girls night out...oh and seth too!

While my sister Sharielle was in town we were able to sneak away for 2 fun nights with just the girls. Our first night was dinner and to hear Kurt Bestor. As we sat at dinner, with no children, we looked around and said...forget Kurt Bestor we could just sit hear and converse for the next 3 hours. But after going to Kurt Bestor we were so glad we did. He had the most amazing violinist there as a guest. She was AMAZING!! I just look at people like that, who have this unimaginable talent, and I am in awe. We had such a great time that night.

Our second night was to see Twilight. We all actually enjoyed the movie because we all had such low expectations going into it. And toward the end of the movie I found myself actually accepting the actor that was playing Edward. He wasn't as perfect and handsome as the Edward that is in my imagination, but he wasn't all that bad.

Getting away and having these girl nights always reminds me of how much I LOVE my sisters. There is just something about them. They are women that I look up too, I want to be like, and that I seriously could laugh for hours with. Every time we are together it is never long enough. We are very lucky to have each other. Such fun times.

it's a pre-school christmas program...

Lyza has loved going to pre-school this year and she has two fantastic teachers at her school. Ms. Kelsey, who is actually in our ward, and Ms. Jennifer. The week before Christmas they put on a Christmas Program packed full of songs about snowflakes, reindeer, and snowmen. And we had a visit from the Jolly Man himself at the end. (Lyza still hasn't warmed up to him yet.)

just dance (part 2)

Here we are at our 2nd Christmas Dance performance for Ly Ly. This was held at Timpview High School with The Dance Club. Lyza started at The Dance Club this year and takes one class a week. Her teacher is Ms. Bethany and I can't say enough good things about her. WE LOVE HER!!! Between Ms. Bethany and Shalice as her teachers Lyza is one lucky girl. We are sad though because Ms. Bethany just had her first little baby (we are actually so happy about that) but she won't be teaching Lyza's class anymore. Lyza will miss her so much, but hopefully we will be able to have her as a teacher again soon. We have been so spoiled having Ms. Bethany as a teacher.

Lyza did SUCH a great job at this performance. She remembered all of her dance and did her dance so well. I have actually posted the video of the dance at the end of this post. Her class was "Jingle Bells." and they were hilarious. The audience did not stop laughing.

Here is Lyza as a Jingle Bell. She loved the "Sparkly Dress" and of course the big bows!!

Lyza's number one fan...Seth (a.k.a. Scrubby) Mr. Bull and I apologize to him all of the time...because this little boy is going to have to sit through his fair share of dance performances, singing recitals, etc. But at least he will be surrounded by darling girls all of his life.

Lyza has such cute girls in her class. She has made some good friends and I have enjoyed getting to know their Mom's as well.

Here is that fan club of family members again. They were all so nice to drive down from Farmington to Orem in a bad snow storm. Now that is LOVE! We love having them with us all of the time. Here is Kelli, Lyza, Halle, and Jaicee.

I had to post this picture because I have 20 pictures like this...of the back of Lyza's head. She was so excited after her performance seeing all of her family that I couldn't get her to stand still for very many pictures. Here is the back of her head with Shalice and baby Ava! But this is a good picture of her hair we had to curl for the performance. Can I say...I am completely jealous of my 3 year old's hair!!!

This picture is so blurry but I had to post it. She is giving "Five" to her Papa Jer. LOVE IT!

These next two pictures I had to post and explain my anxiety. These are pictures of Lyza getting ready for her dance performance. We had to curl her hair and put a little bit of make-up on her. This is the first time I have ever put make-up on my little girl. Even though it was just a little bit of mascara and eye shadow...I really had anxiety about the whole thing. I don't know if it was because it made her look older to me or if I felt a little bit like "Jon Benet Ramsey's" mother? I just kept telling Lyza the entire time..."We only get to put make-up on this one time. You are too little and pretty to wear make-up." She probably thinks she has the craziest mother ever.

All-in-all it turned out great! I guess I just wish I could keep this girl bottled up and little. But no matter how much I fight it...she is going to keep growing up and experiencing life. I hope she has a wonderful life to experience. Full of fun and adventure. But for now...NO MORE MAKE-UP!!

Here is Lyza's Jingle Bell performance. Sorry for the poor quality, the video is taken from my digital camera. Lyza is the 4th girl in from the left!

just dance (part 1)

Lyza had a 2008 Christmas season full of performances. Between 2 Dance Concerts and a Pre-School performance her schedule was jammed packed. Seriously...she is only 3 years old, I can't imagine what her life will be like when she is 15! Yikes....lets not think about that. Anyway, performing on the "Big Dance Stage" is an activity that Lyza LOVES! She always asks me when she gets to go to the Big Dance Stage again. I asked Lyza what her favorite part of dancing on the Big Stage was. She replied, "I love it when mommy and daddy clap SO SO loud."

OOO, Lyza I know what you mean. It is so much fun performing for an audience and seeing /hearing their reaction. You enjoy all of your opportunities to perform on the Big Dance Stage.

Sami, Thomas, Lyza, and Halle

Lyza has the most amazing extended family on both sides of her. She had an audience full of Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins cheering her on at both of her Dance Concerts.

Here is a picture of one of our favorite people. Not only is she an incredible Aunt to Lyza but a fantastic dance teacher. We love you "Shaleeshee"

The only real picture I got of Lyza in this costume...I was struggling as a photographer this Christmas Season!!

Three Christmas's into her life and Lyza is still not so sure about this Jolly Man in the Red Suit. She likes the thought of him giving presents and riding in his sleigh with his reindeer...but up close and personal...she is not quite as excited.

One dance concert down and one left to go. Lyza, I am so glad you have the energy and passion in life to love being involved in fun activities. As always you make Mom and Dad so proud. And we will always be cheering the LOUDEST in the AUDIENCE for you EVERY TIME!!

wish you a very merry....

Holiday Season!!!

holiday casserole

2008 Halloween: Lyza a "good princess witch" and Seth a "friendly ghost."

You know how sometimes casseroles are just a combination of a bunch of stuff you had around the kitchen that you thought..."Hey this might go okay together?" Well welcome to my holiday casserole post!

I feel like life is so crazy right now, that I can't keep up with everything. I seem to always be 10 minutes late or if I actually make it somewhere on time...you can bet I have forgotten something and on occasion someone. So here is my holiday casserole post for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Oh and just so you know, at the rate I am going you can expect my Christmas post some time in February!

Thanksgiving at my parents house first and then at Steven's parents house later that night. Seth with Scott and Larissa, and all 3 sisters with all 3 babies.

And P.S...I can't figure out how to upload from photobucket to get my entire collage to show...I seriously have tried it 10 times and either it is medium (very small in the blog) or large as you see it here...half way cut off. Where is my computer geek when I need him. Any suggestions?

piece de resistance

Hey look at me mom...I am in this great big seat contraption thing. This is pretty cool, it comes with a pull out tray and everything.

Hey, what are all you guys doing? Mom, what is that watery looking stuff in that bowl? And why is Lyza signing the "food" sign to me? We only use that sign when we are going to nurse...that is kind of funny, but whatever.

Hey Ly Ly, I am not sure about this? Remember Mom says you can't ever put food near my mouth. Babies can't have food, I don't think Mom is going to like this? Hey Mom, aren't you going to stop Lyza from putting this spoon in my mouth?

Oooo, what was that? Kind of mushy, kind of different? Did I like that I don't know?

Yeah...I liked it!!! Can I have some more please?

shear maddness

What six month old needs a hair cut? Oh wait mine does!!!

Here are the results!!