Fathers Day (6/20/10)

Father's Day was a little different this year, Brent's cousins had come up the day before so that they could all go to the Dream Theater/Iron Maiden concert and they didn't get home until really late. On Father's Day morning we were all up by 8 and I made all the guys and Kelly's son Matt, waffles. So no breakfast in bed. They were on the road by 9:30 and we were lazy for a little bit, Ava gave her dad a book they could read together and Trena had made him a card and truffles before she left for Utah. As for my gift we discussed it before hand and decided that the concert and then another concert in August to see Rush would be his Father's Day presents this year.

We then got ready for church, went to church where all the dad's were given cookies and Ava made him another card. When we came home we called our dad's and we all had a lazy afternoon. It was then time for dinner and I made Brent his requested dinner of salmon on the grill, corn on the cob, and rice. We then had Armaretto cheesecake for dessert.

Although it wasn't that exciting of a day, I hope that Brent had a nice relaxing day and that he knows how much he is loved. We are so thankful for him and for all that he does for each of us each and every day. I am so thankful that he works hard and allows me the luxury of being able to stay home with the girls. We are truly grateful to have Brent in our lives.

Babe I love you, the girls love you. Thank you for taking care of us and being there for us.

Reading their new story




Before church

Sidewalk chalk makes for a Happy Day! (6/18/10)!!!

Another great goody from the dollar store that continues to bring hours of entertainment, sidewalk chalk.

Ava was so cute when I brought the chalk outside and showed her that she could just write on the ground, she gave me the really mom look, you're giving me permission to do this. Everything I would write or draw she would then make her signature mark (a line) on and say "mine". And when dad came home from work, he had to draw a picture too. She get's so excited every time she see's the chalk and says "chalk, chalk" until I acknowledge that yes it is indeed chalk.

Play Doh (6/17/10)

After Ava's nap I told her I had a surprise for her, play doh! This was something totally and completely new to her. We didn't even have any in the house prior to this. I saw it at the dollar store the other day and thought that it would be something super fun for the warm afternoons and would help take her mind off of Sista being gone. This play doh was worth the dollar spent and then some, we played with it for an hour and a half that first day. We made caterpillars and flowers, and play food that we pretended to eat. She had so much fun rolling the play doh in her hands to make purple grapes.

Deep concentration as we mash the play doh



Pretending to eat a grape

Ava with her catterpillar

I thought she'd freak out if I put something on her nose, not at all. I put it on mine first and she thought it was funny, so I asked if I could put one on her and take a picture. She loved it, and afterwards kept putting new ones on. When Brent came home from work we were still playing with the play doh, so when he came through the door we were both sitting at the counter smiling at the door with noses on. Needless to say we all busted up laughing.

Silly bird

Story Time and Splash into Reading (6/17/10)

In an attempt to stay busy, stay cool and have some summer fun, we went to Story Time at the library. When we lived in Phoenix we used to go to Baby Time every week and we loved it! And while we did have a good time at Story Time (hello, she got to color with markers), I miss Baby Time, Baby Time was so well organized, with the repetition of the same songs, same order, and the one story (that did change), it was so well done. This is quite chaotic, but again I do like that they do a craft each week. The shy quiet kids, don't ever get a say. Anyways today they read a book about butterflies and then they made fans (like a butterfly wing).

Sticking her foam sticker on



coloring

Her pretty fan

Lets color some more (after this she moved on to the table, where she finished up with the markers)

When we finished up with Story Time, we went into the library and checked out some fun books and signed up for the summer reading program. She got a book bag, coloring sheet, bookmark and tatoo, she also got to write her name on a frog and put it on the wall.

Here she is with her book bag


We are looking forward to next week!

Play Group (6/14/10)

We went to play group on the 14th with some ladies from the ward and their kiddos as well as a few other lovely ladies that I got to meet. We had a really fun time and we were there for about 3 hours. It took about an hour for A to leave my side and actually go play, but even then she pretty much just stood or sat there watching the other kids. She loves to watch them it makes her so happy, she just hasn't been around enough kids to know how to play with them.

Watching the kids



This is a little girl from our ward, she really wanted to play with Ava and tried to convince her to come play, but every time she'd take A's hand A'd burst into tears.

This little boy is in her nursery class and is new to our ward. She wasn't too sure about him.

Love this picture

She waited and waited for her chance to sit on this seat, and when she finally got her chance she called me over to take her picture.



I didn't get a picture with her and Sienna, but Sienna just turned one and Ava just adores her, thinks she's the cutest thing ever. She would have been content to sit and look/play with her all day. Mommy look feet, mommy look hair. I had to check out every detail of cute little Sienna. There was also a 6 month old baby boy there, that she thought was quite wonderful. I am pretty sure she would be excited for us to have another baby, but she's going to have to keep waiting 'cause this mama ain't ready yet.

Last day of school and off to Utah (6/12/10)...

Its so hard to believe that 3rd grade has ended and we are off to 4th, we are through with the primary grades. T's last day of school was June 12th and we went straight from school, to get her to the airport.

I always love the fun stuff they bring home at the end of the year, the things hanging in the classroom.

This cute frog was hanging in T's classroom from the ceiling.



You can't see it very well, but here is "her" body, it shows organs, some muscles and bones. They have spent the end of the year talking about your body and how it works.

Trena learned many awesome things this year, such as how to be a better writer, multiplication (which she would rather forget), division, cursive, and a lot about history. She found a new love for reading and that she has a real interest for history, especially early American history (she takes after her mama).

She also got her yearbook and has had a blast reading me what everyone wrote, and showing me all of her friends pictures. Because we moved here halfway through the year she wasn't in the yearbook, but they did happen to take her picture on "Crazy hat day" so she is on that page, which we were both very excited about.

As sad as I am to see her grow and move on in school. I am truly proud of her and the young lady she continues to become. She is sweet, loving, and compassionate towards others. She could care less if she gets grounded from the t.v., this once was such a traumatic thing, now she's like fine I'll go read. She is a great big sister, too. I really do look forward to seeing what 4th grade holds for her. I really hope it brings an amazing best friend. I want her to have a close buddy here.

I always take a picture of T on the last day of school with her teacher and because we were in a hurry to get to Baker, where we were meeting her Aunt Becky, who was going to take her to catch a plane in Vegas, I forgot to go in and get one. I am kicking myself, because she was an awesome teacher and we will miss her greatly. We've also put in a special request to let her stay at her current elementary next year, but we won't know until the end of July or August if she gets to stay or not. So she could be going to her assigned school come August, we will have to wait and see.


Here is T and A while we were waiting for Becky, I can't believe how much they look alike in this picture.

I know they will miss each other so much this summer.

We love you T and miss you like crazy, can't wait till you are back home.

A new best friend (6/10/10)...

I'd like to introduce you to "Puppy".



Puppy is the newest member of our family. Ava has never had a toy that she was attached too, and now at almost 2 years old we finally have one.

Puppy almost wasn't and came to be in a somewhat unique way. We were walking through the toy aisle at Target on June 1oth, while I was looking for a surprise to send with Trena to Utah, and also getting ideas for Ava's birthday. When Ava saw the stuffed dogs she wanted to hold each one. She would hold one, then ask for another and hand the previous one back to me, so on and so forth until we got to "Puppy". He was the only one that looked like that, and she instantly fell in love.

I am thinking there is no way I am buying a stuffed animal, she doesn't play with any of her toys as is, let alone another stuffed animal. I will let her keep it in the cart and by the time we get to the cash register it will be forgotten and I will hand it to the cashier telling her we had changed our minds. Nope. When we got up there, she was still clinging to puppy for dear life. So next plan of action, I will buy puppy and return it next time I come to the store; because by the time we eat lunch and take a nap he will definitely be forgotten. Nope. Puppy was clung to all during lunch, with "oh, puppy" and "oh my puppy". Nap time came and for the first time ever we asked to have something in the crib with us, Puppy. When she woke up from her nap and I went in to get her, she had puppy in her arms, and she held him out to me and said "Puppy!" Like she could not believe he was really there. At this point tags were cut; because in that short amount of time he had been played with more than any other toy the kid owns.

And so it has continued for weeks now, puppy first thing in the morning and after nap, and we always have to have puppy to go to sleep. She is also falling asleep on her own now. Coincidence or "Puppy", I don't know but I'll take it!

New best friends

"Mommy!"

Kisses for Puppy

We still love "Puppy" (6/19/10)

A gift for Trena's teacher, Mrs. Russell...

For Katrena's teacher at the end of the year we made home made chocolate mint truffles. They are super easy and yummy too. Katrena had fun making them and you can find the recipe here.

Making the base ganache


Adding some peppermint


Rolling the truffles

coating them with sprinkles



And the finished product (these are actually the ones she made for Brent). We wrapped her teachers up in a cute little pink gift box, but forgot to take a picture.

Look who's published...

Katrena's writing/english class had a book published with one of their poems in it. Her poem was tittled Cupcake, it was not only very cute but also has a special meaning to her and I.



Cupcake
delicious rich
enjoying icing craving
stores kitchens boxes bakery
eating tasting baking
round flavorful
cake

Jumping (6/7/2010)...

Ava loves to squat and jump off the treadmill saying "one, two, three" or "set, go" but the other night while I was doing the dishes she was having the time of her life jumping off of the 1 1/2 foot fire place ledge. Trena was worried she was going to get hurt and went and got a comforter for her to land on. After awhile Ava was asking Trena to jump too, and then she wanted them to jump together. So cute and so fun to listen to them laugh together. And you can see the excitement on A's face.

A soft landing thanks to Sista




Just go for it, no fear...

Jump!

Faster and faster she went

Funner and Funner


Ya, I kind of struggled with getting a good jump and T's face, she's just too tall


Together


I love the joyful expression on the little monkey's face


One Last Jump

And there you have it an hours worth of entertainment, for free!

P.S. We've now moved on to jumping off the couch, after all its a little higher. I told Brent its a good thing we don't own bunk beds.