Flanders Family

Family Trip to Yellowstone

2012-01-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

So this year for our family vacation we took the girls to Yellowstone. We were a little bit nervous because we felt like they still might be a little young to really enjoy it, but we all had a BLAST! We splurged and got a "suite" to stay in. I think the girls enjoyed that part the very most! It was like a little home away from home. Every night when we told them we had to go back to the hotel, they got really excited!! We all had a fantastic time together and I really think the girls enjoyed seeing the fun "wonders of this world".

We went to a place called the "Bear and Wolf Museum" in West Yellowstone

Abby was able to actually go into the enclosure to feed the bears. She was nervous but pretty excited about it!

Lauren was really bummed out because you had to be 5 years old to feed the bears. =(

We found some scary little girls in the the wolf den!! Watch out!

Waiting for Old Faithful

Lauren was able to enjoy some of Yellowstone in a stroller. Lucky girl!!

Poor Lauren was so exhausted!!

We met a cute little squirrel friend along the way

I don't know why.. but Lauren was a little bit too obsessed with this bear that had been "shot"!! She kept wanting to go over to it and look at it... Should I be concerned??

This is called "Dragons Mouth" It is one of my favorites! It looks like there is a dragon that is inside this cave that is sleeping and blowing out steam. It also sounds just like it!!

Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley is one of my favorite places to visit when we go to Yellowstone. I was really disappointed this year because there was really no buffalo! Then we found a place were lots of people were gathered together and looking through their telescopes. It was a bear eating a buffalo! This isn't a great picture, but you can kinda see the bear on the edge of the little river. While we were watching there were 2 other bears that would come and take over the previous ones spot. This made stopping in Hayden Valley completely worth it!!

Mike's Work Party

2012-01-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

For Mike's summer work party this year they had it at Wheeler Farm. They gave us dinner and had fun blow up toys and things for the kids. I feel so blessed that Mike has this new job. It really has been a blessing in our lives!!

Abby LOVED this slide.. she went down it over and over and over again!

Lauren was a little more nervous to go down this slide, but as soon as she saw that Abby was having so much fun, she finally tried and LOVED it as well. Then we were able to watch her go down it over and over and over again as well!!

Lauren was excited and very nervous to get on the boat and get her picture taken with this pirate. Abby on the other hand didn't want anything to do with him!! =)

Fun in the Pool

2012-01-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

So one thing that I really have enjoyed about living in a condo is the fun pool we have!! The girls absolutely love to go swimming. I have to say that my little Abigail is becoming quite the swimmer too. She loves to put her head under the water and see how far she can swim. Lauren still gets a little nervous, but everytime we got in, she was more and more brave!

Trip to Seattle

2012-01-13T10:24:00.004-07:00

I feel pretty lucky! I was able to drive back to Bainbridge Island, WA with my aunt Jeanette and cousin Jake. It was a really long drive (we drove straight through), but we had a blast! While I was there we were able to visit Seattle.

My aunt Jeanette and I at the Harbor

This is a fun tree they have on the island. I think it is called a "Monkey Tree"

This is the view from my aunt and uncle's apartment. They have fun little shops and a bakery underneath. It was fun to walk downstairs to the bakery and get me a yummy Italian Soda!!

My cousin Jake and I on the ferry

On the way to Seattle

Good thing the fishy smell didn't really bother me for this pregnancy! It was fun to watch them toss the fish to eachother at this place

On top of the Space Needle

The super yummy restaurant we ate dinner at one night

GUESS WHAT??

2012-01-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

Dinosaur Days at the Zoo

2012-01-13T09:57:00.002-07:00

We went to the zoo with my mom one day and we were able to see all the Dinosaurs that were there. They were actually really fun! It was a rainy day, so it made it a little creepier too.. =) We had a great time!

Lauren turns 4 years old!!!

2012-01-09T17:29:00.002-07:00

For Lauren's birthday party this year she wanted to do a "fish" theme again. That was kinda fun, cause we had most of the stuff from when she had the same kind of party when she was 2 years old!! We had a fishing pond (the kids loved doing this to get their yummy treats and prizes), little kiddie pool (that they all seemed to want to get in at the same time), a slip and slide, cupcakes (decorated like fish in an ocean (wish I took more pictures of them.. other than them on their faces =) ), and just some fun fishy music. Lauren had such a great time!! I can't believe that she is already 4 years old!! They are growing up way too fast for me!

Just playing

2012-01-03T12:15:00.002-07:00

So the fun part about living in our condo is that we have a little "dirt box" in the front yard (opposed to a "sand box") That the kids love to play in. Here is a bunch of them all playing together!!

Crazy Rain Storm

2012-01-03T12:11:00.001-07:00

So we had a few crazy rain storms this Spring. One of them made our street flood and the neighborhood kids had a blast playing in it!! They were FILTHY when they were done playing.. but they had a GREAT time getting that way!!

They actually found a turtle hiding under the water by the drain.. crazy!

Kool Aid Stand

2012-01-03T11:56:00.002-07:00

The girls had such a great time having a "Kool Aid" stand with a couple of their friends. They were excited to make the sign as well. If you notice the colorful things at the front of the table... those are the clay creations that they made to pass out for "free" with the purchase of their kool aid. They actually made $8 and then they split it between them. They were pretty excited about it. The only problem is.. now they want to do one all the time. LOL.

Fathers Day 2011

2011-12-31T11:19:00.002-07:00

For Fathers Day this year the girls and I made daddy a fun tee shirt with their hand prints on it. They had so much fun getting their hands all ooey and gooey with paint!! Their daddy loved his shirt!

Playing at the park/ Zoo with friends!

2011-12-31T11:16:00.001-07:00

Abby Graduates Kindergarten!!!

2011-12-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

Mayan

2011-12-31T11:02:00.002-07:00

Abby wasn't feeling completely up to going to a sleepover the same night that Lauren was invited to sleep over with her cousins. She wasn't sick enough to keep her home in bed, so we thought it would be fun to take her out to dinner. Some mommy/daddy/Abby time. She chose to go to the Mayan. She had a blast watching all the performances and cliff divers. It was a fun night!

More random springtime fun!

2011-12-31T10:55:00.001-07:00

Observation day for Lauren's dance class

Wheeler Farm

Crazy Girl!! =)

Random Fun in the Springtime!

2011-12-31T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hair cut for Abigail

2011-12-31T09:21:00.003-07:00

Abigail hates having long, beautiful thick hair!! haha.. She is always asking me to cut it for her. So I did.. and here is the result. I have to say, she is beautiful with short hair as well!

Abby was pretty excited for her haircut!

My little helper in the kitchen

2011-12-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

She loves to help me make anything, but especially cookies!!

Moments like these make me smile!

2011-12-31T09:12:00.001-07:00

Grandpa Beckstead

2011-12-31T09:07:00.001-07:00

My grandpa Beckstead passed away on January 21st. I can't believe how spiritual of an experience it really was. While he was in the hospital in a coma alot of us read the book "The Message". It really helped me at least get through this hard time. We had a really beautiful service for him. We know that we will be with him again, so it is fun to know he is looking down watching over us now.

I apologize if these pictures creep you out, but I just think he looked so peaceful. It was nice to see him at peace.

He had such a beautiful flower arrangement!

My dad with his mom and siblings

My Grandma and her sister (My aunt Sandy)

Playing with cousins

2011-12-31T08:46:00.002-07:00

One of the things my girls love to do is play with their cousins!! They love to go over to Grandma and Grandpa Flanders house on Sunday!! Here they are riding their scooters in the garage on a cold, cold winter day!

Zoo in the winter

2011-12-31T08:43:00.002-07:00

One of our favorite times to go to the zoo is in the winter. Granted, it is FREEZING, but there is nobody there!! It is fun for the girls to be able to lead us around to whatever they want to see and not have to worry about the crowds. There are plenty of buildings to warm up in and then we brave the outside parts fast!

Poor little Lauren just couldn't stay away this time at the zoo!

Christmas 2010

2011-12-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

We had an interesting Christmas this year. Mike found out on December 1st that he would be losing his job on December 31st. Needless to say, it was VERY stressful. We were so very blessed this year though. We had a couple Christmas Elves give the girls some extra gifts. Looking back at these pictures, you would never know that anything stressful was going on in our lives. We have been so very blessed! We have an amazing family and some wonderful friends. We truly were the receivers of some special Christmas miracles this year!!

The day after Christmas the girls were playing SO fun together!! We had to catch a couple of the shots of them playing together =)

Abigail's Ice Skating Birthday

2011-12-30T18:48:00.001-07:00

We went ice skating twice in December. Once, we went with Aunt Chantel and Uncle Bryan for FREE day at the Murray Ice Rink!! That was awesome!Then.. for Abigail's birthday we went again. Abigail's little friend Evelyn and her family came as well!! We all had a blast! Afterwards, we just came back to our house for some cupcakes! Just a simple, but fun birthday for her this year! On a side note.. I must say that Abby got VERY good at ice skating. Lauren was not sure about ice skating the first time we went, but the second time she was much more brave and really enjoyed it! I am SO proud of my girls! They are growing up so fast!

Christmas Recital at Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg.

2011-12-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Playing in the snow!!

2011-12-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

The girls have such a blast playing in the snow!!! Nothing better than playing in the snow.. then coming inside to warm up with a nice cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmellows right??? =)

Halloween 2010

2011-12-30T18:21:00.001-07:00

Gardner Village 2010

2011-12-30T18:13:00.002-07:00

We have such a fun time going to see the witches at Gardner Village during Halloween!! We like to do the scavenger hunt and then get a cookie at the end of the evening!! I really think this is my favorite time of the year!!

Halloween Party for Abby's Kindergarten class

2011-12-30T18:07:00.001-07:00

Abby had a fun Halloween Party at her school. The ate yummy treats and played some fun games. Here is a picture of her cute class all dressed up!

Aquarium

2011-12-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

We had an annual pass this year to the Aquarium. This place really isn't that big, but the girls loved to be able to explore it!! They had an especially fun time petting the sting rays!!

Corn Belly 2010

2011-12-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

One of the fun traditions we have in our little family is to go to Cornbelly in the fall!! This place is amazing. The girls love to go on a hayride, ride the cow trains, jump on the big pillow, meet the pumpkin princess and just play, play, play!! I love this place!!

Abigail's Violin Recital

2011-12-30T17:11:00.001-07:00

Abby has really enjoyed playing the violin. This is her first real violin recital. She was also very excited to receive a rose from us afterwards. It's hard to say which was the cutest part of this evening... Her playing her "tucka tucka" on the violin or the smile on her face after receiving the rose!

Daddy/Daughter Hike

2011-12-30T16:52:00.002-07:00

Abby and her daddy went on a fun hike today. They went up around Snowbird Ski resort. Mike needed to go up there to make sure it was something that the scouts would be able to do and Abby was so excited to be able to go with him. She is a good little hiker!

Lauren's first day of dance

2011-12-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

We started Lauren in her first dance class. She is in the Murray Community program. She absolutely loves it. It is so fun to see her get so excited to go to dance. She is such a cute girl and I can tell she is going to do great in her dance class!

Labor Day Weekend 2010

2011-12-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

We spent Labor Day weekend up at Flaming Gorge with the Beckstead family. We had such a fun time! We went for a really nice boat ride..I learned how to drive the boat =) , we went to a parade, watched a fun electric boat show and some fantastic fireworks. We also just had fun hang out with the family time!!

Abigail's First Day of Kindergarten!!

2011-12-30T15:14:00.002-07:00

Abby was so excited to start Kindergarten! She goes to McMillan Elementary. Her teachers name is Mrs. Horstman and she LOVES it!

Summer 2010 (Part 1)

2011-08-16T18:27:00.021-06:00

WOWZERS!!! I need to do some catch up. I haven't blogged in over a year! Here is a little preview of what has been going on the last year or so...

We went to the Church History Museum

For Lauren's 3rd birthday party, we had Princess Amerah come!! The girls loved it SO much! They love this princess!

Making crafts...

We were invited by Princess Amerah to come to Cherry Hills for free to see her perform. They were also able to be on Channel 2 news as well!

Going to the dentist!! I don't know why, but my girls love to go. I never have to fight them or anything. I think they just like wearing the cool sunglasses.. haha

We went to "This is the Place" for one of the play groups

On our way to see Eclipse!!

4th of July (Murray Parade)

My sweet grandma Brown

Bouncing off the walls

We went to Pineview Reservoir with our good friends Shawna and Warren and their girls Cassidy and Madilyn. We had such a blast! The girls just absolutely adored having them there to play with. They play so well together!

Liberty Park

We went swimming, swimming swimming!! Loved swimming in our pool this year!

Taylorsville Dayzz

Just goofing off!!

I made strawberry jam!! I was so proud of myself! It was gone shortly afterwards =)

Wheeler Farm

Riverview Park

This is a fun park that is right by my parents house. I love it mostly because it isn't super crowded, has fun things to play on, large area of grass for them to run around.. and a SUPER fun slide that even gets my heart beating!!

Vacation 2010!!!!

2010-05-28T14:03:00.012-06:00

We went on the BEST vacation this year!! We were able to go to Sea World and Disneyland!!! Those of you that know me well know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Disneyland!! It made the vacation even more fun to have my brother Brian (that just came home from his mission), my parents, my brother Jason, his wife Sally and my cute little neice Elyse there as well!! We missed my sister Robin and her little family though!! Maybe next time!

Here was our agenda...

Saturday, May 8th.... Stayed in Primm, NV at Buffallo Bills. My dad, Brian and I went on the "Desperato"!! AWESOME rollercoaster!!

Sunday, May9th.. Arrive in San Diego. We went to Mission Beach that evening!! Kind of a cold and windy night, but that didn't matter to Abigail.. she played in the water anyways!

Monday, May 10th... SeaWorld!!

Tuesday, May11th.. SeaWorld again!!

Wednesday, May 12th... DISNEYLAND!!

Thursday, May 13th...DISNEYLAND!!

Friday, May 14th...DISNEYLAND!!

Saturday, May 15th...DISNEYLAND!!

Sunday, May 16th.. Drive to Mesquite NV.. stay the night..

Monday, May 17th.. HOME

ok.. so some of you might be thinking "4 days in Disneyland.. isn't that a little much??" Well.. not for me!! We had an absolute blast! My kids were a little tired by the end, but by then we were able to go to see all the parades, shows, wait for autographs of all the wonderful characters and go on all the rides we wanted and just get to see anything and everything with leisure!! Man.. there is nothing like the happies place on earth!! :)

Now that we are home, Abby and Lauren keep asking when we get to go again!! Also, just today Abby told me that she no longer wants to be a "girl musketeer" when she grows up.. she now wants to train Shamu and work at SeaWorld!! I love my little girls!!

Me and the girls at Buffalo Bills

Abby and Lauren finding seashells

Daddy and his beautiful girls!

Mommy and her beautiful girls!!

SEAWORLD!!

I absolutely loved how close you could get to the dolphins!

Sally, Jason and Elyse waiting for Shamu Show

Us waiting for Shamu Show

Abby on her first motion ride at Seaworld.. She LOVED it!!

Lauren wasn't so sure of Elmo

We went to another Shamu show.. but this time Abby and Lauren said they wanted to go really close so we will get WET!! We were prepared!

DISNEYLAND!!!!

Lauren and my mom on Dumbo

Have to get this picture if you go to Disneyland!

Daddy and Abigail on Dumbo

My dad and the girls playing in toon town!

Me and Lauren on Matterhorn!!

Waiting in line for Peter Pan

The girls were excited to meet Minnie Mouse and play in her house

Waiting for the show "Disney Playhouse" to begin

All of us waiting for the parade

Brian, Sally, Elyse, Jason, my dad, my mom, Abby, Lauren and Mike

See how excited they were to be in Disneyland!! We LOVE Disneyland!!

Mike's 30th Birthday

2010-05-21T09:29:00.004-06:00

For Mike's 30th birthday I threw him a surprise game night. To start out the evening, Tawnya and Torrin came to dinner with us. Afterwards we "pretended" to go back to their house to pick up their car.. Torrin invited Mike in to "look" at something and our friends jumped out and yelled surprise!! Mike seemed pretty excited! What a fun night of games and friends!

April 2010

2010-05-21T08:36:00.011-06:00

My little brother Brian came home from his mission on April 1, 2010!!

Decorating Easter Eggs

Abby and Lauren with some of their cousins

We all got together after going to dinner for my Grandpa Brown's 80th birthday!

Uncle Brian with Abby, Lauren and Elyse

Abby and Lauren were able to take swimming lessons this month. Abby is like a little fish now. Lauren on the other hand wasn't so sure of the class. She enjoys being in the water, but she isn't really comfortable yet. She did love to be in the class with her daddy though!

My sister Robin came down from Idaho to visit for my brothers homecoming. We were able to go to dinner the night before as a family!

Brian's Homecoming

Abigail, Lauren and Kylie

Robin reading a book to all the little girls!! SO cute!

Abigail's Preschool Field Trip to Wheeler Farm

Brighton Chalet

We took the girls up to Brighton Chalet on April 21, 2010. There was supposed to be a meteor shower that night so we thought it would be fun to go up into the mountains to see it better. Well, that night it snowed!! We weren't able to see a meteor shower, but we were able to have some fun, relaxing family time!!

This is the view from the living room! Beautiful!!

Abby and Lauren playing games together!

They really love throwing rocks into the water!!

March 2010

2010-04-30T17:02:00.006-06:00

Pirate Day at Abigail's Preschool!

Lauren's hair is getting long enough to braid!! She loves it when I do her hair.. and I thought this picture was so cute of her admiring herself!

We made fun hats!

Mike took me on a surprise date to the Desert Star Playhouse. What a fun date!

We took the girls to "Disney on Ice." My Grandma Dot and Aunt Diane came with us as well.

I love visiting my Grandma and Grandpa Brown. My girls just LOVE her!

Abby started taking violin lessons in March. She is so excited to learn how to play the violin just like her Grandma Flanders and Aunt Heather!!

For St. Patrick's Day I made the girls a "green" breakfast. They thought it was so funny.. and actually ate better than they usually do!! Maybe I need to turn their food different colors for them to eat it!! :)

A fun day at the Murray Park with mommy and daddy.

Mike and I have a couple of friends that are from Pakistan and one night they taught us how to play the game "cricket." What a fun game!! The girls made a new friend and had a blast just running around together at the park.

Haircut

2010-04-30T16:44:00.003-06:00

Towards the end of March... I started finding chunks of hair on the floor in my house. I asked Abigail what they were and she told me that she was SICK of having long hair. She wanted to have short hair. I told her that she shouldn't cut her own hair and that I would cut it for her that night. Here is the end result.. (you can't tell in the before picture that she was cutting her hair because Abby has REALLY thick hair!!)

February 2010

2010-04-30T16:13:00.010-06:00

Playing at the Murray Park with some friends

Here we are at my cousin Jake's baptism

Abigail's Preschool went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Pointe.

Abby and her fieldtrip buddy.. Matthew

Evelyn, Abigail and Matthew

Playing in the sand

OH NO!!
I love this picture!

Digging for dinosaur bones

Storytime at the Aquarium

Lauren and Kinley

Abigail and Kinley

For Valentine's Day, Mike and I went to a Valentine's Dance.

My friends and their hubbies!

Some wonderful friends!

My wonderful hubby!!

Sara & Zane

Shawna & Warren

Adrian & Kashi

January 2010

2010-03-05T13:04:00.010-07:00

Mike and I went on a date on January 15th. We went to an art show to see some of my friend Shawna Tenney's artwork on display. She is AMAZING!! Afterwards we went to dinner at the yummiest sushi place called "Red Ginger Bistro."

Here is a picture of my friend Sara, Shawna and me at the art show.

Mike and I at the Red Ginger Bistro!

Shawna & Warren

Sara & Zane

So, for my 30th birthday (I can't believe I am 30), I thought Mike was just going to take me out to dinner. We were able to hang out with some of our friends the weekend before, so I wasn't expecting anything very big. When we got to the restaurant I saw that some of my friends and their husbands were already there!!! Mike had planned to have them all be there to SURPRISE me!! YEAH!! I have such an amazing husband and the best friends anyone could ever ask for!

Shawna, Adrian, me and Sara.. I seriously LOVE these girls!!

These girls made me this AMAZING cake!! THANK YOU!

All of us!!

My girls LOVED the cake they made too!!

On January 31st, my mom and I took the girls to the zoo. This was our last day of our yearly pass. :( We have bought a zoo pass every year for the past few years, but this year we are going to pass because we got an aquarium pass instead. But I LOVE the zoo.. so maybe this year off will make it even more exciting the next time we go!!

My Wonderful mom and my adorable girls!!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T14:37:00.012-07:00

We had an AMAZING Christmas this year!! Here are some of the fun things we did!!

Dibble Christmas Party

Abigail, Lauren and Raiyah singing Jingle Bells & Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer for the program!

Beckstead Christmas Party

My Grandpa Beckstead made these for everyone in the family!!

Chrismas Eve.. My cousin Sean came over and gave the girls his present to them.. They LOVE Sean!!

Christmas Eve we went over to the Grandma and Grandpa Flanders and had a Christmas dinner and opened presents!!

Getting ready to go to bed so Santa can come!! They didn't go to sleep until 11pm though!! They were TOO excited!

Christmas Day!!!
Abigail received a new "real" camera from Santa this year. Now she has a better camera than we do!! So we let Abby take the pictures this year!

This is at Grandma and Grandpa Beckstead's house Christmas Morning...

Jason, Sally and Elyse

Daddy and Lauren

Robin, Brett and Kylie

Christmas afternoon we went to my grandma and grandpa Browns house...

My cousin Lynnette and Abigail

Grandpa Brown in his new silly singing/dancing hat!!

Christmas Evening we went to Aunt Mazie's home for Christmas dinner and more fun!!

Aunt Gina and Abigail

This is why Lauren isn't in most of the pictures!! She fell asleep in the car on the way to Aunt Mazie's house and then slept through all the craziness for at least 2 hours!! I finally had to wake her up!!

Abigail and Uncle Matt

Abigail and Uncle Bryan

We listened to a Christmas story told by aunt Nina!!

Abigail and Grandma Flanders

Our cute little family (Lauren is still half asleep!)

Playing the fun instruments and having a parade!

Trying to get a cousin picture.. this is the best one I got!! (but it is missing a couple of the older cousins)

Lauren and Raiyah dancing!!

Abby and her new friend (cousin) Mykell!!

Grandma Flanders playing her violin

Grandpa Flanders and Lauren

Grandpa Flanders and Abigail

Lauren with the GRINCH!

Sledding and Gingerbread Houses/Train

2009-12-28T14:21:00.005-07:00

Abby and Lauren both thought it would be fun to pretend to sleep in the snow!! :)

In Murray, we didn't get TONS of snow, so this is the little snow"woman" we built! They all had a blast!!

I am so sad!! My camera's battery kept running out, so I missed taking pictures of the best part of sledding!! By the time I got the camera back Abby was still having a blast, but Lauren was SO tired!! They both did LOVE it though!!

This year we decided to buy Abby and Lauren each their own gingerbread thing. Lauren wanted to do a house and Abby wanted to do a train. Here are their cute creations!!

Abigail's Preschool Christmas Program and Echoes of Christmas

2009-12-28T13:58:00.005-07:00

It was so much fun watching Abby sing in the Christmas Program at her Preschool on December 15th, 2009.

Lauren was SO good while we were waiting for Abby to perform.

Abby and her friend Evelyn!!

Abigail and I went to "Echoes of Christmas" at Liberty Park to see Grandma Flanders be an angel!! It was a beautiful program!!

Abigail and Uncle Matt

Abby and Grandma Flanders

Abby trying to make snow angels!!

making Christmas cookies

2009-12-28T13:52:00.004-07:00

We were able to make Christmas Sugar cookies with some amazing friends this December. Lauren was actually sick this night so she stayed at home with her daddy and made a gingerbread house. We missed them, but at least both the girls had a fun time with what they were doing!!

Kenshin and Bethany

Madeline and Abigail

Abigail's 5th Birthday!!

2009-12-28T13:32:00.006-07:00

We had a few different parties for Abigail's 5th birthday. First we celebrated it with the Flanders, then we had a Princess party and then we had a party with the Beckstead side.

At Grandma and Grandpa Flanders House

Abigail and Raiyah ( I love this picture)

Abigail's Princess Party. Princess Amerah came to Abigail's birthday party and Abby was SOOO excited!! All the girls had a great time!! Princess Amerah is absolutely amazing!

Abby and Aliaya listening to Princess Amerah's story

Abby doesn't get overly excited about things, so it is these little smirks that help me know she LOVES every second of her party!

Abby was a little nervous to be the center of attention. They were all singing Happy Birthday to her.

Everyone doing "goofy" faces!!

Lauren absolutely LOVED Princess Amerah too!!

Celebrating Abby's Birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Dot's house.

Benefit Concert at Hillcrest Jr High

2009-12-20T10:36:00.006-07:00

Abigail had 2 concerts in December. The Festival of Trees and a benefit concert that was held at Hillcrest Jr High. Luckily at this one I got some better pictures!!!
YEAH!!

Here is Lauren watching "Frosty the Snowman" on daddy's phone. We had to get there kinda early, and she was such a good little girl to wait!!

Abby Loves doing different poses for the camera.. haha

Lauren and Aunt Brenda after the concert!!

Lauren was being chased by uncle Matt. Ended up being an adorable picture!

Festival of Trees

2009-12-20T10:27:00.003-07:00

So this was the last time that Abby performed at Festival of trees for a while. (We are taking her out of dance for a little bit and going to see if she is interested in trying something new for a while) I am sad that we didn't really get any pictures of her onstage though. Where we sat, the teacher was blocking our view of Abby *tear* But I was able to move to the back and video it instead. :) Here are some fun pictures that we did get while walking around looking at everything!!

They loved the "barbie" tree.. weren't so excited about the picture though

Abby LOVES "Nightmare before Christmas" So we had to get this cute picture

November 2009

2009-12-01T14:00:00.008-07:00

Well.. Lauren and Abigail were actually sick for the first 2 weeks of November so we didn't really do much. But when they got better, we went to the aquarium a couple times, made little turkeys for a craft project, celebrated Thanksgiving with family (I didn't get any pictures though *tear*), we decorated the Christmas tree and we just had fun.

I found them under the table reading books!!

Decorating the Christmas Tree!! The bottom half is pretty full and I love it!

Making Turkeys for an art project

Another day at the aquarium!!

Laurens favorite part is the shark tank! Abigail's favorite part are the jelly fish and eels!!

Everyday they beg me to go outside and play!! They don't care one bit about how cold it is!! (well, Lauren does after about 15 min.. then she wants to go inside and get her blanket!! :) )

October 2009

2009-12-01T11:03:00.023-07:00

We had a pretty eventful month in October.. Here is a glimpse at what we did...

We went to Wee Witches Weekend at Gardner Village with our friends the Rasmussens

We did a scavenger hunt to find all the different witches

They did a bean toss game and they both did really well!!

Abby doing a little dance!!

We went to Gardner Village with wonderful friends!!

Abby really enjoyed riding her new "big girl bike" She was so proud of herself and we were proud of her too!!

Abby and Lauren were just plain cute!!

We went as a family to Wheeler Farm and the girls LOVED riding the ponies!!

Mommy was able to go to Witches night out with her friends Sara and Shawna!! She had a blast and the girls thought it was so fun that mommy was dressed up like a witch!

Lauren fell off the bench at church and hit her head. She had to get it glued. Lauren likes to call it her "ouchie" She is my brave little girl!

We went to Engh Gardens and the girls loved to play on the pirate ship and go through the hay maze. This is such a fun place to go in October!

Bethany, Kenshin, Abby, Sara and Lauren

Lauren's First Haircut on October 23, 2009. I think I cut about 4 inches off the back. No more mullet for her!! :)

Playing in the snow!!

We got a pass to the Aquarium!! The girls LOVE this place!

Trying to touch the stingrays

Making carmeled apples for Family Home Evening

They were SOO yummy!!

We went to our Ward Halloween Party. There was face painting, decorating cookies, different games and a donut eating contest.

Abby getting her face painted. Lauren didn't want hers done.

Abby's dance class. They invited the parents to come watch them do a little performance in class and then they trick or treated with their friends.

Rasmussen Halloween Party

Donut Eating Contest.. Both Abby and Lauren didn't want to do it :( But the other kids had a fun time!!

Then we got the daddy's to do it too.. It was fun to watch!!

On Halloween we went and visited Grandma and Grandpa Brown, then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Becksteads house for some trick or treating and then headed to Grandma and Grandpa Flanders for a bonfire and a yummy dinner. What a fun Halloween!!

Lauren wanted to be a BLUE witch for Halloween.. but she settled for a Purple one.. haha.. it had blue in it though and she loved this costume!! What a cute little witch!!

She wanted to be a witch for all of Octobers fun things.. but when it came to Halloween night, she wanted to be Snow White again!! So cute!

September 16th to September 30th, 2009

2009-12-01T10:51:00.004-07:00

We went to the Zoo with Grandma Joanne on her birthday September 16th.

Robin's baby shower on September 26th. Brett and Robin went to the temple the day before to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

September 29th: Abby had a fun time on her field trip to the Discovery Museum with her preschool.

We went to go see the changing of the leaves up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was So beautiful up there!

Playing in the rain

2009-09-15T10:21:00.004-06:00

The girls begged me to go outside last night to play in the rain. We went outside and they had a blast. They jumped in the puddles and their favorite part was finding worms and showing them to me. I love it when it rains!!

Random Fun

2009-09-15T10:02:00.005-06:00

The girls LOVE to play dress up!!

We went to a "Fairy" storytime at Engh Gardens with Sara, Kenshin and Bethany. We listened to a fairy stories, made an art project (a "leafman"), and they were given "fairy dust" to take home. They had a fun time.

Sprinkling Fairydust on the lawn... they also did it all over my flowers.. it was actually pretty cute!!

This is when we told Lauren that she couldn't EAT the fairy dust.. :)

We made little crafts.. Abby and Lauren LOVE to paint, so I just gave them these paper towel rolls and let them go at it..

Abby and Lauren have the BEST daddy in the world!! He was such a good sport...Abby wanted so badly to paint his toenails.. so he let her!! Thats what he gets with 2 girls I guess.. haha.. We LOVE him!!

Abby's first day of Preschool

2009-09-13T09:12:00.004-06:00

Abby was SO excited to go to preschool!! She woke up at 6:45am and got ready pretty fast. By the time she was ready we still had about 30 min till we had to leave. She kept asking me when it was time to go!! My little girl is growing up!!

Camping at Palisades

2009-09-13T08:58:00.006-06:00

Over Labor Day weekend we went to the Palisades with our friends the Rasmussens. We had SUCH a great time!! We went on Paddleboats, looked for frogs, did arts and crafts and just had a FUN time!!

I love this picture of Bethany!

Abby and Kenshin playing at sunset

The kids playing on the paddleboat

These are the crowns we made for the kids

The kids thought it was SO much fun to dance on this platform!!

The Rasmussens on their paddleboat

Just hanging out

Here is our paddleboat

Playing at the beach

YELLOWSTONE!!!

2009-08-31T15:09:00.010-06:00

Mike and I were able to get away for a weekend without the kiddies.. we went to Yellowstone!!! It was SO beautiful.. There were a couple of bumps in our little adventure... an almost speeding ticket, some car problems, getting lost and not the best waiter at our "fancy" night of dining.. but all in all it was an AWESOME get away!!!

Lower Falls

Watching the wildlife at Hayden Valley

Morning Glory Geyser

Old Faithful

Norris Geysers

Love the buffalo right outside the car!!

Spasm Geyser

Firehole Falls

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center (West Yellowstone)

Random Fun in August

2009-08-31T12:31:00.008-06:00

We did alot of fun things in August...

We went to the Zoo on August 29th and we had a BLAST!! We had fun looking at all the animals and going to the bird show. We also met up with my friend Sara and her family.. it was SO much fun!!

The Girls LOVED to blow bubbles!!

We went to free lunch and played with friends

We saw Princess Amerah 4 times this summer. My girls just ADORE her!!

Lauren has been such a good little helper with Elyse (her cousin).

Mike and I had our 7 Year anniversary on August 3rd. He came home with these beautiful flowers and we went to dinner at Applebees.

We love to do little crafts and one of Abigail's favorite is to make bracelets and necklaces for her friends.

Lauren's 2nd Birthday!!

2009-08-31T12:24:00.003-06:00

For Lauren's 2nd birthday party, we asked her if she wanted a "bug" party or a "fish" party. (2 of her favorite things!!) She chose the fish party!!
So we had a slip and slide, a fishing pond, cupcakes with blue frosting to look like the sea with gummy fish on them and fishy music to dance too. I think the party turned out pretty fun. Happy Birthday my beautiful Lauren!!

July 24, 2009

2009-07-28T08:45:00.004-06:00

Mike's family has started a fairly new tradition of going up to Pineview for the 24th of July weekend. We always have a blast up there with his family! They had so many fun actities for the kids, they had a little pool that the kids loved to play in, they had bubbles and finger painting as well. They loved it!! This year Lauren and Abby also LOVED being on the boat. Lauren enjoyed taking a ride on the tube as well. Abby was a little nervous this year to try it. It was such a fun weekend!!

Willow Pond

2009-07-17T08:46:00.003-06:00

I can't believe that I didn't know that this park existed until now!! Sara Rasmussen told me that she wanted to do playgroup at Willow Pond so I just ran with it... this place is WONDERFUL!! It has 3 different playgrounds and a fun water feature, a wading pond that the kids can get in and walk around and a HUGE pond that people can go fishing (or just throw rocks in.. my kids favorite!!)

Abby was RIGHT in the middle of all the water, but Lauren liked to just walk around and get a little sprinkle here and there!!

This was Lauren's favorite part!! She did this for a good half hour straight!

Abby, Kenshin, Cassidy, Madeline and Bethany

Camping at Pineview

2009-07-17T08:35:00.005-06:00

This past weekend we went camping up at Pineview. This is the first time that I have ever gone camping with JUST my little family (Mike and the 2 girls). Let me tell you.. it is alot more pressure trying to make sure you pack EVERYTHING and don't forget anything!! But everything worked out and we had a great time. We bought a little inflatable boat and the girls had a blast taking their turns!!! When it wasn't their turn on the little boat, they had alot of fun just digging in the dirt on the beach (which there isn't much of because the water is so high)!! Mike's parents came Friday night and we roasted marshmellows. We love camping!!

Relaxing after we got everything set up

Lauren actually really liked to be in her playpen!!

Princess Amerah

2009-07-16T18:20:00.004-06:00

We went to go see the Princess Amerah again!! This time we went to Taylorsville Library and they had booths set up for the little kids. They were able to take their picture with the princess again as well. This time Lauren loved it!! What made it even more fun was that my cousin Amy and her kids came with us. I haven't seen her in a LONG time, so it was so fun to reconnect with her. After we saw the princess, we went to the Taylorsville park and the kids played and played and played for 3 1/2 hrs!! It was a fun day!!

Swimming!!

2009-07-16T18:10:00.005-06:00

We went Swimming with our friends the Phillips. It was SUPER nice because there was nobody else in the pool!! Abby finally gets in the pool again and loves to swim around on her own. Lauren just loved to be anywhere her dad was!!

Torrin and Tyler Phillips

Tawnya and Sam Phillips

Cute little Ben Phillips

July 3rd & July 4th 2009

2009-07-16T17:21:00.006-06:00

We had a fun and busy holiday this year. On July 3rd we went with Mike's family to the Centerville fireworks, but had to leave early because it was going to be an EARLY morning the next day.
Here was our schedule for the 4th of July...

8am: Had to take Abby to Fashion Place mall so she could be in the Murray City parade.

8:30 am: The parade begins.. Lauren had a fun time watching it with my family. I was only able to watch maybe 30 min of it because when Abby's float came past us, I had to walk to the car and go pick her up at Murray Park. Unfortunatly, I didn't know that I didn't have to leave right away to pick her up. It took about 45 min for her to get to the end!! Now I know better for next year I guess!!

About 11am: The girls were able to have some quiet time at home.. :)

2pm: BBQ at my parents house. The girls had alot of fun running though the sprinklers as well.

7pm: Go to the Murray Park and watch their little program and fireworks. The girls really enjoy this every year. This year we actually ran into our neighbor that was there as well. Abby and Aliayah had a fun time dancing!! Abby didn't want to watch the fireworks with us this year.. she made a new friend named Sara (probably about 16 years old) and her brother (probably around 14 years old) that were sitting behind us and she wanted to watch the fireworks with them.. She talked their ear off the whole time!! haha.. I love our little Abby!!

We had such a fun time!!! This is such a fun holiday for my family. It is my mom's favorite holiday so it makes it extra fun to get to hang out with them all day!! Love you guys!!

Abby and Grandma Flanders at Centerville Park on July 3rd.

Lauren and Mommy at Centerville Park July 3rd

Mike and Allison at Centerville Park July 3rd

Abby getting ready for the Murray Parade to begin.

Abby and Cousin Lindsay (Loo Loo) before parade begins.

Lauren and Robin waiting for Parade to begin. (Lauren was a little tired.. can you tell?)

Abby waving to us from the float!!

Abby and Lauren taking a little quiet time after the parade!!

Abby in my parents backyard putting her foot over the sprinkler head (her favorite part)!!

Just a cute picture of Lauren :)

Lauren not getting TOO close to the sprinklers.. Just close enough to get a LITTLE wet!!

Abby dancing at the Murray Park

Abby and her friend Aliayah

Lauren and Grandma Joanne watching the fireworks!!

Taylorsville Dayzz

2009-07-01T11:01:00.002-06:00

We went to Taylorsville Dayzz on Monday night with my friend Sara and her little family. We walked around and looked at the booths, the girls played in the playground and then we listened to the Utah Symphony and watched the fireworks to end the night. The girls had such a fun time!!

Hair Cuts

2009-07-01T10:45:00.005-06:00

Me after my haircut!! They cut it shorter than I wanted, but I actually really like it!!

Before

Abigail the night before she got her haircut!! Her hair is SO long!!

After

Our little Abigail now! She looks SO stinking cute! I actually really love her with short hair!

Liberty Park

2009-07-01T10:38:00.002-06:00

Last Wednesday I went to Liberty Park with some friends. Abby had so much fun running through the water fountains. Lauren was a little nervous about all the water, but she had a blast playing in the playground!!

Lagoon!!

2009-07-01T10:31:00.004-06:00

A couple weeks ago we were able to take the girls to Lagoon. They had a BLAST!! Last year Abigail was too scared to go on ANYTHING!! This year her and Lauren were able to go on almost everything together and I really think that helped ALOT!! I think BOTH of their favorite rides is Puff the Magic Dragon!! Even Lauren was SO excited to get on it for the first time!! Abby keeps asking me when we get to go again!! I am so glad they had so much fun!!

Wheeler Farm

2009-06-22T11:05:00.003-06:00

On Thursday we went to Wheeler Farm with my sister in law Heather and her little girl Raiyah. The girls had a fun time feeding the ducks, going on the wagon ride and looking at all the animals. It was a beautiful day to go!!