Maddie's 6-month checkup

Maddie will be seven months next Sunday. I took her in for her overdue 6-month checkup today. She weighed just over an ounce under 14 lbs (5th percentile), 26.5 inches long (60th percentile), and her head measured 16.5 inches (19th percentile). She got 5 shots today. She can go on all fours, almost crawling, and loves to roll everywhere. She can sit up really well by herself now. A few of her favorite foods are: rice cereal, oatmeal and applesauce, butternut squash & corn, and peas.

Allie's 8th Birthday

Our sweet Allie is now 8. Time does fly! Her vanity table used to have little fairies and dollies, and dress-up things sitting on it. Now there are bottles of nail polish, lip smackers and a chapter book. It seemed just a little while ago that she was into princesses and fairies!
She has grown into such a cute, funny, creative, intelligent, and fun girl. She likes to read to Collin and Maddie, teaches Collin and gets him to do just about anything (including painting his toenails pink for her party - as he would not agree to wearing pink), and is a big helper at home. She conducts our FHE program, and always comes up with wonderful activities to do.She is such a planner! She and I came up with an original party plan -- a PINK Party. PIzza N Karaoke, that is. By default, everything from the invitations to the drinks (raspberry lemonade) and napkins were pink. We also asked the girls to wear pink. The girls had fun with karaoke and made their own pizzas. Allie requested Brick Oven for dinner tonight -- the rest of us had pizza, but all she wanted was cream of broccoli soup and garlic bread. We love you, Allie!
For more photos of this fun day, click here.

Happy Father's Day!

Allie, Collin, and Maddie are so lucky to have Kevin for a Dad! I asked them why they love Kevin and here are their responses.

These two are chewing some Sour Skittles.

Allie's response:
1. Because he works hard.
2. Because he folds my laundry.
3. Because he's not mean.
4. He teaches us lots of new things.

Collin's response:
1. I like to mow and edge like him.
2. I like to be in the hammock with him.
3. I want to work for FNF when I'm a grown-up and I want to go to Utah-Arizona, Utah-Arizona, Utah-Arizona just like him.

Who can resist this baby face?

I am lucky to have married him! Happy Father's Day.

How well do you know Pop?

Here is the pop quiz about Pop.

What is his favorite thing to do?
Collin: Pop likes to go to work at his place and work on the computer.
Allie: Pop likes to tease me.

Who is his favorite person?
Collin: my Dad.
Allie: Grandma Lorraine and me.

Favorite Food?
Collin: Mexican food.
Allie: Porkchops.

What are some of your favorite memories of Pop?
Collin: He goes to dinner with us and talks to me. He comes over to UT to see us. I like to go to AZ on the airplane (feeling it back up!) to see him.
Allie: One time I told him I was thirsty and he said, "Hi, Thirsty." I also remember playing Strawberry Shortcake with him and he was Blueberry Muffin. He asked where Lemon Meringue was, and I told him I didn't have Lemon Meringue. Also going to Vivian Park!

What do you think he'd like for a present?
Collin: a lawnmower.
Allie: something to use for cooking.

Thank you for raising a wonderful son, who now gets to be a great Dad to his own kids. We love you!

How well do you know Pappi?

Here is the quiz for Pappi's enjoyment.

What is his favorite thing to do?
Collin: Pappi likes to go to Utah.
Allie: Pappi likes to dance and be funny.

Who is their favorite person?
Collin: me.
Allie: Grandma Beth and me.

Favorite Food?
Collin: Hamburger.
Allie: Anything.

What are some of your favorite memories?
Collin: I like going on rides with him at Disney and Legoland, and I went on the race car with him.
Allie: When he put on a funny wig and started dancing.

What do you think he'd like for a present?
Collin: an edger.
Allie: I have no idea.

We love you! Thank you for always being kind and forgiving, hardworking, and faithful. Hope you are feeling better.

Photography 101

Yes! I got signed up for a beginner's photography class today (thanks Jen for the referral!). Nicole Hill teaches the class, which meets 4 times during the month of July. It should be pretty fun and I definitely need the instruction. I am so excited!

Allie's First Salon Experience

Allie & I had a fun morning. I took her to get a haircut at Suggestions Salon in Orem, courtesy of her Grandma Lorraine. She kept saying how much fun it was to get all beautified--one of the best birthday presents ever! Allie wanted her hair done before her PINK party on Monday. Girls are so much fun!

Our cute hairdresser Natalie washing Allie's hair

Ready for styling...

Round-brushing time

The new 'do!

Fun with the Camera

A couple of photos taken with my new camera. I am having fun trying to learn how to use it, hopefully I will be able to post better photos soon.

What were they doing outside in the rain?

I caught Allie and Collin planting flowers outside in the rain. They have been weeding the mound the last couple of days to earn extra $$ (Allie's big idea). Armed with a rake, a little shovel and weed picking tool, they would spend half an hour weeding and raking the top of that mound.

Late this afternoon, after spending time on the swing, they decided to plant flowers on the mound. It started to rain again, so I ran out there to see what they were up to. Allie quickly said it was Collin's idea. Collin said Allie didn't want him to plant the flowers, so he really didn't do anything and was just "watching". Allie had planted them really close together (just like in the flat). I gave them a quick gardening lesson, and had them space out the flowers. They promised to take care of them and keep them alive. Silly kids!

Collin's Primary Talk and FHE

Collin gave a wonderful talk about temples in Primary today. He looked so sharp in his suit and spiked up hair. Kevin and I sat in the back and watched him sit so perfectly still, and once in a while he would look our way or wave to us. When it was his turn, he picked up his stack of papers and went to the podium. With my help, he said every word clearly and loudly, and remembered a few phrases on his own. He did such a good job!

For FHE tonight, the kids decided that we were going to have Collin give his talk again for our lesson. Allie made a microphone out of foil for him to use (she later made the microphone taller so that it could resemble the one in Primary :)). Here is the text of his talk and the corresponding picture.

Photo 1: Picture of a happy family.
Before we came to earth, we were a part of a heavenly family with heavenly parents. Heavenly Father sent each of us to a family here on earth.
Photo 2: Salt Lake Temple
He wants us to live again as families in heaven. We can be together forever in the temple.
Photo 3: Picture of couple outside temple.
Inside temples we make special promises to Heavenly Father and Heavenly Father makes special promises to us.
Photo 4: Pres. Monson, Pres. Eyring, and Pres. Uchtdorf
As primary children, we can prepare to go to the temple by following the commandments and our prophet.
Photo 5: Sacrament meeting.
We can go to church,
Photo 6: Sharing/playing nice
be kind to others,
Photo 7: Boy saying no to coffee.
obey the word of wisdom,
Photo 8: Parents/kids.
and obey our parents.

We heard the talk three times. By the third time, Collin had the talk almost down pat, he started finishing and correcting Allie (who decided she wanted to do it too), reminding her that the next phrase was "special promises" or "obey our parents". The family store's best buys tonight were stick-on French tips for Allie, and a Mater stamp for Collin. Allie was so happy that she saved all her pennies for three weeks straight so she could get these beautiful nails. We love these little kids!