Little Women

Too much time had passed.

2010-07-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

It has been a year since I have posted anything, and the thought of signing on to create a post is so overwhelming that I have procrastinated further. I have been lost in thought today about my beautiful sister Kelli who recently suffered a miscarriage. We were so excited to be pregnant together. We were pregnant together with our last babies and it was so much fun. Now I am still pregnant and she is not. I am so sad for her and even feel guilty that I am pregnant and she isn't. I don't really know what to say or how to act. I am excited about my new baby and I know she is too but I don't want to talk about it too much because I know she is devastated with her loss. I wish I were the writer she is, I would be able to better describe my thoughts and feelings. For now this is the end of the post. I love you Kelli!

Why?

2009-08-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-07-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-07-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-07-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-03-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-03-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-03-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-03-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-02-15T20:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T22:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T22:27:00.000-08:00

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?!

2009-01-18T18:34:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-13T22:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

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. :)

2008-11-09T15:57:00.001-08:00

The Proper Role of Government

2008-10-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

I copied this post from my brother in law's website.... "After spending the last three years studying law and the history of our government, I have come to the frightening realization that our government is not now what it was meant to be. We have given the government far too much power over our lives. More importantly, we have given the government powers that we as individuals do not have the right to give. The following article is long, it will take some time to read, but please take ten minutes and listen to the words of a prophet of God. I do not suggest the article is revelation, but I know the man who wrote it was truly inspired." - Matt Ormsby

http://www.properroleofgovt.org/prog.htm

This was written as a response to the threat of communism fifty years ago. It is just as applicable to the current state of our nation today.

Macey is 7 months.

2008-10-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

My sister Kelli, (A Touch of Grey Photography) took these gorgeous pictures!

The Outdoor Movie was a blast

2008-10-03T21:49:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors the Thorntons did an outdoor movie a couple weeks ago at their house. It was a blast. A bunch of neighbors came and we had lots of goodies. We watched Enchanted which is one of my favorite movies. It was so much fun. I wish I would have gotten more pictures but it got dark too quickly.

Macey is growing up too fast!

2008-10-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

She started crawling at 6 months and now she is always pulling herself up to stand. She has even started to try passing from one object to another. I really wish she would just stay a baby. It is not fair how fast they grow up. My sister Kelli (the photographer) took some beautiful pictures of her the other day. I can't wait to post them.

Time for Tea!

2008-10-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

The other day the girls and I had a tea party. It was so much fun. We had heart shaped sandwiches, hot chocolate and marshmellows instead of tea and sugar cubes. We got all dressed up and spoke with English accents. My name was Miss Peabody, Averi was Miss Cluesou and Jayden was Cinderella (which is ironic because she won't go near Cinderella when she makes an appearance at parties). Anyway, I have been feeling like I haven't been giving them enough attention so I invited them to a tea party. It was so much fun. They were so cute! Jayden was nervous about calling me Miss Peabody she kept saying "you are still our mommy though right?" "Maybe you could be Miss Mommy". So cute! I have posted some pictures of our Tea Party.

help

2008-08-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

I updated my layout and I lost all my Very Important People Blogs, please comment with your blog address so I can get them all back.

First Day of School - Kindergarten

2008-08-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten. Doesn't she look adorable all dressed up for the first day?! As we were getting ready for school Averi wanted me to make sure I told Jaydie bug that she loved her. How sweet is that?!

This is a picture of her with her class. Her teacher is in the white shirt.

I thought for sure I would start bawling when we dropped her off but I didn't. She was just so excited about school I was happy for her. She loves to play with friends and will be ecstatic about recess. She hasn't been on the school bus yet, we are starting on Tuesday. I think that might make me cry. There is just something so scary about the school bus, but I am sure she will be just fine. She is such a tender hearted little thing, I hope no one makes her cry!

I just found a great website! Check it out!

2008-08-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

www.mormonchic.com

it has awesome info for everything from family home evening ideas and parenting tips to home made spa recipes and fashion tips. I haven't had time to see it all but so far I am very impressed!

Cowgirl Ba-by!

2008-06-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

How beautiful are these pictures! They were taken by my sister (Grey Photography ) Kelli is an amazing photographer. She is building her portfolio so she took Averi and Jayden out for a photo shoot! These are some of the most stunning pictures I have ever seen! But what can I say, they are gorgeous girls; if I do say so myself!

Graduation

2008-06-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the school year is over. It feels like we just had preschool orientation and now I have completed another year. I hope my students finished the year with a love of school and an eagerness to learn more. It never ceases to amaze me how much they can learn in such a short time. I feel so privileged to be there with them as they learn concepts that are the foundation for their future education. I can't tell you how great that feels! Not to mention how much I love them to call me Miss Cristy when I see them at the grocery store! I had so much fun with these kids, it was great to have my own little one, Averi, in the class as well this year. She was such a doll and it was fun to watch her interact with her peers. I am going to miss experiencing that when she is in Kindergarten.
I posted a slide show of our graduation program. My sister, Kelli, and Derek took these pictures, some kids are shown more than others but that is only because of where they were sitting during the program. I have to admit, watching the slide show makes me smile with tears in my eyes.

Kinder Cottage Preschool Graduation

2008-06-06T22:57:00.001-07:00

Blessing Day

2008-06-06T22:36:00.001-07:00

Macey Anne Shields was blessed on April 27th, 2008, it was a wonderful day. Derek gave such a great blessing. Isn't she gorgous in that dress! My mom bought it for her. The pictures don't do it justice. There is so much detail in the dress it looks like a little wedding dress. My dad just kept saying "it's so fancy". I love fancy! She hated her bonnet so there weren't many pictures of her smiling. Derek wanted me to take the bonnet off but she looked so stinkin' cute I had to keep it on her.

Averi is a graduate!

2008-06-06T21:57:00.001-07:00

Isn't she adorable! I can't believe she will be starting Kindergarten, and in a big yellow school bus! What am I to do. Kelli took some great pics of the graduation so I will post a slide show.

Make your own dang quesadilla

2008-06-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

So the other day we were having some landscaping work done and I opened the front door to find a Mexican picnic on my porch. (is that PC?) All the landscapers were having lunch on my porch, they even brought their own microwave and plugged it in! I couldn't resist taking a pic of the quesadilla cooking in action.

2008-04-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Jaydie got into the markers again! She is an artist and can't be restricted to paper, in fact she will rarely use it unless forced to. She has colored on everything and everyone except the baby. Thank goodness for washable marker!

Baby Macey

2008-04-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

She is so much fun! She is really such a good baby. She only cries when she is tired or hungry. Otherwise she is pretty content, especially if she can snuggle her mommy or her grandma. She scares her Daddy and her grandpa a bit. They don't like crying... I kinda think it's cute. Her sisters still love her to death and maul her constantly. I wanted to post her blessing pics but my sister Kelli was the photographer and I haven't received them from her yet. So hopefully they will get posted soon.

What a Birthday!

2008-04-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well I just celebrated my 31st birthday. It's kinda hard to say that out loud though. 31 seems old but I still feel like a teenager. Sometimes when my kids call me mom I have a wierd moment and think I can't believe I am the mom.
Anyway, enough rambling... My birthday which actually ends up stretching to a birthweek due to celebrating at my parent's house and Derek's parent's house and a celebration with just our family and one with just derek and me. (I know I am a princess) I am not sure a week is long enough :) My mom made me an awesome dinner of baby back ribs! On my real birthday Derek made me breakfast in bed and the girls gave me a cute shirt from hollister. Derek also decorated the house with balloons and streamers and took me to lunch at PeiWei. Then we went to Tai Pan Trading and I picked out a gorgeous painting for my family room. (My parents and Derek's parents gave me money for my birthday to help pay for the painting, Derek covered the rest). It was a wonderful day! On Saturday Derek and I went with some friends to Ahh Sushi for a birthday dinner it was awesome! Hey a girl has to milk the celebrating for all it's worth!

2008-03-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

Macey Anne Shields was born, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 4:007p. She weighed 7lbs 7oz and was 19" long. She is beautiful!

2007-11-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

Kinder Cottage Preschool Program. How cute is that winnie the poo not to mention the pregnant witch! hehehe

2007-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

Yummy caramel apples, the girls made them with a little help from mom.

Carving Pumpkins

2007-11-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

Who said this had to be in Chronological Order? I found these pics after I posted Averi's birthday and had to post them.

2007-11-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

We all had a fabulous time! Derek got the worst score of all... :)

2007-11-27T16:42:00.000-08:00

Averi wanted a beach cake! So being the fabulous mom that I am ; ) I made one...

Averi's Birthday

2007-11-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

Averi wanted to go bowling for her birthday. (She thought of it all by herself) She saw a bowling alley while we were driving and said "Mom I never get to go bowling" I said, maybe for your birthday and she remembered the idea months later.

Trip to the farm

2007-09-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

We went to a farm in Layton to pick fruits and vegetables. We had a blast. It was hard to keep the girls from eating the strawberries before we bought them.

Trip to St. George

2007-09-23T14:51:00.000-07:00