Let Summer Begin!

We have had a wonderful couple weeks enjoying all the fun things summer brings!

Brinley had her last day of pre-school for the year! She will go back again in the fall, and then start kindergarten the following year. I can't believe that!
Just before school let out, they had a bike-a-thon, where the kids got to bring their bikes and ride around the school parking lot. It was a lot of fun.

They had snow cones.

Even a place to wash your bike.

I also had a wonderful mothers day. Brinley gave me her first homemade school gift, a flower vase that she painted, it was darling. Julianne's present to me was saying "Happy Mothers Day Mom" about every 5 minutes and singing the song "mother dear I love you so" that she learned from our primary CD. Greg also did a great job at making the day great. He gave me a food processor that I've been wanting and then made a wonderful dinner.

One hot day we went to this awesome splash pad in the city. It was a lot of fun!

Here are the girls on Brinley's last day of school. I can't believe how big they're getting!

We've also been doing a little joy school this past year with some of the kids in the area. Here they are on their last day. Brinley, Peter, Miles and Isaac. They were a fun group.

And of course we've been spending a lot of time in our swimming pool, now that it's opened.

Brinley with her friend Anna.

Brinley and Peter

I've also been meaning to write about some of the funny things the girls have been doing. For starters, Brinley has found her first little love. His name is Peter and he lives next door. Whenever they play together they pretend that they are going to the temple to get married. She use to always say that she was going to marry her dad, but now she tells me at least once a day that she is going to marry both Peter and Daddy. Heaven help us! Good thing he is adorable and we love him and his family.

To make things even more interesting, Peter also has a little brother, Sam, who is Julianne's age. Theirs is more of a love/hate relationship. They  either flight over toys the whole time or play like they are best friends. It's really sweet to watch them when they are being nice.

I feel so blessed that my kids have so many wonderful friends to play with in our area. We've enjoyed getting to know them and their families.  It makes me sad to think that we're all here for such a short time and then we'll all go our separate ways. I just have to enjoy it while I can.

We are leaving for Utah soon, so I'll post pics of the trip when I get back! Happy Summer.

Happy 2nd Birthday Julianne!

 Our baby has become two years old! We had a fun day celebrating with her. In the morning we went to the store and she picked out a cute princess balloon and then we went to McDonald's for lunch. She was much more interested in playing than eating.

After her nap we played outside and Brinley decided to give these "lovelies" to Julianne for her birthday. Both gross and sweet at the same time.

Then we had a little get together, with some good friends, to have cake and ice cream.

I have to say that Julianne's cake looks nothing short of pathetic. I really did have the best of intentions to make a cute Rapunzel cake, but it just did not end up happening.

Lucky for me I was the only one who cared.(It sure did taste good though).

After cake we had Julianne open presents. My mom and dad came a while back and got her a cute new bike, but sadly we do not have a picture of it yet. But she also got a new play dough set, princess figures and a Rapunzel doll with matching dress up for her (that she is wearing).  She loved it all!

We sure LOVE this girl. Happy Birthday!

Titanic Party

So we have the sweetest, most fun apartment managers ever! After living in many apartments, since being married, I'm just totally amazed at how generous and giving this office staff is. They let us make as many colored copies as we want, send and receive faxes, rent movies, provide areas for anyone who wants to plant a garden and throw amazing parties!

On Saturday they invited all the residents to a Titanic remembrance night. They had the club house decorated as if you were a first class passenger having dinner in the grand ballroom. It was so pretty!

When everyone first arrived we had appetizers and visited. Then our "captain" had us all go out onto the balcony and "Bon Voyage."


I must say it felt very authentic overlooking the swimming pool and "life" boat.
Then we came inside and they served us a thirteen course, first class dinner. No lie it was really thirteen courses.

Here was our table. The Hintize, the Cheany's and Southwicks. So fun that everyone dressed up!
They even went as far as researching real life first class passengers and giving everyone their names for the night. Greg and I went as Mr and Mrs William Ernest Carter. I did a little research on them and it turns out they both lived! Yay! But what was even more interesting is that they were residents of PA in Bryn Mawr, which was only like 20 minutes from where we lived!
And what Titanic party would be complete without a Titanic cake? I love the glob of white cake as the iceberg.
It was a really fun night!

St. Patricks Day and Disney on Ice

Who gets to live in a place with a St. Patricks day parade? Apparently I did most of my life but never knew. My father in law, who is the down town mail man says that SLC has one every year. I had no idea!
Well, in St Louis it's a pretty big deal, so we decided to brave the crowds and see what it was all about.


It was pretty good. I think a one timer for us, but always good to try something new.

For the girls' birthday we got them Disney on Ice tickets. This time they were featuring Princess and the Frog, Cinderella, and Tangled.

Here's my little Rapunzel and Cinderella. They were so excited!

It was so cute! I haven't been to Disney on Ice in such a long time, but they really put on a great show. We lucked out and had awesome seats and the girls were glued the entire 2 hours.

Brinley's 4th Birthday!

My oldest has now become 4 years old! I can't believe it. I always say that every year, but it just blows my mind how fast time flies.
We had planned on having a little birthday party for her at the park by our house, since there are about 25 kids that live by us, and I needed a place to put everyone. I was so excited because the weather said that is was going to be 70 degrees that day. Well, it was indeed 70 degrees but also extremely windy, so luckily I was able to have it our club house last minute. All I can say is throwing a party for 40 people is a lot of work!
Brinley had told me she wanted a Mickey Mouse party (gotta love her)! So I went online and found these cute Mickey Mouse cupcakes, made with Oreo cookies.

The kids had fun and that's all that matters!

Here they are playing a dancing game with streamers.



The next day we had our own little quiet family party. We made homemade pizza.
Ate more cupcakes.
And of course opened presents! Here she is with her favorites! Last year my Mom and Dad gave her Lady, while we were at Disney World. So this year they decided to give her the Tramp. She was so excited! As soon as she opened it, she ran upstairs, grabbed Lady and said "Oh Lady your husband is here!" It was pretty cute. Then Greg and I gave her a Rapunzel barbie (her first barbie)! We also got her and Julianne tickets to Disney on Ice with Rapunzel, but it's a surprise, so I'll post pics after we go next week.

Happy Birthday to our crazy, happy, funny, silly, sweet, friendly Brinley. We love you!