Beaner turns 3!

Had to start the birthday post with this video of Jenna tonight. Give the girl a pretty cape, a crown and some new high heels and guaranteed she will want to sing! (just ignore Brent screaming a phone conversation in the background.)



So Jenna is 3! Time is going way to fast and I am really trying to absorb these last few years of tiny kids. It's hard to let go.

Jenna had a GREAT day. She woke up to the crepe paper party tent in the kitchen and had her favorite breakfast--oatmeal. That was easy enough. She couldn't stand just looking at a pile of presents and not being able to open one, so we let her open two--- some new earrings and a new shirt, and then she was OFF to preschool! She FINALLY got to start school last week and is LOVING every minute of it. They made cupcakes for her today and she came home feeling like a queen.

I had to put her down for a nap--which I rarely do anymore, but she was so tired and I wanted tonight to be fun. She slept forever, so I decided to go in and wake her up so we could decorate her cake before Brent got home. I had to take this picture because this is exactly how she would sleep as a newborn--so grown up in so many ways, but one look and she is still my baby....yes I cried.
I bought this book of fun cakes a while ago. Jenna has had her eye on the butterfly cake for some time. It looked so easy--not so much for me. But the girls had fun picking out the candy and helping decorate.Then it was time for PRESENTS! Her "biggy" was a silky nightgown that came with a cape. Kesley had just inherited the same nightgown a couple weeks ago from cousin, Sydney. Jenna was green with envy so I knew what we had to do. She was already wearing a dress-up and didn't want to take it off, but the CAPE--Ahhhhhh the cape...it was a hit. This was only the beginning of the twirling.Anyone remember the jar of pickles Kesley got for her birthday? What I called "filler" presents? Well, Jennas was this amazing WATER BOTTLE! She always wants mine when we are walking. Now, she has her own...and one more thing to remember opening...CAKE TIME! Anyone else light the cake candles about 400 times? What is the draw to blowing out candles anyway?Great day. Beautiful lady. Happy Birthday Jenna! I lOVE YOU!

A lot can happen in a week...

How can I put this off another day? Three HUGE happenings since last Saturday--in order of importance, not chronological:

First: Kesley's first day of Kindergarten! It was almost mean to make her wait an entire week after the other kids stared school. She was SO excited--no anxiety in this little lady! I walked her into her class and she was immediately in heaven. Unlike Gavin, Kesley RAN to me after school and didn't stop talking for at least an hour--literally. I think I got the play by play of the entire first day and loved every minute of it. The downside is she has had the throw-ups all day Monday and missed yesterday and today...gotta love school and the germ fest.Second: We made it to Star Pond!!! A little impromptu trip up the Uintas with Amber, Bonnie and Tami and Kids. Lovely, Lovely Day. I stole this picture from you, Amber. If you even read this blog anymore--you captured Star Pond perfectly.Third: We are now boaters...we boat! Brent traded a Saturday of trimming a guys house for this little fishing/old time ski boat. Nothing fancy, but who cares? Our kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Now all we need is another little side job so we can buy some decent life jackets and a few new boat toys!And how's about a little encore? Jenna has started doing her own hair! She came out and asked if I wanted to get a picture--some people just know they got it!

When the boys are away the girls will play!

Brent and Gavin were off to the Fathers and Sons camp out tonight, so us girls had to come up with something equally as fun. Here is some of what can happen when you turn the planning over to a 5 year old!

First: Go to the dollar store and pick out some brand new SPARKLY make up for make-overs!

Second: Dress up like princesses...but what will mom wear?

Third: Squeeze your mother into the biggest dress up you can find. (This thing is usually their "wedding dress" and goes past their feet...I actually considered using my Slim & Lift.) I had a good laugh when I was pulling and tugging to get the thing on and I said, "This will work! Right?" Kesley said, "Sept for we got to get a shirt that matches cause we can see your undershirt and your bra...and your big belly..." (I really need to loose some weight before her Jr. High years...) Jenna, who is always on my side when she thinks anyone is being mean to me, says, "Mom, I like your big belly."

Me in all my glory

Fourth: Do each others hair. Jenna wanted hers in a bun with flower. Kesley was VERY excited to do my hair and practice all the skills she has learned from doing hair on Barbie.com! I think I ended up looking a little bit like an Afghan Hound... Jenna captured the moment from an angle that seemed to add 50 pounds to my arms! Look at the size of those things!Fifth: Capture the moment on camera! Look at these beautiful princesses!Next, it was time to DANCE! Kesley LOVES a song Taylor Swift sings called, "Love Story." We cranked it up and Danced! I had to include this HIDEOUS shot of me dancing from behind! Too funny to leave out.
The girls were so dang cute dancing, but they really enjoyed trying to belt out the chorus--I happened to capture that moment perfectly!



And finally, we ended the night with strawberry milkshakes and a movie. What a PERFECT night!--and we didn't have to sleep in a tent!

First day of school!

Ahh the first day of school. Gavin didn't have any of the anxiety like last year. He was up, dressed, ate a HUGE breakfast and was off! It's hard to pull information out of that kid, but I am pretty sure he had a great day. He even said he played with Shari (remember her?) at recess and "she lost three teeth this summer!" I said, "Did you show her that your top teeth grew in?" He said, "No, but some kid said--hey you have big teeth! to me today." Has anyone else noticed that his front two teeth are the size of X-LARGE chicklets?
Kesley is so excited to start kindergarten. It's hard because it starts a week after all the rest of the kids, so she won't go until next Wednesday. (very anti-climactic) Jenna is VERY excited to start her preschool, but it doesn't start until SEPTEMBER 9th! (quadruple the anti-climactisism...if that is a word). Both girls were semi appeased because today just happened to be the first day of BALLET! Jenna finally got to go be in a class and not just watching Kesley. I've never seen her so happy! Her teacher asked her how old she was. She said, "I'm two! I will be three on September fourteen!" That little lady is growing up way to fast...sad and happy at the same time.

Half a tag...well a fourth anyway...

A friend of mine (hello, Mary) tagged me. The tag was called "Number Eight." I am taking a few liberties and calling it "Number Two", (Oh get your mind out of the gutter and stop snickering), but it still counts...

Two things I did yesterday:
1. Made Cowboy Salsa for my first time. YUMMY! Here is the recipe:

1 can Black Eyed Peas
2 cans White Shoepeg Corn
1 can Black beans
1/2 bunch Cilantro (chopped)
1 bunch green onion sliced very thin
7-8 Roma Tomatoes diced in big chunks
4 Avocados diced in BIG chunks
1/2 bottle of Kraft Italian Dressing

2. Gave myself a facial for the first time in a LONG time. I came out with the mud all dried on my face and told the kids I had put on some lotion that turned my face white and it wouldn't ever go away! (Am I the meanest mom ever?) They were all a little concerned to say the least. Kesley was a little more devastated than concerned. She just stared at me and I could just see her little brain thinking, "this is my mom FOREVER???" I said, "It's not that bad, is it?" She said, "YAH! It's that bad! I think on Sunday, they will all laugh at you! If they have an ugly cowboy contest you will for sure be ugly!"Two favorite shows:
1. Dancing With the Stars. Why? I do not know. But Kesley and I have such a great time watching it every season!

2. Desperate Housewives. Why? I do not know. As stupid as it is, it's the only show I really follow.

Two favorite restaurants:
1. PF Changs--hello lettuce wraps, honey chicken and garlic asparagus!!!

2. Mimi's Cafe...mmmmm, warm honey bran muffins and...well, ANY ENTREE!

Ok, so I skimped. But, who does more than 8 DIFFERENT things in a day? I am going to tag three people--for what ever number you want to insert...

Emily--update your blog
Chrissy--update your blog
Debbie--comment so I can have the link to your blog

First half of the week down, second half begins...

It's been an eventful week so far. I don't know if I can keep up this pace until Aug 19, but I am sure going to try!

Monday: Shannon's kids were here all day for the cousin swap--her kids come here on Mondays and my kids go there on Thursdays. This has been AWESOME and has enabled me to finish my laundry room painting and repaint my kitchen--it seems so easy when the house is empty!

"The Gang"
(Yes, that is a bum!)

Tuesday: was about the only free day we had this week. We filled it with swimming in Grandma and Grandpas pool (which has been a daily ritual and absolutely the BEST thing EVER this summer!) and then went to the dollar movies and saw "Imagine That." It was cute and totally worth a dollar.

"Our Summer Home away from Home"

Wednesday: Today we spent the morning up at the Children's Museum. My two best friends from high school, Chrissy & Marianne, met us up there with their kids and we had a really fun morning chasing kids and catching up! Chrissy has 3 kids, Josie-3, Charlie-almost 2, and Francis--3 weeks!! (she is a very brave lady). Marianne has 2 kids, Shelia-almost 4, and Sabina--7 months! I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the whole clan together! We are getting together again next week and I will definitely get some pics.

I did get two pictures after they left. I stayed with my kids and we did some of the bigger kid stuff upstairs. Here is Kesley with their favorite things--the magnetic blocks!

It was such a hot day, we were happy to spend it inside, but couldn't resist venturing out in the heat for some ice-cream before leaving for home.

Jenna LUBS chocolate...

Tomorrow we are headed back up the Uinta's with LOTS of cousins! It was such a blast last week, I had to get in ONE more day!

And the cramming continues...

The rest of last week was just as busy as the first!

Wednesday, me & kids, Holly & kids, Emily G & kids and Emily V & kids met up South Fork for an afternoon of cousins, playing in the river, eating lunch and having fun.

The perfect spot, next to the river, but all shade!

Kesley, Megan & Melissa--spent most of the day exploring the trees and not in the river.

Jenna--lubbin her some Paige!Cristian and Jacob spent the entire time building this "hot tub" and bridge.Gavin spent the afternoon hitting balls for Eli to fetch for him. Eli chased balls for over an hour!It was fun just sitting and watching the kids have fun. At one point, I looked over at the two babies and one had a carrot and the other...a plastic bag! (both were well supervised--it just cracked me up!)Jenna--and a mouth full of grapes! Thursday, Great Grandpa Smith was in town, so we had a YUMMY BBQ up at Brents parents and enjoyed the evening with Brents cousins. On these rare occasions, the 3 Dudes become
THE 4 DUDES!

Friday, me and kids spent the morning up at South Fork again! One of my best friends from high school has moved back into town and I got to meet her newest addition! Here is
Marianne, Rajesh, Shelia and Sabina!Friday night we went from a yummy pizza night in Lindas backyard, to opening night of Joseph and the Amazing Techni-Color Dream Coat! Aunt Amber and cousin Eva are both in it. Eva is in the Childrens choir and Amber has a HYSTERICAL tango that steals the show!Busy week and by the looks of things, next week is already shaping up to be a WHOPPER!