I've Been Tagged....

My dear friend Allison tagged me a while ago and I haven't been able to do it until now. According to the rules, you have to take a picture and post the following ten things when you get tagged (scroll down to see). You're not allowed to clean up or stage. Disclaimer--I took the pictures during nap time on Wednesday, while I was baking bread. In the mean time the rest of the day happened & then another day went by, and here it is Friday morning already.

Amy Vogelsberg, Angie Castle, Jenny Chan, Janet Shumway, Tiffanie Bryant, and Samye Peterson... you've been tagged (be sure to tag 6 more victims when you post yours). Note: You have been selected because I want to get a glimpse of where you're living.

1. Your closet. (We have a HUGE closet. We've tried to fill every corner with food storage, etc.)
2. Your laundry room. (Yes, that is my ironing pile that I've neglected for weeks. And my 'craft' area needs a little attention.)
3. Your fridge - the outside.
4. The kitchen sink. (It doesn't always look like this, but I had just done the dishes.)
5. Your favorite room. (For me that's a toss up. I love my kitchen. But I really LOVE the toy room that Bill & my dad built a few months ago.)
6. What your kids are doing right now. (Madisen is sleeping like a rock- she had a cavity filled this morning so she didn't wake up with the flash. Caitlyn is supposed to be sleeping. She was reading herself to sleep here.)
7. Bathroom. (This room is large & spacious but needs a little decor help.)
8. Your favorite shoes. (A hard choice for me, but these silver ballet flats rank right up there.)
9. Dream vacation. (Bill and I have both wanted to go Hawaii forever and this fall we are going to live a dream! We will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary there- WAHOO!)
10. Self-portrait.

A New Addition

We purchased a new TV a few months ago from one of Bill's friends who was moving out of the country. Now, for those of you who may not remember our old TV, it was an oldie but goodie. It was a 24 inch box that had the VHS player attached. Back in 1999 when I got it, it was top of the line! It was still working great, but with the need to switch to digital in February we decided to take the plunge when the price was right. The only problem was that we couldn't find the ideal TV stand. If you want a wide one, the are really short. If you're going for height, then you sacrifice the width. After searching at least 12 stores, we gave up & decided to make our own. With the help our of one of our handy friends & some some hefty power tools, you can see what Bill created.

(The coloring is a little crazy b/c I was trying to reduce the glare.)

Bill never ceases to amaze me! I know the decor on the piano isn't working, too many square things all together and it needs a little pizazz- that's my newest project.

Corondao Carnival

Last night our ward had one of the funnest ward parties that I've ever attended! The activities committee went all out- way to go!! It was a carnival complete with: popcorn, cotton candy, root beer, a bounce house, face painting, balloon creations, a pie eating contest, photo boards, a train ride and the biggest hit was the professional circus group that brought their tumbling mats balance beam, & other equipment for us to enjoy. You can see that we didn't miss a thing & EVERYONE had a great time!

Caitlyn's New Do

Here are the pictures of Caitlyn's new hair do. I think she looks so grown up!

P.S. She loves to take a book to bed with her! It has replaced her binky as her bedtime comfort object. She didn't really attach to her doll like Madisen did. So after I put her to bed she can be heard 'reading' to herself- it's such a sweet sound!

Madisen's Art

Madisen has had an increased interest in drawing & coloring lately. She's getting good at holding her writing utensil & today she drew this picture on her chalk board....can you guess who it is?

It's Bill!! Complete with spikey hair & blue eyes!She's so precious!!

Aunt Kellie

We had so much fun visiting with my sister this week! She flew in late Monday night and we partied hard for 3 whole days. On Tuesday we found ourselves at the outlet mall down town where we happened on some GREAT deals! At the Children's Place I bought 5 pair of tights, 4 pair of sunglasses & a shirt for the grand total of $11.49! Then we made our traditional trip to In-N-Out before heading home for naps. After piano lessons we got out our new water hopscotch. It was a really windy afternoon so it didn't last too long before we decided to go on a bike ride instead.

(I think it's blurry b/c it was a video- which I can't get to upload right now.)

Wednesday morning was our play group at the pool. The water was so cold (darn wind) that the kids were more interested in playing on the side & most of us mom just dangled our feet in- but it was nice to cool down.
After dinner we decided that we rolled out some sugar cookie dough & made circles, like the Olympic rings. (Thanks for the fun idea, Laura!) We made a small batch so it was the perfect amount for their attention span, and mine. Madisen helped roll, cut, transfer & frost ALL of the cookies! As you can see, Caitlyn really tried but she was just a mess! And she sure enjoyed eating the dough & frosting.Thursday we decided to visit somewhere that we've never been- The Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. The girls LOVED watching the dolphins from above & below. Madisen was interested in the white spot on the head of this dolphin. And boy was she extra excited when we learned that it's wearing zinc, just like she wears- only she prefers pink.

We felt lucky that we were able to see 2 different training sessions. It turns out that animals in motion are even harder to photograph than children.
After watching the dolphins for a while we ventured into see the lions & tigers. They are incredibly large & beautiful animals. But they weren't as exciting to watch since they are nocturnal animals.
We did get to see some playful 6 week old tiger cubs.Kellie surprised the girls with their own baby tigers- but they were more interested in people watching than looking at me.

A Quick Catch Up

*We've been watching the Olympics & I finished 'Breaking Dawn'- 2 events that have occupied most of my free time over the last 2 weeks. (That and a weekend trip to the beach, having my house operate as a salon for 8 hours one day and hanging out with my sister who came for a 3 day visit.)

*Tonight on our way to the bath, Madisen was carrying a stick & she informed me that she's the king of the blondes.

*Today the pool was a little chilly so we were swimming in the slightly heated hot tub. All (3) girlies had their floaties on so Caitlyn asked for some. She decided that she's big enough to go "Swimmin' myself!" It was exciting to see the smile creep on her face as she figured out that she could float with the help of the arm wings. From then on she wanted to "Do myself". YIKES! I don't think I'm ready for my 21 month old to think she's so BIG!

*On Monday Caitlyn got her first real hair cut! I've been trimming it to keep it from looking like a mullet, but Lisa & I decided that she needed a little more pizzaz. I was so busy trying to keep her still, that I forgot to get a picture of the action. But I'll get a picture of the finished product- tomorrow.

* Madisen found a Christmas CD in my room and has insisted in listening to it every day for about the last week. Caitlyn is going around the house singing, "Joy, joy, joy, joy". Nothing like a little holiday cheer in the middle of August to take my thoughts to cooler weather & get me in the Christmas spirit!

Long Overdue

About a month ago Bill & a couple of friends went to Zions to hike 'The Subway' with his cousins. It was posted that the hike would take 6-12 hours, but this avid crew made it in 4.5 hours!

Bye Bye Binky

We are pleased to announce that we are binky free at our house! Last Sunday was the day we decided to 'pull the plug' from Caitlyn. We took Madisen's away at 18 months (per the recommendation of our pediatrician), but due to summer vacations Caitlyn is 20 months.

Bill let Caitlyn help him cut the rubber part off the binkies. She thought it was fun to use the scissors, until she realized that she had BROKEN her beloved binkies. She did OK when we put her down for the first few days, but Thursday was ROUGH. For the first 5 days we had the same conversation at nap, bedtime, when she woke up, and when she was in her car seat:

Caitlyn: A binky go?
Me: It's broken.
C: Broken. I cut it?!
M: Yes, it's all gone. You're such a big girl now!
C: Oh.

Now I just read & sing to her, then lay her in the crib sans crying. Here's to hoping it lasts!!

Weekend of Fun

Our weekend of fun started Friday morning when we decided to go to Lake Mead with some friends. It was a PERFECT day on the lake- no wind, not crowded, and great company! Madisen was excited to swim in the deep all by herself- a change from the previous week at the lake. She started out with me holding her but once she saw her friend doing it, she was more excited to venture out on her own (I like to call the positive peer pressure). After that every time the boat stopped she was jumping in & swimming all over!
Both of the girls even got brave enough to 'knee board' behind the boat. The rope was short so they were close enough to tell us when they were done, & we were barley moving. Madisen started out with help but then tried it on her own.
By the time Bill showed up after work I was holding a sleeping girl, so I didn't get any pictures of his attempt to ride the Air Chair. He's almost there....

Saturday morning was filled with errands & chores. After the girls' naps we decided it was a great day to head for the hills for a hike.
Madisen walked the whole way- 1 mile round trip! She experienced cactus for the first time, followed by a few tears. After that she was sure to put me on the side of the trail that had cactus.

Madisen did the thumbs up all on her own.

Just after this picture was taken both of the girls wanted off the bench so they could explore. And OF COURSE they had to do it themselves- and the bench is pretty high up!. Madisen was successful but even with dad's help Caitlyn ended up with a wounded lip. It bled pretty good & swelled up immediately. We had her teeth checked & they were all fine, and she didn't need stitches-phew!
To finish off the day we celebrated "Ice Cream Sandwich" day with some tasty ice cream sandwiches.

My Madisen

On Tuesday when we got home from the movies, I carried Caitlyn up to bed & came down to make Madisen some lunch. She was quietly playing next to me. When I looked up to tell her that her lunch was ready, this is what I saw.

I know you're asking yourself, "Where did she learn about war paint?", but this is a Madisen original. She found the pink zinc that we use for sunscreen for her nose & cheekbones and applied it herself- pretty impressive for not using a mirror. Then she went crazy with some of my lipstick. The zinc ended up on the shirt before we were through- thankfully it already had paint on the back. Sigh, it's just never safe to have a 'quiet' moment around here unless they are sleeping.

Movie Review

This week I saw Hollywood's version of the Broadway musical, "Mama Mia". I give it 1 thumb up. I went to be entertained and that I was. It was mostly clean, which was refreshing. I found myself laughing through most of it. With the exception of Amanda Seyfried (who has great potential!) & Meryl Streep, the acting was cheesy. I think there was some depth lost in the translation from Broadway to Hollywood- singing & dancing isn't the same on the screen. It's worth seeing for the incredible scenery & if you like Abba- which I do.

Lake Powell

We spent Wednesday-Saturday last week (I know these pictures are late) at Lake Powell with my parents & sisters. Spending a week every summer therel has been a tradition for us since my mom was 16. I LOVE going there almost as much as I love going home. It's relaxing, peaceful, loads of fun & the perfect place for family bonding. This year we camped in Halls Creek, a close bay with sandy beaches.
Madisen turned into a fish- she wanted to be in the water ALL day. The record was 3 consecutive hours. My mom is AMAZING b/c she stayed with her the whole time. Since Madisen is the oldest grandchild, she doesn't have cousins to play with so grandma & Kellie were her playmates of choice. As the week progressed she became more comfortable in the deep water, venturing out about 2 times. I was so proud of her!

I just love riding on the boat!! Feeling the wind in my face & listening to the water splash up on the boat while enjoying some of God's most beautiful creations- it doesn't get better than that! Thankfully, Bill & I share a love for water sports- water skiing, wake boarding, & jet skiing. He's much more athletic & polished than I, but I still love it.Caitlyn also enjoyed the sandy area, but she had a fever most of the week so she could be found taking long naps during the day. Her favorite activity was riding the wave runner. She wanted to ride with whoever was getting on. Daddy even let her 'drive' once- YIKES!
One can always expect a little wind & rain- together or apart- at the Lake. We had extreme winds one night for about an hour & a half. The next afternoon the heavens opened & we witnessed a beautiful rain storm. Just across from us, we could see the water careening down the rocky mountainside- it was breathtaking! What do you do when it's raining? Have a photo-shoot of course! Grandma bought the kids each a T-shirt. Aren't they adorable? Caitlyn is obviously not amused at our attempts to get the 3 of them to smile.
Then the girls decided to play with the clips- not the toys I brought, because who plays with toys?

On Saturday while the men (and my mom) take the house boat in to gas & dump, the women & children get the assignment to watch the boat & wave runner for 2 hours. So where do we end up? At the marina enjoying an ice cream cone. Thanks for a memorable week mom & dad!!

A Wedding

Last week we got to attend a luncheon & reception for one of my good college friends- Jen McArthur. She conveniently got married on a Tuesday in St. George so we were able to stop there on our way to Lake Powell.

Bill couldn't join us for the whole day so we hitched a ride with grandma Carruth. Since daddy got a late start, we ended up being at the reception for 2 hours. The girls were GREAT party goers. But who wouldn't be in heaven with the above candy table? Not to mention the decadent deserts and fresh fruit.
The pictures don't do it justice, but the flowers & fruit on the desert table are in ice sculptures. And have you ever seen anything as appetizing as that cake or as exquisite as the flowers? It was the fanciest church reception that I've ever seen. About once a year I get to see my friend Cindy who lives in Omaha, NE- it's always such a treat to chat & catch up with her.
(Angie & Tristen- we sure missed having you join the mini VP reunion- all pictured above.)