Luke turns 5!

Dear Luke,

It's hard to believe that 5 years ago you arrived into this world! You were a beautiful, perfect, and happy baby. You turned heads everywhere you went with your bleach blond hair and bright blue eyes. As soon as you learned how to walk, you were unstoppable! You've been on-the-go ever since. You amaze us everyday with your talents and love. A day doesn't go by when you don't say "I Love You" and we love you too! We love to watch you learn and grow. We love to watch you build Legos, dance, sing along with your favorite songs (especially HSM3) ,and are constantly amazed at how well you use your imagination to create such amazing things. Your brother and sister are your best friends and you include them in everything you do. This world just wouldn't be the same without you. You are such a joy to be around and we love you so much! Happy 5th Birthday Buddy!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Yesterday was Luke's 5th Birthday. How is 5 years has gone by so fast? He decided he wanted a Star Wars Birthday Party....so, here is my version of an R2D2 cake. It only took me 6 hours to make from start to finish, but I think it turned out really cute and Luke loved it!
Luke had a great day! And, here are the pictures below to prove it!

Mom and Luke

Luke, Mom, and Dad

The amazing 5-year old himself!

Luke called Michael Friday morning and asked him if he would come to his birthday party on "Sunday at Evening." So, Ann and Michael joined us for the party. What an awesome Uncle! He drove 3 hours just to wish his nephew Happy Birthday...thanks guys!

Luke blowing out candles.

Grandma, Luke, and Grandpa.

A few relatives who joined the celebration.

Opening presents. A new set of Legos, clothes, new personalized bedding, a BYU baseball shirt, ball, and bat, and a remote control Helicopter. I don't think he could have had it any better.

Happy Birthday Luke, we love you!

Blonde and Sassy!

Aren't self-portraits the best?

{{can you sense my sarcasm}}

This is the best I can do...my 4-year old probably could have taken a better picture.

Anyway. It's blonde. It's shorter. And, fun to have a change.

The stylist really teased it high and put tons of product in it so it would stay that way. That's probably the main reason Taylor thought I looked so funny.

This picture is a much more tamed down version of the original day.

Gosh, can Summer take any longer to get here...I really need a tan!

Manic Monday

So. Yesterday I spent the ENTIRE morning getting a hair makeover!

Yes! Finally! I found someone who I felt worthy to do my hair. She is cute, sweet, experienced, and oh-so-willing to consult, cut, and hi-light just the way I like it.

Anyway, after a much needed new-DO...I rushed to the Elementary School to teach 3 hours of PE.

Nothing gives you a better self-esteem boost, especially after a new haircut, than 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders saying "Hey! You cut your hair" or "Hey! I really like your hair." or "Hey! I love your hair Mrs. D."

My self-esteem boost, however, was briefly put on hold during a PE softball game when I called a young 4th grade girl "OUT." She was so mad at me for calling her "OUT" that she sat in the corner, cried, and told all her friends that she "HATES" me.

{{How do I know she hates me, you might ask? Well, in the 4th grade, everyone likes to be in-the-know and likes to make sure if you're not in-the-know that they get you in-the-know.

So. That's how I know.}}

Yes! Like, I said, my self-esteem boost was only briefly put on hold and I was still feeling pretty great until 3 hours later...walking down the hall to greet Taylor and take her home...the look on her face (puzzled and strange) said it all...

But, the look wasn't enough, she just. had. to. say. it. out. LOUD..."Mom, you look funny!"

What a drag!

If this is was Elementary School is like, I am so glad I'm not teaching Middle School!

Puppy Love

I love PUPPIES!

A friend invited us to play with and hold their Golden Retriever Puppies...they were soooo cute!

Had it not been so cold and windy I could have taken some better pictures. It was hilarious watching Blake chase these cute puppies around.

I'm still trying to convince the in-laws that we need one of these...how can you resist this cute face!

Making A Re-Appearance...

A day in the life of me...

• Stay up until midnight or later, every other night, completing vinyl lettering orders.
• Wake up at 7am to get the daughter ready for school and out the door.
• Do dishes, maybe throw in some laundry, and finish completing vinyl lettering orders that you were too tired to finish the night before.
• Take a shower and get dressed.
• Rush to the Elementary School to teach 3 hours of P.E.
• After school, hurry and drop off Taylor at dance
• Rush home to finish boxing up orders and deliver them to the post office.
• Sometime, during all of this chaos, figure out what to cook for dinner.
• Rush to the gym to teach Pilates or Dance.
• Hurry home to feed the family and read and practice spelling with Taylor.
• Start to feel tired.
• Bathe the kids and put them to bed.
• Watch your favorite show.
• Go to sleep.

Wake up with a sore throat...two days later find out it's strep!!!

• Be extremely thankful for antibiotics!
• Take lots of naps.
• Love the fact you live with your MIL who can take care of you and the kids!
• Wake up, feel better, and realize you have to get back to work...UGH!

Spend the entire day baking and frosting Valentine Day Cookies!

Realize the work of a mother NEVER ends!

Crazy for Cheetos Puffs

Devon is the 6th of 7 children in his family. Growing up, with 7 kids, food (especially snack foods) didn't last long in his home. Anytime his mom came home from the grocery store with Oreos, Cheetos, or Soda Pop, they were gone in a flash! If you didn't get your share...it was gone before you knew it.

In H.S, Devon would always tell me how he couldn't stand Cheetos...he didn't know why...they just grossed him out!

One day, his older sister overheard our conversation, about Cheetos, and confessed to him that when he was 5 0r 6 years old she told him that Cheetos were POOP so he wouldn't want to eat them and she could have them to herself.

If you look at Cheetos, you can see how, in a 5-year olds mind, they look like POOP.

Poor Devon!

Not only was he missing out on Cheeseburgers with ketchup, lettuce, and tomato (one of many things his "super-taste buds", as he likes to call them, couldn't stand), but was missing out on Cheetos too!

Now, 25 years later, he decided to put Cheetos Puffs to the test! He thought he might like the "puffs" since they don't look like POOP.

After one bite...he was addicted! His fear of eating POOP is gone!

In fact, he is soooo addicted that Cheetos has become a MUST NEED staple in our home. He has eaten them with his peanut butter toast, in the morning, with his sandwich at lunch, and snacks on them during American Idol!

He is CRAZY for Cheetos Puffs!

The Fourth Picture Tag

I've been tagged! Thanks Amanda!

This picture was taken when Blake was about 4 months old. Much of those days are a blur. I guess that's what happens when you have three kids in four years--eh? This was taken on a typical "pajama day" morning. Back when I had nowhere to go and nowhere to rush to. Aaaahh, those were the days! But look at those sweet faces! It's hard to believe Blake is 2.5 years old and Luke will be turning 5 next month. I miss those simple days of morning cartoons, playdoh, and playdates at the park. Now we've progressed to video games, light saber fighting, and Star Wars movies.

What is your 4th picture in your 4th picture file? If you're reading this consider yourself tagged!

Rules: 1.Go to your 4th picture folder
2. Pick your 4th picture
3. Write about it
4. Tag 4 other people