My Big Little Sissy is Getting Married!

I have played Trouble & Scrabble with her until the wee hours of the morning, I have gone on numerous shopping trips with her, I have shared many cries and laughs with her, and now my big sister is getting married! I am so proud of the beautiful woman i have raised (I always pretend like I am her mom). Congratulations on the engagement, Nonny!

Bathing Coneheads

This bath photo is for my dad, who for years gave my two sisters and I wacky hair do's (and dont's) in the bath tub. I just wanted you to know I am carrying on your tradition, Dad! See, I did learn something from you. Not to mention the "Scrub-a-dub-a-dub-a" song.

Temple Square Tulips & Blossoms

Princess

I have a trail of glitter through the house, necklaces and wands strewn down the hall, and a very temperamental little girl---sound like a princess to you? The other day Kiara had her little friend Tyler over (the girl in the first photo). They disappeared for a little while and I found Kiara hiding under her pillow giggling and Tyler was saying, "Come on! You need to get ready for the ball" as she was trying to slip a dress over Kiara's head. Kiara says, "Wanna be a princess" and that's when we pull out the princess chest of dress-ups. I thought it was funny when Kiara slipped her princess shoes on over her feeted jammies.

Good Ol' St. George

St. George in April! What a treat! It was great to spend time with Dereck's family at Las Palmas Condos. My mom and Steve came down for the last few days. Unfortunately it was too cold for swimming most of the days. One day we took Dereck's nieces and nephew to Las Vegas to see the sights. We rode on the Circus Circus roller coaster and walked through several of the casinos. Kiara & Kate were great little travelers.

My Little Egg Hunters

In April we had a cute little Easter egg hunt at the park with Kiara's play group. By Kiara's third Easter egg hunt she was really getting the hang of it! Even tiny Kate got into it (into some other child's basket that is).

Discipline

On this day in April I could not convince Kiara to stop hitting Kate so I put them on opposite sides of the glass siding door. It was great because Kiara could hit the window and Kate couldn't feel it!

All Smiles

Our little Katy Bug continues to bring us so much joy. If only I could make her stay a baby! She is so cuddly and lovable and kissable. Some friends have nicknamed her "Kitty" because she is so playful and fun. I just want to hold her forever!

Still Daddy's Girl

I would encourage all mothers to raise daddy's girls. It can be hard on the ego, but it's also a nice break when your little girl wants daddy to change her diaper and put on her shoes. How can you argue with that? Daddy is willing to do anything for his princess and then mommy can finish the dishes!

Field Trips

In February the girls got to go on two field trips with the kids in our neighborhood. They went to the Clark Planetarium and the new Children's Museum at the Gateway downtown. I love the picture of Kiara and her two little friends lined up against the glass looking to the level below. We are grateful to live around wonderful people who have wonderful kids.

Kiara's First Snowman & Kate's First Sleigh Ride

The Holidays

On Thanksgiving Day we visited Hogle Zoo for "Feast with the Beast". It has become a fun tradition for the family so that the women are not just in the kitchen all day.

I found the drummer boy that Kiara is holding at a thrift store and thought it would make the perfect white elephant gift for our annual Williams exchange. However, Kiara became very attached to him. I knew that when she started giving him kisses and pushing him around in the stroller that it would be hard to give him up.

We got a real tree and luckily I did not drive in the garage with the tree on top like I did the year before last.

There Is Room For Everyone On a Toddler's Stroller

I was pleased to see that Kiara makes room for all of her friends and doesn't want to leave anyone out. Hence the overcrowded stroller. This was back in November. For a while there her favorite thing was to lay her toys down in perfect linear fashion and then pick them up one by one to do it in the next room. It was a very nice activity for when Mom needed to make dinner.

I love the picture of Kiara's bright blue eyes. When I can tell the lighting is just right (which is hard to capture indoors) I try to get the camera out. This was the first time I really saw Kiara interact with Kate. Kiara was giving Kate hugs and sharing toys. A small victory for a mother of two!