The Dish

Annual Check Ups

2012-01-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

All the end of the year birthdays means a lot of doctor appts.

I waited and scheduled them ALL at the same time.

3 kids, 3 appts, height, weight, urine test, vision & hearing tests, shots, GoGo and a lot of stickers and suckers and the appointment went surprisingly well.

Tatum 6 years Old

Height 46 1/4 inches : 75th percentile

Weight: 46 lbs : 45th percentile

Lincoln 4 years old

Height : 42 1/2 inches : 95th percentile

Weight : 44 lbs 95th percentile

Saylor 2 years old

Height : 33 1/2 inches :25the percentile

Weight: 25 pounds : 25th percentile

This picture really shows off their height differences!

Vines Family Christmas Party 2011

2011-12-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

Kids presents, gift exchange games, Mexican food and Jeff's Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Dessert!

A Utah Christmas

2011-12-28T14:54:00.000-08:00

We loaded the kids, suitcases, snacks, presents, car activities and movies and drove to Utah.

We left at 5am on the 22nd and despite a puking Saylor, frequent potty breaks and some snow through Cedar City, we made it is about 11 hours. Oh , and Harold out Elf even hitched a ride with us.

We were quite excited to make it to Grandpa Steve and Grandma Teri's.

The week included a service project, trips to Provo and back, "Jump On It" trampolines, Trax to see the Christmas lights at Temple square, family dinners, raquetball (Ben, his dad and Brynn), Christmas chaos, hot chocolate, no snow, a visit to Sundance, thrift stores and a handful of really exhausted kids(and mom).

Sundance

The Foundry Grill

& the famous ALL day suckers that lasted 30 minutes

Christmas Eve

The Santa Sack arrived on the doorstep filled with Christmas Jammies

Christmas Jammies

Christmas Morning

with Grandpa Steve & Grandma Teri

Our stockings were filled...

we had to wake the kids again this year!

Sleepy but excited faces.

Sally & Jack dolls

Minnie Mouse overload

Linc and his new robe

After presents we ate a quick breakfast and then headed to church.

After church it was down south for Christmas with the Nashes

DISNEYLAND PASSES HOORAY!!

Christmas Dinner with the Bunkers

So much fun to have everyone together and exchange some more presents ( I only wish I had more pictures)

Kids table.. they even had juice from special goblets.

Saylor with her three doting aunts.

Jump on it!

Tatum

Sami & Saylor

The boys

Vance, Brodey, Lincoln

Trax

Temple Square

It looks warm--but it wasn't.

Lincoln and Cairo reunited.

Advent Days 20-22

2011-12-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

Day 20

Decorate Christmas Cookies

Festival of Lights

Mission Inn

Day 21

Wrap Gifts

Day 22

DRIVE TO UTAH!

Lincoln is FOUR!

2011-12-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

Wow!

December has been crazy, but we couldn't let December 17th pass us by.

Lincoln has been so patient watching everyone else celebrate a birthday and was so anxious/ excited for his.

We celebrated on Saturday on the 17th at lunchtime.

"Nightmare Before Christmas" Cupcakes

Linc took these to school

Bringing in presents with GoGo.

Pa and Linc playing with his Superheroes

It was a very happy birthday indeed!

"You better watch out!"

2011-12-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

Linc was front and center during his class' performance of "You better watch out!"

He was one of two kids actually singing and doing all the hand motions.

He did great!

The whole preschool sang together for a finale.

Ben is 36!

2011-12-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

Ben I love you because:

1. you are true to yourself
2. you can put your feelings into poetry/raps
3. you still hold my hand
4. you are a hard worker
5. you make great sacrifices for our family
6. you are a FANTASTIC father 3x over
7. you are pretty funny
8. you are a good friend
9. you because you are inquisitive
10. you are a BIG kid
11. you are competitive
12. you add color to my life
13. I'm happiest when I 'm with you
14. you make a mean chili
15. when you get home from work, you still have plenty of energy to play with the kids and help with dinner
16. if Lincoln grows up to be exactly like you, I will be so proud
17. you are my best friend
18. you have a strong testimony
19. you are never boring
20. I can't think of spending eternity with anyone else
21. we share some great reruns
22. you make our future seem bright
23. I have a foodie partner
24. you are so creative
25. and a great artist
26. you stay up late nights working on projects for the kids
27. you are so quiet in the morning so I can sleep an extra 15 minutes
28. you get up with the kids at night
29. you would rather be with family than friends
30. you are a good example to our kids
31. you answer the phone even if it is my tenth call of the day
32. you are accepting of others
33. as well as forgiving
34. we were meant for each other
35. you make life so meaningful and
36. you give me no reason not to!

Our Not-So-Little Man

2011-12-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

He is LOUD!

He has a fabulous imagination.

He loves to play outside.

He loves preschool , his friends and his teachers.

He still gives the BEST hugs.

He loves counting and 'reading'.

He is full of energy.

He literally runs circles around us.

He is the perfect tease.

He plays so well with Saylor.

He is finally sitting nicely at church.

We love our little man and just can't believe he is FOUR!

Advent Days 11-19

2011-12-19T16:30:00.000-08:00

Day 11

Make Christmas gifts for family members

Our elf..takes flight.

Day 12
Christ's Birth-FHE

Indoor Snowball Fight

Day 13
Cookie Making/Decorating
Talk about a crazy amount of cookies
3 batches of sugar cookies (each batch makes 6 dozen)
2 batches of Grandma Nonny's famous Chocolate Chip Cookies (each batch makes 3 dozen)
20 Gingerbread(Graham Cracker) Houses for Girl Scouts and siblings

Day 14

Decorate Gingerbread Houses (with 12 Girls Scouts & Siblings)

Day 15

Ben's Birthday Party

Day 16

Watch Christmas Movie, with GOGO and Pa

Day 17 Lincoln's Birthday

Nutcracker

Day 18

Symbols of Christmas

Day 19

Lego Snowman

Saylor is TWO! (Crying on the inside)

2011-12-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

I absolutely cannot believe it.

Saylor is such a funny girl.

She is independent, smart, sweet, talkative but can still be shy. She is happy, and funny, and tries to be in on all the jokes. She like her alone time with mom and dad. She plays so well with Lincoln and he can really make her laugh. She adores Tatum and is her little shadow. She thinks she is a BIG kid.

She knows how to pray, she knows how to tattle and she knows how to love.

She got to have mom AND dad to herself for lunch.

She loved it !!

She loves Minnie Mouse so we went with that theme.

Just like Tatum and soon to be Linc's party we kept it

super simple but super fun.

Just us, GoGo and Pa.

Carrying in presents from GoGo's car

We picked this up for $10 at a yard sale

and did a little work.

We have so much tile, I think it will be an inside toy.

I love Linc's enthusiasm here!

Her party was about 45 minutes long, then we had to race to Tatum's School Program.

She was so excited to play with her toys the next day.

Tatum's Holiday Program

2011-12-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

Jac, Tatum, Nilar

Mrs. Snow & Tatum

Erin, Tatum, Madelyn

Every grade level sang a song together then filed to the back to allow for the next grade in reverse order. First Graders sand "You better Watch Out" . They even had hand motions included.

At the end all grades sang, "Peace, Peace," while the audience sand "Silent Night." It sounded pretty amazing. We are so proud of our first grader and the JOY she brings into our loves.

Days 5-10

2011-12-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

Day 5

FHE---"Guess Who/What I am? Nativity Version"

Little People Nativity

Day 6
Christmas Candy Necklaces
Linc finding "Harold" our Elf

Day 7
Christmas Bingo
Pin the Nose on the Snowman

Day 8
Saylor's Birthday
Tatum's School Christmas Program

Day 9

We literally didn't have 2 seconds to do our advent. Between school, a birthday party to attend and sick kiddos, the Indoor Snowball Fight has been postponed.

Linc and friends during the bug(gummy) eating contest at Josh's birthday party.

Day 10
Take family Christmas pictures
Donuts and Hot chocolate

DIY Christmas

2011-12-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

I finally made our stockings.

The Elf on the Shelf and Day 4

2011-12-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

Elf Donuts.. in an Altoid tin

Powdered Donut

This year we started the "Elf on the Shelf" Tradition and it has been so fun/funny.

The kids love it.

They chose to name our Elf -Harold.

The kids race around each morning to find Harold and see what kind of mischief he caused during the night.

Advent Days 1-3

2011-12-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

Day 1

Hot Chocolate and Christmas Stories

Day 2

Church Christmas Party

See Santa

Our Ward Party was AMAZING!

It was Christmas in Nauvoo

We opened with Christmas Carols and some thoughts from our Bishop, then it was onto lots of fun activities.

Write letters to the Missionaries at the Post Office

Edible Bricks

Molasses Cookies and Cobbler at the 'Scovil Bakery'

A quick stop at the Nauvoo Temple

Storytime at the Library

Quill Writing

Tin ornament making

Balance Game

Sibling Rivalry

and we even had a visit from Santa

Day 3

Write and mail Santa Letters

Book of Mormon Adventures

2011-12-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

Captain Moroni &

the Golden Plates

Lehi's Tent

The Iron Rod

The Delicious White Fruit (powdered donuts) at the end of the rod

Linc & Tatum hold firm

Delicious

(Linc dressed himself)

Ammon (Ben) and the sheep

Troop 897

2011-11-27T20:50:00.000-08:00

So lucky to have such fun , sweet, sassy girls in our troop with equally committed, fun and sassy moms!

So proud of our troop and their contributions to Family Services Thanksgiving!

Movie Night

2011-11-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

Hot Chocolate and CARS 2, with some friends.

ThanksEATING 2011

2011-11-27T20:37:00.000-08:00

Lincoln, in his 3 year old speech, kept declaring. " Happy Thanksgiving" but it sounded a lot like "Happy ThanksEATING!" So appropriate.

Pilgrim Hats

We have so much to be Thankful for.

We were able to have everyone over for a FABULOUS feast.

Pa, GOGO, Tyler, Trevor, Aunt Julie and the Bunker 5

Happy Birthday! Tatum is 6!

2011-11-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

November 4, 2011

Birthday Outfit from GoGo!

Birthday Breakfast as per her request.

After school we stopped by Aunt Diane's for a surprise cookie party!

My Little Pony Extravaganza

We decided to keep it simple this year.

We kept it small, family (immediate) only.

Decorations were found from Tatum's toy box, and a homemade cake.

Pin the Tail on the Pony

( So glad to have an artist in the family)

Black Friday!

2011-11-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

Black Friday

Wasn't black for us!

We packed the whole family up and headed to the mall at about 9 am.

We did this last year and it was empty, by 9 am all the crazy shoppers were exhausted and ready for a nap. All the deals are still available and most things have even been restocked.

We parked right in front and headed to the Disney Store.

En route, we witnessed a flash mob circle around Santa, it was amazing .

We grabbed our deals at the Disney Store and headed to Build-A-Bear for the $5 Gingerbread Boy and Girl, the kids were thrilled.

On our way home we picked up our tree, grabbed a pizza (it's tradition) and got to decorating.

Halloween Timeline 2011

2011-11-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Halloween

Monday, October 31

7:45 am Drop Tatum off at school (no costumes allowed)

8:00 am Race home, pack lunches, get Lincoln into costume for Playschool Party

9:00 am Drop Linc off at school, with cupcakes for Party

Go to Target to pick up a few things

10:00 am Cookie playdate with Saylor and friends

11:00 am Sign out Tatum early from school (she had early release 11:35 am, couldn't be in two places at once)

11:15 am Head to Linc's school, Costume Parade

1:00 pm Head to Long Beach to pick up Tyler, kids eat sack lunches

2:15 pm Pick up Tyler from airport head back home, forgot FastTrac causes minor slow down

4:30 Arrive home after a food stop, and a potty break stop

Frantically get kids dressed for Halloween

4:45 pm Stop at Aunt Julie's to Trick-or Treat

5:15 pm Stop by GoGo and Pa's for Trick or Treat

Head to Tucker's Halloween Party

5:45 pm Get pulled over by a cop for not making a complete stop. We were let off with a warning to make sure that next time we count 'one one-thousand, two one-thousand' at each stop sign.

6:15 pm Pizza and Trick or Treating at the Tucker Jr's

8:45 pm kids in bed

Halloween Cookies

Playschool Costume Parade

Trick or Treat at GoGo and Pa's

Trick or Treat with the Tuckers

Lots of kids with our group!

The morning after...ugh!

Trunk or Treat

2011-11-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ward Halloween Party

The Decor

We set up the night before

Oh and the 'angry bird' is supposed to be an Owl.

Pa got roped into being a chili tasting judge

October 30th

I guess we could call it Halloween Sunday!?!

The kids had their Primary Program and both Tatum and Lincoln had speaking parts.

They did great at the stand.

Besides the fact that Lincoln, being a Sunbeam was front and center and picking his nose the ENTIRE program, it was really sweet and I am so proud of my primary kids!

Fall Festival

2011-11-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Skull Candy for donating items to be auctioned off!

Tatum's School Fall Festival Fundraiser

Cake Walk

Of course, Tatum won

Games, Games, Games

More Games

Totally WICKED cute!

2011-11-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Jello and gummies science experience

Carving Pumpkins

School Assembly

An ordinary day.

2011-10-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

October 26, 2011.

Today was a typical day.
Early morning wake up with Tatum to 1st grade and Lincoln to Playschool.
Grabbed lunch with Ben and Saylor to celebrate our ninth anniversary.
I had some calls to make for work that I tried to squeeze in during Saylor's naptime.
Pick up Lincoln, pick up Tatum, play with friends after school for a bit.
Home for homework and dinner.
Bathtime, bedtime .
Ben had to go back to work, I was busy working on decorations for the Trunk or Treat.
I was thinking how uneventful the day had been. I so looked forward to celebrating our anniversary. We hadn't planned anything, low funds and not a second to spare I was thinking how ordinary the day was that had passed. It was all so very ordinary, but this is the life I have always envisioned myself living. Kids, a cozy home, a hard working husband, obligations in church and school all make for a pretty ordinary day. But, we hit 9 years and all the ordinary happenings and the love that is in our home, has fulfilled my dreams and made my life an extraordinary one.
Tricia

Bunker Invasion Day 3

2011-10-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

Newport Beach

We knew the day was going to be cold and overcast--but we still wanted to go. We packed snacks, sweatshirts and blankets, and grabbed lunch (thanks Brynn) and headed to make a picnic out of it.

The kids LOVE the beach (as do I ) and knew it wouldn't matter if we had sun or not. And I knew Lincoln would need a few changes of clothes.

The water was cold--but that didn't stop Linc, or grandpa.

It didn't take long for him to be in his undies.

Shivering, but loving it.

Loving it.

Britte, Saylor , Brynn

Tatum, Mom, Linc

Brynn, Saylor

Tatum, Linc, Dad

Sand and Oreos

Day 2 of Bunker Fun-- Disneyland

2011-10-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

What a magical day?

Isn't it always?

Grandparents Bunker treated us to a FABULOUS day at Disneyland.

The kids waiting ...

With Grandma and Grandpa

Jack

Saylor and Tigger

Treehouse with dad

and Mom

Jungle Cruise--Lincoln was enthralled

Kids and Grandma Teri on the carousel

I'm the only one brave enough to tackle the tea cups

Such a fabulous day!

The Bunker Bunch Arrives!!!

2011-10-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 20

Grandpa Steve , Grandma Teri, Aunt Brynn and Brittany came to visit for a jam packed weekend.

Thursday we picked them up from the airport at 9:30 am, hung out at the house, went to lunch at the Open Kitchen, ate dinner at Nick's Burgers--rolled out of the restaurant and walked around Market Night. The kids, even Saylor warmed up to everyone almost immediately and Tatum and Grandpa Steve had an ice cream eating contest.

Linc, Aunt Britte, Tatum

at Market Night

Brynn and Saylor

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

2011-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hay maze

Icky Pumpkin

Tractor Ride

Who's excited for Halloween!?!

2011-10-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

Sporting festive shirts from GoGo and Pa!

Parties & Celebrations

2011-10-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

RT's Construction Party

Chuck E Cheese

Linc hit the Jackpot

Showing off a wiggly tooth

The Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday PA!

They are all there!

Shaky's Party- School Friends

they just kept coming...

GoGo's Cake

Rocco's Super Hero Cake ( not assembled)

Labor Day at the Vines'

Swimming in the Rain

The Tooth Fairy Debut

2011-10-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

We first noticed her loose tooth at GoGo's house when she bit into a snack on 9/14/2011.

She was so proud and loved to show anyone willing to peer into her mouth.

She yanked that sucker out 10/10/11 and the tooth fairy made a visit to our house.

The Tingey Summer TakeOver

2011-09-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun summer. It is not a lie when I say some weeks this summer we were with the Tingey family 7 days a week.

Example Week:

Sunday- church, we sat in the pew behind them and the kids played musical benches between our two rows. Breakfast for Dinner.

Monday: Drayson Center Swim, and/or FHE BBQ, or Splash Park

Tuesday : DC Swim, and/or babysitting kid swap

Wednesday: Super Saturday Shopping, possibly swim, Pharoah's water park

Thursday: Movie in Moreno Valley, HAPPY MEAL THURSDAYS

Friday: Daddy Daughter Date--Cinderella in the Park

Saturday: Beach Day

Every morning around 10 am phone call =)

Drayson Center Swim

Alison, Maddie, Saylor, Darin, Lincoln, Tatum

Movie at the Tingey's

Tatum, Darin & Alison , Lincoln

County Museum

Playing at the Park

Wii

Linc & Alison

Saylor & Maddie

Play -doh

HAPPY MEAL THURSDAYS

Dance-Dance

Beach Days

We had such a fabulous summer--now if only Alaska wasn't so far away.

Back to School Party

2011-09-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Back to School 2011

2011-09-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

GoGo (and Pa) treated the kids to a super fun day of back to school shopping and lunch!

Tatum's first day of 1st Grade!

Lincoln saying goodbye.

With some friends from Kindergarten.

She has a great day, we are so blessed and love her teacher Mrs. Snow.

She is thriving and having so much fun!

Lincoln's end of the year June 2011 art work

First Day of another fun year of preschool-Lincoln

Bring a Buddy--he brought Clifford

Lincoln, Romi, Devyn

Indoor Summer 2012

2011-08-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hide N Seek

Pizza and a Movie

Linc wearing mommy's hat and glasses

SQUINKIES

Keepin' it beachy

2011-07-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

YUM!

Loaded and ready to roll

Mermaid Devyn

7 kids + 6 hours+ lots of beach gear = 3 brave moms

Saylor

Linc

Romi & Tatum

Summer 2012

2011-07-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Mall Play Park- Germ Fest

and

Wind Tunnel

Shopping Center Fountain

(yep, some days we were desperate)

Quarter Merry-Go Round

(who needs Disneyland)

Dance days

Typical Lincoln

COSTCO

Market Night Downtown

Slushies

66'ers Game

Surprisingly , the kids LOVED being at the game.

They cheered, sang, danced, YMCA'd and ate.

YMCA

Summertime Church Activites

2011-07-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Slip N Slide

Maddie and Saylor!

Pizza and Hot Dogs

Maddie and Saylor

Touch the Temple Activity

Pioneer Day Picnic

Water Balloon Toss

Beach Days 2011

2011-07-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

I love the beach. The kids LOVE the beach. Ben loves that we love the beach.

So far we have made it a handful of times.

We went with GoGo, with ourselves and with some friends.

Hopefully we will make it a few more times before summer ends.

Newport Beach, Balboa, Corona Del Mar and Crystal Cove

Ben braving the sand and sun to play with the kids.

Sandy lunchables Mmmmm.

Crystal Cove with the Tingey's

Maddie & Saylor

Saylor decided she LOVES the water.

The crew.

Can't wait to do it again!

Summer so far!

2011-07-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

I am always the one taking pictures. This picture is proof that I exist.

July 4th Sparklers

Building forts..too hot to play outside.

Bunker Bakery Cooking Show

Pixie & Pirate Party

Donuts & a morning playdate

Craft time

"You ain't never had a friend like me!"

2011-07-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Tatum ready to DANCE!

Tatum and Miss Carly

Tatum & GoGo

Tatum & Daddy

Warp Tour 2011

2011-07-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Warp Tour 2011

This year Trevor joined Tyler on the tour for Skullcandy.

We (especially the kids) were really looking forward to meeting up with them in Pomona.

Linc and Trevor

Tatum & Tyler, Lincoln & Trevor

Don't worry it is just water in that can!

Checking out the goods.

Except for it being really hot and dirty. We had a great time.

Saylor, Lincoln and Tatum's freebies from the uncles

To a Fantastic POP!

2011-06-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

To our fantastic POP

Popcorn, popcorn popper, popcorn cake balls

These three sure love him!

It keeps happening....

2011-06-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

...18 months!

She will not be left out, and she keeps up with Tatum and Lincoln. She is turning into a daddy's girl. She loves to snuggle. Ring-around-the-rosy is her favorite game/song. She is sassy but oh so sweet!

Love her.

Fearsome Threesome

2011-06-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

These three don't always get along,

but when they do--

it makes my heart swell!

Livin' the Dream Celebration of Life

2011-06-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn orchestrated a fantastic 'Celebration of Life' in honor of Brady.

It was such a wonderful opportunity to reminisce and share stories and experiences about Brady.

Everyone wore green in memory of Brady.

Old Stomping Grounds

2011-06-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

The heart of marriage is memories; and if the two of you happen to have the same ones and can savor your reruns, then your marriage is a gift from the gods.

Bill Cosby

My college house and just around the corner

Ben's house

Favorite places to eat

First date

First apartment together

Orem house

Hannah Jueschke Ballard Nash Hansen

2011-06-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

Grandma Hannah

Grandma passed away June 9, 2011 while we were in Utah.

We left a day early to make it to her funeral in Hemet.

It was a true Celebration. It was exactly as Grandma had requested, it was short , funny and sweet.

It was so great to catch up with family and celebrate Grandma's life.

Dad and Grandma

Tatum and Great Grandma Hannah

and Lincoln

The Ballard Nash Reunion

Summer 2010

I am so grateful that we were able to get together and hear her testimony and spend a few days together as a family.

Mother's Day 2011

2011-06-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

As always Ben is wonderful on Mother's Day. He is up early preparing breakfast-in-bed and rallying the troops.

French toast+ fresh flowers+ new craft supplies + homemade cards + coordinating kids=

A Fabulous Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Kindergarten Tea

2011-06-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Of course I forgot the camera on this special day, these shots are the best ones from my phone.

This was such a sweet day with Tatum. I only cried 4 times.

She is such a sweet, thoughtful, sensitive girl and she was so excited for this tea.

Utah Bound

2011-06-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

The kids were ANGELS on the drive to Utah. I was prepared for the worst.

New movies to watch, toys to unwrap, books, crayons, every single kind of snack and it really didn't matter. They were such troopers.

Lincoln passed out

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Lincoln, Tatum, Cai

Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

It was so great to be with family

Each day we had something fun planned

We spent a lot of time with Grandma Teri, Aunt Brooklyn and her girls Cai and Sami

We really enjoyed all the day trips and the kids, especially Lincoln and Cai really hit it off.

Splash Park

Operation Decoration and Super Saturday

2011-06-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

The 'uncles'

2011-06-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

We spent a few days in the gorgeous Utah weather with

the 'uncles'

Todd, Tyler , Trevor

They really know how to spoil these three!

Preschool Picnic

2011-06-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Lincoln really enjoyed his first year in preschool.

He had a wonderful teacher and made some really great friends.

He begged to go everyday and loved when he got to stay for lunch bunch.

Kindergarten Olympics / Last Day

2011-06-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Tatum had a great year. She started off with a few adjustments issues but really thrived and excelled in and out of the classroom. She loved her teacher, friends and all the activities kindergarteners get to participate in.

I am so sad she is moving on and getting older, but she is sooo excited.

She received the Golden Cougar Cub the first month and the last month of the school year--we are so proud of our Tatum Sue.

Daddy and the graduate

One of the big accomplishments of the year was mastering the

Hula Hoop!

May Madness

2011-05-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

Lincoln's Manly Toes and FIngernails

Dance Party

Poser

First Birthday Luau

2011-05-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

Coconuts

The Dancing Queen

Lincoln the ladies man

You are a HOOT!

2011-05-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

So apparently the big talk on the playground these days is sleepovers. I am not about to go there at 5 years old. Tatum and I came up with a pajama party plan instead. A few friends (2) from school and their younger siblings over for pajamas, pizza, Dance Dance and cupcakes then they go home.Super simple. Super fun. And it was.

Night Owl Party

Fun kids, fun moms, fun party.

Dance Dance

The best part of the night

Cupcake Decorating (Thanks Lindsay)

Goody Bags (Thanks Bronwyn)

Lincoln can sure hold his own with all these girls.

Happy Easter 2011

2011-05-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

The Bathtub Dye Studio

the fun part, dumping the dye on Lincoln

a green bum

Annual Family/Friend Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Cake Pops

Let the Hunt begin...

Easter Morning

Lincoln found the GOLDEN Egg

Bunny prints

Another spring(baseball season) , new METS hats

Spring Fever

2011-05-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

Initially when we moved into this new rental we were told the yard was off limits, but we have slowly infiltrated (with permission) and are really looking forward to our garden's harvest.

We have planted everything; pumpkins, tomatoes, corn, herbs, watermelon, onion, potatoes and flowers.

The garden is already yielding carrots and strawberries and herbs.

The kids love being out in the garden, they really love worms.

We let them pick out seed packets to plant, and we figured, it is worth the extra dollar a pack for the disney character on front!

When I grow up...

2011-05-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

Lincoln loved this fun birthday party!

Makeshift camp

2011-05-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Lincoln warming his pizza on the 'camping' stove

I only wish camping was this easy with these two.

Be Careful Dad watch out traps?

2011-05-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

Tatum was nice enough to warn dad of the traps she set up for him!

The Kitchen Help

2011-05-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

Saylor has learned to set the table

See keeps 'setting' the table until she has emptied ALLthe plasticware

Such a helper!

I want to set a trap to catch "Abraham Lincoln"

2011-03-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

Our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Tatum has been counting down the days for weeks now and has been so excited for St Patrick's Day!

Tatum was determined to set traps and catch "Abraham Lincoln" and his pot of gold.

Yep, you read that right.

She keeps referring to a leprechaun as Abraham Lincoln.

I don't know where she gets this stuff.

I tried green food last year but it horrified the kids they wouldn't touch it.

So we took the easy route.

Lucky Charms--and you would have thought it was Christmas!

We took a little trip to the Library/Environmental Learning Center

Go GREEN!

Dessert

Pot Of Gold Cupcakes

15 months!

2011-03-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

We call her the snack snatcher--

if you leave anything within her reach she is likely to have it in her mouth.

She is silly. Very happy.

She finally is walking. Now running.

Oh, and her new favorite trick--walking backwards.

She loves Minnie Mouse, and her baby doll.

She thinks Lincoln is hilarious.

She loves her shoes and bows.

She is very fancy.
She tries her best to keep up with Tatum.

She is by far our best eater.

We ADORE our Saylor Rose.

She weighs 20 lbs 15 oz (all her weight is in her cheeks) 25th percentile

30 3/4 inches 50th percentile

Oh and we have been binky free for a week!