Mikayla's 17th Birthday

Mikayla wanted angel food cake with a lemon pudding mix that my grandma used to make. (Again, a cake with no frosting! What is up with my kids!) We picked out some funky spiral candles that reminded me of Mikayla; kind of crazy, but always fun!

Mikayla got mostly cash for her birthday because she is 17 and that's what they like best! We were also going to take a trip to Las Vegas the following week and where better to spend all of your birthday money? It's hard to believe that she will graduate in another year and move on with her dreams. So amazing how fast the time has flown!

Ellie's third birthday

We had a small birthday party for Ellie and Mikayla together this year. Ellie's babysitter, Kim came and brought her this fun Tinkerbell basket clear full of Tinkerbell toys and goodies! Ellie had so much fun going through each thing and she got more and more excited as she went! She also gave her a big girl Tinkerbell back pack that she loves to fill with toys, clothes, snacks, etc.

Each of the girls got their own cake and Ellie picked strawberry shortcake. (Hence, no frosting on her funny looking birthday cake!) Every time I would tell Ellie her birthday was coming and what would she like, she would tell me cake and candles! That's all she really cared about!

Ellie loves to get into Treven's guns and he always throws a fit that she is playing with his toys. So Braquel and Keven got Ellie her very own gun and so there are no fights over whos is whos, Ellie's is pink! Pretty sure Treven won't get them mixed up!

Grandma and Grandpa Wood bought this gorgeous dress for Ellie. She loves pink and she loves to dress up, so this gift was a hit, too! She was really excited to wear the dress to Grammy Stapelman's 90th birthday party a few weeks later and show it off!

Preferene Dance 2012

Mikayla was super excited for Pref this year. She went to Ogden with her friend, Ciara, and picked out her dress all by herself. She loves, loves, loves the color and the ruffly effect!

Her date, Mathew, has some cows that he is raising so Mikayla made this sign to stick in one of his hay bales. She also put some "cow tale" candy on the hay bale with it. I thought it was a fun and unique idea!

NOT for the squeamish!

I had Ellie in the tub one day and I had to run into the living room for something. As I walked across the floor, I stepped on something that went into my big toe...I walked back into the bathroom and pulled out part of a toothpick! It still hurt and I couldn't tell if there was still something in my toe, but it sure felt painful! Gary told me there was no way there was still something in there. I suffered for two or three days (8 hour shifts on my feet all day about did me in!) One night, I couldn't take it anymore! I sat on our bed and tried digging with a needle. NOTHING! Finally, I decided my only choice was to squeeze it like a pimple and hope it popped out. Let me tell you, it probably hurt as bad as childbirth! I thought I was going to die! I tried and tried and nothing happened. Finally, I told Gary I would give it one last try. I held my breath and squeezed until tears fell! But, this piece of toothpick, FINALLY came out. Talk about instant relief! I know it's really gross...but I had to share it. I can't believe I walked around for days with that stinkin' log in my toe! And by the way, all of the pictures except for the top one are zoomed in for pity effect!

Valentine Candy Grams part 2

These are the rest of the candy grams I made for the kids for Valentine's Day. I know I'm a lot behind on this blog, but sometimes you just have to LIVE life before you BLOG life! I really have been taking pictures and hopefully I will be able to update a little more often. Between work, home, kids, retreats, softball season, wedding planning (you get the picture!) I just haven't had the time to do anything but stay afloat! I am hoping to get my priorities back in order and get back on track with the blog!