Birthday Party For The Twins!

Yesterday the twins had a birthday with all their cousins and family. We decorated all morning and had everything ready but then it started to rain. Luckily we were able to move the party to the church and still use the bounce house.

Sweet Linda Summsion made two rainbow cake and they were a hit! She is so thoughtful!

We didn't get to do presents and breakfast in bed since Scott and Jamie blessed their baby. So Bella planned that the girls could still eat something in bed and she would serve them. So that's what she did.

They had a great day with family and were ready for another party today with friends. Since we still had the bounce house we had the Sorenson's over for left over cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday Breanna!

Dear Bre,

You're now 4 years old! How did that happen?
I'm so proud of you. You are so considerate of other peoples feelings and you are such a big helper.
It amazes me how fast you learn new things. Like puzzles, letters and memorizing your part for the primary program.
I feel so blessed to have you in our home. You always bring a calm feeling where ever you go.
I love being your mom and watching you grow.

Love

Mom

Happy Birthday Sydney!

Dear Sydeny,

Where did the last 4 years go? I really can't believe another year has gone by.
You've learned so much! I'm so proud of you! You know your numbers and letters and you're so good at coloring and making new friends. And you've learned how to dribble a basketball and do jumping jacks all by yourself.
I love how sweet you are. Telling me you love unicorns, rainbows and butterflies.
I feel so blessed to be your mom!
Our family wouldn't be the same without you!

Love,

Mom

Just another day at work...

I've been trying to do better at documenting all of Claire's work projects. 

Her latest was a photo shoot for Melaleuca. I find it funny that we auditioned together as mother daughter but they picked her and someone else as the mom. I guess I just don't look like I could be her mom. :). But I will say the lady they picked was very pretty and I guess if you were looking through a magazine you would think they were mother and daughter.

During one of the scenes the director said,"ok, Claire give your pretend mom a bug hug". And she said matter of factly, "I'm not really a hugger", the crew thought that was hilarious.

She loves hair and make up. That's what she talks about most. 

Since she was the only kid there she was spoiled rotten. And since the shot was in Bountiful, Seth was able to come watch. He's never seen her in action. She's getting so good at knowing the lingo she told Seth, "I'm on break so I can talk". She also loved having a diet coke. (since there were only adults the drink choices weren't too kid friendly, but she didn't mind).

1st Day Of School

The magic school bus made a stop the night before school started so when everyone woke up they had a surprise waiting for them.They all had new school supplies and a nice note of encouragement for the new year. When Bella was opening hers she said "the magic school bus knows me so well!"

One we got to school we grabbed the cousins and took one quick picture. 

I can't believe they're all getting so old. I'm so proud of all of them and how much they've grown.

For the last month that Bella's been gone I've let Claire fall asleep in our bed most nights. She misses Bella so much and falls asleep faster if talks with me first.

Tonight was one f those conversations that just made me smile.

She said with her eyes shinning with excitement "mom, what if I wake up at night time when Santa comes and I get to meet him and talk to him in living room? Wouldn't that be cool, because no one ever gets to talk to him. Oh I really hope that happens."

She ended up falling asleep a few minutes later with the sweetest smile on her face.

I'm so glad we have moments like this together. It makes the other parts of the day with her seem not so hard.

Day Visit

Bella came home today for her weekday visit. 

Claire woke up at 7:30am, because she was so excited! She got dressed and wanted to wait outside, even though Bella wasn't getting home until 9:30am.

It was such a sweet reunion. The girls missed Bella so much. AS soon as she got home they rushed to her and gave her a big hug. Then we went to see Seth at work.

We've got a fun day planned. Then she'll go back tonight and come home for good on Sunday, the night before school starts. Unless Kenny pulls a fast one, which we're sure he might. He wants the control of taking her to school on the first. He doesn't care if she'd rather walk with her friends. 

At least we have today and we're all excited!

St George- Just Us!!!

We ran into Boyd and Barb at a wedding a few weeks ago and Barb said they had talked and thought we deserved a weekend alone and we could use their condo.

It was so thoughtful! We had a great time. It was way too hot for me. One day it reached 100 degrees. But it was so nice to stay up late and sleep in and not feel guilty about it.

We went to the Temple, neither of us had been to a session there. We saw the new movie and enjoyed it.

We also went to diner, shopped and went swimming. It was great and relaxing.

Sally took the day off and had the 3 girls for 2 nights. They had so much fun! They couldn't stop talking about it when they got home.

And then the last night they slept over at grandma and grandpa's. They went to church with them and had fun seeing Amber and her kids.

I didn't take that many pictures. Seth took some at the temple but I don't like them., so this is all I have.

Princess Training

Tonight I took the twins to dinner at City Creek. We had McDonalds and then they played at the play land. After that we walked over to the Disney store. We timed it just right because they were starting a "princess Training camp" right as we got there. 

The girls were so cute! They took it so seriously! They learned how to curtsy, wave and all the manors a princess should use. They even got crowned with new princess names (which I forgot, opps)

They had a ball!

Lagoon a beach with grandpa

Today we went to Lagoon a beach with grandpa. It was lots of fun. Claire did all 4 blue slides (something she's never done before) and had a blast! Grandpa even did a couple tube slides.

Such a fun day!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Grandpa turned 74 today and we had a fun dinner birthday party for him. Everyone came; Scott & Jamie, Sharla & Garrett, Fred and Laura & Elysia. I made my first ever pie. It turned out really well. Thanks to Linda.

It was sad not to have Bella there and we missed her.

Also sad that I only got one picture. I guess it's cause we were having such a good time.

Love this guy and all that he does for us! We're so lucky to have him in our lives!

Date with Mom

Today Seth took the twins to a movie and Claire and I had a mommy daughter date. It was so fun. All the shops on main street were having a sidewalk sale. There was a radio station there and they had a fun scavenger hunt and were giving out prizes. We didn't win the scavenger hunt but Claire did spent the prize wheel and won us tickets to the Weber county state fair. She was pretty excited!

When I asked her what treat she wanted she said she just wanted a Coke. Just like mom.

Love this girl!

Twins

While I was at the day camp with Bella the twins and Claire went to Chelsie's in the morning and then grandpa's in the afternoon. He took this picture of them. Later when I asked Syd who she was, she couldn't tell. Funny! Bre got it right though. (Bre-left, Syd- right).

Activity Days- Days Camp Aug 2

I'm so lucky to be the activity days leader right now while Bella is in. It's such a laid back calling and so fun to be with her and all her friends.

Today we went to a fun day camp. It's a scouting camp but once a year they let all the achievement day girls come. So there were many different wards there from all over Utah.

The girls had a blast! They went canoeing, learned how to shot a bow and arrow and how to shot bb guns. They also did a ropes course, made a craft and went on a hike.

On the way home I told the girls in my car we could stop for ice cream.

When I asked Bella what her favorite part of the day was she said, lunch and the ride home. Basically, when she got to play games with her friends. She's so funny! I'm so thankful she was able to come back from Kenny's, even if it was only for the day!

Work, if you want to call it that

I got the part for the VA job and it ended up being such a blessing. They told me the shot date was July 31st. I didn't want to go because that was the one day we had to see Bella during Kenny's interrupted time. But I prayed about it and felt like I should still go and Seth also felt like I needed to go because we needed the money.

But after only 2 hours they were done with my part and I got to go home! What a blessing! I got paid the same amount as working a full day and was still able to be with Bella and our family all day!

It was great.

I didn't get any pictures of my on set, but I did get one of my name badge I had to wear with my scrubs. nice name.

Brain Head with the Stewarts

We went on last minute trip with the Stearts and Cranes. We had such a fun time! We stayed at the Stewarts cabin. We went four wheeling, hiking though caves, regular hikes, playing and staying up way too late playing games.

It was way too short of a trip but soo much fun!

Happy 7th Anniversary

We both forgot our anniversary again this year. I guess we just have too much going on with all the Kenny crap.

At the last minute Yumi said she would watch the kids and we ran and got ice cream.

It was better than nothing. One day soon we'll really celebrate and go to dinner or something.

Syd and her Unicorns

Tonight as I was putting the twins to bed I asked Syd what she could dream about that was happy and she thought about it and said "probably rainbows and unicorns".
Oh how I wish she could stay this way forever!
When we were at Bear Lake she smashed a ladybug that Claire had cought and when we asked her why she did that she said "because I just like unicorns, not ladybugs."
She does love her unicorns.

The girls completed a fun week at princess theater camp. The twins primary teacher Maddie taught the class and they had so much fun. Since I couldn't drive she came every day and got my car and drove them down. Then I would walk down and meet them when it was over. On the last day they wore princess dresses and had a recital. Claire was the only one who would dance with her prince charming.