Easter

I know it is a month late but...
Did you see the selection of plastic eggs in the store this year? I haven't really shopped for plastic Easter eggs in my life, so I don't really know when there got to be such a large selection, but I was amazed. We purchased the bug and dinosaur eggs, but that was just the beginning of the selection. There were eggs with a neon strip and a flashlight for night hunts, fish eggs, even an egg that was shaped like Elmo. I was mildly disappointed at the candy inside. (Yes I bought the pre-stuffed eggs.) Luckily, Olive was so excited about the eggs that she didn't even care about the candy inside.
We had a blast on Easter. We had 3 different egg hunts, plus kite flying, park playing, and Andy IA over.

We grew grass in an Easter basket from the dollar store this year. It was a lot of fun. Olive loved planting the grass, watering it and she loved checking on it every day. She was really funny putting her eggs in the basket also. She had to have them evenly spaced in the grass. It was fine at our morning egg hunt with just her, but when she was competing against other kids it became a problem.

Olive likes climbing up the slides a lot better than she likes going down. She understands the fastest way to get down so she can climb up again is to slide down, but it makes her a little nervous. It is very funny.

So...I found this dress tutorial online and decided to try it for Olive's Easter dress. I tried to swipe a shirt from James' closet, but he caught me before I started cutting. Instead I found a shirt at DI. I really like how it turned out and it was so easy. If you have little girls you should try it.

April 29

I have had many happy days in my life, but one of the first happy days I remember is the day my sister was born. I had three stinky brothers (sorry guys) and was so excited when my mom got pregnant again. Finally...this one had to be a sister. We didn't find out the sex of the baby, but I just knew it would be a girl. My mom and I would get up every morning and go to the junior high to walk around the track. My mom told me this started our day off right with exercise, but it started my day off right with a little alone time with my mom. I remember from the minute she told me she was having a baby, our morning walk conversation was all about my baby sister.

When the day finally came my Grandma and Grandpa came and took us to McDonald's while my mom and dad went to the hospital. I remember getting home and waiting anxiously for the phone to ring. My dad finally called. He told me that it was a boy. This broke my heart, I couldn't believe him, this was my last chance for a little sister. He then told me he was kidding and that it was a girl. I was so furious that he would play such a mean joke. I didn't dare hope that it really was a girl. I had to see her for myself to believe it.

Since the first time I met her 18 years ago, I knew that I had found a new best friend. Melanie is the funnest girl I know. She is so smart, confident, funny and did I mention beautiful. I know that little sisters are supposed to look up to their big sisters, that's what I always planned on those walks with my mom, but the truth is...I look up to her. Mel... you are the best. I hope you had a wonderful birthday today. Keep being you!

Happy Birthday Week!

Happy Birthday Kyle and Luke! We miss you both very much and wish we could have been there this weekend to celebrate with you. Olive loves spending time with you and we wish we could see you more often.

Kyle...Uncle James is practicing so he can beat you at Mario Cart next time we see you. Uncle Ryan tells him that is not possible.

Long time...

Yes, I suck at blogging. I was checking blogs today and found myself wishing my friends that I don't see often would update more. I am a pretty big hypocrite. I don't think I can do a whole big update, but we have had some big changes since the last post.

I found a job where I can work a few hours a day and keep Olive with me. It was a bit of an adjustment working again, but we are very happy with the decision.

We moved back to Utah county. I haven't lived here for close to 7 years and we really liked the Salt Lake Valley, but we couldn't let this opportunity pass.

Olive is growing so fast and we have a blast watching her learn everyday. She is amazing and definitely keeps us on our toes. We moved next door to two great families that have boys that are just a few months older than Olive. She loves to play with them and from the minute she wakes up until she goes to sleep she wants to play with "my boys".

The picture is for you Will. I know it was a while ago, but Olive and I were supporting the Steelers. We wish we could have watched the game with you.

Etsy club

Well...I am now officially a mom. I think that to be part of the mom club, you must have an etsy shop and now I do. Even if nothing in my shop is made my me (so far). For those of you who know my dad, know his wonderful woodworking hobby. I take full advantage. Most of the furniture in my house was created by him. I finally talked him into letting me sell a few of the pens he makes. Take a look. They are beautiful.

I am working on a few quilts and things of my own to put in the shop so stay tuned.

www.olivemylove.etsy.com

Put it to the people

I have been thinking about cutting my hair for a while. About every other day I say I am going to cut it. Since my wonderful husband is so supportive and tells me he thinks I am beautiful both ways...I thought I would ask everyone else. Please, please everyone...let me know what you think.
I am thinking a chin/shoulder length shaggy bob. I am open to suggestions.

P.S. While I was trying to get a picture, Olive decided she wanted to be in it. I told her she could but she had to smile. I laughed my head off when I saw her expressions.

Halloween, Election Day and SNOW!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. My mom was dancing in an elementary production of Thriller, so Jacob left work early and met me at the school to watch. We then got lunch and went to the park. I semi-dressed up. I pulled together a pirate costume last minute. Jacob asked if I was dressed up and when I said yes, he felt he should also put on his costume. It was a little more eccentric than mine. Later that night he won several costume contests with his fiance who wore the matching girl version.

Olive really did not like her costume. She didn't mind the body suit, but she wanted nothing to do with the ears. We did manage to get them on and distract her for two seconds while we took a picture. The costume came with little bootie things that she liked, but she wanted to wear them on her hands, not her feet. It was pretty entertaining to watch her try to pick up candy with the booties on her hands.

She spent most of the night treat or treating at grandmas house. She didn't really understand that because she was dressed up, she got candy. She liked taking turns getting candy and then giving the candy back. She is very good at sharing. We did take her to a few houses and she was so surprised when people put candy in her bucket. She would sign thank you to them over and over. Then she would walk a few feet, turn around, sign thank you and wave goodbye. It took us about 10 minutes to leave a house because she had to stop every few steps to thank them and say goodbye. It was very fun.

Here is the pumpkin carving. Look closely, James attempted a Canadian flag.

On Saturday we went on a short 4-wheeling trip. Josh borrowed an "Olive"-sized dirt bike. She was still a little small, but she loves motorcycles. Josh gave her a small plastic bike about a year ago, and she loves to push it around the house vrrrmmming.

Here are my best attempts to get pictures of Olive and me with our "I voted" stickers. Her first election was historic. I wanted to document it.

Lastly...the snow. We were so happy to see it, and miss it very much. It did smell like snow tonight as we went on a diaper run. What a fun time of year.