The Baker Bunch

Wayne built a workbench!

2011-05-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

I don't know what has happened to my husband, but he has turned SO HANDY! When we got married, he didn't know how to do much, but now, he can do anything! To be fair... I didn't really know how to cook!

Good job sweetie!

Nutcracker 2010

2011-05-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

Wayne took Sophie to their annual Nutcracker date. I don't remember how many times they have even done this, but they had so much fun!

I took Con to Bountiful Rec Center to swim. It was way fun! I can't seem to locate the photos though :(

Christmas Clothes

2011-05-03T05:24:00.000-07:00

I snapped a few pics of us all in our Christmas clothes.

I know I am huge... Don't judge!

Ugly Sweater Party

2011-05-03T05:18:00.000-07:00

Yep, we looked super hot for the ugly sweater party with our friends. It was a super fun night, even it we did look like freaks! Everyone else did too!

Christmas in the Bedroom!

2011-05-03T05:15:00.000-07:00

I hung mistletoe over our bed. Isn't it pretty?

The kids each have miniature trees of their own in their bedrooms, so I thought Wayne and I (needed) one. :) I tried to make it sentimental, and hung a photo of us from every year we have known each other. It turned out so pretty!

Wayne even liked it!

Family Game Night

2011-05-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

So, we decided to order Chinese food, and stay in for a game night. It was the most fun!

We each wore holiday hats, and gave ourselves a mew holiday name. We had to call each other by that name. If we didn't, and called someone by their real name, we had to take a lump of (candy) coal.

I don't know why some of these photos are dark.

Here's the coal!

It was a super fun and memorable night! Here are some of the prizes.

I plan to do it again next year!

Porch at Christmas

2011-05-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

This year, I wanted something cheery, bright, and nontraditional!
I think I got it! I made the pillows and the wreath.

Sinterklaas Day and Mom's birthday!

2011-05-03T04:42:00.001-07:00

This year, we got to go see Sinterklaas and Swart Pete for the first time! They just happened to be at The Old Dutch store in Sugarhouse.
We met Opa and Yia yia there. Opa is 1/2 Dutch you know!

I think the kids liked it.

Sinterklaas Eve also happened to be my birthday. So, we celebrated it all. We had dinner in the formal dining room, which is always special and fun.

Wayne and the kids made me a cake.

The kids decorated it. They were sure to put lots of sprinkles on top!

Having your picture taken when you are nine months pregnant is never flattering, but it is what it is!

I love my family! Thanks for the great birthday!

Time for Sinterklaas stories... the stories my dad was told when he was a child, by his father.

The kids love Opa, and love the stories. My dad had a heart attack Feb 26, 2010. I am so glad he made it, and is here to celebrate another holiday with us! Love you Dad!

The kids LOVE trying the shoes on every year!

Look what Sinterklaas brought!

Conrad:

Sophie

Risa

Wayne

He also left white bread and sprinkles, a traditional Dutch breakfast, eaten with butter on the bread, and then sprinkles on top of that.

Look HOW EXCITED they were to find their shoes! I think they are both jumping!

Sinterklaas left a Sinterklaas nutcracker...

...and a Sinterklaas ornament!

Time for breakfast!

They even got to take it for lunch that day!

Thanksgiving 2010

2011-05-03T04:33:00.001-07:00

Warning: Conrad would not smile in any of these pictures. He told me it's because, "Indian's are not happy."

Indian Con and Daddy

Emily

Ally

Pilgrim Sophie

I made all the place settings for the kids.
Pilgrim hat with crayons for the kids to color the picture under their plate.
Ship cup with sail straw.
Turkey place setting.
Corn cob full of trinkets and treats!

Sophie with her treasures from the corn cob.

Soph and Yia yia

Yia yia with Em and Ally

Sophie and Con put on a play about the first Thanksgiving. I thought we took a movie of it, but I can't seem to find it. They made props and pictures, to show us all how it was. It was SO CUTE!

Pillows I made for my porch.

Curious George

2011-05-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

Conrad and I went to Three Little Monkey's to pick out a Christmas present for Sophie, and who happened to be there? A magician and Curious George!

Con and I got to watch a magic show, and he got a free book and hat, as well as getting to meet Curious George in person!
What a LUCKY DAY!

Applebee's reward Dinner

2011-05-03T04:23:00.000-07:00

The kids both got good grades, so they brought home coupons to go to Applebee's, and get a free dinner. Wayne and I were so proud of them, and it was a fun night!

Way to go Sophie and Conrad on getting working hard and getting good grades!

Basketball for Farmington City

2011-05-03T04:17:00.000-07:00

Con got to play basketball for the first time, and he really liked it! He got to be on the team with a few friends and his best friend from school, Isaac.

He made a few basket's, and had a ton of fun!

Autumn bike ride

2011-05-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

Wayne always takes pictures of his bike rides, so I have started including them on the blog. Look at all the beautiful leaves. Wayne loves his bike!

Autumn Hikes

2011-05-03T04:12:00.000-07:00

Wayne and Sophie went for a lovely autumn hike. I am glad they have such a sweet relationship!

Wayne was sure to snap some shots of beautiful Sophie...

Soph snapped one of handsome Wayne!

More 4 wheeling!

2011-05-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

Holt Opah, and Wayne went up to the top of Farmington Canyon. Wayne was sure to bring the camera and snap a few pics!I am glad they can do that together!

Sophie's friend Rebekah

2011-05-03T04:06:00.000-07:00

Sophie has a cute little friend Rebekah. They are two peas in a pod. Then they would play, they got into my craft supplies, and made purses and headbands out of pipe cleaners and feathers. Rebekah moved away a few months ago. Sophie has missed her so much!

Halloween Night - Pumkin Carving, and soggy Trick-or-Treating!

2011-05-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

The kids always do such a great joy carving pumpkins, and proudly display them Halloween night!

Sophie's

Conrad's

Ready to GO!

They always go with Dad. They love it, and so does he!

It poured while they were out!

They were drenched when they got back!

Look at all that loot!

Sophie saves her candy, and doesn't eat it for months.

Conrad eats most of it on 24 to 48 hours!

Happy memories! I love you kids!

Happy Halloween!

Sophie's Field Trip

2011-05-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

I got to ride the bus with Miss Sophie to go to Red Butte Gardens for her field trip. We had lots of fun sitting together on the ride there and back.

I didn't know we would be hiking all over the mountain side.I thought it was going to be a leisurely walk through the gardens. It ended up being really fun, and a beautiful day!

Thanks for letting me come with you Sophie!

I LOVE you!

2011 Walk To Remember

2011-05-03T03:53:00.000-07:00

"We Take the Steps They Will Never Take"

Miss you still Molly!

The other day, I was doing yard work with Con, and out of the blue, he said, "Mom, what do you think Molly is doing?" I said, "maybe she is watching us right now." I asked him what he thought she is doing. He said, "Probably playing with her balloon." Con is a sweet boy, and thinks of her often. He keeps the stuffed bunny he got at the hospital when she was born, on the table by his bed.

Halloween Greeting Card 2011

2011-05-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

This is the one we went with:

I LOVE this picture.
LOVE THESE KIDS!

Here is another one I liked.

Halloween at The Treehouse Museum

2011-05-03T03:47:00.003-07:00

We enjoyed another trip to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. It was fun, but I wonder if the kids are getting too old? We will see next year. My kids were the cutest ones there... of course! ;)

Halloween at This is The Place State Park

2011-05-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

This ended up being such a fun day with the Butchers.

The kids got to go trick-or-treating, and pioneers answered the doors :)

Then we went to a little miniature play town. What a CUTE bunch of kids!

Look at those eyes!

Pretty girlie!

Cute friends!

Tepee

The kids liked the petting zoo the best!

Crafts were stationed in different houses. The kids loved it!

Exploring the different houses and activities.

Kristen is such a good mom!

School house

Story from a witch!

Catching bubbles!!!

Cute friends!

Trolly ride

Train ride

Indian stories in a tepee.

It was a super fun day full or super fun memories!

Halloween at Gardner Village

2011-05-01T04:43:00.002-07:00

Halloween at Gardner Village is one of our very most favorite things to do in October. The kids go on a scavenger hunt, looking for all the witches, and then they get to have signatures from the witches working there. Here are a few...

Hat ride to the witch's house.

Exploring inside the house.

The witch that lives there, also won the 2010 Witches Pageant! She is a celebrity!

Tour of the witch's yard.

Petting the goat!

Back in the house before we left.

Witch host on the hay ride back.

She had a crush on Wayne, and told him she could be his polygamist wife.

More time in the village.

The kids always like Witchie Poo!

Time for FACE PAINTING!!!

Hard to do that to such a cute face!

Time for cookies in the bake shop!

It did not disappoint again this year, and is at the top of our Halloween to-do list!

Halloween at the Baker House

2011-05-01T04:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots from around the Baker house during the month of October. My favorite thing... besides my kids, is the pillows I made for my porch.

Here is this year's advent calendar.

I made this banner for my laundry room, and LOVE it!

Some friends and I made these for decoration. I made one for each kid to put in their room.

Here's Conrad's:

Here's Sophie's:

Here is our entry:

Porch

Living in Utah... we trick-or-treat here on Saturday night if Halloween falls on a Sunday. Last night was trick-or-treat night here. It was soaking wet, but the kids still had fun!

This is how the entry part of my porch looked all month:

Part one of the trick-or-treat night transformation.
The Jack-O-Lanterns!

Part two, moving some of the inside stuff out...

Imagine, "Oggie Boggie," from, Nightmare Before Christmas on repeat blasting on the porch.

Did I mention it poured??? I opened the door to
cute little soaking wet trick-or-treaters all night.

Whew... it's over, and I have to admit... I am EXCITED to take down all the Halloween decor. I have already started. I can't wait for Thanksgiving, and setting up Christmas in four weeks!

What would I ever do without holidays???

K, I have to be realistic... the baby is coming in just over two months... I am just hoping I can have enough energy to have everything look just the way I want it to look, and be able to put it up and take it down when I want to. Wish me luck!

Girls Party

2nd annual girl friend party. I have to admit... I was tired this year, and didn't really get as into it as last year. It was still fun though!

Greeting Card

I am a huge fan of greeting cards for Christmas, but I love sending them for random, unexpected occasions. A couple years ago, we sent out a Halloween greeting card, and when my husband asked me the other day if we were going to do it again this year, I thought... "Why not?"

The kids were in costume for a church party yesterday, so I got out the camera and snapped a few pics.

A little about the costumes... Spider Girl was purchased at DI for $4. The glasses were from Wal-mart for $4. For Con-Bot, we used some boxes I got at a case lot sale a few weeks ago. I did the spray painting, and let my boy cut out shapes to attach to the front. The dryer vent for the arms and legs was from Home Depo and cost $10. My husband zip-tied the head body and arms together. My daughter liked his costume so much, that next year she wants to be a pink robot!

Treats!

My friends and I got together every week, and made treats for the kids. Here are a few of them... So cute! Right?

Fondant cupcakes

Mummy pizza & Jack-o-lantern pepper and spaghetti

Monster cupcakes

Spider crackers

Skeleton cupcakes

Formal Dining Room

Wayne and his bike

2011-05-01T04:06:00.000-07:00

So, a couple years ago, based on a suggestion of one of Wayne's biker friends, I got Wayne a helmet light for his bike. Sometimes I regret it. I am not lying when I say IT FREAKS ME OUT that he goes up on the mountain alone in the dark at night. Wayne is one who will sneak in a ride whenever he gets a chance, and sometimes he doesn't get a chance until night time, due to the fact that he is such an awesome husband and father, and likes spending time with us. Here are a few photos. I can't tell you anything about them, so if Wayne gets the chance... he will have to label everything.

Ultrasound

2011-05-01T04:00:00.001-07:00

This whole pregnancy gave me serious anxiety. Always, in the back of my mind... I was worried something may happen. This was my 6th pregnancy, and I had two kids at the time. The OBGYN office I use gives you an ultrasound every time you go, which is the best for an expectant mother with my history. My mom came with me to a visit,and snapped this shot of me on the table, and sweet little baby boy alive and well inside of me. It is always a sigh of relief every time I would see and hear the heartbeat. The baby was always folded in half, with legs and arms in front if his face, so his face was really a surprise when he was born.

Wayne Got Me A New Headboard!

2011-05-01T03:45:00.000-07:00

Can I just say... I LOVE MY HEADBOARD & NEW PAINT!!!

This is how it looked before. It was fine, but I could never lean against my bed, and I was really over the whole look. So... I sold it on KSL, and was happy to see it go. I don't know if the person I sold it to was a man or a woman, but that's a story for another day.

Here's the breakdown...

Yup, most of the stuff is second hand, and I am proud of it!

View from the bathroom

This is a chair I got at DI for $6 and painted black. I LOVED the lines, and knew it had great potential.

I reupholstered the chairs, and sat them next to my $5 table.

My bedroom makes me HAPPY!

It is super cozy. I love it!

Thanks for the headboard Wayne... it makes the whole room!

Family Photos

2011-05-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

In July, we had some family pics taken. I don't know how I missed blogging them, but here they are...

Yup... it's hard to get fourteen people smiling, but I think we did it!

They look like they are a little in pain... I don't know :)

Happy, cute mom!

GIRL pics!

Don't I have lovely sister-in-law's?

And a cute sister and mom.

BOY pics!

PREGO pics!

Angie and I, both expecting cute baby boys :)

Yia yia - SO excited!

I love my baby, and hope you make it here safely!

MY FAMILY

Bear and Angie

Mace and Joe

Holy and Lindy

Heidi

Sam

Ewww... Kissing!

This is how it really is...

I love my parents, my siblings, their spouses, my husband and my kids.

More 4-wheeling

2010-11-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

Conrad's 2nd Tooth

2010-11-10T05:53:00.000-08:00

When Conrad lost his 2nd tooth, it was a much better experience. He made a little play land and bed for the tooth fairy. He learned this from Sophie.

Here is the note from the tooth fairy... typed very small...

Conrad's Door

2010-11-10T05:50:00.000-08:00

Con drew these pictures, and hung them on his door for months...

This one means, "Don't wake me up Sophie."

More Sunday Morning Fun

2010-11-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

We love marble works at our house, especially on Sunday mornings...

Fun with Pipe Cleaners

2010-11-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

I try to have all sorts of craft supplies on hand, and I never know what my kids are going to do with them. I have a whole bin of pipe cleaners, and this is what Sophie and Mia did...

Silly girlies!

Studio 5

2010-11-09T05:42:00.000-08:00

A Studio 5 producer contacted me, asking what I was planning for my blog. I haven't been doing much, as I have been pregnant and tired, but I told her about a few things I did last year. She was very interested in a girlfriend Halloween Party I threw last year, and asked me to come on the show. I was super excited to do it, but felt a little LARGE! Oh well... it's part of life... right?

My mom and Kristen came to help, and they were SO MUCH help!
Thanks ladies!

Brooke and Darin, the hosts of the show were nothing but nice, and made me feel so comfortable :)

My Halloween display.

Kristen

My mom

I don't know if these shots were taken during filming or not, but I am thinking maybe before?

It was so fun, and a great experience!

Here is the clip:

Trip #2 to Hogle Zoo...

2010-11-09T05:32:00.001-08:00

I told Wayne I had so much fun with the kids at the zoo when my mom and I took the kids, that we decided to go back for a second time. It did not disappoint!

Here are the kids on the train ride.

Measuring up to the apes!

Sophie in her ape pose.

Playing on the giant spider web...

Going, going...

...Gone!!!

Sophie in an egg.

Con didn't get to go in the bird house, because he wasn't behaving, so I sat with him. We did see a large talking bird, that he had fun talking to outside. He has a way with animals.

Gopher holes...

Snake slide

Who wouldn't want to sit on a giant spider...

Or a giant caterpillar?

Trip #2 to the ZOO... a perfect success!

Sunday Morning Fun!!!

2010-11-09T05:22:00.000-08:00

I love Sunday mornings, as do the kids. They play with each other all morning, and the favorite seems to be Cowboys and Indians. Con puts on his horse, and Soph her unicorn :) The run around and chase each other. They set up a play town in the basement. They are just too cute.

Giddy-up!

Happy birthday Molly Claire...

2010-11-09T05:03:00.000-08:00

I know this picture may seem a bit morbid. It is the best shot I have of Molly's features, and was taken moments after I delivered her. I couldn't even look at it for months after I had her. Now, I have this picture framed, and on a high shelf in the master bathroom. I see her face every day. She reminds me to keep on going. I love her, and miss her every day. It doesn't seem fair that some people can have all the kids they want and abandon them, while I would give anything to have her back. I have a lot of questions when I reach the other side.

A few insensitive people told me I would "get over it." Or, that having another baby would, "make everything just fine." Or the best one... that Molly wasn't a, "real baby." What an interesting thing to say to someone... No one could ever take the place of my Molly, and I wouldn't want them to. She holds a special place in my heart. I have a sweet Aunt, who delivered and buried 5 babies. She is in her 80's. If you ever talk to her about it to this day, she tears up. Only someone who has been through delivering and/or holding your dead baby knows how it feels to lose what might have been. While some are insensitive, others are so kind and understanding. I am thankful for those people in my life.

I have a sweet friend who delivered her 3rd dead baby last week. We were talking yesterday, and she was saying that she knows how it goes, and that people are so nice for about 3 weeks, and then life gets back to normal, and people seem to forget, even though you are still hurting inside. Certain days are hard, certain social situations, even a word can trigger a thought, or longing in your heart. I guess this is part of parenthood. All in all, I am thankful, and wouldn't trade what I have been through for never having experienced it. Life is good.

Molly Claire Day... August 27

2010-11-09T04:46:00.001-08:00

On the one year anniversary of delivering Molly, we decided to have a little remembrance for her. We wrote her notes, and got balloons to attach the notes to. These are the notes...

The kids were excited to hold the balloons on the way.

The sky was beautiful that evening.

We like to think it was Molly's way of saying life is good, and she is alright.

At the cemetery.

A kiss for Molly...

Three of the balloons rose together.

Sophie's went later and slower.

Sweet sweet Sophie made us all tissues with Molly's name on them, in case we needed to wipe our eyes. She is SO thoughtful :)

After letting the balloons go, Con wanted to play under the big pine.

It was a nice night.

Sheer Joy!

2010-11-09T04:42:00.003-08:00

We decided to drive in and pick Wayne up from work one afternoon, so the kids could play in the fountains. They had SO MUCH FUN!!!

Oh, to be a kid again...

First Day of School 2010

2010-11-09T04:42:00.000-08:00

Pics of the kids during the flag ceremony on the first day of school.

They each picked their own outfits.

I was closer to Sophie, so I got more pics of her.

Cute, cute...

The Night Before School Sarted 2010

2010-11-09T04:35:00.000-08:00

We sat the kids down to talk about the new school year, and all they things we are excited about, as well as our expectations for homework, and behavior. Sophie likes to offer advice to Conrad.

Every time we have a family meeting, it is met with a fair amount of goofing off...

Then, time for Father's Blessings, a tradition we did as kids in my house.

Sophie was so excited for school, she could barely sleep!

Father Son Campout 2010

2010-11-09T04:25:00.000-08:00

More Photos to come...

Dame Family Visit

2010-11-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

We love it when the Dame's visit! The kids especially love going swimming at Haley's mom's house. Conrad was afraid to jump off the diving board, but he faced his fears and did it!

Sophie and Cozette played in the shallow end.

The loved the Dames, and wish they lived closer!

Summer Downpours Are FUN!

2010-11-09T04:18:00.000-08:00

Sophie and Conrad were out delivering invitations,and without warning, it started to POUR! I felt bad for sending them out in the rain, and got in the van to find them. I just missed them, as they took the trail home. When I found them again, they were having so much fun, they wanted to stay out and play. Notice Conrad's indian pants. He wears them whenever he can. I have let out all the hem I can let out. I may have to make him some more!

Buffalo Ranches Trail

2010-11-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

Wayne and the kids love to go for bike rides. One of their favorite places to go is Buffalo Ranches Trail in Farmington. Here are a few shots of the kids on their bikes:

A tailgate snack... what a fun memory!

Farmington Peak

2010-11-09T04:14:00.000-08:00

Wait... is that a real, not a forced, smile???

I think it is!

Wayne my dad and Holt rode 4-wheelers up Farmington Canyon many times this summer. They always had a blast! Here are some pics of Dad.

We went to a movie as a family...

2010-11-09T04:11:00.000-08:00

Conrad wanted a picture by this horse, so I guess I will include it in the blog :)

Reno and Lake Tahoe

2010-11-09T03:57:00.000-08:00

The End...

Daddy and Sophie backpack trip 2010

2010-11-09T03:56:00.000-08:00

more pics to come...

More SUmmer Fun at the neighborhood pool!

2010-11-09T03:55:00.000-08:00

Don't they just look so cute in their swimming suits???

Basketball Camp at The Sportsplex

2010-11-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

Con went to a basketball camp at The Sportsplex in Kaysville, and he LOVED it. The pics are not so great, but he really tried for the ball. It was so cute to watch!

He got to go with his bff Will. They got a t-shirt and a creamy on the last day.

Cute little boys...

Terburg Family Photos 2010

2010-11-08T13:15:00.003-08:00

Teaton National Park

2010-11-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

Yellowstone!

2010-11-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

BEAR WORLD!

2010-11-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

I don't think you can be in the Baker family, and try to go to Yellowstone without first making a stop at Bear World in Idaho Falls.

Can you see how excited the kids were by the looks on their faces?

We saw albino elk for the first time ever. They were really beautiful. There were babies, and an adult male. I guess they are very rare.

So unexpected.

The kids by the trailer throwing gang signs after we parked. I don't know what they were doing, but they look pretty bad-a. Whoah.. did I just write that?

The entrance to the building.

Con loves the big stuffed bear inside.

Noses.

Petting zoo is ALWAYS a favorite!

We snuck bread in, and the fish were not biting this time. Don't know why.

Family of bears. Con was not happy to be the baby bear... hehe

Then off to the rides...
We all got to ride the coaster together.

Kids on the cars. Con gets a very serious look on his face when he is on ride. It is kind of funny...

The kids were unsure of this ride at first. Look t their faces...

WE LOVE BEAR WORLD!!!

When riding your bike through sprinklers... always wear goggles...

2010-11-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Sophie LOVES her goggles. I bet if she thought about it, she would try to wear them in the shower! I am not kidding. She was so excited to wear them to ride her bike while the sprinklers are on. She makes me smile :)

Day at the Zoo!

2010-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Summer time, and my mom and I decided to take the kids to the zoo. The weather was PERFECT, and we all had a great time! It is always more fun when Yia yia can be with us. Thanks for coming Mom.

I think the kids liked this trip to the zoo better than any other time they have ever been. They are old enough to appreciate all the different animals, and they were super excited about everything. They were telling me things they had learned about animals in school. This was by far the best trip to the zoo I have ever had. I have to giggle a little bit when I see people there with one baby in a stroller. I did it too, but I like it much better now :)

We always have to have a train ride!

They love trying to push the big water ball.

I remember this drinking fountain from when I was a kid. I like to take pics of my kids by it now.

This lady was talking about the owl. Con was a bit apprehensive at first.
Soph didn't m ind at all.

The thing the kids (and Yia yia) looked forward to the most was seeing Zuri the baby elephant.
She is darling, super full of energy, and kind of a spaz!

Elephant bones...

Con was sad to measure most closely to the Adult Female. Maybe next year buddy.

Soph is the size of the Adult Female.

Yia yia is almost the size of the Adult Male. No hope to ever get there though :)

I am the exact size of the adult male.

After seeing the animals, we always go to the playground.

Turtle Boy

Baby Chick

Dino egg?

I think the gopher holes are the kids favorites!

It was a fun perfect day. Thanks for the memories everyone!!!

GIrlfriend St. George Trip

2010-11-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

We went again this year, and it was so much fun.
These pics are from Tuachan. We saw Tarzan... Tarzan had a split in his pants at the end, and we got a little extra show!

Summer FUN at the pool!

2010-11-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

It is SO VERY nice having a neighborhood pool that is only minutes away! We used it all summer. At the beginning of the summer, both kids felt more comfortable in life jackets. By the end, they were both jumping off the side and swimming like crazy with no life jacket. These are a few of the cute pics...

Sophie always in her goggles... so cute :)

Conrad - the jumping fool!

My favorite part is that they would come home nice and tired!

Father's Day - I think he liked it!

2010-11-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

Here are the pics of the actual day, and I think he liked them :)

We also had fun decorating his locker!

The kids each drew him a picture card.

We love Daddy. He is the best Daddy in the whole world!

Happy Father's Day Wayne.

Love you!

Father's Day 2010

2010-11-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

Wayne is getting a few gifts he wants for Father's Day, but I try to give him something sentimental and unexpected as well. This is what we are doing this year...

DAD photos!!!

I got the letters at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 each, and glued some paper I already had on them, so they would coordinate with what the kids are wearing. I have been thinking about doing it for a long time, but really threw it together last minute today.

Con decided to go gangsta, and put tattoos he got out of the cereal box on his arms this morning. He started to cry when I told him we were going to wash them off. So, I decided to let them stay. This is real life - right?

I am printing a bunch of the photos right now, and am not quite sure how I am going to use them. We may decorate his locker in the mud room, or frame one for him to take to work? Maybe a banner??? Maybe all three? I am definitely going to use the letters somehow this weekend.

11 years

2010-11-07T23:09:00.001-08:00

Wayne and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary by going to St. George for the weekend. My mom took the kids - thanks mom, and we headed out. We hadn't been alone together on vacation in a long time! We did some shopping, eating out, and hanging out. We also went to Tuachan and saw Cat's. It was a great show!

We also did some hikes in Zion.

In Zion, there were lots of poeple stopping on the trail to look at something... It was a mother owl about 20 feet away from her babies that were sitting in another tree.

Mother

Babies

We also talked to a man who was coming down from doing the Angel's Landing Trail. He had no legs, only prosthesis. It reminded me to be thankful, even though the hike was hard for me and my legs hurt, it must have been way harder for him.

Love you Wayne... Thanks for taking me away for the weekend.

On a side note... Farmington had record winds, and our tramp blew over the back fence. The neighbors had to rescue it. The kids were super worried. There were trees down all over the city. We missed everything, and the weather was perfect in St. George.

Pretty Little Ballerina

2010-11-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

My Pretty Little Ballerina has done it again. Here she is looking GORGEOUS in her recital costume.

She got to dance with her cute little friends Izzy and Mia this year.

Yia yia came and watched her perform.

So did Grandma and Grandpa Baker.

The whole family was there to cheer her on.

Sophie is a beautiful graceful dance who has poise and grace. I love watching her, and she is SO HAPPY on stage.

Welcome To Summer!!!

2010-11-07T22:54:00.000-08:00

I want to preface this post, by saying I know it seems a bit over the top... but it's FUN to be a mom, and do fun things for the kids!!!

I have this AMAZING girlfriend, Kami. She was the inspiration for this post.

Thank you Kami!!!

So, I was at the DI the other day, and got some books that were in nearly new condition for my kids. Kami and I both LOVE the DI, and I many times show her what I get. I was showing her, and mentioned that I wanted my kids to have new reading material for summer. She told me to put them in a "Welcome To Summer" basket. I thought this was a great idea. She told me she does the same thing for her kids, and also includes pool toys, a towel, and goggles etc.

I started thinking about what I would be getting them for summer anyway, and decided to give it all to them on the last day of school.

This is how their beds looked when they got home:

Each kid got a pool robe, (They were at Costco, and I couldn't resist.) summer pajamas, books, a beach pail full of pool toys, goggles, and a towel from the dollar section of Target, a vhs from DI.

Look at the "I want to be a space pilot," book. I am going to display it in my boy's vintage robot room. I was so happy to find such a darling, vintage book! The illustrations and story are darling!

Con loved his How To Train Your Dragon pj's.

Soph likes her swim toys, and looked at them before heading out to a last day of school party at a friend from her class's house.

It was fun. I think next year, I will also include a job chart, and summer workbooks!

Kindergarten Program

2010-11-07T22:40:00.000-08:00

I don't know what the deal was with the setting on the camera that day, but the photos are horrible :( I am sorry Conrad... You are still adorable, and I still remember in my mind how cute and perfect you were :) You did a great job on your speaking part, and a few of the songs made me cry, including "I'll Be Nice." Wish I had the words to that darling song.

I wish you could stay sweet and innocent forever :) Love you.

After the Program

Wayne's Birthday

2010-11-07T22:29:00.000-08:00

This year I kept Wayne's birthday celebration low key. That's the way he likes it, but I can't help but torture him on big years. 36 is big, but not big enough to warrant a large party, so the kids and I threw one of our own.

Sophie was super excited to use the cook book she got for her birthday, and make Wayne a birthday cake. She chose the recipe.

Doesn't she look cute in her birthday apron that Lisa Jolley made for her?

Here is the cake. Turned out great, and was so yummy!

Handsome Daddy, and darling kids!

Homemade gifts first...

Then, drum roll... a power washer!

I love you Wayne. I can't imagine life without you. You make every day brighter. You are a great dad, and the perfect husband for me. Thank you for being you. You are the best!

Bulbs and more Bulbs!

2010-11-07T22:20:00.000-08:00

In the fall, we planted 250 bulbs in memory of Molly. I wanted something to make me smile, because I knew it would be hard not having her with me in the spring, when we had planned to have her here with us. I couldn't wait for them to pop up, and they did not disappoint! I had different color combination's for weeks and weeks. It was ever changing, and gorgeous! It made me happy every time I looked outside, or drove home.

What would the world be without flowers? I am thankful for flowers, and for the fact that I can do whatever I want with them. Thank you Heavenly Father for creating flowers :)

Mud Room and New Lockers

2010-11-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

I REALLY can't believe I am posting this... really.
But I have to show you how desperate I was...

This is how my mudroom looked. I had no way to organize, and no way to keep it clean. It was not functional, and ended up being the place we just threw stuff. Don't judge me... I am trying not to judge myself!

So, again my Mom came to the rescue, to help me gut it, and repair walls after taking down the hooks...

It was NOT an easy job... Thanks Mom :)

Oh my... look how great it looks before the doors are on!!! It brings happiness to my heart! Seriously, it does!

I wanted to give it a personal touch, and these are the knobs I chose.

I will post more pics with the doors on soon.

Day with a Friend

2010-11-07T22:02:00.001-08:00

Meet Addie... She loves bugs and reptiles. She loves sharks and horses. She is super animated, and a cute sweet friend for Sophie. Addie's mom Kristen is one of my besties. Kristen and I took the girls for girls night out and they chose McDonalds. I hope Addie and Sophie will stay friends forever!

Powerpoint pro

2010-11-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

Sophie worked for weeks and weeks for a power point presentation on the Red eyed Tree Frog. She was super excited to do it, and I was excited to watch her. She had a mic around her neck, and did a GREAT job! I have never given a Powerpoint presentation. My 8-year-old is passing my by! Good job Soph! I am so proud!

She picked out her outfit. What a cutie!

Sophie

2010-11-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have a day when you look at your child, and want to take a picture just because? Well, I have those days with my kids, and here are a few shots of Soph.

This she is leaving for school on a rainy spring day. She is always so happy and sweet. She is helpful, and tries to make things easy for me and the rest of the family. This is what I see before I close the door every school day. I love her so much!

Happy girl, always trying to choose the right.

This is her last-day-of-school outfit. It's bright, but she can totally handle it!

I don't know why I took a pic of the twinkle toes, but they are all the rage right now, and I am sure she will be happy to see this pic some day. She was SO excited to get them for her birthday.

I love you so much Sophie. Thank you for being incredible you. Every day I am amazed at all that you do and all that you are. You are a great example to me, and a sweet little friend for me.
Love you forever.
Like you for always.
Forever and ever, my dolly you'll be.