Long Ago...

This is the side yard of the place I grew up. I have been thinking of this place lots lately. I really had a nice uneventful childhood. I grew up on a culdesac surrounded by wonderful neighbors and tons of young friends to play with. I think summer brings out the most memories for me. We spent so many dog days of summer running around that culdesac and playing long and hard till we were forced to come inside.

Sometimes I do wish I could go back to those nice days where my biggest problem was who was I going to play with for the day. Those days where my biggest responsibility was to get myself dressed. I would love to go back for a day and feel that freedom that only comes with being a kid. It is extremely ironic because as a kid I didn't realize the freedom of being a child and so wanted to grow up.

I have been thinking of my childhood friends and missing those days of fun and leisure:) It is hard once we grow up, the realities of life and trials that come to each of us. One dear friend Heidi, who has since passed on. Also, I have to mention Stephanie and the trial she has recently gone through. I am so amazed by her strength and testimony. I have read her blog and gained so much in my life lately from her example.

I would take us all back, even for just one day, so that we could feel that freedom that only comes with childhood. The freedom from the world's worries and the trials that come to each of us as adults. I am more determined than ever to teach my children to enjoy those moments in life where they are and not wish them away, because we don't get them back. I am grateful to be able to catch a glimpse of these moments through my little ones. My children are my greatest blessings and joy. Thank you Stephanie...I have held them tighter and hugged them longer like you have asked.

Cupcakes, Cupcakes Everywhere:)

This has got to be one of the cutest little boys ever! This is my nephew, and he was over to play awhile ago and we made...you guessed it, cupcakes. Guess what, boys like to eat cupcakes as much as girls:)

As some of you may know there has been some serious cupcake obsession going on here for the last...year? This post has been growing and growing and I just had to share all of the fun cupcake business that has been going on! If you make it to the end of the post you must love cupcakes because this one is long. Awhile back we made cupcakes at Wende's and we had way too much fun. After the cupcakes at Wende's I was inspired to do the Pinkalicious cupcake. (see below)


I made these a few weeks ago for a baby shower in the ward. They were really fun to do. I made Wende's lemon cupcakes, a classic white cake and butter cream, and blueberry lemon. It was very fun to experiment with different flavors.

This is the blueberry one.

I also had fun taking pictures of all the cupcakes. Cupcakes are very photogenic:)

The yummy lemon.

Patsy brought me some of her cupcakes quite a while ago. I had to take a picture they were so beautiful and very yummy. The pink was a strawberry lemonade that Patsy came up with...very fun:)

It's Pinkalicious!

We love this book so much that we had to make our own Pinkalicious cupcakes. They turned out really beautiful and they were so pink we wanted to cry;) (if you've read the book you will get that last line).

Here is the close up version.

Here is Ava with her book and cupcakes. This book was given to Ava by Grandma. We love this book Grandma!

Who wouldn't want to eat one of these?

Nicolette was throughly enjoying every morsel of cupcake that she was given.

Here she is licking her fingers to make sure she gets every crumb.

Nicolette loves Pinkalicious cupcakes too:)

Here is the sign for" more" that Aunt LaRae taught Nicolette awhile ago. This sign has really caught on and she still loves to sign for "more!"

This baby needs more cupcakes!
More cupcakes to come later...I hope you fellow cupcake lovers enjoyed:)

Ava's Kindergarten Program

This is my Ava looking so big after her kindergarten program. I can't even believe that summer is upon us and I am still trying to blog the end of school. I found out yesterday school starts the 25th of August...bummer...I really would like more free time with the kiddos....not to mention the unbearable heat that will be waiting for them in our non-air conditioned school!


Ava said her part beautifully.

They sang lots of very fun and cute songs:)

The teachers (or room mom's) made these cute silhouettes of each child.

Daddy even got to come to the program:)

I can't even believe this girl will be in the first grade next year! When we moved into this house Lexi started kindergarten...time does fly!