Logan's 5th birthday

Logan turned 5 this past Sunday and we all got togther to celebrate. His party was at the park and it was great to have everyone all together. Here are some pictures of the day. At the end of the party the kids decided to play in the sprinklers. Oh, the extra girl in the pictures of the 8 grandkids is Michelle's nephew from Scott's side, Shayla.

Camden's Potty-trained!

Well, after all my grumbling about how it's okay to not be potty-trained at 3, Camden finally decided to join the big-boy club! It took a lot of work on Christian, mine and Nana Taylor's part to make him sit on it despite his reluctance, but we've realized with Camden that this is what it takes. If Camden has a fear (in this case the potty-chair itself...in earlier cases the slide, his bicycle, etc) he will not turn a corner and try things on his own. We have to force the issue. After he realized that he was going to have to sit on it a few times a day regardless of what fit he threw, he began complying. Then the pottying was easy.

He still doesn't like going, but would prefer that over an accident. Oh, and the kid hates praise, he often tells me, "Momma, don't tell me good job when I go potty, just stay quiet." Whatever it takes, buddy. Also, he already is out of a diaper at nap and nighttime! He loves being a big boy and I even signed him up for an indoor baseball class over the summer. Go Camden!

Laney the walker

How much she has improved in a week! Here is just a little video of Laney walking, she's getting so much faster! I absolutely love when little babies begin toddling.

Water Fun

It was 97 degrees here is AZ yesterday! So the kids and I put on swimsuits (well they did anyway) and headed over to mall. Sounds strange, right? This mall is an outdoor mall and they have a waterplay area for the kids. Free entertainment.

Delaney wasn't so sure about it. She would walk to the edge of the water and then right back to me, but she soon enough she'll be in the middle of the water with the other kids. (By the way, did I mention she only walks now?....love the toddling around).

Makenna and Camden had a blast!

I don't think we'll go back today, but the high is 102!

"I want it to still be Easter"

I have heard this everyday since Easter...5 days ago!

We had an action-packed Easter, just the way we like it. Each year I am so excited to see how much more involved the kids get in the holiday's. It really gets more and more fun each year. Makenna and Camden grasp the concept of Santa and the Easter bunny, and they have that excited-can't-sleep-when-can-we-get-up attitude and I love it!

The Easter Bunny brought Camden a ball, mitt, and glove. He was so excited! I need to get a video of this, he has a killer pitch!!


Makenna's favorite gift was a Hannah Montana microphone. She runs around the house singing, "You get the beeeesst of both worlds..."


I think the Easter bunny may have underestimated these two. Because of the wet weather, he hid the eggs in the house and the kids were finding hiding places that were even better than he did! Of course we had been practicing all week!
Laney did find one egg and the kids were so excited for her to put it her basket. She, however, wanted to put it in Makenna's basket.


Then it was off to Nana and Papa's (my parents). Logan and Daymon were over. During the hunt Camden went to bed complaining of a tummyache, so it was just Mak, Logan, Daymon and Delaney. Each kid had one egg with their name on it with extra money in it!



Logan and his basket.
When Camden got up,he got his own Easter egg hunt. Of course he complained about the sun and I didn't want to search for his sunglasses so he wore mine.

After naps we went to Nana and Poppy's (Christian's parents). I always forget to take pictures over there, but the kids searched for eggs and we all had to find our Easter basket. We all had plenty of great treats! Makenna and Camden each got a blanket and they convinced Nana, Poppy, Aunt Amy, Uncle Ross, Daddy, Mommy, Delaney and the 2 dogs to all "take a nap" on the floor of the guest room. That's right, to humor the kids 6 adults, 3 kids and 2 dogs layed down to sleep. Wish I had gotten a picture, but the memory will stay!

It's Saturday

A conversation today with Camden:

C: Momma, is it Sunday?
Me: No, today is Saturday.
C: Oh, we have to be sad on Saturday.
Me: Why?
C: Because it's Sad-urday.

He totally came up with this joke on his own!

On the move...

Delaney is almost what I would consider a walker. She can walk across the room, stand up on her own and cruise the furniture. She still doesn't choose to walk exclusively, but it's becoming about 40% walking, 60% crawling, so it's getting close. She is starting to realize that it's easier to carry things when you have your hands free so quite often she will walk on her knees to carrying toys. Here's a video I took to show her toddling around.

Makenna and Camden get so excited and yell to Christian and I, "Delaney's walking, she's all by herself." It's so cute to have them encourage her and try to get her to walk to them. While I'm happy to see her walking, I am also sad to see her get more and more out of her baby stage. My little baby is growing up (sniff, sniff).

By the way, like my little signature I created?

No Limit Dance Competition

Makenna and her trio had another competition this past weekend and did fantastic! They received the highest ranking possible, Platinum, and won 1st place in the 8 and under category! They did especially great considering they didn't even perform until 8:30 at night...past their bedtime. The awards weren't until 10:30 pm. By the time we left it was after 11, the latest Makenna had stayed up in her short little life. What an adrenaline rush she had after she performed too, she really loves it!

During the awards, they had a little confusion they needed to fix so they did a time filler...a booty shaking contest. They asked for volunteers and leave it to Makenna to volunteer to participate. So they had 5 girls turn around and shake their booty for the crowd. Makenna has no idea how to do this, but she sure did try. She looked more like a bird jumping up and down, it was so cute. The audience cheered her on and she had to show it one more time. She didn't win but I was proud of her for trying!

I didn't take any pictures, and of course they don't let you videotape the performance, but I will try to get some pictures taken outside the auditorioum from another mom.

School Carnival

On Friday my school had a carnival. I didn't have to work it this year, but we took the kids. The wind was HORRIBLE so we didn't stay long. The kids enjoyed the obstacle courses and the little carnival games. I just thought this picture of Makenna and Camden was so cute!

This is Makenna loving the camera.

Phoenix Roadrunners

Last weekend Kinetic Energy performed at the very last Roadrunners game. The girls did great, especially considering we had to fit 60 girls on a carpet much smaller than we are used to. Here is a video of the performance. Daddy and Camden had a great time learning about the game of hockey. Camden was really concerned, though, when the players looked like they were locked inside the glass. He asked Daddy, "How do they get out, where do they sleep?" He also was surprised when a fight broke out right in front of them. "Daddy, are they play fighting?" Anyway, we had a great time!

Happy Anniversary to Us!!

Today, Christian and I have been married for 7 years! I am sad to say I cannot find my CD with all my pictures on it (I REALLY hope I didn't lose it in the move), but I am even sadder Christian and I coudn't spend our anniversary together. He had to go to Michigan for work this week.

Even with him gone, I am so happy to be married to the man I am still totally in love with and each and every day he gives me more reasons to love him. From the amazing Daddy that he is, to the accomplished chef he is becoming (yes I am SO lucky he cooks), and as my very best friend, I couldn't ask for more. Honey, I love you!

KAR Invitational Dance Competition

Makenna did fantastic at her first competition! She performed two routines and I was so proud of how well she did. Her first routine was Rockstar with her MiniFlips.

Let me explain the awards for those not familiar to the dance world...which was me just yesterday! Each dance gets a ranking from the judges, Diamond, Saphhire or Ruby. Most dances receive either Saphhire or Ruby and only a select few ever get the Diamond ranking. For Rockstar, they received Saphhire...not bad for their first time in a competition! Then they compete against all other entries in their age category. So, for the 8 and under category for Level 1 small group, they received 2nd place overall. For both of these they got a trophy for the gym and then each girl gets a ribbon. Finally, they got a judges special award titled "Pomtastic".

Next was a LONG wait till the trio. We did get to watch the rest of the solos from our gym, and both of Makenna's good friends did their solo (Makenna is dying to have one of her own). Finally Makenna, Emma, and Bailey did their Lollipop routine.

They were amazing!!! They did such a great job and looked adorable out there. I can't wait to see the video. Brigitte (their dance teacher and the one in the following picture ) said they got off stage and all said, "That was so much fun, can we do it again?" Good thing for them, they have another compeition in 2 weeks! At awards, they got....DIAMOND!! That's the highest honor and only a few were even awarded that! They asked the girls their names and they talked so well into the microphone. I was so proud of all them. There were no other trios in their age category, but for all levels, of all ages, they were the only one with a Diamond ranking. They got a big trophy for coming in first.

Even though we have to take the trophy back to the gym, Makenna wanted to sleep with it in her room tonight. She feels so special to have a BIG trophy. What a great first competition and thanks Nana Ward, Daddy, Camden, and Laney for coming to be such a huge support!