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!

Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Exactly three years ago, this little girl entered our lives! Her sweet little spirit mixed with just the right amount of curiosity and naughtiness have sure kept us on our toes! Even though she was such a surprise baby, I wouldn't change a single thing about her joining our family!

Week One of Valentine Candy-Grams

Several years ago, my mom saw an idea in one of the crafting magazines that had big hearts with sentiments and a candy attached to them. The kids got one per day until Valentine's Day. My kids didn't remember us doing it, so I did something similar this year for them.

Every day, they get a surprise. Sometimes it's on the table when they wake up, maybe in their lunch box the next day, or they might find them on their pillows.

Treven is the most excited about finding his surprise each day. The girls have kind of figured out what's going on. Treven just keeps asking me if they get something EVERY DAY until Valentines! If he gets up and doesn't find his treat right away, he asks and asks until he finally gets one!

Most of the candy came from the local dollar store, but I had to supplement a few things from Wal-Mart. I also tried to find some ideas that weren't chocolate. Mikayla doesn't like chocolate, so it was interesting to think of things that went with Valentine's Day that were fruity or non-chocolate!

The presentation on each of the treats is very simple. Initially, I wanted to jazz them up and make them so cute. But time started running short and then I got to thinking that they are just going to throw away the packaging anyway! So I just printed the sentiments on the computer and inked the edges and attached with staples, double stick tape, and twine.

Valentine's Day Love Notes

I was trying to think of something fun to do for Gary for Valentine's Day. I made 14 3x3-inch cards and stamped various Valentine sentiments on them. I wrote a different reason I love him inside each one and every day from the 1st to the 14th, he will find a card in a mysterious place. It might be on the seat of his car, in his jacket pocket, or maybe behind his bathroom mirror. I wasn't sure how he would like it at first, but he's really been fun to watch as he looks for them. I try to tell him I love him every day, but sometimes it's nice to have a written reminder!