Toddlerhood

What is it about a little boy... a dirty face... and an incredible smile?

It melts my heart.

Avery Starts Preschool

I can't believe Avery is in preschool?  Seriously.... when did my kids grow up?  Avery was SO ready to get out of the house and do her own thing for a couple days a week.  She thinks she is pretty cool.
My favorite thing she does is when she gets home, she runs in the house and sits me down on the floor, then shows me everything in her backpack.

I love these special little moments with her.. just the two of us.

Her Backpack Is as Big as She is!

Where to Start????

What do you do when you are so ridiculously behind on blogging that it's overwhelming just to think about where to start???

..........That's me.......

Life doesn't stop for me to catch up with blogging.  It keeps going on and on... the only problem is, I'm missing out on documenting the memories.  Here's to a new goal..

       15 minutes a day blogging.  I may just get caught up one of these days.

So where to start??? I might as well start with our most recent trip.   LAKE POWELL!

Lake Powell --- October 2009

The kids and I took off to Lake Powell (AKA... my favorite place on earth) for a little mini vacation. Brian had to work (sniff, sniff). Although we missed him, we still had a great time.

THE FISH

Growing up going to Lake Powell... FISHING WAS NOT ..let me say that again... WAS NOT

allowed. Powell was for skiing and exploring canyons.. that was it!!!

Most of this rule was regulated obnoxiously by me... (I was a skiing freak growin up)... but when you've got cute little kids that LOVE fishing????  Well... all rules null and void

THE COUSINS

  These guys are the best of friends. I am so grateful for my little nieces and nephews.  (Can I note the GORGEOUS water in the back ground?)

   And of course... Cousins always have a great time when grandma and grandpa are around!

MY ADORABLE KIDS

These guys love the boat as much as I do.  They had so much fun! Crazy kids were in the water nearly every morning by 8 am.  Keeping in mind... October LP's are MUCH COLDER than July's LP! All the adults stayed in sweats and blankets and the kids were out playing in the water!

AVERY... 3 GOING ON 13! HER TWO BEST FRIENDS

All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for these two sweet girls who let Avery follow them around all week.  If they wanted to eat, Avery wanted to eat. If they wanted to go in the water, Avery would go in the water.  I heard the phrase, "I going with the girls" about every 10 minutes. My favorite thing Avery did was she came in and asked me if she "could watch a movie with the girls".. I said yes.. then she said, "but it's pg 13".  It was so cute.

THE DARE-DEVILS

yes... this is Avery!

(and of course... "the girls")

MY LIFE IS PRETTY DARN GREAT!

Thank you mom and dad, and the amazing Porters!

We had such a wonderful trip.

The big Day

How did this happen? When did this happen? Wasn't he just born?

It really happened....

I have a kindergartner.


**** Note the high fashion first day of school outfit... I could have been a micro managing mom who wouldn't let her kid wear his FAVORITE new school outfit on the first day of school because it wasn't the stylish, ADORABLE, full on outfit (including matching shoes) that I wanted him to wear... No... I would have never tried to talk him into the outfit just mentioned, or even begged a little...
Instead I realized (OK.. after just a little begging for the other outfit) this is Kaden's big day.. not mine. Does it really matter that he wears the cute graphic tee and button down with cargo shorts and skate shoes? He'll wear it eventually, but today is all about him. If he wants to be a walking advertisement for Mario Brothers... then so be it.. (Ya.. his backpack is also Mario )
He was one happy (and stylish in his own rite) little boy. And I have to admit.. he looked pretty cute.

Kaden's and his best little buddy Josh! We made sure they got on the same track so they could go to school together. They both ride the school bus, sit by eachother in school, and would play 24-7 if we'd let them. I'm so glad he has a friend to go to school with.


THE MUCH ANTICIPATED SCHOOL BUS!!!
I think we've been talking about the school bus for at least a year and a half.. and today Kaden's dream came true. He was so cute. When he saw the bus, his eyes lit up and got in line without a inch of anxiety or nervousness. He waved us goodbye and off he went.
Brian didn't think that was good enough so we followed the bus to the school to watch him get off. (Awwwww.. what a cute daddy) It's pretty crazy to think about how quickly your kids grow up. I feel so blessed.

Long Lost Passion

I have to blog.. I want to blog... I need to blog....

..... when will I have time to blog?

updates coming.... (eventually)

I promise I'm working on it.

It's been a long month.. try and keep up

So, I've decided I just need to post our life this past couple months since I've neglected my poor blog. So, I'm not going to take the time to write witty dialogue great inspirational thought processes because I just need to get all this on here! :)
So here's what we've been up to in a nutshell.

Kaden

Kaden finished up preschool and has had his kindergarten orientation. I can't believe he's old enough to go to school. He's been playing soccer with his cousin Garrett. I don't think he's going to be a soccer nut. He doesn't get into the game all that much. He spends more time posing for the camera (while playing on field) than kicking the ball.

My favorite thing about Kaden right now is his imagination. One day I was in the kitchen (wow.. that's a surpise) and I looked out the window to see him with his Ninja Turtle mask on his eyes, his sword in his back riding his bike. It hit me so hard that these years are priceless. He is always some sort of character.. (ninja turtle, a sonic hedgehog, mario, or the latest... pokemon characters). I love watching him in his make believe worlds.

Avery

Avery's big accomplishment this month is that she learned how to ride her bike. She is so funny. Just like everything else in her life.. she needed to figure it out herself. I tried to help her one day and she just wasn't getting it.. then all of a sudden the next day she was riding the bike everywhere!




























Avery is also very into having friends right now. She LOVES when she gets to have play dates. Especially when it's with girls. This is her friend Hailey. They had so much fun playing princesses, coloring, and helping me make a cake.

Brighton

Could he be any cuter? He's still not walking... ya, I know... he's 17 months old. He can do it.. he's just scared... or lazy... or something.
He's a crack up these days. He's found out it's fun to laugh at his brother and sister.. and he loves his daddy the best.. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT! If Brian has him... he will have nothing to do with me.. except slap my hands away and say NO! (it's pretty cute actually... he's quite the daddy's boy)

Get Me Out of Here

Bright decided to pull a little trick on me the other day and locked himself in the car.... uhhhh... with the keys in the car with him! Ya that was fun! These pictures are priceless.

Uh Ohhh

I went in to get Bright from his nap the other day and this is what I found on the floor......


This can't be good.



Then I saw this.... Man, he's cute.

New York

Happy Anniversary to US!

Brian and I decided to celebrate year 10 in style! We took a long awaited trip to NYC and up to Maine. It was so much fun and great to get away from everyday life for a while. I'm already ready for our next vacation. alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368178359063909314" />
This city is so cool. Amidst, all the buildings.. there are trees and water fountains and parks everywhere! Central Park was a huge highlight.. you would never believe you were in the heart of all the cabs, people, sky scrapers, etc. etc. It's so peaceful there.




Oh my gosh... Wicked was AMAZING! All I have to say is if you haven't seen it... GO GET TICKETS NOW!!! If you have seen it... this post will remind you that you WANT TO GO GET TICKETS AGAIN!!! I LOVED this play!

I'm Not Dead... Just Crazy Busy

I know. I know.... It's been TOO LONG since I've blogged and it's driving me nuts.. If I have anyone who even cares about my blog anymore, I PROMISE this weekend I will try and get caught up on my blogging.
But in the mean time... this is why I haven't blogged for a month. Wedding Cake Season is in full swing. That's all I've done for weeks. If you want to check out the cakes I did in May... log onto my cake blog.

My Kid the Movie Star

Kaden has been in two different commercials the last couple months. Not for any reason, but my friends and family needed kids and he was available. Don't worry.. I'm not adding "stage mom" to my list of to-do's anytime soon.
But he is adorable all the same.

Check out Kaden being the perfect patient at our friends dental office. If you don't have a pediatric dentist.. GO SEE THEM! They are awesome and their office is so cute.

Good Things Utah

Wow... It's hard to believe, but thanks to my dear friends at Swensen Photography and The Bridal Extravaganza, I will be appearing on Good Things Utah on Tuesday March 24th. I'm so excited for this opportunity to show off my cakes and am blown away that I was asked. It's going to be a little nerve racking to watch all the girls from the show eat my cake on live television (ahhhh). I hope they like it! Wouldn't that suck if you were on a food segment and the hosts actually spit your food out? Man.. worst nightmare right there.
Anyway... tune in to Channel 4 news at 10:0-11:00 next Tuesday morning.

My family was teasing me on Sunday saying that all my theatre in college and high school is finally paying off. I'll have my 10 minutes of fame!! Don't worry.. I'll be signing autographs after the show (hee, hee).

Updated Sugar Kisses Blog

Hey if you are interested, I've updated my sugar kisses blog that has a few more cakes on it. I got to make such a fun boat cake this past week. It's always so much fun to look outside the box and do something just fun.

Melt Down

As you can see it's been weeks since I've posted anything. I had a meltdown last week when I finally realized I have too much on my plate. Things aren't getting done... and others things are getting done half hearted due to lack of time.. and things I enjoy doing (like blogging) have gone to the wayside. I know I can do everything I need to do.. I just need to find that balance. I'm having a tough time trying to figure out my role as a mom of three (wow... it's still hard), having my own business, being a friend, doing my calling to the best of my ability, etc. etc. etc. I know everyone deals with this juggling act we as mom's do, and I think that for the most time, we do a dang good job at it, but sometimes... we break. That's what happened to me. I got so overwhelmed that there was nothing else I could do but cry. It's kindof crazy how a good cry session can clear your mind and get you back on track.
I'm not much of a crier... so for me to break down, I think it' frieks Brian out a little bit. He was great to be there for me though. I could talk, he listened. When I began to sob because a cup of crayons fell out of the cupboard, he rushed over and held me as I shook in his arms (seriously.. I'm sure he was thinking ... "What the crap is going on? They were crayons for heavens sakes") Well, those crayons were the last straw of a very long few months. I sometimes wonder why I put so much upon myself. I know part of it is how I was raised, and I think another part is just that feeling of wanting to always move and change and grow. I like to know I'm doing something to help others or improve my talents and especially be there for my kids. I have this need to constantly be moving. I don't know if that's necessarily good. I get to these "Melt Down" moments and realize that down time is HUGE! I don't give myself time just to chill. I don't stop until I've literally crashed on the couch and have to have Brian wake me up to go to bed. Why do I do that? Why is it so hard to find this balance? It's do-able.. I KNOW it is. I just gotta figure it out. For all you moms out there that cram your days, go, go, go and never take time for yourself... STOP! Stop right now or you will soon be crying hysterically over a bunch of crayons on your floor.
We need to have down time. We need to just sit down and reconnect with ourselves. If we don't do that... how in the world will we ever successfully connect with those we love and care about? We can't. At least, I can't. I'm learning that I can't be my best self for my family and friends and my church without making sure I'm OK first. It's a crazy balance.. but we can do it. We just need time to clear the chaos (even if it's just for a minute or two) and have your down time. It makes everything better and nothing seems too overwhelming. I am amazed at how easier it's been to refocus after my crazy "melt down". It cleared my head, it allowed me to see that if I plan a little better and try not to overbook myself.. I can find that balance. I may have to give up a few things here and there.... but that's not such a bad thing, Infact.. it will probably make me a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better business owner.. and all the other balls I juggle in my life. I just need to prioritize the most important things and then say goodbye to everything else. (ya.... a lot easier said than done for an overworker like myself)
Balance... I think THAT is going to be my greatest challenge as well as the my greatest strength if I can figure it out.

A Party fit for a Princess

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! Can I tell you how fun it is to have a princess party for a 3 year old? We had such a great time. Avery was hilarious the whole day. She was so darn cute and excited about everything. Here are a few highlights of her special day.
***NOTE*** Notice how many times she changed her clothes? She's too funny.



Here are the adorable princesses after they spent some time at the "Jewlrey Store" making wands and crowns.


The tea party was about the cutest thing I have ever seen. The menu consisted of pink wafer cookies, ham and cheese rolls, fishy crackers, grapes, pink lemonade or strawberry milk and of course... individual princess cakes. The highlight was pouring the drink into the TINY little teacups. The favorite part of the meal was beheading the princess cakes. All the girls had a kick out of eating the heads off their princesses. They may all look dainty.. but this picture proves they can hold their own!
Poor, Poor Princess Cakes.
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306612585682576882" />
What a sweet little girl. She had so much fun today and I had even more fun watching her. I'm so lucky to be her mom. Her favorite gifts were her princess shoes, her magic wand, and her real live fishing pole she got from daddy. She wore her high heels while pretending to catch fish in our family room... she would point her wand at us and say, "I magic you!" Everytime she opened a present she would gasp and yell what the gift was as she was jumping up and down. It was awesome. I love this little girl!

Happy Birthday Avery

It's hard to imagine that it's been 3 years since this little 5 pound baby literally fell out of me. Who would have thought that in that tiny little body would hold such a strong willed, driven girl who has captured our hearts and brought us so much joy.
We love you Aves... thank you for being you. Happy Birthday.