| dance your heart out |

Mitchell LOVES to dance. Seriously, that is almost an understatement. This kid will dance at just about any noise. My favorite is in church, the moment the organ starts playing he starts bobbing his head.

Kayla often serenades our family with her very own piano solo. Mitchell always enjoys!

| yummy |

I was looking through my videos on my ipod and found one I had forgotten about. Mitchell was so funny when he first started eating food. It didn't matter what he ate, he would cringe as he swallowed.

| who you are today, my little Kayla |

Kayla,

I can't believe you are three already. Every year your birthday rolls around I stop and reflect on the day you were born. The miracles that we witnessed, and the miracle you are to us in our life. You came 5 weeks early, you were so small, and yet SO strong. You made mommy one sick lady, who was all puffy from the side effects of preeclampsia. I was so over joyed to have you here though. My life had never felt so complete. Now as I watch you I realize how much you are meant for our family. You are definitely daddy's little girl. You two could not be more alike. The things you eat, the way you joke, too funny.

We have had quite the journey with you. I always worried about your speech. From the time you were 1. You never had a whole lot to say. We were able to get you help this last year, and I am AMAZED with how much you have to say now. It took just a few shorts months of therapy and you have become quite the talker. Letting everyone know what your mommy and daddy say. I can't tell you how many times I have picked you up and been told that you said, "My mommy says..." Good thing its all good stuff (thus far)! And not only that, you have become quite sassy too. Hopefully, that will be temporary!

You are quite possibly the sweetest big sister ever. The way you love Mitchell is so cute. You are always watching out for him. Keeping him happy. You call him "buddy." Anytime Mitchell cries you say, "It's ok buddy, I am right here, don't cry", and usually he stops. He sure looks up to you. You have taught him how to sign "more". And he always giggles and laughs when you sign it to him.

Your favorite song right now is "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam". You sing just about every word. And I find it to be so darn cute. When you read your scriptures that is what you say the whole time. "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, ok?" You like to say ok after your statements a lot. So funny. "Mom, I am going to do this by myself, ok?? ok?"

You are one independent girl. With quite the will. Just the other day you tried to use my water bottle and couldn't figure it out. I told you it was for big people like mommy and was a little too hard for you. You said ok. But the next day I found you trying to figure it out again. And you of course did. And turned to me with a look of joy and said, "Look mom, I am a BIG girl now!"

Kayla I couldn't love you more. But don't worry, you drive me absolutely crazy at times. You can be so strong willed, and so messy! But that is what makes you, you. I love you to pieces my cute 3 year old! I can't wait to see what this next year will bring.

Love,
Mommy

| happy 3rd birthday kayla |

Kayla turned 3 this last weekend! (Jan 21). And boy did she party it up! She requested Strawberry Shortcake. She LOVES strawberry shortcake. And I was happy to go along with it. I mean who doesn't love eating strawberry shortcake???

I have an awesome neighbor who made a cake topper for Kayla. She does it for a living. You can check out her other AMAZING creations here. I knew Kayla would think it was the coolest thing ever, and I was right. She just kept saying thank you over and over again. And the cake I made was strawberry shortcake. And oh so yummy. Turned out better than I thought it would. Love when that happens!

Friday night we had Bryan's family (and my parents) over to have cake and ice cream. Here are a few pictures from that party.

 

We got Kayla a box of dress up clothes. She LOVES to dress up. She has come home from playing at friends houses sad because they didn't want to play dress up. She instantly had a new dress on which remained on until bed time.

On Saturday I threw a friend party for her. We were glad all our friends could join and celebrate with us. Kayla sure is one lucky girl!

Happy Birthday Kayla!

| crawling |

It's official! Mitchell started crawling last night. It's more of an army crawl right now, but it is finally FORWARD motion, not the rolling a million times to get from point A to point B. Our world is about to change over here!!! I think he quite enjoys himself too. He has a permagrin on while he crawls around.

| piano |

I have been wanting a piano for a REALLY long time. I love the music that comes from a piano. I am always in awe at the beautiful songs even young kids can play. We finally decided to purchase one. I have been on the hunt for quite some time. I have never played, I don't need a fancy one (yet. Once I am so amazing, I will need a baby grand or something right??) I just needed something that worked.

Well we found it. And refinished it. Which was an absolute must. And I am SO glad we did. Bryan was a trooper and helped me work on this large task. It turned out fabulous. Now onto lessons. I can't wait!!!

(sorry for the crappy pic. I almost forgot to take it right before the staining began)

| Santa |

Kayla had a big party again at her school for Christmas. They had all sorts of reading activities and crafts for the kids. They also had Santa come. Kayla talked the WHOLE night about how she wanted to see santa. She acted as though she couldn't wait. We waited in line, got up to go see him and she panicked (of course). She wasn't very sure about him anymore. I told her I would sit with her. This picture shows her reaction quite well. No tears, but definitely panicked. She quickly told him, "I want a bike" and then wanted to get out of there! 

| zoo trip |

These posts are going to be all sorts of out of order. My computer is busy working on other stuff...so I am blogging :)

We just went to the zoo the other week while the weather was a bit better and we LOVED it. Couldn't have asked for a better "winter trip". It's always quiet and calm in the winter, but the animals are so much more active. (the only problem is they always have a BUNCH of stuff closed down, and animals gone)

I don't think I have ever seen the tigers this close before. It was so cool. I don't know if the girls even appreciated it as much as Shelli and I did. We couldn't find our camera's fast enough!

And I just love this little man. He enjoyed the zoo too! All bundled up and happy.

| 8 months |

I can't believe Mitchell is 8 months old already. I just love this little dude. He is getting to be quite the ham. He smiles anytime I put the camera up. Glad he has that one figured out already! He definitely has become quite the gabber too, dada was his first words, but he has moved on to mama, which I am ok with :) He is such a silly guy, always laughing when someone burps (which I have to admit is kind of funny). And he can always make someone smile with his little giggle he has. I just love him. I took some pictures of him a few weeks ago and I can't even stand how cute he is...and I will be honest...I don't think you will find it hard to agree! I had to capture his "chub, it's all everybody talks about. So here he is, in all his glory.

(absolute favorite photo of him...ever!)