A day in Temple Square

Grandpa Mike and Grandma Debbie came to visit from California. So we decided to take them on a tour of Temple Square. Debbie is a great photographer, but these pictures are from me. Maybe Grandma could have gotten Ethan to smile.

I NEED YOUR HELP!!

Attitude, attitude, attitude. That's about all I get from this girl. And not a happy attitude, either. She cries when it's time for school, she cries when it's time for church, she cries if Lauren gets something she doesn't, she cries when she doesn't like what's for dinner,she cries if she doesn't like what I pick out for her to wear, she cries if someone looks at her "in a grumpy way". You might think it's because summer is almost here, but she's pretty much been this way for the last several months. Crying, pouting, complaining, and crying some more. I have tried everything I can think of. Is it because she's 8? Is it because she is a girl? Is it because she doesn't get enough attention? Is it because I am a terrible mom? What should I do???

It's someone's birthday!

I know it's cliche, but how time flies. One day you are holding your tiny baby, thinking how sweet and innocent they are, and before you know it, that little person is turning six years old. She is full of personality, and still sweet, when she wants to be, but also not afraid to tell you what she thinks. She is sassy, and smart, and adorable and a little naughty, and sensitive and forgiving and a bit of a bully, but only to her siblings. She likes to tease but is not really fond of being teased herself. She is a born nurturer-she loves small babies and children, even ones who are about as big as she is. I just love the person that she is, and the person she is becoming. Happy Birthday Lauren!

Pondering the Beauty of the Universe...

I just saw these AMAZING pictures today. I don't really get that excited about outerspace. In fact, I kind of don't care that much about it. But even I can appreciate the beauty of these pictures.

If you want to see more pictures, go to this website.

EIGHT IS GREAT!!

Because of my church calling, I get to go to baptisms every month, and I love it. It's my favorite part of being in Primary. But this month was special. I have been looking forward to today's baptism for a long time. Why? Because it was my daughter getting baptized! Can you believe it?

Like I said, every baptism is special, but it was extra meaningful today. I love this gospel, and I love my Savior and I am so proud that Brynn chose to be baptized. I am proud of the girl she is becoming and I am touched when she bears her budding testimony. I hope that this church brings her the same joy and happiness it brings me. It is my greatest joy to be a mom, and I thank my Heavenly Father for my family, and the blessings of being a member of His church.

'Cause we party like ROCK STARS!!

Yes, I know what that really means. But we partied like the Disney rock stars . A rock star themed party seemed to be what an 8 year old would enjoy. She's a bit too old for princesses and ponies, you know?
So for the invitations, we sent VIP backstage passes. When the guests arrived, they were ushered into the VIP lounge, where bottled water and M&Ms awaited. To make them feel like rock stars, we tattooed their arms (I still have a ton of these left, if anyone wants a temporary lightening bolt tattoo). They decorated their own CD cover and CD, with the soundtrack to Brynnlee's party (think RadioDisney greatest hits). Then we rocked out to Miley, the Jonas Brothers, HSM, Hilary Duff, Aly and AJ, Demi Lovato, and a few others (seriously, RadioDisney). Good thing we all had inflatable microphones and guitars. It was really fun to see the girls rocking out, playing guitar. So glad they didn't have inflatable drum sets. Then we all enjoyed a guitar shaped cupcake cake (cupcakes all together, so it looks like a cake, but it's a bunch of cupcakes. Very clever!). After opening presents, the girls got their swag bags and went home!
I can't believe that my little girl is 8!!

the Bravest Daddy in the World

The other night, Jeff promised the girls Pokemon cards. He went to Walmart and wasn't back before I put them to bed. The girls pleaded to stay up and wait for their Pokemon cards, but I steadfastly refused (for which I was called a meanie) and told them the cards would be there tomorrow.

Shortly after I told them this, Jeff came home with the cards, and took them into the girls' room. They asked if they could open them, and Jeff was happy to play the hero and open the packages. Brynnlee told Jeff he "was the bravest Daddy in the whole world for opening the Pokemon cards even after Mommy said NO".

Well, every girl needs a knight in shining armor and a dragon for him to defy, right?

Iceman

If you know Jeff, you know he likes to upgrade (except me, of course. I am already top of the line). So when he started his rc airplane hobby, I should have seen this coming.

Jeff started flight training to get his private pilot's license. He LOVES it!! We are already planning for the day when he can fly our family to Disneyland. He has taken Lauren on a few

lessons with him, she thinks she is the co-pilot.

Pickle Juice

Is this weird?
Lauren is my pickiest eater. And she LOVES pickles. So when we ate the last of the pickles, I left the jar full of pickle juice (brine?) on the counter and turned around to find her DRINKING the JUICE!! EW!!

Guess What We Did?

It all started about a year ago, when the girls asked if they could get their ears pierced. Jeff said that when they turned 8 they could get them done. But then Brynn had to get a mole removed, and was really nervous about that. So I told her that if she was brave at the doctor, she could get her ears pierced right now (It's only a month before she turns 8). Well, she took that deal, but Lauren was a little sad that she still had 3 more years to go!!
So last Wednesday, Lauren and Brynn were playing in their room when Lauren fell and split her head open on the edge of her bedpost. As I was wiping up her face, I said to her that I thought she would need stitches. She began wailing that she didn't want stitches, she was too scared. But then the little wheels started turning in her brain, and ever the opportunist, she asked between sobs if she was brave getting stitches, could she get her ears pierced too? So Jeff, who is a sucker for his daughters, said 'of course, sweetheart, she could get her ears pierced, and would she like a cookie before Daddy took her to the doctor?'
So 4 stitches and a few days later, Mom took the girls to get their ears pierced. Saturday morning, they couldn't contain their excitement. When I asked who was going to go first, they both enthusiastically raised their hands. But as we made our way down the mall to the store where the piercing would be done, they started to lose some courage. Both offered to let the other go first. Brynnlee ended up taking the plunge first, and did very well, besides really sweaty hands. Then Lauren got in, looking pale already. After the first ear, she started to cry, but the girl doing the piercing quickly finished, and then gave her a sucker. So all was well. And both girls asked to have their hair up yesterday for church, so as to offer better views of their earrings.