Dance Recital

The girls had such a great time at their dance recital. It was Shelby's first recital, so the energy and excitement level was pretty high!

Her sassy pose.
Can you see the excitement in her face!!

Karlee always like to know exactly where we are sitting and spends most of the dance waving and looking at us! :) So cute!

The girls were so excited about the flowers. We gave them flowers and so did Grandma and Da.

Happy New Year!!

Well, I guess I could say New Year's Eve was so exciting and fun I forgot to take pictures, but actually, that was not the case. We did have a fun night...but because the last few weeks have been so busy, both girls were pretty tired. We played Candy Land and then they went to bed...at 7. :)
We stayed up and played a few other games and barely made it to midnight...how did we get so boring sooo quickly! So my New Years Resolution is to get out a little more and have fun! We have gotten to be quite the homebodies!
A few of my other New Years Resolutions are...
Be nicer to everyone.
Only eat chocolate on Sundays
Exercise everyday
Eat better
Do more with the girls
Go on more dates with my husband

I have already kind of messed up on the first two listed...but will get back on track by tomorrow...promise!

Squirting....

Hum, squirting requires a post all on its own. Being that we live in Wyoming, we have to drive long distances for just about everything and usually between the towns which can be up to 100 miles apart there is next to nothing and sagebrush between them. Girls have to learn the art of squatting...and yes, it is an art because the wind also blows here constantly, especially with nothing blocking it. So this summer, we taught the girls to squat.
During our last camping trip, Karlee came running to me and said, "I have to squirt!"...and I said, "huh?"...and she said, "I really have to squirt now!!"...being that I looked a little confused...she finally said, "Mom, you know, when you have to go potty outside...I need to pretend I am sitting on the toilet and "squirt" my potty out."
So, now, if anyones happens to be traveling with us in this great state of Wyoming, and my girls have to squirt, you will understand!

Joy School!

Shelby couldn't wait for her first day of Joy School. She got to join in at a few of Karlee's joy school lessons before Karlee went to Kindergarten, and so she knew she was going to have a great time! Trista Covill and Ollie Geddes are the other little kids that get to do joy school with her and they really play well with each other. Shelby felt like she was such a big girl today and loved writing her name and cutting and pasting. It makes me a little sad that this is my last year with Shelby...this time is going too fast! Please slow down!

First Day of School!

Karlee has been so excited for her first day of 1st grade. We got to go and see the new school and meet her new teacher, Mrs Jackson. It was fun to see all the fun things ready for her to do that first day. The playground is extra cool and I am sure that will be her favorite thing she gets to do everyday. You can just see by her face how happy she is to bere! I hope she is always this excited about going to school and learning!

She was so excited about this school outfit. She picked everything all by her self, right down to the shoes! Gram Pearson gave her some money for her birthday for a new outfit, and it was fun for her to look at all the different clothes and pick out her favorites. She even went up to the counter to pay for them herself!

It was a little easier saying goodbye this year...especially because I enjoy having the one on one time with Shelby...but man, I miss this little girl and her sweet smiles during the day!

Labor Day Weekend!

I LOVE Labor Day Weekend...it has become our tradition to go camping and get our firewood for the winter. Now, I know most people might think gathering wood isn't the funnest chore...but I do love the smell of freshly cut wood, being outdoors, and by Labor Day, there are NO BUGS!! That is probably my favorite part. The weather is usually pretty beautiful as well!

Kilee, Neil's daughter was able to come up and spend a few days with us. She helped watch the girls a bit so I could help with the wood gathering...mainly I just get to carry around the measure stick and carry the small pieces to the trailer to load.

GP doesn't quite trust me with the chainsaw yet, but, honestly, I don't trsut myself with that as well either.

We ended with up with a pretty good load, and had to come back up a few more days to finish. We don't block it up till we get home, so we can load it quicker and get more wood in a shorter amount of time.

While we were loading the wood, we saw a deer walk by...it is amazing how unafraid they are...but then again, it isn't hunting season yet. It seems October 15th hits and there is not a deer insight then. :)

Usually by the end of the day the girls are so exhausted. I had gotten the girls into bed, Karlee first, and was working on Shelby, when I saw Karlee like this, completely fast asleep. Oh, such an angel! (I think I only say this when she is sleeping!)

Campfire time is also a favorite thing about camping. I love to hear the crackling of the wood, the breeze through the trees and telling fun ghost stories...note the FUN part. Scary ones don't quite work right now because then the girls will not go to the camper by themselves, even if it is only feet away from the camper. Hot chocoalte and marshmellows are a must!

BYU

So, on my birthday, I got to do the best thing possible! I got to spend the day with my sister and help her move into her new apartment.
Karlee, Shelby and I waited at the airport for her to arrive and the minute the girls saw Aunt Larlee, they went running up to see her. It was nice to give her a hug, because she still smelled like NJ home and also knowing as well, that just a few short hours before, Mom and Dad were giving her a hug. We went to Olive Garden (my favorite!) and had dinner. Then we picked up a few things at Grandpa Jensen's and then away to Provo we went.
It was so much fun helping her move in. It brought back so many memories of when I was moving into my aprtment, getting ready for college. Even though, I must say, her apartment was MUCH nicer...but I guess that is what happens when you are the last child with no other kids in college or on missions. :)
We stayed up late, hanging up clothes and getting a few things ready in her apartment...then I went to bed because I am old.
The next day we finished up a few more things and then did a little shopping.
I am so glad I have my little sister so much closer! Can't wait to spend even more time with her!