My new, beautiful niece, Lucy Ann Taylor

And do I ever wish I could get my hands on her!

Congratulations and Much Love sent your way,

Natalie, Justin, Cooper and Griffen.

Ready or not.....

Our big girl is packing up her room for college. This is such a bittersweet time. For me, and for her it turns out. I am sure I have made some recent parenting blunders.... What should the rules be when you are almost 19??? What is my part?? Leaving has turned out to be harder than she had thought, even though she is READY for her independence. I cried as she read over the phone the classes she is planning to take. She has such cute friends and it is hard to see them all go their seperate ways. On sunday we had the missionaries over for dinner. Elder Day said all the right things. He spent a year before his mission at BYU I. He said "you just can't help but make friends", and "get involved" I know she will be OK when she gets there. I am so glad she is going to BYU in Idaho it suits her......

My job for today:

getting all of her stuff, all of us, and vacation stuff for 7 in our van??

YIKES!

The party

Liz, Gracie, Josie, Alicia, and Olivia.

Cute girls at the little Tea Party!!

Who knew it when you take the crusts of bread it would take nearly 2 loaves to make enough sanwiches for them

(and Max too!)

Livvy loves the American girl, Kit.

Her party was based around that story.

She is a girl in the 1940's who takes lots of notes and loves to write newspaper articles.

She even gets one published and earns a little money!

Her invite read Extra, Extra, read all about it. Olivia Bliss turns ten. You are invited to an American girl doll Birthday Party. Her favorite is Kit, it's sure to be a hit!!

We rolled it up in newspaper with a rubber band to deliver it. She also likes a little mystery

(like Olivia) so we played the game Clue.

We made paper roses to represent the garden parties the mothers have in the show.

(A stretch... but it was a Tea party, don't roses fit in? Plus I had the kit to make them already :)

Right before every birthday party I decide, NO MORE!!

By the end.........I am happy I made the effort.

Two digit birthday!

Miss Olivia turned 10, two digits as she kept telling every one!!! Tyler told her she'll now be now double digits for the rest of her life! (kinda takes the fun out of it huh?) She had a busy day, and even went to a friends birthday party! She got a new digital "grown up" Sony cybershot camera from all of us.....she is out side in her PJ's as I post, photographing flowers in the back yard!
Tyler and I took her for a birthday date to a Greek restaurant, she ordered creme brulee for dessert!!! I can't believe she is 10.....she sure is a beautiful girl. She has gotten so tall I have to have her sit to do her hair! She loves art and Paris and all things girl!!! We love you Livvy!!! Happy Birthday!!!
(Friend 30's era "tea" party tomorrow, we will be preparing and decorating today!)

More prom just because she looks so darn pretty!!!

Who are the old people?!?!?!?!

I am just really loving her dress this year!!! Her date Brendon and her friends all look so nice as well. I hope they have a fun night. Most of these pictures are at "Grand March" where they are introduced and do the "walk". They were already tired after lots of photos at a friends house and grand march. Sounds like they are off to play glow in the dark golf?!?!? (Natalie....I will appologize to Tyler, thanks for running it accross "the board", ha, ha, ha!!!) and then dinner and the dance.......If I can stay awake until they get home I'll take after pictures also!!!

"Senior" prom......

Josie's Baptism

It sure was wonderful to be in Utah with Lots of family for Josie's Baptism. It is so special to have so much family support. Even though this trip was a little difficult to pull off I am happy we did. Before we went to Logan we spent some time in St. George with Tylers parents, where we took advantage of the beautiful weather and gorgeous landscapes for some photos. I was happy with how they turned out! Fun memories :) Beautiful Girls in white.

Valentine Get away!

Tyler and I 'Got away' for a belated Valentine Weekend date. Our Valentine weekend was full and our in-debt-to-us babysitter was not available (Lauren....car insurance) so we waited until the weekend after. We are really not in a life stage (money, time and kids!) that we can travel or take big vacations together....But, we have found that mini vacations help us 'keep our love alive', that is what we tell the kids! And, it's true;)

It was so simple but so relaxing and fun! (and cheap......we had a small budget...yes Kirsten and Jeni, I budget....a little) On Friday we went out for dinner, had a gift card for a yummy Italian place Tyler gave me for Christmas. Then, to watch some live music in a funny little place. It's hard to find a place that is fun and not a bar atmosphere.....they played bluegrass which I like and Tyler pretty much likes any live music.....Tyler wanted to be on the stage...he always does......we stayed in a pretty decent little Marriott which had a great breakfast in the morning, making Tyler happy! In the morning, a little 30 minute, windy, curvy, as in CAR SICK (not windy like the weather....how is that spelled anyway?) drive to Eureka Springs. It is a quirky little town, it reminded me of Park City a little, the old part. I had done some wholesale work for one of the shops--Wilson and Wilson folk art. I had wanted to go and visit. It was cute little shop. We just walked through the town, looking through the shops. Lots of local artwork, smelling delicious food smells, and a little bit more music, cool old buildings some pretty large for their age, and neat architecture. Really, the place looks like it might just fall to pieces, I don't know that I would be comfortable living there but, it is authentic, old and very cool. For dinner we asked some of the shop owners where to go. We ended up dining in a very scrumptious Mexican restaurant in a little old house on a hill. It was REALLY good!

On the way home Tyler got called into work so, I went in with him which I rarely do....always have kids with plus you usually have to suit up in hair nets, lab coats, protective glasses and what not....It was kind of fun to see him at work. They had a machine down and when we got there they said they hoped he had brought his cape....they had been fighting with the machine all day.....it was funny. I am glad he is good at what he does, and that most of the time he enjoys it. While he was busy I watched and left love notes on sticky notes around his office. How romantic am I??? :) We came home to the house in good shape, thanks-Lauren :)

With kids throwing up....back to reality in a hurry!!!

It was a nice time away together, our love is alive!!!

We didn't get any pictures together....I don't know why we never do that....but I posted some of the sites and Velentine heart cookies!!!

Little Valentines...

Yikes....

I believe this, and I have been doing NONE!!!

Show me something cute!

This is how Ayelet has been responding when I say "Show me something cute". Funny girl!

When I tuck in Olivia and Josie, on my way out the door, I give them 2 "air kisses" each. (I don't leave Max out by the way, his routine is different.....I have to tuck love all around him....I do try to "bug" Lauren a little too before bedtime) Anyway, Ayelet is usually with me tucking in....so, she started air kissing too this week. Hers are big and juicy, sucking in her cheeks and giving a big smack. We'll call hers "air smacks"! She is such a little nut right now, lots of fun :)

Another GREAT performance, this time Lauren!

Once again I cannot get the video to upload and it is super Awsome! This really was so much fun for me to watch! Lauren is participating in "winterguard" this year, dispite my initial lack of support......simply because, she needs to get a JOB!!! I admire how dedicated she has been to color guard for 6 years, but it takes lots of time, especially saturdays when she could be working. (I am feeling some $$$ college stress!) But when I watched, I kind of felt a twinge of guilt....she has been able to accomplish something great. Colorguard with the band has been fun all these years but this, with just the guard. WOW! You can really see them and they are GOOD! The music is different and lots of dancing! They won first place in their class. I am happy she is happy doing this, and that she has learned such great dedication, I told her we would ALL come to watch.....I wish I had a picture of her face......I don't think she was too excited about that, wonder why?????

On wednesday night she is recieving her Young Women Recognition Award. We were asked to make a video presentation of her growing up. Tyler and I were up until 1:30 working on it last night. I sat and boo-hoood, where has the time gone? There is something about pictures with music......We have also been asked to each talk (our family) about her for a few minutes. I sure hope to make it through it with out being in a puddle.

Oh-dear......

Great performances

I have tried and tried to upload video from last week but I am having technical difficulties! I will keep trying but, for now here is the little pair after their violin recital.

Night and day they are, In so many ways. This is one of them...... Olivia's practices at home are lovely she plays her pieces with ease. In front of a crowd she struggles and often her nerves get the best of her. Josie on the other hand....her practices at home are, well, sloppy. We are left wondering, is this really for her??? Then she gets up to perform and we cringe a little after seeing her at home. Almost with out fail she belts it out like she's been playing the piece her whole life "what's the big deal"? We look at each other (Tyler and I) Who was that! Funny.

It was so much fon to watch them this week, Olivia opened her third grade talent show playing Starwars (even the boys cheered) She really did well, she hit the notes we didn't think she would make. She is one of those people who makes it look effortless. Josie played a wonderful Allegreto for their recital.....true to form! She was ready to go on to the second half and her teacher cut it off, she was a little disappointed but did great. Woot-Woo! Good job. We love you two!

What 'Snowkids' do at night!!!

Sledding with friends, the Smiths.

Snowdays!!!

After a long, but wonderful Christmas break, mother nature gives us a few bonus days. I am sure it seems unbelievable to some, but when it is super icy, super snowy or super cold...everything here shuts down including school and church!!!

This, is why we love our hill.....(not the mowing part!!!)

Little Dears

The little dears are back to school.

Boo-Hoo for me.

It is so bitter sweet every year. For me, and for them I think.....

A routine is good for us and the fighting and arguing ahhhhhh.

But every year I have a list of things big and small that we didn't get to,

that I know will be hard to do with homework, violin, soccer etc., etc.

And every year it is a new grade....another year older.

This year everyone but the two toothed monster are gone, all day.

Lauren, a senior (I wont even get into that today...I AM in denial)

Olivia 3rd grade, Mrs. Reineke.

Josie 2nd Grade, Mrs. Johnson.

Max Kindergarten (all day here)Mrs. Chase....bless her soul:)

Max got in the car after the second day of school and announced

"I am quitting school"

Someone at the pool with 1 daughter said to me the day before school started....

you must just looooooooooong for school to start!

I Love them and kinda miss them actually.

I am trying to get my routine down so that from 4-8

I am super available.

Dinner at 4:30?

Ayelet rock'n down the house!

Yeah Ayelet!!!

Our little Ayelet....she is in a hurry!!! 10 months old and she is walking!!! I said ohhhh Ayelet, and she turned her little lip down as if she had done something wrong and started to cry. We all cheered for her and she then realized it was a happy time and showed us her toothy little grin. She looks so tiny to walk. This could be trouble, she is already into EVERYTHING Ready or not, here she goes....And what a cute big Sister helper she has. Every baby should be so lucky!

A Family Picture at the Logan Temple

We miss you Lauren!

Lovely Lauren is on the TREK right now and we have been missing her! Hoping she is doing well, the weather has been favorable and she is tough.

I hope it has been a wonderful experience for her!

We can't wait to have her back home tonight!

I thought I would post a few of her April Prom pictures

Lauren has such cute, good friends.

She is absolutely gorgeous!!!