Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Easter 2013

I know, I know!! One post last month, seriously.  What can I say, I just haven't been feeling it lately but today I am driven to post up about our holiday.

My brother Cory and his cute kids came over and joined us on Saturday for some Easter festivities. First we went to the City Egg Hunt at the park by our house.  We haven't gone in four years because last time we went the girls were too intimidated and only came away with a couple of eggs.  Boy how a little time and maturity changes things- plus having some cousins with us didn't hurt!

We came away with tons of eggs and lots of goodies- including Abby finding a dollar in one of hers, score!!

It was the most perfect day.  The sun was shining brightly, there was no wind, and it was almost 60 degrees in the morning. We were shedding our layers and couldn't believe our good fortune at how wonderful it was outside. So we spent the rest of the afternoon doing our own "Number Egg" hunt at home, had lunch, and then went back to the park for more play time together.  Sorry I didn't take any pictures of this, but just know it was a grand time together!!

Sure enough the Easter Bunny did come that night and the girls were thrilled with all the treasures, although Eva has been asking more than she should if I am the Easter Bunny :) But believing Liv is quick to tell her,  "of COURSE NOT, how could mom go to all those houses in one night?"  I mean really Eva, don't be absurd!!!

Then of course we all put on our new Easter dresses and withstood the yearly photo torture session before we made our way to church.

I hope you all had a terrific holiday with your families too!!!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

All dressed in white...

Olivia had a lovely baptism day last Saturday.  It was filled with happiness, joy, and loads of family and friends gathering together in support of her choice to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  As promised, here are some pictures of her in honor of her day of celebration.

I adore that braided crown we weaved in her hair,  accented charmingly with those bright white daisies.  Her dress was complete and total perfection, beautiful and delicate just like her.  We found those shoes last minute and they just had to be ours! They anchored her outfit and pulled the entire look together :) As always, Olivia is a dream to photograph, and I love having the opportunity to spend that time together with her making each other laugh and smile.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Happy Birthday Olivia

WOW!! Olivia celebrated her 8th birthday today.
Did you notice her big birthday request?  Look closer. Yep, she finally got her ears pierced, despite her almost overwhelming nerves!! She was a champ.  Also, she wanted this pony cake more than words can express. Her love affair with the "My Little Ponies" show on the HUB network is pretty big.  Mix that with her love of collecting and you will understand how we have been looking for that elusive orange "AppleJack" pony for months.  How perfect it was to find it gracing the top of this birthday cake at the local bakery!!!

This afternoon we met up with four of her favorite people at Jack and Jill Bowling Lanes and knocked down some pins together.
 
They all had a great time, this one even rolled her very first strike!!
The excitement and joy was overflowing.
These are some pretty fun and silly girls :)

Next week I will be taking her official photo's in her new white dress.  I will try my best to get them posted up in a timely manner!!

We love you Olivia - It sure is GREAT to be Eight!!!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Twelve



  When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like these old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No: I won't give up
I'm still looking up, I'm still looking up


We just returned from a fun three day getaway celebrating our anniversary. We had a lovely romantic weekend enjoying each others company and reconnecting. The Heber Valley is so beautiful this time of year. It is nice to close the door on year 11. This past year has been more than a little crazy.  We have been working through A LOT of stuff together.  We have been really trying to make our marriage stronger and better.  I won't lie, I am happy to close that door and open this next one- the sun is shinning bright in there and it has all the promise in the world to be our best yet!!

Happy 12th Anniversary!
Love you P-Nut!!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Volcanic Eruption

Wow, that was a posting break!!! I am so tired of seeing that last post, I'm sure you are as well :) To be honest, now that I'm not doing my Project 365 anymore I just don't know what to post!! I have been doing that for an entire year and now I just feel kind of lost creatively.  Paul told me I should just keep doing the photo a day then, but I don't need the self inflicted pressure of not completing it right now :)

 Lucky for you this last week Olivia set about making a volcano project for her science class at school.  She was thrilled with the idea of creating her own masterpiece and having it erupt in front of her class in all it's gooey goodness glory. I'm sure in her mind it was going to be EPIC!!

Paul came up with the master design plan of water bottle/cardboard structure and to then cover it in  paper-mache'.

After that was completely dry, I gave her the paints and she went to town for, oh, 3 hours at least!!

Then she took it to class to show it off and see what all the other kids created.

Finally it was Olivia's turn to erupt her volcano

Perfection! She was delighted with the results!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

365+1 Week 52

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very fun time ringing in the New Year.  We have had a fun time this last two weeks with the girls out of school and lots of time spent together as a family.  Tomorrow they go back and we are all back to the routine- everyone knows I love that, but the first morning is going to be rough!!

And now for the final week of my Project 365

Photo's #359- 366:
Christmas Eve.  Abby's prayers and hopes for a white Christmas were answered as the snow began to drop that afternoon and all through the night.  She was more than happy to go out and help her dad shovel it off the walks while we waited for our holiday dinner to cook.  Later we all cozied up together and watched "A Christmas Story" before we sent these excited bodies off to bed.

Christmas Day - the girls slept in until 8:00am!  Sure enough Santa had arrived bringing all that their little hearts desired.  Then we ate our traditional Cinnamon Roll breakfast, took a nap, and made our way to the Davis' for a fun evening of more gifts, dinner, and cousin fun.

The snow has continued to fall again all day.  This time the girls bundled up and went out for some playtime.  Upon their return it only made sense to warm them up with a cup of Hot Cocoa. We have many flavors- each has their favorite- currently I am obsessed with the Raspberry Cheesecake.

We spent the afternoon with my mother.  It was the perfect time to make a mess of her family room with the Lego's.  These are the originals from my childhood, and the girls love to create together and be a little silly along the way.

Friday we went horse back riding with my mother and lots of my family.  My mom and her sister's own and board a few horses down in Payson at a place with an indoor arena so they can be enjoyed year round.  While I took many photo's of all my girls, I chose this one because Olivia once again faced her animal fears head on and found that she enjoyed these gentle giants to the fullest.  Just look at that grin from ear to ear- I was very proud of her!

Saturday we celebrated Abby's birthday with a small party at home with a few close friends and a couple cousins.  She was delighted when I told her that her cousin Laurynn could come Friday night and have a sleep over before the party!!  After all the celebration we drove up to the Olympic Oval for some family ice skating time.  This was the one activity that Abby wanted to do during the break and I was happy to oblige.  The surprise of the day was how well Eva took to skating- I mean really really well, she LOVED it!!

A shot of the snow globes that we made for an activity during Abby's party.  My girls LOVE them.  They were fun to put together with all the party goers, but I do have glitter still turning up all over my kitchen :)

Birthday Photo Shoot with my Abigail.  10 years old and just a complete joy in my life!!

There you have it!!! I can't believe that I actually did it- 366 photo's documenting my daily life for an entire year.  Thanks for joining me along the way!!  I had so much fun doing this project I feel like I know my camera so much better, and my appreciation of the everyday has completely increased.  I really enjoyed finding something each and every day that made me happy, smile, or I was thankful for. I would almost call this a Happiness Project.  This last year has kind of been a rough one, but when I look through all these photo's I can see so much to be thankful for.  So many good things, happy times, and fun was had.  It was very strange to NOT take a photo yesterday!!  We will see, I have this new habit of documenting details, it isn't going to just disappear over night. 

Here's to 2013- I can't wait to see what it brings my way!


Monday, December 31, 2012

Double Digits

Happy Birthday Abby!!!

10 years old today

She loves winter- fitting since she was born in the heart of these chilly winter months

She loves snow - how delightful that we had a perfectly timed flutter during our photo shoot.

She loves this new Christmas outfit (thanks Grandma)

right down to these rockin birthday boots!

Love you Abby girl!!!