Christmas is around the corner...

Can you believe that soon the Jolly old elf will be heading to our homes... If your homes are like anything like mine, then your kids are jumping off the walls with excitement. Well, this year to get into the holiday spirit we took the family to see the Festival of trees. All of you from Utah know what that is, but for my friends outside of the state, it is where hundreds of decorated trees, candy house, center pieces, wreaths, ect. are on display and actioned off for people/businesses to buy and all of the money; 100% of it goes to our local Primany Childrens' Hospial. Some of the trees go for thousands of dollars. What a great cause and a great way to enjoy the holidays.

All of the trees and decor have a personal story with them, it could be someone who has been in the hospital before or is currently there. Wow! You truly count you blessing when you see the pictures in memories/honor of these people/babies.

This "Celebrate Life" was on one of the trees, it was touched me and made me think that we need to really remember this saying. It could relate to you, loved ones past and present, Christ, or friends; Remember we just have one life, live it to the fullest, with no regrets!

This is just one of the tables that had candy gingerbread houses on it. Yummy and amazing! They must know a secret that we don't, I swear ours doesn't look like that if we can even get the walls to stay up. :) Oh, well, we do have fun trying.

This was one of our family's favorite trees: Go Utah!!!

This is a tree right outside the expo center, yes it is pretty, but what it taught me I will hold even more dear... I don't think the picture shows well, but on the tree were pictures of little kids with no hair and tubes attached to them. You can tell they were in pain, but still able to smile for the pictures. My oldest Mackenzie is so tender hearted and I could tell that she was concerned with what the pictures were of. She asked me what was wrong with those little kids and I told her the best way I knew..."She hugged me and then told me how lucky she was. She said I will pray for them."

OK, now I can wipe away my tear from my eye. I want to thank my daughter for reminding me that we are truly lucky and blessed.

Oh yeah, these two were there too, can you tell they are just loving it. They hate the stroller; they are trapped. :)


I want to wish you all a happy holidays and enjoy the little moments of the season. I know it is easy to get caught up with the shopping, wrapping, working, baking, doing this and that...Christmas comes only once a year...Enjoy it and celebrate life!

Look who's two...

Carson and Cassidee are now Two!!!

One of their favorite places to eat is IHOP, so that is where we went for breakfast.

They came and sang to them, but all they wanted was the ice-cream!

Yummy Yum!

I am a big boy, I can feed myself.

Ice-cream for breakfast; nothing is better

Did you even taste it, or are you just wearing it?

WOW! I can't believe we have made it to the twin's 2nd birthday!

I can't believe just how time flies!

It seems like yesterday we were bringing the little ones home from the hospital.

We knew we would have our hand full with these two, big and small, but no matter what they do and how crazy they may make us, we love them and they bring joy to our life.

Happy Birthday Babies!

I hope she won't hold a grudge...

She was in tears during this part...she wanted it to be over.

I hope this is not considered child abuse.
Before we begin the perm.
Let the fun begin???


Not knowing what is in store.


Look at that face.

It was an afternoon of tears,

but with a game of "I spy," some chocolate and sprite, and a pretty color of pink on her toes and fingers, I was able to get a thumbs up.

20 minutes later, let wash out the rollers!

Beautiful!
Delanie loved it and even said" I am prettier then Kenzie now."

Full of smiles:

Is it because it is all done OR that she loves it?


Looking back at this experiences of this afternoon, brought back a range of memories.

Being a girl of the 8o's, I had my first perm when I was about 8 and had them till about Jr. high.

I remembered the smell, the pain, the time: Watching Delanie go through the perm brought this all back and made me also remember just how much I hated them!!!

SO WHY would I do that to my own daughter??? With Delanie having natural curls, the older she is getting, they are starting to fall out, but if we don't brush it daily, it just turns into a rats nest, and with her being a very independent 5 year old, she didn't want me to brush her hair. I got tried of see nappies... SO the next step was a perm.

Tears came to my eyes as I watched her go through the dryer, She kept asking to be done, but with a bit of distraction and chocloate, we were able to get through the 20 minutes...

Anyways, Lanie loves it and it is over. She does keep telling me though that she doesn't want to have another perm AGAIN!

Between the memories that I have as a kid and now Lanie, we will have the "trauma" to relate with together.

If anyone else has "bad" perm stories or pictures, I am sure Lanie would love to see that she isn't the only one who had to have that "Stinky" smell on her that seems to follow her where ever she goes. :)