Another Year older and Wiser Too

The french fry invite read-- We're blowing up balloons and icing the cake. There's a big birthday party for E and M that we hope you can make. Where and When. 'Lettuce' know if you can make it.
The cake was a HUGE hit! It took about 2 hours to make. Bun was yellow cake, the patty was a brownie, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles were fondant. I think every person that came into McDonalds came in and asked to take a picture of it and were dumbfounded when they found out I made it myself. It was really fun, and tasted really good too.

We had about 13 kids come. They played in the play place for a bit, then we had happy meals, cake and then presents. It was a very easy party and everyone had fun.
Just had to throw this picture in. This is Stephen, the "boyfriend". Heaven help us as she gets older.

Thank you to all who came and gave gifts to our princesses. They had a great time and haven't stopped talking about it.

July 13, 1978 (copied from my first journal)

3 mos and 1.5 weeks old

Hi M! Mom's been so lax at starting your journal, but we were challenged in Relief Society the other night to start one if we hadn't already, so here I am . I'm sorry I have taken so long. We have been real busy and under a lot of pressures but I promise to not let you down.

Let's go back to your beginning. We first found out that mommy was expecting a baby on August 11, 1977. Exactly 2 years from the same day we found out about your older brother. We were really excited. We began planning and getting ready for your arrival-first by getting settled in our present home in Rexburg. Idaho. We are the managers of Harmony House Apartments where you have 102 older sisters. You were the highlight of the end of the school year as everyone was waiting right along with us. You were due on Easter Sunday-March 26, 1978, but came on Wednesday-March 29, 1978 at 5:37 pm. You were an easy labor and delivery and weighed 7 pounds 0 ounces. (you have hair too! Reddish-blonde!)
You were 19 inches long. You had a little red right fist where you had been sucking before you were born. We think that's where the thumb-sucking you're so fond of now began.

You have been a real calm baby and very patient with your family. You began sleeping 8-10 hours a night at 6 weeks old. You are now smiling readily and are content to sit in your swing and watch everything around you. You have been in your swing since you were about one month old. You began in your jumper at two months and now just about have the jumping process down. You love to be up where you can see what's going on. I can't forget, nor let you think you don't have a temper. You do, but I'm sure it will mellow with time. Yo u especially show it when you're tired or hungry (you're just like the rest of us).

Oh, one thing- when you were born you were "tongue-tied" which means your tongue is attached clear to the tip. The Dr says you'll outgrow it by the time you're a year old and there's nothing to worry about. (eta I didn't out grow it and I remember when I got it clipped as a little kid. no fun)

You doubled your birth weight at 3 months. You're now over 14 pounds. You have little rolls all over and daddy kids you that your hands are "screwed on". You love the teasing though. Your big brother sure loves you and you love to see him play near you. You smile and occasionally holler at him. He loves it.
Your pretty good to go to sleep on your own. You want to be in your own bed too when you sleep- otherwise you don't sleep.

M, I just want you to know how much we love you. We were so happy you are a member of our family. You were named after your great-great-grandmother who is still living and is 92 years old. She's pretty proud of you too. We have 5 generations of girls living now. If you pattern your life after grandma Smith, you'll never regret it.
Thanks for the special spirit you are and being the bundle of joy and happiness you radiate. I love you very much- Mom

P.S. Mom was 23 yrs old and Dad was 26 when you were born.


Thank you SO much for keeping a record for me Mom and for giving me life. It has been a life full of challenges. But also much joy. I am excited for what this next year of my life will bring.

Scentsy World Tour,Louisville KY

I was raised by a mother who always took time out for herself. She would do things to recharge her soul, time away from us kids and Dad so that she would be a better mom and wife. As a kid I didn't understand why she would go away by herself with just her friends. But now that I am the mom I get it.

I am thankful that my mom taught us the importance of not forgetting yourself in the midst of raising kids. That in order to be the best wife and mother sometimes you have to forget that you are one.

Last weekend was an opportunity for me to do just that. Most if not all of you know that I am a Scentsy consultant. They have a big convention every year, and they also travel around the country and do mini conferences full of training and ideas for us. I called up some of my best friends and asked if they wanted to go for the weekend. That I knew it might be a little boring for them since they aren't consultants too, but it would be a really fun weekend. They were in. My sister and her friend drove down from Ohio and my friend and I drove up from Georgia and we met in the middle.

Here we all are getting ready to hear the first speaker tell all about Scentsy. After the first speaker, they were done and were headed shopping. I felt a little bad that they all came so far. But they all told me they had a great day anyway. I stayed and finished out the day, since I had paid to be there, and it would be great information for my business.


The hotel I chose ended up being a real winner. It literally was on the on and off ramp of the freeway and the paint color of choice was a lovely shade of mustard. The doors had several locks and no need to fear, we had this awesome safe in the room. lol felt kinda out of place if you ask me. :)


In one of our shopping stops we came across some hula hoops. We all just had to try out our skills. Bunch of grown women acting like kids, yeah, we had fun.


I'm pretty sure Kristen was the winner. She actually kept it up.

Yvette gets points for looking the best in her picture. :)

We parted ways after making one last stop at an ice cream shop. It was a fun trip ladies! Can't wait until we do it again!

Twinkle Twinkle

We love cousin visits

We LOVE to have company. Especially when we haven't seen them in a while. We were lucky enough last week to get a visit from our cousins from Texas. They have grown so much and we even got to meet the new addition who is now almost 9 mos old.

We learned real quick that the apple didn't fall far from the tree when it comes to strawberries. I had a rain check for a great deal on the berries and we came home with 9 containers. Gabbies eyes got HUGE when she saw the bag. Then when we came upstairs these 2 were sitting in the middle of the floor each with a box of them going to town. Remind you of anyone?? For those who are lost, her dad used to crawl out to the strawberry patch when he was a baby and plant himself right in the middle eating them all. Even the green ones.


I think we have a picture of Princess E feeding every single cousin who is younger than she is. She is going to be such a great mom someday.

Easter Eggs! The girls had a great time all together.

These 2 became such great friends. I hope princess M didn't teach Gabs too many naughty things. (we've had a bad couple of weeks)Story time! When ever it would get a little rowdy or a fight would spring up. Kyle and Christy were great at getting everyone calmed down with a story. I could learn a lot from them.
We can't wait until you guys come to visit again! We miss you already!

Getting Ready for the Park

They think it's hilarious to wear the towel on their head like I do every day when I get out of the shower. They thought they were hot stuff getting to wear theirs that way.

Could they be any cuter??

Disney World Feb 2010

We had the opportunity to go to Florida again on winter break with some friends. We sure are lucky to have Jared and Kathy living so close, and for Uncle Jared's connections. We had a great time. The weather was perfect, crowds were larger than we had hoped for, but we had a great time anyway at Magic Kingdom one day and Hollywood Studio's another. Not as magical, since we were just there 4 months ago. But still a great time! The girls favorite thing was the 'Honey I Shrunk The Kids' playground. They could have stayed there the whole day.

Thanks again for the great memories!

Cake Pops

Several months ago my cousin posted the funnest thing on her blog. With a link to the recipe here. Cake pops! They are SO cool, and SO easy and yummy. I decided it would be a fun idea instead of cupcakes for Princess E's valentine treat for her class.

First you make a cake, bake it, and then mix it with a can of frosting. Let it chill for about a half hour and then roll into balls. Walnut size works best.

Next you dip all the sucker stems in chocolate and then into each ball. I then dipped them and King J helped with the sprinkles.

Like I said, SO easy and SO yummy!