Birthday's, Pedicures And A Whole Lot Of Busy!

January is a crazy month for birthdays! James is the 10th, my nephew Isaac is the 14th, my sister Kira, Isaac's mom, is the 17th, and Brian's sister Trish is the 19th. There was a lot of partying, and we aren't done yet! There would've been more if we lived near Tricia. We finally decided on this Wednesday for James's party... Only 17 days after the fact. It's Lego themed and I am excited! I ordered some molds for making lego candies! I can't wait to see how they turn out!

A week ago Saturday, my sisters and I went out for pedicures to celebrate Kira's and Jenny's (our sister in law, who's birthday was Dec. 27, I think.) birthdays. We didn't get a pic together. We never do. We should probably start. But, here are my toes.

At the salon I had my cousin McKell meet us there to give me some stuff, and we just brought her with us to get cupcakes at Cravings in PG. Again, no pictures. Cause we are the worst.

The next day, a week ago Sunday, we celebrated Isaac's birthday at Shannon's house because Brian had to finish some filming at our house from his crazy week long shoot. (We are so glad it's over, but it was amazing. I think he was very lucky to get such amazing, and talented people to work with him!) I made the cake. He loves Mickey Mouse and I had planned to make this amazing cake shaped like Mickey's head, but, as it turns out, ain't nobody got time for that. Sorry, Isaac. Maybe next year.

Poor Isaac's lack-luster cake...

Hanging out with Granddaddy.

Or, as James used to call him, Crynanny.

This week is full of more excitement, and general busy-ness! Today we went to see the Ice Castles in Midway. That was our family adventure this month. It was amazing! I will post about that later and link to it here. Then James's party on Wednesday. Then Friday we are heading down to St. George for the weekend as a family. Brian has to go for work and we have some friends and family down that way that we want to visit with. I will try and remember to take pictures.

As a photographer, it really is shocking how often I don't think about taking pictures...

Jane Austen

I am working on a special project about Jane Austen, and I need some help from any and all who are willing! Here is a little survey that will get me the answers I need. Thanks for being will to help!

3 Years and 5 Months

Last week, on January 8th, Aria turned 5 months old.

 On Sunday, January 10th, James turned 3 years old. And, I didn't take any pictures because I am the worst.

My babies are getting so big! And, in some ways they are so much alike! Others, they are so, so different. It's fun seeing them learn to play together. Aria has just started laughing. She laughs most when James shows off for her. He will throw things in the air, or push the rocking chair real hard, or run around crazy and she just laughs and laughs. It's amazing. I love baby laughs!

On Sunday, we had some cake and gave James a present from us. He loves them!

We forgot to get candles for his cake, but Brian said he wouldn't notice. After we finished singing Happy Birthday, James said, "Dadda, Where's the fire?" I guess he noticed. His real party won't happen for a while. We have been so busy preparing for Brian's shoot that he is on all this week. Phoenix, inc. He has been planning this thing for years with Jimmy Hepworth, and I think it is really going to be amazing! He has brought on some incredible talent, both on the screen and behind the scenes. It is supposed to kick off a web series that will, hopefully, film this spring.

Last night the kids and I were being too loud for the filming, which was all at our house, so we got kicked out. We had an impromptu visit to Mimi and Papa's house, where James got his first viewing of The Land Before Time. He really loved all the parts with the scary T-Rex. Other than that, he was a little bored with it. But, he generally is the first time he watches movies. There have been a few exceptions, but mostly, the first time is hard for him to get through. I bet he will love it with more viewings, since he loves dinosaurs so much!

The kids have been sort of sick. I say sort of because it's unpredictable what will set it off or when. They will throw up once, and then not again for days. It's weird. I don't totally understand. But, James was super polite about it. He knocked on the door and when I came in and saw the mess he said, "Oops. I got strawberry milk on my blankie." We could tell he had tried to clean it up with a clean diaper. How sad! What a cute kid, though. And, despite their illnesses they have still been really happy. For that, I am truly grateful! These kids. I mean, really, how many toddlers clean up their own puke?

One of these days I should probably update our banner picture.... That's almost 3 years old.

New Year, New Resolutions

Ugh. It has been almost two years since the last post on this blog. But, I really want that to change. That's one of my new resolutions. One of the things I have let hold me back is my two adorable children.

Don't get me wrong, I love them! But, I am trying not to use them as an excuse anymore.

I have been feeling that I needed change for the last few months. Big change. I guess having a second kid really made me realize that I am not where I want to be in life. That is not meant to be a "pity me" statement. It's just a fact. I have a good life, and I am a good person. But, I could be better. A lot better. This year I want to start becoming the person I want my kids looking up to. So, here it goes. My resolutions.

1- Be a better Mormon. This might seem too big. Or, it might seem too vague. But, I promise it's not! It just has multiple steps involved. Which, I think, is okay. I don't remember the last time I went Visiting Teaching. I am not even sure that I know the ladies I am supposed to teach. That changes now. I am committing myself to AT LEAST making contact with them each month. I also need to keep a better schedule where temple attendance is concerned. There are a few other steps. I want to do better with personal scripture study. I want to really learn and understand the scriptures. The best part about this resolution is that any improvement, means I succeeded! That's not meant to allow me an easy out, so much as the inspiration and encouragement that comes with baby steps.

2- Read a new book every month. I don't really like reading. I see posts on Facebook all the time about how people who don't like reading can't be friends with so and so who posted it. Or, about how they must be stupid or hate learning. Or, all of the above. That makes me feel bad. See, the thing is, I am extremely auditory and it's hard for me to create something in my mind, visually. I don't find it fun, like other people. There are a few books that I have enjoyed reading, but, overall, it's hard. But, I also feel like that will never change if I don't work at it. Like working out. Those creative muscles will never get stronger, if I don't give them practice. I'm starting off this month with Northanger Abbey. I have read Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park. I need to read all of Austen's works for a project I am working on. Next month will probably be Persuasion, haha.

3- Take my children on a new adventure every month. I want to try to take them to new places every month, but I am also okay with places, like the Aquarium, that we have already been. James has never been to Hogle Zoo, or the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Pointe. Those are the kinds of places I want to take him every month. I want to spend some family (and sometimes friend) time doing something out of the norm, every month. I am going to cut myself some slack with this one. I will consider it a success if I make half of the months! Haha! I just can't let us sit at home wathcing TV all the time any more. We are getting out and living life.

4- Cook more. I'm gonna take that a step further: I want to experiment with new recipes more. But, seriously. Even just cooking more would be good. It isn't that I don't cook or make food. I do. But, I need to make healthier and more exciting options. We shall see how this one goes...

5- Take a class. Any class. A language class. A dance class. An art class. A photography class. Other acceptable options: lessons in an instrument, or voice, or acting. I just need to learn! I want to study. I miss school! I just crave learning new things, and this is vague, but also not. I need to take the initiative and find a class somewhere. This one I am excited and scared for. I'm Little Red Riding Hood.

6- Meditate/Practice patience. I think lately I have been taking too much to heart. I have been taking things too personally. I need to get back to letting things slide right off me. Going with the flow. I want to do Yoga, and that will help me learn good meditation practices. I have seen some Yoga routines to do before bed that help you unwind and relax. I think I might try those.

7- Blog more. Haha! I know... Seriously, though. I want to record more of the moments I have in my life personally, and with my family. I want to practice my writing skills. I used to be a fairly decent writer. I think I have lost touch with that. I am going to try to blog once a week. Maybe I will work it into my Sunday schedule/routine. I want to remember things. I have a terrible memory. Besides, looking back is such fun!

That's it. Those are my resolutions. What are yours?