The Big Reveal.....

Well, the sheep in dance class received their costumes this week - they are DARLING!!!!! They are pink and white little shorts with a tutu type thing in the back. Then, they have headbands with white ears and pink bows on them. I had to laugh as the girls were practicing their dance after putting on their costumes - they kept touching their ears. One of Reagan's classmates said "Reagan - touch your ears - they are SOOOOO soft." They really are!!! I'm sure they will look cuter once the girls' hair is pulled back and when they don't have black leotards underneath, but you can get the idea.

Reagan is super excited for the recital and time is counting down. Let's hope those cute little lambies can actually dance. Here's some pics of the costumes:

Remodel Fatigue

As many of you know, we didn't build our house - it was someone else's design, choice and preference. We did design and oversee the building of the backyard, but not the inside. So, when some things started to break in the master bathroom, we thought maybe we would do some remodeling. Of course, it gets complicated when you look at moving walls and replacing plumbing, so, at first, we were just going to replace the shower and try to make it a little bigger. Well, the contractor we started with (whom we had used before - at the office), decided the first thing he would do was to remove the shower. Seriously? He knocked out the shower before we had chosen new tile to put in the new shower, before we finalized how big the new shower would be and before we even signed a contract with him. Not sure why he thought that was a good way to go and not sure why I let him knock out the shower. Looking back on it, I thought Steve had talked with him more than he had - Steve worked with him during the office remodel and I figured the two had been in touch. Plus, I thought "he's the contractor - certainly he knows what schedule works best for the job."

Well, that day, we went looking for tile and were told that it could take up to 5 weeks to get some of the pieces we were looking at ..... great! Well, as we were driving around to different tile stores, we ran across a cabinet place owned by our neighbor - the sign said "kitchen and bath". We had never realized that he did bathrooms, so, we called him ..... RIGHT THEN! He came in, made some recommendations, which included re-doing all of the tile in the bathroom, knocking out a wall and taking out part of the ceilings holding the lights, removing the closet door and replacing all of the cabinets, tub, toilet and sinks. He also came up with an amazing... truly .... way to get the most out of our closet area. I had 3 contractors in our closet, asking what they would recommend, and each of them said "take some of the clothes out". Brilliant, no? So, when our neighbor brought us the drawings of his proposal for the bathroom and closet, Steve said "do it" without hesitating a second. Well, I think we anticipated a little bit of inconvenience and some expense, but it has far exceeded our expectations and not really in a good way :(

We were without a shower for over 3 months. We had to shower in our guest bath by the laundry room - a pretty small bathroom with a toilet, shower and sink. It made things pretty tough when we were all trying to get ready at the same time. We chose and then re-chose tile, trim and fixtures. Then, we had to move everything out of the closet. We put clothes in every single room downstairs. We did that for several weeks. Then, we had to move our bed and all of the furniture out of the master bedroom for them to re-carpet and paint. We were sleeping on mattresses in our formal living room. We hated it; Reagan and Cole loved it - talk about a fort!!!!

Bit by bit, we moved back into our master bedroom and moved Reagan and Cole back into the playroom. We are still putting pictures back on the wall and putting decor back on the shelves, but we are functioning in our bathroom, which is the best!!! I'm loving our closet - we have used every possible space. We took out the door to the closet and widened the opening, put in shoe shelves, hanging rods and shelves. We also have several Hafen rods which allow you to store clothes way up high in the closet and pull them down when you need to access them. I laugh that I'm sure the contractors assumed the closet was for me, but 3/4 of it is taken up with Steve's clothes. Well, when you are the same size for years and you buy great clothes, they last. We might need to have a garage sale. Oh - and the best is that, with the help of our SIL Kevin, we were able to sell lots of our old bathroom pieces on KSL. We sold both banks of cabinets, our old jetted tub, the chair for the vanity and the sinks. Nice!!!!

When we started, our bathroom was going to be phase 1 and the rest of the house was going to be phase 2. Seriously - we were so sick of having to be home for professionals to be here, having to deal with people being in our house day and night, and the inconvenience of not being able to live in parts of our own home, that I don't know that we will ever start phase 2 ...... evvvaaaahhh! I kept saying "I have remodel fatigue." I was just. plain. done. That's ok - we love our new bathroom. Here's some pics (even though we aren't all the way put back together yet). The first set is our "old" bathroom and master cabinet and next comes the old closet. Then, the new bathroom and cabinet and then the new closet.

Don't you love it?

Reagan is reading now - little words, but reading nonetheless. We are so proud of her and she is super excited to be reading. She has these alphabet cards that we have used in years past to help her learn her letters and the sounds they make. We have them out now for Cole and are working with him to get ready for preschool in the fall. With Reagan, we will give her a word and she will find the right cards to spell out the word. This morning, I asked her to clean up her cards and put them back in their bag. She insisted on putting them in the right order and told me how her preschool teacher has letter cards and sometimes they get mixed up because the cards "have a party". Then, after a minute of silence, she says "Mama, don't you love it?" I ask what she is talking about, do I love what? She answers "The alphabet letters - I love them!" I love her enthusiasm. I'm so glad she loves the letters and I hope she will love them forever.

One of the ways Reagan learned to read was a song she learned at preschool about the vowels. Part of the chorus goes "A - E - I - O - U". Well, Cole thinks he's a big reader as well and he walks around the house singing "A - E - I know you!" Too funny! Hey - he's learning.... that's what I care about.

Spring Program

Reagan's preschool class has a Spring Program that they put on. Each class gets to have their own theme and figure out what songs to sing, etc. Reagan's teachers chose a safari/wild animal theme and they presented it this week. Shannon and Rachel joined Cole, Steve and I for the program - Reagan loved that we were there. She said she looked out and there was "like a hundred parents". Well, I don't know about a hundred, but there were a lot of parents and we were on the first two rows.

The class sang songs, performed skits, danced and introduced themselves and told their favorite wild animal (Reagan's was a lion). The boys wore safari hats and the girls wore leopard ear headbands. Unfortunately, the child next to Reagan - and her dance partner - chose to cry instead of talk, sing or dance. Reagan tried to get him to participate, but when he ran crying to his parents, she just started doing the dance all by herself - without a partner. Well, the show must go on, right? For another part of the program, the song was "I'm goin' on a bear hunt..." and Reagan and two of her friends were a cave that the safari people go through. The morning of the program, when I asked Reagan what she wanted to wear, she said "I have to dress like a cave." I hadn't heard anything about putting them in costumes and wasn't about to dress her in an all brown ensemble for her program, so I just put her in a regular outfit and she did wonderfully just acting (and not dressing) as a cave.

The class sang school songs and patriotic songs as well. Next, we went back to their classroom and the class sang another song. Then, we took some pics with her teachers and headed home for the day. Reagan loves preschool and I'm so glad that she is at a great school where she is learning and growing so much. I can't believe she'll be in kindergarten next year - talk about rocking my world. Until then, I'll just enjoy my preschooler. Here's a little movie of tidbits of Reagan in her Spring Program:

Happy Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day!!

I know that many moms feel like it is Guilt Day or a time to reflect on things they would have done better or regrets in how they have raised their children. Maybe I haven't been a mom long enough to reflect back or have regrets, but I think it is a great day to celebrate moms. I love that we can celebrate my mom, and Steve's mom, and Steve's daughter, who is a mom as well. Seriously - what's not to love?

We had a wonderful Mother's Day. Church was great with inspiring speakers, great music and wonderful lessons. The Primary children sang (Yeah!!!) and the men sang (uh.... yeah..) and some brilliant member of the Bishopric arranged for each lady to receive a cupcake. They were beautifully presented and SO yummy. (Made by my "mom" in the ward, Kathy - Love her and Love those cupcakes.) Plus, the Relief Society gave the ladies chocolates and each Primary child made a little flower in a holder with scrapbook paper and their picture on it - Reagan's and Cole's were darling!!!

After church, Shannon came over. We ate and chatted and then went to visit Steve's mom (and met Rachel and her family there). After spending some time with Steve's parents, we came home to crash after a very fun filled, busy, party weekend.

I LOVE being a mom to Reagan and Cole and feel so blessed to be able to be home with them, teaching them and watching them grow. I do my best and hope that what I'm doing is acceptable in my eyes, in Steve's eyes and in our Father in Heaven's eyes. I adore Reagan and Cole (and Steve) more than words can say and I am so honored to be their mother. Thanks to my mom for all she has done for me - to Steve's mom for all she has done for me and thanks to all the ladies that, in word and deed, helped me learn to become a mom myself (there are a lot of them).

Happy Mother's Day all!!!

Minnie Mouse Party!!!!!

As I said in my last post, we started our Saturday by joining the Race for the Cure. After that, we "raced" home, picking up 30 balloons on the way (talk about blocking the view of the driver) and "raced" to get ready before Reagan's friends showed up. We had about a dozen little kids running around here and Reagan had a blast.

This year's theme was Minnie Mouse. I ordered the paper products several weeks ago, but couldn't figure out how to decorate or what to do. Thank goodness for my friend Stacey who came to the rescue (again). We went with hot pink, black and white and Stacey taught me how to make tissue paper flowers. We made tons of them. She is so creative and she helped me decorate the inside of the house.

Finally (for the first time ever), Reagan's birthday brought good weather, so, we also decorated outside. Stacey decked out the gazebo and we had the tiki torches lining the walk to the bottom of the yard. Kevin said he thought there was a wedding going on here, not a 5 year old's birthday party. That's code for "you went over the top". Yeah - that's exactly what we were aiming for :) Seriously though, with a few bolts of ribbon and some tissue paper, Stacey turned the party from ho hum to fabulous. Thanks Stacey!

Reagan and her friends played, ate pizza, jumped on the trampoline, decorated Mickey sugar cookies, colored Mickey and Minnie coloring pages, opened presents, ate cake and pulled on a pinata (not the kind you beat until it opens, but the kind you pull strings and one of them triggers a trap door to open, releasing the presents). I actually had more games planned, but we seriously never got to them. I kept telling Rachel that it was going so much faster than last year's party. Her suggested reason? That we were outside and not stuck inside, on top of each other, trying to pass the time. Whatever the reason, it seemed the favorite game of the day was riding on the golf cart while Steve drove around the yard. It sounded like the kids were on a roller coaster - as he would start down the hill, they would all scream and when he turned in circles, they would scream. I was scared he would lose a child off the back, but he said he was being careful.

After Reagan's party, we had less than an hour before my family arrived for a "Mother's Day Party". We ate (again), played (again), and chatted (again). Boy, starting at 5 this morning to get up for the Race for the Cure has made for one tired Mama. After my family headed out, we collapsed on the couch and rested until it was time for bed. What a busy, crazy, great, full day!

Race for the Cure

In our ward, we've had several people who have battled cancer. You almost can't find a person who hasn't been effected, in some way, by this horrible disease. My Dad is on the top of my list. Well, two ladies in our ward are currently battling it (one lady... for the third time!!). So, as a ward, we decided to join the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this year. Our team name was "Fight Like A Girl". The youth were encouraged to register, the Elders, the RS, everyone. The ladies we were trying to honor through this were, luckily, strong enough to join us for the race. Between trying to be slow enough for our whole group to keep together and trying to fight the crowd of over 17,000, it was not much of a race - rather a group walk, but it was great. Steve and I registered and we pushed Reagan and Cole in the double stroller.

It was amazing to see the "sea of pink" in front of and behind our group as the race began. Completely inspiring! Steve's girls, Rachel and Shannon, ran the race way ahead of our group and we saw one of Reagan's preschool teachers and some other friends. The weather was perfect and we had a great time walking and chatting with friends. We couldn't stay for the celebration after the race as Reagan's birthday party was a few hours after the race, so, we "raced" home. Here's some pics of our Race for the Cure.

Happy Birthday Reagan!!!

I can't believe our little girl is 5!!! Seriously - when did that happen? Wasn't it just last week that she was learning to sit up, crawl, or talk? WAY too fast for this mom. Well, like it or not, Reagan is five. (OK - I'll like it.)

Reagan had a great birthday. We have her "friend" party on Saturday, so, today was just for our little family. At preschool, they spotlighted her and Steve, Cole and I were able to tell her class a little about her and show some pics of her as a baby and pics of our family. Next, she was able to answer five questions from classmates about her "favorite things". Then, her class sang Happy Birthday to her.

After that, we joined my sis Brandi for lunch at Reagan's restaurant choice (McDonald's) and we spent the day just playing and pretty much doing whatever Reagan wanted. When Steve came home from work, we opened presents (Cole was the official present opening helper) and then we went to Reagan's restaurant choice (Chick Fil A) and played and ate - the Chick Fil A Cow even came to our table to bring Reagan a stuffed animal and a balloon .... SCORE!!!! Then it was back home for more playing with the presents and playing with the family. I kept suggesting it was time for bed and Reagan wanted no part of that. I think she just wanted this day to go on forever.

I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I'm not sure if that will continue through the years, but seriously - I can't believe how fast five years have gone. Reagan is my first little baby (as she calls herself) and she is growing and learning and changing fast.

She is, most of the time, a really good big sister and shares with Cole, helps him and teaches him. She loves to please her parents and her teachers and loves her sisters and her friends. She is animated beyond description and can hardly get enough air in her lungs to tell you about the source of her excitement. She is loving and sweet to everyone and gives hugs and kisses routinely. I treasure the opportunity to be her mom and am so thankful that she is "ours".

Carl Bloch: The Master's Hand

I know that this exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art has been here since November, but, for some reason, I thought I had more time. I know, I know, make time for what is important. Well, this week, we did. Reagan, Cole and I headed to BYU to stand by for tickets. We told the museum worker that we would wait as long as it took (I brought snacks, the iPad, drinks and crayons). We waited only 30 minutes or so before another worker came over and told us that a party of 4 had just cancelled. We were only 3 and we took their place - Yeah!!!!

The paintings were breathtaking as were the settings that the museum put them in to show them. The sketches and pics of the artist and his family were also very interesting. I had seen these pictures before, in meetinghouses or at temples or on books or manuals, but to see the originals, larger than life, placed into arches or in such a beautiful presentation, was almost overwhelming. I was in tears most of the time, which confused Reagan and Cole.

Even though it was very crowded and hard sometimes for them to see the paintings, they did great! They were reverent and whispered, they didn't touch anything and they held my hand the entire time. We stopped at each piece and I knelt down next to them to talk to them about the painting and what it portrayed. They asked poignant questions and seemed to "get it". After the museum, it was lunch time, so we hit Brick Oven (one of my haunts when I lived in Utah County). Reagan and Cole loved it.

I often lament how big Reagan and Cole are getting and how they aren't little babies anymore, but I love this age just as much, if not more, than their younger years. They ask SO many questions, but good questions. They are understanding and learning more and more each day. They are my little compadres and we have so much fun together, whether we are just hitting the gym, running errands, visiting friends or hanging at home. I adore them and the way their personalities shine through. They are also learning about the Spirit and I love that we have so many opportunities to talk about and feel the Spirit. I hope that they will remember this day, that they will remember the paintings of the Savior and, more importantly, I hope that they will remember what they felt as they looked on the works of the talented Carl Bloch.

Dance Class

Reagan still has dance class each week and we've learned that the theme for this year's recital is: Mary Poppins. Our class is doing ballet and I think we are sheep, but I'm not quite sure how it is all going to pan out. We moms watch and evaluate each week and, seriously, we come away more confused each week as to what the dance will be. Maybe the girls in the class are getting it down, but with less than 8 weeks to go, I'm hoping it will come together. It certainly did last year, with the bat dance... I guess we'll wait and see. In the meanwhile, here's a few pics of Reagan in dance the last few weeks. Again, a nod to my friend Stacey for the fabulous tutus :)