Yeah for Soccer!

Yeah for Soccer!!
Blakeslie is playing on a little Rec center soccer team. She is having a blast and loving every second of it. She is hilarious to watch because she is usually chasing the crowd that is chasing the ball and sometimes her running looks more like dancing. She definitely cares more about how her shin guards and cleats look than scoring a goal. The teams are supposed to be CoEd. However, our team has 10 girls and 2 boys. In the 3 games we have played the other teams will be 10 or 11 boys with 1 or 2 girls. We keep up pretty well considering. The last picture is how Mayzie spent her Saturday morning game – smearing her breakfast all over her face.

Mayzie's Birthday!

I can’t believe my baby is already one! This year has just flown by. All week I relived what was happing last year. It was crazy to think how much has happened and how fast. Mayzie is so stinkin’ fun! She has the best sparkly eyes and just beams anytime you even look at her. She has such a good nature and rarely is even slightly grumpy. We love having her here and are so very grateful for her sweet, loving personality.

We celebrated by having a pool party in our backyard. It was wonderful to have friends and family there to commemorate Mayzie’s big day. She loved the pools, games and especially the cake. What a great day – I love her so much!

I apologize for the world’s longest slideshow – I hope you can adjust the speed

Thanksgiving Point Camps

I never posted about all of Blakeslie’s summer camps. On most Tuesday’s (the ones we were in town for) she went to Thanksgiving Point for little 3 hour day camps. It was awesome. She learned so much and made some really neat things. I highly recommend these camps to anyone. The themes for her days were: birds, bugs, snakes, dinosaurs, horses and wild things. She can’t wait to go back again next year. The best part was picking her up because we usually went in and got lunch and ice-cream at the deli while she would show us all the fun things she made and learned.

Boise

We had a great time playing around in Boise with my family. My parents didn’t open up their pool since nobody was there to use it, so we went to the club to swim almost everyday. The girls loved swimming and especially loved the popsicles. We also rode bikes and played with all of Nana and Papa’s toys. The highlight of the vacation (maybe not highlight, but important milestone) was Blakeslie’s first trip to the dentist. Papa was all kinds of stressed out to do an exam on Blakeslie. Apparently, he thought we never brushed her teeth. She didn’t have any problems and we all survived the experience with only mild scarring.

Highlight of the Year!

Ever since I was little we have been going to the Fairview Pioneer Day Parade and Demolition Derby. It is by far one of the greatest highlights of the entire year. The parade is the most small town, perfect, All-American parade you will ever find. This year Blakeslie participated in the children’s parade which is 30 minutes before the actual parade. She had a blast riding down the town’s main street/highway. She threw candy to the crowd (most of it not making it more than 15 inches from the bike) and loved every second of her grand procession! The parade is one of a kind. Blakeslie filled her bag full of candy, (including giant pixie sticks, water bottles, T-shirts, etc.) and she and Mayzie enjoyed many, many popsicles. She also loved squirting the fire trucks and her Dad. Erma Lee was the Grand Marshal of the parade – Well done!

Chip couldn’t resist capturing this moment and he has titled this picture
“The Golden Calf.”

A man that teaches at BYU Hawaii brought some of his students from China to the festivities – seriously how sad is the fact that their only experience in the US is a hickville, crazy parade! Anyway, they could not get enough of Mayzie. They were so cute with her. I don’t know if it was the light hair, blue eyes or what, but it was hilarious!

Now for the Derby……Don’t think less of me…..and please don’t call child services.

Yes, I dressed my girls in Camo!

As we got older and realized just how funny this entire experience is my cousins and I started to subtly mock our adventure to the Derby. We always take a trip to D.I. to find just the right apparel. This year was no different and Chip picked out Blakeslie’s Camo shirt and she insisted he cut off the sleeves. (The other shirt he bought her looked like it was a shirt for FED EX, but it said “FED up with boys.” Oh, there is always next year!) This year unfortunately, our numbers were small. None of my cousins were able to attend. (So excited Taylor, Lindsay and Jack will be here for next year!) I would like to say that we stuck out in our garb, but we don’t so much. Even Chip’s hideous facial hair, which he starts growing out weeks before, is not that strange down there.

It was an awesome day. You gotta love Pioneer Day – one of the best reasons to live in Utah! The Parade and Derby filled all of Blakeslie’s expectations with a day full of more than enough candy and popsicles, Roll-overs and fires, and of course Utah’s best firework show! (Truly the fireworks are AMAZING!)

Fancy Nancy Day

We took the girls to get their hair and nails done at the local beauty college. Blakeslie had a blast and couldn’t stop starring at the mirror while the lady curled her ringlets. Of course she did a pattern of purple and pink on her fingernails - very beautiful! Then we met our Dads at Dear Lizzy’s and had lunch and desserts. Blakeslie totally played the part by making us eat with our pinkies up and call each other "Darling." Any of you that haven’t read the Fancy Nancy series are seriously missing out - they truly are perfect for little girls.

This is the reason I LOVE having girls!!!

Steel Days Carnival and Parade

I love the Steel Days celebration in American Fork. We especially love the parade and look forward to it every year. We have our special spot we have gone to for 3 years now (perfect amount of shade.) Mayzie had her first sucker and was in absolute heaven - she actually loved the parade too and wanted to be part of the action by clapping and waving at everyone. Blakeslie’s favorite part was the candy and the American Flag. Now anytime she sees a flag she has to put her hand on her heart.

The carnival is always a good time. Can’t beat the cheap thrill rides, cotton candy, and wonderful clientele (Chip’s people watching heaven)!

Primary Activity

Our ward had the cutest primary activity. We had a pioneer parade around our park with bikes, wagons and anything that could move. Bean and Mayzie had a great time!

Dance Camp

Blakeslie did a 3-day princess dance camp with Miss Tiffany. She was in heaven. They got to dress up, get their nails and toes painted, play games, win prizes and of course dance!

American Idol Concert

We had a great time going to American Idol. It was fun to see all the stars perform again. Gotta love them all! (Chip loves Christie Lee Cook - a little more than the rest!)

Yosemite Mountain Ranch

We had a blast on our annual trip to YMR. It was fun to see family and play with cousins.


Chip’s favorite things about YMR
Breakfast
Decapitating a 4 ½ foot rattlesnake!
Fishing with Blakeslie, who is not a sissy girl
Driving the Wild and Crazy Jeep
Canon balling the kids at the lake

Chan’s favorite things
Our quiet picnic at the lake
Reading Twilight and New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
Sneaking cookie dough from the kitchen
Hangin’ with Hilary
Watching the cousins play

Chan’s least favorite thing
Having the stowaway LIZARD jump on my foot in the car on the ride home! I almost died and Blakeslie was screaming from the backseat, “I want to see it…Can we please take it home.”

Blakeslie’s favorite things
Swimming, fishing, and playing at the lake
Smores at the BBQ
Dora Hike and hiking Yellow Pine Ridge Trail
Playing kick the can and spotlight tag
Wild and Crazy Jeep rides

Mayzie’s favorite things
Eating snacks on the dock
Getting loved on by all the cousins
Getting held by Grandma and Grandpa
Playing in the dirt
All the good food

We made a little Dora Hike for Blakeslie and some of the cousins. They had a great time exploring the “bat cave,” hiking to the salt lick, playing at the tree swing, and ending at the spring house – where we had drinks and candy waiting.



My favorite day was our quiet picnic at the lake. The four of us had a great time eating, playing, and fishing. Blakeslie and I had the best water fight – she won!



Blakeslie loved fishing with her Dad. Her favorite were the tiny fish. She would bait the hook and reel them in. Once they were caught she would hold and pet the fish. She really wanted to keep them. I’m afraid they were half dead from “love” by the time they found their way back into the lake. (I couldn’t help but think of Leny in Of Mice and Men.)



The traditional BBQ night was a hit. The kids loved making smores almost as much as Lynna.




It really was a great trip full of fun memories and good ol’ family fun!

Girls Camp

Well I survived girls camp. Seriously, another year or two and I will have spent more time at girls’ camp as a leader than I did in Young Women. The girls were great and all the activities were fun. We went to the Heber Valley Camp. It was an amazing site – Thank you very much Sister Hinkley- what an inspired lady! It was fun and all, but I am so glad it is over. I am always shocked at how much work it takes to organize, feed and entertain 30 girls!

Chip's Special Presents

Last year Blakeslie and I got matching PJs for Christmas so for Chip’s birthday we made her and Chip a matching pair. When I asked what we should get Dad this year she insisted on more PJs. This time we made a set for the whole family. Blakeslie helped cut, pin and sew. (None of the pictures turned out because of the light behind us. :0( ) We have had fun sporting our new duds. FYI, my sewing skills are completely limited to PJ bottoms. I laugh so hard every time the machine is going – there isn’t a straight line on any of the four pairs!

Chip's Birthday Party

We had a little surprise birthday for Chip’s 34 ½ birthday. For those of you who don’t know his real birthday is Christmas Eve so ever since his 2nd birthday (his mom forgot his first- due to all the Christmas hub-ub) they have celebrated it on his half birthday. At first this annoyed me – I have a December birthday – it seemed like he gets two birthdays. However, after a few years I realized not only does he not get two birthdays he hardly gets one. Most people forget both. Anyway, we decided to throw him a little party. He was totally surprised and we had a great time complete with his golf theme (thanks Blakeslie) and his favorite ice cream cake!

Dance Recital

Blakeslie had her annual spring dance recital. She was so excited to perform and especially to have all her family come see her. She danced to Lolipop and she was a star! She loved all the attention and especially the flowers. Everyone was so good to her – Thanks!

Girls Playing

One day I walked out from my room to find Blakeslie and Mayzie “playing.” I know she has skills, but I’m pretty sure Mayzie had help getting in her basket. At least they play together nice… so far.

Is she so stinkin’ cute, or what?!!
Blakeslie never crawled on all fours. She only army crawled until she started walking, so it is so cute to see Mayzie in a real crawling position.

The Name

Some of you have heard what Blakeslie calls Mayzie, but I realized I would be sick if I never got it on video- so enjoy! Poor Mayzie is going to be warped by all her nicknames. It has been quite the evolution and I’m sure her next phase will bring yet another hyphen.

Translation: Mayzie-Pantalones-Chunkalumpus-Pooperooni-MessoPantalones-Moover Magoo!
Evolution: It started with Mayzie Pants and then one day Blakeslie shouts out Mayzie Pantalones. Chunkalumpus was added around 5 months when Mayzie was a little on the large size. Pooperooni was added when we were in Pheonix and Mayzie was having blowout diapers at every change. Blakeslie added MessoPantalones because after the third diaper/clothes change in one day Pooperooni wasn’t sufficient. Moover Magoo came when Mayzie really started to get around. We can’t wait to hear what comes next.

The best is when a stranger will ask what the baby’s name is and before I can answer Blakeslie starts rattling off the whole thing. You should see the bewildered faces!

Day Camp!

Blakeslie did a little “dance camp” last week. A neighbor girl put on a camp in her home for an hour every day. You’ll never guess how much it cost me…..$6. That was better than babysitting and Blakes had a blast. On Friday they did a little performance in her back yard

End of School Parties

Well for having just a preschooler I couldn’t believe how busy the last week of school was. We had a great time at Blakeslie’s end of year school party. She is really going to miss her school friends – especially Josh.

We also had a neighborhood party. All the kids brought shaving cream and had a blast. I didn’t think Bean would be into in, but she totally held her own!

Messy Eater

Chip made the mistake of answering his phone and leaving Mayzie with her dinner within reach. Oops!