Why?

Macey is growing up way too fast! Lately, when I ask her to do something, or tell her not to do something, she asks "Why?" Today, I told her not to touch Daddy's pants that were hanging up, she asked "why?" I gave her a reason, to that she responded "why?" The cycle continued until I kissed her. I thought the whole "why" thing wasn't supposed to start for a few years. That's what happens when an 18 month old has big sisters I guess...

Happy Birthday Jaydie!

My little Jaydie turned 5 this week. She loves the TV show Sponge Bob Square Pants and wanted a "crabbie patty cake" (hamburger cake) for her birthday. I was so happy with the way her cake turned out. It was so fun to make! Jaydie loved it!











We took her to Chuck E Cheese for lunch and in the evening we had crabbie patties for dinner. Later we went to Grandma and Grandpas house for cake and ice cream, and fireworks. It was a great day!

BOUNTIFUL HIGH REUNION

We just went to Derek's 20 year High School Reunion, I never thought I could feel so young and so old at the same time. The reunion was a lot of fun. A few of my friends were there because they were married to guys that graduated with Derek. Some of them I was surprised to see, I didn't realize until that night that their husbands graduated with Derek. We sat at a table with several of Derek's old friends, it was great to hear all the stories of Derek when he was in High School. The lodge was such a beautiful setting. It was at the Canyons Resort Lodge in Park City, we took a Gondola ride up to the Pine Cafe for our dinner and party. The scenery was breathtaking. I just love the mountains!
The gondola ride back down was amazing. It was late so it was pitch black outside. It was impossible to see any of our surroundings. Suddenly, about 2/3 of the way down we came up over a hill and could see the whole resort all lit up, what an amazing site.
The party was so great, it got me thinking about my reunion. I hope we have the large turn out at mine that Derek did at his. Luckily for me, I have six more years to think about it.

Macey got her first bee sting!

Actually it was a wasp, and it stung on her right eye lid. Her cute little eye got so swollen, it looked like she had a black eye for a day or two. I can't find my camera anywhere, or I would have taken a picture. I couldn't even find my phone to take a picture! I did kill the wasp and it's evil little cronies. That felt good!

Boutiful Triathlon, Here I come ready or not...

So I am training for my very first triathlon. I am very excited but also quite a bit nervous. I have been running for several months now and have recently Incorporated swimming into my routine (about a month ago). I have a couple friends that used to be on swim teams and they have been helping me with my form etc. I think I still have a ways to go, but I think I am improving slowly but surely. I have decided my first triathlon would be the Bountiful Triathlon on August 8th. I want to start with swimming in a pool before I attempt an open water race. Speaking of which, I am probably going to do Bear Lake's on September 12th which would be open water. I will need a wet suit for that race. I also don't have a road bike which makes for a tougher triathlon but Derek says we can just put slick tires on my mountain bike and it will be just fine. I need him to help me with that soon so I can train with those tires for a while. Since this is my first race, I am not too concerned with my time, I am just excited for the sense of accomplishment that will come from finishing such a race.

I talked my brother-in-law, Brock, into racing with me and I am so glad that he agreed. Even though he will probably kick my patootie, it will be fun to have a friend next to me at the starting line.

CALIFORN-I-A

We had the best time in California. We rented a beach house in Carlsbad with our friends Burke and Jill, and Julee and Jody, we all brought our families and stayed for 5 days! It was perfect. We spent one day at Disney and then lived on the warm sandy beaches the remaining four days. The girls loved the beach just as much as Disney land - go figure. Here are some pics of us on our fun trip.

This is our beach house - four bedrooms and three bathroom. It was beautiful!
I'll post a slide show later, going to bed now.

You're the King of Meanness!

Tonight Jaydie asked if she could have some fruit snacks, after we just finished having brownies and ice cream for dessert. I said "no" she said "YOU'RE THE KING OF MEANNESS!... I mean... you're the QUEEN of Meanness!" I couldn't help but laugh. She still didn't get any fruit snack but with Derek she established he is the King and she is the princess. I have to agree. Sometimes she is the Princess of Meanness and I am probably the Queen.

My Birthday Was Great!

As I celebrate my birthday I try not to think about the age part and just revel in the one day that is all my own. I taught preschool on my birthday but the parents were so great! Lizzy's mom, Kami, and Kira's mom, Kristin, brought cupcakes for us and balloons for me. All the kids sang happy birthday, it was so cute! Porter and his mom gave me a darling heart shaped necklace. I love it!

Derek and the girls gave me presents when I woke up. The girls picked out the presents all by themselves. Jaydie gave me a bag of my favorite mini candy bars and Averi gave me a Disney cookbook, with recipes the kids and I can make together. It was so cute to see how excited they were to give me their gifts. They each made me a cute little card and everything. Derek gave me some cute clothes from Hollister. I got spoiled! That afternoon Derek took me to see KNOWING at the Gateway. That was a pretty scary movie, and very different than what I thought, but it was good. Next, we went to dinner at Benihana, love it! The Minnesota Timber wolves happened to be there having dinner at the table next to us. It was fun to listen to them talk amongst themselves about the game, girls, and friends.

We had a party at my mom's house last night. She was so great. She went all out making me dinner and getting my favorite ice cream and cake. Speaking of which we snapped this great picture of Macey and Grey enjoying the festivities... This was taken with Brock's phone, Kelli took some others with her great camera, I will post those when I can. Aren't they so cute. They sat there for so long eating their dessert.

My mom and dad gave me the cutest boots and Jamie and Kelli gave me Gustav Klimt's The Kiss print. I can't wait to hang it!

I also got many happy birthday messages from all my friends on Facebook! You guys are great! Thanks to everyone who made my birthday special! I hope I can do the same for you when the time comes...

Gustav Klimt

Both by Gustav Klimt, the first is titled The Kiss, it has always been one of my favorite pieces of all time. While searching for the print I found this other piece titled Mother and Child. It is so breathtaking. I want them both on canvas. Guess I better get busy with Lia Sophia so I can buy them.

She's a climber!

This little stinker climbs onto the kitchen table every time she gets a chance! I cleared the table so there would be nothing to tempt her. However, big sister Averi set her candy on the table and before I knew it Macey was at it again!

What's Gak?

We had a blast making gak (aka ooblek or slime) It was so cool to watch it come together. The kids are having a blast with it.
Jaydie said: (while giggling) It feels like a baby's bum.

I asked Averi what she thought it felt like and she said: "Um, I don't know... it feels like, well I guess I never felt a pig before...." How cute is she?

I have seen this recipe before at an Early Childhood Conference but I came across it again on a friends blog. I finally decided to give it a try. We tried a couple recipes and I liked hers the best so I have included it here.

In a small bowl mix:
2 regular size bottles of Elmer's glue
3/4 cup water
A few drops of food coloring

In a large bowl mix:
1 tsp. Borax
1/2 cup HOT water (stick it in the microwave for a minute just for good measure)

Now, pour the glue mixture over the borax mixture. Let it sit for a minute and then gently stir. Pour off any excess water. It's going to look weird and kind of stringy, but once the kids get their hands on it, it will come together.

Averi IS special!

The other day I was tucking Averi into bed and I leaned down and kissed her cheek then layed my head on hers and she said "mommy I feel special inside" my heart melted! I said "you are special, and I feel special too because you love me" She said, "I love you so much"! How cute is she? Such a sweetheart!

Jaydie the Rock Star!

Jaydie came downstairs all dressed up and said she was a rock Star. She even performed for us. Luckily I got it on video...

Fun in the Sun

We recently went to St. George with Gma and Gpa shields. We had such a great time! It was so great to get outside to play, swim and relax. Thanks Gma and Gpa!

Macey is 1!

We celebrated Macey's first birthday with the families today. She wasn't too interested in opening her gifts but Averi and Jayden were more than willing to help. Macey seemed disturbed that there was a burning stick on her cake (most people call it a candle). Her favorite part was eating her cake and ice cream. Although she loves her Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, she is way too much of a mama's girl to let anyone but her mom hold her. I can't get over how fast time flew by. It seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home for the first time. There was a terrible snow storm the day she was born and another on her first birthday. We played out in the snow today and she loved it. I couldn't believe how long she wanted to stay outside and play. We built a snow fort with the kids and Macey ran around playing it was so fun.

Mario Kart and Averi

Averi is obsessed with Mario Kart. She would seriously play it all day every day if she could. She used to ask me constantly when she could play with friends, now it is Mario Kart. I need to come up with some schedules and time limits for the thing. She gets mean when we have to turn it off. Yikes.

Jadie knows best

Tho other day when Jayden and Averi were arguing Jayden got so mad she smacked Averi on the back, looked right at me and said "I am going to the naughty room". She actually put herself in the naughty room. How funny is that?!

Macey loves to brush everyone's hair. Derek was brushing the girls hair after their bath and Macey grabbed the brush and started "brushing" Averi's hair. However the brush was facing the wrong way so she was really just smacking Averi in the head. Averi was very nice about it and just laughed. Macey has naw mastered the task. She is so stinkin' cute!

Jadie is a crackup

Today while we were at my parent's house Jayden and Averi were fighting (I know big surprise) and Jayden started kicking Averi so I picked her up and dragged her to the "naughty room" (Supernanny style) on the way out of the family room she said in her deep little voice "goodbye everyone!" It was hilarious. Maybe you had to be there but we were rolling!...

Family Pictures

We got our pictures done in November and I am such a slacker I am just now adding them. They turned out pretty dang cute! Derek and the girls look gorgeous! I would look a bit better if there weren't 100 cameras each adding a pound. :)