Toddlers & Tiara's

Her cover model shot!!

For about a year now Kelsi has been watching Toddlers & Tiara's with Jaedyn and teaching her "pageant moves". We were a little concerned that when she grew up she was going to think that she had actually participated in pageants because we were always having her do her poses for us. So, I decided to enter her into a pageant just so we could say that she actually WAS in a pageant! I found a pageant online that was "all-natural" which meant no makeup, no glitz. Jaedyn was so excited to be in a pageant. We went shopping at Kohls and found her a cute Easter dress to wear and we got her some new shoes. The pageant was up at Weber State - so it was a bit of a drive, but it was still fun. Jaedyn was the ONLY little girl that went on stage by herself - and we were so proud of her! Overall she won 2nd place for Most Beautiful Baby for the age group of 2-3. She had so much fun, and after she went on stage,while we were waiting for the judges decision, she kept saying "I want to get my trophy". Jaedyn is such a beautiful girl and we love her so much!!

Getting her hair-did by Kelsi

Daddy and the Princess

It's her turn!!



Big girl - was brave enough to go all by herself!

With all the girls in her age group.

The most famous pageant pose "Strik-a-pose"

Another pageant pose Kelsi taught her!

Sash and a trophy!

The winners!
(Call  me prejudice, but I think Jaedyn TOTALLY should have first place

 - instead of the girl in the middle)

Here's the proof - she was in pageant!!

Anniversary Weekend

To celebrate our 5 year anniversary, Paul and I decided to keep it simple and inexpensive by having a Staycation in Downtown Salt Lake City! We didn't start our weekend out with good news, but decided we would make the best of the time we had together anyways! We went to an early morning initiatory session at the Jordan River Temple Thursday morning - which was a wonderful experience because I haven't done initiatories since taking out my own endowments. Then Thursday afternoon once Kelsi got home we headed downtown. We stayed at this cute little hotel called "The Metropolitan Inn" - it wasn't fancy by any means - but it was a place away from home!

We wanted to have a nice dinner, so we decided on "The Garden" inside of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. They had an appetizer called "Deep fried dill pickles" on the menu, so we decided to try them and they were YUMMY!! The view of the temple was so pretty and it was a very nice dinner!

After dinner we walked around Temple Square and went to hear the Mormon Tabernacle choir rehearsal. It was beautiful music, and listening to their rehearsal really makes you grateful for how much time the choir members put into it. After we left, I decided that I needed some dessert (because we were too full to get some at the restaurant). So we went over to Smiths and I found a piece of Red Velvet Cake. We came back to the hotel and I sang "Happy Anniversary" to Paul and we ate the cake!

Friday morning we woke up and decided to play tourists - so we asked the Concierge at the Hotel a recommendation for breakfast. We were NOT disappointed. She recommended a yummy little cafe called "The Park Cafe". It is across the street from Liberty Park and it was DELICIOUS! There was a bit of a wait, but totally worth it! They had homemade jam on the tables, really yummy hashbrowns and I of course got their pancakes - which were HUGE! I hope we can go there again some day!

After breakfast we went to the Salt Lake City Temple to do an endowment session. I was so excited, because that is the first time I had been to the Salt Lake Temple. It was such a wonderful experience, and not only did we do an endowment session, but we did sealings too. What a GREAT way to spend the day!

After the temple, Paul was sweet enough to take me to Backer's Bakery - a place I have wanted to go for years! We got a sample of some of their desserts and shared them! Yummy Chocolate Rum Cake, Banana Cookies, Cherry Tart, White Rapsberry cake - Yum!

After getting dessert, Paul and I spend a few hours walking through a bunch of the shops downtown. It was fun to get to see a part of the city you don't normally. Then it was time to go over to the Church History Museum - They had several artists there doing their thing - from painting, to leather work, to children's story author and illustrator. It is so nice when others share their talents. To round out the evening activites we went over to the Assembly Hall to hear the Salt Lake Community College Chamber Choir - it was such beautiful music and was nice to get to listen to the concert without children interupting! After the concert we stopped at one of our favorite places to eat - Litza's Pizza! After dinner we came home for the night.

Saturday morning we decided to head over to Kitchen Kneads for their Bread class - which was really fun and got me inspired to start using more Whole Wheat to cook with. They made some of the yummiest Cinnamon Rolls and a thing they called "Meal-in-one"!

After the class, but before picking up the kids from my Mom's - we went out to lunch at Wingers. (I did make sure to save some for Kelsi, since I know this is her favorite!). We had such an enjoyable time together - and I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with my sweet hubby! It was a GREAT 5th anniversary! I also want to thank my Mom for taking the kids - I know she had a CrAZy weekend - but I REALLY REALLY REALLY appreciated it!! Love ya Mom!

Thanks for a wonderful 5 years Paul - I look forward to many, many, many more! Love you!!

Winter blahs.....

It seems like this has been an INCREDIBLY looooooooooooooong winter.....it doesn't feel like we have done too much the past few months. I wish I were more of a winter person, but I just can't get into the cold, snow, gloomy days and that DARN wind!! We did celebrate Valentines day, but that is about it. Here are a FEW pictures (I guess I haven't even been ambitious enough to get the camera out!)

Daxton & Jaedyn playing dress-up!

The traditonal "Fancy" Valentines day dinner! I made spinach salad, cranberry pork loin, rice pilaf, cooked vegetables, heart shaped brownies and chocolate covered strawberries & raspberries. It has been a fun tradition to cook for my Valentines.

Heres to hoping spring makes a soon arrival and that we can be outside for some fun!!

Chick-a-dee

We (Ok, mostly I) decided that it would be a GREAT idea to get some chickens so that we can have ~fresh~ eggs whenever we want! Our baby chicks were hatched 3 weeks ago and were SO cute when we got them. The kids were so excited to get the chickens and since we got 5 of them, eveyone wanted to have a chance to name one. So far the names include: Belle, Ginger, & Sparkle - Paul is still waiting to name his, and Carson changes his every other day! It will be easier to name them once they get bigger and easier to tell apart.

One Week Old

The people we got the chickens from warned us that in just a very short time the chickens would start getting bigger and start going through their ugly teenage years. I didn't realize just how fast that would happen! They are only 3 weeks old but have at least doubled in size, if not tripled in size. Their feathers are changing and they are starting to lose their down. They are so fun to watch and definately each of of them has a personality! Paul is still going to have to build a coop for us, so that as soon as the chicks are big enough and as soon as it gets warm enough we can put them outside. Paul did some research and thinks that we should start having eggs by August or September! It will be fun to be able to go out to the coop and get some fresh eggs. Although I may need some volunteers to take some eggs - I think with 5 chickens we will have PLENTY!!

2 weeks old

3 Weeks old

As you can tell, the Chicks are VERY messy - so hopefully we can get them outside as soon as it warms up!This is going to be a fun adventure for us - if nothing else - they are entertaining!!

5 Years!!

March 3rd - 2006 was a wonderful day! It was the day Paul and I were finally able to be husband & wife! I can't believe it has been 5 years! We sure have been through A LOT together - and even though it hasn't always been easy, I am so grateful to be married to a wonderful man, father & husband! Paul, I Love you!!!