Halloween 2010

I think that I forgot how to use my camera.  I got two pictures of the kids in costume and missed one child completely. 

It was cold, wet and raining cats and dogs.  Mia and Sam were not interested in pictures.  They wanted to get out trick or treating!  Even though we were soaked through, the kids had a great time and raved about how this was the best Halloween ever!

Jake went as Percy Jackson from the book series.  We sprayed his hair black, made a t-shirt that said camp half-blood and he wore a roman chest plate and carried a pen to represent the pen Riptide that Percy has that turns into a sword.

Mia insisted on a pink pirate costume from the store.  She told everyone that she was Jack Sparrow's wife.  She has a crush on him.  Him and Connor Stout.   My goodness me, you wouldn't know that she was just seven years old with how much she loves the boys.

Aunt Dee! Dee! made Sam's costume and she did an amazing job.  "The Three Amigos" is one of his favorite movies.  I love all the detail and really, he does love it, he just HATES pictures and just wanted to go trick or treating. 

Happy Halloween!! 



North Carolina

So way back in April, I was so lucky to go to North Carolina to visit Jon and Sharmyn.  I don't know why I haven't blogged about it yet.  No offense Sharmyn, I'm just lazy.

In March, Ryan received a super secret phone call from Jon inviting me to fly out and visit with them as a suprise to Sharmyn for my birthday.  Of course, I was jumping for joy!  It was all I could do to not say anything to Sharmyn.  Turns out, Jon is not a good secret keeper.  He spilled the beans, but it made it even funner because we got to plan out our limited time. 

I flew all day to get to North Carolina.  I was warmly welcomed, took a house tour of Sharmyn's beautiful house and enjoyed her home cooking.  It was the best spaghetti I've ever had with the most delicious cheese on top.  What was it called again?  I then retreated to my lovely guest bedroom complete with beautiful tulips just for me. 

Saturday was my birthday!  Sharmyn made delcious crepes with the best homemade strawberry jam and a delicous green smoothie complete with her own homemade yogurt.  Mmm!  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  We then went and did a little bit of the day of service her ward was doing.  I've never seen so many people working so hard together.  It was inspiring!  We then snuck out to do a little shopping.   Anthropology, Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble of course.  I got the cutest little number and spice jars and a pretty plate just to name a few of the goodies that I bought there. 

At Barnes and Noble, I was introduced to this sweet line of sationary goods for kids.  What was it called?  Can't remember, but I loved it all.  I got the kids there own tin pencil box with pencil, sharpener, eraser, pen and ruler.  They love them!

We grabbed a HUGE burrito and ran home to get ready for my birthday party.  Shramyn invited some of their friends to celebrate with me.  The food, of course, was fantastic!  Homemade bread, spaghetti with yummy turkey bolagnese (sp?), salad and strawberry drink.  Martha Stewart strawberry cupcakes were delicious!  Sharmyn made me a cute little tray and a fabric flower.  They are so fun!

Sunday was delightful.  It was fun to watch Jon and Sharmyn in action.  The people were all so friendly.  I miss them very much.  That afternoon, I took a delightfully long nap.  I didn't mean to, but the room was so pleasant.  Then up for a delicious dinner of course.  That night, we played games and laughed so hard.  It was the BEST!

Monday, we ran around thrifting.  I was thrilled with everything that I got.  North Carolina is like a goldmine of thrify goodness.  I'm pretty sure it was mostly because I was with my sister.  Half-way through the day, I started to miss her already.  That night,  more friends came over for Family night.  Family night was really nice.  I liked having a group family night and thought that I should do that when I get home.  Maybe I've been home long enough? 

Tuesday morning, bright and early, I was out the door to fly home.  It was so hard to leave.  I miss my sister dearly and I am so thankful that she did this for me.  I only wish that I could do it everyday with her.  I miss watching Jon and their dog in the yard.  I miss the kitties sitting on the table eating their breakfast.  I miss the beautiful tree lined roads and everything about it.  North Carolina is a beautiful place !

Much love! Megan

It's not summer unless...

There is a redneck swimming pool to play in. 

    (This is the smile I get when I tell Sam to smile! Oh boy!)

The girls, Mia and Lauren, are in their swimsuits all day long.

And Jake is trying to sell something.

(Look! Sam smile as Sammy.)

Happy Father's Day!

High Point!

Why didn't I take my camera with me to the last two comps that Mia was in? She did better and better and I was so proud of her!  We were so lucky that Sharmyn was in town and wanted to come to National's with us.  She brought her camera and got a shot of Mia in action.  How cute is her little face and body?

Two weeks after the first competition and then again at National's, Mia's team took overall high point in the Mini's division. That means that they scored the highest out of all of the teams! I am so proud of her and love to see her light up when she dances. She was super excited about the little trophies that she got. She was even more pleased with herself when I explained to her that her hard work and great dancing earned them.  You should see the trophies at school! They are taller than Mia, just about as tall as me.   I have a picture on my phone, but I'll get a better one.  I am a proud Mama of my little girl!

Here we are, exhausted, after her dance at National's.  We had slept over at Teryn's house the night before because we had to be to Provo by 7:30am.  We didn't get to sleep until way after midnight.  I didn't sleep most of the night worrying that I wouldn't wake up and be there in time.  Then up at 6am with a mad dash to get there in time to wait.  Apparently, we missed the message sent late the night before that there dances were pushed back.  Mia was supposed to dance at 8:30am but didn't dance until almost 11am.  Thank you to Sharmyn for seeing the upside in all that waiting and we enjoyed some great dancing.  I was also glad to see that I am not the only dork that cries watching the kids dance.  Sharmyn is worse than I am.  All I can think of is how hard they have worked and I am proud of them all!  Sappy, sap, sap. 

Good job my little Mia!  When we got home that day, you asked when you would be dancing again and was very disappointed that it was over but then lit up again over your upcoming recital.  I then asked you if you wanted to dance on the team again and you gave me a pouty "no" answer.  You could hardly hold your pout before you laughed and said YES!  My silly, sassy Mia.  What are we going to do with you?  Love you and kiss you and be proud of you, that's what!

Highlights of Mia's birthday

This little girl turned SEVEN!

She was super pleased with herself having a birthday.  She wore her favorite Peace t-shirt that Debbie and Fayth gave her the night before.  With her favorite skinny jeans of course! 

She invited Paige Christensen over for a little pre-birthday celebrating.  They watched a Barbie movie with popcorn, sour patch kids, candied oranges and butterscotch candy.  Her request of course.

Mama made her a special birthday banner just before the party. 

Mama was so pleased that the party was ready in time with no stressing.  She was soon proved wrong when the downstairs toilet overflowed and flooded the bathroom right when the guest got there. 

We invited the family over for her favorite dinner.  Spaghetti, garlic bread and salad of course!  Papa, Grandma Dess, Dee-Dee and Matt came to celebrate.  Grandma Sharon and Gramps weren't feeling good from their recent surgeries.   We know they missed her! 

She got a vintage play kitchen shelf that I dolld up for her from us.  She got clothes, paper dolls, make-up, a very cool rock, play food and plates and much more.  She was spoiled!  That's how I think it should be on your birthday.  Spoiling good birthday times!

 She requested brownies for desert. 

Jake, Mia and Sam played with all her new goods until way after her bedtime and our Sammy took care of the garbage.  

Of course, hugs and kisses for everyone.  This little girl had a very good birthday. 

Love you my little Milly!  MWAH!

SEVEN!

I can hardly believe that my little Mia is already SEVEN years old!!  When Jake turned seven, all I could think of was that the next year, he would be eight and be getting baptised.   I worried about it all year and missed out on enjoying it!  While I still fret about her growing up, I am trying to enjoy her now. 

Highlights of my girl:

• She loves to dance and is doing wonderful on her team!
• She's loving school now and claims that she loves to read and loves to be in school!  This is all thanks to her teacher, Ms. Bradford.  Ms. Bradford is the perfect teacher for her and Mia loves her with all her heart!
• She is so tall!  Taller than many of her cute little friends but not the tallest in the class.
• I love her big brown eyes.  She got my eye color and thankfully, not my tiny little eyes.  I think that she is incredibly beautiful.
• She has a fierce jealous streak in her.  We are working on it.
• She still loves to collect rocks.  We just cleaned her room out and I took out no less than 50 pounds of rocks.  I do not kid you.
• She does approximately 50 billion cartwheels a day.  It's her favorite thing to do.
• She still loves the monkey bars and does tricky-tricks crossing them.  I am proud of her for that because I never could do it.  To whimpy.
• Her favorite food is still spaghetti. 
• She's still willing to try a bite of any kind of food. 
• She still loves to cook and bake.
• She has lost two teeth and has one wiggly one.
• She has a crush on Connor Stout, a 12 year old!  Ahh!
• She loves "Peace" signs and draws them on everything and will pick out every single piece of clothing with the sign on them. 
• Speaking of clothes, she's obsessed with her skinny jeans that are so worn out that they have holes in the knees.  Even though I have bought her other pairs, she only likes the one. 

I could go on for pages and pages!  I am so in love with my little girl and so proud to be her mama.  I hope and pray that I can be a good mother to her and that she will learn to use her talents for good.