"Double Bagged"

Anybody shop at WinCo? Troy and I decided to give it a try. As we were checking out, there was a sign that said, "No need to double bag, our bags are already twice as strong." Being the obedient souls that we are, we did as we were told.

So, here you have it. Pickles and juice all over the garage floor.

I have two words for you....double bag!

Going Private

Hey ya'll. We're going private on February 1st! Send us your email address if you would like to continue to follow our blog. Thanks!

haunhome5@gmail.com

One Stylin Fairy, or maybe there were two?

The Halloween stuff somehow escaped from its box the other day. Out of the mess came a lovely little Fairy that I call, Aeva. She romped around in this little outfit all night long. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures. Then...

I noticed that Maddie had become quite dressed up as well. I tried to snap a picture of the second fairy but it was a very different story. Instead of posing and smiling, there was a squeal followed by a quick get away. Apparently older fairies do not like their picture taken. They are much more aware that others might actually see it. How would that affect their image?

May I be forgiven for following this poor little fairy. She was too cute not to catch!

Fairy Tale Friday - take 2

Gracie is now in 1st grade. Fairy Tale Friday is a very big part of 1st grade. We decided to do the same story that I did with Maddie's class two years ago. Big Pumpkin is one of their favorite stories and a fun one for the kids to act out. All you need are a few costumes and, Poof... Big Pumpkin has come alive!

Our little story went quite well other than our "pumpkin" (also the only prop involved in the ENTIRE story) has a touch of ADHD. Kind of hard to center a story around a pumpkin that moves around incessantly. What to do? Continue on and hope for the end, right?

Good stuff.

Things I Missed

I spent quite a few days this past week feeling proud of myself. You see, I had taken days and days to compile our photos and blog entries from 2010 and place them in our latest book. It was a major accomplishment in my life. The books finally arrived yesterday and I was quite happy.

In my moment of happiness, I decided that I would continue going through our pictures and perhaps make books for years past that I hadn't done. Whilst in this process, I realized that there were several pictures from last year that weren't in my book! Swear word! My book was processed, printed, and mailed and NOW I realize that several things were missing. What to do?

I have decided that it is better late than never. I shall post the pictures now and they will have to jump into our 2011 book. Perhaps our posterity will not be smart enough to notice my sneaky, little trick.

So to catch ourselves up...we did end up going to the dam for a little swim with friends. The girls had a blast and I enjoyed watching them explore and swim. So nice to have a wonderful place to live and wonderful friends to share it with.

Even the snorkel gear made it out of its bag. Not sure they could see much in that sparkly, clear water but they did their best.

For some reason, children have no problem with having sand down their pants. Not my personal favorite.

Obviously, Aeva, was quite concerned about drowning in the 2 inches of water she decided to explore. Hilarious.

The girls found these glasses on the beach. They ended up being the treasured item. The kids were begging and bargaining over who would get to take these beauties home with them.

An awesome day at the beach.

Now for missed activity #2. Our cousin has a friend with horses. They had them out one night and invited the girls to take a ride. My girls LIVE to ride horses and will never have their own so this was an exciting moment. They had a blast! Thanks, Celeste!

And now for our trip to the Gateway in SLC. Ignore the sign on the bottom of the buffalo. I do not consider "standing" on the buffalo as "climbing." They are completely different activities.

The term "Gateway" to my girls simply means...swimming. Thus, we came totally prepared.

We convinced Grandma Rett that if she was "spiritually in-tune" with the fountains that she wouldn't get wet. See for yourself.

Aeva was happier out of the water than she was in it.

Then it was off to the Sky Box for a little lunch.

Anyone aware that the Sky Box has an arcade on the other side of it? Apparently the kids did!

The Trax ride back home. An awesome afternoon. In fact, posting about it in the middle of January makes me a little jealous of our swimsuits and shorts. Summer WILL come again.

A random banana picture that I felt was blog worthy. Might indicate that it is time for some banana bread.

Ice Cream at the Oaks.

Our Slip n Slide. Small, grassy hills make for hours of fun.

Aeva's first experience with cereal.

Maddie after the first day of her first soccer tournament. Gotta love playing 2-3 games in 100+ degree weather. Go Vipers!

Our friends, the Rackham's, came down from Washington for a visit. I pay their grandpa to live close to us so that we can see them every once in a while. I grew up with their mom...one of my closest friends. How is it possible that I didn't get a picture of her? Love you, Michele.

More soccer...this is the day Maddie's uniform and bag arrived in the mail.

Annual swim lessons.

Twister.

Aeva and Piper.

Business day at school. Maddie sold candy airplanes as her "occupation."

Puppet show. I think this is supposed to be what Maddie will look like in 60 years.

A small game of "pile up." Even Oats joined in.

Our biggest (and most decorated) snowman.

Igloo making.

Clown noses.

Um... aprons? Can you see why I couldn't just pass up such priceless photos?

Kati and Troy finishing the Ogden Half Marathon.

Happy 2010!