Hogle Zoo

Kevin, being the sweet boy that he is, was able to get free passes for all of my family to go to the zoo on Saturday. He is working there taking tickets.

It was quite a bit colder then I expected. It was great as long as the wind wasn't blowing then it became quite bitter. Kira and Katelyn had a great time looking at all the animals. Although as soon as we got out of the car, Kira would not crack a smile. She was the most somber looking child the whole time. She didn't like the big animals too much but she really liked the small animal enclosure.

Dean and Heather came, bringing little Kendal. She was adorable. What a cutie.

Kira liked the animals as long as they were smaller than her.

Kira and I and the elephants.

The little baby elephant Zuri.Katelyn and the elephants!

We then went to the Gorilla enclosure. They were huge and really close to the glass, Kira was very intimidated by them and wanted to leave immediately.

Katelyn and the Gorilla

Measuring my little Gorilla!We were able to see the Rhino's up-close also.

Kevin was also able to get us a ride on the carousel. Kira was on a wallaby, while Kevin rode the red panda. Cassidy and Katelyn were a couple rows behind us.
I think the highlight for Kira though was getting to ride the train. The whole time she kept pointing at the train saying "Choo Choo, Choo Choo."

Later on we got out of the cold and went into the gift shop. I was able to get Kira a cute shirt from the Zoo that had a train on the front. She loves it. My Grandma also bought her a cute Giraffe, Kira calls it her baby cause it has a blanky.

While in the Gift Shop they had these large stuffed animals so I decided to take a picture of Kira on the Elephant. As soon as she got off she immediately sat on the tiger/lion and waited for me to take her picture. She is such a funny little thing.
Thanks Kevin for such a great day. We really enjoyed it, and can't wait to go back.

April's Shower

I know this isn't about Kira, but definitely worth mentioning...

April is going to have twin boys and I got the honor of throwing her a baby shower here in Logan. It was a great day, I had so much fun planning it. We had Cheesecake and fruit which was perfect. We played games and opened presents through out the day. She is looking uncomfortable yet very happy. Congratulations April, I am so happy for you and the new additions in your family.

I also got to try my hand at making some diaper cakes for her. I put a blanket on the bottom, then diapers in the middle, the top layer had body wash and wipes wrapped in more diapers. I also added some cute animal bath toys. They were so much fun.

I also made some bib flowers, which turned out very cute also.

Opening her very cute presents.

Carlitos and Kira, She really is a happy child.

The girls... Wendy had to leave earlier :(
So from left to right: Holly, Me, April (the twins), Aja, Jen (baby girl Rossback)!

Longtime Friends... April and I were 7 when we were on the same softball team together. Aja became our friend when we were 12 after a long and bitter adolescent struggle. :) I can't imagine my life without these girls or my other mothers, Sandra and Marylou. Thank you for the many great memories.The end to great day!

Nothing Much to Report

So I have been bad about blogging, but nothing of note has really happened lately.

• New Years- Kira spent that night with her dad and I went out with some friends, so it was a good, but quiet night.
• Tia Cassidy's Birthday-Cass turned 22 on January 20th. She all grown up, how weird is that. We went to Firehouse Pizza for dinner and played games. It was a quiet evening.
• Papa's Birthday-My Dad just became older than dirt, but is Kira's all time favorite person, which for my dad is the best present he could have gotten.
• Valentines-We got up early and played that day, but overall it was pretty sedate. My mom ofcourse went all out and got us each some nice things for the holiday.
• St. Patricks Day-Now that was kind of a dud. I didn't have any cute green outfit for Kira. I did find a green shirt for her and I was sick all day. Maybe next year.

Kira's Accomplishments @ 18 months

• She is talking more and more everyday. She says "Mama" "Papa" "Up" "More" "Down" "Thank You" "Please" "Santa" "Puppy" "Baby" etc...
  
• She knows what sound a dog, duck, cat, cow, horse, sheep, pig, car, and train make.
• She knows where her tummy, nose, eyes, mouth, hair, hands, feet, and bum are.
• She is very good at saying please and thank you for the things she wants.
• She is a good helper and likes to help me pick-up and clean the house, although she still doesn't like the vacuum all that much.
• She is very feisty and likes to have some choice in what she wears in the morning. She is especially picky about her shoes.
• She like to have her done, and will go and look in the mirror after I am finished.
  
• We now have to go the store with her drink, snacks, purse, babies, and sometimes puppy.

She continues to be the sunshine in my life and can't imagine life without her.

Christmas 2010!

This year Christmas was such a whirl wind. As always trying to do so many things, but it was still a great time of the year.
On Thursday night we went to eat at Mandarin Garden as always, which was delicious as always, then we read some Christmas stories and opened the 12th day of Christmas Gift.
The next day we spent getting everything ready for that evening and going to Moab Christmas day. We opened presents at my moms house really early, which was so much fun cause Kira was really into ripping the paper this year. She would walk from person to person helping them open their gifts. She didn't really care what was in them just that she got to open them.
Kira helping Papa open his gifts.

Now helping mom open hers.

She is such a little stinker, smiling five seconds before but when we want to take picture not even a twinkle.

Cassidy open her presents.

We then drove down to Salt Lake to have Christmas at my Aunt Leslie's house. We got to spend time with the family talking and playing games. Kira decided that she had a new best friend in Hideo and would hardly leave him alone, poor boy his arms were starting to get really tired. We opened gifts (which Kira was more than Happy to help with) and then we came home. My aunts house.

Sitting arround chatting.The cousins playing games.

Kira wanted to play too.More Presents for Kira to open. YeahKira and her new friend. Kira and mom!

The next morning Kira got to go to breakfast at her dad and other grandparents. She opened presents and played with her cousin Kade.
I think all the excitement of the last few days had gotten to her. So when I came to get her she was able to sleep for a good portion of the trip down to Moab.

This is what I woke up to Christmas Morning who could ask for a better gift.

We had dinner with the family down in Moab and we were finally able to see Kendal, my cousin's daughter who is adorable so tiny but she was such a little snuggler. I miss Kira at that age. Kira was fascinated with her, she also got a little jealous of mom holding another baby.

It was a very relaxing trip, we played games and watched movies and ate ofcourse. We got up Monday morning and headed home. It was an exciting but exhausting Christmas. Thank you to everyone for their wonderful gifts for both Kira and I. Love you all.

Ginger Bread and Toulle!

As is tradition, my family made Ginger Bread Houses. Out of the Kits ofcourse. My mom, Cassidy, Kira and I started to make them. Kira was far more interested in eating the Candy, but she had a good time. My mom made the frosting, and ofcourse knowing how good she is at cooking; she followed the directions but somehow did it wrong. So we had extra runny frosting which added a whole new level of difficulty to making the houses. Which also explains the why our house look like they are melting.

Cass and My mom Getting Busy!

Kira and I

Cass' finished house!

My moms cute tree! I am so going that route next year. Everyone remind me!

My very strange and melting Ginger Bread House.

Kira is such a prissy little thing. Now I don't know if that is because I am and I dress her up or if its just in her nature. But she loves to get dressed in the morning and have her hair done and then she has to look at herself in the mirror. Well Sunday was an extra special day and she wore her tutu to grandma's. She is so stinking cute, I can't get enough of her.

My little Poser!Kira and GrandmaMe and my cute little bug! What is that face about? Ha ha!

Festival of Trees, 2010

Every Year since I was like 8 we have gone to Festival of Trees! Now I am starting the tradition with Kira. She went last year and hated the loud music, this year she wanted to dance with it. While she is still not interested in the trees, she layed in her stroller and happily drank her bottle.

After we looked at the trees. LaShars Danced. The Ladies in that back were very impressed with our group. They thanked me for our professionalism and said we were the best performers of the day. Thank you to Festival of Trees for allowing us to come every year.

While the trees were beautiful as always they weren't as impressive this year. But the Gingerbread houses were amazing.

I think I want to do this tree in a couple years.

Kira and her bottle.

The amazing Ginger Bread Houses! I can't imagine the amount of time each house must have taken let alone the The Amusement Park!

Me and My Beautiful Girl!

Happy Turkey Day!

So last year I had a million pictures of Thanksgiving and this year not a one. What is the matter with me.

Well any way, we had Thanksgiving at my parents with my dads family. It was a really good time. We ate all the usual fixings all my favorites. It was Andy's turn to have Kira so I only got to have her for an hour but it was still the best hour of the whole day. Kira wasn't so sure about all the people but she warmed to all of them quickly.

Thank you to all for the warm wishes.