July 4th Parade - A First For Them

They had never seen one. It was so fun to see their excitement.

Took me back to watching the Labor day parade in Payson UT growing up.

Easter Beauties

My girls were decked out in the same attire for Easter, thanks to an amazingly talented Aunt Amy. Thanks Amy!

Catching Up: Christmas Festivities

We had a great time up in Utah with Spencer's side of the family for Christmas. We already miss you all. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Costumes

Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, visited Grandma's house on Halloween. Some may find it cruel that I dressed up my baby girl as a wolf but I thought she looked pretty cute, even if people couldn't tell whether she was a girl or a boy. I wish although, I would have made her a snout so others would have been able to guess what she was ("Is she a bear?"), there would have been no way she would have kept that on though.

Before taking these pictures, Nora, had a blue popsicle and stained her mouth and lips. We rubbed all we could but to no avail. So, we ended up putting lipstick on her 3 year-old lips. In her toothy smile you can still see blue. She had such fun since she was finally understanding the concept of Halloween. Now, if only she understood that the holiday was over. I would not feel so bombarded with questions like, "Mom, will you make me a blue Cinderella gown?" or, "Mom, will you make me a blue gown?" and, "Oh, you can't make me one? Well, then can you make me a green and pink gown instead?"

I wanted to show you a picture of Nora's pointed hood and vest. I loved the end result. I felt like she popped right out of the fairy tale's pages.

Happy Halloween

Have a spooktacular day! Happy Halloween.

Halloween's Past

Some have asked what Spencer and I are dressing up as this year for Halloween. We have had a tradition since being married to dress up every year. Well, I am sorry to say that Spencer and I decided to break tradition. We were feeling bound to it and wanted to break the chains of tradition. We are not dressing up this year. But don't fret, there will be other Halloween's for us. I leave with you pictures of the costumes we've choosen (usually the week of), the past three years. Happy Halloween.

Spooktacular

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Once summer ends, I can't wait to get through August and September. Hence, the reason why I posted a Halloween book in August! Well I was recently directed to Amy Atlas's site. I wish Amy lived closer so I could use her wonderful talent at a shindig of my own - lucky New Yorker's. Here is a Halloween display she did. Very cool and very spooktacular.

{via Oh Happy Day}

Independence Day

Most of my family was out of town this past weekend but to our great relief my sister-in-law's parents, were kind enough to take us in. We had a traditional BBQ and the girls went swimming. The best part of the evening though (other than the company), was the dessert. Steph's friend, Chris Herin, who is the pastry chef for the Bouchon in the Venetian, was invited and brought seven scrumptious desserts. You may remember a while back when I posted about our experience at the Bouchon. Needless to say, the desserts hit the spot. A huge thank you to Chris for letting us devour some (there was more than enough dessert for 7 adults and 4 small children), of that hard work. Could we invite Chris to every family function please? There was also homemade ice cream to complement the desserts.























Top: Strawberry shortcake, devilish chocolate cake
Bottom: Dark chocolate brownies, the biggest apple pie you have ever seen

















Chris, with one of his works of art.

















Nora, and her cousin Lauren, poking and having their way with the chocolate cake.

I am Proud

One of my favorite holidays is the fourth of July. It is not one of my favorite holidays because of the yummy food, fireworks or hanging out with family and friends, although, sweet benefits. It is because of the pride and love I feel inside for the reason our country was founded, on freedom.

On many occasion, my eyes have teared up when a patriotic song comes on over the radio or when music plays to the booms of fireworks. I feel so blessed to have been born a citizen of this country. That is why I am sharing the rendition of the signing of the constitution by Howard Chandler Christy and the Declaration of Independence below. To possibly rekindle if needed that feeling of patriotism I feel our nation is losing.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

The last line of the Declaration of Independence

For those who would like to rekindle the patriot inside or would just like to learn more about our country for you or your children's sake, visit here.

Have a safe and happy fourth of July everyone.

{pics via charters of freedom and flickr}