Daddys and Their Daughters

I have an awesome dad. I have so many good memories from growing up that have him in it. I owe so much to him. A large part of the reason I have any good in me is because of him. He has always been and will always be there for me. He is a good, righteous man and I have so much respect for him. I love my dad so much for all he has done for me. Daughters have a very special place in their hearts for their daddy. The relationship is so important. I have an awesome husband. My awesome husband is an awesome daddy. Our girls love him so much. You should see the way they look at him. He loves our girls so much. You should see the way he looks at them. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. He is such a fun daddy. He makes me a better mom. How lucky I am that my husband is so amazing to my sweet daughters. I take great comfort in knowing they will grow up knowing that he loves them. They will grow up well guided and know without a doubt that their daddy would do anything for them. They will have the same blessing I did growing up: a righteous priesthood holding father that loves them and loves the Lord. Thank you both for loving your daughters.

I can't believe my little Brooklyn is one all ready! Remember when you were little and the days seemed to drag on and on...? Now time flies and I find myself feeling panicked and trying desperately to hold on to the sweet memories created every day, that will soon fade and become nothing but a period of time in my life long gone. So, time has been marching on and Brooke turned 1 on January 13th. She still isn't walking, (or standing, really) but her vocabulary is growing every day. She is so fun and keeps us laughing every day. One of Brookie's favorite things is to play with her baby dolls. She gives them so many loves...hugs, kisses, and then passes it to the nearest person so they can give the baby loves, too. It makes her so happy to see us lovin on her baby dolls! Brooke is a very happy baby and she loves her family...while she is a momma's girl right now, she has so much fun with her awesome daddy and has a special soft spot for him. She loves and adores her big sis and wants to be just like her. They play so well together and love to laugh together. We had Brooke's birthday party on Saturday afternoon. She wore the same lady bug dress that Kate wore on her 1st birthday.

Grandma Chelle and Pop gave Brooklyn a pillow pet, which was perfect because she LOVES soft, cuddly things. Anything she comes across that seems cuddly, she immediately snuggles right up to and says "aahh". It's so cute! Grandma and Grandpa also got her a baby doll that coos and sucks on her bottle...Brookie loves her!

I put a few balloons and streamers on the ceiling fan to decorate for the party. Brooklyn was so impressed with them, and every couple minutes would look up to make sure they were still there!



Brooke also got a very cute baby doll and hair bow from Aunt Becky and a fun pan set that rattles and has a mirror and other fun stuff from Nana. Thanks so much you guys! She loves all her gifts, as you can see in these pictures...she was so excited! Mom and dad got her a tickle-me-Ernie that she thinks is hilarious!

I made a tres leche cake and gave Brookie a piece to dig in to. She wasn't sure about the whole thing at first, but once she got going she loved it! She ate almost the whole thing! And then some green beans. And some pasta. Ahem. Happy Birthday, Goo! I love you so much and can't imagine our lives or family without you. You are such a blessing and a happy little spirit in our home. We are so lucky to have you!

Catching you up

I just learned how to put videos on my blog, so I guess I need to catch you all up on all the adorable videos we have of our wonderful girls! This first one is Katelyn's first dance recital from earlier this year. The class was mostly 3 year olds (Kate was the youngest one). You can tell it was their first time on stage. OH MY GOSH, it's hilarious. Some of them just stand there, one girl actually danced, and one girl starts to get naked. Us parents were all so proud. More to come!

Christmas (the abridged version)

We went to the Homer family Christmas party on Christmas Eve at my mom's church. We ate yummy food (including two of my favorite desserts: Maxine brownies and Grandma Homer's home made chocolate chip raisin cookies. Everyone knows not to leave me alone in a room with them!) Then the kids opened gifts.

Kate got an awesome Barbie with huge sparkly butterfly wings. We both love it.


Brookie loved her gifts, but loved chasing after my cousin's baby June even more. She kept giving her hugs. She is so sweet.


Katelyn was so fun Christmas morning. Brookie sleeps later than Kate does, so she got her own special time to open gifts. Katelyn loves singing to the Christmas tree. She makes up her own songs that are so cute and fun.


The girls got a Cinderella table that has two chairs. Brooklyn was so proud that she was sitting in a big girl chair next to sister! I wasn't completely happy with this picture, so I tried to take another one...


Uh-huh. I snapped the picture right as Brooklyn fell off the chair. I think this picture is hilarious. She's tough. She was upset for just a minute and then she wanted back up - that's my girl!


We had the Adams family Christmas party the day after Christmas this year. I got to hang out with my adorable newest nephew Matthew. He is so sweet! I'm all ready his favorite auntie...I can tell.

Jordan's here!

Jo and my girls...so cute!



Me and my "little" brother


Erin and Eric at the airport...they are so awesome!


All the kids waiting for Uncle Jo!

Are you guilty?

To all of you who bring your sick kids out and about, especially to special occasions and family gatherings: STOP THE FREAKING MADNESS! I promise that it will not hurt you to stay home with your sick kid and miss out on whatever it is the rest of us are doing! It does hurt my kids to get sick because you were too selfish and thoughtless to keep your germs at home. It does hurt when my husband gets sick and has to choose between working sick out in freezing temperatures, or cutting a chunk out of our only source of income to stay home and get better! Do I seriously have to start calling everyone before get togethers to ask, "Does anyone have a fever? Has anyone thrown up? Do you suspect that anyone in your family is getting sick? Has anyone been exposed to lice?" Now, I am a reasonable person. If your kid has no symptoms the night of a family gathering and then wakes up the next day puking their guts out, there's nothing you can do about that. You can't prevent ever taking germs around anyone if you don't know they're getting sick. However, if your kid has a fever, a runny nose (with the exception of allergies and teething), or a horrible hacking cough, KEEP THEM HOME! WE DON'T WANT THEIR GERMS, I DON'T WANT MY KIDS, MY HUSBAND, OR MYSELF TO GET SICK!!! For those of you who make the sacrifice and are considerate of others by keeping the nastiness to yourself: Thank you! I will continue to do the same, even if others choose not to offer the same respect.

Katelyn's 1st Haircut!!!

Katelyn had her first haircut yesterday at a salon in Layton. Jordan's beautiful friend Melissa did it for me...she does such a good job and is so sweet. And Katelyn loves her! I spent the day before the hair cut building it up...how cool the salon is, how fancy she would be in her own princess hair cutting chair and cape. By the time we got there, she was rearin' to go!

A couple before pictures:

When Katelyn first started getting hair, it kind of grew in the back/bottom first and the top eventually caught on. It was kind of mullet-ish when she was little, but as it grew out, it just looked layered!


As soon as Melissa started cutting, Katelyn got very still and serious. She wasn't upset, just concentrating REALLY hard.


I caught her yawning half way through


What a sweet face. Melissa washed Katelyn's hair after it was cut, which I was nervous for cause lately she freaks out when I wash her hair in the tub. She was perfectly fine for Melissa though. huh.


Another really intense concentration face.


Brookie was very good for the whole thing.


The finished product! Melissa asked Katelyn if she wanted her hair straight or curly. Of course she chose curly. This is Katelyn we're talking about. She spent the rest of the day telling everyone that would listen about her hair cut at the salon by Uncle Jo's friend Melissa.



Katelyn is such a beautiful girl and so much fun! I can't wait to do more fun girly things with her and Brookie as they get older.