Bitter Sweet Cuteness

Okay, so I will be the first to admit that it takes me forever to finally give in to cutting my kids hair. Kaela was three, Sam was 15 months (Richard was pleading for a haircut from 9 months on), and Karissa, well, now she is 3 1/2. But in my defense I did trim Karissa's hair about 6 months ago.

My little sister and her husband have been hinting for about a month now that "Karissa would be so cute with a hair cut" and "Karissa don't you want a haircut?" I got the hint guys! So, I called and booked my sister-in-law Michelle for a Karissa cut today.

When I asked Karissa how she wanted her hair cut she replied, "buns." I guess she didn't totally understand what a haircut meant. I held back the tears as Michelle chopped off a good 8 inches (I am horrible at measuring, but seriously doesn't that seem like a ton!). Thanks Michelle for going easy on me and giving me an extra inch. After she was done getting styled Karissa told me she got an Aunt Ashley haircut. And I do have to admit Karissa looks pretty cute. Check her out...


before


after

See how Addy has grown

Everything you never wanted to know...

I've been tagged by my cute friend Kacee! The name of this game is to answer the following 10 questions and then tag 4 other friends to do the same on their blog pages...

Best thing you cooked last week...this should be easy since it was Thanksgiving, but since I hosted I gave out all the hard stuff, honestly, I don't think I cooked one time. Sorry family.

If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with who...1. Hawaii, Cancun or somewhere tropical with Richard, actually anywhere with Richard. 2. England with Richard's family. 3. Mexico, St. George or some kind of beach condo with all my family. 4. Somewhere with my scrapbooking girl friends (and force them all to not scrapbook and go to the movies, shopping and dinner with me!) 5. San Francisco or Phoenix with my Mom and sisters.

When was the last time you cried? Yesterday when I dropped Richard off at the airport.

Five things you were doing 10 years ago: 1. Completely enjoying being a newlywed. 2. Attending my Senior year at the U of U. 3. Working part time at Clarke American. 4. Buying my 1st married car (our Saturn). 5. Living in a tiny apartment at University Village.

Five things you were doing 5 years ago: 1. Staying home with Kaela who was 3 and Sam who was 1. 2. Working 10 hours a week at Clarke American. 3. Buying our first home on Trowbridge Way. 4. Celebrating Richard's MBA graduation and first real job. 5. Celebrating 5 years of marriage and still totally happy!

Five things you were doing 1 year ago: 1. Selling our first home and buying our 2nd on Oak Run Drive. 2. Making Richard pack everything! 3. Getting the shock of my life finding out I was pregnant...again!!! 4. Moving in with my parents for a few weeks until our new home was ready. 5. Moving (so glad I am not doing that this year!)

Seven of your favorite hobbies: reading, crafting, shopping, going to lunch, playing games, spending money, step aerobics.

Five favorite foods: Diet coke (is that a food?), chocolate chip cookies, Chick-fil-A chicken, carnitas, soft serve ice cream.

Five places you've been: Mexico City, San Francisco, Catalina Island, Disney World and Land, Rexburg, ID (I'm reaching here, need that time, money and babysitting thing to be real!!).

Five Favorite Memories: My entire wedding day...so perfect, college graduation, holding my new babies, my honeymoon, Disneyland with my kids.

So, I am tagging Ashley (she needs to update her blog), Casey, Amy, and Allison Bailey (she needs a photography break!).

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have been meaning to post everyday for two weeks now but never seem to find the time. I'm trying to catch up on those wintry house projects! Cleaning out drawers, planting tulips, organizing, getting to my twenty million loads of laundry...you know. Here's some highlights of the last couple weeks...

I got a new calling! I am now going to be serving as the secretary in YW. I have to say that I am going to miss my Relief Society calling so much, I have really loved it. But, I am already loving YW and all the wonderful ladies and girls that have made me feel so welcome. I have learned never to get comfortable in what you are doing because there is always change in the kingdom!

I attended Time Out for Women with my sister Ash and my dear friend Tennisa. Thanks Tennisa for allowing me this great opportunity. Amiss all the craziness associated with leaving a three month old nursing baby, it was well worth it! Listening to Sherri Dew speak was a real highlight.

Hanging out with Candace a bunch! Love that you are always willing to overlook Karissa's craziness and still hang out. I feel like we are so much alike in so many ways, and a week can't go by that we don't get together. So thankful for you, honestly.

So thankful for my Mom and Mom-in-law and Ash who have helped with the kids every time I have needed you the last couple weeks. With Richard so busy I have been so, so grateful for all of you. Can't even express how much I love you!

I haven't really seen Richard much. He has been working like mad the last couple of weeks so I am so excited for Thanksgiving. Can't wait to spend time with all those I love the most.

Just feeling so grateful this year for all of our blessings! We are all healthy and happy. Our hearts and prayers are with all those we love so much who are going through hard times and trials. I have just wanted to hug my family a little closer and longer lately. Hope you will do the same this Thanksgiving.

Cheese-cakin It!

The long awaited day came...the Cheesecake Factory opened in Utah! We had the not so great idea to go opening Saturday to celebrate Keith's (my bro-in-law) birthday. We had a plan...go at 2:30 when lunch was finishing up and before dinner. I thought it would be busy, but not a 4 hour wait busy! We decided to stick it out (thank goodness Fashion Place was right next door to help pass the time). We ended up waiting for 2 1/2 hours (not too bad I guess). Richard and I shared the Chicken Madeira and the Tuxedo Cheesecake. Sooooo yummy. Seriously, it was so good, I was not disappointed. We finally left about 6:45, so the whole day was devoted to our cheesecake adventure. We only survived because we had the fabulous idea of getting a babysitter, would never have waited that long with kids in tow!

Was it worth it, mmmmm YES (but sorry to all my girlfriends who I skipped out on because my lunch date took forever). Can't wait to go back...anyone up for a cheesecake adventure?

Candy!

Okay, Karissa ate all of her Halloween candy in about a day's time (I know what you are all thinking, but honestly I just thought let her eat it all and let it be gone!). Mostly she took one bite of everything and threw it away. On the flip side, Kaela and Sam have eaten one piece every now and again and still have their whole bag full. Yesterday Karissa sneaked Sam's bag and finished off the entire thing! This morning I caught her going for Kaela's bag. I put my foot down, "No Karissa, no more candy!" Then my sweet little Kaela said, "Mom, she can have my candy, it's not very healthy." Wow, where did that come from? My heart swelled with pride over Kaela's total kindness to her sister. It sank to think, another day of Karissa on a candy high. Here's to getting rid of ALL of our candy via Karissa! And to think, she is so skinny I can barely get a pair of pants to fit her.

About Me

So my friend Angie tagged me two months ago to post 5 things you may not know about me. Okay, so what a procrastinator I am! I finally am getting around to it.

For the most part I feel I am pretty much an open book, but here goes...



1. I hate being cold. During the winter I usually have to take a shower or bath every night to warm up before bed! Love being warmed up...by water, by my heater or the sun. No wonder I love summer so much!


2. I really love to exercise. Seriously, I love that burning feeling in my throat from working out really hard. But it has to be something fun...like step or some sort of dancing. If it is not fun, I totally lose my motivation.

3. I feel really sad when I can't keep some important relationships up. Mostly, my friend Amy who is what I would call my soul mate friend. We were totally inseparable in high school, went to Rick's together, worked together, and basically hardly let a day pass that we didn't call each other or hang out. We always planned to live next door to each other. Sometimes when I get lonely, I remember those days and know we would be together constantly if our lives allowed that. But I love it that when we see each other...we still have that forever friend connection. Love you Amy!

4. I usually cry everyday! I hold my emotions so close to the surface (poor Richard). I can cry about really insignificant things too, and crying always makes me feel better. I can cry because I am sad, happy, when reading a happy/sad book, thinking about something that might happen that scares me, when someone is mean to me, when my kids are driving me crazy, when I think about how much I love my kids, watching a TV show...the list goes on. No wonder I cry so much!

5. I love learning and expanding my mind. I love reading the newspaper and being informed about the world. I also love having an opinion (and expressing it) on many things (sorry fam, especially Mom). I loved college and feeling like I was expanding my mind constantly. Miss those days, but I sure don't miss the tests.

So, I am pretty boring but there you go!