Audrey's 3rd Birthday

Audrey turned 3 on Monday! We had a little party for her with a few of her friends. She has been looking forward to her birthday for months, she chose ladybugs as the theme (I was so proud), and she chose the menu. There were no tears, which was a lot better than I was prepared for.

My Mom got Audrey this ladybug dress to wear for the party.
Bubbles are always a hit...

We had to play ring around the rosie because Audrey LOVES it!!

Pin the spot on the ladybug (I googled ladybug birthday party ideas). The kids decorated their own party hats with ladybug and caterpillar foam stickers.

I made ladybug bean bags for the kids to throw through the flowers. Can you see the slight fear in Travis's face? The boys loved this game. Our "guest room" is totally empty, so Travis blew up a ton of balloons and we let the kids play with them. It was a hit.I tried to make the frosting red...obviously it did NOT work out, but it tasted delicious! Brighton seriously had about 15 mini cupcakes!

All of the kids were really eager to give Audrey their presents.

We had the Madagascar 2 soundtrack playing in the background and every once in a while the kids would drop what they were doing and start dancing.

The party was 2 hours long, and by the time it was winding down...so were the kids!

Everyone had a great time. It was definitely the party that Audrey had been hoping for.

Curls

I have naturally curly/frizzy hair. I usually straighten it because it is easier to deal with. A few weeks ago I showed Audrey the curls in the back of her hair (using a mirror to reflect into another mirror). She LOVES looking at her curls. A few days ago I let my hair dry naturally and when Audrey saw my hair she said "I like your curls! They are like Audrey's!" I then tried to get a picture of her curls, but she wouldnt let me!

"I like your belly fat..."

...is what Audrey said to me. I am pretty sure that she meant "I like your fat belly". Either way, fat and belly are in the same sentence together. Audrey knows that her baby brother is inside my "fat belly", and she is very excited to meet him. She will usually change who her best friend is depending on who she is around, and who she is mad at, but her default best friend is Phoenix (her baby brother). I never even told her to say that, she already loves him. I know she will be a great (and sometimes bossy) big sister.

Here are a few pictures with my "fat belly"

Happy Anniversary!

To me and Travy! 4 years ago today we got married and sealed in the Palmyra temple. Have I ever mentioned how lucky I am to have Travis in my life? He is seriously the ideal husband (for me) in every way. He loves spending time with me and Audrey, he always tells me how pretty I look (especially on days that I need it), he works hard to support our family, he has big dreams...and every intention of fulfilling them, he helps me out whenever I ask him to (and sometimes on his own), he is always trying to get a smile out of me and Audrey. He loves going to the temple, and I love that about him. He is a genuinely good man. Oh yeah, and did I mention his studdlicious good looks, or his rippling muscles? That's just the icing on a very delicious cake.

From the moment I met Travis I could see that he was an ideal guy. The more we got to know each other the more I fell in love with him. When he asked me to marry him I was in shock that he would choose me (I actually asked him if he was serious). I have always been happy with my decision to marry Travis. Our life together keeps getting better and better.

The guy I married

Travis does so many nice things for me. A few weeks ago when we finally got our Galant fixed (after almost 6 months) we had to stop to get gas. Travis was in his truck, which was full, and he got out of his truck to pump the gas for the Galant. That is just the kind of guy he is.

Last Sunday he was supposed to put Audrey down for her nap (he usually does when he is home because it hurts my back to lift her up) but he fell asleep before Audrey went down, so I put her down myself. When he woke up he asked me why I didn't wake him up to put Audrey down. I told him that it was no big deal and he said that he had really wanted to help me out (aww!). He works so hard all week, and he is pretty much always short on sleep, but he still tries to help me out with everything he can think of.

I never doubt his love and devotion to me and Audrey. Travis is always supportive. I love talking to him, and I love laughing with him. He balances me out. I am so lucky to have married such a great guy.

A LOUD Visit

I know that most everyone fears the Doctor's office and public bathrooms...but Audrey has an above average fear of both.

I had a Doctor's appointment on Monday, usually Travis is there to stay with Audrey in the waiting room but he couldn't come yesterday. As soon as I opened the door from the waiting room to the main part Audrey started shrieking and trying to run back to the waiting room. "I want to stay there, I want to stay there" is what she yelled. Then I had to use the bathroom...let's just say I wouldn't doubt that everyone in the office heard Audrey. When I came out there were a few nurses standing around looking...bewildered. I kept telling Audrey that we were there for me, not for her, I bribed her with jelly beans, a nurse gave her a book, and she still was wailing at the top of her lungs. Once we got to the check up room I held Audrey and read her a book and by the time the Dr. came in she was fine. He said to me "I was wondering who was making all that noise".

So, if this is how she was for an appointment that wasn't even for her, how will she be for her 3 yr old check up next week? Yeah...I am not looking forward to it.

Weekend With The Family

My parents and Joanna came down for the weekend last week. They haven't been down to Raleigh since we moved here, and since we are finally in a house and Jo was on Spring Break it was the perfect time for a visit.

The night they got here we went to Krispy Kreme, I've said it before and I will say it again, nothing beats a hot Krispy Kreme off the belt. Mmm...

Note the empty box

We went to the NC zoo on Friday. Jo had never been to a big zoo before, the ostriches were her favorite. Mine were the zebras. Audrey's favorites were probably...everything.

My Dad and Audrey looking at the giraffes.

Me and Jo stayed up late that night to watch She's the Man, one of my all-time favorite movies of it's genre.

On Saturday we went to Pullen Park and we brought our grill to cook some burgers and dogs. Why is it that hamburgers and hotdogs taste so much better when you are outside? Travis was able to be with us, which was a lot of fun.

The weekend was over way too fast, of course. It was so much fun to have some of my family here.

Happy Birthday Travis!

Yesterday marked the 28th anniversary of my sweety's entrance into this world. He had to work for most of the day, but we had fun when he came home. We got pizza from our new favorite pizza place (no, not Little Caesars), and then we went home to have cake and ice cream. Audrey practiced singing 'Happy Birthday' to Travis all day.

I was at Party City getting a few ballons to decorate with, and I heard Audrey laughing out loud. I looked to see what it was, and it was this card. I had to get it for Travis. Audrey colored on the inside to make it special.

Lately Audrey has been very aggressive about helping me (sometimes too aggressive). Putting the spinkles on the cake was the perfect job for her to help out with.

She also had to taste the frosting...to make sure it was good. You never know with chocolate and sugar.

The Lindt Truffles are seriously Trav's favorite candy. He always buys them for me but ends up eating almost all of them himself.

Travis is such a sweet guy. He always helps me out with whatever I ask him to do. He works so hard to support our family. He is so motivated and he works really hard to make his dreams come true. He is the most loving husband and father. The best decision I ever made was to marry him. Audrey always cries when he leaves for work, and she always screams with delight when he comes home (so do I).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAVIS!!!

Hoppy Easter!

sorry about the lame title, I couldn't resist!


We had a grreat Easter yesterday. Me and Trav were really excited this year because Audrey totally knew what was going on (Easter Bunny). The first thing she said when Travis woke her up (on Sunday mornings he actually has to wake her up) was "The Easter Bunny came!" We had a jellybean trail from her room to downstairs where her Easter basket was waiting for her. She loved it of course.

I really wanted to get Audrey a hat and gloves to wear to church, this year she didn't take a great interest in them (perhaps it was the candy that overshadowed the accessories). I will try again next year though.

Travis always insists on wearing a white shirt to church, he made an exception yesterday though. I told him he had to wear this shirt because me and Audrey were both wearing dresses with purple, and he surprisingly did not put up a fight. He looked soo handsome!Janae and her family came over for dinner and an Easter egg hunt. We had ham, which next to bacon is my favorite meat. :-) Trav did a great job cooking it (I couldn't look at it because it looked like a pig's butt).

Audrey and Brighton had so much fun looking for Easter eggs. They were both running around as fast as they could.

Last night Travis told me that I have to stop giving Audrey so much candy. It was weird to be the one receiving instructions rather than giving them.

"you've been really needy lately"

...is what Travis said to me last night when I asked him for yet another back rub. I always have had a bad back (I used to not bring my textbooks home from school because it would hurt my back so much...which meant I wouldn't do my homework), but pregnancy really causes me (and every other girl out there) a lot of pain.

Don't you think that men should be the ones that have to go through pregnancy? Women are more sympathetic and empathetic, they would be better supporters. I actually have a friend who while she was giving birth to their son, her husband was eating a burrito!!! Can you believe that? I thought I had it bad when Travis slept through about 20 hours of my 27 hour labor with Audrey(I had to throw a pillow at him to wake him up when the Dr. came in and told me it was time to start pushing).

I don't mean to imply that Travis doesn't help me out a lot, because he does. He even did the dishes the last two days! He will always rub my back when I ask him, and he will run down the stairs to get things when I don't have the energy. I just wish we could reverse the roles for one day. Girls need more credit for what we go through!

Playin in the PaRk

Yesterday we went to a fenced in park with some friends from church. Audrey (like many toddlers) will take off running randomly (which means I have to stand about 3 feet away from her at all times in most public places), so having a totally fenced in area was a relaxing experience.

This little boy LOVES his ball, naturally Audrey couldn't resist taking it from him and teasing him. I wonder which parent she gets that from (here's a hint...it's not me!).

Bedtime stories?

If, like me, you were thinking about giving Adam Sandler yet another chance to prove that there is more to him than his generic, over-done, and disappointing movies, think again.

Despite the fact that Disney put out the movie, Bedtime stories, it was still a bomb. Don't waste your time.

If you want to watch a new kids movie, watch The Tale of Despereaux. It was cute, entertaining, and refreshing.

Duke Gardens

On Sunday we went to the Duke Gardens with Janae (Trav's sister) and her family. They were gorgeous, and there was so much to look at.

When we first got there, we noticed that there were some plaques in front of certain flowers with the date of when they were planted, along with the name of who planted them. While I was looking at those I glanced over to the kids (Audrey and Brighton) Audrey had a tulip in her hands (bulb and all) and Brighton was in the process of getting his own. I quickly replanted the tulip and we hurried away.

Well, at least Travis is looking at the camera!

Audrey and Brighton both got their own sticks to splash water. Occasionaly one of them would drop their stick in the water, and then reach for it. Luckily, neither one fell in, but there were some close calls.

If you are in town, and enjoy nature, definately go to the Duke Gardens. If I went to school at Duke (yes, I am aware that I would never get in, I said "if") I would probably skip all of my classes and walk around the gardens instead.

Haircut

On Saturday night Travis decided to play a computer game, which meant I had to find something to do on my own. So, I did what any respectable young lady would do in my situation. I cut my hair, and added some layers.

Through my years of trial and error with hair dressers I have arrived at several conclusions (based soley on my personal experience):

• Leave the highlighting to the professionals
• Just because you pay more moola for a haircut does not guarantee that it will be worth it
• Men are better at cutting hair, especially in the layering department (once again, based on my personal experience)
• Don't ask for someone to cut you long bangs...they usually just take a chunck of hair in front and cut it shorter.
• I am happier with the haircuts I give myself than ones I get from paid professionals (with the exception of two male hair dressers)
• Men do not style hair as well as women (straightening, etc.)
• Watching makeover shows really can help with your own hair cutting skills.
• Longer hair is easier to cut yourself than shorter hair (meaning if you have short hair, you may want to leave the cutting to someone else).

So, if you are usually unsatisfied with haircuts that you get, or maybe just bored, consider teaching yourself how to do it. It is a good way to save $100+ per year.

Turtle the Turtle

Travis was working on Friday and he found a turtle in one of his customer's lawns. Naturally, being the boy that he is, he picked up the turtle and put it in the truck bed for the remainder of the day. He called me to let me know that he was bringing a turtle home, and then I told Audrey. I asked her what we should name the turtle and she said "his name is turtle". So, the turtle was named Turtle.

After a night and a day of not being able to figure out what kind of turtle it was (meaning we couldn't feed it anything) and hearing it scratch at the cardboard box I suggested to Travis that he should consider letting the turtle go. I am not a pet person, and I especially think it is sad when an innocent animal is plucked from the wild and placed in a home. After hours (no joke) of going back and forth with his decision Travis decided to keep it. It was not what I had been hoping for.

I went to bed before him and the next morning Travis told me that he ended up letting it go. I had prepared Audrey for it the night before (she knew that the turtle was going back to his home) and she took the news very well.

So now you know the story of Turtle the turtle.

When life gives you sour blueberries....

make blueberry muffins!

I used to lifeguard and teach swim lessons at our town pool during the summer. Every morning the teachers woke up bright and early to teach the little ones how to swim. I think the main thing that kept me going was the breakfasts in the morning. We took turns bringing them in. One blessed day, a girl brought in the most delicious blueberry muffins I had ever eaten. Crumble topping, plump juicy berries...I couldn't stop eating them. After I hounded her for a good 2 weeks (maybe more) she gave me the recipe. Now, like I said, these are the most delish blueberry muffins ever. So, the good news is that I have the recipe for them. The bad news? I no longer enjoy other blueberry muffins nearly as much. So, if you are like me, this recipe will change the way you eat blueberry muffins forever.

· 1 cup butter
· 3 cups flour
· 1 ½ cup sugar
· 2 tsp Baking Powder
· ½ tsp Salt
Reserve 1 cup of the above mixture for the crumble topping
· 3 eggs
· 1 tsp vanilla
· 1 cup milk
· 1 ½ cup berries
Blend with wooden spoon. Fill muffin cups to about ½ way. Top with crumble mixtures. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Krispy Kreme

Have you ever had a Krispy Kreme donut fresh off the belt? You know, seconds after it passed through the veil...of glaze? I am a lover of all sweets, but a warm, gooey, melt in your mouth Krispy Kreme is in a class all of its own. Apparently, Audrey thinks so to. On Wednesday morning I decided it was about time to really enforce Audrey's potty training. She HATES wearing "gig girl undies" so I told her that if she wore them all day I would get her a treat of her choice after dinner (yes, I bribe her). "How bout donuts?" was her responce.

There are donuts, and then there are DONUTS. She would not have been happy with a grocery store donut, and Dunkin Donuts wouldn't have made the cut either. It had to be Kripsy Kreme. We are ideally located 10 minutes away from the Krispy Kreme here in Raleigh (it is either a blessing or a curse...I will let you know). We called ahead to make sure that there were hot donuts coming off the belt, which they were.

To make a long story short, we ordered a dozen, Travis ate 4 by the time I was half way through my second one. I ended up eating 2 1/2 and Audrey ate 2 1/2 (at almost the same speed that I ate mine). She asked for more, but I knew that she would want one for breakfast so I made sure that there were leftovers. I am pretty sure Travis could have eaten at least 2 more.

The next morning right after Audrey woke up she went downstairs. Travis secretly followed her with the camera.