Hooray for Sisters

I love having two girls that get a long very well. It is very sweet to watch them play and laugh together. Thankfully Brooklyn is a very patient older sibling and allows Camden to jump on her. I hope my daughters can be just as close to one another as I am to my sisters.

The Great!

This past week I was fortunate enough to attend our Stakes Girls Camp. It is such a blessing to have a husband support me in my calling. Brandon took on both roles as a parent this past week. He would wake up and get the girls ready to go over to a friends home for the day while Brandon went to work. Then pick them up for dinner, time with daddy, and then bedtime. I had no worries that my family was okay. I missed them a whole lot. I had fun however was so very excited to get home to them.

The Sure Source of Knowledge

I picked up the girls from our friends house. We could not find Brooklyn's drink cup and on the way home she began to complain about being thirsty. Soon complaining turned to whining. I told Brooklyn she needed to find her own solution. After a moment of silence, I asked, "What is your plan?" "I can drink that," pointing to the Febreeze fabric freshener spray bottle in the car. "That will not taste good." Brooklyn retorted, "I don't think you're right, Daddy." "I think I am," I assured her. Brooklyn's inquiry persisted. "Why? Did you look it up online?"

Sneaky Dad

Tassi is helping out at a girls youth camp this week. That means I have Brooklyn and Camden to myself. (With the generous help of friends during working hours.)

One of Tassi's greatest attributes is that she thinks ahead. So, in this case, she left behind some simple gifts for our girls. One to be delivered each day.

The first night was glow sticks. The girls **loved** them. And fell asleep with them. I gathered them up and put them on the nightstand.

The next morning I woke to a shrieking four-year-old. Brooklyn was upset that her glow stick disappeared in the night. She was confused how it could happen. When I explained what I had done she asked, "So, did you tiptoe into our room while we were asleep?" "Yes," I responded. "How did you get around this that squeaks?" pointing to a spot known in our family for significant squeaking in her second floor bedroom. I then demonstrated how I walked around the rocking chair, straddled her bed, obtained the glow stick, straddled her sister's bed, obtained the second glow stick and then exited the room without making the floor squeak.

To that display of masculine elegance Brooklyn replied in a serious dead-pan tone, "Dad, please don't be so sneaky in my room."

Poor Lost Little Girl

Nice girl: Are you okay? Are you lost?
Poor Lost Little Girl: sniffle sniffle
Nice girl: Do you know where your mom or dad are?



Poor Lost Little Girl: sniffle, sniffle. (With a look of disgust says.) She is right over there.
Nice girl: (Confused expression and proceeds towards me.) Your daughter seems really sad.
Insensitive Mom With Camera: No she is not sad she is mad.
Nice girl: Well, I think she has been crying.
Insensitive Mom With Camera: Yep she is crying. She is just throwing a tantrum. Thanks for checking on her.


Disney World was great even the tantrums. We all survived and no one got lost. I will post more photos later.

Dance Breaking

Brooklyn has started to do more free-form dancing. I call it Dance Breaking. The following was from our very recent trip to Disney World.

New glasses, part 2

My sisters asked for a picture in the comments of a previous post. Taken from our hotel room at Walt Disney World. Note Tassi tending to Camden on the floor.

No rest for the weary

Tassi and I went on a date this last weekend and a friend from Church babysat for us for the first time. We told her that Brooklyn knows the bedtime routine. Upon consulting Brooklyn, she came away a bit skeptical of the Smith's nightly activities.

She fully believed Brooklyn's claim to teeth-brushing and prayers. Even nighttime kisses and hugs accompanied with a very specific blanket layering procedure was plausible (although she suggested to Brooklyn that it was not appropriate to get kisses and hugs from her that evening).

Nevertheless, our babysitter did not buy into Brooklyn's assertion that she "clean the house because that's what mommies and daddies do after children go to bed."

Who's that guy?

Today my new eyeglasses arrived in the mail. They are somewhat different. More bold. Plastic frames. Coincidentally, a haircut was due and it being a vacation day, I performed the errand. In the meantime Camden was taking her afternoon nap. When I got home, I could hear Camden moving around in her room, so I opened her door and she was playing behind a chair. Hearing me come into the room, she ran to me but then quickly did a double take and ran away with a frightened look. Camden cannot talk, but I know what thought went through her head... "Who's that guy?"

Stumbling upon truth

Brooklyn (4) was mad at Tassi. "Brooklyn, don't be mad at Mom. She gave birth to you." A puzzled look came over Brooklyn's face and then looked up and asked, "Dad, did Heavenly Father create all of us?" "In a way, yes." "Then why didn't he just create the parents and let the parents create all the children?" Indeed, He did.

Playing Vacation

Tassi and I need to rethink our vacation budgets. Possibly shelling out a little extra money to get larger hotel rooms. At a minimum, our girls need better sleeping arrangements with a comfortable bed.

Today, while helping Brooklyn clean up her room, I noticed that between her and Camden's twin beds was several blankets stacked on each other and a pillow at the head of the makeshift bed. When I asked why her bed things were on the ground arranged between the beds like that, Brooklyn replied, "Oh, we were playing vacation."

Sensitivity

Some time ago, Brooklyn watched Cast Away with us. If I remember correctly, she was just beginning to talk. So we think that she really was into the film because there is minimal dialogue; the plot if primarily driven by events that unfold on the screen. When Wilson, the ball, floated away, Brooklyn broke down crying.

Today we watched the film again. Initially she did not want to watch. But every time I asked if she wanted me to change the channel, she said that she wants to know what happens. I told her she has seen it before. When Tom Hanks' character begins to befriend Wilson the ball, Brooklyn began to ask a lot of questions. For instance, she wanted to know whether the man knew that the ball is not really a person. Also commenting that the man talks to Wilson like she talks to toys.

Thus, I began to wonder if when Wilson floats away would affect Brooklyn, now almost 5, like it did previously. When the scene came, she was laying on the couch with her head on my lap. The moment passed and, thinking that she made it through without tear, I told her that when she saw this movie before she had cried during that part. Brooklyn turned to look at me and laughed. And I kind of chuckled too.

And then she looked back at me, with a quivering lower lip, and asked why he is not going to get Wilson, why he would not just leave the raft and get his friend. She then stood up and asked her Mom for a hug.

More sleeping

I am sure every mom feels the same way about their sleeping kids as I do. Yes it is nice to have them quiet in one spot not terrorizing the whole entire house. However there is nothing sweeter to see your cute little one completely crashed out. In fact they are so sweet looking sometimes it makes me almost want to wake them up just so I can eat up their adorable cheeks.

Brooklyn's Thoughts About Her Mother

My mom's name is Tassi.
She is pretty as a princess.
She is 16 years old.
She likes to eat all fruits.
When my mom was a little girl she played games.
I can tell when my mom is happy because she plays with me.
My mom is really good at playing games.
I like for my mom to take me shopping.

I love these surveys. It is always fun to hear what your child thinks of you. Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.

You Are My Sunshine!!!!!!

Brooklyn has learned the song "You are my Sunshine" in preschool. She will walk around singing very very loud. I decided to document her beautiful singing voice or maybe yelling voice.

My Restless Sleeper

Within this past month Camden has graduated from her crib to a big girl bed. She was doing quite well until she realized that there were not the same restrictions. We now have found her like this on two separate nights. There will also be a plethora of toys out in the morning or during her nap time.

Most Recent Photoshoot

Here are just a few pics from a photo shoot last week. These two were sweeties. It was a lot of fun and a bit challenging. They love the sun so anytime they could catch a glimpse of light they would completely turn their heads toward the sun. Their mom was so wonderful with them. We did a lot of touching of different textures. I hope you enjoy.

I was happy I was able to get the girl to smile. Her mom said they have been working on her smile.

He was so proud for climbing up in the tree.

Impromptu Beach Trip!

Last Saturday was expected to reach 91 degrees where we live. We decided there could be no better way to spend that 91 degrees than at the beach. We had a blast and were very tired by the time we returned home.

The girls stayed in the tide pools for a good part of the time.

Camden was in heaven. The moment she saw the water she started the laughing and squeals. I don't think it ever stopped until she fell asleep in the car.

She would run back and forth having a difficult time deciding between the tide pools and the actual ocean waves.

Brooklyn loved the beach just as much. She took her sand building very seriously. She even made herself a reclining chair in the sand.

Brooklyn's idea of a great pose.

Brandon and the sun don't get along very well. This tent was a very nice place for him to chill. He was also the food distributor for those of us with sandy hands.

We are up for more trips to the beach this summer if anyone is interested. However I think we do better with a beach trip we have prepared for.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter Sunday. We had a wonderful day. Brooklyn loves the Easter story. Her favorite part is when Jesus appears to Mary. We decided to put an Easter book together of our pictures we drew of the story. I think Brooklyn may have enjoyed doing this more than looking for eggs. It also did not cause her stomach to hurt as the candy would have done. It also saved me from eating all the leftover Easter candy. I think this Easter book will be a tradition we will definitely be starting.

The girls looked very cute in their matching Easter dresses.

Twilight Before Christmas

I laughed. More than I should.

Brooklyn's Special Day

I had the opportunity to attend Brooklyn's preschool class. Since her birthday is in the Summer they allowed her to have a day to bring a treat. I was able to hang out all day. Preschool kids say the funniest things. The kids were really entertaining.

Brooklyn and her friend Miles.

The class with just one child missing.

Brooklyn and her good deed

Brooklyn: Mom, can I make a card for one of our neighbors.
Me: Sure.
Brooklyn: (moments later) Mom, how do I give it to them.
Me: Which neighbors are you taking it to?
Brooklyn: (Points in the direction of their house.)
Me: You can ring their doorbell or drop it off on their doorstep.
Brooklyn: Well, how do I take it over with no shoes on?
Me: Go put shoes on. (Thinking she would get her shoes and ask me for help.)
I then wait a few moments with no return from Brooklyn. I walk out to the front room and notice she is not in the house. I look outside and she is already at the neighbors handing them the card. She was over there for a few minutes. I then watch her walk back with a bowl of cookies and trying to keep herself from eating the cookies before she came inside.

I was so proud of her for wanting to do something nice for someone. She really can be a sweetie.




Just a side note. We are the only house in our circle with kids. We stand out a lot to the other neighbors.

Incredible

Brandon showed this video to me last night. It brought me to tears. It is from Britains Got Talent. Watch this video it will completely amaze you.

Maria Saves The Day

I got this video from my sister in law's blog. I love it. I promise it will put you in a better mood. Have fun viewing.

Hooray for Spring

I have developed a love for Spring ever since we lived through cold Pittsburgh winters. My favorite is watching our trees sprout new leaves.

Tagged by Tatum

5 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. Pregnant with Brooklyn
2. Student teaching
3. Graduating from Arizona State
4. Planning for our big move to Pittsburgh
5. Laurel Advisor in our ward

5 Things on my to do list today:

1. Sleep
2. Don't throw up
3. Put away my laundry
4. Keep the girls alive
5. Keep our home happy for when Brandon arrives home

5 Things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Pay tithing
2. Pay off debt
3. Put some away
4. Pay for repairs
5. help out others

5 Places I have lived: I have lived in only four places. I am okay staying put for now.
1. Mesa,AZ
2. Pittsburgh, PA
3. Seattle, WA
4. Cary, NC

5 Jobs I have held:
1. Pomeroy's missionary store receptionist
2. After School Sports on site Director
3. Summer Camp advisor
4. Receptionist and Dispatcher for Collins Comfort Masters
5. Wife and Mom

5 things I want to be doing in 5 Years:
1. Have a happy healthy family
2. Have beautiful gardens
3. Find more ways of getting more family members to move out this way
4. Stronger testimony
5. More time to help others

5 people I tag:
Ali Evans
Annie Evans
Autumn Halls
Amanda Bradshaw
Ashley Smith

Twilight Tide Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Twilight Tide Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Yeah! Another pettiskirt to give away. I should just make one for my girls. But it would be really fun to win.

Quotes from the ignorant department: King James Bible edition

The only thing I don't like about them is they sell foreign language versions of the KJB. I don't think that's right. We know the only true translation is the 1600's version in English.

It's too risky for anybody to translate that into other languages. Mistakes can creep in... and that can lead to heresy. True Christians should only read English.

If your original Hebrew disagrees with my original King James --- your original Hebrew is wrong. If your original Hebrew agrees with my original King James, your original Hebrew is right.

Gardening

The White House is putting in a garden. I thought this was a cool idea. I love gardening. I think anyone can do it. If you have ever wanted a garden but have never felt like you have the space or time here is the website for you. If you don't want to buy his book you can always check it out at your library. There is still time to start your garden for this season. Have fun!

More Visitors

This past week we were happy to host Collin and Ashlee at our home while Collin interviewed with some graduate programs in the area. We had so much fun with them. They even let me take them to our downtown and take some photos. Here are just a few.

The next two pictures were taken in my new natural light photography studio.

Well okay not really but a girl can dream, right?

I Love the 80's

Brandon and I attended our Ward's 70's and 80's dance. It was a blast. Here are some pics of us and some friends.

Momma Visit

We have been very lucky these last few months to have visitors in our beautiful town. My mom is usually a frequent visitor. However, July was her last visit. We were unable to do much because of rain/snow and a ward party I helped plan. We were able to enjoy many mugs of hot chocolate which replaces the fact that we did not get to do any yard work. Mom you will need to come back later this spring.










Thanks for coming. Love you!

Funny Converstation

Me: "Brooklyn, I know that you think it is important to close my laptop. But it is doing something important right now, so please don't close it."

Brooklyn: "Laptop? Is that Spanish for 'computer'?"

Coleman Photoshoot

I could photograph these kids all day long. The older girls were so much fun. Ethan is one of the prettiest boys ever. He will definitely drive those girls crazy with his gorgeous blue eyes. Gillian has the beautiful red hair and bright blue eyes. Thanks for the time and humoring me. Here are some of my favorites.
















I am playing around with overlays and textures. I am not sure I how feel about this washed out photo.