Cutting The Curls

Disclaimer: I realize there are far more pictures than necessary in this post just to document a first hair cut. I am just so in love with this kid, almost to the point of obsession. He is the cutest thing I have ever laid eyes on. I can't get enough of him. I just couldn't choose a couple pictures. P.S. I have more if you need more.

As cute as we thought Zachary's little blond baby curls were, we finally realized (much later than most) that he was looking like a mad man. His curls were everywhere or they were matted down in a rat's nest on the back of his head. Truth be told, we were trying to hold out so that he could wear a ponytail to Tawna's wedding. I couldn't last any longer and knew it was time to give the poor boy his first hair cut.

Lunch before the trip to Cookie Cutters:

Ramen on the nose.
Hiding for Peek-a-Boo with Ava.
PEEK-A-BOO!
Slurpppp! No one in our house does this. Who taught him?
We got to Cookie Cutters and Zachy ran right in and climbed up in a blue car. He was so excited. Ava watched him through the whole thing amazed at his bravery. She kept saying, "Zachy is being so brave."Sheering the first of those baby curls. So sad.
Ta da. He doesn't look like a baby any more. He now looks like a grown man. Still so cute.

Walk for Cystic Fibrosis - 2011

This was our third year joining in the Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrosis. We walk (and donate) in honor of our nephew Connor, who has CF. They walked in NY on Sunday and we walked in SLC on Saturday. We met up with our friends that are always there with us walking for Tricia's cousin. As usual, out of the hundreds of people walking, we were the VERY last to leave. We short cutted through the route and met up with them for a very triumphant finish.

Shakin' It At The Preschool Performance

So, Brielle had her end of the year Preschool Performance last week. The theme was Disney and her teacher did a great job putting together a cute show with songs, costumes and little speaking parts. You could tell the kids were so proud to be up there.

This may not come as a surprise to you, but Brielle didn't do as well with remembering the words to the songs and singing out, but focused more on her dancing. Yes, she was "the kid" that all eyes turned to and all the parents giggled a little at. She REALLY got into those songs! She shook her hips, she swayed, she flung her arms about and she gave a prolonged curtsy after every song. Who taught this girl her moves?This is Brielle's last week with Ms. Chris and there are already sobbing tears every day over how much she is going to miss her. So sad. We really have loved Ms. Chris' preschool. Luckily, Ava starts in September when Brielle heads off to Kindergarten. Yeah!

Oh, The Places You'll Go, With Randi Jo!

Guess who came to visit!!! One of our most favorite people in this world, Randi Johansen. We were lucky enough to have her stay with us from Monday to Thursday last week. It was great to catch up with her and have someone around who laughs at all you say and makes you feel like you are the funniest person ever . . . . when really she is!

Most people come to visit and they want to do a hike or visit Temple Square or something, not Randi. Last time Randi came to visit she took us on a day trip out to a railroad in the middle of Utah where we had never been, to visit "where the East met the West". This time we loaded everyone in the mini van to drive to Wellington, UT and then Mt. Pleasant, UT. Ever heard of 'em? Yep, neither had we.

We went to Wellington to see a house that Randi's great, great grandfather built when he and his family were sent there from SLC to settle. The cabin was cool to find, but the real thrill for the kids was the park right behind it. It really was nice of Randi's ancestors to put that there. Our kids are begging to go on a trip back there!I swung for about ten minutes and then had to sit down for 30, because the whole world was spinning. I was motion sick the rest of the day. Wimpy!Wingers (kids eat free) for lunch!
On to Mt. Pleasant through some even smaller Utah towns. It was beautiful! Here we searched the cemetery for three of Randi's long lost ancestors. Two of which left Denmark on a boat to the US, married on the boat, then crossed the plains to settle here. Wow!
And a big thank you to Mt Pleasant for putting a park right by the cemetery.
Another day with Randi was not quite so exotic. We spent it at the Gateway where we met Scott for lunch. The kids got to give their Build a Bear animals a bath. Randi and I shopped the mall while the kids jumped/danced in rain puddles!Can't wait to see where we go next time Randi! Thanks for the visit.

Best Mother's Day Ever!

Surprise, surprise, but Brielle usually thinks Mother's Day is for her too. This Mother's Day she did make it about me (she gave me a card, a present, hugs, etc.), but she also gave a dramatic pout every time she got in trouble saying, "This is the WORST Mother's Day EVER!" Well, for me it was the best! I loved my day and now that it is Monday and I'm cleaning up oatmeal messes, doing laundry and breaking up fighting sisters I realize I am not quite ready to give up my "Queen For A Day" status. Can we do Mother's Day again please?

Top Ten Reasons Why I Loved Mother's Day:

1. We started early by celebrating Scott's mother, Rama, on Saturday. We knew she did not want a gift that she would have to store or dust, so Scott went over to her house Saturday to do any and all work she needed done around the house/yard. That evening we took Rama and Fred out to dinner and gave her a bouquet of flowers. I love Rama and really am so grateful to have her as a mother in my life and a grandmother to my children. She is wonderful at it.

2. I got to sleep until 7:15 am on a Sunday morning. Scott and the girls brought me breakfast in bed, which was a bowl of cereal because we had to get us and the kids showered and ready for church at 9 am. Scott fed the kids, dressed the kids and got the bag ready. We even got to church early to set up Primary. Beautiful.

(an attempt at a Mother's Day picture after church. Yea, right.)

3. At church the men take over Primary for all the women so that we can go to Sunday School and Relief Society. Isn't that nice? They did a great job and it was wonderful to just sit back and relax in a class. Scott always takes on the job of conducting Primary, leading the songs and doing Sharing Time. He was great.

We (Primary Presidency) made a little something for the kids to wrap up and give to their moms for Mother's Day. They turned out so cute. I was happy having these on my kitchen table looking at those cutest faces that I love so much.

4. After church was when I got my favorite breakfast - waffles with strawberries and cream. These were even stepped up a notch by adding Nutella. Wow. They also made me a delicious dinner that evening - steak and veggie shish-ka-bobs. The best part was that they took 5 minutes to cook, 10 minutes to clean up. Awesome!

5. The rain. The quiet. Relaxing. Zachary took a long nap. The girls watched Tangled with Scott. I was cozied up in bed reading a little, snoozing a little and watching "Charlie St. Cloud" (so dumb). It was pure heaven.

6. I spent a rainy afternoon reading books with the kids, watching Scott wrestle on the floor with the kids, playing indoor basketball (in which Ava or Brie burst into tears at least every 5 minutes) and then an exciting game of hide and go seek around the house. My ears are still ringing from the shrieks and screams that were let out upon finding someone.

7. Watching Brie, Ava and Zach put on a "Mother's Day dance and puppet show". We had to have tickets to get in and yes, it was quite a performance.

8. A leg and foot massage from Brielle. Tawna has taught this girl well. Brielle really likes giving a massage and feels she is really good at it. And she is. She and Zachary rubbed lotion on my legs and feet while I laid on the floor. Zachary did a lot of tackling me and jumping on me too since I was so vulnerable. Kind of distracts from the massage, but what do you do?

9. Scott surprised me all day with my favorite treats - Dulce de Leche ice cream, chocolate covered pretzels, Funyons and Diet Pepsi.

10. We finished the glorious day with the kids in bed at 8pm and Scott and I sitting on the couch, watching the Finale of The Amazing Race!!! Perfect ending to a wonderful day. I love being a mom and I really LOVE Mother's Day.