Thursday, May 27, 2010


I know, I'm so terrible with my updates, but I figured I had better get a few in before we go on our big vacation and get really behind.

Olivia's hair was sopping in bubble's after Emmy was through with her.
The other problem is I haven't taken many pictures at all in the past month. The weather has been beautiful so we've started up swimming every day at least once, sometimes 2 or 3 times. On days that aren't too hot we hit up some of our favorite parks, so we haven't been up to anything too crazy just our usual lives, which doesn't give me much motivation to bust out the camera too often. The other excuse I have is the sun comes up ridiculously early here, like 4:30, so we've had to move Olivia into the computer room at night because it stays much darker in there. She was just getting up way too early so we had to choose computer time at night or more sleep in the morning and usually the sleep in the morning wins out. So, there are my excuses. Now on with the blog.
Let me just say how much I love our backyard. Seriously we are out there almost every day. I feel like I"m living my dream when I'm out there watering the tomato plants while the kids run around back there. It is just the perfect little picture I've always wanted. We bought this great play set from our friends who moved. The girls are on that thing all the time. Maile even learned how to pump herself on the swing. yeah!!! Now we just need to work on the other 2.

This past weekend The Gila Valley Temple was dedicated. Since I'm in Young Women's the leaders were asked to help chaperon the youth who were participating in the cultural event the Saturday before. The youth had a bunch of dress rehearsals Friday and Saturday morning to get ready for their big performance that night. Turns out they didn't need us leaders near as much as they thought, okay so not really at all. So we had a fun little weekend getaway. I didn't feel too guilty about Aaron home with the girls since they had been rubbing in all their plans for their fun Daddy daughter weekend. When I woke up Friday morning they asked when I was leaving so they could get on with it.
Did a little sight seeing in Thatcher......the house President Kimball grew up in.An unexpected night at the hotel lead to an unexpected shopping trip for our unexpected swim which lead to our matching workout clothes. lots of fun!

The night of the performance was unbelievable! Youth from 7 stakes participated. After watching some of the dress rehearsals I was curious to see how it would all come together. They did a phenomenal job! President Monson, President Eyring, and Elder Holland attended the event. We happened to be sitting right where their golf cart drove up. It was an unforgettable experience to be so close and to see the excitement and spirit they brought especially to the children. I've never seen children be so attentive, many had tears rolling down there cheeks. One little boy couldn't help but break the silence as President Monson went to shake his hand, the boy about 7 years old said holding back tears " I love you President Monson" then President Monson pulled him in for a big hug. A similar incident happened just as the prophet was about to step into the golf cart another boy, maybe 5 years old had so many tears streaming down his face and ready to gush out his eyes, was standing close bye watching, immediately President Monson stepped over to him and picked him up and held him tight while whispering in his ears. All the parents of these kids were in tears. It was just amazing to see the impact he had on the crowd and on me. I wanted more than anything to have my kids with me to witness this unforgettable night.

These were some pictures my friend took, no zoom required.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

4 going on 20


What started out as me just taking some pictures on a Sunday morning killing some time before our 1:00 church turned into.....


a bridal shoot.




Like so many times before we are lucky to be recipients of many hand me downs from family, neighbors, and friends. Also like so many times before the house is covered in clothes from me switching out the winter and outgrown clothes for the new season and size, but unlike the other times Maile was so excited about all these new clothes. Her imagination immediately began to take off with each new dress was a new queen with a name and story. It is so funny to see how her whole personality and character changes as soon as she is dressed up. Her walk and talk become very proper and fancy, she starts ordering everyone around and looking at herself in the mirror every chance she gets. I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy going right along with it just to see what she was going to come up with next. Ever since all the new clothes were discovered Maile's Sunday dress is already decided weeks in advance. One particular Sunday I wanted the girls to coordinate dresses, but I should've figured this would be an issue because Maile was already set on wearing her "wedding dress". I bribed Maile to wear this dress for a few pictures with Emmy and Olivia, but the deal was after those pictures she could get her "wedding dress" on for some bridals. Aaron got me these lovely flowers for my birthday so we even had a flower bouquet on hand, perfect. She thought she was hot stuff and was willing to do whatever pose I told her. She is a little too concerned with her wedding for only being 4, she kind of talks about it regularly and already feels there is a dilemma between marrying Uncle Jakey and my friend Laurel's older brother Spencer. She loves being with older kids and doing whatever they are doing . Hopefully this ilttle wanting to grow up and wedding phase has come and will go away for another 20 years.