Putting her face on…

Kate’s preschool did a gift exchange. She got…

Makeup!!!

How lucky was Kate to score the one gift her parents refused to buy her?!!

I hate to say it, but this is a face that only a mother could love:Which I do…very much.

Ornament Collections

Dave and I started a tradition with our kids where each year we pick an ornament for them, based on what they liked that year.
This is the first year Kate kind of understands the concept and she was so excited to group “her” ornaments together in one spot on the tree.
So these are Kate’s (from L-R):

1. Baby’s First Christmas 2007…which reads, “How delightful,” said Pooh, “to be so brand new.” So true…we were so happy to welcome our dark-haired, fair-skinned beauty into our home.
2. Minnie Mouse 2008…Kate went to Disneyland this year and although she was so little, she talked about the trip all the time, and remembered so much about it.
3. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2009…I’m pretty sure this is every two-year-old’s favorite show (at least it was Kate’s). She wanted to watch it ALWAYS, and could often be found doing the Mouska Dance! This ornament was a MUST for the year.
4. The Little Mermaid 2010…Kate’s favorite princess for the year, resulting in all things Ariel (birthday party themes, dress-up’s, etc).
5. Nutcracker Suite: Waltz of the Flowers 2011…Kate took on her first year of dance. It’s been so fun to see her doing what she does best—hamming it up on stage.
Now Cole’s:

1. Baby’s First Christmas 2010…such a good baby, this one. What lucky parents we were to get him!
2. Snowman In the Tub 2011 (which sings, “How you feelin’? Hot, hot, hot!”)…we picked this one because there is nothing more enjoyable to our little Cole monster than his bath. He stands and jumps and dunks under the water, and is actually pretty dangerous in there. But he especially loves splashing around with Big Sissy, and screams when we take him out.
***So those are the ornament collections thus far. I think it’s so fun for both the parents and the kids to look back and remember the little memories that built each year. Can’t wait to see the how the ornament collections grow and change over the years.

Temple Square

We beat the crowds and the cold and already checked Temple Square off our holiday to-do list.

True or False: Temple Square is the place where Dave proposed to Ashley over 10 years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUE! Kate needed the step-by-step of where and how it all happened while we were there. That girl has a thing for Happily Ever After's, if you didn’t know.

It’s so fun going back, especially now that we’ve got our two babies with us.

Pilgrims and Indians Day 2011

Thankful for a husband who loves to cook a turkey every year on Thanksgiving Day…just because he likes to:

Thankful for two sweet parents who hosted our Thanksgiving feast, and for the food that filled our bellies:

Thankful for The Muppet Movie we saw afterwards, as well as Kate’s amazing ability to memorize the soundtrack, enabling her to serenade us for 5 whole days now!

Thankful for my little ones who sat bravely (sort of) upon Santa’s lap on Black Friday:

Thankful for the past year and all that it has brought: Thankful for life as a whole.

Ice Princesses

Kate will tell you who her favorite parent is. I’ll give you a hint…it’s not me. She’s also very curious as to which parent was our favorite when Dave and I were both growing up, but that’s another story for another day.

Anyway, Dave is the mastermind behind all things fun. This last weekend he wined and dined us all at Disney on Ice; thus, securing his spot as Numero Uno.

Kate got on the dress of her new favorite color (blue), but NOT her favorite princess (she’d want you to know that).

She got all comfy with popcorn, nachos, drinks, and a light-up Rapunzel lantern souvenir. She especially loved waving her lantern high in the air during the Rapunzel scene!

Cole had to be wrangled for much of the event, and made friends with several employees outside of the show. He did, however, sit still long enough to enjoy his snow cone; hence the blue lips.

“Oh, I wish we could go to Disney On Ice everyday!” says Kate.

Birds of a Feather

Tracy Aviary hosts Winter Wednesdays where admission is just $1 per person. I think it is the cutest little bird zoo and always worth a visit!

Even though it’s cold, the birds are all out and about (and may even attempt to eat your little ones):

They have a creepy and delightful Owl Forest. It just so happened to be feeding time, and we were lucky enough to see what was served: bloody, cut-in-half white rabbit. Lovely.

Aside from the bald eagles, Kate’s “other” favorite…feeding the ducks. She’s very good at it:

Junior enjoyed the birdies too (and his toy dinosaur):

Whosoever holds this hammer

Dave had a birthday yesterday. Because of his new P90x muscles, I was inspired to build him a Thor cake (cause that’s who he reminds me of now). And because I kind of like Thor, as far as superheroes go.

The cake looked awesome (I think); at least until one side was affected by gravity and fell off.

Happy birthday to our special daddy and husband who possesses even more powers than Thor himself!