Where's Chuckie??

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We've looked high, we've looked low and haven't been able to find "Chuckie" lately. It seems that Lilah is finally outgrowing that horror story. In fact, she is turning into a cute, love-able and helpful little girl. Just the other day we were driving in the car when Neeley and Kayla started arguing. She looked back and in the cutest little voice she could muster said, "Guys, don't fight!" I have really enjoyed her company when her two older sisters have been in school and Kate certainly loves having her around. Even the older girls have adopted her into their games because she is no longer the destroyer. Don't get me wrong, the girl still can sniff out sugar from a mile away and has a soft spot for make-up but if we keep those two things guarded she really is the angel she looks like in these pictures.

Maybe she has passed the torch.......

True Beauty

I had the best opportunity this summer to help my niece Golda compete in the Miss Kaysville Teen Pageant. It brought back so many memories of my pageant days, it almost made me wish I could go back. Golda needed someone backstage besides her mom (no moms allowed) to help her with outfit changes, hair and make up. We spent the dress rehearsal perfecting everything from her walk to her make-up. I was amazed at how well Golda held up under pressure and how well she remembered every little detail we worked on.

Although she didn't come away with the crown( I thought she deserved it!), she came away with much more. Besides being most photogenic and getting the award for the best platform, she walked away a true beauty. I am so thankful I have such a talented, kind and beautiful niece to be an example to my girls. If they turn out like Golda, I know they will be just fine!

Jennifer's Peeper"s

You know how you hear of people falling in love across a crowded room. Well, I guess you could say that is what happened between Jer and I. Jeremy was with a group of his friends at "The Bay" (A dance club that was a perfect hang out for return missionaries since it was for 18 years and older and alcohol free). My best friend convinced me to go with her since she was single and really needed a night out. I on the other hand was engaged, but that's a whole other post!

Well that is where it happened. I saw Jeremy from across the room and our eyes locked. It was one of those stares that just kept going so long that you didn't want to be the one to break it. This went on most of the evening until it came to the last token slow dance. Apparently it was not Jer's style to approach a girl, but he just couldn't resist and came to ask me to dance. I guess you could say the rest is history.

Later Jer told me that it was my eyes that drew him in. So it is no wonder that this was the first thing that came to mind when the opthemologist said eye surgery. I have a growth on my lower lid that looks suspicious. He gave us options but really the only logical one is the "safe" option of just getting rid of it and having peace of mind. If it were anywhere else on my body, I would never question it. But hearing about taking out a wedge of my lower lid which involves losing lashes, plastic surgery and a scar, I am not so sure about it all. I am teetering back and forth between my safety and my vanity. I think deep down a part of me connects Jeremy's love and adoration with my eyes. Silly, I KNOW it's not that way but somehow it's all connected.

So for now it is my health outweighing my vanity. Monday is surgery. Let's hope I still "see" it that way then. Doc said it should be not too major, let's cross our fingers it isn't.

Bubble Suit!

You can't imagine how many giggles you can get from 4 girls, a tub and bubbles! Talk about first class entertainment!

Pre-school Rock Star.

Kayla is my free spirited kid. I am sure the difference between her and Neeley can be seen in their choice of first day of school outfits. Neeley's was all purple right down to her underwear. Kayla on the other hand is wild and bold but includes every detail, even her jewelry. Kayla likes to make a statement with what she wears and I think that statement says, "I am a girly girl who knows how to have fun and take it easy!"

Always being a step behind Neeley, Kayla couldn't wait to go to Neeley's alma mator preschool with Miss Vickie. Kayla really is ready for the big K but has to wait one more year because she misses the deadline by 30 days. That hasn't stopped her from being excited about the big pre-K.

She wanted to document every step of the way to her first day! And Lilah was excited to be a part of it too. Kayla wasn't a bit scared for me to go, but I am sure having her cousin Cade in her class helped!

If you ask me, this girl really does rock! Good luck at school Kayla!

Through the looking glass!

Kate is getting to the age where she really wants to keep up with her big sisters. The other day they all went racing down stairs shutting the door behind them. Kate followed behind just as fast as she could go using her little army crawl but just couldn't make it in time. She just sat at the door for a while crying with disappointment.

Whenever the kids go outside to play, she goes to the window and just watches them play. Someday Kate, you'll be fast enough and big enough to be right in the middle of it all. But for now, you can continue to watch through the glass.

Girls Sleepout!

Talk of meteor showers made us want to lay out under the stars. Jeremy and I went out the first night and laid on a blanket for a long time watching the falling stars when we started talking about how much the girls would love it. The next night we put the two littlest in bed and had a party with just Neeley and Kayla. We watched a movie and then headed out under the stars. At first the girls just thought we were going to lay our there for a while so they were ecstatic when they found out we were going to sleep out there all night. We danced around the yard together until it got dark enough to see the stars and then we settled in our snuggy blankies for the show. We only saw a few but that didn't stop our fun. Jeremy, not being as adventurous as us girls decided the bed would be more comfy! Everyone slept great and we had so much fun! Lilah and Kate joined in the fun the next morning. Neeley is not pictured because she didn't want her crazy morning hair to be seen!

Pucker up!

Kate tried some new baby food, mango. After each bite she made the cutest little pucker. She puckered through the whole jar but kept coaxing for more. It was the cutest thing ever. I think mango will be on the menu more often!

Feeling Toasty!

With the anticipation of summer coming to an end I knew I had to fit it all in. That included a fun breakfast idea that I read on my friend Sarah's blog long ago and have wanted to do it since. I was prompted to think about it again when I saw it on a cooking blog. With thoughts of rushed school day mornings looming, I just couldn't resist this leisurely breakfast activity.

The girls love white bread and affectionately we call it Grandma's bread because that is the only place they get it. When I came home with a loaf of white bread they knew it must be for something special.

At first they weren't sure about painting their toast but soon got into it and wanted to go through the whole loaf in one morning. I convinced them to do just one slice each with a promise to try it again. I have never had such beautiful toast and grilled cheese sandwiches. It ended up being a really fun activity that we will definitely do again some time. Sometime when I buy white bread again that is......

Recipe:

White bread

milk

food coloring

Mix a few tablespoons milk with food coloring. Paint on bread, then toast.

Summer Celebrations!

One of our favorite things about living in a small town are all of the fun city activities. This summer was especially fun as we discovered the children's parade. We have wanted to do this parade for the last couple of years and haven't been able to make it, so we were happy to finally get there this year. The theme of the parade was a circus theme and the kids were encouraged to dress up like circus clowns. Not having any clown costumes around, we decided to make do with what we do have. Neeley and Lilah decided that a princess dress would work fine while Kayla would have nothing to do with any costume at all. We spent the afternoon decorating their bikes and chose some fun sayings for their signs. Neeley chose: "I am no clown, I'm a princess", Kayla, still protesting the costume idea chose: "We have enough clowns at our house", and Lilah, well she had no say in the matter. Mom put "Just Married, to Daddy of course" on hers. I just couldn't resist seeing her riding down the parade route with her cans rattling behind her. She stole the show with all the passerby's.

Neeley was a little disappointed when she found that their weren't any spectators at this parade but quickly forgot about it all when we discovered all of the free activities awaiting them afterwords. Bounce houses and slides, games and rides were waiting and the best part was they were all FREE! (Again, can I just say I love living in a small town!) The pinnacle of the evening, of course, was the cotton candy. I think these faces say it all!

Next year's goal: enlist more spectators!

It was fun to be joined by our friends Angela and Cody with their kids Jocelyn, Aimee, Ben and Sarah.

The road home!

I am usually the navigator in our family while Jeremy does the driving. However, on our way home from Arizona, my position was in jeopardy as I steered us off course. It's a good thing our 2 hour detour turned into a serendipity of sorts. Our detour ended up taking us through Havasu City. It was a nice respite from our travels as we swam in the lake in our cloths. It all started with Jer pushing Neeley in and ended with all of us soaking wet! Good thing we had extra outfits on hand! We decided that we loved the city and felt privileged to be able to see the real London Bridges on our way out of town.

After a longer drive than we expected, we were all glad to see our hotel beds that night in Vegas.