Bronwyn's Dance Recital!!!

This weekend Bronwyn performed in her 4th dance recital! It's always so exciting in the days leading up to her big day. This year she has taken ballet and tap. So she had two different dances as well as the finale performance. Her class this year was only 4 girls so for the recital they combined with another small class. She is just amazing to watch! I love what she is learning and the fun she is having with it! She really seems to enjoy being on stage. I can not get enough of watching her! After her recital we had everyone who came out to see her over to the house for lunch. She loves to have a little party in her honor!
Here are some pictures of our little star!




























And here are a couple videos from rehearsal!
To Everyone in All the World
(She's in the middle in the front row)


Simple Gifts
(She's in the middle in the back row)

How to Build the Perfect Birdhouse!

Step 1 - Show up for the class field trip to Home Depot where everything is provided for free!

Step 2 - Hammer in a couple of nails and piece the sides together.

Step 3 - Screw in a couple of screws for extra support and you're done!

Step 4 - Pose Pretty!

Step 5 - Beg Mommy for days about adding paint and she will give in!

Step 6 - Add some hooks and a chain and you've got the perfect home for any bird!

Last Day of Dance!

Today was Bronwyn's last day of this years dance class. We're getting ready for her recital in a couple of weeks. For the last day of class the girls got to have a little beach party theme and wear swimsuits then end the class with a little party. Here a couple of pictures of the fun!

Cake pops we made for Bronwyn's friends!

Bronwyn and her friends and dance teacher!

Special Outstanding Student Award!

A Garden for Danny

Danny decided that he really wanted to create a garden so that he and the kids could have some fun taking care of it and growing some fruits and vegetables. He asked my Dad for some help to get going and they actually found some pre-made boxes for gardening. They made the space for them and got them put together. We got out to the store and he picked up just a few things to start with. They decided to grow broccoli, green beans, watermelon, and strawberries. There is also an attempt for some pumpkins on a hill in our backyard. They each have there own box to take care of and the kids loving that they have their own stuff to take care of. We'll see how it all turns out... I have a feeling I will be the only one taking care of it all! ;)

Danny getting everything ready!














Lots of planning going on here!
Look at those confused faces!















Working away!














Bronwyn getting her strawberries ready!














Hayden is ready with the hose! Watch out!!!

Girl Time!

Last night Bronwyn and I invited our twin nieces/cousins Kaylie and Alyssa to come up and spend the night with us. Anytime we get to see them it is usually at a big family event and there's too much going on for any one on one time. So we had a fun night out with just the girls. We grabbed dinner and then saw the movie, Mirror Mirror. And after a quick stop for nail polish we went back to our house for manicures! In the morning we hung out and all the girls let me do their hair. Bronwyn and Hayden had so much fun playing together with the girls. They really enjoyed having them over and so did I! It means a lot to me that I could have them for the night and spend some real quality time with them!

Happy Easter!

Seems like each year each holiday is a little more exciting as the kids get that much older and really enjoy it. This Easter was lots of fun. Before bed last night Bronwyn was so excited you would have thought Santa was coming! We dyed some eggs and the kids left out a couple of tiny carrots for the Easter Bunny.


Bronwyn woke up nice and early and could not sit still until she was allowed to wake Hayden up and see the baskets! They were both thrilled with the treats that the Easter Bunny left them. Lots of fun toys and not a ton of candy!



















After we all got ready for the day my parents and brother and his family came over for breakfast and the Easter Egg Hunt! The kids are so fast at spotting them all and seemed to love it!










After spending a few hours hanging out and making my dessert to bring to dinner, Danny's Dad and Evelyn stopped by to visit and see the kids. Then we headed to my parents house for dinner. The kids filled up on ham and Bronwyn tried to eat the entire bowl of black olives! After dessert we left for home. Such a fun filled but relaxing holiday spent with family... perfect!

1st Trip to the Dentist!

Bronwyn had her 1st trip to the dentist this week. She was a little nervous about going but that was understandable about having to see any other doctor after what she had already been through the day before. Once we got there all the nurses were going on and on about how cute she is and that probably helped set her good mood. She had her x-rays taken and then moved on to having her teeth checked and counted. She had her teeth cleaned and flossed and we are happy to report that her 1st checkup went great! No cavities or anything wrong! She was super excited to receive a cup full of goodies like a new toothbrush and toothpaste, a timer, floss, and chapstick. She set everything up in the bathroom as soon as we got home and is excited to use it all. My little girl is very quickly becoming so big!

My Little Loves

Each day that Bronwyn goes to quick Preschool I take a quick photo of her on our way out the door. She is used to it and will actually remind me. It's pretty fun and I want to see all her changes through the school year. Some days Hayden also wants a picture of himself. Today he wanted one with Bronwyn. I love that they are such good friends to one another and love each other so much. Here's the picture from today!

Dear Santa...

Tonight during dinner Bronwyn was talking about how excited she is for Christmas and how much she loves Santa. Then she folds her hands in her lap and closes her eyes and says, "Dear Santa, I love the snow and I love to make a snowman. But he never comes to life. When you fly over can you please sprinkle some pixie dust so that he can be real. I love you Santa!"

Too bad this is one wish I don't think can come true...

Polar Express Train Ride

"The thing about trains...
It doesn't matter where they are going.
What matters is deciding to get on."

We took Bronwyn and Hayden for a very special trip this year down to Durango to board the Polar Express Train! Danny and I were so excited about the trip and waited till the last night to tell the kids the surprise. They were definitely excited but I don't think they realized what was truly going to happen. We had over a 7 hour drive down to Durango where the magic happens. We made the trip, checked into our hotel. grabbed some dinner and then we were off for our ride.
The train ride is based off the book, The Polar Express. We waited in the train station until they opened up the doors and we got to go outside as the train arrived. Once it pulled up the conductor came out onto a platform and the main character of the book comes out too. Here's a video of the excitement!

On the train we were all served hot chocolate and cookies from the chefs that ran our car dancing around. The conductor came through and punched all of our tickets and Bronwyn decided that hers read, "believe". All the music from the movie was playing!


























The train took us to the North Pole where we got to stop and open up the windows and see all the buildings. Santa was also there! Afterwards, Santa got on the train and held up a special sleigh bell from his reindeer. He announced it as "the 1st gift of Christmas" and walked up the train aisle and stopped and handed it to Hayden! It was so amazing! Hayden was absolutely thrilled! There is just no way to describe the magic of the moment. Once all of the other kids aboard the train received their bells we took the trip back to the station while hearing the story read and seeing the book and then singing Christmas carols.


















Once we got back to the station we got to see some of the reindeer and then headed inside the train museum for pictures with Santa. We had bought Hayden a pocket watch from the gift shop before boarding and it really kept his attention every second. While waiting for Santa he managed to break the clasp and the lid from the watch fell off. He was so distraught and cried and cried. I calmed him down and told him we could replace it after we saw Santa. He seemed okay but once he saw Santa and started walking up he went into the most emotional cry I have ever seen and told Santa he broke it and asked for him to bring him a new one for Christmas. It was so sad and so adorable. Santa and the photographer turned the tears around and had the kids laughing so much for the photo. It was really sweet to have them in their pajamas with Santa having such a fun time!









This whole trip was so much fun! Danny is already planning to do it again next year. I loved that we could do something so special to the kids. They watch the movie all the time and often act it out when the are pretending. I will cherish this memory!