Wedding Day

My sister Ali, on the right, is getting married in six days! Yesterday, Lynette (on the left) and I threw a Bridal Shower for her, It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. Memories in the making!

I am excited to be together this week with all my sisters. Especially as we share this time with Ali.

I'll have to post a picture of the little dresses I've made for Addie and Ella. Cute! Now all I have to do is find a dress for me. I've looked at quite a few places, but no luck so far. Any suggestions?
Did I mention I don't like shopping with a two-year-old and a two-month-old? because I do. So hard to get anything accomplished. Wish me luck on my planned excursion tomorrow!

Ella and Daddy

Both the kids are in bed for the night and I wanted to post this picture of Ella and her daddy. So cute! We are happy to be a family.

Two Things:

First: I successfully made homemade tortillas that were not dry and tough! They were quite yummy - definitely better than store bought. I found out that my problem was over working the dough and adding too much flour. Not that any of you really care, but I was quite excited to have succeeded! :) If anyone is interested on a good tutorial for making tortillas here's the one I found that really helped. http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/4417_tortillas-recipe.htm

Second: Today was a rough day with the Addie-bug. She really tries my patience sometimes! However, in retrospect, there was one quite funny moment where she completely stripped down to her birthday suit. When questioned why she tells me she's a bug. I asked what kind of bug and she immediately tells me she's an ant and plops down on all fours, bum in the air, and crawls around the room for awhile before I am able to get her clothes back on (safety pinned her pajamas shut this time). She certainly takes advantage of me not being able to get to her immediately b/c of nursing Ella! Although, that's probably why she's acting up b/c she wants my attention on her and not Ella . . . oh the trauma of having a new sibling!

Beautiful Day

Addie and Rueben sitting in the heart fort.

This morning a friend, Serena, and I went hiking with our kids up Slate Canyon on the South Bonneville Shoreline Trail. We never get very far but it's good for me and the kids.

There was an overlook area we came to where someone had built a fort in the shape of a heart, set up a rock bench to sit and look over the city, a fire pit, and a rock "wall" along the edge of the cliff. Serena and I both think someone did it for a proposal. Cute idea!

Duey on the rock wall over looking the city.

Last week we attempted to go hiking with Serena as well. I say attempted because as we pulled up into the parking lot of the trailheads at Vivian park Addison threw up everywhere. She said she still wanted to hike so I cleaned up things as best as I could, utilizing the freezing mountain stream nearby, and we began. Addison lagged behind picking up rocks for the first bit before she finally just laid down in the dirt on the trail. Poor girl just didn't feel well so we went home and discovered that it was more than car sickness - the stomach flu was back again (This is at least the fourth time she's gotten it since winter began).

This picture of her lying on the trail is from today though. She heard me talking to Serena about her lying down on the trail the week before and immediately laid down. :) She was listening closely I guess!

I look forward to weekly hiking excursions. Instilling a love for the outdoors is something I really want to do for my children at a young age. Plus we get the added benefit of exercise at the same time!

Wedding Invitations

Ali came over last night and we began assembling the first step in the invitations - gluing the cigar bands together. While we were in the midst of gluing and watching Father of the Bride II, her work phone began beeping b/c a girl had run away again! That seems to happen quite often when she comes to our house. She works for a place called New Haven in SF that helps troubled teenage girls and anytime one of them tries to run all staff has to drop anything they are doing and go help search. They found her pretty quickly and Maddie had come in the meantime to help and Perris came with Ali when she got back. We all enjoyed the gummi bears! Happy envelope stuffing tonight Al - you're welcome to use my living room floor again if you want

This one's for you Lynds

This is my dear sister Lyndsey. All those who know her are in awe of her abilities - she's beautiful, smart, sings, plays sports . . . and she is a klutz. We were able to visit with her recently and Addison was mesmerized by a huge scab on Lyndsey's knee. Apparently, it has not been forgotten, because yesterday after I noticed Addison looking at my knee she said, "Lyndsey hurt her knee today." So, know that Addison is thinking of you Lynds - usually in terms of whether or not you've hurt yourself. :) We love and miss you!

Smiles

Ella smiled for the first time a week and a half ago on April 10th. It is so fun to watch her get more and more personality. I was able to catch a few shots of her smiling and want to share them. There is also a video clip of her cooing and smiling at me. Enjoy!