october ramblings

I know this sounds so cliche but where does the time go?  Here are some things we did during the month of October...

 We took the girls to the temple one Monday night for family home evening.  We had such a good time together. 

 Addison went on her first class field trip.  We traveled to Centerfield to the pumpkin patch & had a great time picking out a special little pumpkin just for her.

 We celebrated Grandma Red's 75th birthday & retirement from the store.  It was a great celebration of her commitment to Burns Saddlery & her life.  We just love that lady!

 As a family, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch to find the "perfect" pumpkins for the porch this year.  We had a ton of fun & got some unusual pumpkins to boot.

The girls & I made "monster" cupcakes for the ward Halloween party.  They were so much fun to make.  We were trying to out do each other with every cupcake which forced all of us to be super creative.  I highly recommend this activity.  It made all of us laugh. :)

 Oh how I love this little lamb!!!  She was such a good helper at the trunk-or-treat on Halloween afternoon.

There they are; Charli as Olivia, Ainsley as Cleopatra, Remi as a little piggy, Addison as Rainbow Dash (My Little Pony), Audrey as a little lamb, & Alivia as some other My Little Pony.  Halloween was a crazy day but as always, was a whole bunch of fun.  The girls loved showing off their costumes & of course being spoiled with treats. 

So those were the highlights of the month.  Thanksgiving & Christmas will be here before we know it.  My baby girls will be turning one & we will begin a new year.  Craziness!!!!



missing you mya moo

In July Audrey met Mya Moo for the first time.

She doesn't know it yet, but she misses her already. 

off to preschool

Alivia finally got to wear her purple skirt, horsey shirt, & boots.



She even got to decide how she would wear her hair, Rapunzel style of course.  She got to test out her apple back pack again after a fun summer break.

Then we (Addison, Audrey, & I) got to walk her to Teacher Anna's house for her second first day of preschool.

I just didn't know I needed my zoom lens to watch her run to the door all by herself.  She is so big & I adore her!

I adore these two little girls too!!!

wishes

This morning Addison's wish came true.  She finally got to go to Mrs. Sunnie Brown's kindergarten class. 

And this is what she had to say about it, "I just can't wipe this smile off my face!"  

And either can her mommy! 

days like this

It started with the regular Sunday morning routine except for the fact that I woke up late, great.  Needless to say, we walked into church during the opening prayer.  Church was great & the girls were super good which was fabulous because I was a single Mom today. :)  But as soon as we got home it all started, "Mom get me a snack, I'm starving!"  " Mom, she hit me!"  "Mom I can't get my shoe off!"  "Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom!"

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...

"Mom I want to watch a movie."  "Mom get down here & help me push play."  "Mom, where is my snack?"

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...

Finally, I get the "snack" made, dispute resolved, shoes off, & movie on  & it's only been 15 minutes.  Seriously!  Can I have a nap yet? 

Grandpa George stopped by & watched the movie with us while also being entertained by intermittent singing & dance performances.  All of this is fun for a while but not for all 2 hours of the movie, especially when Grandpa is really trying to watch the movie because he has never seen it. 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...

It's now time to go next door for a birthday party, fun.  Not for long!  Alivia is riding the trike around & decides to ride under the trampoline like everyone else.  Ainsley is "sitting" on the tramp watching everyone & decides to jump on her little sisters head as she rides under the tramp.  What?!?  Needless to say, Liv is injured & is gushing blood from her nose.  Remember I am a single Mom still. :(  I grab Alivia & run home with Ainsley trailing behind because she knows she is in trouble.  Nice, now we've left a giant trail of blood throughout the one year old's birthday party, ewe.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...

We're back at the party & it's time for dinner, yum.  Ainsley & Addison spy the spread & start protesting immediately.  I tell them that we are eating dinner at the party & they need to be nice little girls & eat what they have prepared (tacos, rice & fruit which they love).  Instead they decide to sneak home & make themselves pb&j.  Then they proceed to eat their sandwiches in the giant dining room window which faces the party so everyone there can see them.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...

Braydan finally gets home & now I get to go to a stake fireside all by myself. :)  After a day like this, that was exactly what I needed.  Thank you stake president!!!

GROWING UP

Today Ainsley grew up & went to 2nd grade.  She didn't ask permission, she just did it.  She wanted her Dad to drop her off at the fence so she could make the long trek across the grass to her new classroom all by herself.  She is getting so big... 

and I really just love her!

ONE YEAR LATER, almost

If there is an award out there for WORST  BLOGGER then I obviously win.  I truly can't believe it has almost been one whole year since I posted.  To my defense, it was one crazy year. 

Most importantly, we welcomed Audrey Lynn into our family on December 29th, 2010.  She was completely unexpected but just what our family needed.  She is the best baby & is growing & learning new things all the time.  I absolutely adore her & love having her around.  She makes everyone happy!  Everything else is just everyday stuff like cleaning the house, washing the laundry, & doing the dishes, getting the kids to school, cheer, & singing, fulfilling my calling as young women's president,  & trying to be an assistant cheer coach at the high school.  These things take up ALOT of time & energy but that's not going to be my excuse anymore. 

It's good to be back, finally!

A FEW FAVORITE SUMMERTIME PICS

Addison & Hannah posing for the camera at preschool graduation. Addison making sand castles at Pebble Beach in Carmel.

Some "crazy ladies" who know how to have fun & imitate their favorite Eclipse characters in the movie theatre after watching the feature film!

Ainsley showing off her first missing tooth.

Alivia swinging the bat at the pinata.

Ainsley sliding down the slip-n-slide & being a dork.

Alivia cheesing it at the cabin.

A darling pic of my favorite grandma of all times & her sweet brother & sisters.

My 3 sweeties having a ball doing some dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher.

2 WORDS...

Super Cute!!!

SUMMER TIME FLIES

What a whirlwind summer we've had. I can't believe I didn't post one single thing we did during that time. Already we're back to school, back to routines, & still amidst the craziness.

Here's a rundown of what we've been up to since I posted last.

Sometime in May...I agreed to help coach the high school cheerleaders this year & started 6 am practices. Early!

May 19th-21st...Ainsley & Addison had Dynamite Cheer tryouts. Go Dynamite!

May 27th...We celebrated Alivia's 2nd Birthday at the Hogle Zoo. Fun times!

May 31st...We celebrated Ainsley's 6th Birthday Ariel style at home with lots of friends. Unforgettable!

June 1st...Addison started cheer. Fun!

June 3rd...Ainsley started cheer. Fun!

June 6th-13th...We traveled to Carmel, California to open Burns Cowboy Shop. Hard work!

June 15th...We found out I was pregnant with our 4th child. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

June 20th...Ainsley spoke in sacrament for the first time for Father's Day. So proud!

June 23rd...I went in for an ultrasound & found out I was 12 weeks + 5 days pregnant. What the...?!?

June 29th-July 1st...The high school cheerleaders put on their annual Mini Cheer Clinic which Ainsley & Addi participated in. Super fun!

June 29th...THE GLADWELL'S MADE IT TO UTAH. YAY!!!!!

June 30th...We (Myself, Danyette, Brittnie, Mom, Tiffany, Bree, Dani H., Rochelle, Jordan, Dani C., Jaymee, Tania, Kylie, & Danielle) went to Eclipse at the newly renovated Richfield Theatre. Awesome!

July 1st...We, Dani & I, surprised Danyette with a scrap day to celebrate her 30th birthday a little early. What a blast! Later, Tweeb & I surprised her with a huge surprise birthday party where we ate & visited with friends & family into the night. Unforgettable!!!

July 3rd...We celebrated the 4th of July in traditional Salina style. Love it!

July 7th...BRAYDAN SURPRISED ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY (which is the 8th of July) WITH A BRAND NEW BUICK ENCLAVE. I'M IN HEAVEN!!!

July 8th...We celebrated my birthday with family. Memorable!

July 9th & 10th...We had youth conference for the Young Women & Young Men. Wonderful!

July 16th...I went in for another ultrasound to see how the baby was doing & found out IT'S ANOTHER GIRL. Seriously!

July 17th...We had our annual Shaw Family Party. So fun! Later I went to the temple with the youth & did baptisms for the dead. Loved it!

July 19th...I took a car full of high school cheerleaders to Cheer Camp at the University of Utah. Cute girls!

July 22nd...I made it up to the U of U to watch the cheerleaders perform for camp champs. They rocked it out, taking 1st with their home pom & 4th in the extreme routine. Way to go!

July 28th-30th...I went to girls camp with my young women & had a ball. Fun times!

August 5th-8th...We went to 7 Peaks with Grandma Mick then headed to Park City to play & shop with the Quarnberg's for the weekend. Crazy!

August 13th...We headed up the mountain to the Shaw Family Reunion & ate yummy food & visited with lots of family. Nice!

August 14th...We headed up the other mountain to the Peterson Family Reunion & ate yummy food & visited with lots of family. Nice!

August 17th-19th...Ainsley had cheer camp & loved it. Proud!

August 23rd...I had another ultrasound to confirm that the baby is definitely a GIRL.

August 25th...Ainsley started 1st grade which she absolutely LOVES. I miss her & am looking for her all day long. Sob!

August 29th...Ainsley, Addison, & I spoke in sacrament. They did great therefore I didn't need to. Ha!

September 1st...Addison started her "last first day of preschool". That's what she told me while I was doing her hair. Hilarious!

September 2nd...Alivia went to her first day of preschool & didn't quit raving about it all day. Adorable!

We have been super busy but wouldn't have it any other way. More posts with pics to come, I promise.

GRADUATING KOO KOO'S

Ainsley Marie is officially graduated from kindergarten. She had the best teacher ever, Mrs. Sunnie Brown. We, meaning Ainley & I, just loved her. Now in a few short months, she'll be off to all day school. Crazy!
Last night, while I was going through my nightly routine Braydan & Alivia were snuggling in our bed. All of a sudden I heard a tiny, high pitched voice say, "Koo koo, Koo koo!" I went into the bedroom to see what they were doing & I found both of them huddling under the covers giggling. Braydan whispered, "Are we hiding from Mommy?" And Liv answered back in her quiet voice & said, "Yes. Hide Mommy. Shh Daddy. Koo koo, Koo koo!" Then she threw off the covers & laughed. What a kid! Brayd claims this was all her idea & if he's telling me the truth, which I'm certain he is, she is stinkin' hilarious.

WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?

I love Mothers Day! With 3 adorable little girls & a comedian for a husband, I get hugs & kisses all day, awesome homemade gifts, & hysterical cards that make me giggle every time I think about them. But this year was slightly different. Ainsley & Addison decided to make me breakfast which I think was an innocent plea as to what they expect for breakfast from now on. You can make your own assumptions.

TULIPS & DAFFODILS

Yesterday I had a bunch of errands to run so my darling grandma offered to watch my girls (I love her). When we pulled into her house I noticed all her lovely tulips & daffodils. I immediately thought, "Those are not going to be safe any longer. My girls will have every single last one picked by the time I get back." I was so right with my assumption.

Aren't they gorgeous? They are my early Mother's Day gift from the girls. At least that's what they told me. I really love them! I really love the girls too!

I'M IN LOVE WITH...

Carmel, California.

Braydan & I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Carmel. We haven't been there in a long time & it was nice to visit again. Our reason for traveling to this tourist hot spot was to scope out the location of our newest venture. We will be opening another Burns Cowboy Shop in this quaint little building which sits right on Ocean Avenue. It is perfect!!!

Here are some other reasons why I love this place.



Oh yea, one more OBVIOUS reason.
I can't wait to visit again soon. Lucky me!

SWIMMING SUITS, SUNGLASSES & TWILIGHT

Who: Addison (4 years), Edward (100+ years), Bella (17 years) & Ainsley (5 years)
What: Easter
Where: Home
Why: Just Because

WHY NO PICS?

Have some of you been wondering why I haven't posted pics lately? Well let me tell you why. A couple of months ago my computer crashed & had to be overhauled. I'm unsure what was even done but I do know that when my computer came back I had NOTHING left on my desktop. We, mainly Braydan, has slowly been uploading my software programs back onto my computer but we, meaning Braydan, has failed to get my camera program on. I know, I know, you're all thinking, "Well why can't you do it?" I've actually been thinking that myself lately & I really don't know why I haven't just done it. I'm certain I could figure it out. It's probably a matter of sticking in the disc & clicking next, next, next, finish or something ridiculous like that. I am sick of posting without pics so if I get time today I WILL DO IT!!! If not, I'll do it tomorrow.

ESSIMOS

Last night Alivia was nestled in her usual spot for bedtime, right between Braydan & I, when she turned towards me, grabbed either side of my face & whispered, "Mom, essimos!" Then she proceeded to give me Eskimo kisses. That was it. Then she was sound to sleep, dreaming of all those things little princesses dream of. I just love her!

SMILE

I love when I am able to glimpse something that makes my face turn up into a giant smile.

Today we went & climbed the sand hills in search of "treasure" & Alivia climbed up the little hill all by herself, threw her hands in the air, & shouted, "Mom, I did it!" That made me smile.

Today Addison was jumping on the trampoline when I looked over to see her practicing her awesome toe jumps. That made me smile.

Today Ainsley led her little sisters in a cheer on the front lawn while I watched from the bench on the front porch. That made me smile.

I love my little girls & the simple things they do to make me smile every day.

WHAT'S TO COME OF MY BLOG?

I have been thinking about this question quite frequently lately as I seem to have no time, let me rephrase that, as I seem to make no time to blog. Let's weigh my thoughts, shall we?

First, I really love blogging.
Second, I love writing, especially about the things that matter to me.
Third, I love hearing from all my awesome family members & friends who leave comments for me.
Fourth, I love remembering the little things that I know I would've forgotten because I actually blogged them.
Fifth, I love keeping in touch with all of you. I feel like I still know you & if I were to see you it would be just like "old times".
Sixth, I love being able to share my frustrations & triumphs with people. I guess it makes me feel a little less CRAZY than I know I really am.
Seventh, I love laughing at things I have written in the past. It makes me smile.
Eighth, I love when Brayd comes home from work & says, "I read your post today."
Ninth, I love when Danyette calls or texts me to let me know she has posted so I can check it out.
Tenth, I love focusing my energy & thoughts on the stuff that is worth remembering in order to blog it. It makes those rough times disappear.

So what is to come of my blog? I guess ALOT more posts, hopefully!!!

ESCAPE

Yesterday I sat down on the couch for a few minutes before starting dinner with Ainsley & Addison, who were watching a movie & began to read. About 5 minutes after I had started to read Ainsley said, "Mom, why are you reading?" I turned to her & said, "Because I like to read. One day when you are big you will like it too." She just looked at me for a minute then said, "Well, when I'm big I will play with my kids more so they don't bother me while I'm trying to read!"

Can't a Mom have just 15 minutes to escape into some other world? That's all I ask, 15 minutes!!