Spring Blossoms

I love driving around and seeing all of the trees with their beautiful blossoms.  Spring is my favorite time of the year.  I wish the blossoms could stay longer, they always make me smile and lift my spirits.  

Arrow of Light

Hunter received his Arrow of Light the other night at Pack Meeting.  He has worked hard all year long on the requirements.  He earned every pin and also earned his Compass Award and points.  He really loves scouting and is so excited to join the 11 year old Scouts.  He also gets to go on the campouts with the older boys because Mike is the Scoutmaster.  

During the Award Ceremony

The Proud Momma and her Scout

Never taking anything too seriously.  :)

Hunter has had some wonderful scout leaders this past year.  I am so thankful that they have been working so hard at helping Hunter get everything passed off.  Now it's time to start working on the Eagle!

A Night Out with Michela

On Saturday Michela and I spent quite a lot of time together.  In the afternoon I watched her in her first soccer game of the spring season.  They won easily and it was a great start for the team after the long winter break.

That evening we drove up to Salt Lake to go to the Young Women's Broadcast at the Conference Center.  It was gorgeous spring weather so we walked around the new City Creek Center and had dinner there at a yummy little bakery cafe called Hagermann's Bake House & Cafe.  We both got soup and sandwich combos and the food was delicious.  The bread was to die for!

The meeting was fabulous.  There was a young women's choir and all of the Young Women's Presidency spoke.  The closing speaker was President Monson and I so enjoyed his talk.  I hope Michela got something out of it and felt the wonderful spirit that was there. 

Outside of the Conference Center they had flags and banners in the value colors.  It was a beautiful sight to see them waving above all of the lovely and righteous young women in attendance.

We walked across Temple Square and admired the flowers and the cherry blossoms that were starting to bloom.

After the meeting we walked around City Creek for a little bit longer.  It is really pretty and there are a lot of fun shops and restaurants.  We didn't get to see very much, but we definitely want to go back there and explore some more.  We felt like we were at a big celebrity party when we had to wait in line to get into H&M.  It was pretty funny.

On the way home we stopped for shakes at In 'n Out and sipped on them the whole way home while we talked and sang along with the radio.  Such a fun night hanging out with my newly teenage daughter.  I'm looking forward to many more nights like this one.

Aria and Laina's Pictures

About a month ago I won a Facebook contest for a mini photo session with Katie Dudley up in Salt Lake.  I've been following her blog for a while and I love her more candid style.  I was so surprised when I won.  I talked to Katie about bringing both Aria and Laina, because how could I pick between the two of them! It turned out to be such a fun photo shoot.  I thought Laina would be a problem, but she was all smiles and loved running around the studio.  By the end she kept running up to Katie to give her big hugs.  Aria was a stinker at first but she warmed up when we plopped the two of them on a bed together and Katie started asking Aria questions.  She also videoed them a bit and put together the cutest little movie.  Katie just emailed me last night with links to the photos and movie.  Here is the link:  Katie Dudley Photography  I'm so happy to have these pictures and video.  They will forever capture the personalities and special relationship of my two little girls.  Thanks to Katie for doing such a fabulous job!

Michela is Officially a Teenager

Michela turned 13 years old today.  I cannot believe it!  I'm not old enough to have a teenage daughter!  :)  Time is just going by too quickly these days and before I know it she will be off to college.  Yikes!  Michela is such a big help to me, I don't know what I would do without her.  She keeps us constantly laughing and has the greatest sense of humor.  She is beautiful, creative, smart, a good friend, sister, and daughter.

Here are 13 Things About Michela:
1.   She has a bit of a Sassy Streak.
2.   She Loves to Try and Stay Up Late by Getting Multiple Drinks and Asking Lots of Questions.
3.   She Plays Violin and was recently named First Chair and Concert Mistress.
4.   Her Soccer Team is called the Pink Panthers.  She is an Awesome Defensive Player.
5.   She likes to Make Up Plays and Make Funny Videos with her Brothers.
6.   She is Obsessed with her iPod Touch.
7.   She is a Fabulous Babysitter.
8.   She LOVES Candy and Raspberry Bread Pudding from Kneaders.
9.   She likes to Buy Herself New Clothes, usually from Old Navy.
10. She Sings Along to the Radio, just like Mom.
11. She likes to Bake but doesn't like to Clean Up the Dishes.
12. She Loves being Outside.
13. She REALLY wants to Go to Disneyland this Year.

I started off her birthday morning with some Swedish Pancakes.  She made me laugh when she said, "I didn't know you could make Swedish Pancakes."  Mike usually makes them, they are his family's recipe, but I do know how to make them.

I also surprised her with a mint brownie from Kneaders at lunch, but she didn't seem all that happy to see me at school.  Is she already starting to become embarrassed by her Mom?!
It was a busy day today, so  we didn't get to presents until after her orchestra concert.

The only thing she had asked for was a Ukelele from Hawaii.  Mike and I found a nice one while we were in Maui and hid it once we got home so we could save it for her birthday.  She was so surprised and so excited.  She is already trying to figure out the chords.

Her birthday "cake" was raspberry bread pudding from Kneaders.  Her and I are addicted to the stuff.  I only had a #3 candle so we used a toothpick for a 1.  It actually kind of worked as a candle.

It was a good night and a good reminder of how much we love this beautiful girl of ours.  I can still remember how much I adored her as a cute chubby baby.  Now I adore her even more and admire the wonderful young woman she has become.  Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

It's a Beautiful Day

This winter has been a pretty mild one.  This past week we have been having some pretty wonderful weather.  Temperatures in the 60s make for perfect days to play outside.  The other day I took the girls out to swing and play on the playground.  Laina LOVES swinging.

 I love the look of pure bliss on her face as the sun shines down to warm her sweet little self.

 Aria is getting a little more adventurous and likes to try new things.

 I love being outdoors with the kids.  There is nothing like a little sunshine to chase those winter blues away!