Paper shoes

Aren't these fun?

I found the idea here and just loved how they turned out. I made the white and black one first, to give to my mom for Mother's Day, and then decided to make my Grandma's each one too since it turned out so cute! You'll have to try it. It was so easy. I just printed the template right onto the back of the patterned paper and ta-da! A little cutting and folding and that was it. Anyway, just wanted to share.

Kung Fu Fighting

Each year at AFHS the teachers spend their lunch minutes preparing dances to perform in front of the students at the Renaissance Assembly. I went the first year to watch, but with all the kids and it being so crowded, I haven't been back since. Now that most my kids will be in school, I'll have to try it again.

Each year Larkin brings the camera hoping to find someone who will record his dance so he can show us (and see it himself.) Each year, for whatever reason, it hasn't happened. One year the battery died in the camera after just a few seconds. Another year, there was no more room to record on the camera because the memory card was full. Another year, the teacher thought it was recording, but unfortunately, it wasn't. So, this year, when he came home and had it recorded, we all gathered around the computer to watch it. The girls loved it. They wanted to watch it over and over again. Our next mission though, is to get whoever is recording it to be on the side Larkin is on. It's hard to see him, but he is in the back with a black robe thingy and yellow belt. Go Larkin!

Happy Birthday Paige!

Paige has been so excited for her birthday this year especially because she was going to have her first FRIEND birthday party!

I was excited because she let me make up the invitations any way I wanted.

We went with a color theme, inspired by the pink, green and yellow tissue "pom-poms" my Mom and Dad had made with the girls the week before. One of Paige's favorite things to do is color, cut, glue and eat candy...so we found some fun velvety posters and a bunch of candy to give to her friends as a party favor.
I got this crazy idea in my head the day before the party to make a birthday banner. I decided after a little thought to make a P.A.I.G.E banner instead since there are WAY FEWER letters. I'm glad I did.

It took the whole day as it was.

But,

I'm so happy with how it turned out! Here's a close up of the "P" and some more pictures of it hung inside and then out for the party.

Fun...huh?

So the friend party was Saturday, the day before her actual birthday.

We lucked out and had beautiful weather that morning, so the party was outside (like I had hoped.) I had another bright idea the day before to get the jump house from my parents. Thanks to my amazing cousins, Shauna and family, we had access to this fun bounce house. It was a huge hit at the party.

This is Paige's "boyfriend" Braxton. We think he's pretty cute! So does she ;)

Here's Chelsea.

And the cupcakes that somehow got frosted in the 20 minutes I had left that morning after running to the store for food coloring, sprinkles, and fun candles. That was a close one.

This is our sweet neighbor, Taelyn.

And my other party goers who were so excited I didn't have the party while they were at school.

We played a form of musical chairs, but instead of eliminating people as the chairs are taken away, you just squish together with other people on what chairs are left.

Here is a picture with only 4 or so chairs left. It was fun.

And of course, presents. TOO. MUCH. EXCITEMENT.

It turned out to be a great party. I'm glad. It was fun to see Paige so happy.

Here is Paige on Sunday morning, her real birthday with her birthday donuts.

Larkin was able to come home early from church meetings that morning so Paige got to open her presents before church! She was thrilled. Here is a video of her opening the smallest present there. I kept telling her and the girls it was her biggest present, but no one would believe me...until...



Here's the group with the prize. Thanks again to Shauna and family! I love hand-me-downs!!!

So, who knew that a pack of gum could bring so much joy. And then there's Abby who couldn't believe she got 3 packs in one! I love it.

And yes, we did eventually all get dressed that morning. Paige in her new clothes--and we even had time to crimp the hair. What a sweet little 5 year old. She is such a joy and delight. Can you tell by that smile? We love you Paige.

Since we had "cake" the day before, and Paige really only likes the frosting, she decided that she wanted CINNAMON ROLLS for her birthday cake. Here's the birthday song and the blowing of the candles (you'll notice how much August likes birthdays too!)

Here's to a great year little one. We love you.

Easter Dresses

I saw these dresses at Costco back in January, but of course they didn't have the larger sizes in, and only a handful of the smaller ones. I would check back a few more times on the sizes, but with no luck. So, when I happened to be there one morning (weeks later) and saw the sales lady pulling a new shipment of dresses out of some boxes...I decided to just go check the sizes one more time. I couldn't believe it when I saw there was one left in each of the 3 sizes I needed right there! It was meant to be. It's so hard for me to spend this kind of money (one isn't so bad, but when you buy 3, ouch), but I did it. I hoped my girls wouldn't grow too tall by the time Easter rolled around...and it worked. Aren't they fun?

I love it! What sweeties!

Our Weekend

We enjoyed GENERAL CONFERENCE this past weekend. I loved all the advise directed to parents and family. I hope to talk more (not just read) about the scriptures and my testimony with my children and watch and listen more carefully to their responses and questions so I can get to know them even better. I love them so much and want them to be prepared to be good, nice, helpful people who are happy and a pleasure to be around. Is that asking too much?

While Larkin was at the Preisthood session we had a "girls night-in" at our house with our good friends, the Jones. We did name banners with the girls, six all together. We started out with a few supplies

and they each chose their own colors and papers and patterns and we ended up with this Not bad huh? It was so fun to see how different they all turned out. I wish I had a picture of Katie, Lindsay, and Chelsea's but I didn't think to take pictures until after they had gone home. It was fun to spend some crafting time together though. I loved it.
EASTER

We enjoyed a quiet Easter home with just our family this year. The kids woke up early to this

and had fun collecting lots of eggs

August was in heaven with all that candy and couldn't trouble himself too much to keep collecting when he already had a few waiting to be eaten! What fun.

Ashley

Abby

Paige

August

We had a relaxing day listening to conference and we even managed to have a yummy dinner, ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli and bread.

Hope your day was happy too.

GO FIGHT WIN TONIGHT!

BYU this is for you.

GOOD LUCK!

I'm having you go to the final four

and then winning the whole darn thing...

so please,

not another game like Thrusday,

unless of course

you can pull it out again.

Let's just kick em and get you all here to SLC!

GO COUGARS

Another Year Wiser, Hopefully

So, I had a birthday this past week, Happy 36!

Larkin had the front room all decorated with balloons and the kitchen table cleared off and set with the "special plate" and all by the time I got home from the gym early that morning. What a guy!

For lunch, my sweet friend Vangie took me to Le Baguette. I had read a review about this place in the newspaper a few days before and just had to try THIS. Turkey and Hearts Panini. Go ahead, click on the link. So so so delicious. And, it just happened to be the special that day so we even saved a few bucks! How fun is that?

Is this not the cutest cupcake? I love this little bakery in American Fork called Dippidee and almost stopped in to buy myself a treat for my birthday (I have never actually tried anything there before, just bought lots of cute things for gifts.) Little did I know my sweet friend Julie had done just that for me. She dropped this by that afternoon.

I had to take a picture of it because it was almost too cute to eat. But, eat I did. Right then. Right away. It was red velvet cupcake at the bottom, topped with cheesecake and a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting. Oh so fun.

Then for my cake. I want to make sure I note here that Larkin would have made my birthday cake if I had wanted. But, I wanted a Lemon Angel Food Cake, from scratch. And, I wanted to make it. It's just so delicious. I think Mindy gave me this recipe originally, and I love it. It's so so delicious.

Strawberries. Cream. Light slight hint of Lemon Angel Food Cake. Need I say more.

I had a graet day. I was able to talk with friends and family and listen to messages sent(facebook) and left(answering machine)...and my girls tried extra hard to not whine at me all day. It was fabulous. Thanks everyone.