Peanut Butter

I have been putting hair tinsel in Emma's hair lately and I love the little pizazz it gives her. I'm surprised how often strangers are stopping her to check it out. I'm so glad I just did it myself instead of going to the salon. One of many thanks I owe to ebay.

We had a date night with our friends the Wimmers. We took the Front Runner to SLC and played cards on the way down there. For a four person pass it was only $6 a couple round trip, that's cheaper than gas prices. Then we had our favorite dinner at Thaifoon where the Thom Kah Gai soup is unbeatable!!

Saturday we had another date night with my sister and her husband. We normally don't do back to back date nights but we're trying to get in as much of them as we can before Ryan leaves. In the photo below it looks like Cody is my brother, instead of my sister who I very sadly look nothing alike. We went to an all you can eat Sushi restaurant in Layton and it was DI-VINE!!

Sunday we had an early Easter celebration since Ryan will miss out while he's gone. The girls were so excited about everything and I just love doing for my girls what my parents did for me.

This is Peanut Butter, Emma's build-a-bear she got for her birthday. Because Emma loves it so much, then Lydia loves it so much. It's the cause of a lot of fights. As the oldest Emma has to give in to Lydia A LOT, this is one area where we don't make Emma give Lydia something of hers. So although this bunny can be trouble, it is also the cause of bonding when it's Emma's own choice to share with her little sister.

Tuesday I took Emma to Bates Elementary to register her for Kindergarten and give her the tour. My heart was pumping so fast the entire time we were there. I can't believe my little girl is leaving for school! There aren't really words to describe this melancholy feeling I have. I'm so happy for Emma to have this experience, but my heart just kind of aches inside. Oh, I guess there are words, that describes it just right.

Three generation girls trip

My mom, Emma and I just had a three day blissful girls trip to Las Vegas. The first five hours were driving in the snow, so that made this trip an even better treat for us.

We started by going to the Excalibur so Emma could be in a real live castle. We saw three different 4-D movies/rides that were fun for all of us and also rather clever. My mom refused to go on the Sponge Bob ride but joined us for the Log Ride and Happy Feet.

We then ate at Rain forest Cafe which was the highlight of Emma's day, even at thirty I still get excited about their atmosphere. Then we hit up M&M world and walked the strip for a bit. This was conference Sunday and it was QUITE the contrast to how we typically spend our Sundays. Man alive, Vegas tourists are sooooo skanky! Where are they coming from? We were all too happy to not be staying on the strip.

Our hotel was bomb-diggity! It had a view of the strip, but we were spared the casinos, smoke, and pornography. I don't think I will ever stay on the strip again. Tahitian Village was the name and it was so nice and had the largest rooms and best pools, all for $72 a night! We were right smack in between two awesome malls and had a kitchen in our room so we didn't have to eat out every meal, even though we still pretty much did.

Monday we just laid by the pool all day. Part of the pool had a sandy beach entrance and Emma played there all day with her mermaid and various friends.

The lazy river is something that not even I have outgrown. We had a blast going between this pool and the main pool.

I loved that this hotel wasn't laced in rules. We could put our lawn chairs in the actual water as well as our table while we both enjoyed our books. My mom ordered us a Pina Colada, that is one of my favorite tropical vacation traditions, and it really added to the experience for me :) Silly, but it's the little things that make such a difference.

Tuesday we went back down town to enjoy some of the unique exhibits the big resorts offer. We went to the Secret Garden at the Mirage hotel to check out their Dolphin Exhibit. This was money well spent. I ADORE Dolphins, and this was the closest I've ever been to them.

There weren't the bells and whistles that Sea World has, but there also weren't the crowds and expenses either. It was fun to watch them play and seemed like a great environment, IF you have to live in captivity that is.

Emma has been saving her piggy bank money and so she bought herself this little dolphin, Bella, named after the baby dolphin that lives here. It hasn't left her side since she bought it.

There was a mediocre Cats exhibit with white tigers. It was much more like a zoo, but more unimpressive. Oh well, the dolphins gave us our money's worth.

We also went to the Bodies Exhibit at the Luxor hotel. I have wanted to see this for years! Photography wasn't allowed, so we had to be sneaky. This was SO fascinating and beautiful. I could have spent far more time here, but having a five year old in tow was limiting. This man I am standing next to was filled with medical body replacements. His knee replacement looked like a car part!! It was soooo incredible to see. I definitely recommend this to anyone who gets the chance. It's a true testament that God created us, we didn't just "evolve."

This is the only photo we have of the three of us. It was SOOO fun for me to be with my mom, and also my daughter. How often does that get to happen? My mom has always been my best friend and I could never ever get sick of her companionship. Emma was such a joy to take on this trip. She is at such a fun age, and I noticed that more when I didn't have a one year old demanding so much time and attention. She was so excited about everything and so grateful. I never understood before, but now I do understand why people travel with their kids. Spending time alone with my girls is always such a treat and really strengthens my relationship with them. I hope I do one on one trips much more often.

The hotel was right in between two fabulous malls and we enjoyed shopping at each of them. The Town Square mall is a step above all others I've ever been to. I will sorely miss the warm weather but I am so thankful I had a nice little break from the snow.

Wednesday we spent the day driving home. Lydia had missed me soooo much, sadly, I think more than I missed her. But once I had her back in my arms three days of missing her came to the surface. She hasn't left my side since I got home, and I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Reality Check

Monday Ryan flew out with his Vivant team to get licensed and trained and get a reality check for the summer of knocking doors that is ahead of him. After four days he was missing the girls like crazy, I don't know how he is going to go SIXTY days without seeing any of us!

I kept plenty busy while he was gone. Tuesday I had a long over due photo shoot with my little "baby." It makes me sick how fast she is growing up. But until baby number three comes (which is still a couple years off) I will always think of Lydia as my baby.

This photo is my FAVORITE! This little girl knows EXACTLY what she is doing, and that little face just proves it.

Emma continues to take dance every Wednesday and is really learning a lot about technique, not just cutesy dance moves. I love her teacher and the dance program.

Emma had her first sleep over with her little friend Addi. We came up to my parents house to spend the night and the girls played so well. I never even saw them! I also never got a great photo, but this photo summarizes how most of their evening was spent.

In the morning we took the girls to breakfast at the local restaurant in Paradise. I hope Addi continues to make more appearances on my blog, she truly makes my job easier.

Saturday I took Lydia over to the Jensens where she would spend the next four nights with them while my mom, Emma and I went to Las Vegas. This photo looks like Lydia is trying to find a "happy place." It's just that her taggy blanket puts a spell on her. No doubt Lydia had more fun staying with the Jensens than if she would have come with us to Vegas. Thanks again for keeping her!!

Optimistic in Oklahoma (catchy phrase eh?)

So for those of you who don't know, which is most everybody, I thought I should do a little update of what has been happening in our household. Everything went rather quickly and in the end we feel really optimistic about the next six months. Ryan decided to take a summer job and work for a sales company formerly known as APX, and has now branched out to bigger and better products and has become Vivant. He will be going with a team to work in Oklahoma City starting in April and will be gone for four and a half months. He will only come home for one visit at the end of June to join my family for a trip to Havasupai Falls. This trip will celebrate something different for most of my other family members, but for us we will be celebrating Ryan's 30th birthday. After hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and then climbing back out again, we will return home, get our girls, and head back to Oklahoma City. The girls and I will live with him for the month of July, and then head home for the last month of the summer. He will finish his work and then be done come September. Big news for us. It's tough times out there and we're hoping this is just the ticket we need to get ahead so Ryan can pursue more of his business passions. The photo below is a little irrelevant to this update, but it shows how beautiful Havasupai is and why our summer will revolve around this two night trip.

Going Gray

My mom came up and took me and the girls to lunch at Wingers. Then turned around and drove the hour home. I appreciate both of my parent's efforts in not letting an hour distance come between us.



Emma has the BEST time at her pre-school St. Patrick's Day party, it might have even been better than our green french toast.


The girls in their Naartjie leggings, my favorite kids clothing item ever!


Capri Suns are a staple in our house. I feel like the Roaring Waters are better than actual sugary juice, but who knows. Lydia probably goes through three or four of these a day!


Sunday we went to my mom's for dinner while my dad was in China. We attempted to make bunny cake balls, but just turned them into cute characters. The kids loved them!


My aunt Lee sewed me this table cloth custom made for our dining table. I picked out the fabric from fabric.com and am just tickled to have a good tablecloth. Thanks again Lee!


The flu made a full circle through our house hold. It was a LONG week!


I started going gray at 14. I have had to color my roots since I was 25. It needs to be done every 3 weeks or so. I don't have any pity on ANY of my friends who have ONE gray hair here or there.


My parents have the best tub. It has air bubbles instead of jets and a light that changes color. It's the best babysitter around. I just sit in the room and read my book. I don't lave them TOTALLY unattended.


We LOVE this juice. It is loaded with fruits but also wheat grass, soy, barley, carrots, spinach and all sorts of other veggies. Both the girls go to town on it, and I would drink it myself but it's not super cheap, so Ryan and I refrain and just give it to the girls.


We borrowed Cody's truck and Ryan took a full load of yard debris to the dump. Good thing he did, because the snow returned the next day.


Woke up to snow this morning. I don't mind it because I know Spring is just around the corner. So is a much needed trip to Las Vegas.

We had a really fun week and there are a lot of events I didn't photograph. In no particular order we....

Spent two nights with my parents
Emma had a slumber party with her favorite cousin Milly
Ryan went to a Jazz game and got to slap hands with the players
We had the best date night with our new friends the Wimmers
Girls played at the Jensens while I ran errands
Watched Survivor and caught up with the Searles
Ordered bedding on etsy for my mom (I like spending other people's money)
Had the yummiest sushi rolls and visited with our friends the Craguns
Emma had multiple play dates with her friend Addi (they are kindred spirits)
Had my mom to myself a lot
Emma had time to snuggle with her Papa (my dad) they are each other's favorites
Ate at Texas Roadhouse twice and ordered the salmon and savored every bite
Had our favorite neighbors over for Sunday dinner
Happily put in my two weeks at Olive Garden

Date Night

I don't make cookies. Ever. I think in our eight years of marriage, I've made them less than five times. My sister and my aunt make the best cookies there ever was, and so when mine aren't as good as theirs, I figure, why bother? I finally decided to give it another go, and guess what, they were delicious. Kid, I think I'm on to something here.

I was able to finish my projects with the fabric I bought a few weeks ago. Here is the finished result of the leggings I made for Emma and Lydia.

My mom came and spent the night with our girls and we went out with the Stowers for a Thursday night date night. We had dinner at Olive Garden, dessert at Farr's Fresh, and then games at the Stowers. I love the Stowers, and I love that they are always willing and know the importance of leaving the kids with a sitter and getting out for some adult time. Date nights when you're older just make all the difference. Thanks again mom.

Emma had been asking me every day to check the mail because she knew a package from her "Aunt" Kylee was coming. Sure enough, it was everything she dreamed it would be. Her very own miniature tea party set. Thanks again Kylee, you made her week!


The girls having a tub, the only place I give them popsicles.


My Aunt Lee used some of my fabric to make me this fleece tablecloth that is the ultimate for playing games and cards.


The girls are better and better at playing together. That three and a half year age gap is finally starting to close up. In our house we pretty much always have a musical going in the background. Phantom of the Opera, Mama Mia, or Annie can always be heard, either on the tv or from BOTH girls singing them ALL day long!

This is my project for today.....to fill the shelves.