Flashback Friday

I was looking through some pictures on our computer and saw the birthday pictures from last year.  Esme was turning two and Marielle was turning four.

Clint had just started working in Vegas and was commuting home on the weekends.  Adriana was just two months old at the time.

 

Esme wanted a "meow, meow" party.  The girl loves cats so much so that my hope for her is that one day she will not grow up to be the stinky cat lady.

 

 

        There was a "decorate your cat" station.   With cupcakes and sugar cookies you could decorate with candy.

 

We had cat themed food with cat chow (cracklin' oat bran), fish, furballs (meatballs), milk, scratching posts (pretzel sticks), cat nip (cheese nips) and cat poo (fudge).

    A couple weeks later it was Marielle's birthday.  She wanted a Princess and the Popstar Party.

 

                     We had a family party the night before with lots of pink and purple treats.

 

The next day we had a friend party.  Marielle invited all of her little girlfriends as well as one little boy- friend.  Her cousins Nathan and Jane had stayed the night and were there as well.  Each of the kids dressed up like a popstar (or a rockstar.)

                                       Esme and Grandpa Bob having a balloon fight.

                                  We started the party by making crowns or a guitar.

               This is the stage Clint helped me build so the kids could sing their little hearts out on it.

                                                         Baby Adriana

                          It was so cute watching them sing.  They were all a little shy at first.

After singing time everyone was hungry so it was time to eat.  Everybody enjoyed a princess sack lunch.

                                I love creating special birthday memories with my kids.   

Summer Time Fun

For the past week we've been in Utah hanging out with our family.

 

We started the weekend off at the Steele Days parade.

 

                Later that night was the annual dinner and fireworks show at Grandma Glenda's house.

Adriana loved Esme's face painted like a cat and would growl at her every time she looked at her.

                                      Clint with his grandmother and his cousins.

Clint had to travel to Reno for work so I took the kids down to my parents house in Price to stay for the week.

            It was Price City days and we were able to go swimming for free at the wave pool.  We love the wave pool and had lots of fun getting knocked around by the waves.

     We enjoyed another parade and fireworks show.   There was also an outdoor movie and lots of fun at the park.

                        Shaved ice is a staple of our summer time diet.

        I love summer and it always goes by too quickly.  I enjoy spending time with my kids and not having to worry about homework and all the stresses the school year brings.  The countdown to the start of school has begun so I better squeeze as much fun as possible into the last bit of summer we have.

My Girls

I just finished reading a book titled Deliberate Motherhood.  I highly recommend it.  It made me think about what kind of a mom I am and how I can improve to be a better mom.

 

I love being a mom.  It's by far the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done.  I feel a great sense of peace and contentment, one that I have never felt before until I became a mother. 

 

Here in Vegas I am often looked at as though I am a sideshow in the circus, perhaps we are a bit circus like, but I'm proud of my circus and the opportunity I have to shape these children into wonderful human beings.

 

Here are my little mothers in the making.  They make me smile with their fun personalities that I feel so privileged to be able to watch develop. 

 

 

It's easier to just dump out the fun dip and then lick it up.  Saves a lot time instead of having to use the little candy stick.

    Mascara always looks better applied around the eyes.  And a little dab on the chin for good measure.

Super hero girl is always ready for whatever may come her way.  Whether it be playing with friends or being ready at a moments notice to go swimming, she is prepared.

 

Purple eyeshadow is always better when your sister wears it too.

Such excitement on Easter morn for picture taking.  The one person who hates pictures the most is smiling the biggest.

Such good help when taking pictures and trying to get everyone to look at the camera.

For once Adriana is sitting on Esme and not the other way around.  It must be the life jacket that is so intimidating.

Trying on the new goggles to make sure they are a good fit.