Happines Is...

... a new bike! Since we have moved into our new neighborhood Katie and Nate have loved riding their bikes all over the place. Even though they have clearly outgrown them. Doug and I have talked about getting the kids new bikes for the longest time. We finally stopped talking about how they needed them and just did it. Nathan looked like he was riding a mini clown bike. It was so funny watching him ride. Now we really can't get them off of the bikes. They were even going out before school to ride, I have never seen two kids get ready for school so quickly! Here are the before and afters.

I love weddings

Last Thursday I was at Wingers with my mother and sisters for lunch. My mom told us that my uncle had decided to get married on Saturday. I wondered if they might ask me to do the cake. Not twenty minutes later my cell rang, "Do you still have all of your cake stuff?" (I did cakes for a couple of years when we were living in Firth.) Spur of the moment wedding cake - so fun!? I couldn't refuse though. I love weddings and cakes and the whole bit. I would love to be a wedding planner! My only guidance was that yellow and pink were the colors. So here's what I came up with and the happy couple enjoying it. Congratulations James and Heather!

Hooo's There?

Yesterday at 4:00 am I was up feeding Brinley when I heard some squeeking and scratching by my front door. Freaked me out! There was no way I was opening that door to see. I turned on the outside lights and couldn't see anything through the door window and after a few minutes it stopped so I went back to bed. In the morning I cautiously opened the front door and this is what I saw.

I hurried to wake Doug up and tell him there was an owl on our front step. He looked at me like I was crazy, but sure enough there it was. The kids thought it was totally cool. Doug looked it up online and found out it was a barn owl and the kids liked learning about it. Our guest didn't stay too long though, he flew away about 11:00.

Weak in the knees

I am dying to go see these guys! Again. I admit it, I am a big NKOTB fan. Have been since I was 12. I went to their concert in SLC last November with my mom and sisters. Hailey and I did the meet and greet and had front row seats. (I even got a kiss from Donnie!) It was SO GOOD! We had a blast. I really want to go again. My husband said if I can find the money I can go. We can live on hot dogs and mac 'n cheese for a while, right? ;)

"Katie Girl"

Katrina turned 9 on Mother's Day. And with Brinley only two weeks old, I feel like she got the bum end of the deal. Normally I make invitations, decorations, and cake to match. It just didn't happen this year. I made some very simple invites and got a cake from Broulims. It was a Hannah Montana cake and she did love it. I don't know what I would do without my "Katie Lady". She is not only a huge help to me but is my best bud. We help each other pick out our outfits, we love to shop together, and we love to listen to music, sing and dance. We just love to be together. She loves to write - stories, poems, songs. They're all so cute! It's probably not fair that a mom depend so much on her daughter. I can't get out the door without her help. And she amazes me at the things she can do. I don't give her enough credit for the kitchen skills she has or for how good she is with Brinley. And it seems to come naturally to her. I still want her to be little and she is growing up so fast! We're starting to butt heads more as she tries to grow and I try to hold her back. But neither of us can stay upset at the other for very long. Have 9 years really gone so fast? A couple of months ago Doug mentioned that as she turns 9 her time living in our home will be half over. Just stab a mother in the heart why don't you! I don't even want to think about it. Her smile brightens my day and her hugs warm my heart. I love you, Katie girl!

Dancing Queen

I'm trying to get caught up, sorry I'm so far behind. Katie had her dance recital on May 16. She has always enjoyed dance and I love watching her. I think I must be the biggest sap ever because I get teary every time she perfoms. Basketball game, competition, recital doesn't matter, I need a tissue at them all. She's just so cute! This year she loved the lit up mirrors in the dressing room. She felt like a super star, and I'm her biggest fan!

Brinley Grace Barrie

Brinley's blessing day was so nice. I love having all the family together and when I get to throw the party, all the better! Her blessing was beautiful and of course I was in tears during the opening hymn, so I was a mess by blessing time. Oh well. Doug and I had a hard time picking her middle name. There was never anything we loved. I liked Grace and he liked Ann, which is his mom's middle name - I didn't want to use a family name. I know, not very nice of me. So we flipped a coin and I won. But during the blessing he was sure to pause nice and long before her middle name. He can be such a stinker. I wondered if he was going to change it but he didn't. Brinley is such a sweet heart. We all love to be around her. I still love to just sit and hold her, which is good because she isn't growing out of her "hold me" attitude. Here's our little angel.

Then everyone came over for lunch. I made Hawaiian Haystacks. My favorite! For dessert we had an angel food cake roll with a strawberry filling and a chocolate creme cake roll. It was so good. My little decorations turned out cute and I hope someday Brinley appreciates it. If not, I sure had fun putting it all together! And after everyone finally left I took a two hour nap!