THE party

So I have never given a kid a birthday party which some of you may think is really bad parenting...I just figured family parties were enough. This year Cami actually asked for a party and dreamed of parties and anticipated a party for months. SO we had a friends party and it was really fun. She invited twelve of her little friends and they all came. We had air plane races, relay races, played where's the spoon and pin the tail on the donkey. The highlight was a treasure hunt to find the pinata. We had pizza for lunch then cupcakes, complete with party hats. It was a packed hour and a half. It went really fast and I am sure this is the first of many parties.

Getting ready to take flight

Dressing up/eating chocolate relay

Looking for the spoon

Looking for clues on the treasure hunt

Pizza and ice cream for all

One of her three wishes

The gang with post party sugar highs

World's biggest food baby

Friday night we went out for dinner. Usually Taryn won't drink any other beverage if she has the option of water. I ordered lemonade and apparently she found another love besides water. Taryn kept sneaking little drinks of strawberry lemonade from my cup but I wasn't really paying attention to how much she was chugging. After bribing her with ice cream if she would just eat the last two bites of her sandwich this is what she said "I think I have a baby in my tummy...look...(puffs it out to display serious food baby)"...Two seconds later she has her baby via barfing style...voluminous barfing.....lots of strawberry lemonade right on mommy's lap. Lesson learned for mommy!

The big 5!

You may wonder why Cami's face is the header on our blog this month. It is her big day one week from today. She will be turning five and I can't believe how fast those years went. Cami is a very sweet sensitive girl. She is always aware of others feelings and is sooo quick to try and help if she knows someone is sad.

I love her imagination and how well she plays with Taryn. She is the best big sister Taryn could have. When I was thinking about having Taryn my mom told me one of the greatest gifts you can give a child is a sibling.Then they learn how to share and get along in a loving environment before they go out into the world. Well Taryn has been good for Cami but REALLY it is Taryn who is lucky to have such a great big sister.

Cami is working on reading and writing and simple math. She loves preschool and her teacher and can't leave without giving her a hug. She really thinks about things and asks a million questions. She memorizes really fast and has about every songs she's ever heard memorized (her favorites are 1985 and the song by tim mcgraw about 123 like a bird I sing...)

She has great faith as well. When she is scared she naturally decides to say a little prayer and then tells me later that she could do what ever it was she was scared of because she said a little prayer and heavenly father helped her (for example going to the dentist).

She is just a really good kid-a really obedient loving kind person and we feel so blessed to have her in our home. We spent a lot of love, sweat, and tears getting her to our family and never ever in a million years have I wondered if it was worth it. Cami is worth more than anything. We scored big time getting her as a daughter.

Below is a slide show of some favorite times with her.

A Day at the "NEW" Park

There is a new park in St George that is very cool because almost everything spins. The Thompsons and Fergusons introduced us to the park and the girls have begged to go back frequently . A week ago Saturday Brent had a lot going on but he took an hour off to go to the park with us and the girls went crazy and had so so so much fun. The park was interesting to Brent because of all the engineering that went into it (the spinning tetter totter swing for example). The sun was out and it was probably in the 50's (no coats but sweater weather) and we realized again why we looooove living here. Park dates in January-doesn't get much better than that!

Taryn in love with the sunshine but blind....

Cami on a spinning stick thing...

picking up momentum...

These I think are the favorite there-the spinning cup things...it works just like the gold chair from the Rice's living room in NM. Someone spins you and you can't stop until someone stops you.

Taryn climbing all over everything.

Taryn riding the three way spinning bouncy totter thing.

Cami appears to be half Brazilian as she had the hammock swing mastered in two seconds...This is how Brent slept for two years in Brazil.

Cami climbed the rope bridge thing all the way to the top.

I spy with my little eye...

Taryn yelled with her little yell...that is not so little...

Christmas morning

This is a very delayed Christmas post....sorry I got distracted...

Christmas Eve was super fun. Some friends invited us to their cabin in Pine Valley where there was several feet of snow. The kids didn't have boots or anything but we put zip lock baggies on and they were good to go. Cami especially stayed out for a LOOOONG time. She has been really into snow angels (the snow was very dry so no snow men). Taryn enjoyed playing for ten minutes then came in to get warm and have snackies.

That evening we went to my aunt Dorthy's house and had a nice dinner with the cousins on the Rice side. It was tooooo cold and wet to go out to their farm for the Christmas story (sheep baaing in the background and cows mooing etc) as we have done in the past but it was still fun to see everyone. After dinner we hurried home and the girls opened one present and had drinks out of the snowflake cups (a modified rice family tradition). The girls were so excited that it took a while for them to fall asleep.

Christmas morning was relatively a late affair at our house (our kids usually don't EVER sleep in). Both girls woke up around 8am (a gift to us I guess). Cami I think felt a little shafted when Taryn got a scooter and she didn't but was totally psyched when Brent showed her what a Leapster is. Taryn was just excited and happy for everything...she is such an intensely happy kid. You just have to laugh when you see her screaming/laughing/hugging/jumping all in the same moment.

Later we went over to Grandma Rice's for tradition waffles and strawberries/raspberries and whip cream. We watched a lot of movies (the girls are WAY into Barbie movies currently-thanks to the Fergusons!) and played games. Brent didn't work the whole day and it was a really nice break.

Making a break for it on Christmas morning

Cami is saying WOW at her stocking. I love it.

Taryn is still all about efficiency....

Kissing "Barbie Swan Lake" after opening-thanks Fergusons
Hugging Barbie movie-what a dream come true!!!
Cami opening a gift.-ripping it just the right way.
Cami and Daddy both saying thank you.

What did you say?

Funny things we have heard come out of our children's mouths lately....

Cami

I just love bubble baths. It's like nature underwater and its just so much fun....

Taryn

But Mommy I weally weally weally super duper ungry!
(Mom-I am really really really super duper hungry)

No mommy I agree with daddy not you!
(In an angry get the last word in no matter what it is way-When mom says "no Taryn, I agree with dad. You are not allowed to have more treats")

Heavenly Father doesn't like me in time out.

(After being told to go to time out)

Christmas Greeting

We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

10 things we are thankful for from 2008

1. Taryn decided "No Mo Diapies fo me mommy!" (She is potty trained and rarely has accidents)

2. Taryn can say her own prayers without prompting!

3. Cami is reading a few words and writes really well.

4. Cami can count to a hundred and knows what 2+2 is!

5. Both of our girls smile big and often and love each other and usually act like it.

6. We got to go to Sea World and San Diego while Dad had a work trip there and the girls are still talking about it (good memories made!)

7. We didn't get crunched by any semi's and our new truck is fabulous!

8. Brent still likes his job and is still really challenged by it and is busy "rolling out" the product now

9. Brent gets to do a lot of camping with the scouts he works with and survived "the narrows" (although survival doesn't mean he didn't walk funny for about a week after)

10. Amy figured out how to post pictures on the blog (maybe too many :) )

11. Taryn can spell her name when asked and will actually write it (but only the T is legible)
12. Cami can color inside all the lines and really likes to do projects. Our refrigerator has never been so pretty.

13. We got to see Ryan married and play with the Weight family in Chicago for a week (I HIGHLY recommend WICKED)

14. No oned drowned during summer swimming lessons and the girls are both asking for more

15. Taryn's face is down to normal size and she hasn't gotten anymore hives for a few weeks now

The list actually could go on and on. We feel very blessed this year and are greatful for all of our friends and family. We sincerely do wish you all good holidays and a great new year! Please keep in touch!

Winter wonderland

This year has seemed much more "christmasy" than the last few and maybe the pictures below will explain some of that. It has snowed more in St George than I have ever seen. It snowed for several days, and one night it was cold enough the snow actually stuck. The first round of snow the girls were outside often sneaking out to "taste" the snowflakes. It was so funny because they walked around with their faces up until Taryn face planted on the hard driveway because she really couldn't see (snowflakes in the eyes and not looking down at all). Only a mild bruise resulted on her forehead and nose. By 7 am the next morning the girls were ready and BEGGING to make a snow man....
By 730 am we were all out in the snow with Frosty (as the girls named him). Fortunately for us he did not dance off anywhere with our children. After Frosty was finished Daddy introduced the girls to the concept of snowball fights and after a few tears of surprise and anger the girls did get into it first attacking Dad (as he asked for it) then turning on mom. After the extravaganza and dad leaving for work, they covered the back yard in snow angels. The girls stayed out for what seemed like forever until mom convinced them their fingers and toes were going to fall off and they could make another snow man and grandma and papa's in a few days.

A few nights before the snow storm we decorated a ginger bread house....no not all of the candy made it onto the house and Taryn was very taken with the frosting....Thanks Jess! (a friend who brought us the kit)

Waders

Needless to say these waders aren't used in fishing....They are the latest accessory in dress ups!

Pink Alert!

We had our Christmas dance recital on Saturday and it was soooo much better than the spring event. It was on a stage and the girls had REALLY STINKING HUGE TUTUS (both of which made the girls incredibly excited). Another highlight was that Cami was terrific. She knew all the steps and looked just like a real ballerina. Taryn participated this time instead of laying on the floor for the whole dance and she didn't kick anyone. There were however some moments of excitement.....See the play by play below.

The opening move right on cue.

Taryn following along looking cute. So far so good.

Taryn realizing she had a big tutu on that twirled great and she had most of the stage to try it out on....She bolts completely forgetting the routine.

Cami continuing to rock it and Taryn spinning and twirling back stage and loving every minute of it.

After the recital Taryn says "mommy I have so so so much fun!!!!"

After the recital Cami said "I remembered all my steps!"

Two girls trying to cooperate for a picture when they are really tired and danced out...but who wouldn't be carrying around a load as big as those tutus!

dreaming of sugar plum fairies

Ever since we unpacked the Christmas decor this is how Cami has slept...

This is how Taryn sleeps every night. She goes to bed and sweetly smiles. Then as soon as the light is out and we are out she sneaks out and grabs a collection of books to fall asleep with. After she gets back in bed it takes two seconds to fall asleep-unless of course we go in and take the books and then it takes about twenty minutes until she is done crying and saying "you a mean mommy!!!"

First lights of the season

Last Sunday we took the girls to look at lights and a nativity. They had a lot of fun and wanted to put up our lights right away. We finally got some on the house today and this evening when Taryn looked out and saw them for the first time she stood really still (amazing for her) and all she could say was "WOW! WOW!" I love the magic of this season.

The nativity program thing

Cami light gazing

The St George LDS temple with lights

ps-As suspected no Cami would not eat the turkey on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving favs

For Thanksgiving two sisters came down and celebrated with the two of us that live down here and it was a blast! Wednesday night we got together for a little taco soup action then Thursday we had sooo much fun. We ate around noon and the girls helped me craft turkey cup things for candy corns. They felt very grown up to use sissors and glue by themselves. After dinner Rebekah and Josh created a great treasure hunt at around town locations and the kids pretended to be treasure explorers. (Thanks for waking up at 6 to go hide the clues and for all the time it took creating the idea). They found a pot of gold at the end. Friday we went to a craft fair with the girls and later the boys hit the new james bond flick. While the boys were gone the kids helped me "rake" leaves. The boys got home just in time to feed the ducks and eat pizza. These were very aggressive ducks-probably didn't get enough turkey the day before-luckily Jared's nip wasn't too serious. Saturday we hiked and picnicked and crafted more (hooray for cricuts!). By Sunday I think we were all tired but then we got a surprise treat when our friends the Lewis's stopped by on their way through town. It was a super busy super fun weekend. The nicest part was Brent actually took off work and played with us the whole weekend. The girls had serious withdrawal on Monday.

After the treasure hunt the cousins gave their best explorer faces...

Here comes the leaf fight...I mean "raking"

The Weight girls and the Lewis's

The latest playtime- watch out paul mitchell!

So one of the new favorite games at our house is "doing hair." The girls used to be content with barbies and babies but recently discovered it is soooo much more fun to use real people. Their favorite is to spray hair to soaking the twirl the comb all up making fantastic knots (fantastic in not a really nice way). After one or two rounds of this it is now a single parent activity. (Thank you Brent for taking one for the team!)