Dads That We Love

I am pretty confident that I have listed three of the best dads in the world. I love all three of these men with all my heart. They have blessed my life and my children in so many ways. They are strong, stalwart priesthood holders who happily carry out their roles as father. They have children and grandchildren who adore them. Thanks for being wonderful fathers. I love you so much. Happy Father's Day!

"Superdaddy" Jake, who I had no idea he would be such an AMAZING dad. His life revolves around his family, and his family couldn't be happier.

"Super pa-pa" Shaw, who taught me so much and continues to to make all his family smile.

"Super-dee-duper" Grandpa Tim, who raised the man I love and watches over my girls from above.

The Proud Graduate

As a proud parent, I'd like to introduce Gracie, the newest preschool graduate. Her little class was so cute as they presented their program for the parents. We will miss her great teacher and friends from school....but look forward to Kindergarten! (yikes...she's getting old)

Graduate Gracie

Miss Brooke and Gracie

All the preschoolers showing off some songs

Sophie, finally getting to go to school with Gracie.

We celebrated after with friends with a root beer float party...so fun!

Down South

We had a great time in St. George last week! I have the best husband and kids in the world! We loved being together all day and all week...we didn't want to come home. Also, a BIG thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Naylor for letting use the condo...we love it!

Swimming was definitely the preferred activity.

O.K....so do you think she is going to float?

Ahhh...warmth.

Cute choo-choo train.

All prepared for a rip-roarin' bike ride behind dad.

I had a hard time keeping up with these guys!

Our family visiting the temple grounds. They were gorgeous. It was so pleasant that evening!

Taking in the full aroma.

Cute girls playing in the grass.

5 really great things...

Here are 5 really great things that have happened since I last blogged. (in no particular order)

#1 Gracie's Ballet Recital

After eight months of practice, we finally got to see Gracie dance in stage in her first ever ballet recital. She did a great job.

Performing to "Cinderella". Of course, she's the tallest one in the class.

Posing after the performance. Do you think she was tired of smiling yet?

Watching Sophie was also a show in itself. She was completely glued to every performance. She still talks about her favorite ones.

#2: Beating Jake at Scrabble for the FIRST TIME in our married life!

It came down to the wire, which it made the victory even sweeter!

Good game, Jake.

#3: Gracie got Sophie to go poo-poo in the potty.

Our little potty-trainer and potty-trainee united every night for a few days without much direction from Jake and I to practice sitting on the big potty. One night, Jake and I were sitting in the living room when we heard 'sounds' coming from the bathroom. Then we heard Gracie say, "Sophie, let me check and see. Good job Sophie! You get a treat!" It was quite exciting for all! (note: this experience does not translate into Sophie actually being potty trained....that will come at a later date...hopefully)

#4: Our last snow drift melted. Enough said!

#5: Going to the 'Baby Animal Days' event

We had SO much fun going to this event for the second year in a row. It is worth the drive if any friends or family want to join us next year! Here's a few of the MANY photos I took:

When asked on the ride home what their favorite thing was, riding the horsies was their favorite. Sophie cried when she had to leave her horse, Chocolate.

Sophie, moments before she spontaneously dropped the turtle. She was holding so still.

Chillin' with the baby calf.

Gracie holding the baby bunny. I couldn't believe how calm all the animals were, considering they had been passed around for three days by kids!

Is Sophie feeding her bunny taffy? I didn't catch that until after I downloaded the pics.

Gracie won the Grand Prize at the treasure hunt booth when she picked the golden ping-pong ball. But she didn't really want the skateboard that they were offering her, so she opted for some Lincoln Logs that they had instead. She clung to these like they were her pride and joy. She loved talking about it when people asked her how she got them. Good job, Gracie!

I love this picture. It makes me wonder who is looking at who?

Easter

We had a quiet but nice Easter this year. Gracie was very interested in the eater bunny. How does he get inside? How did he know what size shoe I wear? Why is there a price tag in my shoe? Each time she asked a question, she would come up with her own fanciful idea of how the Easter bunny was so amazing. Sophie really liked the candy. We let her take some the church, and she asked Jake and I about 10 times is she could have some of the candy she was holding before each bite she took. We kept on saying yes over and over. She loved relishing in the permission, I guess.

Playing Easter Bunnies

Showing off their new ballet shoes from the Easter Bunny. My girls are obsessed with ballet. The pink, the dancing, the costumes....they love it all.

The traditional Easter Sunday picture.

Jake and the BIG 3-0

Last week we celebrated Jake's 30th birthday. I felt like we should do something momentous for the occasion, so the girls and I planned a surprise birthday party with some friends from the ward. But it was really hard to surprise him with people coming one at a time, so the girls and I decorated and set up the food early, then hid and yelled surprise when he got home from work (an hour before the party). He got the effect, right? Jake has always struggled with people thinking he is younger than he is, but I have kept on telling him that it would pay off someday. Well, now I think I have the fittest and youngest looking 30-year old husband in the world. Happy Birthday, Jake. We love you!

A scene from the wild and crazy party.

Gracie and Sophie, celebrating at the kid table like it was their own birthday.

Happy Birthday to Sophia!

Oh, my little Sophie. I can't believe she is 2! We have been talking birthday plans for months, and it is finally here. She has informed us that she wants a real doggy for her birthday (considering the fact that she's terrified of dogs, I'd say this is a step in the right direction). She has also planned her birthday menu of chicken, rice, and broccoli. She says it's her favorite. Who knew? She also prefers everything to be pink and yellow....again, her favorite. I love how she has opinions now. I guess that's all part of being 2, right?

Well, since Grandma Garlock and Grandma and Grandpa Shaw were going to be in town the week before her birthday, we pretended that it was Sophie's birthday last Saturday. Her real birthday is on the 14th, but we had a great early birthday celebration. Sophie was so cute. She loved all the attention on her. Thanks to the Grandparents for traveling up/down for the event. Our girls are the luckiest grandkids ever! Here's some pictures from the event...

The little princess all dolled up in her new birthday outfit. She loves dresses and shoes. Such a girl!

Gracie and Sophie with Grammie Garlock. We LOVED having her stay the week with us. We miss you!!

Snuggling with Grandma and Grandpa Shaw. So cute!

Sophie likes to randomly "oink" throughout the day, so it was fitting that she wanted a pig cake. I don't think I'd win any major Food Network awards, but at least she knew it was a pig. Oink.

Sophie's Extreme Makeover...Bedroom Edition

Sophie's bedroom was finally changed from boy to girl! It's long overdue...she's slept with blue and red walls for the past six months. Now, as Jake's brother David appropriately named it, Sophie has a 'neapolatin' room. Yummy. (sorry-no wall decor yet)