Girly-Girly

Friday morning while we were getting ready for work, Adi asked me to help her put on my chandelier earrings.

When I told her she couldn't she asked why. I said that I had pierced ears--that I had a little hole in my ear--to which she responded, "can I have pierced ears?"

Cue panic.

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When I had my ears pierced when I was five, they were constantly infected. I have pictures from kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade with obvious, very bad infections.

It took a while, but we slowly learned I was extremely allergic to metals other than 14k gold and sterling silver.

They got so bad that I let them grow together and had them re-pierced at twelve.

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The next part of the conversation went something like this...

Me: Adi, it hurts.

Adi: That's okay.

Me: Are you sure?

Adi: Yes, I want pierced ears!

Me: (Thinking... okay. I can do this? But wait, should we wait until she's five? Or maybe eight? What if she doesn't want the second one pierced? Or what if she backs out? Or what if she freaks out? Or what if I freak out? Or what if they get infected? What if they get infected like mine??) Okay... if you really want to.

Adi: I want to!

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So after work we headed to Claire's. Adi wanted little pearls like mine, but alas they only had little stones. Can you guess which color she chose?

It took a little while to get through the paper work and the legal stuff (I was a little concerned, then I realized if I were Claire's I wouldn't want to get sued if someone's (or everyone's) ears got infected.

She asked if wanted them pierced separately and I immediately jumped at a no response. Together. Quick. Easy. Same time. Yes.

We prepped Adi and I kept asking if she was sure and she said she was.

So, the got the guns ready to go We told her how very important it was for her to remember that she couldn't touch her ears, so I helped by holding her little hands.

Then it was go time.

Ready, set, pierce!

The look on Adrielle's face was soooo sad. She was looking me straight in the eyes with a sequence of happy, then quizzical, doubtful, fearful, culminating in slight hysteria with huge crocodile tears.

I was traumatized. So was she. She got over it. I still feel bad. Ryan wasn't phased. His response was along the lines of an objective, "we told her it would hurt." (I guess you would have to have had your ears pierced to know... Ryan? ;)

When all was said and done they gave her a yummy sucker and she wiped away her tears when she saw her pretty ears in the mirror. (I was a little worried by how red they were, but that quickly faded.)

She has been showing them off ever since. 

She is our little girly-girl. 

We love her. 

And her little pierced ears. 

Vintage Fun!

A few weeks ago we drove to West Valley City one Friday evening to go to the Drive-in Movie at the Redwood Drive-in!

It was soooo awesome!

It reminded me of when I was a kid, except this theater had six screens! 

We ran into some of Ryan's Red Cross buddies, who happened to have driven a vintage car to the theater to make the experience more authentic. LOVED it. 

We saw The Incredible Spider Man and we loved it--although I'm not so keen on Adi staying up that late, watching the whole movie (we thought she would have fallen asleep). 

Here are some pictures from the super fun evening! 

Boating

We went to the cabin last weekend to spend some time with Ryan's family. We always look forward to boating in the summer, and this trip was no exception! 

But... this year it was a little colder than past Julys. We took jackets and blankets, and had fun all the same! (Adi wasn't really a fan, but I can't blame her.) Mark even taught me how to drive the boat--something I'll definitely continue learning for the next few years. 

We love the cabin!

Lovin' Us Some Summer Time

In April we saw a deal for the Utah Pass of all Passes, 10 bucks! We couldn't pass it up, so we bought one for each of us.

Adi's definitely used hers more than Ryan and I, but we're managing to make it more and more!

This afternoon Adi and I went with my brother and sister-in-law, Austin and Bri.

So. Much. Fun.

Adi and I missed Ryan, A LOT, but he's doing good with the Red Cross because of all of the fires in the area. We're proud of you Ryan.

Here are a few shots of some of the down time:

Dippin' Dots with my best buddy!

All of us (check out my crazy hair)!

Austin and Bri with Adi

Exhausted. 

All Grown Up

When I moved to Virginia in high school, I babysat. And I babysat a lot. 

One of the families I babysat for were Mark and Kory and their three, then four, then five darling kids. I babysat for them all the time and even ventured on a few outings with them. Favorite was definitely the trip to Rehobath Beach (I've got to find those pictures and scan them!). 

Well, last week I got an e-mail from Kory. Madison, the oldest was in Utah for EFY and wanted to see me! 

Whoah! Madison. Old enough for EFY? 

Adrielle and I drove to BYU on Saturday morning bright and early to pick her up and sure enough, she's all grown up and four inches taller than me! (Life really is unfair.)

We had fun driving around campus to take pictures and had delicious Kneader's french toast. Adi warmed right up to her, and Madison was so good with her--one of the most naturally nurturing people I've ever met. So darling. Adi almost cried when we dropped her off at the airport!

We love Miss Madison and can't wait to see her again! 

Thanks Kory for letting me know she was in town. I love you guys!

June 2012 - Madison, Adrielle, and I at BYU 

June 2012 - Madison, Adrielle, and I at BYU 

Weekend in Pictures

Friday, we used our Pass of All Passes and went to Seven Peaks for the first time as a family. 

Adi has been several times without us, including the time of these pictures when she was actually at Seven Peaks with an aunt and uncle.

Saturday, photo booth at  Brave.

Sunday breakfast of banana walnut pancakes and buttermilk syrup.

MIA.

I know. I know. It's almost been three weeks since I last posted. That is honestly unheard of, I blame it partly on my new found obsession with Lie to Me but also on our busy, crazy lives, and well, a funk.

But, I'm back! And updating, so...

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind!

Most important, Ryan and I celebrated four years of marriage! And this year for our try-to-get-a-picture-on-our-anniversary picture we snapped a picture in front of our new home (although you mostly get a lot of us).

(Circling the above picture... ) We also got a few painting projects done including our pistachio-green exercise room and our bright-red kitchen accent wall.

Adi had fun driving her convertible and gave us reason to laugh at her impromptu fountain splashing!

Over memorial day, we visited East Lawn where my mother's parents are buried and the Orem City Cemetery where my cousin Sheri is buried.

Adi had a great cabin weekend and officially wore her pink, power-ranger-esque helmet with Uncle Adam, I got a haircut at the BYU Salon (Gasp! I know, I was a little worried, but she did a great job and get this--one of the barbers has been there since 1965!), Adi had fun in an ottoman at TJ Maxx, we made homemade Buckwheat Blueberry pancakes...

And last, but definitely not least, we visited Grandpa Great one weekend where Adi was spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.

Life is good.

Spoiled.

I am so incredibly spoiled.

Yesterday was my third celebration of Mother's Day as a mother (How is that even possible?!). It was filled with family and it was simply perfect.

My Mother's Day 2012 started with a surprise bouquet of beautiful red roses and a yummy cinnamon roll and crepe breakfast--Ryan is truly the sweetest and most thoughtful husband, he is (even four years later) practically perfect in every way.

Followed by a yummy mint truffle chocolate bar from Adi.

It then took an interesting and long-awaited turn...

When Adi was born I was waiting for the "impact". The "my-life-is-complete-because-I'm-a-mother" moment. Some people talk about it. Some people dream about it. I never felt it. Until yesterday.

After breakfast I turned on Music and the Spoken Word, and it was about mothers (I had had a momentary lack of memory) because it was Mother's Day. I think I caught a few words as it lingered in the background, but sometime during that 30 minutes, I realized, oh my goodness, I am a mother.

I am so blessed to be Adrielle's mother and that Heavenly Father felt confident in me to help raise this special little girl. She is charming, sweet, full of life, and thoroughly precocious.

 

(This smile was for a picture text to my bestie, Adriel.)

She is my little girl, and one of my best buddies. I am so very grateful for her in our little family. 

That was definitely the highlight of my mother's day, but it was fun to be even more spoiled than that with a few material gifts as well...

A fun and totally random elephant necklace from J Crew! 

Pedicures with my momma! 

A new TV!

And last but definitely not least, a new house!

We got to see Ryan's mom as she drove home from the Cabin and had a lovely dinner with my family. It was such a wonderful day. 

I don't think that this Mother's Day will ever be forgotten or surpassed in simple perfection. Thank you to my sweetheart, darling little girl, and families for making it so wonderful. I love you!

A little bit of this, a little bit of that.

Life around these parts is bu-sy and looks a lot like this... 

And this... 

But, that doesn't mean we're not having some fun. (:

For example, Friday, we stopped by the Sweet Tooth Fairy for some delicious cake bites... 

Saturday, my older brother, Chris, and I stopped by a place called Jim's for breakfast. Chris loved his Belgian waffle...

It's an art you know. 

The final product. 

We helped with HarvestMarket... 

And "helped" Grandpa with the desk project. Sadly, the sandpaper cost more than the desk itself. C'est la vie.

"I helping."

"I cleaning."

All-in-all, great weekend.

Now, if we could just buy a house... 

Visitors from Singapore!

Last month we had the incredible pleasure to be graced the presence of Katie and Baby Jonathan.

We had breakfast at Kneaders in Bountiful, it was so. much. fun.

And Adi made a new friend. And stole Jonathan's first kiss...

Katie is such a good mom and a great example. I look up to her so much, especially after all that she's been through in the past six months.

Oh how I wished we all lived closer! Ryan and I both enjoy Katie and Fabio's company, that's not super common... more couple friends would so nice.

So, where's the midpoint between here and Singapore?

Lovin' on Baby Jonathan 

Cute baby friends! 

(Please ignore my awful hair, it's definitely time for a change!)

"Wake up baby!?"

"Baby! Why are you sleeping!?"

"Cheese!"

Love Katie!

Cutest mom. Ever. 

Hopped Up on Sugar for a Good Reason

A week ago Sunday, was Grandpa Great's 85th birthday, so as a tribute to him, my amazing mother-in-law helped put together a fantastic surprise party! 

It was so fun to get together with family and see pictures from Grandpa's life! 

Naturally, there were delicious sweets and both Adi and I were hopped up on sugar! You know your little girl is growing up when she can not only see things on a table, but grab them. (: And naturally, Adi wanted to share with her favorite person: Grandpa Great!

We love you grandpa and are so grateful for you and your amazing example. 

Pictures courtesy of Ryan's aunt Julie