Vegas and Addi's Dance Recital

We had a blast this week! It started out with a trip to Vegas from Tuesday to Thursday and then we came home just in time to get Addi all dolled up for her dance recital.

We went swimming, took a walk down the Vegas strip, visited the Seigfried and Roy animal habitat, and lots more. The girls spent the second night at Grandma Jan's house and had a ball while Les and I played a couple slot machines and enjoyed a date night at a magic show and dinner. They were even really good in the car.

Addi did such a great job at her dance recital and she was darling dancing away. Thanks to those that were able to come watch.

All About The Hair This Week!

Yesterday Addison had her dance photos in her recital outfit. Since I was at work all day I had my mom put her hair in rollers so that it would already be curly for me to put up and I did a practice hairdo the night before. These are photos for the practice.

Tonight we made some cute hair clips. These are my first ones and hopefully they will get better.

Easter

Lots of photos to share of Easter. Rain or shine we had a ton of fun together.

Easter Cupcakes

Ever since we made Valentines Day cookies Addi has been planning Easter treats, so this is what we came up with and made. I have seen this done a million times, but have never made them myself. Addi doesn't like coconut, so on a few of them we did green easter sprinkles to look like grass instead.

Dance Review Outfit

Addi got her outfit for her dance review that is in about a month. We tried it on to make sure it fit right. How cute is this? She posed all by herself. The dance review is on May 7th at 7:00 PM at the Payson High School for anyone who would like to attend. I will try to record it.

Big Girl Words

Just a couple hours ago I was devistated and so proud at the same time. Payton pointed to the goldfish crackers and very plainly said "cracker?" She has been talking simple baby talk, but this was definately the first big girl word. I am so excited that she is beginning to really say words, but so sad that it means my baby isn't going to be my baby for long. So many mixed feelings.

Chuck E Cheese

Addi had a great time at Chuck E Cheese for her birthday. She loved all her gifts and playing the games and even got to sing and dance with Chuck E Cheese. So very worth it!

Payton's Turn

This last week has been exhausting. Last Wednesday we ended up taking Addi to the doctor to find out that she had the flu. On Saturday she started feeling better and Payton started feeling badly. Since Saturday Payton has had a fever on and off and has been wheezing. We thought that maybe she was just getting Addi's flu, but her symptoms kept changing. I finally left work halfway through the day and took her to the doctor. She has double ear infections and an upper respiratory infection. They gave her a steroid injection, amoxicillin and a prescription night-time cough medicine. Hopefully we will be able to get to a point where we can have a kitchen counter free of medicine and finally go out.

My Little Baker

Addi came home on Friday and said she is going to be a 'person who makes bread' when she grows up. I explained to her that it was called a baker and that a baker also makes cakes. She thinks that is a good idea, but wanted me to show her how to make bread. I know using the bread maker is cheating, but it satisfied her and I am a little too busy usually to make it by hand. We made a loaf of white bread when we got home today and tried a slice. It actually turned out yummy.

Snow Angels

Les took the girls outside tonight and showed them how to make snow angels and then Les and Addi made a snowman while Payton ate her sucker in the house. They are so much fun.

Birthday Party

My cousin Ashley's daughter Alyssa had her birthday party a few weeks ago and I have to share the cute photos of the girls from the party. They did a Spongebob Squarepants party and I was so impressed. She is the best hostess I know. She was even up half the night decorating Spongebob Squarepants sugar cookies complete with eyelashes. They were so cute and so tasty. We had a ton of fun.

So Sick

All four of the members of our darling little family are sick! We were fine on Friday, but woke up sick on Saturday. Les started getting it later on Saturday night. The girls both have it and Payton has had a hard time sleeping and has been needing mommy a little more than usual. I can't believe how many other people I know have it. I tried to go to work for only a couple hours Monday since we were all sick, but got stuck staying for the day, so Tuesday the girls and I took a sick day. For the first half of the day we lounged around and watched cartoons in our pajamas wrapped in our blankets. Then we did laundry and dishes. We made cookies together and while Payton took a nap Addi and I played Chinese Checkers. They were so good considering we were so sick that we used half a box of tissues in just that one day. What started out to be a horrible day turned into a fantastic day at home with my girls. Poor Les came home with hardly any voice left. He is still that way. He is a trooper though and as long as I am willing to stay at home with the girls when they need one of us he is happy to be at work. How nice is that?!?

Tutu Cute!

A couple weeks ago Addi and I saw some cute tutus at Quilted Bear which looked pretty easy to make, so I tried my hand at it. It took me almost 4 hours, but it was easy to do and the result is so cute! She has it on at dance right now.

Famous!

The girls and I took a trip to Roberts Crafts this morning. Addi thought it was so cool that there was an advertisement there that her mom was in on a floor sticker. It was quick last minute photo taken back in October when the company first launched the product. It was also used in a pallet display for a retailer that has all it's stores on the east side of the country. I thought I would never see it somewhere in person. It is about time I got famous.

Valentine's Cookies

Addi and I made Valentine's cookies today. She has been planning it since Christmas was over. She has been making plans for everything lately. She even has plans for Halloween already. If we do something other what she has planned she gets upset. It is really funny.

Another funny thing... While we were making cookies she heard Payton drop a toy on the tile downstairs and said " I heard Payton drop a toy. Sound waves travel through air, Mom. That is how I know she dropped it". When I asked her where she learned that she told me "I am only three, but I watch Sid The Science Kid at Grammy's." The things she learns!!! So great!

Ohio

I am in Ohio for a last minute trip to help demo the new screen printing machine for my work. It is cold and flat and I don't know which way north is right now. Also, our first flight took us to Atlanta, GA and then we took a flight straight north to get here. I did however manage to get a photo of the sun as it set when we got to the hotel.

When we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse we found this funny armadillo drinking a beer and thought it would be a good backdrop for a photo. Gotta love the photo-op!

Webinar

So I have been prepping for a live webinar on the Cricut Design Studio I am doing for work since November. This is the project I did to show them how to make. Cute huh? Bet ya didn't know I was this crafty!

I am way nervous for it, but want it done and over with already. The customer has postponed it 4 times already. I am finally doing it tomorrow! It will be recorded and shown on the Cricut website later on for you all to see. As if I am not nervous enough!

New House

Today when I went to pick the girls up from my parents Addi was trying to make a house with a small box. My mom thought that maybe Les could bring Addi home a bigger box so she could actually make one big enough to sit into. This is what he brought home. She has now been playing for an hour. She had Les cut a door and windows. Maybe this will help keep her busy. A free cardboard box. Who knew?

Is She Just Bored?

So the last week or so Addi has been tormenting Payton like crazy! Today I was in Addi's room after church helping her get play clothes on for dinner at my parents when she pushed Payton into her open closet and shut the doors! Then tonight when we put her in the tub she wanted to play for a while, so Les gave her a toy and told her to make sure she kept the water in the tub. Two seconds later Payton and the floor were soaking wet. What is with that? She has never acted this way with her little sister. My mom who watches them all week while we work even mentioned that she has been pushing and taking away toys. I think maybe she is just bored! The funny thing is that if Les and I split them up for a couple hours she whines for her sister back. She really loves her, but thinks it is funny to make her scream I guess. Maybe she just needs a playdate or two. Anyone have kids they would like to loan me that would keep her busy? The neighbor said that she will be calling this week to have her over to play with her little girl, but I am worried that she may need more stimulation in her day. What is a mom to do? She is almost 4. Pre-school?

JERSEY GIRL FOR A DAY

I got the chance to go to New Jersey for a day for work. Such a long flight for very little work, but it was fun to get out and have some time to myself to think. I left yesterday morning and everything seemed to be going well until we got over Michigan. They informed us that the weather in New Jersey was causing visibility problems and we would have to circle for a while before we could be cleared to proceed on. We circled for about 40 minutes and were then cleared. When we were just about to the airport they had us circle again for at least a half hour before finally landing the plane. The person I was meeting there was coming in from Chicago and their flight had also been delayed. I waiting an extra 1 1/3 for that flight to come in. When we went to get in the rental car they had the wrong car in the spot, so we waited again. We then drove 40 minutes to our hotel to check in. After doing so we met back up and decided to go for dinner. One small problem. The vehicle we had was really new (only 27 miles when we picked it up) and had a button ignition. We couldn't figure it out for 10 minutes. Kinda funny, but kind of embarrasing for her-I mean both of us! What an adventure.

Now about the picture. To the untrained eye it may look like your ordinary hotel room bed, right? Wrong!!! I was unusually happy after the day we had already had to get a disturbance free night of rest. No kids waking me up to get a bottle or help them zip their PJ's up after a potty break in the night. No husband hitting me with his elbows while he is tossing and turning. I checked my phone to set the alarm and noticed that it was still on Utah time. No big deal, right? I just decided that if I needed to be up at 6AM that I would have to set the alarm for 4AM MST. When my alarm went off I showered, packed up and headed for the lobby. Really strange that it was so dark for 7AM and nobody was around. Even stranger that the breakfast was not out yet. I asked the desk clerk the time and just then realized that my phone must have automatically changed itself to the local time in the night. I don't know why it took over 5 hours to do so, but it did. I had actually woken up at 2AM MST and gotten ready for the day. I tried to go back to my room and sleep a little, but it really didn't work. So not funny!

Coming home was beautiful. It was clearer so I was able to see some of New York's city and we also flew over Niagra Falls. I couldn't see much from the plane, but it was neat just to know that I saw it with my own eyes. I am glad to be home with my girls and hubby and am now going to get some rest!!!

Gabrielle

This morning I opened my laptop before I left the house to see if I had anymore messages from my cousin. I did. He informed me that everyone in his family is doing well and that he has a younger sister Gabrielle that was born in 2000. I am overwhelmed with joy. I can't wait until I can get a picture of her, of all of them. Right now this is all kinda unreal. Maybe it will soak in later. This year is definately starting off the right way!

New Year News

A few great things have happened this week. To start with I just found my cousins that I have not seen since I was 12 on facebook. I am so overwhelmed with excitement. We had so much fun when we were little. This is how I remember them. Mostly I am glad that they are OK. Being able to fill in pieces of the puzzle is so cool!

On a cool, but not so important note I purchased a treadmill. I have to wait for a week for it to be delivered, but it is a really nice one and I plan on using it a ton. Maybe I will be a little slimmer for 2009.

This is Les' new pride and joy. I have a feeling that Heidi and I are going to be without husbands on any holidays and Saturdays the boys think are 'free' for the rest of the season. And just in case you didn't notice it resides in our two car garage with my car.

The old days

Grandpa Peart with Santa. It's been almost 10 years since he passed away. I was his little Princess. I really miss him and I am glad that my aunt gave me a copy of these photos for Christmas.

Me on Santa's lap at Grandma Peart's house. I think I was almost two. It is the same Santa that has come every single year of my life. How cool is that?

Red Suit

Tonight was the annual Christmas party at Grandma Peart's house. As usual Santa came after dinner to give the little kids pajamas and have photos taken. Addi got to sit on his lap 3 different times, but Payton wouldn't sit on his lap until he gave her the present. I got a couple photos of Taylor on his lap, but Brooklyn wasn't going too close to that crazy old man in the red suit.

Weston

Nuf said!~

Welcome Baby Weston

I am an aunt again and this time it is a boy!!! My sister gave birth to a sweet baby boy on Monday at 1:37pm. He is 6 lbs 13 oz and is so very loved. We are so glad he is here and is well. I forgot my camera when I went into the hospital, so I will have to post a photo as soon as I can get over to her place to snap one or get the photos I took off my Mom's camera. Addison is so excited that Taylor is a big sister like her.
Congrats Jenny, Jon and Taylor!

Payton's Birthday

My baby is one!!! I am so very proud of her, but so sad that she is growing out of being my baby. Her birthday party was great and she got some clothes and toys. Thanks to everyone who came and made this so much fun for her.

Two Front Teeth

Payton was so sad cause I shut the drawer she was pulling dish cloths out of. Look at those two beautiful two front teeth. Just in time for Christmas.

Cutest Kids I've Ever Known

We took photos of all the kids after Jenny's baby shower on Nov 15th. They are so cute, but since they are all so little it was hard to get them all looking at once.

Gingerbread House

Addi and I decorated a small gingerbread house together on Tuesday.

Dance Program

Addison's dance class had a short parent program yesterday. They got to wear Christmas colors and have a Christmas party afterwards. Addison did such a great job. She was so very cute. I took a couple photos of her in front of our Christmas tree after we got home. Cute!!! I think this is what every mom waits for.

Christmas Shopping

Why is Christmas shopping so difficult? First of all there are those people who nobody understands and therefore nobody has any idea whatsoever what to buy them for any occasion. Second of all I hate shopping without taking Les or Addi with me, but in order to sneak out to buy the presents from 'Santa' I have to do it while Les has the girls. The most recent problem I am having is deciding what to buy Payton. What do you buy a tiny little girl who is having a birthday just over a week before Christmas and is turning one? There are only so many outfits that she needs and only so many little toys that are appealing. I am completely stumped! After doing the birthday shopping and a tiny bit of Christmas we are out of ideas. I really notice how spoiled our family is when we already have everything and there is nothing left to buy. I should be counting my blessings. Especially since the country has now officially declared a recession.

Home Again

It's fun to be gone, but even better to come home after being gone! We left Wednesday morning and drove down to St. George to spend Thanksgiving with part of Les' family on the Badertscher side. We also drove down to Las Vegas and back to visit his mom for a couple of hours on Friday and then drove on back to St. George. The kids had their ups and downs, but all in all it was very enjoyable. Now to get that stack of laundry done and everything put back in it's place!

Happy Birthday Les!

Today is Les' 27th Happy Birthday!!! He had the day off so after he went to the chiropractor he and the girls came to my work to visit and brought me lunch. So much fun!! Also, the girls are going to the movies with Jenny, Jon, Taylor, Sarah and Segna and then sleeping over at Jenny and Jon's tonight. Les and I are going to dinner and seeing a later movie with Heidi and Dave. It will be nice to not worry about getting the girls home and to bed at a decent hour or waking up at 5:30 (the time we usually wake them up) with them on a Saturday. Sounds like as much fun for me as it will be for Les and it is totally not my birthday. Thanks to all my sisters and bro-in-law! You guys are the best of the best!

Christmas decorations are up!!!

This weekend we put up the Christmas tree and other decorations. Addi is finally getting old enough to help out and have an opinion on how it is done. Holidays are so much better with kids, expecially Christmas!!! We have a really small tree that I used to use for work that I let her put her own decorations on. Now that we have a much larger house it has occured to me that I need to do some holiday shopping. Some of the areas of the house have little or no decoration and I just can't have that. Also, the tree decorations are blue, white, and silver, but they really don't go with the house. I will have to fix that, but for now blue will do.

5 years and going strong

Today is our 5 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been 5 years already, but then again it seems like we have always had our girls and I wouldn't want it any other way. Sarah is watching the kids tonight so that we can have a night on the town (which we have only done once since having Payton). I am really looking forward to it. I might actually be able to hear Les talk since usually Addi is singing some crazy made up song and Payton is babbling loudly. I have been wanting a shelf for the house to put pictures and decorations on. I still have pictures in boxes cause in the new house I don't have anywhere to put them yet. Les took me shopping for one last night and I couldn't have been more happy with the one we found. I love my hubby!!!

Payton is Walking!!!

For the past week or two Payton would walk, but only when bribed with mini M&M's. Yesterday she figured out that she can stand up in the middle of the room and walk around. I am so very proud of her. It is fun to watch the wheels just turning in her mind. She giggles while she is walking which is really very cute, but does not help her keep sturdy.
She has also started to try talking. She can now say "Dada", "Papa", "Mama", "Nana", "Addi" and "Ut-oh". When we talk to her she has started to really stare at our mouths like she is trying to figure out how we are saying things. She is growing and learning so quickly. Every week she learns something new. Addi can't wait until she is a "big girl" and can play pretend.
Another thing she is doing this week is refusing baby food and formula. She will only drink about 3 bottles per day now and will refuse her baby food if anyone is eating any regular food anywhere near her. She loves Mac & Cheese and Vegetable Beef soup, but will really eat anything, unlike her big sister.
-So proud of her!!!