Gardening

I started this type of gardening because of Chad's enocuragement. He heard about it from a co-worker and thought he would possibly, maybe, like gardening if it was low maintenance. So, he bought me the Squarefoot Gardening book for Mother's Day in 2008. I have done it for two years and have not been successful yet. Although, I'm conviced that is due to my lack of follow through rather than the type of gardening.

It started out with two 4'x4' boxes. Determined to be prepared to have a successful gardening season in 2011, I started preparing during the Fall of 2010. I added 3 more 4'x4' boxes and a zuccini circle (no matter what the book says, I'm convinced that zuccini will NOT grow vertically).

With the help of some of my wonderful friends, the garden got planted today. Plus, the yard got mowed and edged which it needed desperately!

Bridger and Livy "helped" too. They especially loved the watering part!

This is my friend, Heidi. Her son, Beckahm (you can't see him because he is between me and Heidi), and Bridger are helping to plant green beans.

In the picture below, Bridger is whining about smiling for the camera. He is saying " No, no, no!"

Livy wearing my friend, Britney's, glasses and giving two thumbs up!

Idaho

I love to go visit my aunt and uncle and my cousins in Idaho. It is ALWAYS fun at the Willford's house! It is a short trip and loads of fun and adventure to be had. Lots of kids for my kids and lots of adults for me!

Jared playing Sorry! with the kids. He is so loved by the kids and a great uncle.
Gotta love Livy's goofiness!

Twister at Jim and Julie's house while Sara and Katie were making homemade donuts with original and orange glaze! YUM!

Discovery Gateway

We had so much fun at the Discovery Gateway. This was our first time. Bridger's favorite part was the beehive close to the entrance. They have about a thousand balls and you can put them through tubes that go through a maze, or make music, or turn on lights. It definitely kept him as busy as a bee. Livy's favorite part was the water feature. She was drenched when we left!




They can "work" on a farm putting hay in the barn, planting crops, riding the horse, and driving the tractor.

They had this stage area with different backdrops and costumes. This is Bridger being a knight. In case you didn't know, he is VERY in to swords right now. So, he often is a dragon-slaying knight in our house saving Livy and I several times a day.

Livy, of course, is the princess. Doesn't that make me the queen?

Aquarium

We LOVE to see the fishies at the aquarium in Sandy. We go at least once a month. Bridger used to be terrified of the aquarium. He couldn't differentiate between the paintings on the walls, the sculptures, and the real thing. He still gets a little afraid but he warms up quickly.

Life on the reef

Bird eating spider (I've actually never seen it in person because it hides under this log and you have to use your flash to get a good picture of it)

Valentine's Day

Look at my valentines! Aren't you all jealous?

Thanks to my sister, Ellyse, who has a quirky, yet endearing sense of humor!

Skiing

So, I'm reporting on my New Year's Resolutions. So far, so good. Even if it's only been one month. Chad taught me to ski many many years ago and it has been almost 6 years since I last went. To say I was rusty is an understatement. I went first with my Turley nephews to the rope tow at Alta. I was amazed at how much I remembered. I've now gone four time this season and it has all come back.

Chad wanted Bridger and Livy to learn. I figured the best way for this to happen is for me to get good enough to teach them. I'm assuming this will take another couple of seasons. So, here's to enjoying the great outdoors during the winter!

Happy Happy Birthday!

Can you believe it? The twins are 3! This year, they were old enough to help with some of the planning. They chose to have a dinosaur/princess party with pink and blue decorations. They picked out the frosting for their cupcakes and the decorations for the room. They even helped mail the invitations. Then, for the entire week before the party all they could talk about was the party and who would be there. They woke up several mornings saying "Happy Birthday to me?" wondering if this was the big day they had been waiting for.

Pre-party picture with hats and birthday pins!
I wish I had a better picture of the cupcakes. It's not that I am some artist with icing, but I was so proud of how they turned out with such little effort on my part! For Bridger's cupcakes, I used store bought icing and royal blue food coloring. Then, I piped the frosting on, added some dinosaur sprinkles, and topped each one with a toy dinosaur! For Livy's cupcakes, I found pink strawberry flavored icing at the store. I used a star tip to pipe on the frosting, used some pearly sprinkles, and topped each one with a paper princess crown (that was attached to a toothpick).

The kids practiced for a whole week to hold up 3 fingers. They had it mastered by the party.

Every toy was princess, dragon, or dinosaur. They LOVED everything!

This is one of Bridger's favorite presents and I love humiliating Travis, so here's a picture of him as the model!

I can't believe that it's been three years! This is the first birthday that they've had that has made me sad. They really are leaving the baby stage :o(

Thank you to everyone that was able to come. It means a great deal to our little family to feel of your support and love.