Britt & kids

Yesterday we spent the afternoon playing and taking photos...experimenting with white balance and focus points. This slew of photos is for you Erik...we're sure missin' our daddies around here.

mother-of-the-year

We've had a few sick days this week. You know we are getting cabin fever when I let them play swimming Barbies. It is one of their favorite things to do, but inevitably a huge mess follows. Well, girls...have at it. We will deal with it later.

Soy Vay & Paris

I have been SO excited about a teriyaki sauce that my sis-in-law Brittany introduced me to. She bought it at Costco months ago and I have been on the hunt to find it again. I checked Costco everytime I would go there...and nothing. I finally found it at Macey's and Walmart and of course, the price is much better at Walmart. Yesterday I was at Costco and they had it again. Not a huge savings over the Walmart price, but I had to buy some for my shelf.

We had a fun dinner party with our friends, the Giles, earlier this week. I had to share this fun recipe with them. It was so fun to get together and chat and plan our dream trip to Paris. Greg served his mission there and Melissa hasn't had the chance to get there yet. So, of course, I invited me & Ky to go along with them. They even went home with a travel book and Rick Steves' DVD. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.

Thanks Giles, for being such a great friends.

...and for bringing that fabulous fruit tart!

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.

cream cheese cupcakes

My sis Hollie makes the best cupcakes. Today she made some St. Patrick's Day cupcakes and posted this recipe on her blog:

Cream Cheese Vanilla Cupcakes

2 egg whites

8 oz soft cream cheese

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 classic white cake mix (For this recipe I prefer the blue box-Pillsbury)

1 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix cream cheese, oil and egg whites until flluffy. Add everything else. The batter is thick! Add desired color. For best results use the Wilton Gel (can be found even at Walmart) Bake 350. For the mini cupcakes 10 minutes, full size 18 minutes. Enjoy!

I can't wait to try them out myself. Aren't they darling??

Barbie girl turns 3

My baby girl turned 3 on Sunday so it was one big party around here this past weekend. On Saturday we had a little party with her neighborhood friends. It was all about Barbie. Months ago she spotted the Barbie cake on display at the SuperTarget bakery and knew that was what she wanted for her birthday. Everytime we would ask her what she wanted all she could come up with was "...a Barbie cake!" So, at least she got her birthday wish. We had all of Kendall's favorites for lunch...yogurt & granola, strawberries, chickadees, licorice and a ham & cheese croissant sandwich. We had such a fun time with these cute little girls.

Sunday we had the grandparents over for dinner. As I was giving the prayer I got emotional when I thanked our Heavenly Father for Kendall and for the joy that she brings to our lives. We are so grateful for her. I sure love you Kendall.

Here is a peek in at the party...

xoxo.

tiff + jorden {engagements}

My baby sis had her engagement photos taken last weekend and we have been SO excited to see them. I can't wait to learn from this photographer on her wedding day...of course, that isn't the only reason I am excited for their wedding day, but you can be sure I will be soaking in as much as I can. (...little does he know I am expecting a private lesson that day ;) You can visit his website here.

Tiff and Jorden have a new blog that you should visit too. Check them out. I sure love 'em.

My Kendall

happy

spunky

sassy

independent

forgiving

wants to be JUST like her big sis

wishes she could go to school everyday too

loves milk & cereal and yogurt & granola

loves gymnastics

hates the thought of potty

3 on Sunday...I just can't believe it.

I love you Kendall!

Britt, who knew your shower was such a hot spot for pictures??? Thanks again.

4 weeks

Today Britt invited me and my camera over to take some pictures of baby Kate...it is so hard to believe that she is almost 4 weeks old already. Here are a few of my favorites.

My Kristen

Can I just tell you how much I love this kid...and the way she is growing up. She makes me one proud mama.