Thanks and lots of giving

As with all vacations that I take, it has set me back a bit in the regular schedule and routine. I feel as though I have been running around like a crazy chicken for the last week! However, I made the goal to post up about our wonderful trip to California for the holiday BEFORE it hit December on the calendar- as you can see, I failed! Still, never one to give up, here we go!!

We spent 8 glorious days with the Wilson cousins on the west coast- the girls had not seen them in such a long time, but they jumped right back in the friendships like they hadn't missed a day. It was delightful to see the new friendship between Carter and Eva grow into something quite sweet. They played so well together all week. It didn't take long for them to discover their mutual love for cars and all things with wheels, it made them close pals the entire week. I so wish I had taken a picture of them playing together!!

Thanksgiving day was so relaxing and fun- the turkey was the most juicy, moist and delicious bird I have had in a long time. The sides were divine, and the pies, well lets just say I ate WAY too much but didn't care a bit!
The weather was perfect, usually we get rained out this time of year, but last week- it was near 80 degrees the entire time and it made for several afternoons spent in their pool and hot tub, hiking the beautiful hills by their home to a pretty waterfall, taking each others family pictures, and an afternoon at the Santa Barbra Zoo, (Don't you just love watching Giraffe's while overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the background!)

and no trip to California is complete without a palm tree lined beach day filled with running in and out of the surf amid wails of delight!
We are so thankful for our family- especially ones that will let us crash in their home and completely take over their schedule and lives!! We were all so sad to leave and say goodbye again, Olivia was dropping her famous Crocodile tears as we drove out of sight. Thanks Wilson's for being so giving and making our holiday spectacular!! We miss you already!!

Another great part of our visit -coming home with tons of gifting ideas. Let my procrastinator shopping begin!!

Look who is 5!

We could hardly wait amid all the anticipation and excitement! The baby, our baby, was turning five yesterday and having a party fit for such an occasion. Because of our fun holiday plans we had to celebrate Eva a few days early, last Friday- which didn't seem to bother anyone! What was the theme you ask? Well this was Eva's party so you won't be surprised to know that it involved animals of every kind. She really wanted to go to the farm with her friends, but because it is November in Utah it was just too cold for that kind of activity- so we did the next best thing, we created "Davis Farm" at our house. We had all the friends wear some farm girl attire, we played some farm bingo, pin the lost chickie on the farm and some spirited rounds of Old McDonald Had a Farm. Each girl created her own trusty steed and we braved the blustery afternoon for some riotous horse racing around the yard!! It truly ended up being the highlight of the party- those girls can race I tell you!!This year for the first time, I tried making the cake. I ventured into this project because I saw a really cute farm cake online and naively said "Oh, that looks easy, I could totally do that!" Well, it turned out a little more complicated than it looked, but it was fun and Eva and all the party goers thought it was the best cake ever- so I say it was a success.We also took some of those fabulous farm animal cupcakes to her class at preschool that morning.

In the end she blew out her candles and made her wishes and we closed out the night by sending everyone home with these cute barn treat boxes.
My baby is five! I can remember thinking shortly after she was born that 5 years seemed so far away, and yet, here it is and she has turned into such a fun, happy, silly, spirited little girl! Full of life and energy. She makes everything fun and finds the joy in every situation.
We love you Eva- Happy Birthday!!

Using up the down time

This week my house has been making the rounds with sickness- the only one not hit yet, Paul, but he has been working so much that his tired bones FEEL like they are sick! The only good that comes out of this kind of crappyness is the fact that I can sit and edit photo's from a couple weeks ago (because I'm not carpooling around my afternoon hours!). So, I know I just gave you a slew of pictures of my little darlings- but now you get them AGAIN in all their fall leafing happiness. We made our annual trek up American Fork Canyon with my sister and her kids and as always we had a glorious time jumping in leaves, throwing leaves, and giggling among the leaves. It really is fall's one saving grace- well that and the cute jackets it requires :)

Presenting: Fall- Utah Style
Oh, I am just so lucky to have these three little sillies in my life- I just love them and their smiles brighten up the day!

Halloween 2011

Everyone knows that I LOVE this holiday! I have a great time getting everyone in the holiday spirit- the girls have had their costumes picked out for months. My day was jam packed with all kinds of goodness, including three class parties, the costume parade at Abby's school and my parents joining us for a warm soup and rolls dinner followed up by the much anticipated trick or treating. Might I just add what a LOVELY evening it was! The temperatures were glorious and I (dressed as my usual witch) enjoyed walking around with Paul (dressed as his past letter man wearing high school sports player) watching Olivia and Eva dart from house to house reporting to us after each what they received. What's not to love?!!

Because I am always the one behind the camera I don't have a shot of me, or of camera shy Paul, but enjoy my little princesses- they looked so great!

Rapunzel Eva- although if you asked her she was princess Tangled. The wig was KILLING me all day!!

Native American Princess Abby-We took pictures, and then she added make-up- so here is the "final" look:She also decided that she is far too grown up and mature to be treating with the little girls, so she took off with some great friends at 5:30pm and didn't return until 9:00pm. She had the most fun of her life thus far!!!

Of course, let us not forget Belle- Olivia LOVES Belle- she also likes to perform for an audience, can you tell?Now, we are brimming with candy and there isn't much too bad about that!! I hope you had just as much fun this Halloween as we did!

Overhaul

Lately, I have been feeling in a bit of a rut- style wise. Do you ever get that way? It occurred to me that I have had the same hair cut for a very very long time. In fact the last time I changed it up was before Olivia was born, nearly 7 years ago, when I did a short chin length bob. Since then, it has been the same long layers. In fact it was getting so long that it reached my hip bones in the back and I couldn't reach my arms long enough to give it a proper blow dry. That is not to mention the weight my poor little scalp was luggin around day in and day out!!

So, today, I was impulsive. I booked a salon appointment with Megan the stylist over at Images Salon. Walked in, sat down, showed her these unruly locks and informed her that I wanted bangs/fringe/ swagger. Cut the length to whatever she thought appropriate to lighten the load, freshen and add much needed lift to my heavy mane. You should have seen her grin "Oh, I live for a drastic change! Lets get this transformation going!"

I haven't had "bangs" since Jr. high school- and let me clarify that they were 80's Utah bangs! Curled up and sky high with inappropriate amounts of Aqua Net to keep them in line. Modern bangs (as seen on MANY hip ladies today) are low, soft, blended and chic--

Now, are you ready to see the new and transformed me?



Abby isn't half bad as an impromptu photographer!! I must give her the props!

I have to say I quite like it- I am still getting used to my reflection in the mirror, but I like it!! Even though Olivia keeps telling me that I look funny!! :)

Falling up and down

I am still alive, busy, but alive and well. I think this is just about the longest blogging break that I have taken, well... ever!! We have all been neck deep over here in various things. Happy and joyous things, mixed with some not so pleasant stuff- including a complete front end cooling system overhaul on my van (thank goodness I have a Paul around to temper the sting to the budget!), after finally being taken off her daily meds for her PFS, Olivia decided to relapse last week (back to the doctor we go!), and Paul was served papers- yes he is being sued for a car accident he was in FOUR years ago (we have spoken to the lawyers, they assure us we are covered and will be ok, but you can still cross your fingers for us if you would like to!)

However, they say bad things come in three's, so hopefully we are done with our quarterly life stresses!!

Always one to look on the bright side, last Friday was a bright spot! I was finally able to accompany one of my children on a field trip as a chaperon- the youngest ones do always get the most icing don't they :)

Olivia was out of school that day, so she happily joined Eva's class in some Hee Haw Farm's fun. It was a perfect fall day, a crispness in the air but the bluest skies we have seen all season. Smiles and laughter abounded and I loved seeing Eva interact with her new teacher and classmates.

Days like this one make me appreciate life, even with all it's ups and downs. The bitter truly does make the sweet all that more treasured!