Blog Links

Okay I am finally putting links on my blog to other blogs. I do not want to add anyone with out permission so if you do not mind if I link you let me know. I have added the few I know are alright. 

Thanks,

Andrea

Birthday Cake

I wanted to share how cute this cake turned out, and can you believe I made it. Sometimes I surprise myself.

 I wanted to try and make a cake like a picture of one I had seen. It was pretty easy all though I had never used fondant before, and that was a experience. 

Nicolle helped me make the curly's out of the fondant. I bought the fondant already colored but I think next time I will just get white and color it myself. I was not sure how many I would need and we made way to many.

Now that I have used it I can think 

of all kinds of fun things to make.

The best was that when she got home from school and saw what I had made her expression was worth it. She was so excited to have a cake that was made especially for her. 

If I ever make it again the only thing I will change is the actual cake i would make it a three layer cake instead of two.

Happy Birthday Noelle

Noelle turned 8 on Saturday. She has been looking forward to this birthday. We had planned to have lunch and then go to build a bear. Plans changed for the better, when we found out about all our nutcracker meetings. We had Aunt Colle and Gretchen ride down to SLC with us and take Kendall and Noelle to discovery center while Charly and I were in our meetings. They had a great time and loved that they had lunch with Aunt Colle and Gretchen. While Charly headed to rehearsal I walked over and met them and we headed to build a bear. Noelle named her dog Gabriella and of course begged to get the High school Musical Letterman's jacket so that she could pretend her dog was 
wearing Troy's jacket.

She had a good day but I think her favorite thing was the gift she got from Aunt Colle. She asked for hand cuffs (weird I know) and of course Aunt Colle found her some. 

Noelle is such a funny girl. I am grateful to be her mother. She has taught me a lot about patience and understanding. She is a very strong girl who reminds me of my Mom. She is looking forward to her baptism and we have had a lot of fun getting ready for it and talking about the importance of it.

Pre-School here we come!

Monday was Kendall's first day of pre-school she has been looking forward to this day all summer.

We picked out our outfit the night before she told me how she wanted her hair and she was set.

The morning of she kept hugging me and telling me that she was so sorry that she was leaving me all alone and hoped I would be alright I told her not to worry that I had plenty to do. That did not satisfy her and she asked me to dial aunt Colles number because she needed to talk to her before school started. I did not give it much thought till I heard her say Aunt Colle I am going to school today and I am really worried about my mom being home all by herself so could you please call and check on her why I am gone and make sure she is alright. Is that not the cutest thing ever. I tried really hard not to laugh. 

She had a really good first day and enjoyed every minute of it. Although when Aunt Colle called to see how her day went all Kendall wanted to know was so did you check on my mom like I told you to.  
She is such a piece of work I am not sure what I would do with out her. she keeps me laughing that is for sure.

Saturday at our house

Saturday was another busy day at our house. Marshal had a game at 8:30 against Farmington they lost 0-33 he played well but has the Brandon curse. The kids on his team actually have talent but the coaching staff is another story.

Thanks to good neighbors who are willing to help at a moments notice. Noelle and Kendall were able to attend a Primary activity. They had a great time they were called on missions and learned what missionary's do.  Kendall said "I  liked pretending to be a missionary but I think I will be a little girl for awhile." she also enjoyed the refreshments (Popsicles) my friend told me she had several.

Charly loves to dance and for the past couple years has had the dream to be in the Nutcracker. Last year I finally conceded and we headed to Salt Lake for tryouts she did well and made it past the first couple cuts but at last did not make it.

After last years experience for me I was dreading this year I even have had trouble sleeping. The stage moms you meet are unbelievable I understand every mom wants to see their daughter succeed but these women took it to a new level. 

She was trying out for party girl which usually is one of the most competitive parts to try out for (still not sure why) There were 85 girls trying out for 28 spots. The girls are taken down to learn a couple of routines for an hour than the tryouts start. After about 45 minutes they announce first cuts have been made you watch the red door open and the saddest little girls come through you scan watching for your child's face hoping she is not there. Charly was not but two of her friends were. Nothing feels more awkward than being with people who don't  make it and your daughter is still going on.

Than the process goes on and they announce again that cuts have been made and you wait. She did not come through the door. You get excited and hope that there are no more cuts. Then the door opens and a lady announces, This years party girls and your daughter walks through the door with the biggest smile you have ever seen.

I am so proud of her she knew what she wanted and when she did not get it the first time she adjusted what needed to be fixed and kept on trying. I know we are in for a busy holiday season she will have to be in SLC several times a week, but I can't wait for her to see one of her dreams come true. 

Congratulations We Love you and Could not be any prouder.

Haircut

Noelle Friday morning asked if she could get her hair cut for her birthday. I called our hairstylist to see if there was any way she could get us in next Friday she actually had a cancellation for this Friday. So I picked her up from school and off we went, she wanted it several inches shorter than we cut it. I wanted it long  enough I could still pull it back if we needed to. We cut off  almost 9-10 inches. I think she looks really cute and she loves it.

First Day of School

Noelle could not wait for school to start this morning. She has had her outfit picked out and laying on her floor since last Wednesday.

All three of them just before I took the girls to school

Marshal does not have to be to school till 10 today. his school has just the 7th graders come the first couple hours so they can walk through where all there classes are etc. He loved that he was not in a big hurry to get out of the house today.

All four kids are ready to get back to having a schedule. Yesterday for family Home Evening we talked about what we liked about last year and what we could do to improve this year. They each made a few goals for the year.  Noelle took her goals pretty serious and thought long and hard about what she could do to help her not get so frustrated. I am proud of her she has come a long way this summer.

Charly's teacher looked like he just graduated from High School ( you know you are getting old when) He was a student teacher last year so this is his first year. She is so excited to be in fifth grade. I loved watching her this morning, she is such a kind hearted girl who loves life she said hi to everyone (my little social butterfly) and when she would see younger kids that looked like they needed help she was right there showing them where there class was. I learn a lot from her.

Sometimes I have a hard time believing that I am the Mom let alone that Marsh is going to Eighth grade. I hope that he has a good year. He is bummed that he does not have any classes with his buddies. I don't worry about that just hope he keeps a good attitude (he is a teenager they have a hard time doing this at times.)

And in a couple weeks Kendall will be off to Pre- school she can hardly wait. 

Where does all the time go?

Summer Time

I can not believe the summer is almost over. Although we were not able to go on our vacation as planned we had a good time. Here are some of our everyday activities.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com