finally...

...I got some cute pictures of Gabby. Yay! I didn't get too many, most of them she was moving around, but I did get a couple that I'm happy with. There was lots of running involved trying to chase after her and keep her in one spot!








And some more with Payton and cutie cousins, Molly and Harry. My sister was in town this past week for a quick visit from Houston...it wasn't nearly long enough! The 3 little girls were in heaven playing with eachother, it's so sad that they live so far away. We had lots of fun, though and Payton loooooved baby Harry. She couldn't get enough of him. I will definitely have a little helper when our baby comes!









Wow, can you believe I posted again so soon? Haha. (I know, I'm surprised, too.) That's what cute pictures do, I guess!


Tal:)

i'm still here!

Why, oh why is it so impossible for me to blog lately? I am so lame. First of all, I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who left such nice comments on my last post. Yes, I am officially crazy...we are going for number 3. Haha! I'm about 14 and a half weeks right now, and the pregnancy is moving along, I guess...honestly, pregnancies are NO FUN for me. I am just super-sick and super-tired and super-lazy. Sounds like I'm a ton of fun, right? Oh, my poor husband. So honestly, that has been the major reason for my lack of blogging, and basically my lack of doing ANYTHING all summer! I am somewhat starting to feel better, but like I said, just not a fun time for me...I've been busy trying to stay on top of the day-to-day...and it seems like I haven't been able to do much else. Don't worry, things are good and I'm very happy, I'm just an exhausted pregnant momma lately!



So just what have we been up to? Oh, the usual...we have settled into our fall routine and I am loving it. Payton has playschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings which she is loving. I am so happy for her when I pick her up and she tells me everything she did...it is great. And on Wednesday mornings she has her tap/ballet class which she is loving as well. Look at how cute???






Gabby and I have fun running errands and just doing whatever while Payton is busy in the mornings...I am thankful for this time I have with "just her" until the baby comes. It is still hard to believe that my little Gabbs is going to be a big sister...aaah! She is my baby. I wish I had a perfect picture of her to share but the child will NOT let me photograph her! It is quite funny actually, she sees the camera and runs...*sigh*...she going to have learn sometime soon!



And this was cute...while I was cleaning the kitchen the other day the girls were using my little water spraying thingy at the sink as a microphone...this kept them busy forever!








Thanks for stopping by! I wish I could promise regular posts, but like I said, I'm just taking things day by day right now...I'll be back now and then, and hopefully things will start getting a little more normal for me.


Later!!



T:)

playschool, a 2 year old and a scrapbook page

Well, September is officially here. Payton had her very first day of playschool today and she was soooo excited! I have to admit, I was, too. I remember back in the spring when I was debating on whether or not to put her in playschool this year and I am so glad that we did! This girl is ready. She loves playing with friends and doing crafts and activities...things that I can't always guarantee at home. And I'm excited for somewhat of a schedule around here. Tomorrow she starts her ballet and tap class as well, so 3 days a week I actually have to get up and get out of the house...imagine that! So here are a few pics of my big girl...





with her teacher, Mrs. Hardy...


and the cute little classroom...




It's funny how I am totally remembering my own playschool days now! Man how time flies. And let's not forget about my adorable little 2 year old...




Gabby continues to be impossible to photograph. This chickie has a mind of her own. She is a busy busy girl and is really starting to babble...she has lots of words now. My favorite is how she says Payton's name: "Tay-ton"...it's so cute. She looooves her big sister.


Oh, and a typical mess that she leaves for me lately...




And last but not least, a scrapbook page that I did back in July. (yes, I do still scrapbook sometimes!)





!!!!!!!



Tal:)

wow...

I've really fallen off the blogging bandwagon haven't I? Oops. That's what summer does to me...I'm just all about being lazy lately! We got back from Montana on Saturday night and we had such a good time. The weather was perfect...hot and sunny everyday and nice and cool in the mornings. It was so nice for the girls to have so much family around to keep them entertained. Well, and they entertained all of us, too! Our days were full of all the good stuff that you do at the lake...swimming, playing in the sun, tubing and being lazy! We even had helicopter rides over the lake, that was lots of fun. Payton was so brave, she hopped right in that thing, no worries at all! And Gabby is just a water baby. We always had to make sure she had a life jacket on 'cause she had no problems with just walkin' right into the lake. Very very cute. Graham even bought a tiny little dirtbike that the girls loooooved having rides on. And yes, even I can drive it! That will be the extent of my dirtbiking! haha.



So now we're home and just trying to get into some kind of schedule. Both of the girl's sleeping is just totally off which is very frustrating for us at bedtime. It's at this point in the summer that I kind of start getting exited for fall...I love the weather the leaves, and most of all getting into a schedule.



Sorry my blog has been so boring! To be honest, it's been nice to take a little break...hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things sometime soon! And if you're looking for some creative inspiration, you can head over to the Goodie Box where Kim and I have been posting ideas every Monday.



See you soon!



Tal:)

a quick post...

I'm sitting here on my couch unable to tear myself away from the tv and thought I would do a quick post. I just finished watching "so you think you can dance" and oh, my!!! Amazing. I am so sad that this season is going to be over tomorrow, it has by far been my favorite. In my honest opinion, I want Katee or Joshua to win...they have both been amazing ALL season. I think Katee hit the major jackpot for awesome choreography every single week! Anyways, I just love that show...I wish I could vote!!



I haven't exactly been feeling "on top of the world" for the past little while and Kim came by this morning with a picnic for the kiddies to eat and play outside...it was so nice! Thank you, Kimmy! It was nice to visit and to have a change in our routine. (and thanks to my mama for helping out with my kids so much, too!)



We're off to Montana on Sunday for a week at the cabin...I can't wait. Sunshine, relaxation and Target. Oh, ya.



Be back soon.
Tal:)

faves

Okay, because my blog has been quite boring as of late, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pieces from So You Think You Can Dance this season. I am obsessed with this show. I love it. Love it, love it, love it. This season has been so amazing...so many awesome dancers. Aaaahhhh! Okay, so here are some of my faves:





















Okay, there ya go! I know I'm missing others that I've loved so far, but these are just a few. Have a good night!!



T:)

the goodie box girls on tv!

Something kinda fun...



If you're local, check out Global TV on Monday, August 4th in the morning. Chantel from Treasured Memories invited Kim and I to do a segment along with some other ladies from her store. It was lots of fun, thanks so much Chantel!



You can see some pictures on the Treasured Memories blog here!



Tal:)

almost 2

So my baby is almost two. Her birthday isn't actually till the 29th but because of busy summer schedules we had a little party for Gabby tonight. It was so much fun...and I just can't believe how grown up she's becoming! We went with a "Dora" theme...she loooves Dora. She was so cute and was totally into opening the presents this year. Payton was awesome...I was sure she would freak out, wanting the presents and attention, but not at all. She was just happy to be part of the fun and was a big help to Gabbs with the presents and stuff. I was so proud of her...guess I should have a little more faith in my children, hey?












Oh, and this is why I don't do cake decorating...'cause my sister does it waaaaaaay better! Look at this cake!! Who does this?? Gabby loved it and I was so sad to cut it up. Thank you so much Karly!!! (oh, and it was yummy, too!)





This little video of Gabby is so cute...she was so embarrassed when we were all singing "Happy Birthday" to her. She dealt with it by pulling her hair, so funny!! (Have I mentioned how completley opposite my 2 children are?)






So anyways, that was her little party. Thank you so much for coming, family! This was a big weekend. Gray and I spent the day yesterday redoing Gabby's room (finally!). No more crib...she's in a big girl bed now and is doing great. I was putting it off big time, but it is time to let her grow up a bit. It's always the mama's that have the issues, not the children, right? I'll share pictures soon. I also got called to the Relief Society Presidency in my ward, so I'm feeling overwhelmed but excited. It is time for a change for me, so I'm looking forward to being with the sisters in my ward...but like I said, totally clueless and overwhelmed. Ah, well...it'll be good!!



The weather's supposed to be good this week so I'm planning on being outside as much as we can...summer is almost half over already! AAhhhh!!


Be back soon,
T:)

at the track

Last weekend the girls and I went out with daddy to a track about 45 minutes out of town to watch him dirt bike. Kim, Cody and Ryker were there, too, and let me tell ya, keeping track of those little kiddies was no easy task! Well, I have to admit, I think it was easier to watch my two then it was for Kim to watch Ryker...he was just running all over the place and so FAST! It was hilairious. The kids had fun and each got a turn on the bike with daddy. Payton keeps asking when she gets her bike...um, in about 5 years, sweetie. Longer than that if I have anything to do with it! Hehe!


Anyways, I took a couple pictures, I love this first one of Gabby. It is so rare that I can actually get her looking at the camera and smiling, too! She just hates the camera and it makes me so sad 'cause she's so dang cute! Her and Payton are complete opposites...it's fun to really see the differences in their personalities as they get a little bit older everyday.










The summers going by just a little too quickly for me! Hard to believe that the middle of July is creeping up on us already. We've been having lots of fun. On Wednesday my sister and I took a day trip to Calgary with our girls to go to the zoo. We had such a good time. I love going places with Karly and Winter 'cause my kids love them and they're such a big help. And guess what....NO PICTURES!!! I was so mad...I charged my battery the night before, packed my camera...and then when I went to take pictures...I had forgotten to put the battery back in! AAarrrggghh! Talk about annoying. What is with me and cameras lately? Anyways, we saw so many fun animals, they were just amazing. The major highlight was the gorillas, though. A baby gorilla was just born in April and oh, my goodness, it was the cutest little thing I have ever seen. It was so funny how the mama just dragged and bounced her around all over the place. We could have watched them forever....those gorillas are major show-offs!



Anyways, I've been fighting a mega cold this week which has totally been draggin' me down. Just no energy and all I want to do is sleep. I even skipped out on my high-school reunion tonight...I know I am such a pooper! But you know what, I'm in touch with all of my good friends still, I'm even going to another friends wedding in August...I just couldn't bring myself to get ready and be social tonight. Computers and movies are much more fun (wink).



So, there you go. The weekly update. Exciting stuff, hey?



Tal:)

the epitomy of a husband and wife

wife: "Honey? What are you doing? Kiss me! Let's take a cute picture together... (etc,etc,etc)"

husband: (randomly pushing buttons on his phone) "...I'm busy."



Isn't this photo just the absolute truth? I love it! I was out on the weekend taking pictures for a *secret project* that I'm working on (whoo!) and Kim caught this one of Gray and I. Unplanned photos are always the best...I love it! Totally makes me laugh and it is just soooo US. Always trying to get his attention and he's always on the phone.




She also got these ones which I think need to be blown up and put in my house...LOVE them. As always after a picture taking session, I've been playing like crazy on my computer...








New pictures make me so happy!




Tal xo

full swing

Wow, I can't believe it's already been a week since I last blogged! Summer is in full swing and we've just been busy busy doing summer stuff. I love it. We've been outside in the sun and water almost everyday...it is sooo nice! My girls love getting their swimsuits on and playing...this is the first year I haven't had a "baby" in the summertime, so as long as I'm close by, they just play in the water on their own without any help. Yay for me!


It was funny, the other day we were out in the backyard, the girls were playing in our little pool, and I was sitting on my chair with my feet in the water just reading my book...next thing I realize, Payton and Gabby are sprinkling my legs with water, giving my legs and feet "massages"...talk about relaxation for mama! Everytime we go outside now, I'm like, "who wants to give mommy a leg massage??" Hehe!!



Anyways, I just wanted to stop in to say hello and I'm still here...just enjoying every minute of the short summer we have! It's not quite as warm today, so I think we're going to "Wall-E" this afternoon. Should be fun.



I love summertime!!



T:)

home from disney

Well, we made it back from Disneyland safe and sound and all I can say is that it was amazing! Honestly, we had such fun time. We were busy from the moment we got there till the moment we came home...we didn't want to miss a thing! Rather than trying to explain in detail, I think I'll just list the highlights:


-the Peter Pan ride (we went on it 3 or 4 times!)
-Downtown Disney (fun shopping and yummy food)
-the stroller (I am soooooo glad we brought it! It was an absolute must!)
-Pirates of the Caribbean (4 times...Payton loved Captain Jack Sparrow...arrrr!)
-the parades (fun music, fun to see all the characters)
-breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen (good food, pictures with the characters)
-the fireworks! (we watched them every night...from our hotel room and at Disneyland)
-the waterslide at the pool) so small that Payton could do it by herself... we caught her at the bottom of course!
-the Aladdin show in California Adventure...amazing!
-the HOT weather...some places DO get summer!
-watching Payton and 2 other little girls dance like crazy before the parade one night...it was so cute. Oh, how little girls can just make friends in no time. Very entertaining!
-the Princess Fantasy Faire...oh, my! A little girls dream...hair, princess dresses, crowns, glittery face painting and dancing with the REAL Disney Princesses...yup, this was our favorite thing we did!
-dinner at Ariel's Grotto where we met the princesses one on one while we ate
-the spinning tea cups...I had to take Payton on the ride both times 'cause daddy gets sick!
-taking Payton on the Matterhorn rollercoaster...she loved it! Wasn't scared at all!
-meeting Mickey Mouse...Payton was thrilled!
-the Mickey's Playhouse show in California Adventure...we had front row seats! Payton was in heaven.




All in all, we had such a great time. I can't wait to go back! We missed Gabby sooo much, but in hind-sight, it really is good that we kept her home...she would have been miserable in the heat and just too tired to do everything there was to do. I felt so bad for all the little babies that were there in that heat! And it was so fun to come home to her...she honestly wouldn't even look at Graham and I, her and Payton were just so excited to see eachother! (I only thought about how much I was going to miss Gabby...I didn't even think about how much the girls would miss eachother!)



Anyways, I just gotta say, I love Disneyland. It is the ultimate family vacation spot. Graham and I were so impressed with how NICE everyone was that worked in and around the park...it was awesome. And nice to be in a place that's jam-packed with families, so everywhere you go is kid-friendly and you're never embarrassed if your kid is acting up! Heehee.



Soooo glad to be home, and time to get back to normal. Hope everyone is having a good summer so far, and Happy Canada Day to all you canadians!



Tal :)

before i go...

...i just wanted to share a few more pages I've done over the last little while.






Okay, can we talk about this freakin' awesome chandelier stamp??? I love it. LOVE it.




My Gabby girl in her tutu...(I was very scared to scrapbook these photos!)









And Payton...


(I stamped directly on the mirror butterfly using stazon ink)




And my sign-page and layout for Kim's circle journal.... (Kim, don't look if you want it to be a surprise!)






And last, these two pages I did of my girlies...





Remember a while back I had mentioned that I want to start duplicating layouts for both of my girls? You know....when you do a cute page, then just do another one for your other kid(s). I love this concept. Not every page has to be a masterpiece and 100% original. I think it's fun to re-create and re-do. And for me, these 2 pages were more about the process and just having fun, rather than trying to get another layout completed for their albums. I was staring at all of my Love, Elsie stuff and just went to town. Fun, fun. And you know what? I didn't stop there...these pages came together so easily that I did another one of Graham, and then one of our whole family, too! Yup...that's 4 similar layouts, and I love them! (Oh, and a little side-note: I had all of these little square pictures left over from another project, and they've been so awesome to have on hand when I want to quickly do a page. I'm gonna keep on using them till they're gone!)




Okay....I am officially saying bye-bye to blogland for the next week. We're off tomorrow morning for sunny California and I can't wait. Disneyland, here we come!!!




T:)