TEA PARTY TIME
We started the month off by having a Tea Party "Disney Princess" and "Fancy Nancy" style. The girls both love the Disney Princess's and love the series of books called Fancy Nancy. So what better way to have a Tea Party all dolled up looking like princess's and feeling super fancy.
EASTER
The kids and I made these cute little Easter gifts for Grandma's and Grandpa's.
The night before Easter we decided to color our eggs. The kids had so much fun and I have so much fun doing these fun family traditions with my cute little family.
Here are our eggs. Didn't they turn out so stinkin' cute? I loved them as well as the kids.
We had a few eggs that cracked during the boiling process and Kamryn kept saying "Look mom, the egg is hatching". haha She was a little disappointed to find out that it really wasn't hatching.
Easter morning the kids enjoyed going through their Easter baskets and were super excited to see what the Easter bunny had brought them. Tayson has an obsession with cars right now and especially loves Lightning Mcqueen and Mater so the Easter bunny thought it was fit to get him a Lightning Mcqueen car. Kamryn has taken a liking to Strawberry Shortcake and so the Easter Bunny brought her a Strawberry Shortcake doll. Brynlee has been begging for a real Tea Party set and she was so happy to find a Tea set in her basket.
After the first session of conference and after our Easter baskets were found we had a big lunch at our house with a few guests, Taylor's sister Ashley and her husband Mat, and his littlest sister Lindsey joined us. It was fun to celebrate with family after 2 years of not being able to because we lived in the state of Washington and had way to long of a drive for such a short trip.
Easter Egg Hunt.
Graduation Pictures
I decided since Taylor gets a diploma, I get a picture of the two of us together in his graduation gown. We both had to be there for each other and support each other during all these school years so the picture has a lot of meaning to me just as Taylor's diploma holds a lot of meaning to him.
This picture is Taylor's favorite and the picture we decided to use and order and give to mom's and dad's and grandma's and grandpa's.
This was my favorite picture but Taylor didn't like this one at all.
This will be the picture Taylor will use as his business/advertising picture.
GOOD NEWS MINUTE
The beginning of April Taylor received a letter from the Utah State Bar stating that he had PASSED the exam. Woo Hoo! What a relief! I don't know what we would have done had he not passed. It would have been so incredibly difficult and devestating had he not passed. Fortunately for us HE DID PASS! It was such a LONG and DIFFICULT 2 months studying for the BAR and things are finally starting to feel like they are paying off. PHEW!
After receiving our good news Taylor talked with his buddy Gage who Taylor had studied with for 2 months for the BAR, and Gage had passed the exam as well so we all thought it was perfect for us all to go out and celebrate. Taylor and Gage went to Law School together and the 2 of them were the only ones of our Law group of friends that left Washington together, and moved back to Utah together, graduated early together, and we now live within 10 miles of each other. Both Taylor and Gage did externships from August-December and officially graduated in December and immediately started studying together for the BAR exam shortly after graduating. Gage's wife Megan is a doll and we get along really well, it was such a blessing to have so many great friends during Law school and hopefully we all can continue the relationships.
Trip to St. George
We decided to take a trip to St. George last minute to attend Taylor's cousin Jon's wedding and spend my birthday down south. I had to snap this picture of Brynlee on our drive. This is how Brynlee sleeps in her carseat. We know exactly what is going to happen when her arms are folded up above her head. Too cute!
I got to get together with some of my BESTIES on our little trip. I always look forward to getting together with my friends when we go south. It's refreshing to be surrounded by my close friends. Left: Kellie Stilson, Me, Danielle Cottam, Toni Wade (minus Shay Williams and Marsha Wilson).
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 I turned the BIG 26. I was delighted to be in St. George and enjoy some warmer weather. I did a lot of birthday shopping before we went to St. George and got 2 new pairs of pants, lots of clothes and jewelry, but my ulitmate favorite gift were these little beauties. I LOVE THESE SHOES! Kinda sassy and fun!
I spent most of my Birthday at Jon and Kylee's wedding (Jon is Taylor's cousin). The day started off at the Temple, followed by the Luncheon, naps for the kids and a shopping trip for me, later in the evening we attended the reception, and then Taylor and I were off on a date. We spent my birthday night off by getting some cafe rio and going to the Dixie Red Rock and just sitting at the top of the hill talking and enjoyed overlooking St. George.
Great Grandma North and the kids.
We decided to hike the Diamond Valley Volcano with my family on our last day in St. George. It didn't look like it was gonna be to bad of a hike, but looks can definitely be deceiving. I had Tayson on my back half way up the Volcano and was helping Kamryn up as well. About half way up Kamryn, Tayson, and I decided to stop and let my mom, dad, sisters kate and kara, brother bryce, taylor and brynlee get to the top, and then have someone come back down to help kamryn, tayson, and myself.
These 2 girls were TROOPERS. Kamryn kept saying to me "I can do it mom" and Brynlee was STOKED to climb "The BIG TALL MOUNTAIN". They did so well for how UN-PREPARED we were. I didn't plan on going on a hike since this was a BUSY and QUICK trip. I did what I could with what I had for the kids. I didn't pack any sneakers for the girls so they were stuck hiking in Jelly shoes and Princess socks. Definitely NOT hiking apparell and definitley not a fashion statement. Poor kids! They did really really well though. I was so glad that we hiked the Volcano cause Taylor and I kept saying how bad we wanted to go hiking the next time we were in St. George and I made a pact with myself to actually go out and hike but I didn't think we would have the time to go, and I am so glad we did find the time.
Brynlee and Tayson took turns riding in the backpack/sling. Tayson rode on mommy's back half the way up, and then Grandpa's back the rest of the way up, and Brynlee got to ride on daddy's back on the way down the Volcano while Tayson sat on my hip the WHOLE WAY DOWN.....can we say "SUPER MOM". hehe They way up the Volcano was a little brutal and the way down was super easy. We did take a minor detour on our way down which ultimately made the trip down 10 times longer, but it was fun nonetheless.
Enjoying the BEAUTY at the top of the Volcano.
They way up the Volcano was super slippery with Volcanic rock and it surprised us all at how STEEP it really was. It was definitley an adventure, but once you finally reach the top it makes the whole trip worth it. The view was so pretty! It was a "WAKE UP AND GO" trip so please excuse how NASTY I look.
It was so INCREDIBLY beautiful at the top and it was such a GREAT way to end our trip to St. George.
Baking Time
The kids and I got a little CREATIVE and made some Rainbow Cupcakes. They turned out pretty dang good "If I do say so myself" and they were pretty tasty too. The kids thought it was the neatest thing to have Rainbow Cupcakes.
Another Wedding
We attended Marissa's (Taylor's cousin) Luncheon in Bountiful and we decided to make a pit stop at the Bountiful Temple (one of my Top 5 Favorite Temple's). Marissa got married in the Salt Lake Temple but unfortunatley we were not able to attend due to not having any sitters and Taylor working so we got our Temple fix by stopping at this little beauty.
Playing with cousins Sadie and Kinley at Marissa's (Taylor's cousin) wedding in Bountiful. These kids get a long really well and had LOADS of fun playing together. Poor Tays is ALWAYS out-numbered everywhere he goes.
Dress-up Time
Tayson likes to dress up with his big sisters and it sure is a good thing we have a few boy dress-ups for him. He is one cute little Fire Fighter.
JUST PURE CUTENESS
Brynlee's hair is growing SLOWLY but SURELY. It is finally long enough to put her hair in sponge curlers. She was in HEAVEN when we did this and she looked ADORABLE!
A very Happy Un-Birthday to you.
Kamryn got to celebrate her UN-BIRTHDAY with her preschool. Since her birthday is in August and school hasn't started yet, they decided to celebrate an UN-BIRTHDAY for her. She had so much fun talking about herself and giving her friends a treat. She sure loved all the attention and I was so glad that they thought of her and made her feel special.
Put em' up
This is what Tayson does as he tells me to "STOP" doing whatever it is that I am doing. He pulls out his Buzz Lightyear Lazer gun and chases after me and tells me to "STOP". Love his serious face!
SOOOO BIG
Tayson is growing up on us. He is almost 2 years old and I CAN'T believe it. It's so sad! Tays is the most even tempered, mild, calm, sweet, relaxed kid I have ever met. He just chills and hangs out. He has been my easiest for sure and definitely the one who gets away with EVERYTHING. Brynlee at 13-14 months old was into and onto EVERYTHING and just as busy as can be. Tayson at 22 months is just now interested in getting into things and doing things by himself. I can't believe the difference in each of my children. It's so fun to watch them progress and learn. Here is Tays washing his hands on his own, and sneaking some brownies.
Family Home Evening
We have had a quite a few days during the month of April with some fairly warm days. We tried to do as many activities as we could outdoors as a family. My parents gave us this little bike trailer for Christmas, and Taylor gave me a bike for our 5th Anniversary last year and we were FINALLY able to put them to use. Kids LOVED going on a fam bike ride.
Indoor Campout
We are getting the "Summer Fever". The weather had been HORRID towards the end of April so we decided to get a little taste of summer and do a campout, INDOORS of course. We ordered some pizza and PIGGED out on the pizza, some ice cream, and pop. We topped the night off by watching multiple movies and staying up as long as we could. Doesn't get much better than that!
Happy April!
