Two

My baby is turning two. Oh my goodness. I can't even believe it. Sum & her on again off again (they like to fight) BFF are having a double birthday party, they chose Elmo. Elmo? What the heck, I was thinking Minnie Mouse, Princess.. Whatev.. you only turn 2 once. Sum loves Elmo so it should be fun-tastic.

So my brain is overloading with birthday ideas. I already bought her this baby minnie mouse with a wrap around blanket. It's usually sold out so I was pretty stoked when I saw that they actually had it in stock.

And then I want to get her..

1. this adorable trike

2. this coloring desk

And I'm pretttty sure she might be getting her very first American Doll baby.. Her cousin got one for Christmas, when my mother-in-law saw how bad Summer wanted to play with it that Christmas morning I am pretty sure I heard promises of an American Doll "bitty baby" for Summer. Now i'm going to feel like a dummy if she doesn't end up getting one. : )

Who's excitedddd? Me!

Bitter-Sweet

Why are vacations so bitter-sweet to come home from.. well, we all know why they're bitter. Coming home to this wintery wet madness is one thing. Sweet, why would it be sweet to come home from vacation?

1. The memories.
2. Remembering the precious time spent with family.
3. Being able to go eat at The Sweet Tooth Fairy!

Those are my favorite reasons. Especially #1 & 2.
I have been thinking the past couple days about all the fun we had and the memories we made. I had a real problem on the ship the first 2 days. Summer was SO DIFFICULT. She was always tired, unhappy unless she was doing what she wanted to do and running laps around the ship. I was stressed.. SERIOUSLY STRESSED. I thought she was going to run right off the ship or that we were going to get kicked out of the dining room or that she was going to run right into some strangers arms in Cabo and I'd never see her again. I realize that she was out of her zone and super tired from the trip.. and my family was a super big help with her. But still..

It was bad.

So Monday, after we left Cabo. I went on to the top deck to relax (mostly to get away) and read my book. Little did I know, I sat down by the most talkative couple I'd ever meet. (They were not LDS, just so you know before I go on..) So they proceed to tell me about them, and I told them about me. Blah, blah, blah. The husband was telling me about his 4 year old girl they left at home, she's a big, bigggg daddys girl.

And he tells me:

"how much he misses his girl.

He tried to get her on the ship at the last minute, but couldn't afford it.

He misses her a ton.."

..did I mention that he told me he really missed her?

I'm sitting there thinking.. 'Are you freakin crazy? I would love for my daughter to be at home with my mother in law right now. The only time Sums happy is when she's not with me. I wish Summer was home..' Basically complaining to myself! I told him that my almost 2 year old was on the ship and that she wasn't being very good, and that I basically wished she was home.

And then he tells me "Family is the only thing that really matters, you know? It's all that is important in life and all that you need."

I instantly wanted to slap myself in the face. Of course I knew that! Our church is based around family. I know how important family is. How many times do I need to be reminded? And here is a random 30 year old man from Minnesota, who knows nothing about our religion reminding me! How often do I get to spend this much time with all my family, and here I am, throwing our precious time away. What's the saying, "When mamas unhappy, no one's happy".. ?

I kept running what he told me in my head over and over again throughout the week. And when I had images of throwing Summer overboard (just kidding) I just remembered what he said. I instantly changed my attitude. Became a less stressed mommy. And ultimately had more fun the rest of the week. I am so grateful for this reminder, I felt like Heavenly Father prompted this man to remind me to relax, have fun, and to remember to put my family, not myself and my attitude, first.

As much as it is bitter-sweet to come home, memories last

a lifetime, and this is definately one that I want to keep.

15 Cruise Memories

We got back from a crusie to the Mexican Riviera this past Saturday. What a big bummer to come home to freezing cold/wet/snowy/windy weather.. boo! I couldn't believe how much bigger our townhome seemed. I felt like I walk walking into a huge mansion compared to the tiny room we had been staying in for a week! : )

Here's my top 15 favorite memories of our trip:

15. My little sister got engaged on Lovers Beach in Cabo (her fiance came with us on the cruise.)

14. Summer heard everyone calling me by my name, so she decided that my new name was "Sinny" instead of "mommy".

13. I had my most embarassing moment of my life on the ship, if you ask, I won't tell! : )

12. Summer spilled ketchup all over my new white sweater at dinner the 1st night at dinner, I was already stressed to the max, which resulted in a full on balling melt down.. embarassing.

11. My mom forcing Scott to get a henna tattoo.

10. Sum was deathly afraid of the waves coming in on the shore.. poor girl would freak out if she even looked at them.

9. Sum falling asleep in her high chair at dinner.. It was one of those wodden ones that you use at a restaurant, so it has no support!

8. Summer said her name at dinner for the 1st time. She says her name is "Suh-muh" : )

7. I learned that zip lining is NOT on my to do list ever again.. everyone else liked it. I was fighting back the tears. SCARY!

6. My grandparents were able to come from Virginia. We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving!

5. Abbey ordering 5 pina coladas, 2 strawbery daqaris and who knows what else.. all on my parents expense! haha

4. "The people that sell their junk on the beach in Cabo are like Seagulls, once you show interest in what they are buying they all flock to you.."

3. NOTE: if you go on a cruise during Spring Break, you WILL end up going with a ship full of disgusting drunk college kids that pee in your hallway, knock on your door at 2 a.m. and hit on you with you husband right next to you.

2. Summer got her picture done professionally, her hair had a gallon of sunblock in it and her little boobies were hanging out in the pics.. nice!

1. I think I gained 5 LBS. off souffle, made to order omletts and waffles, and chocolate crossiants.

0. I had to add one more.. Scott bought me my first really nice watch! Thanks hun!

Cupcakes & Snow

So I went to The Sweet Tooth Fairy to pick a treat up for a friend because she's helped me by watching Summer lately. Anyways.. remember my post (2 posts ago) about how Sum will do anything for a treat? So we go into the bakery and Summer just freaks out: "Ohhhh mommyyy, yummmm, I want a cupcake, mmmmm! Mama pleaseeee? Cupcake? Yummmmm! Pleaseee mommy?" I probably would've ended up buying her one just because she was being so cute. But there was a lady in front of us, she turned to Summer and told her that if Summer was with her she would buy her anything she wanted. The lady turned to me and said "You daughter is so adorable can I please buy her a cupcake?" : ) I thought it was so sweet and cute of this little lady to buy my pleading daughter what her heart desiered. So 10 seconds later a fetti-ferry cupcake was in Summer's happy hands. Here's a pic of her on the way home..

She IS adorable, isn't she?! : )

Later that night it was a flippin blizzard outside. Summer loves snow.. so what did we end up doing? Playing in the snow! Summer doesn't have snow clothes so she ended up playing in her raincoat, zip up jammies and suede boots.. nice.

4 x 4

Kendra tagged me.. here it goes..

1. Four Places I Go:
-Gym
-North Ogden
-Church
-Target

2. Four Favorite Smells:
-Summer after a bath
-Springtime
-Muffins in the oven
-Carmelized Pear candle

3. Four Favorite Movies/Shows
-Glee
-Vampire Diaries
-Off the Map
-Dirty Dancing

4. Four Recommendations:
- Don't pray for patience
- Always be working on a book
- Have "ME" time every day (mine is at the gym or in a book)
- Don't complain, it just gets everyone down and is plain annoying!

21 Things About Summer

Summer is 21 Months old this February. I can't believe that she will be 2 in only 3 months! (I'm already throwing around party plans around in my head!) I'm copying my cute friend Kendra.. but here is 21 fun facts about Summer Lin.

1. She LOVES ketchup. On everything, on hot dogs, strawberries, you name it.

2. She loves it when her daddy makes her laugh. And when he makes her laugh, she doesn't stop.

3. Summer will do almost anything for candy.

4. Summer loves her friend Luke (the boy I babysit). She asks for him probably once a day.

5. She loves to read books.

6. Summer loves to color. She colors around 3 times a day.

7. She loves Belle off "Beauty and the Beast". She has a little Belle doll and plays with her all day. She calls her "Beh".

8. She's kind of a bully. She hits everyone (which we are working on). But she can also be super sweet.

9. Summer loves babies and has been asking for a baby. : )

10. Her new favorite TV characters are Elmo, Buzz and Woody.. hopefully that's a good bye to "Yo Gabba Gabba".

11. She loves her Grandmas lots.

12. When we walk past our neighbor/friends door she says everytime that she wants to "knock" and play with Addalyn.

13. We have mommy/daughter dates to Yogotogo and cupcake bakeries. Summer loves treats.

14. When we're watching sports games she will yell at the TV "Go! Go! Go!" while shaking her fist in the air.

15. She has had one too many falls, so Summer is constantly afraid of falling. She can hardly sit in a chair without saying she's going to fall. : (

16. Summer loves bubbles.. she is bubble crazy.

17. She still loves her pretties. (Jewelrey)

18. Summer is a mommys girl. (Which I love)

19. She loves to play with her cousin Kamryn.

20. When she wants something Summer will tilt her head to the side, smile real big and say "pleaseeee" in the sweetest voice ever. She knows how to work it.

21. Summer loves to have her hair done. Shes such a girl. : )

We love our baby Summer and are so blessed to have her in our lives. Love you sweetie!

Neglecting

..THAT is what I've been doing to my blog lately. But it's not my fault. For some odd reason Blogger is not working on my computer at home. Weird.

Anyways, here's a little of what we've been up to:

1. We're going on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera in 15 days with my family and grandparents. Excited!
2. We're batteling the cold weather, batteling colds as well. Annoying.
3. Learning that having a toddler in Utah, in Winter, with snow is: BRUTAL.
4. Working/School. Boring.
5. Summer is now 21 months, I can't believe in 3 short months she will be 2. Crazy.
6. My family and I used to live in Va. We obviously moved back (thank goodness), and my grandparents moved there last month. Random.
7. I have been reading "Fallen" & "Torment". Non-Reccomended.
8. Have been dying to read "Wuthering Heights". Have you read it?
9. We don't see movies much anymore.. but Scott & I saw "Just Go With It". Funny.
10. Summer's favorite movie is "Snow White" because she thinks the dwarfs are all Santa. Geeze.
11. Pre-ordered "Burlesque".. Cam Gigandet, yum.
12. Summer asked for a baby the other night. Uh oh.
13. We're getting new neighbors. We liked the quiet ones we had. Crap.
14. My dad bought me probably one of the most thoughtful things he's ever given me last night. Love.
15. I miss blogging. Stupid computer. Sad!

Yummy (pretty) Healthy Muffins

I've had this recipe less than a week and I've made it twice. (I'm eating one right now!) Thanks Megan (Scott's cousin) for such a yummy recipe. I have to share it with you guys.. they're divine!









Apple, Zucchini, Carrot Muffins:


2 C. shredded carrots
1 C. Shredded zucchini
1 apple, diced
2 C. flour
1 1/4 C. Sugar (Scott & I are trying to eat better, so I left the sugar out and it still tasted wonderful)
1 TBS ground cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
3/4 C Unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. Vanilla

Bake at 375 for 20 mins

Girls Craft Night Out!

A few friends came over last night & we made the yarn wreaths. Yay! They were so cute and expressed each of our individualities. It was a lot of fun to get together to talk, eat and craft. So, thanks girls for coming over. I had a request for some pictures.. so here you go. (And yes, those are raspberry cupcakes on the table, I'm SO going to the gym tomorrow!)

And here's a quick pic of my adorable little girl. She loves her pretties & can never have enough of them on at once. : )

My New Loves

I have a few new loves in my life..

1. Golds Gym.

Scott & I joined the other week & have gone almost every day. We love it there. Who knew working out could be so much fun?

2. Raspberry Cupcakes

..Kind of a conflict of interest huh? Here's the recipe.

Making Some Solutions

If you read my "Boredom Blog", this solution blog is it's sequel. I have been thinking of some fun things to do on days where I'm not at school, working or doing household cleaning. One of my friends said that she takes her little girl to a indoor bounce playground. So, I called a friend and we went to one that's about 20 minutes away in North Salt Lake. I had been there a few years ago for my nephews birthday party, I had totally forgot this place. The kids were so scared at frist but soon warmed up and LOVED it! And the best part, it's only $5 a kid, and no charge for you!

And then, a few days ago I decided that I would make Summer some play dough. It was the easiest thing I have ever made in my life. She's still a little young for it, but she had fun experiencing something new. (And best of all, if she eats it, it's not that bad!)

If you want the recipe here you go..

1 C. Flour

1/2 C. Salt

1 C. Water

2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

Combine ingredients in saucepan & cook over low heat until mixture is like mashed potatoes. Pour on wax paper & knead for a short time. Add food coloring in water.

(I did a bunch of different colors. So I did this recipe 6 times. Each recipe basically makes 1 color of playdough.)

Fun Magnet Calendar

I saw this calendar at Ben Franklin Crafts a few months ago.

The calendar there comes with these different kits you can buy for $16. Each kit is for a different month, therefore each kit is $16. If I were to buy a kit for each month it's $192! Come on Ben Franklin.. That's so DUMB!

I bought the 1st kit (for December) and right after I had finished it, I decided that it was so not worth the money. So I jazzed it up a little, and for $5 (that is $5 for all 12 months, $5 vs. $192 hmm..) I made this new and improved one.. (it matches these and the rest of my kitchen!)

Yarn Wreath

Photo from Living the Swell Life

I'm almost always looking for new crafty fun things to make.

THESE are adorable.

I think I'll make a Spring one.

Anyone with me? I have the tutorial & think a craft night would be perfect!

Call/text me if interested.

2010: A Year in Review

2010 was a great year. Lots of great things happened that changed our lives forever. The good, the bad.. and everything in between.. Here's some highlights of a great year.

We took a MUCH needed vacation in March, 10 days in Vegas & St. George. It was so much fun to have just the 3 of us, with no work & no school.

We moved out of my parents and into our awesome (but small) townhome in Kaysville. We love it and feel that we were guided straight to it with the help of Heavenly Father. Nothing but good friends, a great ward & a great location have come from our newest move. We finally live in a place that feels just like home.

I started babysitting 2 days a week in Ogden. I watch a 2 year old, 6 year old & 8 year old. Besides being able to take Summer with me, this job has been a huge blessing.

Summer turned 1 in May and started walking a few weeks later.. watch out!

We went on a fun family reunion on my moms side up in Island Park.. we got to meet a bunch of people we never knew we were related to.. and had fun getting to know Shelby's new boyfriend better too! : )

Scott turned 25..

..then I turned 22.

Scott & I celebrated our 2nd anniversary.

My mom, sisters & I went on an amazingly fun & incredibly memorable vacation to St. George and got to see Tarzan at Touacan. Front row! (Not that I'm bragging or anything..) : )

I started back at school at Weber.

My dad had brain surgery & recovered fast.

I started Swagbucks & we've never had so much extra money to get so much extra fun stuff. I am addicted.

Summer turned 18 months.. and again.. our lives were changed FOREVER.. I think we are going through the "Terrible 18 months", not the "Terrible two's".

We started the battle with Summer of taking her to Nursery.. thank goodness she now likes it.

We had a very memorable 2nd Christmas with our Summer.

Scott got his schedule changed yet again, this time it's work: Sun-Thurs. WHY can't we ever get him a Sunday off? Maybe someday..

Anyways, that's our quick year in review.. here's to another great year!

Boredom...

Summer and I are BORED. I get like this after a few months of repitious things.

Monday: laundry

Tuesday: fold laundry & put away

(isn't that bad.. i hate folding laundry so I never do it the same day I actually wash them.)

Wednesday: Work

Thursday: Work

Friday: Scott's off, so something fun

Saturday: Grocery shop

Sunday: Church

So that's my schedule and no it never really changes.

I have been really worried about Summer. She LOVES tv. Yes, it's 100% my fault. She loves "Up", "The Little Mermaid", "Yo Gabba Gabba" and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". Don't judge me on this.. but I bet Summer watches 4 hours of TV a day. WHAT? 4 hours.. AT LEAST. Oh my gosh, I'm feeling like a pretty bad mom right now. But, how easy is it for us to get super busy and let our kids watch TV until their dads get home.. or maybe that's just me! : /

Anyways, I was reading about TV and children under the age of 3.

..All I can say is OH CRAP!
I'm in big trouble.

Anyways, I'm posting this mainly for myself.

SYDNEY.. Summer is now only allowed 2 hours of TV a day.. Okay?!

4+ hours of TV is NOT okay.. this is your baby!

..Sorry, I needed to freak out on myself for a quick second.

SO.. now what are we going to do allllll dayyyyy longggg? (Especially now that the weather is not ever above 40*) Google search provided with the following answers to "What are some great activities to do with an 18 (19) month old?"

1. Finger painting

2. Bake cookies

3. Go to the library when they have story time for kids

4. Use an inexpensive pan to fill up with rice or dried beans. Use a shovel to play in it like a sandbox. (?? MESSY)

5. Make an obstacle course with pillows & blankets

6. Go to Chic-fil-a or McDonald's play places

7. Buy some Ivory Snow soap flakes in laundry isle, put on the table, add food coloring & a little bit of water & have her squish it around.

8. (Speaking of #7 I have a playdough recipe. I think Summer would love playdough. Call me if you want it!)

9. Go visit a friend

10. Inflate a beach ball 3/4 the way up so they can roll around on it

Those are the best suggestions that I could find without spending much if any money at all. I am writing this for my cause, but I hope this helps the other bored moms out there as well!