My graduation present to me!

For a while now, I've just wanted to cut my hair! I decided 2 years ago when I donated my hair to Locks of Love I wanted to do it again, but it just seemed that I'd never get to a point where I felt comfortable chopping off 10 inches. Then I heard about Beautiful Lenghts, which is a donation program from Pantene Pro-V that only requires 8 inches of hair to donate, and their wigs are given to cancer patients. Seemed perfect! So, I told myself that for a graduation present, I'd get my hair cut and donate it again. Alas, the day FINALLY came, and I had all sorts of weird dreams about it...but I had a fantastic stylist, and I LOVE IT! I'm still having a hard time styling it myself, but thanks to a trusty flat-iron, I can at least make it look decent while I perfect my round brush skills!

Before....

After!

Tulip Fest!

Since Darrell was having a fun weekend with the Rowley boys, my mom, Sheri, Steven, myself, and Sheri's roommates decided to have some fun of our own. We enjoyed a couple hours strolling and enjoying the beauties of Tulip Fest at Thanksgiving Point! With a stroke of genius, Sheri decided we should go to Tulip Fest in the morning, rather than our previous plans of going in the afternoon. With this genius, we had a little bit of wind, but no rain. Just as we were leaving, it started to rain. Then it rained and rained and rained. Definitely a beautiful day! I took a gazillion pictures almost to try and document the day for Darrell. I won't be offended if you don't stay for the whole slide show!

Beginning of a Long Weekend!

I am worn out today, but it's totally worth it! Staying up late having fun, driving late, having fun with friends and family...gotta love it! :) Friday we went to my Grandma and Grandpa's house, and Steven got to experience for the first time the Grandpa Horsey. He loved it then...I think he's still getting used to it though :) Then, Friday afternoon, my mom and my sister joined me on a trip to Ephraim to go watch my cousins that are in LD's! They did a great job, and it was a lot of fun. Steven absolutely LOVED the show! He was dancing, clapping, and having a blast. It was great.

Here is a picture of my cousin, as it's one of the only ones that really worked without a flash Seing friends is always a highlight for me! :)

Love the roomies! I always wanted to be a redhead...

Jam-Packed Saturday

Saturday was a busy but fun day! Since I didn't get home until about Midnight on Friday, waking up at 6:30 was a little harder thn usual, but I was able to go up and help my brother's kids get ready for the Kids 1K part of the Salt Lake Marathon. They were walking in honor of my sis-in-law's amazing father who passed away recently from bladder cancer. I was glad I was able to help their family out a little bit!

I headed home to get ready to go back up to Salt Lake to go to Wicked! I wasn't originally planning on going, but my mom, dad, and sister have had season tickets that have ensured their seats for quite a while. I guess my dad had been debating over whether or not he really wanted to go, so a couple days ago, my mom presented me with a small offer that his ticket could be a graduation present, I jumped at the offer! THANKS SO MUCH DAD! :) (I know he, Darrell, and Steven had a fun boys day!) Not only did it let me get a chance to watch my favorite musical, but I also got to have a Mom's Day Off, which is something I've REALLY needed. I also got to spend time with family, which was nice. My couple of my sister's friends had tickets too, but one didn'ts, and wanted to go, so we went up a couple hours early to try to win $25 tickets that they do in the daily drawings. We also roped my nephews and brother into entering as well. As luck would have it, one of my nephews won 2 tickets! So it was really fun to have two of my fun nephews join us in the fun! The play was great, and it never gets old, for sure! And, I of course teared up here and there. Such a good story! Here are some fun pictures from my day!

Happy Easter!

*MULTIPLE PICTURE ALERT!*

Happy Easter everyone! It's been a beautiful and relaxing day for us to reflect upon the blessings that are in our lives because of the Atonment and Resurrection. It's so amazing that the Lord has so much love for us, that He gave us the blessing to be able to live forever with our families! IT'S SO AWESOME!!

Anyway, I got Steven a classy outfit for Easter, and wanted to take him to the Temple Grounds to get pictures for Easter, and hopefully get some good ones, since I missed the 18 month mark. Needless to say, he just wanted to RUN RUN RUN! But, we tried to get some good ones.

Just strolling along... Having fun!

One of my favorites (One of the few I've gotten photoshoped as well)

LOVE LOVE LOVE this one! My boys are so handsome and wonderful!

Steven and daddy are buddies, of course

We couldn't ever get him to hold still where the light was not shining in his eyes, but we tried every chance we could to get a picture!

He's just such a funny kid

Having fun tromping through the grass

After we got home from the temple, we decided to try to get some more pictures in his outfit and with his Easter present - Ducky Bubbles, which he absolutely loved!

Steven loves to "rock rock rock" in the chair

Wouldn't look at mom, but is still cute!

This is his "I think I'm so funny" face

Steven figured out how to open the bubbles, and tried and tried to blow them himself

Baby Animal Days!

I have been looking forward to this weekend for a while now, because we got to go out and do something! And, along with that, we got to go to LOGAN! :) I never really liked Logan the first year I lived there, but I fell in love with Cache valley our second year up there, and made some friends who are truly kindred spirits, so it was so wonderful to go up and see a few peoples! Our main venture was Baby Animal Days, but Steven wasn't as interested in animals as I thought he would be. He was more interested in running around outside!

Keeping a safe distance from the baby goats Cole and Steven were NOT fans of the baby cows Checking out the baby bunnies

Steven's most un-favorite part of the day, the pony ride

The beautiful lil' creek/stream

Steven loved just being able to walk around

And running away....

My cute boys...

Sittin' on a bench like a big boy

Checkin' out the goats ( and mom having some photoshop fun)

More cuteness

And of course, seeing my friends was a plus plus plus for me!! Thanks guys for making it a fun outing!

Update...

Just thought I'd let you know when Steven woke up this morning, the bump was completely gone, and the only remains of his play battle wound (12 hours after initial impact) is a small bruise where gimungous bump used to be...Fast healer.

How to make your mommy cry...

Step 1. Fall and hit your head while playing on play equipment

Step 2: Cry, so mommy comes to comfort you

Step 3: (Where the crying part comes in) Look at mom with this sad face, and let her discover the SIZE of the bump on your head. As you can see...Steven got a bump. He cried his usual "I'm hurt" cry, but when I saw the size of the bump, I wanted to cry myself! After two minutes, he of course was ready to hop off my lap and play some more. The bump is coming outward, his eyes are not dilating, and he's acting completely normal, so I've ruled out concussion, but it still makes a mommy sad. This last picture illustrates how quickly this kid heals, as it was taken about an hour and a half after the bonk.

Next NCAA basketball star?

We've had fun participating in March Madness a little bit this year. Sadly neither the Cougs or the Aggies advanced past the first round, but we've still been keeping on our family challenge brackets. To celebrate the NCAA funness, we bought Steven a little basketball and hoop. He's been having a blast with them! His little basketball is his new best friend. The night we brought it home, it took a bath with him, and went to bed with him. When we went to check on him before we went to sleep, he had the ball tucked in his arm. He hasn't been quite that attached to it the last few days, but it still is his favorite, and it goes down for each nap with him. :) So cute!Takin' the ball to Dad to shoot it in the hoop

(Also, note, his new exciting Cars pajamas that we got on Clearance) I love that he knows he is cute!

Just a fun picture...he's growing up so much. Lately when I pull out the camera, he does this SUPER CHEESY face and throws his head back. Hopefully I'll be able to get him to do his normal smiley face again soon!

Catching Up a Little Bit

Last weekend, my brother Kevin came up with his family to go to the Draper Temple Open House. My brother Brian and his family, Sheri, my parents, and of course, our little family joined them for a chilly cold, but marvelous day! It was so neat to be able to take Steven through the temple, and also be able to talk to me neices and nephews about what they thought about the temple. The chandaliers in the Draper temple are incredible! The celestial room chandelier is basically one of the most incredible I've ever seen, and I also loved the big chandelier in the brides room. It was of so neat! (Thanks to my sister, Sheri, for the wonderful pictures).