Peyton Turns "4"

This year, I thought I was still going to be able to get away with picking the theme for Pey's party, and I was finally going to get to do my "mad hatter" theme. It was all going great, until Pey was introduced to Strawberry Shortcake. She received a Strawberry Shortcake doll for Christmas, and fell in love.

We had a lot of fun, and thanks to a great friend for suggesting a park party, we had no mess at the house to clean up. I think this might be a new tradition in our family, I am totally for a clean place after a party.

I showed her some designs on the internet and this is the cake which she wanted me to make. ( It originally was suppose to be covered with fondant, but since she is four and doesn't like the taste of fondant, I opted to just ice it instead.)

With the stress of getting everything done, I just had to laugh as I was making this cake, it was totally hot outside and the icing around the side of the cake started falling off as I was putting it on.


I could not find invites when I went to the store, so I decided to make them instead. Everyone on the back had a different character.


I couldn't find any "strawberry baskets" for the kids to decorate, so I found green bags and we had the kids start off by decorating them to use for the candy hunt.


We had roped off a section before the party and threw a lot of candy on the ground, to make Strawberry's garden.


We did a relay race with the kids. A few of them actually understood the game and did it properly, some just grabbed the spoon and candy and ran, and Pey decided that since I didn't let her go first, she would pout instead. Oh the hormones of an only child.

Me being a little spacey that day with everything going on, forgot my camera at home, so we were using our phones. Thank heavens for technology.

We also did "Put the diamond" on Strawberries crown. Scott was busy talking with one of the dads, so no pics of that.
I will have to get his phone for the pics of opening gifts.
She received Two barbies, two mini strawberry shortcake dolls, two betty spaghetti's and a pink purse, tinker bell bubble bath, a horse, princess hair clips, Bubbles, a movie, and a Dora globe game you hook into the tv.
Thank you to everyone who came and spoiled her. She really loves all the gifts and still plays with all of them.

More Camping

I think we were trying to make up for past summers. For us, we did a lot of camping this summer. Before Pey and I went to Canada, we had promised Pey that we would go and camp at the beach.


Pey saw this and kept begging until we went over and took pics. I love the one with her and Scott, I swear she is thinking " Daddy, you are SO weird."


My little fire I was so proud of. Yes I have no idea how to make a "real" fire, Scott was sleeping, so Pey and I decided to make one ourselves. It ended up me making it while she played in the sand.


What can I say, she is a weird and funny kid, but I love her.


She saw this elephant sandals in one of the stores, and she thought she just had to have them.

7 Years

This past June 28th, Scott and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.
As I look back over the years, it is crazy to see how fast time has gone. How much we have both grown with the ups and downs, and how grateful I am for having such a wonderful husband.

This year we decided to stay local and went camping as a family. We had a blast, Peyton enjoyed it after she got over the fact we were not going to the beach. It was so nice to go and relax, and have some family time.



Me and Pey on a walk

Scott teaching Pey to throw, Pey waiting for the ball




Scott deciding to teach Pey to throw rocks. It was all fun and games until he was sitting down and she threw one that hit him in the head. Poor guy, I couldn't stop laughing, as she ment to throw it a different direction.


Daddy and daughter by the river


Pey and her caterpillar. Bugs are one thing, my kid is not afraid of.


Pey's photography and us finally remembering the camera has a timer.

Crazy, Busy Life

I haven't blogged forever, that even Scott noticed and commented on it the other day. If he is commenting, I guess it is time to start blogging and try and catch up.

These past few months have been very busy, filled with anniversary, mini and long vacations, work, change of jobs, callings, birthdays, new addition to our family, and house hunting (still no luck there).

I will now try and play catch up, even if it turns out to be just a bunch of pics.

Yes, we are living a crazy busy life, but it is our life and we are loving it.

Fathers Day

This year I decided to make Scott a card, slightly because I was lazy and didn't buy one, and I couldn't remember the song he really liked on the singing cards, when I was looking.
Goggle is my best friend when it comes to craft ideas.


For my class, for the past few years, I have had the kids make HUGE cardstock ties for their dad's. I started this when I was teaching in primary and have continued now with the teens. I then make them find their dad's and have them wear them for the last hour of church. I am proud of the dad's that wear them, and for the men who encouraged Scott and my dad to wear theirs this year.

Peyton's First in Primary

Peyton had to give the scripture and prayer in primary on Father's day. I called and got the reference so we could practice it at home because as social of a girl as she is, she was not to happy to go up on Mothers day to sing, so I wanted to help her out a little and let her practice.

“Successful . . . families are established and maintained on
principles of faith, prayer, repentance, [and] forgiveness”
(“Proclamation, paragraph 7”)

She did a great job, from the first day in primary she wanted to stand at the small podium and talk, so she finally had the chance.
I made Scott help her, so when she said the prayer, she didn't pray for a "baby brother or sister" in front of the whole primary, as she does prays for a sibling in every prayer.
Her only complaint after church was, that daddy was not sitting down at the back giving her the thumbs up sign, as they had practiced and said he would do.

Busy Weekend

Fathers day weekend, was a crazy weekend. I had to make cakes for a wedding, Scott and I had to speak in church and Pey did her first scripture and prayer in primary.

Around the end of May, I received a call from our friend who was in the Bishopric and asked if we would be in town for Father's day, then asked if Scott and I would speak. After giving him a "little bit" of a hard time, I told him Scott and I would love to do it.
When I called Scott to let him know that Randy had just called and asked if we would be in town, and that I had to speak in Sacrament meeting, Scott laughed and laughed, as the last time Peyton got sick Sunday morning, and I got to stay home with her and he had to stretch his talk and take the whole time. I let him laugh and joke for a few moments, then informed him, he was speaking too.
I am so glad we had a month to prepare, as building up to that weekend, we were so busy, so it was nice for the extra time.
The talk we were asked to speak on was Elder Richard G Scott, Honor the Priesthood and Use it well, from the Priesthood session in October 2008.
Amazing, amazing talk, a recommend read if you have a few minutes.
I am so thankful for the Priesthood in my life, and for a husband who honors his priesthood, honors me as his wife and Peyton as his daughter.

Am I Ready....
A friend in our ward came to me at the end of May and asked if I would do her wedding cake on June 19th.
First thoughts were, am I ready for this? I took some Wilton classes about a year ago and have played around with cakes since then, but have not done an actual paying job. After talking with her and looking at different idea's, and learning her dad did this as a career. I agreed, heck why not do a wedding as the first one.

When all the decisions were made, I made two huge sheet cakes, 80 cupcakes and a small cake for the groom. It was a great learning experience, and really fun playing with flavors. I am sure that is what everyone around me thought as well, as they all benefited from my experiments.
I have the best neighbor ever, who volunteered to come and help. She stayed all day, helped with all the decorating, and then helped with the delivery, as Scott was busy with Youth Conference and then had to head to work.

It was a slightly stressful weekend, when it was all done, I was almost completely happy with the turnout. I am always a harder critic on myself, and she seemed pleased with the end result.

The Faith Of A Three Year Old

Miss P was playing outside and being three and not knowing you don't pick mommies flowers decided that she needed this one.
It was quickly forgotten at the front door as she was playing with her friends. The next morning, she found it next to the shoes all withered up. I explained that when we pick flowers they need to be put in water or else they will die.
She was insistent that we put it in water, so she went and filled one of her cups with water and put the flower in it. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I thought it was dead, so I decided to just leave it on the counter for the day and throw it out later.
To our surprise, later that day, this is what we found. Her faith is amazing.

Why Can't All Days Be Like This...





Miss P and a friend playing in her pool in April.
To bad it has not been hot enough again. There is hope for this weekend that we will be able to pull it out again.

Her New Love

We were in the mall a few weeks ago, and Miss P saw Build A Bear, cute store but VERY dangerous to take a three year old into.
We went in to look and came out with a $20 stuffed dog. Thank heavens she didn't realize that you could get clothes for the puppy.

Miss P's House

Miss P outgrew her outside toys over the winter, after asking her what she wanted, we replaced her slide/swing with a playhouse.
She was asleep when we picked it up, so she had no clue what it looked like until I set it up for her.
Her reaction was the cutest when she saw it.
Miss P: (total giddy voice) I love it, you are the best mommy and daddy.

There was no way that I was going to be able to keep her inside. Even though it was cold and starting to rain, she had to be outside playing in her new house.
I can already see that this little house is going to get many hours of use this summer.

Melt My Heart

Dancing with her Daddy.

(Sorry, pics are crap as they were taken with my phone.)

WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO ON VACATION SAM.....

Miss P has been in gymnastics for a few months now, and seems to really enjoy it. She is in a class with two teachers. The guy teacher (Sam) is great. Her girl teacher, not bad, but not so great.
We missed class this week as we were out of town for Easter, so I called in and set up a make up class for this morning with Sam.
We get there to find out that Sam is not there, he is on vacation. There was six children in this class, and P was the only girl, which didn't seem to bother her. They started off warming up with one teacher, then after about 20 minutes they moved on to the bars, and P's normal girl teacher came and replaced the first teacher.
Who know's why she didn't finish teaching the rest of the class, or split up the class, instead she jumped around, did kart wheels and jumped on the trampoline, while the kids ran around and did their own thing because P's normal teacher was not doing so great at keeping them all together.
I get so tired of wasting my money, on these girl teachers that don't teach my child gymnastics.
Please don't teach my child or let her roll a foam block around when you should be teaching her, HELLO, I CAN DO THAT AT HOME FOR FREE!!!
Please pay attention to my child a little more, then maybe she would not be at the chalk bowl constantly. She was very kind to share it with all the kids though, as she threw it in the air.
Yes I know my child seems to NOT have the best attention span, this class today was a serious joke. I really don't think there was any teaching going on.
I know she is not there for competition and that it is for fun, but if I am going to pay good money, please teach my child.

SAM, PLEASE DON'T GO ON VACATION AGAIN, MY SANITY NEEDS YOU!!!!

We are NEVER alone



I am so grateful for my Savior, for His perfect example, His love, and His ultimate sacrifice He made for all of us.
I know that even when time are tough, I am never alone.

Easter
Thank you Grandpa and Grandma N for such a wonderful Easter, we had a great time with you, Miss P keeps asking when we are going back to G-pa's and G-ma's.

This year we spent Easter with G-pa Lee and G-ma Ivana. My Man and I started the weekend off by doing a Temple Session, which was so nice.
We got to their house later then planned, and arrived to a yummy pad thai dinner. Thank you G-pa Lee, it was SO good.

Miss P was a little sad after dinner to realize that Rob and Jill had taken the trike with them when they moved, as that was her favorite toy. I think she got over it quickly, as she found other things to play with and didn't have to share any of the toys.
She loved the cats, which seemed to be very relaxed this weekend. They would just lay there and let her pet them, which is not normal.

After settling in, we had Miss P put her basket on a table before I put her in bed.
She woke up around 7am wanting us to wake up, I told her not yet. She was really good to wait another hour before bugging again to get up.
I finally decided to drag my butt out of bed and head downstairs with her.
Not knowing that Mr. S had moved the little table that she had put her basket on, as I went to bed before Mr. S did, Miss P headed to where the table was suppose to be, turned around with slumped shoulders and pouting that the Easter Bunny didn't come.
G-pa Lee was standing there, and encouraged her to go a little farther into the living room, where they had moved the table. She was SO excited to see her basket, and that the Easter Bunny didn't forget her.
We had put together some eggs and placed them around the living room for her to find. It was so funny to watch her go and find them, she did a whole lot better this year on finding them.
She was spoiled like always. She received a Dora watch, a CTR necklace, a Book of Mormon stories book, a way cute Curious George outfit (Thank you G-pa and G-ma), and her own mini copy of the Book of Mormon with her name on it.
The Easter Bunny brought me a docking station for my Iphone, which I love, and he brought Scott clothes.

I was very impressed with Miss P at church. She went to class without any whinning, and seemed to have a great time. She came home with a little coloring craft of the resurrection, she was so proud of it, she had to show everyone and tried to sing "Did Jesus really live again", which every time she plays with her craft now, she sings the song.

We of course had an the best dinner. I think we are going to have to spend more time in with G-pa and G-ma N, so we can get some cooking tips and lessons.
I am amazed with all the junk I ate this weekend, I still was able to loose weight.

It was so nice to get out of town, relax and let G-pa and G-ma spoil Miss P.

Melt My Heart

I could hear this morning that Miss P was awake watching cartoons. Oh how I SO wanted to just sleep a little longer- That's what I get putting her to bed by 8pm and me staying up until after 12:30am.

She came upstairs calling me, wanting me to go downstairs with her.
Miss P:Mommy, you come downstairs with me?
Me:Why, you have the TV on, mommy just wants to stay in my warm bed and sleep.
Miss P:You come with me, because you are my best mommy in the whole world.
(While giving me the biggest hug)

How could anyone NOT give in, when told you are the best mommy in the whole world.

Hug Your Little Ones A little Longer

My heart breaks tonight for the Spohrs family.
Mom's Blog
(Keep trying, her site is receiving a lot of traffic)

I found a link to their story on The R House blog site tonight.

I am so grateful for my little girl, even when she has attitude, and will make sure each day to hug her a little longer.

Crazy Little Girl

A few nights ago, I had gotten home from a really busy day, really hoping the babysitter had Miss P in bed, no such luck. Oh well I thought.
I gave her a quick bath, and did our normal bedtime routine of scriptures and books. Even though, she was getting in bed 45 minutes late, I was so happy it was that time of day, as I was SO exhausted.
I crawled into bed, with some stuff I needed to read. I could hear her making noises, she had come out I think once, she always says "I need to tell you something....", (we are trying to break this, and have her stay in bed).
Around 10pm, she came out again, I thought she was going to the bathroom. At midnight, I was woken up to the sound of her playing and her CD player. I walk into her room to find her coloring and to see she had gotten into the paper towel I keep under her bathroom counter, ripped it up so her babies had blankets, all over her floor.
After taking it away, telling her to go to bed, I went back to bed to sleep.
At 2:30 (ok, I thought it was 2:30), I woke up again to the sound of her CD player, and I also heard Mr. S downstairs. I thought, great he can deal with whatever she is doing. He came up a while later, thinking she was asleep with the radio playing, only to find her laying in bed listening to her "stories." He told me the next morning that it wasn't 2:30, it was actually 3:30am.

Yup, who knows what she was on, but she stayed up until 3:30am playing, rocking in her new chair, coloring and listening to her stories in her CD player. She was even able to wake up at 8:30 the next morning, take no nap and still be in a good mood all day long.

Thank Heavens, she has not repeated it.

Oh To Be Able To Sleep Anywhere...




Mommy...Daddy...really, I don't need naps anymore.