Laura turns 35!

I celebrated my 35th birthday this summer.  How can this be? Clearly I don't feel 20 anymore but my mind still remembers being 20.  Oh, how glad I am NOT 20!  I kind of like being this "old."  My life is so much more rewarding and I have these three little angels that help make my life more enjoyable and meaningful.  I also have a wonderful husband who is SO good to me and he makes my life better than I could have ever imagined.  He makes me SO happy and feel so LOVED!  How lucky am I?!

I was spoiled.  My best friend's birthday is two days after mine so she and I went out for pedicures and then our families met up for lunch and then back home for gifts and a cake that Brent and the girls made for me. Brent got me this picture of the Salt Lake Temple and I have it hanging over my mantle. 

 I had a great Birthday!!!

 I too am one of Brent's models, even if I don't like it as much as the girls do...

 Brent thinks this picture is HILARIOUS!!!  I am studying up on a weight loss/fitness program while munching on chocolate...doesn't everyone study better while eating something sweet?  It makes the process of studying more appealing, right?!

More modeling pics...I like the smeared mascara look under my eyes...

Brent,  Thank you for taking pictures of our family.  These pictures capture the innocence of our children and also the love that shines in their eyes as they look at you, even if you are behind the camera.  I too love you.

My sweet Danielle

Danielle is my FAVORITE 6 year old in the whole wide world! 

She too is a model...

                                         for her Dad.

Danielle is always making us laugh...she has a funny personality.  She is all about fun, having fun, and if she's not having fun, she lets us know she isn't having any fun at all. 

She also has the biggest heart and wants to share it with everyone. 

Don't worry, these underpants are clean!

 This season Danielle started playing soccer.  She is on the Stars Team.  She gets better every week. Check out her FUN socks!

She has the two best coaches. (Coach Aaron Bass and Coach Scott McClellan) They are very good with the girls.  This past Saturday, Danielle hurt her finger as she fell and she also got hit in the face by the ball and Coach Aaron (above) made her go from crying to giggling so much you could hear her on the other side of the field.  She has been begging to be goalie from day one so they put her in this last game and she even blocked a shot!  GO DANIELLE! 

Another one of her modeling pics...

My Hannah Banana

This is my FAVORITE 10 year old in the whole wide world...

She has been a busy girl this year. 

 Did you know she is a model? 

for her Dad?

 Here are some of her latest...

She loves the camera. And mirrors.  If she is around either one, she poses or checks herself out, even if she is in the middle of a conversation with someone. 

Hannah must be so busy that the making of the bed doesn't get done too often. So, when it does, it has to be documented...  This also serves as our guest room so for those of you who want to visit, this is where you'd sleep.

In Texas, when you are in 5th grade you get to go to Sky Ranch.  It is a three day trip 3 hours east of Dallas...ALONE with the school.  Hannah worked so hard cleaning our home and two other friend's homes to earn money to help with the amount that was due.  This was Hannah's first time away from both of us and she had a great time.  She did miss us though and when I went to pick her up she looked as if she were about to cry she was so happy to see me.  I started to wonder if this is why they take this age away so that the kids can appreciate their parents more...I know that isn't the main reason for it but I did notice a difference in her attitude when she came home.  It lasted only a few days!  It was an educational trip and she says it will be one she will always remember.  Hannah, I'm so glad you got to go and we are even happier that you are home!  We MISSED you so much! 

Summer at 5 months... Part 2

The other milestone is that we started Summer on solids.

By the look on her face she likes it...

                                                                                                  ...and now she doesn't!   We'll keep trying!

Summer at 5 months...Part 1

At 5 months it seems as if a lot has happened.  She has had a developmental growth spurt!  She started rolling, she smiles more and is more responsive to each of us, Brent and Hannah in particular!  She has found her voice and experiments with it on occasion.  She has a need to play.  Her favorite is a Ladybug rattle and a stuffed giraffe.  Everything she touches becomes wet since everything goes in her mouth, even our faces!  :)  She loves to give kisses and is hilarious in the bath.  She likes to roll in the tub and likes to kick her feet so much that I become wet all over.  She is the sweetest baby ever and we are enjoying every minute with her. 

WE LOVE YOU SUMMER!

more to come...

Summer at 4 months...

I know she isn't 4 months anymore but I wanted to post these pictures.  Her stats: She weighed 13 lbs. 10 oz.  and measured 24 1/2 inches.  At this point I had to go off milk because she would spit up so much.  It was hard but I now drink Almond Milk and it's not too bad...





Grandma Becky came out too at this age and she got to meet her Aunt Charlotte, cousins Courtney and Jensen , and attend her 1st baseball game. 

ABC's of SUMMER

Every Summer I try to plan activities for my kids and this Summer was no different.  I felt I was more limited since we have a little one amongst us but we were able to have a lot of FUN and complete our list before the start of school.  Here is what we did:

A- The girls both attended an Art camp, Brent & Laura celebrated their 12 year Anniversary!
B-Went to a Roughriders Baseball Game!  Brent's Birthday! Hannah took a Babysitting class! 
C-Went to the Summer Sounds Concert, Cleaning melted Crayons out of the dryer...
D-The girls both had their Dental cleanings...yay, no cavaties!
E-Hannah had her Expander removed...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!  Saying Good-bye to the Ericksons who moved to Utah :(
F-Watched Fireworks...twice, Flu mist for Hannah, Flu shot for Laura
G-Family Vacation at Great Wolf Lodge, saying Good-bye to the Gleatons who moved to Nebraska :(
H-Happy Hour at Sonic, Brent's newest Hobby is Photography.  He has everything he needs to take great photos!
I-Summer got 2 month and 4 month Immunization shots  :(
J-Went to Amazing Jakes...indoor amuzement park
K-Saw the movie Karate Kid
L-Participated in the Library Reading Club, Laura's Birthday
M-Went to a Magic Show
N-Hannah grew out her Nails and then got a mani/pedi as a reward.  (She was a huge nailbiter) I think the glow in the dark Nailpolish was the motivation behind it all.
O-Hannah went to an Orthodontic Pool party without a parent..(this was a BIG deal)
P-Went to a Puppet Show...Rumpelstiltskin, saying Good-bye to the Pedersens who moved to North Carolina :(
Q-Swimming at Quail Run Pool
R-Saw the movie Ramona & Beezus, Summer Rolled over
S-Back to School Shopping, Sprinkles cupcakes
T-Saw the movie Toy Story 3
U-Went on a tour of the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (this was awesome!  We saw the new $100.00 bill and it's not even in circulation until next year!)  Summer also had another Ultrasound on her heart and one of the holes is completely closed and the other is so small the Dr. isn't concerned AT ALL! 
V-We had family come for a Visit (Courtney, Grandma Becky, Jensen, and Charlotte)
W-Ward BBQ
X-X-ray of Laura's chest.  (found out her Sternum is swollen.  Dr. isn't even sure he has seen that before.)  We also stayed in TeXas ALL Summer long...and withstood the eXtremely HOT weather. 
Y-Yogurtville (cookies and cream is my favorite with  crushed oreos on top)
Z-$1.00 day at the Dallas Zoo...and boy was it a ZOO, not sure I'd do that one again.  Didn't help that we got LOST trying to find our car in the SCARIEST part of Dallas AND it was HOT!



WOW!  We were busy...but it sure was FUN!