Independence Day

We had a fourth of July bash at our place to celebrate one of my favorite holidays.  We had so much fun and I am so glad our friends were able to come up for the day.
Lessons I learned:
~have a stash of warm clothes for friends to borrow (the mountain air is surprisingly chilly after 10pm
~never plan to hand squeeze lemons for lemonade unless you are making it hours ahead of time
~bring a flashlight for after the fireworks so you can find all of your stuff in the dark
~remind Evalyn that its not OK to tackle your friends especially if they are younger than you (sorry Blake)

We were a little worried that we might lose some of the kids in our huge pool. Luckily they all knew how to swim.

I originally made these for the kids but the adults seemed to eat them up while the kids had pie.

We have a new tradition of smores at our spot while waiting for fireworks. We started this last year and it its a keeper.

After smores its sparklers (a pre-show)

Then its the main event, fireworks show off of memorial hill

They are impressive just check out this next photo if you don't believe me

The next morning (the real 4th of July)

we started the day out right with some festive breakfast waffles. Another new tradition :)

Cascade Springs

I love summer, I love the outdoor, and most of all going on little outings with our family!

Siena didn't make it there without a little nap...

And Evie was struggling to stay awake...

The falls were beautiful and the weather was perfect

Its so beautiful (I think I took 50 pictures of Evalyn and Dave walking through the scenery together)

And here is one just to prove to my children when they look in our family album, that mom really was around. (Us moms are just always the ones taking the pictures)

Wasatch Back 2010

RAGNAR 2010

WASATCH BACK

Relay from Logan UT to Park City UT

Wow! What an awesome experience. I am DEFINATELY doing this again. I love the feeling of pushing myself to the max (thank you adrenaline) and then feeling the sense of acomplishment at the end and thinking "Did I just do that?"

We had the best team and a van full of ladies that were constantly making me laugh. Everyone worked so hard. And almost all of us mommies!

We are so happy that summer is finally here. Snow in may and cold wet storms the beginning of June made us think it was never coming. We are looking forward to some camping, hiking, fishing, and road trips to see family. Evalyn and Siena are growing up so fast. Siena is still the happiest baby we have ever seen.

And is showing more and more of her personality every day.

( I swear her hair doesn't always look like this)

We had a "fun"time potty training a few weeks ago.

We started out with salty snacks, lots of juice and her first new pairs of Elmo, and princess underwear.

And a few treats for rewards.

(Thank you Katie for introducing me to "potty training in one day" I will use it with all of our children.

Once training was complete she was handsomely rewarded!

This also included a date with daddy to get ice cream. She stuffed her face and didn't make the four minute drive home.

The other day I pulled out one of my favorite skirts. Unfortunately its just borderline length and I found I wasn't really ever wearing it so...

Evalyn got herself a new "princess" dress. It was an easy sew and she wouldn't take i off until bed.

Dave went out with some friends the other night and we had a "girls" night with just the three of us. Evalyn loved it(especially the oreos). The first of many to come I am sure.

Then, a few mornings later (after a very long night) They both ended up in our bed. They started out like this.... And within a few minutes were almost holding hands. I love it.

Little Angels

Whirlwind

Its been FOREVER since we posted last. Life has been so busy. We are finally enjoying some nice weather! After California we headed to Washington to visit my grandparents and go to a cousins wedding. We had a nice family getaway to St. George for Memorial weekend thanks to our friends, and have been working on our yard ever since. Evalyn is finally potty trained! She was on her way at 17 mo. and then I had a "but she's my baby moment" and didn't take advantage of the fact she loved the potty chair. (not very smart I know) but thanks to my WONDERFUL friend Katie it is really happening. More on that later. The truth is, my life has been consumed with RAGNAR. I cannot believe it's seven days away! EEK I know I am going to have such a blast but I am a little nervous. Two vans full of 12 women, running our little hearts out for two days, and no sleep...you cant go wrong.
Supposedly the first leg I run in our relay is so steep it feels more like climbing then running...bring it on

Easter

I have so much to update and pictures to download etc. However, in the meantime here is my favorite picture from our Easter in California. My sister in law took some beautiful pictures and I cant wait to print a few out.

Our Evalyn is TWO!

Febraury 15th Evalyn turned two years old. My goodness where does the time go? She is growing so fast. Its so fun to hear all the new things she says and does (she makes us laugh every day) and at the same time my heart aches. We have been so blessed to have such a wonderful little girl. We love her more than she will ever know.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVIE!

Oh, and meet Norice!

Evalyn's uncle Jordan bought her this TinkerBell doll for her birthday and when she pulled her out of the birthday bag she exclaimed without hesitation, "Norice"! Um......what?!

At first I thought she said Maurice. I guess Norice is a little better? I have absolutely NO IDEA where this came from. Nonetheless, she has been called Norice, or Nory for short, ever since. So, say hello to Norice!

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

So, this last Sunday night (I cannot believe I forgot to share this last night at girls night) I think I nearly gave my husband a heart attack. The instance went a little something like this...

Sometime in the middle of the night...

Me: "Get it off! Get it off!" (Insert screaming, and I mean SCREAMING)

Dave: (Jumps up in bed yelling) "What? What? Carissa whats wrong?!!!!"

Me: "Get it off" (insert more screaming) "Help me!" (More screaming still)

Dave: "Carissa!"

Me: "Blood worm!!!!"

Dave:......uh.....what?

Me: "Blood worm!!!........Leech!!!! I can't get it off, help!!!!!!"

I jump up and flick on the light ....Then look down at the back of my arm where there lies a long strand of sticky gum

Me:"oh.....I"

Dave: (Insert hysterical laughter as he rolls on the bed trying to catch his breath)"Carissa we're not in the Amazon"

Both of us begin laughing so hard we could barely breathe. I was laughing so hard I had tears.This lasted a few minutes before we could stop. The texture of the gum and how it kept snaping back on my arm when I tried getting it off was literally freaking me out and the feel of it was just like...well...if it were a leech.  I know kind of a stretch.

Nana came to visit the end of January and Evalyn was loving the attention. Nana read plenty of books on her visit.

The Ice Castles!

We took Nana to see the ice castles at the Zermott Resort in town. They were pretty neat and still getting bigger.

Nana could always make Siena smile!

Two girls, too fun

Evalyn is really warming up to Siena. She will even try and calm her down for me if she is crying. Evalyn walks over to Siena and says, "Enna, Enna ok " then points to me and says " See Mommy" as if to reasure her that mommy is right here.

Siena is growing and changing everyday. Time flies WAY to quickly. (three weeks old)

This is the rocking horse Evalyn received for Christmas and she loves it.

The newborn stage is definately my favorite and it fades so quickly. (three and a half weeks)

Here is Evie getting ready to go on a walk with Nana. We are so lucky to have her here in town with us.

Siena

After much debate and some serious thought, we have changed the spelling of our daughters name. The "C" is a little confusing and will probably haunt her all of her life (as if being born three days before Christmas isnt enough). So, since Dave is of Italian heritage, we decided to spell it after Siena, Italy.

Siena May

Going in to be induced...

Siena was born at 6:30 pm December 22nd. She weighed 7lbs and was 18in long. (Tiny little thing)

She came with a thick head of hair just like her sister.

We were so lucky to have my mom here to be with Evalyn. They had so much fun together, dancing, singing, and playing with new toys from her Grandma.  Evalyn misses her greatly!

Siena with her big sister on Christmas morning!

We feel so very blessed to have her here, and I am loving every day with my two little girls!