Photo Session with Tiff

Yesterday my friend Tiffany, who is a photographer (and I great one might I add!) took the kids pictures. The kids had a great time being "models", of course any of you who know Kelsey knows it takes a MIRACLE for her to actually look at the camera, let alone smile. Tiff is amazing and captured the essence of our kids so well! Zac, the "Cool Dude", Kelsey the "Diva" and Maya our "Sweet Baby", I think you can see a little bit of their nicknames in their photos. These are the pics she posted of the kids on her website, tiff-pics.blogspot.com. I just want to say THANK YOU to Tiff! She is a great friend and so wonderful with our kids. We love you!!!! For all of you who want her to take your pictures, her contact info is on her website.

Me and my BLACK Thumb

Okay there was no pun intended in that title. I realize I am black and I also have a thumb but that is not what I was refering too! As many of you know I have been quite the dedicated gardener the past several weeks. Planting flowers and bushes, laying sod at our home and planting our vegetable garden. Well when I got back from St George I was greeted with DEAD PLANTS!!!!! Apparently while I was basking in the sun, Saratoga Springs was having rain storms and wind storms. So windy it snapped all my lillies at the roots and my delphiniums as well! My rhodedendrums are just plain old DYING in from of my eyes and half of my vegatable garden is dead. I feel like crying! Weeks of work for nothing! Of course I can take the plants back to the store and get new ones (they all have 5 year warranties from the nursery I use) but I dont even want to bother! I am FINISHED WITH YARDWORK this year and next spring I am hiring PROFESSIONALS!!!!!! At our last house we planted everything ourselves and our yard was gorgeous!!! Apparently the soil at my new house does not like me or the plants I am choosing :-( I am soooooo sad!!!! On a brighter note, all of our sod and trees are doing wonderfully.

Memorial Day Weekend

My sister Lea, Kelsey, Maya and I went to St. George for Memorial Day weekend for a little R & R and retail therapy. We had such a great time! All the "big girls" went to get pedicures on Saturday and Kelsey was so exited she was invited! She now loves pedicures and wants to go everytime I get one! We had a great time relaxing, shopping, swimming and of course eating!

Tuesday is my Dad's birthday, but since we were in St. George we decided to celebrate it a little early. Kelsey and Lea made my dad a golf cake from scratch! It took so long to make but it turned out so cute and soooo delicious! Happy Birthday Dad! We love you so much and are all so lucky to have such an amazing dad!!!! Thanks for the fun weekend and we will be back SOON!

Preschool Graduation!

Yesterday was Kelsey's Preschool Graduation! She and her class have been working so hard to prepare for this big day. Each child had to sing a solo song, recite a solo sentence and read a book with the microphone. Kelsey did such a great job and I was so proud of her!!! She had the most wonderful teacher named Mrs. Eby. She has taught Kelsey so much this year and Kelsey just loves her. Congratulations Kelsey! You are so smart and bright and we couldn't be more proud of you!!

Seeing David Archuleta

Friday, Kelsey and I went with my friend Lorie and her kids to see David Archuleta (the American Idol contestant) perform at Murray High School! Now I must first start by saying that David Archuleta is NOT my favortie David from American Idol. I like David Cook a lot more!!! Lorie on the other hand LOVES David Archuleta and since Murray is her hometown, she wanted to go support him. We took Trax to Murray High and it was Kelsey and my first time riding Trax! I couldnt believe all the people there to watch him!!!! The football stands were completely filled and the entire football field was covered with people! When he got on stage and saw how many people had come to watch him sing, he was truely moved. Govenor Huntsman and his family were there, and he declared May 9, 2008 David Archuleta Day. Then the Mayor of Murray presented him with a street sign that said Archuleta Ave, for a street that had been named after him! He sang Stand By Me, Imagine and Angels (which is my personal favorite). He has an awesome voice and is such a cute performer! Kelsey and I had a great time doing something just for "big girls". The older she gets the more I truely enjoy her company. She is such a wonderful little girl. Thanks Lorie for the exiting afternoon!!!

Children's Museum

Today, 4 of my sister-in laws, myself and all 11 of our kids went to the Children's Museum. It was so much fun! My sister in law Abbey was here from North Carolina so it made todays outing even more special that she and her girls were there. Abbey's oldest daughter Annie was born the day after I had Kelsey. Kelsey loves the fact that she and Annie are the "exact same age!". This was me and the girls first time going to the Children's Museum and we loved it! Thank You Abbey, Heidi, Heather and Ranae for a wonderful afternoon! Abbey we cant wait until you are a Utah Resident next month!!!

Sunny Days...FINALLY!

HOORAY!!!!! The sun has been out for the past several days and I am so happy about it! Today my friend and I took our kids to the park in our neighborhood and the kids had such a great time. Kelsey is so excited that she gets to wear dresses all the time since its so warm. I am so grateful for warm weather and am crossing my fingers it is here to stay!!!!!