Aquatica

Aubree has been asking for months to go to Sea World's water park, Aquatica. She had to earn the privilege to go. She had to be a good girl at school and at home and each night she would be a smiley face on a chart that shows her how many smiley faces she needed and how many days she had left before we went to Aquatica. When the day arrived, there was a cool front coming through and it was in the low 70s outside. That didn't stop us. We went with full force and had a great time. Aubree said she would time to go back there many many times. Of course, I had no idea that Ryan had never been to a water park before so that made the trip so much for fun!! Aubree and Ryan went on all the big slides and Laci and I hung out in the kiddie area or lazy river. We all had a blast!!

Church Fall Festival

We recently had our Church Fall Festival and it was fun. The girls had a good time and enjoyed the trunk or treat. They had their face painted, which they did not pick anything cute in my eyes, but they liked what they picked out. They are excited about going Trick or Treating this year and getting lots of candy!!! Aubree is going to be Rosette, a fairy, and Laci hasn't decided yet. She says Tinker Bell but it changes daily. We will see :)

Homemade Tent

During General Conference weekend, Ryan built a tent for the girls. They thought it was the best thing ever. I know most of you guys built a tent out of blankets when you were little. My brother and I did all the time!! They girls are looking forward to another weekend daddy will make them another homemade tent!!

Aubree & Mommy's Morning Out

I don't like to do something with one daughter and not the other, but this past Saturday, Laci slept in and I was going to get a pedicure and thought it would be fun to take Aubree. Aubree and I loaded up in the van and heading to the nail salon. We met Meredith at the nail salon. Aubree was so excited. She picked four different colors and ended up picking a hot pink that actually looks orange. She wanted a flower on her big toes too. So she went to sit with the nail tech and she painted her toes and Aubree sat there as still as possible and hardly said a word, which is weird for her. She told me that she enjoyed going there and she would like to go there all the time to get her toes painted. I told her that next time Laci will go and she said no way we will both go.

July 4th

Had a busy day! The family went to the church bright and early to start the day off with a pancake breakfast. Then we headed out to buy Ryan a new grill. We haven't had a grill in about five years so it was time to get one. Then we went swimming at some friend's pool. The girls loved it! Then we went over to some more friends for a BBQ and then we headed out towards Disney to watch their fireworks and do our own. Aubree hate fireworks and doesn't like sparklers that much either. Laci doesn't like fireworks either but she does like to hold the sparklers. We had a wonderful family day!!!

Aubree's Swim Lessons

I must say that a month ago, Aubree would not take off her arm floats to swim. She was scared to death to swim without them. Ryan and I both tried to get her to swim to us and she would get so frustrated and upset that we were making her swim without them. She took swim lessons last year so I signed her up again. She had two weeks of swim lessons and I am so impressed with how much she has learned and how well she is doing. She has no fear of the water, which is scarey for me because she jumps in and swims as far as she can with one breath. She hasn't learned how to come up for air and continue on so we have been working on that with her. She now loves to swim and she even drives down to the bottom of the pool to pick up objects. She says that she is a big girl now and that when she turns 6, she will be able to swim in the deep end. Laci will start swim lesson next year and she already thinks she can swim. She is a mess! As a mother, it is very comforting to know that your child can swim so if she was to fall into a pool, she knows what to do. We just hope that Laci catches on next year as fast as Aubree has.

Family Update

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I would catch everyone up on what we have been doing. Aubree finished Pre-K3 and is looking forward to going to school again after Aunt Meredith has the baby boy. She is also planning her 5th birthday party. She has been working on being a good girl and did a great job so we bought her and Laci a new puppy. It is a Yorkie and we named her Daisy. Aubree had her dance recital two weeks ago. I volunteered to sit in the back to help entertain 8 little girls and 1 boy for the show. It was a challenge to make sure all the kids looked perfect for their 2 minute routine. They did and all the parents loved it. I will be watching the show from the audience next year.

Laci potty trained in two weeks. She only wears a pull-up at night and naps. She has done extremely well and we are so happy that we do not have to buy diapers anymore. Since she did so good at potty training, she got the puppy too. She is talking so much and Ryan said the other day that he can't believe that just six months ago, she could say a word. She can also count to 10.

Ryan and I are doing good. We are staying busy with work, the girls and the animals. For Father's Day, he bought himself a bearded dragon, which is a lizard. They get big but I don't think they get as big as an iguana. He really wanted a snake but Aubree told him that we can't have a snake because it will squeeze her neck. Thank goodness she said that because he would of came home with a snake.

That is what has been going on with us. I hope everyone is having a great summer.


Laci



Aubree and Peyton in their dance recital outfits


Aubree with Ms. Kate & Ms. Chrissy

Potty Training

Laci is 26 months and we are in the process of potty training her. She is doing a FANTASTIC job!!! I must say, she has caught on very well. I started this past Saturday 5/24 and by yesterday, Wednesday 5/27, I could take her out in panties. She LOVES WEARING PANTIES!!! She loves going on the big potty like Aubree. I have bought her a few new pair of panties, which she has picked out, and it seems to have helped. She wears a pull-up when she takes a nap and at bedtime. My mom is having to help since I work three days a week. She has had a couple of accidents at my mom's but that is because my mom has three little girls asking her to do a million things at once. I am so glad that my mom can continue this wonderful process while I am at work. I will keep you posted on Laci's progress!!! If you would not mind, when you see her, can you give her a HI-5 and tell her that she is a BIG GIRL now that she wears panties and goes potty on the potty. THANKS A BUNCH!!!!!

Two Little Princesses

My mother has been asking me when was I planning on getting the girls pictures taken because it has been a year since I had the girls pictures taken and I didn't even get one of Laci by herself. She also wanted a get one with all three girls. She made her mind up that she was going to take all three girls by herself to get their pictures together because she was tired of waiting on me. She scheduled it for last Friday and thank goodness, Meredith was off to go help her because she needed it. Laci wasn't having anything to do with having her pictures taken so my mom had to walk away and Meredith took over and got the best pictures ever of Lac. The photographer was patience and she took 144 pictures of the girls. I am so glad I wasn't there because I would have slept so much money. THANKS MOM AND MEREDITH FOR CHOOSING THE PICTURES FOR ME!!! Take a look at these princesses!!!

Aubree Turned 4

Aubree has finally turned 4. We have been planning her birthday since Laci's birthday in March. Finally, her day arrived. She had a pool party at my gym. She had a Barbie cake that she LOVED, thanks to a very kind friend!! She had a blast and she is already planning her 5th birthday.

Also, Aubree and Laci now share a room. Aubree told us that when she turned 4, she would sleep by herself. It has been a rough transition but it is getting better. Aubree is one of those little girls that you love so much even if she bad because all she has to do is wink at you or give you a big smile and tell you that she loves you with all of her heart. She has her moments but the good out weigh the bad. She has a kind heart and loves everyone. She reminds me a lot of myself and I only pray I have patience like my mother. Aubree is pure joy and I love her with all of my heart. The Lord has blessed me with two wonderful little girls.

Laci's Two

I can't believe my baby girl is two. She turned 2 on March 11. She has changed so much since January. She has truly blessed our family. She is so sweet and beautiful. She has a smile that lights up her whole face. She is one of a kind and I am so blessed that Heavenly Father blessed me with this little girl. Aubree loves having a little sister and she loves her so much. She told me the other day that Laci was her best friend. I hope it stays that way.

For Laci's 2nd Birthday, we had a small family party at Chick-fli-a. The girls had a blast playing in their play area. She got a lot of fun girls but her favorite gift of all was her Belle dress from Merdie and Grampy!!! She loves it. Belle is her favorite princess. Peyton and Aubree assigned Belle to Aubree when she was a baby and good thing because she likes her. I think they assigned her Belle because they like Cinderella and Snow White and they didn't want to share their favorites. Laci pictured out her birthday cake and of course, it was a princess one. Laci had a great birthday!!


Gramma, Aunt Meredith & Peyton


Merdie, Grampy & Aunt Gina


Aubree & Laci


Laci with her Belle dress