Eva's Birth DAY - May

Eva's actual birthday fell on memorial day this year. How lucky is that.

We first went to Mcdonalds for breakfast.

Then we went to the movies to see Night at the Muesem.
Birthday girl in birthday dress.

Then we had some of Josh's family over for a pot luck, and the kids played croquet;

While the adults (oddly enough) de-snailed our house.

Eva's birthday dinner - May

For our girls birthdays we try to make a special dinner where they get to request what we eat, and we invite ou grandparents over, and open family gifts.

Eva requested chicken, potatoes, and peas.

I made chicken cordon blue, steamed snap peas, steamed carrots, and mashed potatoes.

However, she told me that I'd made the wrong kind of peas she wanted the 'ball' peas (shelled).

We had my parents over, I think she was happy with it overall.

Dinner!
Making a wish!

She had been asking me to make a "rainbow' cake for almost two months before her birthday, I got the idea for this cake from my sister Heathers blog. It turned out better than I anticipated. The frosting job was a bit wanting, but it tasted good; it was cream cheese frosting.

You use a white cake mix, mix as normal, and add food coloring to the batter in seperate bowls and layer the colors in the pan. Pretty.

We clean up - June

So Josh's program had a kind of 'farwell' dinner for us at La' Calle, so with grandma and grandpa watching the girls, we headed out for a night out. It was nice to have a reason to buy a pretty dress and wear my hair in something other than a ponytail. Although I can honestly say I wouldn't want to have fancy dinners to go to all the time.

My dad's finger was in front of the flash.

Isabel's award June

Isabel received an award the last month of school, the "chief example to others'. The teachers choose one each month. Isabel's said specifically..

"Isabel is always concerned about how others are felling. She's a great friend, and she likes to help other people. She's an awesome kid."

She has consistently gotten at least one award a year in school. She is such a fabulous little girl, we are glad she is ours, and proud of the person she is workingto be.

She also got the "golden falcon" award this year, for being on the Honor Roll all year.

You go girl!

We have kitties - June

So my sister, Shaun, cat had kitties, just before Isabel's birthday, and the girls have been wanting a "pet".

We'd killed all the fish we'd adopted.. so you'd think we'd shy away from a bigger animal we might kill.

But I let my sister 'give' my girls kitties for their birthday.

We got them on Bella's actual birthday so this pic. is about a month after we got them.

Josh was in Prague for his school trip, so he came home to a couple of cats. While the Cat's away the mice will play.

Isabel named her cat Angel.

Eva named her cat Mimi.

Notice how Eva is holding her cat, will she survive??

Bella's Haircut - June

Isabel had been wanting a haircut for some time, because the time it takes to do, and the snarls. But she waited to get it cut until after her Baptism. (I need to post pictures, but I need to find them first) So we took a few weeks later to get it cut by my friend Tami. She is so happy with it, and it is much easier for both of us.

Short and sweet.

Planatarium - May

Eva's Preschool took a field trip to the local planatarium, and luckily Bella was off track so I was able to take her too. It was neat, but I liked the Hansen Planatarium better. So we stayed for a while, but Olivia was not able to go into the show, so we went to go get lunch with our friends the Sohms, and headed home for a nap for Livey.

Isabel, Eva, Abby, and Jakey.
Mmm, Mcdonalds.

Playing in the coin operated kids toys, after lunch.

Book report in a box - May

At Bella''s school they have a tradtion that second graders do a book report diarama thingy, so she did little house in the big woods. Here is the fruit of her labor.

This is an up close picture. Sorry I don't know how to rotate the picture in the blog application.

Lunch and Shopping with aunt Fara - May

My sister Fara lives in St. George, but comes fairly regularly for day trips with her hubby for work... So She gets to spend the day with us. Fortunatly for me, the rest of the girls couldn't make it so it was Eva, Livey, and me. We hit Fara's favorite stores, quilted bear, and gardner village. My girls were INCREDIBLY good. Liv fell asleep in the stroller for most of the quilted bear. Then at gardner village, we fed the ducks, had lunch, and Eva rode a pony. It was a good day!

Feeding the ducks, and carp (yuck).

Giddy up.

Liv and the Fridge - May

Seriously that is cute!

Eva, last day of music class - May

I've signed up both of my girls when they were babies for a kindermusic class. It is a wonderful introduction to music. But what REALLY makes the class is the wonderful teacher Mrs. Wright. She honestly loves the kids almost as if they were her own. Every child should have a Mrs. Wright in their life. This was Eva's last Year. So sad. But Liv will be starting in the fall.

Eva, Mrs. Wright, and Eva's music chum Maggie.

Graduation!!! AAHH JEAH! - May

The Man!

Seriously! Josh really struggled the first little bit of school. Striking a balance between working full time, MBA, school, father, husband, son, moving, baby, etc etc., was really something he mastered by the end. He muscled through, got good grades, made great friends, and we his family still loved him; the man has grit. Hats off Josh.

The reward!

The executive program had a lovely dinner for the graduates and their families before. My parents, Josh's two brother (Jorge and Juan) came, and his sister Esther. To show support. It was pretty great of them. In fact Esther Gets extra kudos, she ended up taking the girls home, because the ceremoy was so long. We are lucky to have such supportive family on both sides!



I totally dressed our lil family in the U's colors. Go Utes.
If your going to graduate, do it in style!
Now this family will bleed RED!
Unless Josh goes on to get a PHD at another school.
( Although our neighbors have Bella on a BYU kick.)

Jorge and Juan with Livey.
Josh and Livey.
Eva.
It was cold that day, notice the leggings.

Bella.

Seriously she was not posing, I snapped this picture without her knowing, doesn't it totally look like she is posing for a magazine.

Easter

Coloring eggs, April 9th.
We had early church, so we made them get all ready before they could come down and see what the Easter bunny brought. At our house, the Easter bunny leaves a trail of jelly beans from their door down to their Easter Baskets, and then hides Jelly Beans for them to find in the house. Outside he takes the eggs they colored and hides them.

Liv got a puzzle some lil cereals, candy, and soft fake flower.

Eva got a Hello Kitty Game, Ariel gum, candy, lil cereals, sunglasses, and a soft flower.

Isabel got a Hannah Montana game, Hannah montana gum, candy, lil cereals, sunglasses, and a soft flower.

Liv in Eva's glasses.

Eva, and the glasses. Notice how she is holding her dress.

Rock star Bella. Look at the way she is posing, you'd think she was 15.

We had a great Easter. We had everyone in my family over and made the traditional ham and sides.

Zoo - April 10

The souveniers they bought in the gift shop. Bella and Eva used their own money. Bella bought a name plate thing, that flashes her name. Eva bought a light up toy that makes a elephant noise. I bought one for Liv.

Looking for souviners in the gift shop.

My little hatchlings.

Bella taking good care of Livey at the Zoo playground.

The Zoo train!

Funny Bella!

Coy Eva.

Seriously, you can't go to Hogle Zoo without the picture in front of the lion drinking fountain.

Our friends the Eubanks, Dade, Ellie, and Millie.

The only Picture we got with an animal, that day.

We went to get a snack, and this is what Bella and Eva were doing with their snack. Eva is pretending she is an animal in a "fenced" area, and Isabel is feeding her.