Fun find!

I know these crayons have been around probably forever, but I just found them and thought I would give them a try. My girls just love drawing on the tile and enjoy wiping off the mess just as much! The did get creative this last time and tried the crayons on their face. . . We found out they wash off faces just as well. All in all, a fun activity for the bathtub! And, they actually last quite a long time. I have had these for a month!

Maggie's 1st

So, Maggie goes to a little preschool once a week and as we were leaving Thurs. morning she said, "Mom aren't you going to take my picture with my backpack like you did for Lilly?" OOPS!



She felt so big going to school and just loves to do somthing like Lilly. So, my Thurs. are fun days--take both girls to school and spend the next 3 hours doing whatever I WANT! Ryan thinks I enjoy these 3 hours a bit too much:) But, after those hours, I actually get a little lonely for my little friends and am always excited to pick them up and have the rest of the day with them! So, I enjoy a break once a week, but am confident I would never trade these two for anything!!

Big shoes to fill

Yesterday I was cleaning in the kitchen and I started hearing giggling. . .that always makes me nervous. So, I rushed to see what the situation was. This is what I found--


I never knew trying on dad's shoes could be so funny. Maybe they were laughing at how big they were and how hard it was to lift even one shoe, I'm not sure, but I had to smile and grab a quick picture!

IKE is gone!

The rains came (as predicted),


Maggie couldn't stand it and had to get outside and see for herself what a hurrican looked and felt like! I'm not sure how her clothes were wet under that raincoat, but Maggie is the girl that can figure out how to manage the impossible.

The skies darkened (as predicted)

Then Lilly had to see what a hurricane was like. She rates the storms according to how big of splash her bike tires make in the puddles. I must say she was a bit disappointed!

But, the storm ended there. It was finshed before we knew it and we all breather a little easier. . .that is all of us on the west side of storm. But, Ike went right through our stake, so half of us were without much action and the other half. . .well Ryan is with a large group that left early today to see what they could do to help. It was such a moving experience to drop Ryan off early today and see 30+ people all in the same shirts (mormon helping hands) and ready to go off and provide such a needed service to our community. People are so grateful that these "mormons will come work for free." It is just a breath of fresh air to them.

In the end, we lost power for 1 hour--and that hour was during lunch time. It was Ryan's time to shine--he made a mean lunch of home made french fries and fish sticks on the grill!! The sticks were a bit on the darker side and the girls turned their noses up, but we told them this is what you eat during a hurricane and they "endured" it!



By the end of the afternoon, Ike had tuckered us out! Nothing like a barbie movie on the couch as a family. And thats a wrap! Hopefully we don't get another visit from a potential hurricane for a long long time!

First day of school

So, I'm a week late, but hey--I'm late for everything. Lilly has been talking about this day FOREVER! But, the closer it came, the more apprehensive she got. Finally, the week before school, every time we would talk about it, she would burst into tears and beg not to go. So, when they had a mom and me kind of day before school begins, I was thrilled! We went and met her teacher (Mrs. Popp) and all the other kids. She loved seeing all the stations and the fun things that kids did in school. After that, excitement was an understatement! So, the morning of her 1st day, she ran out the door with a "see ya mom" and that would have been it--but of course I dragged her back in for pictures and a kiss! She had the best day ever, has great friends and loves school (even chapel time).




The worst part of the day was when Lilly and Ryan left together. Maggie wouldn't hear of it. She cried at the end of the driveway until they turned off our road onto another street. She was so sad that she was losing her playmate for 1/2 the day. But, when I told her that she could have all the toys to herself while Lilly was gone, she wiped those tears and got to work. We did puzzles and played house. She kept telling me "that's not how Lilly does it." So, I guess I'm a lousy replacement but I'll have to do.

Lillys boyfriend and such

While we were in Idaho, one of our stops was to Twin Falls to see our good friends, the Lusks. We first met the Lusks in Moscow when Ryan was doing his masters. We went to church the first Sunday, and Ryan leaned over to me and said, "that guy over there looks just like one of the guys I served with on my mission." He kept looking through the meeting and afterwards went and introduced himself, and sure enough--they had served together. So, we ended up moving into the same apt. complex and becoming great friends. Our kids were all a year apart, and they were one of the friends for life couples. We got together all the time. His wife Candria and I would see each other on the playground and soon our husbands would find their way when they got done with school. We discussed dinner and would OFTEN do it together. We played games and watched movies late into the night and morning. I would put my girls to bed at their house and it was just some great memories.

So, now they have a "real" job, (he is a vet) and a cute house, but still the cutest kids. Ryman is a year older than Lilly and years ago we joked that they were going to get married. Well, Ryman is the cutest boy and dressed up in his spiderman outfit and would save the girls from bad guys while they played house. It is nice to know that even though we are back in Texas, Lilly still talks about her boyfriend, Ryman. Why can't it turn out like the parents want? I think they look pretty cute together. I guess we'll have to see in about 20 some years. . .(Lilly can't get married until she is atleast 30).

We're back from summer break

We just recently got back from our summer vacation in Idaho. This year we were only to go once, so we made it a LOOOOOONG trip. The girls and I were there for a month and Ryan came for the last two weeks. It was a lot of fun and our girls cried when it was time to come back. It just spoils us to be with cousins and siblings all day and night for a month. During our stay we went to birthday parties, boating trips, Bearlake, Lava hot springs, Challis, etc. We did a lot of fun stuff with our families too. Thanks everyone for all the fun times, late nights, good food, and GREAT COMPANY. It is sad to think it will be a whole year until the next time, but we know how time flies.

Neither Lilly nor Maggie would go tubing the entire time we were there. Then on Monday afternoon (we left on Tuesday) they both got brave and tried it out, realized it was so fun, and didn't want to get out. So, next year we will try and convince them a little earlier! Lilly just loved the dune buggie at the cabin in Lava. It looks like Ryan enjoyed himself too! Our trip to Bear Lake was tons of fun. My brother in law, Marshall, brought these steaks for us to try that he bought from his work. They are a special breed of cow and the cut is the same type of meat they serve at the grammy awards. Boy did that spoil us and we ate like celebrities that night. I could get used to eating like that!!

Anyways, this email could go on and on, but just a great big thanks to all our families. We had a great and relaxing vacation and couldn't have asked for better company. We miss you all and are excited to see you again!! Love you all!

Oh what a day!!

Well, today was a day I wish I would have just stayed in bed and tried again tomorrow! To start the day off, I had Lilly and Maggie play chutes and ladders on my bed while I cleaned up the room. I thought no harm in a board game, right? Well, not five minutes into the game, Lilly started laughing and threw her head back to drop back onto the mattress, but instead of the soft cushy landing, she hit right onto the footboard of our bed!! OUCH! So, I grabbed her and rocked her in my arms with my hand cupped around the back of her head, and I felt a wetness. I pulled my hand back and sure enough, blood. I should stop right here and say that this is my first "accident" (knock on wood) and so I should count my blessings. I went into barking orders I guess as a way to cope. My sweet neighbor, Teasha, came and got Maggie within minutes and Lilly and I spent the day in the ER.

By the time we got to the hospital, Lilly had stopped crying and halfway eaten a popcycle I had given her. The only reason for that was that for her to suck on it, she couldn't be crying and I must say it worked VERY well. So, we checked in and waited and waited and waited. The nurses came out into the waiting area and looked at her head. They said she would definately need stitches, but this was the busiest they had seen the hospital in a long time, so she would have to wait. Yep, 3 hours later we finally got a room. Lilly, bless her heart, did not cry once for that entire 3 hours. She had won the hearts of all the nurses and other people in the waiting area. People were so concerned for her and amazed at how brave she was. The nurses kept coming out and apologizing, but there were 12 ambulances at the hospital and they didn't have a room to put her.

Finally, we saw the doctor and he had a daughter Lilly's age, so really took care of her. He really won her heart when he brought out stickers of barbie, Hanna Montanna, princesses, cinderella, and 12 dancing princesses. And then came the tender mercy. . . he said that he was one of only three doctors that did this special technique in the area, but he took five strands of hair on both sides of the gash and pulled them opposite ways to close the cut and then glued it and kind of knotted the hair. He did that about 5 times across the cut, put purple glue over the top and sent us on our way. WOW. I was sick thinking about the injection to the gash to deaden the spot, the stitches, cutting/shaving the hair to give a clean workspace, etc. and we left with a bit of glue. Lilly did not flinch or grimace once as he pulled and knotted her hair. . .she was too busy looking at those 37 stickers that great doctor gave her. By the end, the wait was worth it. Now my brave warrior is sleeping peacefully in bed excited for her first day of school tomorrow. Sleep tight sweet heart.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy 4th of July

Our ward does a great 4th of July breakfast with a parade and games for the kids. Of course, our girls loved it and we had a great turnout. We decorated the bikes, and when asked what my girls wanted to decorate their bikes with . . . balloones, streamers, etc. The replied with, "jewelry!!" So, if you look closely, you will see some cheap bling on those cute bikes! They are competitive and all about winning (did they get it from Ryan or myself. . .up for debate) so this wasn't a leasure ride, it was for the win. But, it was a lot of fun!

birthday party or. . .

So, is bribery bad at a young age? We gave Lilly the choice this year between a birthday party OR A FUN DAY AT BUILD A BEAR! I'm afraid we did our best to make build a bear sound the best we could, and IT WORKED! No birthday party this year! We did have a great time a build a bear. It was so cute and our girls just loved every minute. Lilly named her bear Tally and Maggie named her bear Maggie bear (original):) The best part, of course, was picking out the outfits, and we ended up with two each. But, on the way home Lilly said that this was her best birthday ever. I can't believe I have a child getting ready for school, but I am so proud of her. One of my favorite things about Lilly is that she is the most responsible 5 year old I know. Our friends had a birthday party at the pool last week and one mom had two children in the pool. She was with one, and her other one started walking into the deep. He is only two, and he was up to his shoulders and kept trucking. Some parents told me they were ready to jump in after him--they were the ones who saw the scene unfold. Lilly saw him and told him, "I think you are in a bit too deep." Then she picked him up (he is atleast 30 lbs. and she is 40) and carried him back to the shallow until his mom came and got him. I didn't see it, but was sure proud of that cute girl!!

Happy 5th Birthday Lilly

This posting is a bit late, but last month we celebrated Lillys big 5th birthday! She is so excited to be five and start school this fall. She had a great birthday and loved celebrating it with all her family and friends! By the way, don't mind Maggie's face in this picture. She is either surprised or about to sneeze--we can't decide.

1st Day of Swimming Lessons

This year my girls took one on one swimming lessons from two different girls in my young womens group. The first two weeks were from Rachel and the next two weeks were from Amanda. My girls learned so much!! The most rings Maggie picked up underwater at one time was 10!! That is her favorite game! Lilly can swim from one side to the other and do a cannonball off the side and swim back to the edge! I am so proud of them and am sold on the one on one lessons. Last year my girls would barely blow bubbles with their mouths in the water, and cried at bath time when they got their hair wet! Now we catch them with their faces under water "swimming" in the bathtub! Way to go girls!!

Best Friends Forever

So today I talked to my good friend Lori. Her two daughters and my two girls and best of friends. But, they moved to New Mexico recently. After talking we were missing them, so I had to post a few pictures of our girls together. We really miss you guys and can't wait to catch up when we are vacationing. One cute thing is that when we took our girls to ride their horse, Lilly would not hear of wearing pants. We told her she had to and the compromise was to wear pants with a skirt over top. I think they get their sense of fashion from their dad!:) Also, notice how terrified Lilly's face is. We had to talk and coax forever to get her on that little horse. However, Maggie came through for us and loved the entire thing. One more thing--my talented brother in law, Chase, made that saddle! Anyways, here is to our girls playmates. See you in August!

say cheese

Well, it was time once again for the girls to get pictures taken. As I prepare for their picture day, I ALWAYS remember why I only do this once a year! Wow is it stressful--do hair, matching outfits, spill food on the outfit, cry because she doesn't like her pants, new outfit, where is your other hairbow, she doesn't like her hair, where is your match to your shoe, etc. etc. The original plan was for me to be ready and be in some pictures too, but after about the first hour of TRYING to get everyone ready(man, you'd think I had 7 or 8 instead of just 2) I decided to bag the idea of me with them. However, my good friend who took these pictures would hear nothing of the sort. So, here I am with the girls and no makeup. I'm glad, in the end, that I got them done, but just don't look too close!! However, for the girls--I see these cute pictures and remember just why I love them. . .cutest things ever (even with the drama)!:)