SALERNO FAMILY

One Month Down and Three to Go!

2011-02-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

Well life in El Paso is well.... o.k. I have settled in to the routine at the hospital and have found myself able to enjoy some of the mexican food!

I was able to go home on January 18th and stay until the 27th. It was so good to be home and seem my family and kiss my girls. I was so excited as I saw the lights of SLC as the plane started to make its decent. I honestly start to cry from excitement!! As we pulled up to the gate I couldn't get off that plane fast enough! It was so awesome to see my girls come running towards me as I came past the security (even though they had crazy hair and were in their jammies)!

I pretty much hung out with them for the whole week at home and enjoyed doing absolutely nothing! Mikes birthday was on the 19th so I got all the family together for dinner and had a great time.

I am glad to admit that coming back to El Paso was much easier than I thought it would be. I haven't cried near as much and have felt a lot less anxious about having my girls at home without me. I think that when I was home for the week I realized how well they are being taken care of. I am so thankful for my husband and all that he does for our girls!

I am looking forward to Mike coming to visit on Friday and then I will be going home on the 15th for a week!

El Paso, TX

2011-01-13T14:01:00.001-08:00

As you all know I am in anesthesia school and am more than halfway done!! I will graduate in December of 2011. It has been an extremely hard and intense program for me along with the emotions of not being around my family as much. I have known all along that I would have to come to El Paso, TX for four months to do a rotation and have dreaded it for months.

Two weeks ago the time came to say goodbye to my little girls and head on this journey. It was the hardest day of my life. I held back the tears as I kissed my girls goodbye and left them at my mom's as Mike and I drove away. Once in the car where they couldn't see I let the river of tears run almost the whole way to Las Vegas where we stopped for the night.

Luck was with us when we went to dinner at the hotel and sat down at a slot machine and together won $300 plus dollars at the slot machine with only a couple pushes of the button! We got up the next morning and headed towards Phoenix, AZ where we were going to spend the night. When we got there it was only like 4:00 so we decided we would go ahead and keep driving. Let me tell you, by the time we got to El Paso around midnight I was completely tired of the car! We got into my apartment and realized that we needed some toilet paper and headed to Wal-Mart. We finally made it to bed around 2:30 and got some well deserved rest!. The next day was New Year's eve. We got up and went to Target to get a few things for my apt and then came back and went out with some of my classmates for a little New Year's eve fun! On New Years day I took Mike to the airport and have been lonely ever since.

It is so hard knowing that I made this decision to go back to school and that I have to be away from them because I chose to. I know everyone tells me that the time will fly and that I will miss them more than they miss me, but I still feel like a horrible mom for leaving them.

During the first week and a half here I cried every night after I talked to them on Skype, and I tear up every time I receive a picture message of them. It is getting a little easier now as I know I get to go home for a few days next week! I just hope and pray that my family will benefit from this sacrifice that we are all making for me to continue my education. I pray that it will teach my children that education is very important and that they will strive to do the best in school that they can.

This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it has also made me come to realize and appreciate my husband for everything he is and isn't. He is the best dad my girls could ask for, I realize that every time I see him kissing and hugging them or joking with them to cheer them up. He is the best husband that I could ask for. Not many men would agree to let their wife go back to school well knowing they were going to have to do more than their 100% of duties at home and work. There is no way I could have done this without him. I am thankful that he is not jealous, and that he encourages me to go out to dinner with friends and co-workers so that I am not alone and depressed here. So, thank you Mike for all you have done for our family! XOXO

Here are some pictures of my home away from home in El Paso

The clubhouse is pretty nice, and I can't wait for it to warm up so I can hit the pool!

Discovery Gateway

2011-01-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

This was our first time to The Discovery Gateway. We met Stephanie and her four little ones to play for a while. The kids had a lot of fun hanging out and playing with their cousins.

Braeden, Alexis, and Hali in the life flight!

I thought it would be funny to put Colson on the scale in the supermarket area! Funny how good he sat for me to weigh him!

The kids had a great time and it was fun to play with them before I had to head to El Paso.

Christmas Day 2010

2011-01-02T13:36:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning was a little different than what we are used to. It was our first Christmas morning not having Grandma and Grandpa Weighall here to watch the girls open presents. We normally wake them up super early so Grandma and Grandpa can watch them open presents and then make it to Steph's house before her kiddo's are up. It was kinda quiet without them there.

So since I didn't have to wake the girls early, I didn't do my traditional wake them up with the camera flash! Alexis came into our room around 9:00 and then went and woke Hali up.

This is what they saw when they came around the corner into the family room!

SANTA CAME, SANTA CAME!!

Santa even ate some of the sugar cookies and drank some milk!

The girls were very excited about their new Barbie house, but immediately wanted to start digging in to their stockings to see what "little treasures" santa had left them.

After all the presents were opened the girls had a little breakfast and then we headed upstairs to get ready for Gage, Tori, Grandma Kathy, and Grandpa Gary to come over for round two of Christmas!

We all enjoyed opening presents again!

Alexis absolutely loved her snow white doll from grandma and grandpa!

Gage also loved his new fishing pole from Mike and I!

Tori got a new camera from Mike and I and this adorable hat that Grandma Kathy made! Doesn't she look cute!

The little girls of course made grandma play barbies with them! I admit I played with them also!

After we cleaned up mess number two, we waited... and waited... and waited for round three. My family, Steph and Travis, Kylee, Braeden, Madison, Colson, Grandma Net, Grandpa Steve, and Uncle Brent finally showed up around 6:00. We ate some dinner and then opened presents from each other.

I don't have any pictures from this round of Christmas. Steph used her camera so I will have to get them from her. It was total craziness with a million presents and paper strung all over! The kids had a blast as always!

I do have this cute picture of my mom's dog Ruptcy though!

Stephanie got her kids into their pajamas and was getting everything ready to go. When she went to look for Madison this is what she found:

Madison and Lexi had crawled in her bed and were watching a movie together. Madison said, "I am sleeping over"! Seriously the cutest thing ever! Unfortunately her parents took her to their car kicking and screaming! I hope these two will grow up to be the best of cousins ever! They are only six weeks apart after all and share half the same DNA!

So once again all the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over. My girls are another year older, and so am I.....bummer! I hope that they will always remember the love that I have for them and the reason for the season as it comes around each year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

LOVE,

ANGIE

(AKA; MOM, WIFE, DAUGHTER, SISTER, GRANDAUGHTER, STEPMOTHER, AND FRIEND!)

Christmas Eve!

2011-01-02T12:33:00.001-08:00

We had a nice and relaxing Christmas Eve this year. We met my sister Stephanie and her family at the movie in SLC at 2:00. All of us went to Narnjia except for Gage and Mike. They went to another movie in the same theater. After the movie we all met up at Outback for dinner. Stephanie's in laws, and my mom and brother were also there.

I like going out to eat on Christmas Eve so no one has to clean up dinner mess!! After dinner we headed home and let the girls open their "Christmas Eve" present.

Lexi was very excited to get her christmas moose! She took him out of the package and immediately started hugging him!

You can tell this two little cuties were so excited that Christmas was in the morning! After we took these pictures Hali said, "I am going to bed now, goodnight". She then headed up stairs and crawled in her bed and went right to sleep. Lexi on the other hand wanted me to read her a story first, which I did, then I had to snuggle her for a while, which I did of course! I almost fell asleep with her, but I did get up around 11:00 to make sure Santa could come!

Hali's 7th Birthday!

2010-12-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY HALI BUG!

I can't believe Hali is 7 this year. It seems like such a big number! She is definitely not a little girl anymore. She is a BIG first grader and seems to learn something new each and every day. She reads very well and excels at math, and art. Hali is a great child. She can play for hours in her room all by herself. She has even been known to stay up and play when you think she is asleep!! Hali is a great artist and is constantly coloring, making things, or "redecorating" her room. Grandma Kathy insists she will be an interior designer when she grows up! Hali also is very tender hearted like her mommy... poor girl! The other day Lexi was bothering Hali (like always) and Hali came in my room crying to tell me, "Mom Lexi was bugging me and I had to hit her to let go of me, I'm sorry." I totally love this about her, but sometimes I honestly wish she would just be a little tougher. I love this beautiful little girl and am so happy she came into my life when she did!

Hali absolutely loved the movie Tangled and decided that was the theme she wanted for her birthday party.

Cousin hugs are the best!

Hali got a million presents like always, but her favorite was her Rapunzel tower! Alexis was also super excited when Hali opened the tower and started jumping up and down screaming, "WE got the tower, WE got the tower"! Good thing Hali is a good sharer!

Gage was a good big brother and helped put the tower together.

Gage also gave Hali a little walrus. It was so cute because he had told her several weeks ago thats what he was going to get her when we were talking about her birthday. It is hilarious that he remembered this conversation and even found a walrus to give her!

This is a picture of the inside of the Rapunzel tower that Hali took. The girls have been having a ton of fun with this. If you haven't seen the movie Tangled you should, it was really cute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HALI ANNETTE SALERNO! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD!!

Alexis' first day of preschool!

2010-09-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

ALEXIS FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL AT THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE

SEPTEMBER 2010

Lexi was so excited to start school. Every morning since we took Hali to her fist day Lexi has been asking me when she would go to "her school".

I had a harder time dropping Lexi off to preschool then I did with Hali. I think there is something to the last child syndrome and not wanting them to grow up so fast.

So even though I had a hard time, Lexi had no problem at all. She walked right in and put her backpack and jacket on the hook and took off towards the toys.

As you can tell from the wallpaper in the background the preschool Alexis is going to is a little on the older side... Gage who is 19 actually went here as a preschooler and they obviously have not changed the decor in at least that long.

Lexi's "best friend", Danny got to school shortly after us and they were so excited to see each other. Absolutely Adorable!

Danny is actually the daughter of Mike's best friend from high school Tyson Hunter. I hope these girls stay best friends for a long time!

Me and Lex posing for the camera! It kind seems like just yesterday that I was going to preschool myself.

Alexis being adorable when I asked her to pose for the camera.

UPDATE...... since I am super late posting this blog I will catch you up on Alexis. She did so great for the first couple weeks of school and had no problem being dropped off, but then a couple weeks into school she decided she didn't like being there and wanted to stay home with mom. I of course love the fact that she wants to spend time with me, but we had to fix this. So with lots of talking, I figured out that she was just going through a little hard time with all the changes at home. I have started going to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning and daddy gets her ready and I don't see her until after school.

It only took her another two times at school, before she was fine again. I am so glad children are so resistant to changes. I wish that I could be as resistant as they are. I am also so thankful for all the help that Mike gives and for my great babysitter who loves the girls like they are her own, thanks Jenny!

Hali's first day of FIRST grade!

2010-08-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

As most mom's are saying this week..... Summer went by way to fast and my babies are growing up faster than I like!

Hali for the last week has been asking when school starts again and has been counting down the days! Grandma 'Net took her shopping for a new "first day of school outfit".

This is what she picked out!

I might be a "little" prejudice, but I think she is the most stinkin' cute first grader ever!! I think she picked out such an adorable outfit for herself.... I will say that I think she picked this out because there was also a doll in Gymboree that was wearing this exact outfit. You can't see her, but that little doll went to school also in her backpack!

The night before school started we were able to take Hali to meet her teacher, Mrs. Montgomery at back to school night. I think this is great the school does this to make the students....O.k. ME, less nervous! Hali was able to find her desk and do a little "treasure hunt" of things in the classroom so she would know right where to go on the first morning.

After we got home we got the girls bathed and in bed as usual and I thought they were both asleep when I heard some music coming from Hal bugs room. I went to check on her and she was awake playing her Nintendo DSI. I told her it was time to go to bed because she had school in the morning. She then gave me the saddest face and laid down. I tried to go back to my room and go to sleep, but I had to go back and snuggle my little girl! I for some reason got all emotional about my Hal Bug starting first grade and that she would be on her own at school all day. I am sure part of it is that I have actually been able to spend some awesome quality time with them the last month. Hali going back to school means that my short month off from school is also over, and my time away from my girls while I am in Texas is coming sooner than I want....yes, I did cry a few tears and dang here they are again as I am typing this :( :(

Back to happier info!! We woke Hali up and brought her into our room to get ready as usual. She was a little reluctant to wake up until we reminded her it was the first day of school. She then happily got ready and sat super still while I combed her hair!

Oh, I did get a small snapshot of her new doll also!

Hali posing outside of school.... Lexi trying to be big and sneak in the picture also~

Me and my girls! What a lucky mom I am!

I love this pic of Hali and her daddy with their ties on!

We were so, so happy Grandma 'Net was also able to join us for Hali's big day!

Hali sitting at her desk for the first time working on her crossword puzzle.... I am sure the teacher hates mom's like me!!

Grandma, Lexi and I picked Hali up after school and she was so excited to tell us about her day!! She had a new "best" friend, but she couldn't remember her name! Although she did say she had a very cute plaid skirt on! That's my girl!! She also said lunch was great and she ate all her chicken nuggets, green beans, chocolate milk, but she forgot to eat her peaches!

LOL.... that is a lot more than she ever eats at home!

I'll admit I was worried about her being in the lunch room "all by herself". That morning she had asked me if I could come eat lunch with her for the first time... Not only did that make me feel bad, but it feels weird to me to have her being "big" enough to go in to the lunch room and eat and then head out to recess on her own..... I know I am a little paranoid and overprotective, but she is my first!

We went to A & W for some ice cream before Grandma headed home and I couldn't help but take a few more pictures!!!

You can tell by the smile on her face that she had an awesome day!!!

Random Summer pictures 2010

2010-08-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Are these the two most adorable girls ever!!

A little trip to the zoo with cousins at the end of August. The girls enjoyed being shown the elephant tusks.

It is completely impossible to get a good picture of all the kids together!

The girls absolutely love going to the zoo and posing for pictures!

I wish that cute little baby boy was mine! He sure is comfortable in my arms!

Alexis in the back, then Madison, Braeden and Kylee's friend Corey.

Kylee and Alexis... I think they look ALOT alike!

Riding the roller coaster at Brigham City Peach Days!

Cute girls on the choo choo train!

Pioneer Day 2010

2010-08-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Day, July 24th, is a much bigger holiday in UT than the fourth of July! Some of my classmates were quite amused with this fact!

This holiday happened to fall on a Saturday this year, and the weekend before all my final exams and oral boards. Mike being the awesome dad and husband that I so love woke up early and took the girls and his parents to Snow Basin so I could study. They had an awesome time riding the gondola and checking out all the beautiful wild flowers.

After Mike and the girls got home from Snow Basin we picked Tori up and headed to a Salt Lake Bees game with my mom, sister and her family. We had a great time eating popcorn, peanuts, slushies, hot dogs, ice cream, candy..... and then we sat and enjoyed the fireworks after the game with full stomachs! The fireworks were SUPERB! Probably the best display I have seen in a while!

Notice the picture is of Lexi on the right walking the trail and hunching over because she is "so tired"! Such a drama queen!

FOURTH OF JULY 2010... BEAR LAKE

2010-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to spend the fourth of July weekend at Bear Lake! It was so much fun! My family has spent many Fourth of July Holidays there camping on Rendevous Beach. This year my sister, Steph, got us to rent a condo since she has just had baby Colson two weeks prior! This is definitely my favorite verison of "camping"!

The kids had an awesome timing playing on the beach and the lawn around the condo. Sadly we didn't get to spend much time on the lake because the weather was not the best, but that is nothing new for Bear Lake!

Mike and Gage did get to spend every morning out "catching" fish in grandpas boat.

Brent, my brother also brought his ski boat up for a couple of days so the bigger kids, Tori, Kylee and Gage, had a couple turns on the beautiful blue lake.

Gage stated, "That he had never seen such clear water.... and it was awesome to look below you as you were on the wakeboard and see the sand"!

Unfortunately, I got either the flu or sea sick on Sunday afternoon. I ended up puking over the side of Brent's boat as we were coming in to shore...Thank goodness I was already leaned over the edge throwing the anchor over!! I made it in to the condo and lost it a couple more times before I decided to give in and take half of my "reserve" phenergan I save for such occasions! I slept for a couple hours and then woke up feeling much better and was able to enjoy the fireworks with the kiddos.

There are a lot more pictures from the kids playing on the beach, but Steph has them. So when I am able to get my hands on them I will post them also.

Gage also celebrated the "night before" his 19th birthday while we were here. So the girls and I made him a cake..... Sorry. this is the best picture I could get of the four of them together!

The next day, July 5th, we made it home to clean up and then headed to "really" celebrate Gage's birthday at Texas Roadhouse...Happy Birthday GAGE!

Catch up time!

2010-08-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

I finished my finals the last week of July!!! I am so happy to have the month of August off before I start clinical rotations. It has been nice to sleep in, hang with my girls and not "have" to open a book!! Amongst our busy routine of my school, kids daycare, and Mike's work we have been able to enjoy a little summer! So here are a few random shots of some of our attempts at relaxing!

Gage, Mike and Grandpa Gary have spent a lot of time catching fish!

Mike "GREW" some hair!

Mike had some nose surgery! (I promise I won't punch him in the nose again!!)

We welcomed a new member to our family!

Me and Colson Brian George Barlow doing a little quality studying together in the hospital!

I gave Colson his first bottle!

Visited with some of our Shuler cousins!

Enjoyed holding baby Colson with Uncle Al!

Ate some good food!

Let our hair fly in the wind!

Played a little soccer with cousins!

Had some sleepovers with our cousins!

Took in a little sunshine at Grandma 'Nets pool!

Enjoyed the sun and our ripstix!

Showed how big we are on our Snow White scooter!

Had some good drugs for a little dental surgery!

And best of all.......

passed out in the car from all the fun!

Hali's kindergarten graduation May 26th 2010

2010-05-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

My little girl is officially a First Grader !!

Hali graduated Kindergarten from Uintah Elementary School on Wednesday May 26th. I was extremely sad and disappointed that I couldn't go to the actual graduation... As most know

I am in anesthesia school. I had a test the same time as Hali's graduation and my

instructors would not allow me to take it a different time. I gave Hali her present

before we both headed off for the day!!

Isn't she the cutest graduate you have ever seen??!!!

We of course had to also add Sadie into the picture.

Then our other cutie also joined. I love all my cute girls!

Hali is in the front row on the middle.

Hali's kindergarten teacher Miss Ashby.

Hali had lots of family here to cheer her on. Grandma Net, Kylee, Grandpa Gary and Grandma Kathy, Aunt Jenny, Nick, Dad (Mike), Tori, Lexi, and even Gage!! What a lucky girl to have such a great family that loves her and supports her!

Mike video taped the program so I could watch it when I got home. It was almost just like I was there, except better, because I had Hali "nugglin" me while I watched it.

easter egg colors

2010-05-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

Stephs crew and my crew decided to get together at my house to dye easter eggs this year. The older girls had a good time drawing on their eggs.

Easter morning 2010

2010-05-23T17:38:00.001-07:00

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-05-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

On Friday before Easter our good friends had an easter egg hunt inside their house for the kids. It was awesome! Especially since it had decided to snow that day and I was not about to go egg hunting in the snow on Saturday!!

This is such a cute picture of Tori and Hali sharing a sister moment!

This is Marie explaining to all the little ones how to find the easter eggs!!

Look how cute and patient these kids are sitting!

Ready set go!!!

5th Anniversary

2010-05-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been five years since we got married!! TIme flies through the good and bad! I am so blessed and lucky to have married Michael Salerno on April 16th 2005!! Mike asked me to marry him at the melting pot in SLC so we decided this would be a great place to eat for our anniversary. For those of you who have not been there... it is a MUST!!

After dinner we went out with some friends and then spent the night in SLC. The next morning we got up and went up the canyon for a delicious breakfast, and then headed home to get our girls from grandma and grandpa's

It was a wonderful well needed night out!

Fishing!

2010-05-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Mike decided to take the girls for a little fishing trip so I could study.... Then I decided to go along and sit with my books and enjoy the sunshine also. I am so glad I did. The girls had so much fun and I had an awesome time reading and watching them catch their fish!

My girls are so blessed to have such an awesome dad that is so loving and patient enough to take his little girls fishing!

There it is "WIGGLY". This is the first fish the girls had the chance to reel in. Hali named him Wiggly because of how he wiggled on the ground after he was caught.

Lexi was super interested in watching dad "cut tout te guts".

Girls trip to Idaho

2010-05-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

On my break between semesters I decided to finally go see my girlfriend that I haven't seen in over a year in Idaho Falls. We had so much fun! It was so good my best friend and her

adorable little boys! The girls had an awesome time playing and I had an awesome timing just catching up with Janelle!

Janelle's little boy Brooks is a year older than Lexi and they made the cutest little "couple". They were out in the garage with me and decided they were "going on a date" and got in the car. I love the fact that Lexi is in the driver's seat!!!

We headed home on the afternoon of Brent's birthday and were able to stop in Pocatello and eat at our favorite restaurant BUDDYS! It was delicious and I bought extra pizza for breakfast the next morning.

The waitress even brought out ice cream with a candle for Brent so Hali could sing Happy Birthday to him!! It was an awesome trip!!

Hogle Zoo...May 8th 2010

2010-05-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Lexi is so excited to go to the zoo, that she is pretending to be an animal behind the "bars"!!

We were so happy to finally have a warm day to go visit the zoo!!

As always we had a great time!

Hali was ecstatic to finally see the peacock about halfway through the zoo.... she had been looking for him since we walked in!

Hali and Madison (my niece) had a great time dancing to the music of the carousel !!

Field trip to the dinosaur museum with Hali and her Kindergarten class.

2010-05-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hali's Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic

2010-05-23T15:20:00.001-07:00

Last week Hali had a "teddy bear picnic" at her school. The kindergartners families were also able to come and we had a great time eating on our blanket with our bears and playing games!

BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!!

2010-05-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

As always life is crazy here at the Salerno household!! I am extremely busy with school, work, kids, and life. So I am throwing in a few pictures of things from the last couple of months that I haven't posted. Definitely better late than never!!

Lexi's 3rd Birthday!

2010-03-14T01:44:00.000-08:00

ALEXIS SALERNO'S THIRD BIRTHDAY!!

MARCH 5TH 2010

As always said... "Wow how time flies!"

My baby turned 3 years old on March 5th. She was really fun this year. Starting a couple weeks she had decided that anytime she saw something in the store she would say, "I wan 'tat fo my Birfday"! Who taught her that anyway? Man they get smart way to fast!!

Lexi's birthday was on a Friday this year so we were able to enjoy hanging out with our family. The girls had an awesome time playing with their cousins. Surprisingly Lexi wasn't "dying" to open her presents. Finally around 8:30 I talked her into coming up from the playroom to open her presents.

Of course, once she started she went through them like a lightning bolt!!

She as always got a ton of adorable clothes and toys from Aunts, Uncles, Grandma's, Grandpa's and of course her parents!!

Her favorite present was a Snow White scooter from Grandma 'Net!

Lexi got her biggest birthday present from us a day early, "A BIG GIRL BED!" She was so excited and could hardly wait to get (jump) on it! I do have to say I had very mixed emotions about taking the crib down and placing her in a bed. Number one is that it means she is growing up to fast, and number two.... I was worried she wasn't going to still be a good sleeper.

Well she, as Hali did, climbed in her bed after a story and quietly went to sleep!! Hallelujah, or so I thought. Lexi, unlike Hali, fell out of the bed in the middle of the night and I found her on the floor in between her bed and nightstand crying. I picked her up, and hugged and kissed her for a little and then put her back to bed. She went right back to sleep. I decided that this was just a one time occurrence and put her back in her bed again the next night. Well, I guess my "Mom Instincts" were off and she fell out of the bed twice the next night. So, guess where we went as soon as we got ready that morning???? Babies R Us to buy a set of bed rails! They work amazingly well, obviously, and she loves them. Thank goodness for smart people who invent these type of things!!

So here is a picture of her bed with the rails on and Lexi hugging her favorite cousin Kylee!!

Lexi is currently in love with Snow White, so she of course chose a Snow White cake. I contemplated making it on my own, but decided I was a little time constrained with school and work. I went to Albertson's as I have before... disappointingly it was not decorated as cute as I hoped. I tried to quickly doctor it up a little and It turned out ok.... I do have to give Albertsons a little credit thought because the chocolate cake was delicious.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIS MORGAN SALERNO!!! WE ALL LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Another day, another tooth gone!

2010-02-21T14:35:00.001-08:00

Hali lost tooth number five a couple weeks ago.... a little slow on the reporting...sorry! She looks so cute with all these missing teeth! This tooth had been loose for quite a while and I, along with Mike, tried everything to let her pull it out. She of course wouldn't let either of us touch it so we sent her to school with it hanging half way out. She actually made it through school and to the babysitter before it fell out. Thanks Tammy for the picture she sent to me on my phone while I was at school!

I had to add this picture in of little miss Hali also. She seems to be constantly sitting like this on the floor. She watches TV like this or sits upside down on the couch with her feet in the air. Yes, my daughter is crazy, but I hope she stays this flexible!

My baby Girls in their birthday pictures!!

2010-01-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I decided to take the girls to get their birthday pictures done. (O.k. Hali's are a little late and Lexi's a little early) Last time I took them was about 15 months ago ( look at the picture of them in the brown dresses on top of my blog!)... it was a nightmare because Alexis wouldn't sit still and Hali wouldn't sit by her sister. Well.... not only have the changed by getting bigger, but they also were very well behaved and loved having their pictures taken. Hali and Lexi actually thought it was great to sit next to each other, and Lexi sat still!! The end result: To dang many cute pictures! I didn't realize how much they are starting to look like each other until I looked at these. I don't know where they get their good looks from! It must be their grandparents!!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T21:32:00.001-08:00

New Year's Eve 2009 in Soda Springs, ID!

The girls and I packed up and headed to my Grandma and Grandpa Shuler's house for New Year's Eve. It was Grandma's 85th birthday so the family decided to have a big celebration. My sister and her children joined us along with my aunts and uncles. The kids had a great time just hanging out with their cousins and performing skits for us all....

Kylee, my almost 11 year old niece, is the best. She is so cute with the kids and really enjoys helping take care of Alexis. This Lexi doing a little dance for us..... Let me explain the outfit! We are still potty training so I'm letting her walk around in her "big girl" panties when were home, and she absolutely loves to wear anyone's shoes. She took this pair of boots right off my feet to wear for this performance. I think this is absolutely adorable!

All the kids ended up with new DSi's for the holidays. They learned how to "picto chat" at Grandma's and had an awesome time sending "messages" (scribbles) back and forth to each other. This is Hali and my nephew Braeden hanging out in Grandma's chair together. Braeden is six months older than Hali. Braeden used to pick on Hali as a little baby, but now they are the best of friends.

My Aunt Karen was born on her mother's, my grandmother's, birthday December 31st.

(p.s. these next pictures were taken by Hali... not to bad!)

We put 85 candles on Grandma's cake. She still has some awesome lungs, because she almost blew them all out in one breath.

Here's a better picture of our 85 candle masterpiece!

Why we were waiting for the count down to midnight Kylee got her nail kit out and did a few manicures..... Uncle Alan was a great sport as always. He even got a little pink heart on his thumbs!! We love "Big Al"!

The little girls sat surprisingly still to get their nails done. This was even Madison's first manicure. Madison was so excited she walked around the rest of the night showing

everyone her "paint"!

We all stayed up untill midnight and celebrated the start of 2010. We have a long tradition of banging pots and pans on Grandma and Grandpas front step for the celebration of New Years at midnight. The kids had a great time making "noise" (and I mean lots of it) to bring in the New Year... I hope we didn't wake up to many of the "senior citizens" around the neighborhood!

We finally all made it to bed around 1:30 in the morning. We had a great time and

surprisingly the little ones were well behaved for being up so late...must be our

great parenting skills. Ha! LOL!

On New Years day we took the kids out for a little sledding. My mom took us out to the middle of nowehere where she used to sled as a child. When we finally got to where we were going I was surprised to see that we actually have more snow in Layton than in Soda Springs. When Hali saw the hill we going to sled on she said, "It looks totally wicked!"

It was a little windy at first, but it stopped quickly and we were able to have an awesome time. Alexis and Hali kept wanting to go down again and again. Thank goodness again for Kylee who has more energy than me and was able to alternate turns with me taking the girls down the hill.

The girls also decided it was great fun to eat the snow.... I promise I told them to stay away from the "yellow" stuff!!

Above is Alexis and below is Hali.

Another picture of Alexis with two handfuls of snow getting ready to go to her mouth.

Here we are hiking up the sledding hill.... Don't we look like three little eskimo's. Yes, I say little for myself also (I am elf size you know!). My mom is in the background heading up the hill with my cousin Mckenna.

This is a cut off picture of my sister with Alexis. I really do need to take some

photography classes! (In my spare time!)

This is Kylee and Hali going down the hill on the sled Kylee got from Santa Claus!

What an awesome way to start the New Year. I have so many resolutions this year I wouldn't know how to start listing them all. All I have to say is I hope I have many, many more fun times like this with my family.

I hope we all have a great 2010!!!

Christmas Morning 2009

2009-12-25T16:30:00.000-08:00

Lexi awoke, as she did last year, with the camera flash. I definitely have to make this a tradition.

We always wake them up early so my Mom and Dad can see them open their presents and then head to my sisters in time to see her kids open theirs.

After Lexi woke up she quickly ran in and woke Hali before I had a chance to get the camera. So here they are at the top of the stairs waiting to go see if Santa came.

Did he come?

Yes, Santa definitly came. We must have been good after all!

Hali was very excited to get her Stawberry doll. She looks a little sleepy

in this picture though...

I guess it was only 6 am and she got woke up by her sister!

Did Rudolph eat his carrot?

Yes he did! Santa also ate some cookies and drank his milk!

Lexi checking out her new table with sweet streets on it.

Mike went and picked Gage and Tori up about 11:00 and brought them over so they could open their Christmas presents from us. It is definitly harder to pick out stuff for teenager than the little ones. Grandma Kathy also came over at the same time to bring her and Grandpa Gary's gifts. Grandpa stayed home because he got to be sick for his Christmas present.

Tori seemed to be very happy about her gifts though.

Lexi helping Gage open his presents.

We had a wonderful Christmas day and finished out the night with my family coming over for dinner. We then had another round of opening presents and another round of cleaning up... what a day! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

Twas' the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse...... Ok not until about 11 pm!

We went to dinner at Rodizio Grill at Trolley Square for dinner. It was yummy and I thoroughly enjoyed not having to cook or clean up dishes. The kids had a great time and we were able to get a fairly decent picture of them all together for the first time in a long time!

From left to right:

Braeden Barlow (6), Gage Salerno (18), Hali Salerno (6), Tori Salerno (13) , Alexis Salerno (2), Madison Barlow (2) and Kylee Barlow (10).

Me and my little comedian Alexis. She is having a ball with the olives!

Our two blondies Tori and Kylee.

The girls with Pa Pa Steve, my dad.

All the little ones opening their Christmas Eve present from Grandma Net.

Hali being her cute little self!

Hali and Lexi opening their Christmas Eve jammies from Mom and Dad.

Hali and Lexi love having books read to them. They both got a new Christmas book with their jammies. We read them both before they headed upstairs to go to bed to wait for Santa.

Goodnight everyone, have sweet dreams!

Lexi went to bed and fell asleep immediately as always. Hali climbed into bed and asked me to turn on her Christmas music so she could, "Have visions of sugar plums dancing in her head!" A few minutes later Hali came out of her room to go to the bathroom and she had on her strawberry hat that is usually a decoration in her room. We asked why she was wearing it and she said, "Cause..... I in my kerchief and ma in her cap."

Defiantly a great Christmas Eve!

Snow Angels!

2009-12-22T21:05:00.001-08:00

Hali and Lexi wer super excited for the first snow fall. I of course wanted to cry!! The next day we went and joined Kylee, my niece, for a little fun in the snow!

This is Lexi in her new snowsuit. Does this picture bring back memories of

The Christmas Story or what?!!

I somehow forgot to bring Hali's new coat... So thank goodness for extra's at my sister's!

Bonus was that it was actually pink to!!

The girls thought it was so cool to hide in the penguin igloo!

and..... the best part of the snow is to make snow angels!!!

My first snow angel Hali.

My second snow angel Alexis!

Tree Decorating 2009

2009-12-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

We went into Old Navy a few days before Thanksgiving and Hali just had to have her picture taken by this Old Navy "tree". From this moment on she couldn't stop bugging me about when we would be putting our tree up! I convinced her to wait until after Thanksgiving!

Friday morning after Thanksgiving I was sleeping comfortably when Hali came in and said, "It's after Thanksgiving we can put the tree up now!" I of course, half asleep, replied, "Let's wait until Daddy gets home." So, being the good mom that I am, I fell back asleep! I was then awoken again with Hali telling me she had got the ornaments out and wanted to know if I would bring the tree upstairs. OK so I got up and went to decorating the Christmas tree.

As you can see, the girls are in their pajamas decorating the tree.

Lexi only broke one of the ornaments while we were decorating.... Although Mike has

glued at least 4 back together since!

I couldn't get the girls to stand still long enough to get a picture of the two of them together. Sorry this is the best you get!

Hali was very proud of the tree she decorated. I do have to say she did an excellent job! I put the ribbon on along with the Angel on top and the girls did most of the rest. Maybe next year I can sit back drinking egg nog while they do it all!!

Christmas Cookies with Cousins!

2009-12-22T20:54:00.001-08:00

For the last few years Steph and I have gotten together to let our kids make a mess of our kitchen! This year it was Steph's turn to let the little ones play cookie makers. This is such a fun tradition for my girls. I hope they will always have great memories of their Christmas' as little girls and that they will pass the traditions on to their own families!

Alexis was happy to play with her own little ball of dough for most of the time. She would roll it out, cut a few shapes and then start all over again. I think she snuck a few little bites of cookie dough in here and there also!

My sister with Kylee, Madison and Hali. Yes we are a family of almost all girls! Poor Braeden, although he may get a brother soon!

This is what the reindeer look like!!

Me and my little one!

Kylee striking a beautiful pose for the camera!

Braeden and Hali. Braeden had just had his tonsils out 3 days ago. He is a tough kid!

POTTY BREAK!!

We are also in the middle of potty training Alexis. She could not leave the puppy alone and had to take her to the potty with her..... poor doggy. Now if we could only train the dog to

use the potty also!

p.s. I promise I made her wash her hands before she went back to cookie making!!

And... of course Hali had to be in the picture also!

Kylee was trying to hid in the corner to frost her cookies and the girls all pulled their chairs up behind her! Hali decided it was a cookie train and started singing "chug a chug a choo choo" The little girls of course thought this was great and joined in!

Hali frosted a cookie just for Lexi!

Yummy! We make great cookies. Do you think Santa will like them?

See our clean hands!

Hali looses her 3rd tooth!

2009-12-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

NOVEMBER 2nd 2009

Hali's top tooth had been loose for a few weeks. Mike and Grandpa kept bugging her to let them pull it out. She of course said no way! It was barely hanging there when Mike asked her if he could see how loose it was. She of course started screaming, "No Dad don't pull it!" Mike then looked at her and said, "I already did!"

Hogle Zoo...Sept 26, 2009

2009-12-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

Another late addition to the blog.

Mike and I decided to take the girls to the zoo during one of my study breaks. I forgot my "real" camera so the quality of the pictures are not superb. I will say thank goodness for the i phone though!

The zoo had a new baby elephant that was adorable to watch. I think Lexi would have stayed and watched it forever if we would have let her. Hali talked me in to going into the reptile area,(I usually avoid this part of the zoo, because I really don't care for the "creepy crawly" things.) and even though the girls think the snakes are cool, I wonder why God created them!

It's crazy that I now buy a yearly pass to the zoo, when it was a big adventure to come here even once when I was little!

Halloween 2009...a little late!

2009-12-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

As everyone knows I have been a little busy lately and am a little behind on my

blogging so we are playing catch up!

Halloween 2009 was exceptionally fun! Both the girls were old enough to understand what was going on and had a great time. Hali insisted on being Bat Girl because she thought her

cousin Braeden was going to be Batman (he decided to be a power ranger last minute).

Lexi wore Hali's old Jo Jo costume that I had saved. They both looked adorable, as always!

The Friday night before Halloween we went to Hali's school carnival with

my sister and her family.

My sister and her children joined us for that and then came to our house after to do a little pumpkin carving. The kids had a blast and amazingly didn't make a huge mess.

My niece, Kylee, working hard at her masterpiece!

On Halloween we headed to my sister's house as we do every year and went trick or treating at the mall.

Before we headed "outside" trick or treating we ate a festive Halloween meal at Stephanie's house.

We enjoy trick or treating in her neighborhood, because she knows all of her neighbors well. The girls also love being able to spend time with their cousins and grandma.It was a great Halloween and the girls had a wonderful time and got way to much candy as always!

Lexi got tired of her hat at the end of the night and she said, "Mommy you wear it!"

What a long but fun day we had!

Hali's 6th Birthday!

2009-12-18T14:07:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to our sweet little Hali who is the joy of our life!

Hali as always gets very excited for her birthday. One "advantage" of a December birthday is there is an advent calendar hung to help you count down for your birthday. Every morning Hali moved the little santa over to the next day and informed me how many more days until her birthday!

Dec 15th finally came and Hali could not wait to take treats to school to share with her classmates. (I still think this is backwards, shouldn't they give her a treat?) After school I took her to the mall and she picked out a green dress to wear. She had to have the green dress because it "matched" her eyes!! She defiantly looked like a birthday princess in it! I can't believe she is six already. It was just six short years ago that I got the best "early" Christmas present ever!

I love you Hali Annette Salerno I am so thankful you were born!

Doesn't she look beautiful in her "green" dress? Check out the yellow sticky leaves on the fireplace behind her. Hali made a trail from the front door to her "spot" with these so her guests could find her!

Hali decided about a day before her birthday that she wanted a Nintendo DSi (her big sister has one). So, after a little consideration on whether she was old enough for one or not I headed to the store with the girl in tow. I did a really good job buying it without her noticing by whispering a few things to the cashier. I then went over and gave the receipt to the lady behind the counter who also was kind and placed it in my sac without the girls noticing. Well, I guess I am not very observant because I wrapped it without noticing it wasn't the DSi it was the DS. Hali opened and said, "Yea, a Nintendo DS." I said, "No it's the DSi" Hali replied. Yes, my six year old is smarter than me! So thanks to Grandma we were able to take it back that night and trade it for the right one. Remember how I said I wasn't sure if she was old enough to figure out how to play it..... She hasn't stopped playing with it since.

Hali decided a little while ago that she wanted an American Girl doll. My niece Kylee has had one of these for a couple of years so of course Hali decided she wanted one. Hali loves to look through the magazines at all the dolls. This year Rebecca is a new addition to the American Girl collection and once Hali saw her she had to have her....She said, "Rebecca has green (hazel) eyes, and brown hair just like me." Grandma was very excited to get this present for Hali, and as you can tell Hali was very excited to receive it!

Rebecca is another thing Hali hasn't let go of since her birthday!

I seriously have more fun watching my girls

open their presents more than I ever did opening my own!

My niece, Kylee, went to the store and used her own money

to buy Hali a present. She got her some earrings, candy and 4 quarters. She also made her a card. How stinkin' cute is that! Aren't cousins great?

I have to add this picture of our little trouble maker, Lexi, in. She thinks she needs

to constantly torture our poor little dog, Sadie. I think Lexi believes she is her own personal toy. The only way we can get her to leave her alone is to tell her we will give Sadie away if

she doesn't leave her alone!

Another year another princess cake!

I wonder how long she will keep giving me these sweet kisses?

Hali with all her "loot"!

Kylee reading Hali's American Girl book to her. Isn't this sweet?

Thanksgiving 2009!

2009-12-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2009 in Utah! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I enjoyed having 5 days off of school (although I spent the whole weekend writing a paper and studying)! On Thanksgiving morning my wonderful husband and stepson drove to Logan to pick up my grandparents and bring them down for dinner at my mom's house. He volunteered to do this on his own by the way! We then met them for dinner at my mom's and had a wonderful time eating to much food!

The kids had an amazing time as you can see in the pictures. Hali actually asked the other day, "Can we spend the whole day at Grandma's on Christmas like we did on Thanksgiving?" Defiantly one of the cutest things ever said. It made be thankful for the memories my children are able to make with their grandparents as I did with mine.

I am truly thankful for everything in my life. I appreciate my children and husband more as I am not able to spend as much time with them as I would like. I am so thankful that they are happy and healthy. I am so very thankful for the opportunity I have to be in CRNA school and am so thankful to everyone who has helped me out with my girls. I couldn't be doing any of this without all of you! I can't wait until thanksgiving two years from now when I will be a month away from graduation!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

My brother Brent with my almost 87 year old grandpa George!

Me and Lexi waiting to eat!

My family... all except Tori (she was in Arizona with her mom)!

The main course!

My hubby Mike and his son Gage.

My sister's little girl Madison.

My mom with her parents.

Kylee playing horse with Alexis.

Hali and Alexis attacking Kylee.

Playing the Wii with Uncle Brent.

Braeden attacking our cousin Taylor!

Me Steph and our little ones!

Travis' addition to the thanksgiving table.

This one's for you Steph!

Here I Go!!

2009-09-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is me outside the building where most of my classes will be!

I started school again last week. Can I say it's going to be a long 27 months!! I go to class four days a week. I have Friday's off from school, but am going to be working Fri and Sat nights for now. I am definitely way to old for this! I have realized how much easier school was when I didn't have children. I am going to have to learn how to manage my time better, and study after the kids are in bed. It is impossible, and I mean impossible to get any studying time when they are awake. Not only are they all over me, begging for my time. I just plain feel guilty not spending time with them. I already have to leave them at the babysitter (Who is awesome!! Thank goodness!) all day, I don't want to ignore them at night to....... This is going to be really hard!
Now for the positive. I actually enjoy learning, although I hate tests! My classmates are all awesome and fun to hang out with! We will be in all the same classes together for the next year until we start clinicals, so it is a good thing we all get along!! I am happy to say I am not the youngest or the oldest in the class. We have 15 in our class, several from WA, one from Arkansas, one from South Dakota, one from Wyoming, one from Idaho, one from Oregon, one from New Mexico, and couple (including me) from Utah. It is a good diversity. Here's to hoping my next two years go by smooth and I invite you all to my huge party in DEC 2011 when I graduate and become a CRNA!!!!

p.s. I will take any prayers that you will send my way!!

FYI

2009-08-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know that Hali's class found the gingerbread man today! Thank goodness, because we had one to many traps around our house!! Hali had another great day.

2009-08-18T00:23:00.000-07:00

Hali Annette Salerno's First Day of Kindergarten!!

August 17Th, 2009

Today was Hali's "official" first day of kindergarten. She went to school today from 0840 to 1140. It doesn't seem like much time, but today it was to me..... It felt like I was home for a long time before I was able to go pick her up. I am almost... OK 100% positive she didn't feel the same way as I did while she was at school!

Like a true little sisters Alexis said "me to" and got her "pack-pack" on to take a picture. Notice that she is also the one holding Sadie..... poor little dog!

Me and my "baby girl"! Can you tell Hal Bug hates to have the sun in her eyes.

(FYI, that is not a real tattoo on my arm!)

Hali showing off her pink backpack before we got in the car.

I think she looks way to "grown up" in this outfit, but dang cute!

This bench is in front of the school. We had to try three different spots before we found one that the sun wasn't in her eyes.

Waiting by the kindergarten door with some of the other kiddos! Oh, and don't forget little sis!

Hali hanging up her back pack in Mrs. Wangberg's room!

Each morning the kids find their name and what color square they are supposed to sit on. Obviously today Hali's was orange!!

Hali had an awesome day. When I picked her up from school she was on cloud nine!!

They had a little "game" of finding the gingerbread man at school. He was in the kitchen and somehow came to life! The kids got to learn about the school as they "searched" for the gingerbread man. The only problem was they didn't find him today.

So of course the first thing Hali told me when she got in the car was, "Mom the kitchen made a gingerbread man and he came to life and ran away and now we can't find him. We need to go right home and look for him in our house..... maybe he's on my shelf, maybe he's under my bed, maybe he's in your closet......etc. etc....

I don't think she could talk any faster as she was telling me the story! Hali also called Grandma, and Dad to tell them, "Tell all the people at your work to look for the gingerbread man, make sure and tell them to keep their eye's peeled!" Hali also said to Grandma, "Grandma, I'm serious you need to tell them.... Do I sound serious?""

As you probably already guessed we spent the rest of the day looking for the gingerbread man. Hali even made a couple traps for him. She also suggested making a girl gingerbread man that he would see and want to marry!

I love this little girl and her imagination. What an awesome first day of kindergarten for my little Hal Bug!

Hali is officially in Kindergarten!!

2009-08-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

I have to start this post out with the funny thing Hali said last night.

Hali had gotten out of the tub and gotten dressed without me putting medicine on her cute little bum cheek (she has eczema). So this is how it went.

Me: Hali come over here I forgot to put medicine on your bum...

Hali: Geese, could this night get any "worser", now I have to show my bum to someone who is not a doctor.

Where does she come up with these things! I am afraid what she is going to tell her teacher!

Today was Hali's first day of kindergarten. It was really neat, because the school has the parents stay with their kindergartner for this first day. We got to watch how the teacher interacted with our kiddos and I am really impressed so far with the Hali's teacher.

Here are a couple of pictures of our first Hali's first day!

Hali's very nervous and excited look as we were about to go into her classroom.

Singing her first song as a kindergartner!

Wow! I used to fit at one of these tables!

Hali drawing a picture of herself!

Standing by the calender.... today is August 10th 2009.

Her name outside the classroom!

Hali is definitely related to grandma!

Class only lasted for a couple of hours today. Tomorrow I take her for kindergarten testing at noon. Then she doesn't really start going full time until next Monday.

It feels like just yesterday that I was starting kindergarten with my sister. I can even still remember the name. Mrs. Hill at Syringa Elementary. Wow! Time flies.

Swimming with friends!

2009-08-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it had been over two years since I had seen my friend Julie. We met at the Idaho state Junior Miss Pageant between our Jr. and Sr. year in high school. I think we were instantly great friends. As things go,we went our own ways and Julie moved across the country. We have kept in touch (a lot through our blogs!) but have not actually "gotten together" in a long, long time. So, we finally met up with our children at the swimming pool last week. It was so awesome! Somehow we made it through the event without any of the six kids drowning!!

Here are some pics from our adventure!

This is a picture of all of the girls.....

Chloe, Hali, Alexis, and Lily

Here is the whole bunch minus me (I was taking the picture.)
Brigham (3), Chloe (5), Hali (5), Alexis (2), Lily (4), Julie (not telling!), and Cannon (1)

This is the typical Lexi, food in each hand!

Julie and Brigham coming down the slide.

Lily, who also enjoyed all the snacks.

Brigham whom you would never know had open heart surgery 5 weeks ago.

Julie with three of her four.

Cannon, the last of Julie's cuties.

Little Miss Hali who won't ever look at the camera!

Me, Angie, with handsome little Cannon.

Julie with Hali as the photographer.

Me, Angie, with Hali also as the photographer.

We had tons and tons of fun. I hope that Julie feels the same and we can do it again soon!

Driving Lessons

2009-07-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

As I was driving home from my sisters house this weekend with the girls in the back seat I reached into my purse and proceeded to put some chap stick on. Hali, the backseat driver, says, "Mom we are not supposed to put makeup on when we drive 'cause it is a distraction. We also are not supposed to text or talk on the phone." Me (trying not to laugh) said, "That's right where did you learn that from?" Hali, "Safety Patrol on Playhouse Disney." I guess I better watch more Disney channel so I to can learn how to drive "Safer"!

Night before the fourth fireworks!

2009-07-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

Summertime fun!

2009-07-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

Just some random pictures from different pools over the last couple of weeks!

4th of July 2009

2009-07-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome Fourth of July!! We decided to "skip" the parade this year as we knew we would have the girls up really late at the Stadium of Fire. We got to Provo around 1:00 or so and hung out at the Freedom Festival in the park. There was a lot of cool stuff going on there. We didn't stay for to long though, because Tori had heard on the radio that if you were on the west side of the stadium at 5:30 you could win a backstage pass to the Jonas Brothers. We got there on time, but unfortunately she didn't win......

Oh well! So we kicked back on the steps of the stadium until they let us take our seats.

"Some" of us were "Not happy Not" waiting in the sun!

Once we made it in we met up with my sister and her family!

(Take note this is the first time her hair has ever looked blonder than mine! She must have been spending more time in the sun, "Salon" than me!)

Me and two of my girls!

The show started out with four F-16's flying over from Hill Air Force Bace. We actually see these fly over our house in Layton quite frequently.

There were also two Apache (I think) helicopters from the base that flew over!

Mike loving his little girl!

We didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. Mike was busy using the camera to take pictures of the show. I forgot to bring "MY" camera in with me. I promise I won't forget it next time!

The main highlight of the show of course was the Jonas Brothers. When the Jo Bro's came on stage every girl in the audience screamed!! I think I even let out a few screams myself. (Of course .... I was only supporting my girls!) They were really good. Of course the girls didn't they it lasted long enough, but by this time it was almost 10:30 and we still had a firework show to see.

This me and Hali dancing to "Sweet Caroline".

Not the best picture, but the only one of me and my girls.

The firework show was the best one I think I have ever seen. The girls loved them. Hali and Lexi's eyes were fixed on them the whole time. It was definately a spectacular show.

Once we were in the car and on the way home Hali said to me, "Mom this was the best fourth of July ever!"

What an awesome day!

Hali Bug!

2009-07-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were talking about someone who had passed away, so I asked Hali if she knew where heaven was. She pointed to the sky and said, "It's way way up in the sky above the clouds." I then asked who lives there? She replied, "All the dead people." I love the innocent minds of kids! Just to let you know she did say "Jesus" when we asked her who else lived there!

Hali lately

2009-07-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Hali ,as most of us know, always has alot to say. So here are a few of her latest comments....

We had been swimming and went back to grandma's to take a shower. I came out of the bathroom with a towel on my head.... Hali came in the room looked at me and said, "Where's my Mom?" I looked at her and said, "what?" She again repeated, "where's my mom?" I said, "Hali I am your mom. She just looked at me and said, "Oh!" then she walked off. This of course is hilarious since I am a twin. I believe this is the first time she has every truly confused me with my sister!

Today as we were driving in the car discussing what we were doing for the fourth. Mike said I am not to "hip" on going to the parade. Hali immediately said, "There are hippos in the parade?"

My other favorite is when Hali tells you a joke she will ask you if you think it's funny. I always reply yes. Hali's usual reply back is, "Then why aren't you laughing?"

I love this little girl!!

Happy Father's Day to all the great dad's in our lives!

2009-06-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

We had a great day yesterday. We decided to go for dinner at my Grandma and Grandpa's house in Soda Springs. We spent a about 6 hours in the car yesterday. On the way to Soda I curled up in the back seat to sleep and "let" Tori entertain the girls. (I worked the night before and hadn't been to sleep for almost 24 hours.) Thanks Tori! She is an awesome big sister!
We enjoyed spending time with Grandpa Shuler for father's day and ate some of Grandma's yummy spare ribs. Hali said the prayer with the "usual" words for a blessing, but she added at the end, "And don't forget to bless the tomatoes." Now the funniest part about this is we didn't have any tomatoes on the table. Grandma Shuler decided she better get Hali a tomato. When she brought it to the table Hali said, "See good thing I blessed them in the garden, that is a perfectly grown tomato!" She says some of the funniest and cutest things.
My aunt (Karen) asked if I was writing these things down. I haven't written much down, so I am going to start using the blog to archive her little "thoughts". I am sure I will cherish these someday as her words won't always be so "cute" as she turns into a teenager!!
Back to father's day..... Thanks Mike for being such an awesome Dad to our kids. He is more than just a father, he is a Dad. I think anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

Here are some pics from the ride home from Soda Springs!

Look closely in the bacground to see me passed out!!

We love our cousin!

2009-06-08T02:09:00.000-07:00

It is so fun having a great niece like Kylee! She is so cute with my girls. This is what I caught her doing last night when they had a sleep over together!

Thanks Kylee for being a good cousin and friend!

Ice Cream Party!!

2009-06-08T02:04:00.000-07:00

We decided to hang out at Aunt "Ni Ni's" on Saturday night while Mike hung out with his friends. Kylee and I decided it was a great time for an ice cream party and a movie. So went to the store and came home with all kinds of goodies to make banana splits. Nothing like ice cream at 10:oo at night to get the kids wound up! (Sorry Aunt "Ni Ni"!)

Hali of course "loved" the whip cream and ate her mountain and nothing else.

Alexis, of course, ate everything in her bowl! (Most of it with her hands!)

Madison enjoyed her ice cream and new sippy cup with Mickey Mouse on it!

Braeden sipped his ice cream through his whole in his teeth!

And Kylee was just cute!

After the ice cream party we watched a movie and stayed up until after midnight! It was a great night!

Pictures from a childs point of view

2009-06-08T01:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Hali and Braeden got a hold of my camera and this is what was "interesting" to them to take pictures of!

I wish I thought the world as exciting as my kids!

Random pictures and activities of the last couple weeks!

2009-06-06T01:29:00.000-07:00

We have had a very busy last few weeks! Thanks everyone for keeping us entertained!!

We spent time at Tori's school for her sixth grade play.

We celebrated Gage's graduation from Bonneville High School! Yea Gage!!

By the way Mike wore these same colors when he graduated from this same high school 20 years ago!

We went to Tori's sixth grade graduation.

(pictures are coming!)

We went to the swimming pool twice!

We visited with Grandma and Grandpa Shuler and Aunt Karen!

We celebrated Grandma Net's birthday!

We played dress up with our sister.

And best of all.... We still took time to smell the flowers!

Hali's last day of preschool

2009-05-23T03:11:00.000-07:00

Last week Hali had her last day of preschool. Next we are on our way to Kindergarten. I can't believe she is already old enough to start Kindergarten. I think I would like to put her in a dark room so she can't grow anymore!!

Hali with her teacher's Ms. Eilein (above) and Ms. Kimberly (below).

For the last day of school the kids got to go to the park across the street. It was a fun way for the kids to spend their last day of preschool!

Alexis also enjoyed playing at the park with the "big" kids!

They grow up way to fast don't they?

HOGLE ZOO

2009-05-23T01:49:00.000-07:00

A DAY AT THE ZOO WITH MY MONKEYS!!

On Sunday we decided to again enjoy the warm weather and take the kids outside to enjoy the start of summer. We headed to another of our favorite destinations.... the Hogle ZOO. I have been coming here at least once a year since I was little. I now enjoy having a season pass so that I can bring my girls frequently!!

This is "Mike" as we all lovingly decided to call the bear.... (a little furry isn't he!)

Hali standing in front of the penguins... although she wasn't quite tall enough to get them in the picture, so here is a picture of the penguins.

The busy little monkey that the girls thought Sadie would be good friends with.

This little guy looks like he is pretending to be hard at work.... I think we should give him a clipboard like I use when I am trying to look busy!!

Can you say "cheesy" smile or what. Thanks Mom and Dad for the straight teeth!!

This elephant is about to have a baby. She has been pregnant for two years. I can only imagine!!

All five of us waiting patiently to ride the carousel. The kids sat and picked out what animal they were going to ride.

Our handsome little monkey Braeden!

Two sweet girls enjoying the Conservation Carousel.

Me and my little angel Alexis with a runny nose and puffy eye on the carousel.

FYI. I took her to the Dr. the next day and she had an ear infection and eye infections. 10 days of Omnicef!!

Mike enjoyed taking pictures of the birds at the bird show.

We can't wait to go back again!!

DUCK POND

2009-05-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Last week we took the girls to the duck pond in Layton. This is one of our favorite things to do in the spring and summer.

The girls love feeding the ducks. Alexis of course had no fear and wanted to walk right up to the ducks. She giggled when the ducks nipped her fingers as they took the bread from her.

Hali was a little more cautious as usual. She threw the bread from a ways away and backed up when the ducks walked towards her.

I love summer time and all the fun it brings. I can't wait to make more memories this summer.

Mother's Day!

2009-05-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful Mother's Day as I hope everyone did! Hali for several days had been asking me when Mother's day was. So when she woke up Sunday morning she was ecstatic to be able to give me my presents!! Hali made sure I opened her gifts first which included a cute little saying with her hand print on it from preschool, and a couple of homemade cards she had made with grandma Kathy. They were both all so adorable! Mike (along with Lexi, Tori, and Gage) gave me a really cute pink sweat outfit from Victoria's Secret. It is so cute! The only problem is the pants are at least 6 inches to long..... Not a surprise with my "tall" stature. So I am going to wash them and then have them hemmed. Thanks for the wonderful gifts from my wonderful family!

We then got ready and went to breakfast. As we were eating Hali reached over and gave me a whole bunch of kisses, and then said "I am trying to make this the best mother's day ever for my mommy"! How cute is that!

We then had everyone over for dinner at our house. It was alot of fun. The kids stayed outside playing on the swing set and trampoline the whole time. Madison and Alexis had to fight over the "baby swing". When it was dinnertime they even ate outside on the picnic table under the swing.

I am definitely so grateful that I became a mother over five years ago! It was the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I love my two little girls and step-kids more than anything in the world.

I want to again say Happy Mother's day to my Mom. I am so thankful for her being a wonderful mom and teaching me how to be a good mom to my girls. Thanks for everything you have done for us!!
The same kudos also goes to my grandmother's and mother-in-law for being awesome mothers and examples to me.

xoxo
Angie

Summer Time!!

2009-05-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

We FINALLY GOT OUR CEMENT!!! We have lived in our house for four years now and have been living with rocks and weeds where we planned to have a nice RV pad. Can I say how much better our house looks with the cement in! I bet my neighbors also love the fact that they don't have to look at our rock garden anymore!

I am loving this pad in the backyard.... yes it is meant for a future RV, but it has been great being able to lock the girls in the backyard to ride their bikes!

This was our project for today! The girls new swing set. It definitely was a project to put together. It took over three hours to get done. Good thing Mike is smart about putting things together or we might have been working until midnight!

As you can tell the girls LOVE it! I had to carry Alexis inside kicking and screaming, "no swing, no swing" at 8:00 for bed she. As for Hali she was a little "freaked out" (in her own words) about going up the ladder and down the slide. She also told me that she really wanted to go up, but her "legs" have a mind of their own! So Mike carried her up and made her go down. Hali then realized it wasn't so bad after all and wouldn't stop going up and down the slide!!! I said to her, "See it wasn't so scary." and Hali then replied, "Ya, my legs changed their mind!" The things this girl says totally cracks me up!

Here she is running around to go back down the slide! A great picture of those legs that have a mind of their own!

Speaking of things she says..... She was just trying to get on my bed and hit her knee. She said, "Mom I told you it wasn't a good idea to get a bed like this" HILARIOUS!!

Do you ever have one of these days?

2009-04-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

IT IS SO HARD BEING A TWO YEAR OLD!

This is Lexi after we dropped Hali off for preschool. This is what she did from the moment I "took" her away from the school.... to the car... in her car seat on the way home.... and once inside the house. She is standing by the door trying to back in the garage. (by the way, I had to use the dead bolt to keep her in!) If you can't understand what she is saying in this clip from my phone..... She is saying, "No, go Bye-Bye." I had to take a video, because after fifteen minutes it was a little hilarious.

So Lexi, here is to future blackmail. I am saving this one for you!

XOXO

Mommy

Happy Easter 2009

2009-04-12T22:11:00.001-07:00

HAPPY EASTER

2009

We had a great Easter weekend! Our first Easter event was on Saturday at the church. Our ward had a wonderful breakfast and easter egg hunt! The girls had a good time running around with the other kids.

When we got home Dad boiled eggs while Mom ran to the store to get "a few things" without the girls in towe. I think Mike called me twice in the two hours that I was gone wanting to know what time I would be home. The girls were driving him crazy with excitement about dying easter eggs. So the minute I got home we pulled out the dye and suprisingly made some beautiful died eggs without a huge mess!

Look closely in the pictures below and you will see "Lexi's" egg and "Hali's" egg.

Do you see it?

"Lexi"

"Hali"

Easter morning the girls got up around 8:30 and we headed down to see what the easter bunny had brought. Hali and Alexis were very pleased with the goodies they scored!

Hali and Alexis were busy trying on their new sunglasses when Lexi all of a sudden spotted a hidden easter egg under the couch.......
AND THEN THE RACE WAS ON!

After the girls were done with their easter egg hunt we got ready and headed to Grandma's to go to church. I being forgetful didn't get any pictures of the girls in their cute dresses.... but trust me they looked adorable!

Thank You and Pay it Forward

2009-04-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

The other day Mike and I had taken the girls to eat at Garcias for lunch. We were sitting there eating our lunch and enjoying each other. Then a man comes and puts his hand on Mike's shoulder as he put something on our table and says "Have lunch on us". Mike and I both looked down at the table as the man and his wife were walking away and realized he had left us more than enough money to pay for our lunch! I don't know who this man was, but we are thankful for his kindness. This is not something that is done very often.... especially with all the economic hardships.
So thank you to this wonderful person who made our day!!! It is now our turn to pay it forward and do the same for someone else. I will definitely always remember this person and his unselfish gesture.

Every once in a while you get a suprise!

2009-03-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as we were getting ready for preschool I asked Hali to go pick up her room. She of course asked,

"Mom can you help?"

I replied, "No that I had to hurry and put my makeup on so I could get her to school on time."

Now let me tell you that normally she would reply with, "But, my arms are to tired, or I'm not big enough." So I fully expected her to go in her room and just play. I finished getting ready and then went in to Hali's room to get her some shoes and this is what I found!

She had not only picked up her toys and dress up clothes, but she had made her bed! Pretty impressive on how well she did. She even got all the pillows right (not even Mike can always do that!)

So thanks to my BIG GIRL for being such a good helper and obeying Mommy!!