{MOmmieS GonE wiLD!}

I feel like I post about my friends quite a bit, but it's just because they are so awesome! For a while now, we have been wanting to do something FUN (and low budget) with just the girls.

Introducing . . .the ladies:

{Lacey and Wendy}

{Michelle and Addy}

{Texie and I}

(Our good friend Anna couldn't make it. We missed her.)

 Logan's parents have a nice little cabin up by Sundance and they are always willing to lend it out to us. They are so generous and it's a great place to make memories.

Our adventure began at 4 on Friday when we headed down to Utah County. None of my friends know the area very well so they asked me for suggestions on where to eat dinner. I introduced them to a family favorite . . . a mexican restaurant called 

Los Hermanos! Yummy!

After dinner we loaded up on junk food at Harmons and headed up to the cabin. It was snowing up the canyon and they closed the road to Sundance, but luckily we were able to get through!

Our pampering began with our feet! Wendy does gel nails, and was kind enough to do all of our toes! It was quite a task and I'm sure her back and shoulders are still sore. 

But they look so cute!! Thanks Wendy!!

We also did face masks (curtosy of my parents and Tahitian Noni!) Aren't we beautiful?!

(the best I could get with the timer)

We stayed up talking and watching Juno until after 2. Unfortunately for Texie, Michelle, and I . . . Addy forgot to turn off her 5:30 gym alarm and couldn't go back to sleep once it went off. She didn't want to be awake while everyone else was sleeping so she decided to climb on us in our bed and wake us all up! As hard as we tried to sleep through it . . . she succeeded and we were up! No kids and I was up at 6:30!! We did have a nice little talk and snuggle though. 

Texie made us some delicious Egg McMuffins for breakfast! Before we left, we had to watch The Notebook and cry our eyes out. Let's face it . . . that's what girls do.

Then we stopped at The Riverwoods on our way home.

 It was such a fun weekend and I'm so lucky to have such good friends who I love and adore. Special thanks to all the husbands that stayed home with kids so we could go get our 

"girl time" in. You guys rock!

{knock on wood }

So just the other day I was commenting on how much better Sophie has been lately. She is still much more of a stinker than any other child I know, but compaired to her previous self, she has been doing better.

Well, at that moment I should've knocked on wood because as I was teaching dance last night Logan sent me this picture titled, "ready to fix this?"

That's right! 2nd time for Sophie giving herself a haircut. I guess she decided she didn't like bangs. So this morning I had to chop it and try to make some kind of style out of it. 

This is the best I could do:

Just didn't want it to look like this:

Like I always say . . . at least she's happy right??

{ brave guy }

I had much anxiety over taking my son to the dentist . . . seeing as it is a hard thing to do myself.  I have had many bad experiences there and although I consider myself to be a relatively tough person, I do get anxiety over the dentist.

Ayden was not blessed with Logan's teeth but cursed with mine.  Even though we brush his teeth a lot, he still gets tooth aches quite a bit and even with that knowledge . . . 

I wasn't prepared for this:

6 fillings

3 root canals 

and 2 caps

I wish someone could've been there when the dentist was reading it all off to the nurse. My face was white as a ghost and they thought I was going to pass out. Wimp. Needless to say . . . we will be going to a pediatric dentist and have him partially sedated for the procedures. 

Man . . .  he was a trooper though!

I am so proud of my brave little guy!

{A LITTLE CAUGHT UP . . . }

So I've gotten a little caught up in the fun of exercise. My friends and I all have memberships to the same gym and have fallen in love with the classes and instructors. So what does that mean you say . . . ?

Oh that means, 8 classes in 6 days! 

(my poor body)

So when they say that Sunday is the day of rest . . . I am going to take that very literally and try to rest this weary 28 year old body that I have abused this week. Hopefully I'll be able to control myself from here on out.

{ ZUMBA }

About 8 months ago my good friend Addy (who I've been gym buddies with since I moved here) decided she wanted certify in Zumba and teach it at the gym. For those of you who have never heard of it, Zumba is a relatively new form of cardio exercise in which you do a combination of Latin dances. (salsa, merengue, mambo, reggaeton, samba, etc) Seeing as "dancing" is kinda my thing, I was sold from day one. Once she was certified, she need to practice teaching so she could get ready to work at the gyms. She held a class 2 times a week at the church and I was definitely her biggest fan! I don't think I missed a class in the 3 months she taught there. Once she was ready, she got a job at 2 of the local gyms. 

She is a rockstar and I'm so proud of her.

Well about a week ago there was a master Zumba class down at a club in Salt Lake. It was a fundraiser for a single mother in our ward that just had a tumor removed from her brain. 

We loaded up the whole crew and it was awesome!

{Lacey, Wendy, Michelle, Anna, Addy, Me, Martha}

 The instructor is pretty high up in the Zumba world and she was incredible!

And she even pulled my friend Anna and I up on the stage during one of the songs!

I really love it, and I'm so glad I found a way that I still get to Dance a little!

{ never forget }

I was sitting at a baby shower with a few of my friends and some how we got off on the subject of the craziness that is my precious daughter Sophie.  They started listing funny experiences they have had with her and I realized that I am going to forget all the madness if I don't take the opportunity to write it all down. So here it goes:

*she put an entire container of pomade on her head

*she shaved part of her head with the clippers

*she spilled a drink in Disneyland and them proceeded to lap it up off the ground

*she put a whole roll of paper towels in the toilet and flushed it

*she dumped an entire container of oats down the stairs

*she climbs on the counter

*she was hanging off the counter one day, trying to drink up the milk she had just poured on it

*she puts my make up on (all over her hair and face)

*she took a whole patter of sugar cookies, smashed them up and rubbed them all over herself      as well as the entire kitchen

*she decorated herself with a cup of pudding and became the pudding monster

*she took off her poopie diaper and ran around the house chasing kids with it (multiple times)

*she has opened countless bottles of hair products and washed the furniture with them

*she climbs on the counter and steals a sip of my bev at any chance

*she has gotten into my mom's lipstick 3-4 times every time we visit

*she has figured out how to clog the toilet . . . and then get the plunger in hopes of unclogging it

*she gives her baby's baths in the toilet

*she climbs on the bathroom counter and washer her hands and feet in the sink

*she cleaned my friend's bathroom with shampoo

*she loves to get in my purse and either devour an entire pack of gum, or make herself "petty" with my lipstick

*she used to eat dirt

*she takes suckers and rubs them all over face and hands

*she takes a whole bushel of bananas, opens them all and squishes them

*she likes her shoes on the wrong feet

*she took a nose dive out of the cart at walmart because she didn't want to be in it

*she poured an entire water bottle out on my bed

*she gave my iphone a bath in Dr Pepper

And I'm sure there are many things I'm forgetting so if you've know of something I've missed, let me know!

Here's a funny story: At our friend's house the other day, Ayden fell off a stool and hit his head on the wall. He was tired so the whole event was just a little more than he could handle and he had lost it . . . crying and screaming. A few minutes into his fit Sophie walked over to the wall where he hit, smacked her head against the wall, thought about it for a minute, and walked away like  "what's the big deal?"  She's my tough one.

But this right here  . . . is why we just can't get enough of her.

Sophie, our lives would be boring without keeping us on our toes.

{ shout out to my peeps }

When Logan and I decided to move up North, we weren't really sure where we wanted to end up. I was leaning towards Kaysville/Centerville area just because I wanted to be closer to our families. But as we looked at house after house, nothing felt right. I still remember the day when our Realtor emailed me the picture of this cute little house on the corner . . . red shutters, and a crazy amount of stairs up to the front door. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but I knew there was something special about that house.

We made an appointment, and the minute we walked though the front door, I knew this house was made for us. Now, at the time I'm sure I fell in love with the layout and the cute decor of the previous owner, but there was something more to it. How could I have ever known the incredible people I would meet and grow to love as a result of choosing this cute little house with the red shutters.

In our 2 1/2 (almost 3) years at 58 west, I have made so many awesome friends! 

{Michelle, Texie, and Me}

Here we are at the Layton City Valentines dance! My friend Texie's Dad plays in a band called Midlife Crisis! The kids loved it! 

{Ayden, Madi, and Sophie dancin their little hearts out}

{A shot of the Birthday girl!}

Then Saturday night was the Stake Valentine's Dance!

{My talented husband creates many of the advertisements for ward and stake activites. He created this for the dance. . . isn't it gorgeous!}

 It was catered by Olive Garden and you wouldn't believe the turnout! 700 people! We ate and danced into the night with all of our closest friends. It was perfect!

At our table was . . .

{Ryan and Michelle Flitton}

{Chris and Anna Rogers}

{Kirk and Texie Brown} 

With that many people at the dance, there was a shortage of food, so we headed to Chilis after the dance for a little dessert! Yum!

{from left to right: Mary, Logan, Wendy, Todd, Steven, Lacey, Michelle, Ryan, 

Neil, Amy, Texie, Kirk, Brett, Addy, Anna, and Chris}

And I had to throw in a picture of Addy! She is one of my dearest friends! She moved here from Venezuela 15 years ago with $1 to her name. She always talks about how she is living the American dream and loving it! She is an inspiration to me and I love her!

So this is a special shout out to all my awesome Layton friends! I love you guys! You make my life so happy and I feel truly blessed to know you!

{lucky in love}

I'm jumping the gun on Valentine's day, but I'm just overwhelmed with love for this man . . .

(here in his "Twitch" glasses. Check out that dimple, he kills me)

Seriously, sometimes I look and him and can't believe that he picked me. I may have made some bad decisions in my life, but when choosing a spouse, I got it dead on. He is the love of my life and I would be lost without him.  

Jason Marez and Colbie Caillat said it best . . .

Though the breeze is through the tree

Move so pretty you're all I see

As the world keeps spinning round

You hold me right here, right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I've been

Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love in every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

To the man of my dreams.

{my beautiful sister}

My beautiful sister wrote an incredible post on her blog in which she included this quote. It really touched me, so thanks Laur. Love you.

"Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.” (quoted by President Monson in his talk Joy in the Journey, October 2008

{ Dad's website! }

My sweet Dad has created a website! He also has a blog, so check it out!!

http://richardrife.com

{ pudding monster }

Ahhh my crazy little Sophie Lynn . . . 

. . . need I say more?

{ got the itch }

Do you ever get the itch to do something? You know that feeling . . . you just can't shake it. I get it with baking all the time. Even when I have a cake stand full of treats, I still get the itch to bake something.

Well, it's been slowly creeping in, but I got the itch to decorate. Since we moved in I haven't really liked out guest bathroom. About a year ago I got new towels in hopes of spicing it up a little but it didn't help all that much.  So I decided that this time I'd go all out!

Of course I forgot to take a before picture (stinker!) but just so you know, the walls were a soft gray color (same as the rest of my house unfortunately) and the cabinet was the same oak color that my kitchen was without beadboard or knobs. There was a big white unit over the toilet and just a standard mirror.

And after a day with much painting, sanding, refinishing, totally ignored children, a tornado blown house, and a little swearing . . . 

We now have a new and improved bathroom!!

{ Munchkins part II }

Sophie Lynn:

Where to begin . . . this girl has transformed from baby to big girl over night. She decided a few days before Christmas that she was done with diapers and pretty much potty trained herself. Not just in the day, she wakes up in the night to go. And it seems like after that, she's just big. She talks in full sentences (45% of which I completely don't understand) and is turning out to be quite the pleasant little girl.

Sophie is my little dancer. She takes a pre-school dance class once a week and LOVES it! Tuesdays can't come soon enough because every time we pick up Ayden from school she asks if she gets to go to "Kell's cwass". (Mckelle's class) He teacher said she's doing really well with following instructions which is something I was sure she'd struggle with, being a "free spirit" and all. The best part though . . . her cute little bod in those dance clothes. Absolutely floors me every time. What a doll.

 Sophie also has a play group with some girls in our neighborhood. We rotate houses each week, taking turns teaching about a letter. The girls love to do the crafts although they don't last long and usually end up just dressing up like princesses or running around. They are becoming really good friends which is fun because they are all in nursery together and will be in the same class in school. Sophie also asks for play group everyday so Wedensday is a highlight around here.

Sophie loves to snuggle. So much so, that she will not stay in her bed for more than a couple hours at a time without waking up and realizing that no one is snuggling with her. At which time she proceeds to climb in our bed and nuzzle up to us. No matter how many times we put her back, inevitably she ends up right back between us with a smile on her face. A phrase I hear quite often during our snuggle sessions is, "Mommy, you kikkle my bat?" (tickle my back) She will do almost anything for a little back tickle . . . just like her Dad.

Sophie loves interactive television. Ayden wasn't big on responding to the TV when the characters asked a question but Sophie is all about it. She loves to watch Super Why, Dora, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for this exact reason. They are always asking for audience participation which she is more than willing to give.

Sophie is part camel. If I could only count the number of times a day that this girl asks for a drink .  . . and I'll give you one guess what her beverage of choice is? That's right "docta pepa" just like her Momma.

Sophie is my happy girl. No matter what kind of shananagins she is getting into, she always has a smile on her face. Even when she's getting in trouble, she loves to look at me and smile while repeating something extremely cute. She throws fits like any other 2 year old, but if you've spent any time with her you'd understand me when I say, she is a very pleasant child. 

Some funny stories about Soph: She picks up on slang. She loves to repeat stuff like "that's cool" or "Awesome!" or "whats up?" She also likes to add in things she'll say,"That's fun Mom, that's reee fun!" The other day she told Logan that something was, "super super awesome!" She is talking so much now it's so crazy to me, and she loves to talk to strangers and explain things to them. Like: "That's my mom" "she names Mary" "he's not my dad, he's my mom" and so on. I forgot what it's like when they start talking. Everything out of their mouth is ridiculously cute. 

Sophie is becoming very independent. Many times a day I hear the phase, "I do it ahh my self!" She likes to get herself dressed and undressed, get in and out of the car as well as buckle her seatbelt, and pour her own drinks and screw the lids on her sippys.

Some of the things Sophie loves are: Going to nursery, playing with friends, watching Dora, hot noodles (ramen), going bye bye with mom,  taking care of her babies, changing her clothes, and getting into any kind of trouble she can find.

Soph is such a joy to have in our family. She brings so much light and energy. We are lucky to have such a sweetie.

{ Munchkins part 1 }

I feel like it's been a while since I did a post solely about my kids. They have been growing and maturing like crazy lately and has been so fun.

Ayden Sean:

Ayden is just loving school this year. He loves the kids (or should I say Girls! 7 of them!) in his class and he absolutely adores his teacher. Not a day goes by that he doesn't make a special picture for her or find a special toy he wants to give to her. He is a master of sight words and loves to spell. They are starting to bring home books that they have to pass off and he is a total pro.

Ayden still loves to sing and dance. In the car we listen to songs from Tinkerbell, Mamma Mia, and the Grinch and he knows all the words.  He even makes me sing the girl parts while he sings the boy parts. At home his favorite activities are dancing to music on the computer, coloing pictures, spelling, playing nickjr or pbskids on the computer,  playing "mommy and daddy" with Sophie, and having friends over. He does such a good job of entertaining himself, I can't complain.

Ayden has the most tender heart. Example: He was in charge of bringing the treat bucket for pre-school today and I bought exactly enough for the kids in his class. Before he left he told Logan, "Dad, I wanted you to have a treat too, but there isn't enough, so I'm going to save mine and bring it home for you." He is always looking out for his sister too. He tells Sophie (who he calls SISSY) and I that we look beautiful all the time. He gives hugs and kisses like he means it and loves to lay in bed and snuggle. I was singing to him in bed the other night and he said, "Mom, I just love to hear you sing. It's so beautiful." 

Ayden is very articulate. He speaks better than most 6 and 7 year olds I know. He has always been very clear and easy to understand, but he also uses good grammar. He is a sponge though, and I'm learning how much he really does understand when he regurgitates it back to me. 

Ayden loves to get dressed. He used to do it many times a day, but as he gets older it's usually just once or twice. He is working on matching and when he thinks he's done a good job, he comes out and says, "Mom, do I look studly?" He also grew his hair out because he wanted to wear it spikey like Dad. He loves to play dress up in anything he can find. On occasion I even find him walking around in my shoes or my shirts.

Ayden is always trying to make a deal. No matter what we say, he tries to use his words of persuasion to cut a deal in his favor. For example: At bedtime he tries to work a deal to get to lay downstairs by the fireplace and snuggle as a family as opposed to laying in his own bed. When its time to leave, he wants to make one last picture, especially for me in hopes of getting to delay a little longer.  My favorite deal though, was on Sunday when he said "Mom, why don't you and Dad just take turns going to church (like we do when someone is sick) and then when you get home . . . we can go to All a Dollar!" What a deal!

I am just loving this 4 year old little boy! He is delightful, and even though there are still the occasional tantrums and arguments, he is turning out to be such a fun little kid.

{ These Kids . . .}

How do I even express . . . . .

how much I love these kids.

They rock my world.