2 good feet and three new teeth

JUNE 15-

This girl FINALLY decided her feet were better than her knees.

I am so glad. I am not a fan of the crawling stage. They are mobile and can get into things, but get so dirty, and pick up everything.

The walking stage is so much more my style.

I think she is the most unsteady walker out of all my kids. She is ALWAYS falling, and sometimes even takes a few steps backwards.

I love watching her walk, and she seems to be sooo much happier now that she can get around vertically.

This week she also got three new molars. I tell ya, this one is a growing up way to fast.

Who is this girl, and why does she keep calling me mom?

July 11, 2012 a day Hallie had been anxiously waiting for for months…her 5th birthday!

She of course was super excited to be 5, to have a super fun Tea Party with her sweet friends, and of course to get presents, but she also couldn’t wait to donate her hair!

In December someone mentioned to her that you could donate your hair to kids who didn’t have hair. Hallie thought this was a great idea, and said she wanted to donate her hair.

I was very apprehensive. I L-O-V-E,LOVE Hallie’s hair. It wasn’t quite long enough at Christmas, so I told her maybe by her birthday.(7 months away, I thought for sure she would be over it by then)!

WRONG!!!

She held me to it!! She talked about it. A LOT! And would remind me as her birthday approached that she was donating her hair. I would show her how short it would be, and she would say, “ok”, like it was no big deal. I would tell her maybe she should wait until Christmas, she said, “no”!

It took two attempts to call the salon, before I actually set the appointment, all with tears in my eyes.

On the way there I tried to bribe her with anything I could think of….”Hallie I will give you $15.” “Nah”, she says.  “$20?” “no.” “Hallie I will let you pick out ANY toy in the store, AND get a treat.” “nope”. (Disneyland!! I didn’t think of Disneyland. Crap! Maybe that would have worked)!

I even reminded her that if she was sitting in the chair and she changed her mind she could tell me and we could walk out, no big deal. She didn’t.

I teared up, I helped her in the chair.

They measured. They braided. They CUT!!

Hallie grinned form ear to ear.

I cried!

11” less and she is a new kid. Doesn’t even look the same. My little girl is gone, and was replaced by a big girl.

I still sometimes look at her and have to look twice because she looks so different. Who is this child? Is this really my Hallie? No more beautiful long curls.

But she loves it. And she was soo happy to donate it. And Ryan loves it. And my mom loves it. And I will always miss the curls.

I guess this is my new little(big) girl.

A Week at The Capitol Theater

June 11-16

Our whole week was filled with running Hallie from one thing to another for her duties of being a Little Miss.

Monday-Parade of Shoes at Gardner Village. All the Miss Utah contestants were in a little parade where they decorated shoes. After the parade there was live music so of course there was lots of dancing.

Tuesday-Headed up to the Capitol Theater so that we could get all checked in. After check in there was 2 hours of dance rehearsal. Eli and Evie came with me. They were less than thrilled to be there.

 

This was her favorite part of the dance. Back to back with her partner, Emma.

Eli & Evie entertaining themselves. Eli drawing, Evie climbing.

Wednesday-Ryan was super dad this day. I had  Golf lessons and book club, so he offered to take care of her. He took her up to the Theater again for more dance rehearsal. Then some dinner at the Olive Garden and then her first night of the pageant.

She started off with her dance, which she was a little slow at, then she got dressed in her pretty white dress they gave her and she did a little walk around the stage. Ry said she looked so cute.

 

Thursday-To the Theater again. Today my mom was a sport and watched Eli and Evie for the day/night. We got up there at 3:30 and didn’t get home until 10:00. Hallie did her practice. She got done a little early, so we headed over to City Creek. She was enthralled by the fountains. I pulled her a way just long enough to eat a little dinner at The Blue Lemon. We then got her ready and she had her second big night on stage.

Ryan’s parents were able to come meet me and support Hallie. Unfortunately, they were a little late and missed her dance, but were able to see her do her walk. We also ran into Hallie’s favorite people: grandma Sandra and Sadie. So that was a bonus!

Friday-I spent the night before at my parents house, so I didn’t have to go all the way back down to Utah County. Again my mom babysat Evie and Eli so that I could take Hallie to rehearsal. today we had to be there at 2:00.

Ryan then met us up there and we had dinner together. Again at the Olive Garden. The service wasn’t to good, so we actually got our meal for free. Then headed back to the Theater. My parents met us there and were able to come watch and support Hallie.

Friday was an extra fun night because it was Alex’s night for evening gown, which meant Hallie was able to escort Alex around the stage. It was so cute.

Saturday-Our final night at the Theater.  Ryan actually took her again to rehearsal and then I met them up there. They arrived at 4:00 and did rehearsal. Then dinner at Chic-fil-A this time, and then her final time to perform.

Unfortunately, Alex didn’t make the top ten. Hallie still did her dance and walk around the stage, and tonight she finally figured out how to wave AND smile! All the other nights she looked so serious as she walked on the stage. She was so focused on her waving!

After the pageant she was having a ball dancing and posing in front of the theater for pictures. She was having so much fun!

Posing like Miss Utah in the picture

We thought she would just conk out on the way home, but she was just so giddy she laughed and was silly all the way to my parents house, where we went to pick up Evie and Eli again. I am pretty sure I have the best parents. They spent many a hours watching those two for me while we spent many a hours with Hallie.

She loved every minute of this experience and of course made many friends. On Sunday, she said, “I wish that the Pageant wasn’t over. because I really want to see my friends again.” That is so Hallie. She is a total social butterfly!

We were also able to enjoy the pageant so much more, because Ryan’s brother works for the dealership that gives Miss Utah a car, so he was able to get us 4 tickets every night, 5 rows from the stage!! It was Awesome!

Miss Lehi’s Little Miss

June 9-

We are fortunate enough to know and love Miss Lehi 2011, Alex Richardson.

She was competing in the Miss Utah pageant, and so she needed a Little Miss.

She chose our little Hallie.

Hallie excitedly agreed.

Her requirements would be to to do a little dance number with all the other Little Misses(each contestant had their own, there were 44), be at rehearsal every day, and do a little walk around the stage in her white dress every night of the pageant (4 nights). Then on Alex’s evening gown night she had to escort her around the stage.

BUT, before she even did all that she was able to participate a little in the Miss Lehi Pageant, where the new Miss Lehi would be crowned.

Before the pageant Ryan and Hallie had to go and practice their part. They went a little early so that Ryan could take her out to dinner and have a little date together.

At the pageant Ryan escorted her for a little stroll around the stage while they read a little bio about her. She was supposed to smile and wave. She got the waving down, but she was so somber the whole time. I think she gets so focused on what she is doing that she forgets to smile and have fun!

Receiving her roses…I think that was her favorite part.

She did crack me up though. After their little walk and she was standing there waiting for them to finish her Bio, she did a little twirl and curtsey. Just totally out of the blue. HILARIOUS.

At the end of the of the pageant she was able to pass out the awards to the contestants. Again, don’t let that little somber face fool you…she LOVED every minute of it, and was so giddy afterward.

She LOVES Alex! She was her little shadow the whole night!

After the pageant she wanted to get ice cream. Ryan said that we would take her. She then made me so proud by asking if we could, “please go pick up Eli from the babysitter first, so that he could come too so that he wouldn’t feel left out.”

Is that not the sweetest thing? I love when my kids actually show love toward each other.

We hit up Culver’s.

It was also a monumental night for Evie…she had her first bite of ice cream. Of course she was a fan!!

Stay tuned…next our crazy week at the Miss Utah Pageant!

12 month baby girl

June 2-

12 months(and some days) ago we were blessed with our little Evie Tia.

So we had to celebrate!! Because I absolutely love celebrating birthdays, especially my kids!

Many family showed their love for our little Evie by joining us for dinner and cake at our house.

She was NOT impressed!!

She was whiny and cried most of the day, and her party was no exception.

She was not interested in dinner, guests, cake or presents! Good thing grandma Gonie was here to baby her. Otherwise, I probably would have just put her to bed and ate her cake myself, opened her presents returned them and got something for me!

After everyone was gone, she decided she would put on the charm!!

Honestly, as soon as the last guest left she was so happy, content and sweet! She ate lots of food, then dove into her cake and ate about half of it. After every other bite she would look over at me with the cutest little eyes and give me a sweet smile!

I couldn’t believe how her demeanor changed so quickly and drastically!

I am not totally surprised though, she is a girl after all.

 

a little info on Evie at ONE:

*Can blow kisses

*Sleeps great through the night. Usually takes two 2 hour naps a day.

*Loves oatmeal for breakfast.

*Not a huge fan of real food. But does like meat, cheese, beans, fruit, and yogurt bites.

*Is ornery most the time. Not a very happy child. Wants me to hold her ALL. THE. TIME!

*Can say: mama, dad, uh-oh, and hi.

*can wave bye-bye, and hi.

*Currently has 7 teeth, and is working on her back molars.

*She is a people watcher. Likes playing with kids, especially Hallie and Eli.

*Can walk a little bit, usually walks a ways and then tumbles down, so just continues to crawl.

*She can actually be a little show off.

*Is impatient and temper mental.

*Is VERY VERY wiggly. She will not sit still. Always has to be jerking herself around.

*Loves her super soft blankets and her binky.

*Has the cutest little smile, and sweet little eyes.

Even though this little girl is by far my hardest baby, I LOVE my little Evie-beans sooo much. She has lots of personality and can be oh so sweet!

Our family on Evie’s birthday