Grosgrain: Swanki Hats GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Swanki Hats GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Summer teaser.

You wouldn't believe it but last week we had a couple 100 degree days. Since then the sun has decided to hide its rays from us which makes us really sad. However, we did manage to squeeze in a couple pool days during those hot days.

I quickly learned that the difficulty I experienced last summer at the pool with two 1 year olds will not match for what I will experience this year with two 2 year olds. Now they both want to be in the big pool and have not yet mastered the art of keeping their heads above water while wearing a life jacket or floaties. We have some work to do!

Dance Competition #2!

Taylor had her 2nd dance competition last weekend. This time they competed against girls 6 and 7 years old and they won 3rd overall. They did awesome!
Of course they also won the Little Miss Diva award.

Sara and I representing with our Dance Club Mom shirts.

We sure had fun and LOVE being part of the dance world.

Father Daughter Camp out!

2 weeks ago, Taylor came downstairs dressed for dance (as I had instructed) but with her suitcase in hand (not part of the instructions). She proceeded to explain to me that after dance we were going on a family camp out in the mountains. I tried to tell her that camp outs took some planning and you even need to pay for a camp site. Her response was, "Mom, I planned it already, see my suitcase is packed." Okay! I told her that maybe Daddy would camp with her in the back yard the next night. Luckily Tyler is awesome and was up for the challenge. What a good sport!

Taylor was one happy camper!

Who needs a fire pit when you have an Eagle Scout around. I was just worried someone with ticket authority was going to see the massive flames and we were going to get in trouble. Our neighbors had never had a smore before (WHAT, HELLO?) so there was lots of smore passing over the brick wall. And not the traditional smore with chocolate that doesn't melt but the good fudge striped shortbread cookies with a warm marshmallow in the middle.

She loved spending this special time with her Daddy and I love that I have a husband willing and happy to do it.

All About Ash!

There is no question, this girl is my sunshine kid! She is full of spunk, sass, sweetness, and is just the cutest darn thing. She makes me laugh everyday with her funny little comments. "Ashlyn, why didn't you take a nap?" Her response, "Cuz!" She adds an "ie" to the end of words, "Napie, Milkie, dressie..." And she loves her "Andy Boy." Her voice, laugh, smile, and big brown eyes light up our world.

Behind all that cuteness is an independent little thing that sees nothing as an obstacle. She will climb anything, jump off everything, and duck under things that are a few feet above her head because in her mind she is just as tall as us.

She was recently diagnosed with asthma and has been on daily breathing treatments for over 2 months now. Rarely, if ever, will she cry as she coughs so hard she throws up or when the coughing keeps her up at night. She is a tough little girl.

A dedicatory post about Ashlyn would not be complete without mentioning her insane sweet tooth. To put it lightly, the kid loves candy.
And we LOVE her!

Easter Happenings Round IV: Yucaipa

FYI: no children were neglected during this intense blogging session, 1 is at a play date and 2 are sleeping. These moments are rare so I am taking full advantage.

After church, we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa P's house for more Easter basket fun,Kite flying, Easter egg hunting,

And sugar over load.
This year we really tried to teach the kids the true meaning of Easter. As a family, we are indeed grateful for the life of our Saviour and the blessings that come when we follow his example and put him first in our life.

Easter Happenings Round III: Cute kids in their Sunday best.

Thanks Mom and Reid for the cute Easter outfits. I tried to take pictures before church while their hair was still in place...I was not very successful. Andy and the camera are not friends. He is the least photogenic child on earth I think. Not only that he won't sit still for more than a second and my camera is too slow.
In case you are wondering what Tyler is driving these days, that's it. Pimp My Ride come help! For those of you not on Facebook or in our immediate texting group, Tyler's truck was stolen and involved in a high speed chase that ended in a crash.

No, Sara and I did not coordinate their outfits.

I really don't think I am being biased...seriously do you not think they belong on the cover of a magazine?

For sure this girl!

Out of the 50+ pictures I took with them in these outfits, here is the best one of the 3 of them. Awesome!

Back home for another attempt.

Really all they wanted was their Easter baskets...FINE! It's all recycled candy from the previous days any way =)

Easter Happenings Round II: Wrightwood

On Saturday we headed up to Wrightwood to play with Grandma and Grandpa J. It was a beautiful day. The kids hunted for eggs and loaded up on sugar. I would like to put a sign on Taylor that reads, "I dress myself, don't blame my mom, she tries!" Taylor was Grandma's Happy Helper (yes we watch a lot of Barney in our home).
While Taylor helped Grandma make dinner, the rest of us went exploring. I think this is the coolest picture. We drove up to a nature center and the clouds were in thick.

Back down towards town a few miles and the sky was as clear and blue as ever.

We found this tree swing on our little 2 year old appropriate hike.

Family tradition that has been going on for years in my family...finding the perfect walking stick.

Easter Happenings Round I: School Party.

On Friday Taylor had her preschool Easter party.

It was at a park so Andy, Ashlyn, and I tagged along.

Taylor is supposed to be a bunny in case that's not clear. Even though she is smiling she kind of looks like an evil eyed cat with werewolf ears but whatever... You may notice how drastically different these girls are dressed. The question is which one was more appropriately dressed for the weather??? Well, it wasn't my kid. It was freakishly cold that day, I tried to explain that to my 4 year old going on 16 but apparently she is not "pretty enough" if she is not wearing a skirt (apparently she needs a lesson on "the beauty that lies within"). At least I was able to talk her out of the high heals. At the end of the party she came up to me saying, "Mom I'm shaking, its so cold." I really wanted to say "Told you so, why don't you listen to me?" But I didn't. Instead I held my sarcasm and turned on the heater in the car and stuck her in there. They let Andy play a game. He was very happy!

Getting ready for the hunt.

Amazingly, Andy and Ashlyn sat patiently while Taylor searched for eggs.

A little candy helped.