Warning.... Tons of new Posts!!

Ok, folks! I have been slacking on posting with all of the computer building going on over here, so tonight I did a MAJOR catch up job! There are six new posts, not counting this one, and I am caught up! Whew! That feels good! Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday, Simon!

Friday was Simon's first birthday! Aack! I still remember the day he was born, and I am certain it hasn't been a year! I went up to see Amber in the hospital the day after, I think. She was up and dressed, hair and makeup done and I vowed never to visit her in the hospital again. Just kiddin' , Amber. As I sat there holding Simon, I was overcome with emotion thinking of how recently he departed our Heavenly Father's presence. I always loved to be near him because he brought those feelings so poignantly to me each time. Thanks, Amber for all the times you let me snuggle him in Relief Society and steal him away from your house!

I had a lot of fun making this cake. Amber found a picture of it on coolest cakes.com. One of my favorite places for inspiration. The cake was yummy, too! The bottom is Grandma Mary's chocolate cake with German Chocolate Filling. The top is a white vanilla with frosting. The only part that is fondant are the giraffe spots and the zebra stripes. And, it's not store bought, nasty fondant, it's my homemade chocolate marshmallow fondant. Tastes like a tootsie roll! Yum!

This little lion was Simon's cake to devour himself.

I just love making cakes! It stresses me out, and I LOVE IT! It's the good stress kind of thing, like shock therapy, I guess. If any of you need cakes, let me know!

I tried to catch this cute pose, but of course it took me too long to get the camera out, but they were so cute just sitting there watching the opening of the gifts!

Bow Party!

Thank you to everyone who came to the bow party, and a HUGE thanks to Jessica and Jolene for doing it!

It was so much fun to just visit with everyone and eat mint brownies!!! It was the first time I've planned a get together and had a good turn out! I feel empowered to have some kind of holiday party.... with the help of Amber the party guru. They did an awesome job and Kaylee and I love her new hair bows!!! I will have to post some pics of the bows I got for her. I had two sets of bows custom made and they look great! I got Kaylee 4 sets of bows and one stretch headband and paid under $8!!! Sweet deal! If you want a great deal on bows, host a party!

What a Night!!!

On Sunday, following the crazy day of fun, I got a phone call from a family in our ward. The wife was going in to have her baby! The have two adorable twin girls and I told them to bring them right over! We had a fun, adventure-filled night that reminded me of many nights with Kaylee and Charles when they were younger. During the night both the girls woke up, but at different times. The first one woke up and I tried my best to keep her happy and calm her back to sleep, but to no avail. Finally she was crying and crying and didn't stop until Louis came out and held her. She clung to him and calmed right down. He held her until she fell asleep, and she stayed asleep all night. The next morning, she was very sad when he left for work without her! But, she was a trooper and enjoyed our walk with Kaylee to the school. On the other hand, her sister would have nothing to do with Louis and restored my sense of self-worth by clinging to me when she awoke. We stayed up visiting with Charles for about three hours before falling asleep. I had to leave for the crosswalk and when I came home Louis let me know my absence was noted! We had a lot of fun with the girls. Charles especially enjoyed having someone to play with for a while. The girls were so good and it was really funny to watch them try to climb in this car together!

So, can anyone tell me how to get this to accept the picture I saved of it rotated already? It undoes my editing when I upload. Hmm... well, just turn your monitor over for a minute, ok?

What a Day!!!

Do you ever have those days that are JAM-Packed!!! Anything that should happen needs to happen, and usually during the same three hour time frame! I had one of those days on Saturday, last Saturday. We began the morning with a baptism!!!

What an awesome opportunity I have had to befriend an investigator and be there for some discussions and see her baptism! It was wonderful. I am so excited to get to know her better.

While Charles and I were at the "baptize 'em" as Charles says, Kaylee was at the Primary Party. We waited for her to finish while we ate some lunch and then...

Next on the agenda... a quick trip to Salt Lake. I was trying to make it down for a baby shower, but since I had to stop on the way with two children and pick up the baby gift, because Logan doesn't have a Target, (I mean really, can we please have a Target?) I missed the shower completely.

Thank goodness Megan still agreed to meet me somewhere for a late lunch. :) Megan is my good friend from High School. I wish she lived closer, but alas. This is her first baby, and it's a boy!!! She is due in the next week or so. Doesn't she look so cute?! Why is it that other women look cute when they are pregnant and I just look fat? Hmm.

During all this running to visit people, I kept thinking of all the other people I could go visit, Lacey, Laura, my brother, etc. Fortunately, Josh and Heather were up from Provo, so we got to see them without the drive. Of course, I was sort of hoping for an excuse to go down and then check in on Melissa and see if there was anything I could help with on the Orem end since I had to bow out early the night of the big move. Sorry guys!

The kids had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house while I was galavanting around SLC with Megan. I came home to this art display. Pretty good, huh? Kaylee is quite detail oriented. Notice Jasmine's shoes, and Tinkerbell's intricate details. In case you can't tell, she drew all the princesses: Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Ariel, and Tinkerbell. She was trying to finish Snow White when I announced we had to leave. I was totally impressed.

Next and last stop before home...

We were supposed to try and make it to peach days in Brigham City, but it just wasn't going to happen. I learned something, though. If you go to Peach Days, you don't get peaches. If you don't go to Peach Days, you get peaches! So my sister was kind enough to pick up peaches for me in the morning and hold them until I could come get them LATE that night. I also lucked out and got to spend a few minutes with my cousin and her family. We used to have lots of fun playing together as kids, and it's still fun to get together. Thanks, Jenna!

Although it was a bit hectic and I came home completely tired, it was well worth it!

Escape

The first week of school wasn't as smooth as I had hoped. The mornings are a crunch with me at the crosswalk and Kaylee needing her hair done once I get home and still trying to walk. Thank goodness Louis fixed her bike! Now it's not a problem really, because Kaylee is FAST on her bike. At any rate one school morning Kaylee and I butted heads and she went to school in tears (which ruins my day because I ruined her day) and I left the school angry and in tears. Yes, my five year old is very talented at making me cry. I took the day off. A friend of mine agreed to pick Kaylee up and let her play with her daughter until I decided to face life again. I went to my sister's house for a surprise visit. Charles was thrilled!!! The final outing before I decided we'd better get back home was a trip to Perry Park. It's my favorite park now. Even more so than Adam's Park. It is entirely shaded!!! Here are some cute pics of Charles enjoying his day with Tressa and mom.

Steve's "First Dam" Birthday

I know this is way old... but we have been having major computer issues. Louis decided to build my computer and we have had several bumps along the way, but it will all be worth it in the end. anyways.... here are the pictures from Steve's birthday celebration up at first dam. They provided a delicious picnic dinner of egg salad sandwiches and of course, delicious grasshopper brownies. Thanks guys!

This is a picture of a student we were behind on the way up. The sign on his back says, "My family was killed by ninjas. Need money for karate lessons." Louis thought it was funny and pondered on whether or not the young man would earn enough money to pay for school.

Steve's cards from the kids.

Steve opening his gifts. We let the kids pick his present.....
Oreos!!!! What else? We wanted to get one of each variety, but some stores just don't have the selection they should!!!The Spread! Yum!!!

The kids had lots of fun running around and feeding the ducks.

I have to tell you that I don't like this picture of me. I put it on because everyone says there aren't any of me. Well, Donna is so stinking cute, and then there's me. Blah, I should stand next to someone else next time, or perhaps do my makeup and hair. That is a novel idea!

Charles just killed me! He was yelling, "Fly, Fly!" at the ducks. It reminded me of The Wizard of Oz when the Wicked Witch of the West calls to her flying monkeys!