Goin' a little "GAGA" at the Salon today!

My sister in-law and I were adventurous and headed to my favorite salon up in Salt Lake today and got fresh new makeovers. She totally chopped her hair off and I went with a little edge. I bet I lost 50% of the thickness of my hair. I was informed that I have Asian hair and that no white girl has hair like mine. Then my stylist starts singing Lady Gaga to me and apparently she was the inspiration for my new do. I LOVE IT!!! Tell me what ya think.

Oh and if you want a referal, I can give you a card and you can get a discount. Wooh hoo, who doesn't love that. It's the Jagged Edge Retreat and my stylist is the guy behind us with the mohawk. Awesome...I know.

Don't ya just love Pioneer Day!

My sister and I took the girls to the Pioneer Celebration just blocks away from home here in Provo. It was so fun and they do an amazing job. We got to go through the little pioneer village and the girls spotted this beauty and can you guess what they said..."it's the thing from Sleeping Beauty! Mom, where's the sharp pokey thing?" The kind woman talked to them about the spindle and Gabriela was pretty intrigued.

They got their turn helping this woman make homemade ice cream. To bad we weren't around when it was ready to be eaten.

Love, love, love this photo of Sophia and her western getup. She wanted to wear her boots and I told her to go for it. She totally pulled it off and was catching eyes all over the place. Those dresses my Mom made have come in handy over the last year.

Playing pioneer games.

My sister and I got to make rag dolls for the girls. Gabriela took this fine picture of us, but in the process made a big smudge on my lens so every other picture has a blur on it.

The girls were amazed by the Indian dancers that were there performing. It was so stinkin' hot I thought we were going to pass out.

They had a petting zoo, so Julianne got friendly with the animals again.

They girls with the guy who was singing and playing the drums. Oh, the girls and I got to participate in a group dance. That was pretty fun.

Whew, what a day!

So my sister and I got overly ambitious today with the kiddos and ended up doing way more than any of us could handle. But we started off with a bang and hit Thanksgiving Point Farm Country and it felt like we hit the jackpot. There were baby animals everywhere. I love this shot of Sophia bonding with the baby pony. So stinkin' cute, I'm tellin ya. This child would be a rodeo queen if I let her. Julianne about became the baby cow's lunch. It was hilarious! She would go up to pet it, and yelling all the while, when he decided her dress looked like grass or a scrumptous snack and totally tried to eat her clothes. She would laugh and squeal. I had to rescue her from his mouth. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a while. This was her first experience with farm animals and she loved every minute of it.

This baby pony was born just 10 MINUTES before we got there. He couldn't even walk yet. It so cute watching him hobble around and his mom nudging him along.

My sis, Cortney, helping Julianne get a good view of the piglets. Seriously, Julianne was squealing like a piglet the whole time. I wish I knew what she was trying to say, but I know she was excited. Did I mention my sister is a hot tamale. Just look at her...gorgeous.

The three billy goats gruff!

The highlight for the girls is always the pony rides. Julianne got her first ride today. She had a hard time waiting her turn and she made me laugh, because the whole time she was riding she was trying to push my hand away from holding her. She was grinning from ear to ear and did I mention she likes to yell. My baby is growing up.

When I asked Gabriela which pony she wanted to ride, she just looked at me like duhh mom and said, "My old buddy...the black one." I didn't know she had bonded with a pony previously, but I'm glad they had a chance to rekindle their relationship one more time.

The squealer in action.

It felt like it was a hundred degrees outside, but we found a shaddy spot and had lunch before heading over to the Oquirr Mtn. Temple open house. I bet you were wondering why we were all dressed up to go to the farm. I just didn't want to make the drive up there twice, so I tried to kill two birds with one stone. Big mistake. I was so stinkin' sweaty from the heat and my kids were tired and grouchy, but we pressed forward. During the video presentation they kept themselves entertained with the water cooler. They probably drank a gallon a piece.

I was really hoping to have this glorious experience and was so excited to be able to take Gabriela inside a temple since she's been asking me since she was tiny. What I got was a stressful situation. The girls would wander up the line and out of site and then Sophia had a stinky diaper that I couldn't change until it was over with. Despite the chaos, the temple was gorgeous and had such good design. I was so impressed and encourage everyone to go and see it. Amazing. We survived our day, but just barely. If my sister was concidering having children, I think she's probably had a change of heart after spending this week with me. I'm just glad they are all happily sleeping now.

Snow White and the Little Mami

Ever since Julianne has learned to walk, this is her most favorite thing to do. She loves baby dolls and pushing them in strollers. She also likes to carry purses around. It keeps her busy and I have to admit, it's pretty cute to watch.

Sophia's still loving dance class and yesterday she started Snow White. I think this class is the cutest idea and my hat goes off to her teacher Ms. Bethany coming up with this clever idea. I would recommend it to anyone with little girls.

I got this random shot of Sophia that I thought was cool. Just thought I'd throw it in too.

I don't have any photos of Gabriela recently because she is too independant and is rarely around when the camera comes out. She's been spending her days riding her bike, playing with her cousin and befriending anyone who will listen to her. For example, the other night they had a bishopric barbeque in our ward for all the ladies and their daughters. Gabriela immediately spotted a sister in the ward, who is from China which Gabriela thinks is pretty cool, and buddied up with her. The lady fixed her plate and Gabriela sat and chatted with her the whole time. I was on the opposite side of the pavilion.

Art Lessons anyone?

So I think I'm going to start offering art lessons and use that degree I worked so hard for. My idea is to do a preschool art class once a week, where the kids get to explore with different art media and to teach some basic art skills and techniques. This would be especially fun for those kids who aren't quite old enough to go to school yet. I'm also offering private art lessons for those budding artist in your home who would like a more intensive lessons. We would study a little art history and then experiment and duplicate the famous artist techniques. Really it's what the child wants to learn and has an interest in. If you are interested, PLEASE let me know. I will set this up and get it rolling based on the interest I get from you guys. It would be a lot of fun for the kids and bring a lot of joy to me as well. As far as $, I'm still debating that one because of cost of materials and things. I would really like your feedback.

Congratulations to my good friend Heidi Murray!

Last night I went with some of my pageant gals to the Mrs. Utah America pageant. I know, some of you are thinking, "weren't you just in that?" but this is a different circuit. One of my close friends that I met at the pageant entered this one and she won. I was so excited for her and she looked beautiful and spoke eloquently last night. She will do a great job representing the state of Utah. Not only is she beautiful, but she is an artist, and has three small children. I'm really excited for her.

The Closing Prayer

Gabriela gave me a good laugh on Sunday when I reminded her that she was going to say the closing prayer in Primary. She sighed and said,"but Mom, I wanted to say the opening prayer. The closing prayer is when everyone closes their eyes." I never knew that the opening and closing prayer were referring to your eyes being opened or shut. I've been doing it wrong all these years.

The 4th of July Marathon...or so it felt!

We decided to make the most of the holiday weekend and take advantage of all that the Freedom Festival has to offer. No regrets, right? We started off at 5:30 a.m. by going to Balloon Fest. We go every year and it never seems to get old. We get there supper early because you get to watch them blow them up and get really close. Miguel's sister and her family met up with us and Gabriela soon disowned us and became an honorary member of their family. She loves her cousin Raquel and tells me, "she wants to live in their family." It makes me feel great that she loves us so much. I thought that wasn't suppost to happen till she's like 13. She ended up going to IHOP with them and I came home with the girls. I hit up a yard sale down the street and got some awesome deals on things that I've searching for for a while. That made my day.

Miguel and I were able to go on a date on Friday night so we went to Center Street with all the booths and vendors to walk around. We ate this scruptuous funnel cake smothered in whipped cream and strawberries. Yummy! It was so sweet in fact that we had to go hit the taco shop for some spicyness. If you live in Provo, you've got to try the tacos al pastor at Chunga's on Freedom Blvd. and about 600 N. So, so, so good. They'll burn your lips, but they are the perfect blend of roasted pork flavored with grilled pineapple topped with cilantro, onion, and a spicy chipotle salsa. My mouth is watering all ready. After indulging ourselves we went and staked out our spot for the parade. A friend of a family member has a house on center street so we left some our chairs only to have to wake up at 4:30 A.M. to go and put them on the street curb. It almost got ugly folks. Miguel and I kept our composer and we ended up with a spot to rope off. I'm sure you're thinking blah, blah, blah, but I'm writing this for me and my familia out East.

I had to go to a baptism that morning so Miguel took the girls and I met up with them later, just in time to run across the street as the cop goes by to start the parade. Whoohoo. Nice timing.

I got the girls all geared up in their red, white, and blue , duds and I thought they looked great.
Julianne thought the parade was pretty good. Can't you tell by her face.

It got pretty hot as the sun came up over the mountains. You just can't resist those sweaty, greasy cheeks. A mix of sunscreen, cheetohs, gummy bears, apple, chips, popcicle, and sweat.

She had ants in her pants the whole time and just wouldn't sit still. She down for about five minutes. Enough time for me to pull out the camera and get a shot.

Sophia gets the best parade goer award. She sat and waved to everyone that passed by her. Then she gave us all a side show as she danced around and pulled up her dress. That kid looks hot,so we gave her grandpa's hat for her head.

Julianne seriously is an eater. She kept herself entertained with food. Everytime I turned around she was eating something.

After the parade we headed home for about a half hour nap to head over to Miguel's brothers house for a barbeque. I made this festive treat and Miguel actually liked it. I was so excited, because he is usually not impressed by my culinary creativity.

The kids got to swim and have a good time.

At about 6:00 we headed home and the kids crashed until we woke them up again at 8:30 to go see the fireworks. We rode our bikes and Miguel had Julianne in the baby carrier on his back, while I pulled the girls in the bike trailer. They got to play with sparklers while we waited for the show. Sophia was hesitant, but good ole Gabriela was giving everyone a show with her interpretive sparker dance. I kept hearing people around me wispering about it. That's my girl...a true entertainer no matter where she's at. I actually thought she had some good moves. These omminous dark clouds were overhead and could hear thunder and just knew we were going to be soaked and have to huddle under the small blanket we brought, but it held off. The show was great and I just sat there thinking how thankful I was for my cute little family, for this great nation, and that I live in Provo and have so many great ways to celebrate just blocks from my home.

GRATEFUL for GIRLS!!!

When I was pregnant for the first time I wanted a girl so bad I just couldn't stand it. I was so worried that I would have all boys and not know a thing about what to do with them. When they told me Gabriela was a girl, I was so excited, because I knew all that that meant. Bows, dresses, princesses, makeup, dance, and so much more. Not only did the Lord bless me with one daughter...here I am with three, and I love every minute of it. I just felt to grateful this morning as I got these two cute kids dressed for dance and how much I enjoy watching them and having something I love so much in common with these kids. How blessed am I that they even like dance. It's a dream come true and I am so excited for the journey ahead. Who knows if I'll ever have a boy, but if I had to choose...I'll take my girls and be happy as pie. The Loves of my Life.