Split Second Soccer

Myka played soccer for a few minutes this season. She was so excited to sign-up and play like Carsen. We went to her first game expecting her to run out some energy and love it. Not so much. She ran out on the field, kicked the ball once and came running back and sat on our laps the rest of the game. We thought we would give her a second chance. The next game was even worse. She wouldn't step foot on the field. We chalked that up as a season and decided we didn't need to be sitting on the sidelines at 9 a.m. on a Saturday watching a bunch of kids (we don't even know) run around while Myka sits on our lap.

That beings said, she looked darling in her soccer uniform!

Preschool Grad

I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would be here this quickly. Honestly, I had such a hard time with Carsen graduating from preschool. (Too many emotional breakdowns. I seriously shed so many tears the past week!) He has had the BEST preschool experience and has learned so much. His teachers are incredible and truly love these little kids. (I think another reason I am so sad is Myka won't be attending the same preschool and I will miss interacting with these wonderful ladies!) I was always impressed with the projects that he would bring him each day and the calendar of events scheduled each month. It seems like yesterday I was dropping him off for his first day of school and thinking how far away the end of his preschool years seemed.

His graduation program was a tear-jerker and a knee-slapper! Those kids are hilarious! The school had put together a DVD of the kids throughout the year and all the activities they had done. (Good thing I had on the water proof mascara!) They sang darling little songs (and so many of them! Carsen knew all the words and actions and Chad and I couldn't have been more proud!)

Funny thing is, doesn't seem to phase Carsen a bit. He's pumped to go to the big school (and very ready). It's amazing how quickly their little brains begin to learn new concepts. I am so proud of Carsen for being such a good little boy and so eager to learn!

At least I have a few months before Kindergarten starts...!

Myka is 3

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Sassy Myka is three. So much personality in such a little girl! She had a special day filled with a date to Build-a-Bear with Daddy where they created "Cupcake". Dinner with cousins, dessert with friends and family, finger nail painting, cupcake-eating and loads of little 'girlie' presents!

Myka Loves:

• fingernail polish (and having them painted several times a week)
  
• baby dolls (or anything she can make into a baby)
• naps
• talking and asking questions (nonstop)
• dressing up
• jumping on the trampoline and doing flips
• riding her bike
• dance (sometimes)
• purses
  
• talking on her pretend cell phone (uh oh. You would think I do this all the time. I actually have phone phobia and stay far away from phone talking if I can!)
• mimicking mommy (from doing Yoga to applying make-up and saying some of my phrases!)
• Daddy (she chooses him over me anytime)
  
• messing up her room
  
• changing her clothes (at least 3 times a day)
• Teasing

Myka does NOT Love:

• going to bed at night (turns into game time)
• sitting still
• having her hair done

Easter (Yup, Easter)

So I'm behind. What else is new. Easter was just too much fun to not tell about it. And besides that, the weather recently feels like it still could be March!

We took a quick trip down to St. George for some 'real' camping. We pitched a tent, ate of the greasy grill, warmed up by the fire, and went potty in a flushable toilet! (There had to be some sort of modernization!)

The kids had the time of their life. Kye (my big bro) took Carsen down with him on Monday evening along with his two kids. They met up with my parents and spent the week hiking, jeeping, biking, putting together puzzles and staying out of the rain. Chad, Myka and I drove down early Friday morning (and by early, I mean we arrived there at about 9:00 a.m.) The weather cooperated and it turned out to be a beautiful weekend!

We hiked Zions, which was the first time I have done that in a long time! I have been missing out! Utah is truly an incredible state with such a vast variety of places to explore.

Easter eggs were boiled and decorated right there at camp. What a wonderful thing to bribe your children with when you are all sleeping together in a tent...."If you don't go to sleep, the Easter bunny is not going to come." The kids loved searching for their hidden Easter eggs in the sand.

Love my family, love camping, but I love coming home!

Yummy Kiddos!

A few weeks ago I saw a link to a blog on my friend Nat's blog that said "Looking for Children Models." Intrigued, I hopped over to the blog and found this incredible photographer's site.
The photographer, Jodi, was in need of young kids (4-8) to model for her. I e-mailed her and she wanted to use Carsen! I was elated! A free photo session with my newly 5-year-old (who I needed his birthday pictures taken, but hadn't done it yet). And now, I was going to score with an excellent photographer for FREE! Yipee!

I hauled my kids downtown on a Tuesday afternoon (with the aide of my GPS, might I add. Sure, I'm born and raised in Utah...but there is something about downtown that always confuses me. Or maybe it's due to the fact I'm usually trying to correspond with my kids and not pay attention to where I'm going).... Anyhow! We found the location lickety split and headed up the stairs above Benihana's restaurant.

We met Jodi, who is the sweetest gal ever! She is young and full of wonderful ideas. And her studio!!! WOW! The most incredible array of couch's, pillows, chairs and other props to create unique photos.

We headed outside to a back alley where we shot various photos in the perfect light of day. (And it wasn't too cold!) Now, remember...this session was supposed to be for just for Carsen. I didn't want to leave Myka home with a babysitter, so I brought her along. She was pretty-much ripped out of nap time and taken with us...I thought Carsen would be the one in the photos, but that Myka is just too darn cute to leave sitting on the sidelines! Jodi wanted Myka to be in some photos too (I would've done her hair a bit more...but that's my crazy little peanut and her unruly locks!)

We had a fun time with Jodi and her camera skills. She is a natural behind the camera and was fantastic at directing the kids at what to do. Before I knew it, we were on our way back home....no tears and no tantrums!

A few days later Jodi came knocking on my door and handed me my new CD filled with beautifully edited pictures to print for my walls! How lucky is that?

Check her out and see for yourself some of the amazing photos she takes. The colors are so vibrant and natural. (And her studio is amazing!)

Garth

Of all the weekends to have forgotten my camera battery, this was not an ideal one. I have no pictures of one of the all-time greatest weekends EVER.

I have been a HUGE Garth Brooks fan since my cowgirl days back in Elementary School. (Yes, my friends...I once wanted to be a cowgirl. I wore Wranglers, brush-poppers, lace-ups and heart-shaped belt buckles. I longed (and begged my Dad) for a horse to call my own and I wished I grew up on a farm like all of my best friends. But no, I lived up on the hill with a cat named Friskers and a dog named Rebel with absolutely no room for a horse to roam.) BUT I could still love me some Country music, and I did.

When I was twelve-years-old Garth came to town, but I never could get tickets. Instead, I sat at home with my broken leg and listened to the news reports about all the crazed fans (my cousin Jill being one of them; she was even taken from her seat high up in the nosebleeds down to the front row! I have been envious of her since then!) I did end up with a Garth Brooks t-shirt, which I wore until it turned into a faded gray color!

So, here I am some fifteen plus years later and I still have a thing for Garth music. I no longer want to own a horse (too much work! My kids are enough!) My desire to wear Wranglers has passed, but I did sport some boots to the concert! Garth Brooks' music is timeless and not just for those who love Country!

My mom was able to score some SWEET tickets on the 5th row. Incredible! The theater at the Encore is a small venue; which made for a very intimate concert with the gifted Garth! My sister-in-law Kelly and I chuckled when Garth walked out on stage. We joked that his attire must have been picked up at either the local WalMart or Costco! (Nothing against either of those places! You'd just expect him to be in some flashy jeans and shirt! I loved it!) He had on some plain 'ole blue jeans, work boots, a navy blue hooded sweatshirt and a black baseball cap. All he had was was a guitar, a stool and a bottle of water (no band, no flashy lights and smoke!) Just Garth with his amazing voice and gifted guitar skills....It was truly the most incredible concert EVER. He joked, he laughed with audience and he even brought out Trisha Yearwood to sing with him and to sing solo. The best part, he ran the show. About half way through he said, "I hope you guys don't have anywhere to be tonight, because we're going to go longer than planned!" Oh yeah! Turned out to be a two hour concert with one of my all-time favorites! It felt like we were sitting in his living room having him play some of his classics!

(IPhone photos just don't come out as clear!)

Oh, and did I mention what we did before the concert....we ate some (okay, a lot) of this at the Wynn Buffet. The crab legs were to die for and their pecan dessert was scrumptious!


The weather in Vegas gave me spring fever and made me long for the warmer days to come to Utah. What a tease! The kids loved being outside and we had to visit our favorite park!


What a memorable weekend and we owe it all to my parents for their hospitality and generosity. They always go above and beyond; but we love it! We're all talking about wanting to see Garth again (soon)! In the meantime, my kids are learning young to love Garth...it's the only music we're playing right now....so either like it, or don't listen!

Ice, Ice, Baby

Have you ever....iced your face? Sound cold? Miserable? Downright dumb? Give it a try...I promise you will love it and the results you will love even more.

I started visiting an Esthetician about a year and a half ago; she is a miracle worker might I add. She has given me great facial treatments and products, but the best has been her advice to me, "Ice your face every night." It truly works! Whenever I become lax in my icing, it is clearly visible.

Okay, so here's the deal. I know there are some of you out there reading my blog, but not commenting...that's all fine and dandy; but I know you're going to get an ice cube tonight and ice your face. I want to hear back from you in a week or so about how your face looks and feels!

I just take one ice cube and ice down my entire face for about 4 minutes....(maybe start out with less if you find it positively unbearable!) And I'm sure you'll see results even if you can't muster 4 minutes!

**Okay! I guess I was not descriptive enough! As far as the benefits of icing...it is really good for breakouts (acne as you say) and just overall helps with the appearance of your skin. (Kelly, you do not need to ice your face....your skin is what we're all trying to achieve by icing!) Give your face good ice-down (paying attention to any trouble areas). Seriously, a frozen little miracle!**

I promise to do better...

They play dress-up together everyday! If it's not sports it super heroes or princesses.

(I see a tomboy!)


Myka lisening to her favorite tunes and dancing away!

Carsen turned 5 and had a fun b-day party at Jumpin Jacks.

Myka playing in Vegas.

Carsen's 1st golf tournament in St. George


I was cleaning off my computer today and was reminded of so many wonderful memories of my darling kids! They are growing up so quickly and are always doing such cute things. (Chad makes fun of me because I always cry when I look at pictures of my kids when they were younger)! I am actually quite consistent of capturing almost everything on camera, but I'm not so good about posting it to the blog. This blog really is for the dear family and friends who don't get to see what I see everyday...the school projects, playing with friends, coloring time, dress-up time, etc. etc.

I promise to do better...not as often as some people would like (mom) but often enough to keep you somewhat informed of all the great (and not so great!) things happening in our lives!

So Long Mimi!

What I thought would be the most tragic day in Myka's life, turned out to be quite the celebration! We have been talking about getting rid of the mimi (binkie) for at least a year now...I always manage to come up with a really good excuse as to why we should postpone (the biggest reason is I love my sleep and I don't want to sacrifice it!!)

My friend Jenny gave me a great idea; several years ago she tied her little boy's binkies to balloons and set them free into the sky. We were there to witness his parting with his favored binkies and he seemed to enjoy letting them float away. (I figured throwing them in the garbage would just turn Myka into a trash-digger; so we opted for the balloons!)

We made a BIG deal out of it. We prepped her all week long and told her it would be a big party with 'pinkalicious' and 'purplicious' balloons and cupcakes. We told her she would be sending her mimi's to heaven to all the little baby's there who really needed them. She requested to have her best little friend Kallee Bear at the celebration to cheer her on!

I made cupcakes with pink and purple sprinkles and Chad went and bought a bunch of balloons. Myka washed the mimi's (so the baby's in heaven would have them all fresh and clean. Clever Aleah reminded Myka of this important step!) tied them onto the balloons, gave them one last little kiss and then let them fly away while we all cheered!



I thought bed time would be a sob-fest. Nope. She whined for about 10 minutes, "I want my mimis...I want my mimis." And we asked her where they were and she said, "In heaven with the baby's." We reminded her we couldn't get to them and that seemed to settle her. She slept great! Even nap time today was almost flawless!

Can't believe my little girl is all big! Maybe a big part of me was holding onto the mimi so I could keep her little. We are so proud of her and are crossing our fingers she doesn't want to hold onto a balloon and fly to heaven to fetch back her precious mimis!!

For our Daddy

For Father's Day I gave Chad some photos of the kiddos for his office. I hadn't had their pictures taken for awhile, so my friend Laci met me at Gardner Village (during all the crazy rain storms) and we were able to capture my darling babes! Oh, how I love these kids. Yes, they drive me crazy, but my days would be boring without them!

Myka is officially potty trained! (hooray!) She did it herself and I just went along with it and capitalized on the moment. I wasn't intending on even going down that road until this fall when we were finished with pools and parks, but she has done pretty darn well! (And watch out if you are in the neighborhood...She will pull down her shorts and show off her Dora panties!) Oh she's cute!

Carsen is her number one fan when it comes to her going potty! Is it inappropriate that he's right there by the toilet when she's going and there's been a time or two when he has even hoisted her little bum up on there? I think for now we're fine! They are the best little playmates and bounce off each other (not fun to take shopping....) They turn every outing into a game of chase, tag and hide-and-seek.