Haylie's A First Grader!

How did that happen? I could swear I just brought her home from the hospital and now she's going to school all day! It's bittersweet-I love the little person she is becoming and watching her as she learns and grows, but I miss the days of bottles, blankets and tiny little toes. I always hear so many mothers say how happy they are when the baby stage is over, but not me. I love the baby stage. I think it goes by way too fast! I prefer to keep them small and innocent for as long as possible. Here's hoping she gets an education from the books, and not an "education" from the older kids.

Now That's What I Call A Good End To The Summer!

Somehow Haylie and Mikaela talked me and Eric into having a friend summer party. Against our better judgment, we gave in and ended up having a fabulous time with the girls and half the neighborhood! They invited all of their friends over for some end of summer slippin' and slidin'. I think these girls are pretty spoiled!

The girls chose a "Tiki" theme for their party so we hunted down some fun decorations including these two cute little figurines.

The calm before the storm! Haylie and Mikaela got in a few runs before the crowd showed up.

Happy faces and lots of fun! Totally worth it (even if they are spoiled).

DaNcInG qUeEnS!

What a poser! She sure is cute though!



I love Mikaela's big old cheeser!

My bathing beauty! Her class danced to "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini".

These were the girls' cute dance outfits from their dance recital over the summer (yes, sadly it's been that long since I last blogged. I suck!) They were so cute and the dance recital was really impressive. I loved watching them perform and they seemed to like the attention, so they're signed up again for the fall to start again. Just one more reason I love being a mom!

Some of my Favorite Pictures

I'm not gonna lie-one of the best perks of being a makeup artist is having the opportunity to work with awesome commercial photographers! These were taken by one of best in the business in my opinion. He's got such a great eye for detail and he knows exactly how to capture someone! I love these photographs of my little beauties!

Mikaela Turns 4!

This little rambunctious ball of energy has been a constant source of both entertainment and complete chaos! She is equal parts sugar and spice, although some days she's more spice! She has completely turned mine and Eric's world upside down with her never-ending need to be the center of attention. Luckily for her, she and her sister are the centers of our little world.
At times she can be the most obstinate, stubborn, strong-willed little girl you've ever laid eyes on, but give her five minutes and she'll melt your heart with her beautiful green eyes and sugary kisses. My little Sasafrass!
She's made our family just that much more special and I'm so grateful to be her mother! I just pray I can keep up! Happy Birthday, Peanut! Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back!



It appears that 2010 is the year of the Barbie Cake! Oh well, at least it doesn't look too bad!

Baby Animal Days!

My sisters and I decided to try something new this spring-Baby Animal Days in Logan! Its hard to find things for the girls to do when the spring weather is so crazy, but we lucked out and didn't get rained on. The girls loved it and there was so much more to do besides looking at the animals. Definitely worth doing again next year!

Haylie giving us a puppet show in one of the barns.

They had all sorts of old fashioned musical instruments for the kids to try out. Of course Mikaela would choose the drums. She loves to make noise!

Petting a baby calf.
Thanks for a fun day, sisters! Good times!

Tiny Whiny Dancer!

Even though she was pretty much "throwing the big one" at this moment, I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was-evil scrunchy face and all! Her reason for the tears: her costume was itchy. Yep, that's worth a tantrum.

Easter 2010

Okay...you know its been too long when you're playing catch up from EASTER! So here are the girls in all their Easter glory at the park hunting for candy. It wasn't much of a hunt. You couldn't walk two feet in front of you without stepping on something sweet. The girls had a grand old time and Mikaela made out a like a fat rat!


The girls had a blast coloring all the eggs. They even did most of the stickers by themselves. I was impressed.

I was hoping the weather would cooperate enough to let the girls hunt for eggs outside, but it was to nippy! Maybe next year.

Mad Hatter Tea Party!

Our local "Color Me Mine" had an Alice in Wonderland tea party in honor of the movie debut a few weeks ago. I've taken the girls there in the past and thought it sounded like fun so I rounded up some friends and off we went to paint our own tea set! It was so much fun and the girls had a grand old time eating all the goodies they could get their hands on.

Ta Daaaa! The finished product! They turned out so cute!

When Your Mother's a Makeup Artist...

...chances are the daughters will want to be one too. And if they get a hold of the makeup...no man is safe-even while asleep. But didn't they do a fabulous job? :)

Attention Tooth Fairy

Before the gap!

It finally happened! Little Haylie has been complaining all school year that she was the only one who hadn't lost a tooth yet. Well no more! Her pearly whites have finally succumbed to her wishes. She has joined the exclusivity of the gap-tooth brigade.

Of course, she wasn't about to let me help her pull it out, after all what could her mother possibly know? Nana Sue was given that distinct honor, with little sister Mikaela looking on intently, supervising the whole circus. After her initial excitement, some protesting, crying and eventual giggling, not one, but two teeth met their demise. Oh happy day!

Nana's ready to bring the pain!

Haylie wasn't so sure she wanted to keep going. Check out Mikae in the background-classic!

My little Gap-tooth Princess!

Mikaela smiles her approval!

So Sweet!

This is my darling little Haylie. She tried so hard to stay awake. Isn't she adorable?

Vegas, Baby!

My blog is so out of order, but I just don't have time to try and change it, and so it goes!

In February Eric and I loaded up the girls for our annual jaunt to St. George. Eric has a building officials conference down there every year and we usually go a couple of days before and hit Las Vegas. This year was no exception.

I cannot fathom why anyone in their right mind would want to live in Las Vegas (the surrounding areas aren't bad). It's dirty. DIRTY, people! There were beer bottles and glasses, smutty magazines and filthy cards everywhere. I can't even begin to imagine how much it takes to clean up the crap each night. From the way things looked I'm guessing they don't. Eric and I don't particularly love Vegas, but we enjoy going to the M&M store and the Coca-Cola factory. There are a few fun places inside of Caesar's Palace and of course, my mecca, Sephora, to visit too, but as a whole, it doesn't take long for us to tire of the place.

Happy Birthday, Big Stud!

Eric being silly!

Happy birthday to my loving, crazy, hunting-obsessessed, NASCAR-nut, camping enthusiast of a husband and father. You are truly the apple of all your girls' eyes. Because of you we understand way more than we should about elbow joints and couplers, we appreciate "real" forest campfires, we know who Ryan Newman is, we now root for the M&M car, and we certainly know how find the humor in all things related to hunting!

Happy birthday. We love you!

Turning 34...not impressed so far!

I want to know where it is written in the book of life that once you hit your 30s you must be subjected to premature gray hair, crow's feet and a road map underneath your eyes. Gah!

Haylie Turns 6!

Well, here is proof that I take FOREVER to blog! Haylie turned 6 in January and I am just now getting around to blogging about it. Wow, I'm lame!
She begged for a friend party this year, and since I kept turning her down last year, I felt I should give in and do it since all of her other friends had invited her to their birthday extravaganzas. All I can say is "holy crap, that takes a lot of energy". There were so many cute little girls in my house with so much energy I felt like I'd need to sleep for at least six months just to recover.
Luckily, I had the help of my sisters, Erin and Darby and Dallin to entertain the kiddos. They saved the day-literally! It was super fun and the girls all got along really well, but I told Haylie we'll revisit the friend party when she turns 8...or 18. :)

Here's Mikaela and Chloe after all the excitement! That's what I needed!

Haylie had a whole "Princess and the Frog" theme going on for her birthday. She asked for a Princess cake so we chose to use "Charlotte" from the "Princess and the Frog" movie to make her cake. Here's my attempt at professional decorating. Oh well, Haylie was impressed.


Lately I look at my sweet little Haylie and wonder how it is possible that she's 6 already! It doesn't seem possible. I love her inquisitive little mind, and her funny comments. She is so smart and learns so fast. She told me recently that she plans to be a cheerleader doctor when she grows up. I say "Rah rah, Dr. Haylie!" She is such a blessing to me and Eric. We love her so much and couldn't even begin to imagine our lives without her! Happy Birthday, Haylie-bug!