dying the eggs

Two little girls were in heaven this afternoon...mixing and matching colors and dying the tips of their fingers all colors of the rainbow!

xoxo

Krissy's first grade class decided they wanted to have a Valentine box competition. Krissy came up with the vision and we decided we had better enlist Papa's help. My dad is THE project man. He doesn't do anything half-baked. It is always way over the top...which is just what we needed for our princess. He did all the hard work building this and we had the fun job of decorating it. Krissy won the Queen's Favorite award. Thank you Papa for all of your help. We sure love you and your amazing skills!

Kendall {hearts} Elle

Kendall's friend Elle invited her to a Valentine exchange party. Any party thrown by Elle's mom Michelle is fabulous! Kendall and Elle have been buddies since they were babies. We had such a blast! Thanks again Michelle and Elle.

duh, duh, da, duh...snap, snap

Friday night Kirk and Danielle hosted their annual Halloween party. We look forward to this tradition every year...and each one seems to get even better! Somehow Shane is always the life of every party. He came dressed as Dad on Christmas morning and he put on a good show (which I've decided not to put online)...we laughed so hard it hurt. Thanks for having us Kirk and Dani! We are looking forward to next year already...and planning our costumes.

St. Patrick's Day

Oh, how St. Patrick's Day makes me want to go back to Ireland...someday, I'm gonna take these monkeys there with me.

one witch, her big clown and 2 sweet Belles

We had a fabulous Halloween. We stayed in our neighborhood all night long and did exactly what the girls wanted to do. It was actually pretty relaxing. We trick-or-treated our way around the block and then came home to pass out candy...which proved to be as fun as the actual trick-or-treating.

My highlight of the night...putting mascara on Krissy for the first time. Holy smokes girl...can you say EYELASHES?? Kendall's got 'em too. They get them from their dad...what lucky girls!

You will see Kyle's leg shots...requested by him. All you other Adams wives will understand this one. I guess it goes back to the days when they would video tape themselves playing basketball so they could watch it later... in slow motion ... set to music. They are nice legs...I will give him that. I do wish mine were so firm.

We ended the night eating candy and turning our tongues blue. Just how a Halloween should be.

Our FLASHY Christmas!

Okay, it wasn't really flashy, but it was great! I have to say that because my honey surprised me with a new flash for my camera (yes Melissa the 580...I was definitely not expecting it!) He gave it to me early so I could have it for the Christmas photos. Christmas Eve Kyle and the girls played in the snow and I played with my new flash...so much to learn. On Christmas morning both of our parents came over to see the girls open presents. It was so wonderful to have them come to us. We had a very relaxing Christmas this year!!

Santa (and the grandparents) were good to us!! Krissy got Ruthie, the American Girl doll and some accessories to go with her. Kendall got a baby doll that breathes, sucks a binkie, and blinks her eyes...some crazy technology there. I am afraid Krissy has taken over nearly every present that Kendall got. I guess that is what older sisters do. I somehow don't ever remember doing that ;) I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too. I am looking forward to having Kyle home during the next few days...and actually getting back to blogging.

Here are a few more things I don't want to forget about Christmas 2008:

* Kendall was more into the gummy Lifesavers in her stocking than her presents.

* Kyle and I woke up first...at 8:15! Then the girls woke up...Krissy couldn't wait to see if Santa had come.

* Krissy wanted to give everyone their presents before she opened hers...it was so sweet...and shocking!

* Kyle actually pulled off a great surprise with the flash and I actually pulled off a surprise for him...new cycling gear.

* Santa left each girl a note...Krissy was quick to point out that Kendall's was nicer than hers. Classic!

Fun on the Fourth

I love traditions. The Fourth of July is as full of traditions for us as Christmas...for that reason it is one of our favorites! We started the day with a trip to the after-hours pediatricians office, the second time we have done that with Krissy on this holiday. This year it was good news & just a over-worried mother (but again, that is nothing new).

Then, it was off to Kyle's parents for our annual Adams family + in-laws BBQ. We ate great food and swam in their pool. Once again we all had a great time together & once again I find myself grateful for an extended family that blends perfectly with my immediate family. It makes holidays much less complicated & oh, so enjoyable!

Next we went to the Stadium of Fire. Krissy has been looking forward to it for MONTHS...literally asking every week for 3 months "When do we get to see Miley on stage?" Once again the Stadium of Fire did not disappoint. I love it for the annual dose of patriotism it provides. I love that our nation's flag and our brave servicemen & women are the real stars of the show. Once again I found myself with tears in my eyes, thankful for this great land that we live in and for the sacrifices of so many who have provided this for us. Once again I found that I was not the only one on our bench with tears in my eyes...(Mikey...really just another reason I love ya!) Once again, for the fourth year in a row I did not see the entire show, but I figure another 4 or 5 years from now I just might.

Thank you to my parents for teaching me the importance of this special holiday and giving us traditions to make it special to us. I am so happy to share these with my kids now. Happy Birthday America!!

Once again here I am, behind the camera...

Something special

There is just something special about daddies and daughters...and fathers and sons!
Blessed...that is what I am. I have a Dad that loves me no matter what, that has always encouraged me to reach for the stars and ALWAYS do my best, a Father-in-law that is an amazing example of selflessness and service, and a husband that loves me & our girls more than life itself. I am so thankful for you all. Happy Father's Day! XOXO

Happy Mother's Day

I had such a great Mother's Day...lots of time to spend with those I love. I am blessed to have such great women in my life. I have so many great examples in my grandmothers, mom, mom-in-law, aunts, sisters, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, friends...I could go on. I am so thankful for my mom and the sacrifices she has always made for us. Really, I think she must be the most unselfish person I know. I am also so grateful to be a mom to my 2 little girls. I can't imagine my life without them!

Necco Mighty Malts!

Three years ago my sister-in-law Brittany gave me a box of Easter candy that she was going to throw out. She bought them thinking they were the kind that has the hard candy shell that we all used as "lipstick" when we were kids. Are you following me? She didn't like these ones because they were kind of waxy on the outside. Well, they have definitely become my favorite Easter treat. I found them last year at Wal-mart and bought two bags. When I went back for some more they were all out. And I was pregnant. Aaahh! Knowing it would be another year until they were on the store shelves again I looked for them online, but never found any.
So this year I planned much better. I started with a total of 6 bags. I am hoping they will last for a while. They are so good you could eat them by the handful (and some days I do. I am not proud of that, please don't judge me :) Thank you to Brittany (I guess) for introducing me to my favorite Easter treat.
It got me wondering if anyone else has a favorite Easter treat. What is yours?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I love holidays & traditions. Green pancakes, green clothes,  & a green scavenger hunt. It is so fun to have a kid old enough to enjoy all of my old traditions. We also made some yummy Snickerdoodle cupcakes (recipe by Lisa Bearnson on pg. 74 in the QuicKutz cookbook for those who have it.)  We definitely had a fun-filled day. Kendall took a great nap so I did get in a few good hours of work too. Of course, we ended the day with coloring Easter eggs!? I guess there is no better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!