. Every time the boot would touch the bug, it would stick it's butt up in the air and Jess though that was so funny! Finally she smashed it and then said, "Mom, its tummy broke."

Heaven on Earth

The beauty this Temple radiates is indescribable.  After the last General Conference, I know I definitely need to get to the Temple more often than I do.  I am so grateful for the blessings the Temple offers, and for the opportunity I have to go there as often as I want.  What a beautiful place.  Andy took this incredible picture.  Gorgeous uh?!

Spring Blossoms

Spring is my favorite time of the year.  Isn't it beautiful?  Everything begins to come to life and show its beauty.  The colors fill my flower beds and the grass begins to turn green.  After a long cold winter, nothing is better than watching my bulbs emerge out of the soil.

The fragrance this one puts out is amazing!  I would love to bottle it up and make my house smell like this year round.  It makes me happy!

All the different colors together are just beautiful.  I wish the blooms would last longer than they do, but soon I will fill the beds with different flowers to last through the summer.  
Did I mention that I LOVE spring?