Photography

I am lucky to know some really fantastic photographers. I just wanted to pass on some names for any friends and family I have lucky enough to live near any of them. :)

Anyone around Brigham City, Ut
You should give a shout out to my sister in law Janie. She takes fabulous pictures. Here is her blog address if you want to check out some of her work:
Yellow Rose Photography


Anyone around Edmonton, AB
I would confuse you by trying to describe how I am related to Nicole but lets just say basically a cousin in law. :) I wish I lived nearby because her newborn pictures are fantastic! Collin is definately missing out. Here is her blog address if you want to check out some of her work:
Photography by Nicole Lowe

Anyone around Provo, Ut

Jen was roommate at Ricks College. She takes great pictures. Here is her blog address so you can check out some of her work:
Memories By Jen

Easter

I love Easter! I have so many fond memories of Easter as a child. We had some great family traditions and I have looked forward to starting them with my children. I was a little worried this year but in the end it was fantastic! Ethan was out of town with his mom and so I didn't think I would get a chance to do an Easter egg hunt. (I know I could do it with just Emily but I knew it would be more fun with at least two.) And then Sunday morning, I got Emily and Collin all dressed and looking cute. I was so exctied to get a picture. Then the screaming and crying from both children started. Landon was already at church for an early meeting. Instead of a picture I figured the safe thing to do was take them to church where their was witnesses.... :) At church Emily was given a red sucker.... need I say more. So Easter pictures will be done when I wash her dress and Collin's outfit (which he puked all over when the screaming started.)

Saturday my landlord had called and asked if it would be okay if she put on an Easter egg hunt for Emily and her daughter Carissa on Sunday. We accepted the invitation and Sunday afternoon Meranda, their older daughter, put out LOTS of plastic eggs all over the yard. Emily and I walked up to their house (we live behind their house). Emily ran up calling our, "Rissa, Rissa." It was really cute. I didn't even know she could say Carissa's name. The two were so cute. I couldn't believe how quickly they picked it up. Nicki spoiled them so much and she even let Emily keep the majority of the eggs because she found more. (Like she needed the chocolate) :)

Emily and Carissa
(Carissa is 8 months older than Emily. She has Downs Syndrome and is SOOOO Adorable.)

After the Easter hunt we went to my parents for a family Easter dinner. It was a lot of fun and the time went by so fast. Emily was so proud to show her Grandma all the eggs. We were so busy getting dinner on the table we didn't notice Emily in the living room. She had very quietly opened all the plastic eggs, dumped out the chocolate and gum balls on to the floor, and promptly ate all the chocolate! We only noticed her when she started coming into the kitchen to fill the eggs with cat food. Its a good thing my mom has a sense of humour because there was cat food all over the living room. Needless to say we couldn't get Emily to eat any dinner because she was full. She has a tummy ache by the time bed time rolled around. She was so hyper at my parents and then she basically passed out when she got home.

On Monday morning my friend Cindy called and we made plans to have her meet me at my mom's house so our kids could decorate eggs together. (Her son Greyden is four months older than Emily.) I decided to plan a little Easter egg hunt for the two of them. I also picked up the ingredients for edible Easter "nests" for a little treat from the Easter bunny. My mom and I headed into town and took advantage of the 50% off Easter sales. Candy was a steal! I found some "stackable" Easter bunnies as a little toy for the nests. Emily and Greyden had a blast! They loved putting the eggs in the dye. They were more excited when I told them they could go help my mom in the garden while the eggs dried. My mom got them each a gardening tool and they were right in there helping. It was really cute. I quickly made up the edible nests, gave them each a couple of chocolate eggs, a package of little oatmeal cookies, a juice box and their stacking bunnies. While the two kids were playing on my parents fort (which I didn't know that Emily went down the slide by herself until today) Cindy and I hid the eggs in the front yard. They were so cute while they searched for the eggs. They went everywhere together. If we called out one of their names to point out an egg, they would both come. They'd point them out to each other. After finding all the eggs they went into the house and were so excited about their nests. I had put one together for Greyden's older sister, Emily, so we had to keep the kids out of it. It was an absolutely perfect day!

New Game for Tiny and her Daddy

Time for a Haircut

For the last few weeks I have talked with my mom about Emily getting a hair cut. The bottom two inches, which is her fine baby hair, has become really raggedy. Problem was that we could never figure out a time that worked. Yesterday morning, as I was washing Emily's hair, I decided that I would just do it! Why not make the first hair cut you ever give to a two year old who will never know the difference?! :) I cut her hair while she was eating her cereal. I think that it turned out really well. I even layered the back a little. What do you think?

Before

After

Pile of hair

Back

Front

Mommy's little Cook

As I was preparing dinner tonight, I heard Emily moving a chair but didn't think much of it. As I turned around to check on the ground beef, I realize that Emily has gotten out a whisk and has moved the chair to stand next to the stove. She was about to stir the meat with whisk. I went over the ground rules of working with mommy at the stove and then grabbed the camera. A week ago Emily burned the tip of her index finger on our pellet stove. Since then if you tell her something is hot she won't touch it. Emily loved helping me make dinner. She snuck a few pieces of cooked meat while I was putting the casserole together. I love my little girl!

My Smiling Boy

Who could resist that smile?

Sunshine Fun

To celebrate TWO days in a row of warm spring weather, I decided to walk up to a local park yesterday with Emily and Collin and have a picnic. We called and invited my sister-in-law Ashley, Ethan and Sariah to join us for the walk and picnic. At the last minute Matt got off work early and joined us at the park. The kids were so excited to be outside with no sweaters or jackets on. Ashley and I carried up the infants in front packs while the toddlers were in umbrella strollers. The walk seemed like a great idea until we were half way up the hill to Sunset Park. Half way up we were wondering if our legs would make it. I now know how out of shape I am. (Bring on the cardio workouts!) I may walk up that hill daily carrying a nine pound weight and pushing a 25 pound weight. :) I would be in shape fast! The kids loved climbing up on the equipment and swinging on the swings. Uncle Matt as always was a big hit. The kids did not want to sit down long enough to eat lunch. Collin slept as long as he was in the front pack. Enjoy a few pictures.

He Passed!

Collin passed his hearing screening today! The BC Government has started a free hearing screening for babies. We went today and he passed. They administer the test two different ways. The first way is a probe in his ear. That didn't work for him. It may have been because he is slightly congested. The second way was to put three recording probes on him, put headphones on and record his brain's reaction. I wish I had brought a camera. It was hilarious to see him "wired" up. He slept through the whole thing.

Interesting Week So Far

I just wanted to let you know of a couple of funny things this week. On Tuesday, I left Collin asleep on the couch while I went into my room to get dressed. As I came out I realized that Emily was standing over him. I was a little concerned but this is what I found......

She had tucked her dolls in with him. It was hilarious!

Also on Monday night Emily got up at two a.m. and came out to see me on the couch. She tried to climb in with Collin and I. I was feeding him at the time and told her to go and get her dad. She said okay and promptly climbed up on the ottoman and went to sleep. It was soooo cute!


Also on Sunday we took a few family pictures. They aren't the best but hopefully I will get better ones in the near future. But at least you can see what we all look like. ;)

News from the doctor

Collin went to his 4 week appointment today. He weighs in a 8 lbs 9 oz and 20 inches long. He gained two pounds in four weeks! Good boy, Collin! He was given a clean bill of health and the doctor was impressed by how well he holds his head up. Emily was excited for the checkup but was disappointed that the doctor didn't listen to her heart or use the pressure cuff. (He would always do those things after he did them on me during my appointments.) When she realized the appointment wasn't about her she would randomly tell him, "No" or "Don't" when he was looking at Collin. It was rather cute her being protective. :) Here is a picture of Collin and Dr. Human.