Dulgarian family

Char Char turns 1!

2010-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Little Miss is a big girl! Charlie turned one Last Month and we had a small little get together to celebrate!
I made this fun outfit for her! The hats my favorite!

Man we love this nugget!

She is her own little person that's for sure! She is snuggly and silly and totally sentimental! She is a lover of stuffed animals and can't go to be unless she's holding about 5 oh her favorites! She loves my blanket and her daddy! She is a keeper! WE love you bug!

Studio 5

2010-02-24T19:10:00.000-08:00

Yay!!! I was invited to be on Studio 5, a local hour long show here in Salt Lake! I was super excited and had a real great time with the staff and hosts! More appearances to come down the road!

And who knew Target had such great cloths! I haven't shopped in my "department" at Target in ages! LOVE IT!!!! Even if Mike hates the gray sweater thing I have on I dig it! He's vowed to not be scean with me in public in it! Is it really that bad? What am I thinking! Do I really need to take fashion ques from Mike D.? Yeah....that's what I thought!

Popples, Possing and Prophets

2010-01-17T23:47:00.000-08:00

Ok... My family rocks! They pretty much make my heart sing all the time! ok...most of the time!

This has been a wonderful weekend! Wonderful I tell ya!

Care if I share?

Saturday night we headed to a Jazz game! The 5 of us and uncle Chris and Aunt Megan out to enjoy a game in the Wells Fargo box! We arrived early and braved the bitter cold at The Gateway.

Here's reason #1 why I love my family!

Baby Char Char seriously became my childhood Popple toy!

Notice any resemblance?

Please oh please tell me you remember Popples! They were down right awesome! I think I had a purple one!

Chuck was so stinkin adorable all wrapped up and ball like! She loved being toted around snug as a bug!

#2 reason why I loved my fam so much this weekend:

How awesome is Cricket!!!! Sportin' the Nerd glasses at Urban Outfitters! I love this kid! She was killin me possing and trying on endless hats and accessories!

Here I am trying to get in on the nerd action!

And the #3 reason I HEART my family:

They totally still love me even after I pimped my kids and made them talk to the Prophet!!!!! President Monson and his wife and friends were in the box next to us! I got a little star struck once again but this time I totally used the kids as a front and talked to him! Of course it was a big deal for them too but I was a little more into then they were! I made them wave throughout the game! Sad I know! Totally crossed the line but it's a moment they won't soon forget! Pretty awesome to see the Prophet in person and have him talk to you!

And by the way folks! Pres. Monson and crew were all drinking Diet Coke! If ever a question still lingered in your mind , put it to rest people!

A year in Photo review!

2010-01-05T14:02:00.001-08:00

January:

Hung out with mom and her growing belly.

Did a lot of baking!

February:
Took a few swimming lessons!

Started converting the Office into a Nursery! Boy did we miss our desk!

March:

Rubbed my baby bump with lotion one last time!

And traded her in for a brand new Fuzzy Chicken haired baby!

April:

Kissed my 20's goodbye!

Was treated like a Princess!

Took a nap in a drawer.
May:

Took our first family trip to Zions and Bryce Canyon! Apparently 5 week olds are excellent hikers!

June:

Sewed a little Dress...
Had a little Blessing!

July:

Had our first taste of Fun Dip and boy was it FUN!!! Thanks sisters!

Meet Cousin Kyler for the first time!
Got in touch with our Silly Sides!

Fell in love with Midway Utah and each other!

August:
Got Photo ready!
Said goodbye to loved Cousin and got caught up with family in Idaho!

Send our first born off to the Wolves! First day of school went off without a hitch! NO tears shed at all!

September:
Celebrated some big birthdays! Turning 6 and 4 called for a huge celebration in the back yard! Have I mentioned how much I love having a huge yard!
We feel even deeper in love with these big blue eyes!

October:
Drives through the canyon with the windows rolled down!

Hot dates that included Mike, Becca and a Band called "The Killers!"
Took the plunge and crossed over into the Dark Side! Goodbye Blondie! Hello Brunette!

Paraded two Princess around the Neighborhood!

November:

Over ate and fell asleep!

Had some much needed sister time! MUCH NEEDED!

Cuddled Purple grandma for the first time!

December:
Took a little 10 hour trip to Sacramento to be with Chris as he married his Megan!!! Took like a million family shots and still didn't get a good one! Oh well!

Enjoyed Little Bugs first Christmas!

Happy 2010 everyone! Thanks Boo for the photo journey idea!

Charlie Bug version 8.5

2009-12-13T17:27:00.000-08:00

Check out our little love affair! She's all kinds of wonderful and it's easy to see why she's stolen our hearts! Charlie is 9 months old on the 22nd! Can you believe that!?! It's C-C-C-razy!!!

She pretty much rocks and don't tell the others but she may in fact being our favorite Child! J/K!!! But it's easy to love her...she hasn't been naughty yet!

So I better document a few of her mile stones! We all know I haven't been the best blogger of late!

First tooth at 7 months
Started army crawling at 7 months! One arm and one leg action with stealth like speed!
Started Crawling at 8 month! One month sooner then her sisters! ( Bragging rights for her in the future!)
We lowered her crib to the lowest setting and thank goodness we did! Less then a week later she greeted us standing up smiling and laughing at her accomplishments!
She cruses around beds and couches and the coffee table.
And she rocks out when Mike Chants "Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!..." Seriously too cool!

And just added to the list... She had her first Piece of Licorice tonight!

She took her first trip to Disneyland thanks to Grandpa Tom and Kathy!

She's a chill buddy to cousin Dane who is more chill then any babe we know!!! Lucky Boopers!!!

And she got to kick it with Cousin Kyler! What a stud!

And had her first get together with her girlfriend Sophi!

We love our Char Char!

I know...

2009-12-10T15:01:00.001-08:00

I suck!! Making up for lost time...

Happy Birthday baby!!!! Mike D. officially joins the 30's entourage! I think it fits him well! Men always age better then women!They get sexier and broken in...women get to wear more make up and have to color our hair more often!Sigh!!! Oh well!

The girls and I have been spoiling him. They showered him with Beef Jerky, Lemon heads and Licorice and made him a Jean Quilt, which her reallllly wanted not sure why! and a VIP Frequent visit card from Sports Clips! I know! Doesn't sound all that fantastical but it made his day! I've been backing a cake and tonight the party continues! G rated people!

I feel good about this birthday! I know it's a lot of pressure for the people around the birthday boy, in this case! It's up to us to make it a day to remember! Fingers crossed I'm doing a good job!

So happy birthday Mike D.! We love you!

4 year olds...

2009-10-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Kids who beg for birthdays 5 months in advance need to learn patience because in the end they actually get to wake up one day and it's their birthday!

Molly Blue finally got to wake up and it was her birthday this year! It was an easy bed time routine the night before! The sooner she fell into a sleepy dream land state the sooner her birthday would arrive!

This beautiful little girl of ours plays an important roll in our family! She is the only one who still required snuggles and gladly we fork them over! She is a gooey center with a hard shell! Shy and slow to warm up to new friends but once you breakthrough that hard candy shell it's all sorts of yumminess on the inside! She is funny and clever and has the most forward fashion sense of style I have yet to see in a 4 year old! Cutting edge! It's usually a self designed skirt over pants sort of deal with layered tops and multiple pony tails! I HEART this fashion diva of mine!

I had to sneak this photo... What you can see is a beautiful off the shoulder number she concocted with a skirt. What you can't see are two more layers of skirt on the bottom half and a third pony tail hiding in the back! See what I mean!

It's crazy to imagine that this sweet little second born is 4 now! All those years ago we fall hard for that curly haired mop and big blue eyes! Now we can't get enough of her warm hugs and endearing questions!

And now for your viewing pleasure...please enjoy a little sampling of why we love our Blue Bird! Over the years she has giving us plenty of reasons to love her!

This is what I know...

2009-09-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

I know that being the middle child has it's ups and downs.

But mostly it has ups...

I know that Kindergarten brings new perspective to a girl.

Life's pretty wonderful when you get to ride the bus!

I know that sitting up on your own deserves celebrating!

And getting a little taller is pretty cool too!

I know that 3 little girls can sometimes be a handful.

Hands full of little hands have always been worth it.

I know that bald spots are adorable.

And that armfuls of babies are only available for a limited time.

Birthday Bash 2009

2009-09-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Today our Cricket turned 6!
6!!
I still can't believe it! It's been an adventurous 6 years with this spunky girl! She is everything I could have ever dreamed! Kind, independent, creative, cleaver, super smart, funny and an amazing sister and daughter! We feel so incredibly lucky to have her in our family!

Last weekend we threw a huge Backyard Carnival Birthday Party for both girls! With their birthdays only one month apart and winter just around the corner, we really wanted to celebrate outdoors so an early party it was!

Weeks and weeks of planning and preparing helped make this day special for
our Cricket and Blue!

We hired an amazing face painter and she did not disappoint! I was tempted to cut in line and get myself a little princess mask or butterfly! I loved the spooky faces a few of the kids got! She was incredible! I wish we could think of more occasions to have her come and paint faces! Maybe for Ground Hogs Day!

i worked for days on the decorations! We have a pretty huge backyard and it needed to be filled with colorful decorations!

Solution:
One super duper long homemade fabric Bunting Banner! I swear this thing took me almost 7 hours to make. It's probably the length of a football field but it was my most favorite feature of the entire party!
(Please!!!Someone borrow it!!)

I also created the Carnival entrance!Super easy... A PVC Pipe
frame and three $1 plastic table cloths!

And lastly I made a few dozen Tissue Pom Poms and Fans to hang in the trees!

The games were a hit! We had a Goldfish game, Ping Pong Toss, Ring Toss,
Bean bag Toss and Can Game!

I picked up some Harry Potter Blood Pops for some of the prizes!
Check out how cool they made the kiddos look...

Way too funny!

I made Cupcakes for the party from Scratch! Yeah! I'm into baking! Click HERE for my killer recipe! My secret for amazing frosting is Jello! I used Strawberry, Lemon and Lime Flavored Jello to get the vibrant color and great taste!

And we could not have pulled it off with out theses amazing helpers!!! Grandma Reena, Uncle Chris and soon to be Aunt Megan were so incredible!!! Thanks a million you guys!

The party went off without a hitch...that is unless you count the fact that my camera batteries went dead and the propane tank was empty 5 minutes into the shin dig! Other
then that it was a hit!!!

Happy Birthday sweet girls!!!! We love you!

6 Months old today

2009-09-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! Charlie here! I've been told today is my Half Birthday! 6 months old and still lovin' life! What's not to love...I get just about everything I want! I'm still trying to figure out how to nurse AND suck my thumb at the same time but other then that I can't complain! Yep! I like to suck my thumb but only when I'm sleepy or right after every bite of Peas. I think this adorable habit of mine drives mom crazy! She keeps pulling my yummy thumb out of my mouth and telling me "No! No!" not sure what that means! Probably that the loves me and thinks I'm the cutest thing in the world right! Anyway...

That's right! You heard correctly! I'm lovin' up on this whole eating thing! I thought life couldn't get any better and then mom introduced me to Peas and Bananas! Soooo grubaliciouse! But can someone do me a favor and tell my mom I'm getting wise to her and know she's mixin' in that nasty Squash! No thanks!

I'm happy to tell you all that I'm more then just a cute little blob of pink now a days! This little pink blob rolls and sits up and loves to play with toys! I'm pretty darn fun to watch! Yes I love everything to go right in my mouth! Yes I love to vocally express myself with the cutest baby sounds that you ever have heard! I do it because it makes my daddy super happy! Every time I "talk" to that guy he holds me in the sky or tickles me! I have him trained!

I sure do love my beauty sleep! Please don't disturb me! I need my 11-12 hours of uninterrupted rest to be the happy go lucky child that I am! I'm also doing it for my mom!Apparently she enjoys all that time in bed too. It's the least I can do or her!

Well folks! Thanks for listening to me! I'm off for some milk or snuggles! Man I love my life!!!

Blue Bird!

2009-09-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

Check her out!!! I straitened her hair for church on Sunday and I almost didn't recognize her!!! Who is that? She was so not my Blue Bird!!!

She's for sure my curly headed Punky Brewster! She's a tricky one this kid. To be honest... I've never meet a more unhappy kid in my life! Hopefully it's just a phase but I swear she's grumpy all the time! Even when I try my hardest to do something special or fun for her it's always followed up with a pout or declaration " I didn't have any fun mom!!!" Oh really!!! Because it sure looked like you were enjoying yourself as you cruised through the farm and enjoyed a ice cream treat!!! I better try harder next time!!

She's got her own silly style that reminds me of her big sister at this age! Skirts and dresses make up her daily attire and you better believ that when she is wearing a dress 75% of the time there is a skirt hidding underneath it! Layer after layer!! She loves the layers!

When she's not mad at the world she had been known to warm up to the idea of a being simply adorable! I can still sneek a snuggle in and it's the best feeling to have that warm little bug nessled into me. She's the best big sister to Charlie and missed Crick all day long till we pick her up.

I'm learning so much about her right now. And just when I think I have her all figured out she surprises me once again!!!

I love my Blue Bird... sour attitude, silly cloths and all!

First Day of School!

2009-08-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Well we did it!!! The all important right of passage is behind us!!!The first day of Kindergarten will go down in the history books as a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!

Cricket was as ready as ever! The day started off with celebratory Blue pancakes and smiles. She picked out her outfit and changed it three times that morning! I'm surprised we weren't late!

We walked to the bus stop and meet up with our friends. Photo ops galore! The bus came and went and just like that she was gone! I got a tiny bit misty eyed just then but was surprisingly in control!

Mike and I meet her over at the school just to be sure she knew what to do next! I thought for sure I'd lose it this time as we saw her march in to the class room but NOPE ! Not a single tear rolled off my cheek! What the...

This past week was a joke! I cried at the thought of her leaving me but there I was practically willing my eyes to produce some sort of moisture but nothing! NOTHING!!!

So the time slowly crept by and finally it was time to pick her up!!! Endless reports of all she did! It was the perfect day in a new kindergartners eyes! She was plum tuckered out after her big day!She fell asleep in the car! I'm gona like this school thing and so is she!

We're so proud of our Cricket!!!

Someones getting married!!!

2009-08-19T12:06:00.001-07:00

Mike's youngest brother Chris is officially ENGAGED!!!!! And let's be honest! The best part about this whole arrangement is MEGAN his totally amazing, beautiful, awesome Fiance!!! Welcome to the family Megs!!!!!!

Idaho trip

2009-08-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we headed out to Boise for an unexpected Family Funeral. Mike Cousin tragically passed away in a plane crash last Saturday. It came as a shock to all of us and we knew we needed to be there to support his family, wife and 5 kids!

It was a beautiful service. WE reunited with endless family we haven't seen in ages! It was wonderful to be surrounded with family! WE send our warmest wishes of love ans support to all the Walkers!

IT was wonderful to see all the cousins and Aunts and Uncles! Thanks for all the great memories! We also had a wonderful time with Diane and miss her already! Thanks again for everything!

Scott drove all the way out from Colorado!!! Rock Star's defiantly made their appearance!!!
I fell pretty hard for my new friend Patria!!!! I love this girl!!! I could spend all day with her and still want more!!!
Dinner Saturday night before we had to say good by to everyone!
Aunt Bug, Andra and Ash!!!! Love you girls!

Mike surrounded with hot cousins!And Cute Craig and Aubs!!! HOw cute are they!!!

Our little Masterpiece

2009-08-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

Our little Charlie bug is 4 1/2 months old already! Where did the time go? It's impossible not to be in love with this tiny nugget! She is like no other baby we've had before! She's tiny and petite compared to her older sisters. At this stage both girls had a good 6 lbs. on her! She's long and lean and perfect!!!

She's got the sweetest disposition! Smiley and full of joy! Her giggles are music to our ears! Cricket can get her going the best! She'll squeal so loud it's funny! She loves to be entertained my the girls and they do a great job keeping her happy!

Cricket and Blue love playing "baby" with her. It's a game that involves making a nest around Charlie and practically smothering her with toys! No fear... I supervise! They even love to change her diaper and burp her playing the roll of mother wonderfully! I love what Charlie has brought to our family!

She loves to roll, sleep on her tummy and she has discovered her feet! How cute is that!!!! She also finds her thumb ever so often and as cute as it is I worry!!! I was a thumb sucker for like 10 years... not cool!!!

There is never a morning I don't find her with a grin from ear to ear! She is the happiest in the morning. She also loves her some mama and girlfriend time in the evenings! I take her on my evening walks and she just stares up at us as we gab for an hour. She's too into the girl talk to sleep!

Once again we've been blessed with a amazing sleeper! I'm a blessed mama! But honestly if I wake up before she does I secretly wish she were awake! I miss her too much while she sleeps! I just need to be holding her, smelling her and knawing on her adorable face!

Little bug is a keeper!

Sharing gone HORRIBLY wrong:

2009-07-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Notice to big Sisters:

In the future when mom and dad tell you it's a good idea to share your toys, treats and other things with others, PLEASE know that we do NOT mean to include "FUN DIP'S"
with your 4 month old baby sister.

Weekend with the Morphys

2009-07-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

They came and went and I'm just now getting over it!!! It was so great to see my sister and her family and especially meet Dane for the first time!!!What a love!!!!

I have a love/hate out look on visits with my sister! I love being together but always hate when they go and it makes it even harder to be so far away from each other!!!

We made the best of our time together! Shopping, staying up late and just being together! It was a wonderful visit!

Miss you guys!

Mommy Daughter date

2009-07-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

One on one time is hard to come by over here! We've been making a big effort to take the time to have special date nights with our girls!!!Blue and I had our first one last night!

When I asked her what she wanted to do she had it all planned out!!! Ice cream with sprinkles and a trip to the Hello Kitty store!!!

Blue's eyes lit up as she made the all important choice in which flavor to pick!!Cotton Candy topped with nerds it was!! As she ate her treat I asked her tons of questions...."who's your best friend? What's your favorite thing to do?" It was just too adorable to listen to her and watch her sticky face!

Next we headed over to the Hello Kitty Store! This has to be her favorite stop in the mall!!! She'll save her money just to go pick out her beloved gum! The remainder of our night she had a huge wad of gum in her cheek!

We ended our night at FOREVER 21 trying on "hair pretties" and accessories! Serious folks!!! Too cute!!!

I think I had a better time then she did and she couldn't stop smiling all night long!She was thrilled to have me all to herself and I just ate her up! I love that littel bug!

Super Saturday!

2009-07-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

Will the patio ever get done!!!??? Not when it;s 100 degrees out side and you have Sonic Happy hour and water slides calling your name all day!!!

Midway City: Zarmatt Resort

2009-07-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

We took a much needed and deserved getaway this last weekend!!! A culmination of a few wonderful events! Mike finishing his first year of his MBA program, our anniversary and an excuse to get together and just have a wonderful vacation with family! Mikes brother Chris and his girlfriend Megan were able to join us!

We stayed at the wonderful Zarmatt Resort in Midway, Ut and I fell in love the moment we got off the freeway!Midway is my new favorite place! So charming and picturesque! I need to go back there, sans the kiddos and Mike, just to go shopping!

The place we stayed at was incredible! It offered so much to do on site that we never got board! I have a new found love for Shuffle Board believe it or not!!! Who knew old people on cruse ships were right on the money all these years!!! Carosel rides, two pools and goasts to feed! A huge Chest board and horse shoes!!! It had it all!

In town we hit up Granny's, where we were told had the BEST Shakes!! I'd argue they were Giant servings of Icecream mixed with your choice of any flavore or topping you could think of! Still a great treat and worth the stop! I saw a converted church with the word "Thrift Store!" on it and I made Mike pull over! The small town and historical feel was almost too much!! I wanted to set up camp and stay forever!

The historic Railroad cars were amazing as well. We drove the streets dreaming of some day owning a little piece of land out there!!!

Our last day we headed out to Jordanelle And rented a Cannoe! The girls played in the water, Chris and Megan got "Lost at Sea" and Mike and I sat on the waters edge admiring our sweet little family!!! How blessed we felt to be together enjoying our weekend and creating amazing memories!!!

8 years and counting!!!

2009-07-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to Mike and I!!! Woot Woot!!! As happy as ever and still madly in love !!! I couln't have asked for a better husband and father! It's been an amazing 8 year journey with so much to look back on and even more to look forward to!!!!

4th of July Weekend!

2009-07-08T11:09:00.001-07:00

What a great weekend! We went to a local carnival and the funnel cakes did not disappoint! Mike's brother Chris and his girlfriend Megan came for a little piro action!!! Good times!

We also got to meet My brothers baby for the first time and attend his Baby blessing! It was so great to see them and that kid is too adorable!!! It was love at first site! We went out to Vanjo's family home in Fielding and meet her amazing family for a great afternoon!

And then on Monday we enjoyed the last day with my Dad and Kathy in town and threw ourselves at the mercy of Mt. Timpanogos! Quite the hike!!!! Unless you love to hike or love feeling claustrophobic inside a cave, I wouldn't recommend dragging kids and guests up there!!! Still a great adventure!!!!

Baby Kyler a.ka. Love Nugget!

2009-07-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

We meet baby Kyler for the first time yesterday! I've been anxiously waiting to sink my teeth into that kid.

Kyler and Charlie are 4 day apart. Too precious!Sadly Charlie Bug wasn't on her A game and made a horrible first impression. In her defense it was her nap time and she was craving the juice! Kyler was too cute with his sympathy cries! His lower sad lip was too much!!! I HEART that kid!!!!!

We are looking forward to more Kyler time this Sunday when we head out to his Blessing!!!! More pics to come!

I can't help myself!

2009-06-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

Is this not the funniest picture of Blue or what!!! She is going to die when she see this picture when she's older!!!!

And here's Cricket telling us all about the "Snuggie!" She's a sucker for a good infomercial just like her dad!!!

I love sifting through my old photos and finding gems like these!

Dude that's a huge tire!

2009-06-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

This weekend we got a lot done around the house. Mike just finished his first year of his MBA program!!!(yeah Mike and me!!!! Every other weekend apart is no joke!) WE have a laundry list of things we need to get done over the next month while he has a small break.

We sanded down our table and it's ready to stain tonight! Mike had to work on the sprinklers and we of course cruised the aisles of Home Depot collecting paint samples and other odds and ends! Slowly we'll get the list checked off.

Taking a break from all the work we found ourselves at the Copper mines along with all the other tour bus, camera toting, tourists....who knew this was such a hot spot! Anywho... Cricket loved it! She was all into the dioramas and displays! Check out the size of these tires!
So we checked that off our "Want to do in Utah" list! If you got an hour to spare go check it out!

Remember

2009-06-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day "I wonder what my kids will remember about me?" What impressions am I leaving on them at this point in their lives? Am I leaving a good one? Will the good out weight the bad!? It made me do a little inventory and want to try even harder to make their childhood full of positive memories of time with mom!

I want them to remember....

that I sang to them at night and taught them my Girls Camp songs.
that reading was important in our home and we often read chapter books together and I didn't skip pages.
that I baked home made bread.
that if I was mean or short with them that I always apologized.
that I loved and adored their father, that I would even be found kissing him in the middle of the afternoon in the kitchen.
that it was ok to say things were too expensive.
baking with me in the kitchen and sharing what we baked with others.
that I give the best back tickles!
that even though I didn't think they needed a band aid, I still let them have one just because it made them feel better!
that dinner time was super important to me! Home made meals, manners and saying thank you were required!
that I sewed cloths for them.
that I was frugal!
that I made them their birthday cakes and each one was special.
that making things from scratch could be more fun!
that I would often be found singing throughout the house as loud as I could.

Hopefully these memories will over shadow my faults. If anything this has made me want to create even more positive things my kids can one day look back on and smile about!

My attempts to be a cool mom in photos

2009-06-25T09:07:00.001-07:00

Ashley Tisdale, from High School Musicals, was coming to our local Walmart for a little meet and greet! Cricket heard about it on the radio and begged me to take her! How could I miss my first chance to be a real cool mom and take her so off we went!!!

Once we got there it was pretty clear that we'd be standing in line for 4 hours and when you have a baby, a kid like Blue and very little patients when surrounded by teeny boppers, disappointment is just around the corner!

As we walked around the store trying to find the end of the line we noticed that security and kids were waiting near a back door!This must be where she was going to enter! So we parked our cart and waited!

Here we are waiting!!!The excitement growing!!!

Cricket was to cute chanting along with the crowd "Ashley!Ashley!"

Just when she was suppose to walk right by us her security sneaks her past that door, down a back hall and she emerges 100 yards away through a door surrounded by no one!! We were ticked!

Here are my sad attempts of capturing her picture for Cricket. You should have seen me... I was draped over a wall of fabric bolts and peeking through a rack of womens cloths!

The look of defeat. The girls were crushed when we had to leave after 2 hours empty handed! Cricket wouldn't even show her face! She cried the entire way home!

Have no fear... I tried my best to cheer her up and it came in the form of friends and ice cream!

3 months old

2009-06-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little bug is 3 months old! She's a dream this one! Perfect in every way!Sleeps 8-10 hours each night, is all smiles in the mornings and can captivate an audience (her sisters) with her coo's and giggles!

She's still sportin' all her chicken hair and is growing lean and tall. She's throwing us all for a loop! We're used to rolly pollie babes! We adore her skinny froggy legs and clevage-less chest! She's defiantly one of a kind!!!

Check out the comparison of all three girls at three months old!!! Trust me... if they made training bra's for babies I would have had to buy them! But not this go around!

Blue's on top, Crickets with the Bear.

Fathers Day

2009-06-22T10:03:00.001-07:00

It's easy to see how adored Mike is when he is surrounded by his girls! Daddy's don't come any better then this! When I asked the girls what they love most about their dad this is what they said...

I love it when daddy swings me in my blanket to bed!
When he "Jives" me and almost makes me pee my pants!
When he bought me ice cream at Zions!
When he finds me hiding in his bed and tickles me!
When he takes me to Classic Skate and we go on the water slides together!

How blessed are we to have such a wonderful Daddy and Husband to love!!!!

***I've been reminded of my own dad lately when I see the girls doing things I did as a child. Recently Blue has been calling Mike at work and asking him to bring her home a treat! My siblings and I used to do the exact same thing and call my dad asking him to stop at the company store and buy us licorice. On those days we anxiously awaited his arrival and there it was. Our requested treat in it's brown paper bag!!! I can still picture it! Love you too dad!!!!

Thanks to all the great men in our lives who deserve so much honoring on Father's Day!

Chickens

2009-06-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

I love these chicks...

Here is a link to a "how to" if you would like to know how to add these fun TTV boarders to photos.

Charlie Dean's Blessing Day

2009-06-08T15:39:00.001-07:00

This weekend was very special for one pretty little lady!!Charlie got all dresses up and received a beautiful blessing. So many wonderful things were said and it touched our hearts. She fussed at first but then calmed right down as to "pay attention" to what her daddy was saying to her! Mike did a wonderful job! Thank you to all who were able to share in this special day!

I made Charlies sweet blessing dress. I wanted something special and I could not have been more pleased with how it turned out! I'll have a tutorial posted on how to make this dress on my Blue Cricket blog! Come check it out for more pictures and a how to!

Bugga bugga!

2009-06-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

A whole lot of this goin' on these days!!

We'll catch her smiling at nothing.

She has totally captured our hearts!

I miss her when she sleeps.

Coo's and jibber are our new favorite sounds.

Little bug is all the rage over here!

Blue Cricket Design is all NEW!!!!

2009-06-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! Lot's of changes going on over here! One that I'm so excited about is my Blue Cricket Design blog! I am thrilled to post all my projects, tutorials, recipes, crafts, and Photoshop How To's in one place for all to enjoy! So jump on over and come see what I'm up to. . Visit often! I'm hoping to post a few times a week!

Also, become a follower on the side bar and be entered into drawings for giveaways!!!! Tell your friends, add Blue Cricket to you side bar and come join in on the fun!

Peony Love

2009-05-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

Is there a more beautiful flower in bloom at the moment!?

Thanks to my dear friend Lesa, I have my most favorite flowers on display on my dinning room table. They remind me of a happy gathering of best girlfriends all hanging out being lovely together!

The Graduate!

2009-05-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Cricket graduated from Preschool this week!!!! We couldn't be prouder!

Here she is one her first day of Preschool last year...

And here she is on her last day of school. Still posing...

She really looks so much older to me!

WE couldn't be more excited for all that she has leaned! She is so ready for Kindergarten! Sadly I think she'll be learning her ABC's AGAIN!!! She can read, write add and subtract! Get ready Riverside Elementary!!!Here comes Cricket!!

Here she is with her teachers Mrs. Kerrie and Mrs. Kaylie

Sweet little bug is two months old!

2009-05-27T20:11:00.001-07:00

We got ourselves a little bean pole! Charlie had her two month check up and of course woke up in the happiest mood full of smiles and coo's! Little did she know shoots were in her future!!!

She's a whopping 10 lbs. and 23" long which puts her at only 23% for weight and 69% for height. We are so not used to the small baby thing! Chubberrific is more the norm when it comes to our babes! But we adore her non the less and can't get enough of her sweet coy smiles!

Blue Blue!

2009-05-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I was looking at pictures and could not stop laughing when I cam e across these pictures from our trip to Arizona in 2007. Blue must have been going through a phase when it came to smiling because this was how she looked in EVERY photo!!! How funny is she!?! I love that nut! She was 18 months here!

"Beep Beep Beep!!!"

2009-05-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

A day off for Mike can only mean one thing!!! "GET TO WORK!"

We are putting in a patio and, cross your fingers , we can get it done today!!! I'll post pics as soon as the work site is all put together!

Enjoy your holiday!!!!

Baby Rx

2009-05-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

There really is nothing like a new baby in the house! I highly recommend it! Go get 'cha one of these things to bring endless smiles, long gazes and melting hearts.

Warning... falling in love will occur!May be hazardous to your health. Do not operate heavy machinery after being up all night with your little Lovekins! Will cause Drowsiness! Protective gear recommended when handling. Fluid increse with excessive accidents is common. Contact your friends and family if your sweetness sleeps more then 4 hours. Addiction is common when it comes to high doses of baby love! May cause wanting more babies!!!!

You have been warned!

Drum roll please......

2009-05-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

Well... it only took me months to finish and plenty of teaser posts to get to this moment but here she is!!! Baby Charlies Nursery is complete and I am simply in love! I even had a dream about it last night!

The only thing it's missing is the baby and that finishing piece will be placed in the room at the end of this week!

Enjoy!

Our very own"Silly Shorts" vacation!

2009-05-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

I always loved looking at the Dulgarians family photo albums! There were so many great photos of their family vacations with young kids! I loved the "silly shorts" shots of the kids standing in front of a monument or sign! Gotta love the 80's!

Well.. we finally have a few silly shorts shots of our own! We took our first ever family vacation just the 5 of us and it was the best! We headed to Zions and Bryce Canyon last weekend and I have to say I had a moment! as we were walking into the park for the first time there we were... Charlie in the sling and the girls one on each side of Mike holding his hands. I said "Mike! Look at our cute family!!!!

We were all in awe of the sights we saw! Each view more breath taking the the last! Zions and Bryce were both incredible and so different! Both parks were perfect!The weather could not have been better!!!!

I lov emy little family on vacation! It was just what we needed!

Camera info...

2009-05-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! Lot's of you have been asking what camera I shoot with. We've loved our SONY ALPHA 200 we bought a few years ago. Mike did a ton of research and if you know my husband he never buys anything without knowing everything about it! It's been wonderful!

We recently picked up a new lens and that's what we've been shooting with lately! It's a portrait lens and can do some pretty amazing things! So the combo of the camera, portrait lens and a little Photo Shop magic is my winning combination. I'd like to think I have some artistic flare to add to the mix as well but a good camera is largely to blame!

Mike and I both love photography and when you have three great kids to shoot and beautiful surroundings you can't go wrong!

For all of you out there who also have DSLR's what do you shoot with? Any fun lenses you love?
What editing techniques do you love to use? I Love a burnt edge as you can probably tell, mainly for blog posts not for printing. I also love to play with the coloring either softening it or making it more vibrant! Here are some examples... ( Mike shot this photo!)

ORIGINAL:

VIBRANT COLORS:
SOFTENED 70's LOOK:

Pretty fun huh!I'm still learning as much as I can about Photo Shop! Thanks Jill for some pointers! I could spend all day long on there playing with actions and tweaking and adjusting. Feel free to share your photography and editing tips! I love learning new things!

Baby Charlie

2009-05-06T07:57:00.001-07:00

Love bug alert!!!!

Sweet baby Charlie is 6 weeks already! DUDE!!! How did that happen! She is as wonderful as ever and we couldn't be more in love with something so tiny! She's growing like a weed! I had her weighed last week and she tipped the scale at 9 lbs! I have already adjusted her car seat straps once and she already needs me to do it again!

She's making up for a horrible start and now sleeping 6-8 hours every night! I knew she would take my "Sleeping Rules" memo seriously! She's in love with two things right now...

Mom! mainly because that's where milk comes from!
Bath time!! The moment she hears the water start to run she calms down and just waits for it! It's her most favorite place to be in life! She is soooo my kid!

Her eyes defiantly look like they will be Blue! Her hair is still as crazy as ever and not falling out. Her skin is still ubber broken out poor thing! We have our fingers crossed she's just getting it all over with now and the teenage years will be a completion breeze!

We love her! We love her!We love her! More pics to come!

LAST DAY: Go on an Adventure!

2009-04-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Antique hunting at it's best!

Star Mill in American Fork is this amazing place I heard of...great for Antique lovers (ME) and great photo ops! I was not mislead in the least!!! This place is in-CRED-ible! Treasure around every corner! I was in heaven! The girls had a blast collecting rocks and climbing into run down trucks! What an adventure for this antique loving photographer wanna be! !

I hope all of you who were up for the challenge this month enjoyed yourself! Thanks for joining in for the journey!

DAY 21 & 22: Refinishing

2009-04-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Making something OLD Look New and then OLD again...

Here's the old ugly book shelf we picked up at DI last year. Mike saw the potential in the "Green Monster" and came home with it! See... I'm not the only one that has an eye for junk! It's a great piece. Solid and strong and unusual in it's configurations.

So there it sat in our third upstairs bedroom all year long begging to be refinished and to have a more meaningful purpose then dust collector and eBay inventory sorter. Finally once we converted the office into a nursery it made itself at home in the perfect spot, but like a contestant on "America's Next Top Model" it knew a makeover was just around the corner!

Te Da...

Green Monster no more! Sweet Bookshelf is now the perfect addition to a little girls Nursery! I PROMISE I'll have the nursery ready to show off soon! This was the last big project before I start "Frosting" the room with details! Furniture first right!

The curtains are made out of cloth napkins, the same ones I used to make the crib dust ruffle with. I'm loving how this room is coming together! It's my new favorite room in the house! The accessories are the hardest part for me. I just want it all to look perfect! Anyway...

Enjoy this little project. I hope it inspires you to go yard sale hunting for a diamond in the rough! This is my favorite time of year! DI is chuck full of Spring cleaning clear outs and yard sale signs lure me to come hither on Saturday mornings! I got paint brush in hand people!!!! BRING IT ON!!

DAY 20: Flags

2009-04-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

Let freedom ring!!!

At a local park they had on display hundreds of American Flags! It was breathtaking! We had to go and take a few pictures. The sun was shining and the stars and strips were dancing in the breeze! The girls raced in and out of the swaying flags. Apparently they represented Child Abuse awareness. There were signs up with statistics on child abuse. It was a sobering realization that ugly abuse is real and out there. It just made me want to gather up my chickens and love them to death!

DAY19: Meet The newest addition...

2009-04-24T08:55:00.001-07:00

"Hello my name is RUBY!"

Meet Ruby! The newest addition to the Dulgarian Family!!! After long months of anticipation she finally arrived! She's a beaut!!! 8 passenger, power sliding doors and a face only a mother could love!

Ruby brings new responsibilities to the family! We made it very clear that new rules needed to be created! So we are initiating new habits and making sure we take care of her!

No eating in Ruby!
No drinking in Ruby!
No dirty nasty shoes on her beautiful seats!
No gum!
No crazy driving!

Welcome to the family sweet mini van! You mean so much to us... mostly me! Mike thinks he "traded in his balls" for you but I know he'll come around!

DAY 18: Feel the burn!!!

2009-04-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

And 1,2,3,4!!!!

Taking the idea from one of The Biggest Loser's Training Tips I had a creative workout today!
Take a deck of playing cards and assign different exercises to each suite.

HEARTS= crunches
CLUBS = Lunges
DIAMONDS = squats
SPADES= reverse lunges

After shuffling the deck flip over each card one by one while doing the corresponding exercise. The number on each card tells you how many to do! Face cards equal 10 reps and Aces mean you get a one minute break! Don't stop 'till you have completed the deck!

In this work out you will have done...

85 crunches
85 lunges
85 squats
85 reverse lunges on each leg!!!

It took me about 15 minutes to get through the deck and the girls loved doing it with me! Blue flipped the cards and Cricket worked out along side me while we all counted!

Working out can be fun if you mix it up!!!

DAY 17: Thank you Mother EARTH

2009-04-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

GREEN Thumb anyone!

Happy EARTH day!!!

With the sun shining down and making itself comfortable on my shoulders, I walked back and forth across my lawn making my best attempt to create perfect lines with the lawn mover on our greener then green grass. Don't think it wasn't a coincidence that I waited till no cars drove past me before I pulled the rip cord like a bajillion times before the mover roared to life for the first time this year! Ahh the aroma of fresh cut grass!

The girls were also under Mother Natures spell as they picked dandelions, collected cut grass to make "nests" and searched for pet ants. Little Blues grass stained feet were the perfect accessory to her sundress and pink cheek. Pigtails and gardening buckets...doesn't it get much better then this!!!

How beautiful is this world we live in! Can anyone on this earth not admit that we all fall victim to a love affair with the great out doors when the sun is shinning and the trees are in full bloom! I'm convinced Tulips and Daffodils were put on this earth to simple bring smiles to our faces.

So on this Earth Day I had to take it in! Stop and look around and marvel at Gods amazing creation! I couldn't help but feel renewed in my desire to do my part! Create a world with a little less waste and a little more love! So let's all try just a little harder to appreciate the home we all share! Reduce , Reuse , Recycle and remember we can all make a difference!

DAY 16: In the kitchen

2009-04-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

A pinch of this and a dash of that!

I love to bake! LOVE LOVE LOVE to bake! It's a creative outlet for me! I love adding something to a recipe to make it feel more like my own creation. Sometimes it works out! Sometimes it flops! I've never created a recipe on my own. I don't necessarily have the skill set to know what to add to make something rise or have a flaky crust. But I was determined to give it a try. I wanted to create a treat that I had enjoyed but kick it up a notch and REALLY be able to call it my own.

This is my take on a White Chocolate chip Macadamia Nut Cookie! I added coconut and crushed Pineapple and bake it in bar form. The hardest part about creating recipes is knowing what measurements are needed. This was a "cross your fingers" and just try attempt!I have to say, I totally love the out come!

Here is the recipe I came up with! I may tweek it in the future to try to make it more dense. At this point it's half way between a cake or moist brownie and a cookie bar. I think the pineapple really moistens it.

Tropical Bars...

1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 can of crushed pineapple drained
3 1/2 c. unsifted flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 pkg. white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped Macadamia nuts
1/2 cup shredded coconut
more coconut to sprinkle on top

In mixer blend butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla.

Drain can of pineapple and add to mixer.

Add in flour and baking soda to wet ingredients.

Add coconut, chopped nuts and white chocolate chips.

Spread onto greased sheet pan and sprinkle coconut on top.

Bake at 375 for 20-25 min 'till golden brown and fork comes out clean in the middle.

Best Birthday EVER and DAY 15

2009-04-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to ME!!!! I had such a great birthday! I was completely spoiled by my family and friends! I loved it so much I may celebrate my birthday every year!He he!

I started off the day with a fun visit with family from Idaho! We love you Mike Stone family! Thanks to Mother Nature, we met up at park and enjoyed the sun for the first time in what felt like forever! We have our fingers crossed the sun is here to stay! So your welcome everyone! MY birthday wish was for a little warmth already!!!!! Te Da! The Sun!

Next I got a little piggy love in the form of a Spa Pedicure with Tara D.! Who wouldn't love that! Thanks again TD! I HEART Asian woman rubbing my feet! And Tara knows how to get on my good side... Apple Pie Carmel Apples from Rocky Mt. Chocolate seem to do the trip! YUUUM!
Mike and the girls spoiled me for sure! Mike had a theme believe it or not! "The year of Indulgence!" He knows I'm a huge food fan! Ok who isn't but he knows the foods I love but never buy and he showered me with each and every one of them! Blueberries, Strawberries, Fresh Pineapple, Limeade, Grapefruit Juice, Blueberry Pomegranate Juice, Krispy Kream Donuts, Asparagus, King Crab Legs, and Jumbo Shrimp! I was in HEAVEN!!!! Seriously! I think food is defiantly my soft spot! Mike hit the bullseye when it came to gifts this year!

Mike took me to dinner and we both licked our fingers till we almost had to be wheeled out of the joint! BBQ at Famouse Daves was just what the starving Birthday girl needed! Charlie was also my date and never once had to get out of her car seat! So basically she gave me the gift of being a perfect baby! LOVED IT!

After dinner we checked out a car dealership and headed home to pick up the girls! And then SURPRISE!!!!! My sweet friend Lesa, a.k.a. ROCK STAR FRIEND of all time, had planned a little girly surprise Crepes get together to celebrate my big 3-0!!! Do I have great friends or what! Not sure if it was me or the amazing Crepes that lured my friends out at 9 pm but what ever it was I was happy they came! Thanks peps for making my day so great!Yes my boobs look huge!!! Thank you nursing!

DAY 15: Mix it up a little already!

For those of you who really know me know I love to mix things up a littel... no a lot!!! I get antsy when things get stagnant! I start to dislike my surroundings when they stay the same too long! I can't believe I went this long without rearranging any rooms in my house! Don't laugh but for my birthday Mike helped me reaarrange my family room! Heavy lifting isn't something I put on my resume!

Here are the results of our efforts! I'm still getting used to the arrangement but love the change! My Family room has limited options so even this was a stretch! But man I love change!I also added a photo of the desk we refinished months ago. I love having my computer out in the kitchen area!

DAY 10, 11, 12,13 and 14!!!

2009-04-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Dressing up!

I didn't forget about the challenge! I just had my work cut our for me and it took me almost all week to get it done!

O finally dove in head first and sewed my first dress using a pattern! SCARY I know! I've never used a pattern before or attempted sewing cloths! I had to steal any free time I could so it was 30 min. here, and hour there and finally I have an end result I am really proud of!

The large floral fabric is the fabric I bought for Charlies nursery originally! I couldn't let it go to waste...especially when it was $9 a yard! I'm hoping to knock out one more dress for Cricket by Sunday!

DAY 9: Say Cheese

2009-04-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

A little retouch never hurt anyone!

and here is away funny conversation I just had with Blue....

Blue: Mom!We just found an ant!
Me: Cool Blue!
Blue: Can we keep it?
Me: Sure! Make sure to give it a name!
Blue: It's a girl ant mom because she doesn't have a wiener! Ok?
Me: Ok!

DAY 8: Easter Eggs

2009-04-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

Did someone pass gas? Oh sure! Blame it on the hard boiled eggs!

Today we colored Easter eggs! Not sure what smelled worst!The vinegar or the eggs themselves! None the less the girls had a great time and we all survived the event without ruining our cloths or staining our fingers! I think that was the main reason I haven't done it in the past! I always was too afraid of the mess!

The girls littered their eggs with stickers and called it good! They defiantly look like kids decorated them... I guess that's the idea right! I had envisioned fancy eggs with deep rich colors and perfect details! Oh well! I was limited in my helping skills! FOR REAL I've been holding Charlie all day long! This is my first break og the day!

My batteries just ran out on my camera so please enjoy this borrowed picture found on line! Our eggs don't look this good but they made my girls smile and that's all that matters!

DAY 7: Easter prep

2009-04-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Shopping in Pastels!

Today I found myself with two less kids and a chance to actually do something I haven't done in almost a month...Go grocery shopping! I almost didn't go but then I realized I could do the Easter shopping as well and that alone was worth the nursing in the parking lot and the risk of a crying baby! The whole going out with a baby is still VERY new to us!

The aisles were decked out in Spring pastels and Easter decor. Lilly's and plastic eggs! Candy and Cup cakes! I loved it all! I couldn't help but get excited for the girls! Memories and flash backs of my own early years on Easter morning came to mind! My mom was always way into the Holidays!We had over flowing baskets and new cloths for Sunday. I can still remember some of my Easter dresses.

It all made me realize how important making memories was. I haven't been that over the top making family traditions in the past! Don't send me hate mail but I have yet to color eggs EVER with my own kids! oops! So there in the aisles of WalMart I vowed to start doing better. Trying harder to leave the sort of impressions I have of my own childhood!

It was fun shopping for Easter Basket fillings and Egg coloring! I'm Counting this experience in my challenge because it really is a great chance for me to create memories with my girls!

Happy Easter Shopping people!

DAY 6: Coping

2009-04-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

DANCE or go INSANE

Today will go down in history as my worst day yet! (... ok Becks! Stop being so melodramatic! Worst day W.T.K...With Three Kids!) It's Wednesday so that means I HAVE to cram 3 kids in car seats in the back of my Corolla! This task has jumped to the top of my list of things I HATE to do! So of course there's a fight of who sits where, and tears and tantrums and, oh yeah...the kids weren't too happy either!

Blue was her regular self at Target today... asking for everything, begging to go to the toy section where disappointment awaited her! She's a sport though I will give her that! She helped carry a few things but managed to drop them every few feet and I was constantly asking her to hurry up, follow me and to try not to drop that again!

Should I take it as a compliment that the kids always want to be in the same room as me! Should I be flattered when I get sat on and smothered by little girls. I swear today I was covered in kids, totally enveloped in them!

So there was yelling, and fighting, and pulling one of the other! There was banging on a door with a mop and barricading in a closet. It was chaos! CHAOS!!! Phone calls were barely heard and cut short because I couldn't hear over the fighting!

So picture it... tears, snotty noses , a baby who nurses ALL DAY LONG and me with three day hair! Not pretty! I have piles of laundry, dinner still to invent and no desire to do any of it!

So that's when it hit me! DANCE or go INSANE!!!! No I mean it! Pick one! You chose! So DANCE it was! My kids like Dance mom more then Insane mom so there you go! I gathered my crazy chickens and headed for the dance floor a.k.a. the living room! In went "Pink Martini" and away we danced! No holding back, swirly girl dancing! Close your eyes even dancing!30 min. of dancy dance dance! And breath mama! Breath

And can I just say I have inspired friends. In all the turmoil of my day I had two glimmers of sunshine... One amazing friend who heard the girls at their best while we were on the phone showed up with a new game for them to get lost in! Worked like a charm... it was my only relief from their coo cooness! And then at 6 p.m. a.k.a. Melt Down o'clock, I open the front door to find my oh so inspired neighbor and friend with food in hand and a friendly smile! One more amazing meal can you believe it and just when I needed it! Do I have amazing friends or what!

So the moral of the story is this... Always chose DANCE over going INSANE! Always open the door even when your nursing pad is folded in your bra wrong and looks like you have a folded nursing pad in your shirt. Always end the day with your kids with kisses and snuggles even if that was the last thing you wanted to give them all day long! And always remember that tomorrow isn't Wednesday!!! That is unless it's Tuesday night and then you're pretty much screwed!

DAY 5: It's all about me!

2009-04-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

Being a little selfish

Now today would not have been possible without Grandma Diane! My mother in law took my two oldest girls to the zoo today leaving me with 5 hours by myself! Baby sister of course was here but I couldn't believe how quiet the house was! To be completely honest I was a little lonely at first! But as I sat there feeding Charlie I tried to come up with my perfect day!

And that's exactly what I did! I CREATED my perfect day!

We all know the need for sleep is high on my list so I took full advantage and stayed in my pj's, lounged around and snuggled up on my little babe! I got caught up on blogs and browsed ksl! I ate lunch in bed and loved every minute of it! The only disappointment was when I REALLY needed a treat and no treats were found! Oh well!!!

I highly recommend you all create a day you'll love! It's just what the doctor ordered!!!

DAY 4: Merci

2009-04-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Ticker Tape Thank You

Thank you cards are a must especially when you've been recently spoiled by friends and neighbors! We had so many wonderful meals brought in to us the first few days home after Charlie was born. For today's creative challenge I finally got some thank you's taken care of.

I used some tins I have been saving for something special and got out the register tape! I wrote out on the tape the thank you message and rolled it up. In the tin they go along with a treat!A new way to say thanks!

DAY 3: Breakfast for dinner with a twist!

2009-04-04T08:57:00.001-07:00

Green Eggs and Ham... ok...green eggs and bacon!

Green Eggs and Ham... ok...green eggs and bacon!

Purple Pancakes and green eggs! Breakfast for dinner is nothing new over here but tint the food a fun color and you have yourself a creative and fun meal!!! The girls get to pick the color of their pancakes on their birthdays!It's something they request every time I make pancakes but I limit it to Birthdays to try to keep it special! But in times of creative need it was put to work and the hit of the night were the green eggs! And truth be told I really craving bacon so breakfast was teh perfect meal for last night dinner!

DAY 2: " I want this place to shine like the top of the Crysler Building!"

2009-04-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Creative Cleaning!

So go ahead!Call me Ms. Hannigan! I totally pimped out my kids and put them to work like orphans in an orphanage! But did they know that! NOPE! Being creative it the key to get kiddos on board to help with cleaning! It's a game over here today! It also helps when you have a germ-a-phobe child!

I grabbed the Lysol disinfecting wipes and gathered the troops! I told them we were going to play a game and see who could get their wipes the dirtiest!!! Off they went scouring door knobs and light switch plates, banisters and handles! WORKED LIKE A CHARM PEOPLE!!!! 30 minutes and a few wipes each later I have now have less germs and dirt and I was able to do my vacuuming, kitchen, floors and counter tops! Praises be!

I wonder if I gave the girls the toilet bowl brush and some comet if I could convince them that the toilet was a witches cauldron and they were suppose to "brew" up a spell!

*** and I know the Lysol wipes totally go against my GREEN living but with a new baby in the house and RSV on the rise here I felt the need! Sorry Mother Earth!

Time to get creative!!! APRIL Challenge!

2009-04-01T13:17:00.001-07:00

For the month of April I'm issuing myself and anyone else a challenge! Each week day this month I'm going to stretch my creativity and do something new! This doesn't mean I'll be crafting every day! It may be a new fun game with the girls, a creative meal or a project. It's an excuse to motivate myself and make memories! I'll be sharing my adventures here and would love to hear what others are doing to stir up their creative juices!

So join in the fun and start thinking! Here are a few ideas to get us all motivated!

indoor picnic
photo shop picture editing
redecorate/rearrange a room
paint a picture
journal for yourself and kids
try a new recipe
create a schedule
redesign your blog
knit a hat
create a slide show
have a photo session with the family
send a note on home made cards
sew
refinish a piece of furniture
make a home made treat
make your own "Nanerpus" video. He he!

Can't wait to get started!

DAY 1: Magic Wands

What little girl doesn't love playing dress up! We have a house full of Princesses and Fairy's so Magic Wands it was to kick of this month of creativity!

Here's what you need:
wood dowel, saw, ribbon, scrapbook paper, clear packing tape, sand paper, tac, glue, gem.

Cut dowel to 12" and sand ends. using clear packing tape the length of the dowel, add a strip of tape to both sides of cut scrapbook paper. Roll tightly the taped paper onto the dowel and trim any excess tape or paper. Now you have a "laminated" dowel. Cut about 6 ribbon strips about 18"-20" long. Dab a small amount of glue, I used E6000, on tip of dowel and start to layer on ribbon, criss crossing and staggering and adding a tiny amount of glue as you layer. Push a flat tac into the dowel to secure all the ribbon in place. Add a gem with glue to the top of the tac and the very bottom of the wand to add detail!!! And POOF!!! You have yourself a Magic Fairy Wand and happy little girls!

Grandma time

2009-03-31T09:32:00.001-07:00

Grandma Reena was up to meet Baby Charlie and help me out over the weekend! It was heaven having her here. Cricket was a little under the weather so she was happy to have the extra attention! I was happy to get a good nap in! The girls always love it when she comes to visit!They painted and watched a movie and just loved it!Thanks again mom for the day! I'm so grateful you were able to love up on all my girls and take care of me like that!

Charlie makes Grandma Reena's grand kid count:

girls: 4
boys: 1 soon to be 2!!!!

A fix all

2009-03-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

There is defiantly an adjustment period we are all living through over here! More melt downs and tantrums and a little needy all around! Blue has been a challenge at times asking for thing over and over and being as stubborn as ever! This video is the only thing to distract her with at time! The girls LOVE this Nanerpus Commercial and quite frankly so do Mike and I! The girls can spend nearly 45 minutes on You tube watching variations of Nanerpus and singing along to the oh so catchy song! Shoot! I'll take what I can get in the any form of passifying my two older kids!

Cricket also somehow discovered a new favorite site on line.... dogs.com
It has video after video about dogs, dog care, dog products and anything else related. She made me watch a video on proper dog treats! Funny kid!

I've never seen the girls so sweet and loving and happy even over our new baby sister but on the flip side I'm seeing the frustration and longing to be like it used to be as well. Sort of breaks your heart! I just want to scoop them up one at a time and love them to pieces and make them feel wonderful and safe and loved. This is the hard part about bringing home a new baby. Harder then the getting up at night, being tired and the aches and pains. It's seeing your kids want you and not being able to drop everything. Tis life I guess... we'll all adjust and it will feel normal again soon. In the mean time Nanerpus will add a little happiness in our home and thats ok with me!

200th family blog post!! Lets celebrate!

2009-03-26T10:41:00.001-07:00

A few photos to celebrate the big day!

Hello my name is...

2009-03-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

Charlotte Dean, but you can call me Charlie!

She definitely was the baby Charlie we thought she would be! We always like to see them first and try it on for size and this name fits just right. Dean was her middle name before conception. Girl or boy, Mike was set on using his fathers name! Lets face it... we may never get a little boy!!! And we think it sounds pretty darn cute too!Hopefully grandpa doesn't mind having his name carried on by a sweet little princess!

Charlie is still a dream! So alert when awake and interested in the sounds around her. Cricket is her biggest fan. So loving and in awe. It's all she can do to not smother her with attention and snuggles. Blues a fan as well but just as interested in the cookies and juice here at the hospital as she is with Baby Charlie!

We are both enjoying the peace and quiet of the hospital and the time to bond together! This is a special time for our entire little family! It's fun having a new baby to love up on!

Thanks for all your well wishes!!! Charlie sends her best!!

We did it!!

2009-03-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

We became a family of 5 today!!! It was a wonderful day for all of us!

Yesterday I was given the go ahead to head to the hospital today!We got checked into the hospital this morning after a wonderful nights sleep (thank you Ambion!) I was able to have home and kids all taken care of and that was a huge relief. Thank you Homer's for taking the girls!!

Got rolling with Pitocin at 1p.m and ready to push at 2:25 p.m. Once the nurses and doctor were all ready I was allowed to push! One push for the head!One more for the rest of her and it was all over!

It was all so amazing! I went 100% drug free minus the Pitocin!!! I was in love with how everything turned out. I used Hypnobirthing and it was incredible! Mike was an amazing support!Saying all the right things and being the coach I needed him to be! I have never loved him more! Mike's sister was invited to be there and it was a wonderful treat for us and hopefully for her. I hope it was a great experience for her! Thanks Tiffany!

I feel incredible! This was my best delivery yet. Sister is an all star. Already a pro at nursing and so alert! I'm swooning as we speak. I forgot how fast you fall in love!

Sweet baby sister will most likely have a name by tomorrow! We are sleeping on a name tonight!! More picks to come!!!!

Little Bug was born...

March 22nd
3:20 p.m.
7 lbs 2 oz, 20 " long
full head of hair and can rock a mohawk like the best of 'em!!!

3 hours old and meeting her big sisters for the first time!!! Not sure who's in love
more! Mike and I or the girls!!!

Aunt Tippy ROCKS!!!

2009-03-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

So when your rock star sister in law calls and says she wants to take your girls for the morning to give you a break ONLY do the following: Say YES! YES! YES!!!!

Tiffany is more then just a great Aunt!She is an all around amazing person! We're just so lucky to have her close! The girls were completely spoiled by her and were treated to a wonderful morning full of shopping and Sonic! Every girls perfect day! The girls came home in new dresses and stained lips from their own Sonic slushie! And then to top it off even I got to hang out with Tiff for a few hours and we just hung out and gabbed about anything and everything!!! I love that girl!

Thanks Tiffany for being so wonderful!!!We love you!!!

And while uploading the picture of the girls with Tiff I found a few funny shots Cricket took of her and Blue when she got a hold of the camera!

Dude those are so my kids!

hard to believe

2009-03-12T16:17:00.001-07:00

It's hard to believe that we are about to add one more little girl to this mix! It's fun to ask the girls who little sister will look like! Straight hair like Cricket or curls like Blue? Blue or Brown eyes!!! Who on earth will she look like!!!! It's a fun surprise we can't wait to discover!!!!

Ok little sister!!! you're almost done cookin' so get ready!!! You have two big sisters that can't wait to meet you!

A lesson in sneakiness...

2009-03-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ok kids!Listen up! If you don't want to get in trouble for sneaking ice cream out of the freezer do yourself a favor and don't leave the plastic kiddie spoon you used inside the empty box of ice cream!

To do list...

2009-03-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

finish the nursery!
snap a few shots of my larger then ever body. I'll regret it if I don't.
go on at least one more hot date with Mike before I pop! Checkin' that one off the list tonight!!! what up!!!!
Highlight my hair!Gotta look glam for post pushing pictures right! And for real.. how do you take an hour to do it once little sister makes her grand entrance.
snuggle girls as much as possible.
oops... pre register at the hospital.
research on line to see if there are any new exciting ways to put yourself into labor.
eat what ever I want. That luxury is about to expire.
pack for hospital.
clean!clean! clean!
rest! rest! rest!
Finish reading my Bradly book and get psyched for delivering a baby like a hippie.

Cookie Love

2009-03-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

This afternoon called for a little love in the form of a new family favorite cookie! Prompted by the request of a young entrepreneur out to make some big bucks, we devised a plan for a bake sale in our drive way.

Cricket came with a goal in mind! "I need to make some money mom!" Cool! Go grab the broom and I'll flip ya a quarter! She had other things in mind! A bake sale offering fresh baked goodness from mama's kitchen was her only option.

So there we found ourselves making a new yummy treat that would hopefully draw them in and tug at their pocket books as they were peddled by doe eyed miners!The final product were these tasty new "Smores Cookies" I copy cated from a recent indulgent find! I love more then anything falling in love with a dish, treat or other wise bought good and coming home and concocting a version of my own! I have to say this was spot on!!! I'll post the recipe that's oh so easy but first enjoy this video of the girls doing their best to draw in the crowds!

They sold their dozen cookies in record time to passer bys making a wopping $4.25!!! They had a blast, nearly lost their voices and managed to only eat two cookies each!!!! A hard days work with a yummy pay off!!!

Smores Cookies:

1 box Ghirardelli Chocolate Brownie mix
1 egg
1/2 stick melted butter

Topping:

mini marshmellows
graham crackers

Blend brownie mix, egg and butter together till well blended.

make 1 1/2 inch sized balls of dough and place on ungresed cookie sheet

Bake at 350 for 10 min.

remove from oven and immediately push into cookies mini marshmallows and small pieces of broken graham crackers.

place back in oven and now bake under a low broiler setting, watching carefully only to barely toast the marshmellows! be sure to watch close!!!!

remove from cookie sheet and let cool!

Recipe for LOVE

2009-02-23T13:11:00.001-08:00

Take a 3 year old, add some mommy time and a little flour!

Evolution of LOVE!

2009-02-18T15:37:00.000-08:00

It's odd seeing a photo if Mike and I. Just Mike and I, alone, sans the kiddos. I'll have those moments in time where I remember what life was like just the two of us. It was good and wonderful and special. I was all he needed and he all I needed. Happy and young and in love and content to dream of life where some day more then the two of us would make up US.

5 plus years later, post just the two of us stage, I have to say it's all of the same amazing feelings brewing inside only bigger and better...good, wonderful and special. What's changed? What's the same? Is it possible that this is exactly what love feels like as it evolves over time, is added to and expands to include others? I dare say YES!

To see yourself and your partner grow into a new and different roll is incredible! I melt when I see a tiny baby resting in my husbands arms. It's never more endearing then to be held in bed after a long day of fighting kids and finding shoes. It's completely different to talk till 11 about commutes and tomorrows To Do List. And laughing about toddler antics and Drama Queen moments are the glue that keep us connected and in sink each day. It's all part of falling for it! LIFE that is... the life we used to dream about we now live and welcome it as it changes us.

So am I more in love then I was 8 years ago. Absolutely! Sure makes me excited for the next 8 years and so on!

Making a list...

2009-02-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

All is well over here at the Dulgarian camp! Each week that passes is a huge deal for all of us but me mainly!!! I see it as one less week to go before I can no longer be pregnant! The girls love counting down the time before she arrives even if they only have time concept based on the length of a Sponge Bob Episode!

We are nearing the finish line and I have a long list of things that I need to get done still. We are in the middle of the nursery make over and that means two main things... 1. I'm still sitting on the floor using the computer and 2. I felt like an elephant in a circus getting up and down off a stool while I did all the cutting and mike rolled the beautiful blue paint on the walls! For real!! 8 month pregnant woman showed really rethink painting. Not only was I not so graceful but my butt was hanging out of my painting pants the entire time!Thankfully we didn't invite anyone else to come help!!That would have been a lovely thank you sight ! Can you picture it!!!! No thanks!

So hopefully this week I can get the room complete and move on to pulling out and washing all the baby cloths and filling her closet and dresser! One thing at a time right!!!

I know when I really sit down and make our to do list I'll have plenty to do...oh, don't let me forget to add "shave my legs" on there!!! Yeah... that's gone by the way side!

We all can't root for the Lakers!

2009-02-11T21:51:00.000-08:00

Don't worry! We still believe the Church is true!

Even if the Lakers lost to the Jazz, sitting 6 people away from the Prophet maid up for it! How cute is he!!! I stared all night. He chuckled when they announced a technical foul on Kobe! I waited outside to try to meet him and got a high five as he was escorted away!!!

See guys...That's how you get your wives excited about going to a sports event! Promise sightings like that!

who'd a thunk it!

2009-02-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought that I:

would know all the songs to a "My Little Pony" DVD
Could handle morning breath from two little girls only because they came with morning snuggles.
would be content to stay in doors for days at a time dancing, baking and crafting with little helpers.
could read Dr. Seuss for over an hour.
wouldn't put make up on every day.
would ever allow my girls to leave the house with out matching, having perfect hair and coordinating shoes.
that I would think skirts over pants and princess dresses out were totally cool!
would know who Fancy Nancy, Chowder, and Patrick were!
I would never trade it for the world!!!!

By George I think I got it!!!

2009-02-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the ingenious idea to send the kids out to play!It was a steamy 45 degrees out side with the sun shinning and the birds chirping! So I armed them with sweaters, snow boots, a big spoon and bowls and I swear it was an inspired idea!For the next hour and 45 minutes they happily entertained themselves making snow food and enjoying the fresh air! I, on the inside got tons of house work done and manage to catch myself staring out the window at them with a smile on my face!They were too cute!So content with the world around them and happy to be kids!

So there you go folks!All it takes is a spoon and a bowl and you get the makings of a wonderful afternoon!

Draper TEmple

2009-01-29T17:13:00.001-08:00

Today I had the wonderful chance to take my girls to view the new Draper Temple. It's open to the public and all are invited to come inside and see it's beauty! It was so wonderful to tell my girls and show them what takes place in this holy House! They were in awe and felt very special. It was such a great experience for them and for me to see them soaking it all in.

On a sad note, Mike's wonderful Grandmother passed away this afternoon. She will be greatly missed and loved and remembered. She has been very ill these last few months and I know now her body and mind are at peace and that is a comfort.

I am thankful to know that some day we will all be together again . What a blessing!

Uncle Chris, Car shopping and Panda Express

2009-01-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

How cool is Uncle Chris! Sooooo cool! Chris was such a rock star Uncle this weekend! He offered to entertain the girls for a great stretch of time and let Mike and I enjoy the evening alone! The girls were in heaven and of course slightly annoying all day long till it was finally time to head down to see him! " Is it time to go yet!!!" They were spoiled and loved by Uncle Chris! Thanks again!

While we were kidless we totally took advantage of the chance to go car shopping without monkeys! Now that was a treat! WE are in teh market for a new car for me. With monkey #3 soon arriving we've been doing our best to narrow it down to a few choices. Typical....I want a mini van and Mike would like something with a little more cool factor. We agree on the advantages of both but I still have my fingers crossed that a MV is in my future. I just really want to avoid having a third row that my kids have to crawl over a seat to get to and I'm forced to buckle kids through the back door! Sorry Folks but A: I'm lazy and B: Mini Vans just make sense! And I've never really cared what people think of the car I drive!HELLO!!! I drive a '99 corolla that looks like crap but drive amazing! I'd keep that car forever if it was practical for a growing family!

And lastly Panda Express. Mike loves that place! I can always find 5 other places I'd rather eat at! But there we were, rounding out our night in line trying to pick our final item in our three item combo! May I recommend the Potato Chicken! Probably the only thing I enjoyed! But here's the upside to eating at Panda... Maybe, just maybe because Mike got to pick dinner that night I can pick my mini van!!! You think he'd go for that!?

Happy Birthday Brother!!!

2009-01-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

YEAH!!!!!! It's my brothers Jason's Birthday today!!! Party on!!!! Still just a little older then I and a lot wiser!!! I love that guy!!!! Happy Birthday to a wonderful, amazing, totally awesome brother!!!!

Jazzy sort of night!

2009-01-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

Mike called Tuesday afternoon and said he scored 4 tickets to the Jazz game! Not sure how long you have to live in a state to become a full fledged fan of a local team but I'll be honest, I'm so not there yet! Jazz fans or not it was cause for a good time so we meet Mike down there with Uncle Chris and had a great night!The girls were in heaven! I think any event that includes nachos, pretzels and people watching is ok in my book! It was just fun to be out as a family!

Aaarrrrggg!!!

2009-01-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

Why is it that every, I mean EVERY, time I sweep the kitchen floor Something cosmic goes out into the Universe that makes a spill happen moments after I put the broom or mop away! EVERY Time!!!!!

Happy Birthday Boopers!!!!!!

2009-01-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

Classic Boo!!!Thanks And's for the reminder~!

So it's no surprise that I, Rebecca Dulgarian, have the BEST sister in the world! It's not up for argument! It's just plane fact! On this day many moons ago , said sister was born and sent on a mission to be the best friend any older sister could have!

Over the years our rolls have flip flopped and She became the sister I looked up to, Even thought I'm about an inch taller, she's the one who had the better fashion style, cooler hair and all around awesomeness! She's the one I wanted to be like!!!!

All my greatest memories include her! Lake Mead, Sharing a room in my post college years, First Dates...She was always apart of them! I seriously scored the jack pot with this one!

So to the most Rockin', Awesome, totally freakin' amazing sister anyone girl could have I have a big fat HAPPY BIRTHDAY coming your way!!!!! Wish I was there in person to spank you!!!!! Love you Boopers!!!

A little love from the girls!!!!

"Hair" Today! GOne Tomorrow!

2009-01-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I finally gave in and cut Crickets hair!My fear was that she'd do it herself and we'd be left with a 5 year old hack job!She's been wanting short hair for 6 months! So off to Cookie Cutters Kids hair salon it was and here's a few before and afters!

Some regrets? YES! Mike and I loved her long hair but she hated getting it brushed and it was hard to manage.Cricket couldn't be happier!

Oh I miss her long hair!

Holiday Wrap up!

2009-01-02T09:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas was AWESOME up in here!!!!! Had our share of over excited shrills upon opening gifts, requests from older sisters to "Share" little sisters gifts and even some parental joy while playing with a nostalgic marble game reminiscent of his own Christmas past!

It was defiantly a White Christmas! Tons of fresh snow fell all day and into the weekend. The girls were in heaven and we loved looking on seeing the magic of Christmas through their eyes!

here are the girls snuggling up to their new favorite friends as they watch "The Cat in the Hat" after a long day of fun!
Marble Works!!! I think Mike likes this more then the girls!

2008 Christmas "Card"

2008-12-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of you a wonderful Holiday Season!!!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Gettin' busy in the Kitchen!!!!

2008-12-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

he he! Nice title huh!!!!

I've been busy over the last few days spreading my culinary wings in the kitchen and loving the results!

For this years Ward Christmas Party I went all out and tried my hand at Home made Cream Puffs and Custard filled fruit tarts! I was literally in the kitchen for 4 hours with these tall orders! I was most worried and impressed with my cream puffs! They looked so legit when all was said and done and the last stripe of chocolate was drizzled and the last sprinkle of powered sugar placed!!!!!
The tarts were a little tricky too with delicate shells. I did have a few casualties that were happily gobbled up by my sue chefs! They looked too cute to eat but not a single one was left at the end of the night!

Then today for the first time I dove head first into baking bread! I swear a choir of Angels sang as I opened my new Kitchen Aid out of it's big box, thanks to my Dad and Kathy for the early Christmas Gift!I told you it would be de flowered before Christmas!!! I recently upgraded to the Mac Daddy of all Kitchen Aids. This thing is a beast! Our friends tipped us off on an Amazing, can't pass up, deal of a life time on AMAZON and we jumped on it! The results came in the form of this awe inspiring, Silver beauty I've affectionatly named Sally!
Sally and I became fast friends today as she and I whipped up our first few loaves of breads! Not too bad for my first try! I'd love any, I mean ANY tried and true recipes for bread!Send them my way!It's going to be our new Sunday tradition. To fill the house full of that one of kind fresh bread smell and see who can drool the most!

The only MAN in the house is offically one year older today!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Man I love this guy!!!!!!

29 reasons why the Birthday boy ROCKS!!!!

29- He Freakin has the best eye brows ever. Really! Look at em!
28- He was the third straight boy born in his fam and I have to believe that's a sign that having
a third girl is totally cool too!
27- He can text, watch football and do home work all at the same time!
26- He loves his siblings and his folks!!!
25- No one gives a better JIVE! No one!
24- There is no one better to look forward to coming home then MIKE!
23- He has some super human capability that only allows him to be wrong about once every
other year! He he!
22- He is great at anything he does!
21- He looks hot every day he leaves for work!
20- He'll never go bald!
19- He's way intelligent and still loves ME even if I'm not!
18- He can work a crowd.
17- His driving record is impeccable!
16- He's got some crazy dance moves to entertain the girls with!
15- He hasn't snored lately!!!!
14- He totally knows how to kick butt on word searches!
13- He adores his girls!
12- He'll shop!
11- Talking on the phone a few times a day doens't bother him!
10- No one gives better back tickles! You can take that to the bank people!
9- He appreciates a good foot rub!
8- He's an amazing provider!
7- We miss him when he's not around!
6- He's an incredible body slam and elbow slam instructor!Just ask the girls or anyone who's
been on the receiving end!
5- He "lovingly" makes fun of me!
4- We share over 13 years of memories!
3- Falling in love all the time is normal with htis guy!
2- He's a perfect fit!
1- He is a rock star!!!!

Happy Birthday shug!

Love you!
Love you!
Love you!

Three year olds forever please!

2008-12-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

You know how every stage is your favorite stage when it comes to your kids! Well I think I officially found a favorite stage and it's legit!

Newborns are just freakin awesome because there is nothing so tiny and new that can make you swell with love like a newborn.

That first year offers endless reasons to love a stage. Fist smiles, sweet sleepers, cuddle bugs and baby gibber.

Toddler years are full of laughter. Personalities shine and baby behavior is soon replaces with silly grown up mockery and tender reminders of how fast time flies.

But age 3 is by far my favorite stage! Blue is at her prime. On top of her game and I am lovin it!

I realised this tonight as I was gnawing on her neck.She roared with laughter and wrapped her arms around me and begged for it to never end! Blue was as happy as I could ever remember her being and all it took was a silly moment with mom.

Can you remember the last time you gave into such happiness!!! A three year old knows the secret doesn't she! It takes very little to thrill a 3 year old. I wish it were that easy for all us grown ups!!!

So until I'm convinced otherwise I officially declare 3 years old to be my favorite stage!

I wish I could bottle her up at this age and share her with everyone! You'd be hard pressed not to fall head over heals in love with her.May she never grow up!!!

You be the judge!

2008-12-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

I have always thought my kids were a funny bunch!Not really looking like each other or like Mike and I! We all can't wait to see who #3 will "look" like!

When Cricket was born she looked liked my sister but quickly grew out of that and to me looks like no one. Blue is chubby like Mike was, blue eyed like me but that's where it ends!

Here's Mike and my baby pics....Jury's still out!

Girls are the best!

2008-11-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

I'm picturing one more smiley little sister soon joining this happy group!

A few moves from the girls

2008-11-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

Apparently theses are "Hannah Montana" moves!

CA Voted

2008-11-08T21:15:00.000-08:00

To those of you who know our good friend Jeff this will come as no surprise! His sign spoke the truth. Peaceful Protesting the Protesters. So your style Tea nuts! Love it!

2008-11-06T13:38:00.001-08:00

It's a girl!

Lots to talk about!

2008-11-03T07:43:00.001-08:00

Blue celebrated her 3rd birthday a week ago!!! Notice the new adopted "Chris Farley" smile that accompanies EVERY pose now a days! She was too fun to watch!We took her to Chuck E. Cheeses and she is totally my daughter!She asked with concern as we entered if "Any Big Guys" were in there. Not sure what she meant until chuck himself came sauntering out and she hid behind Mike as best she could and never let him out of his sight till he was done with his lame Birthday dance! Classic! She was otherwise in heaven!!!

Halloween!!!My favorite time of year was such a blast! The girls were witches and even got me to dress up last minute for trick o treating! Halloween day I threw a Spooky lunch for my girls and their friends! We had so much fun getting everything ready! We had Mummy Hot Dogs, Shrunken heads, Spider eggs and Witches brew! We also made witch fingers but forgot to eat them!!!

Having one of those "Mom Moments!"

2008-10-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Day in and day out we as moms do the same things. Hussel kids to get dressed, eat, and find their shoes. Cuddle a sad little one, remind others to turn off lights, flush the toilet and be nice! Days seem at times to blend into each other resembling the exact day we lived the day before!

And then out of no where you have one of those moments as a mom you've only heard about! I had one of those days on Monday! Cricket came home from Preschool with a book from her teacher!A simple first book to try to read! Call me a bad mom but I had yet to sit down and even attempt the idea of reading with her! It all seems like such a fantasy...having my own kid read! Why? I know!!!Stupid question. She can already write a slew of words! What was I thinking!

So there we sat reading! It was WONDERFUL!!!She took right to it! I did have guilt creep into my gut as I realized I should have done this a lot sooner! Oops!But I marveled at her and the guilt was quickly replaced with pride! My little girl a reader!

From that moment on she was hooked! A book worm was born! I headed down stairs in search of our Phonics reading program we've had for 7 years!!! I know... more guilt!!! Endless reading books for a first time reader! She can't get enough!She's mastered 5 books in two days and it's the greatest "Bribe" I've got these days. " Let's leave the park and go home and read!!!" will result in a huge burst of accepting cheers!

So there you have it! A huge mile stone in any little child's life and I must add one in mine! As a mom, joys come often in a snuggle or a tender morning kiss from a warm little body who has found their way into your sheets at night. Having sweet chickens is nothing short of a huge accomplishment. But I will say seeing your child grow and learn and become excited about skills such as reading is so heartwarming it's hard to describe! It's one of those things that validates you as a parent almost! Even if I may have been a little late to the starting gate!

Cricket I am so proud of you!

FYI

2008-10-28T11:16:00.001-07:00

For those of you who have been reaching this site through www.dulgarianfamily.com please make note that it will no longer be working. To reach our family blog simply go to www.dulgarian.blogspot.com

Thank you!!!

Cricket....a real catch!!!

2008-10-24T09:59:00.001-07:00

This morning I was talking with Cricket about genetic traits. How she got daddy's browns eyes and I gave Blue her eyes. Anyway the conversation moved on and she said she wanted a baby with green eyes so I told her she had to marry a man with green eyes.

She got all starry eyed and just loves talking about getting married. I told her to make sure she marries a romantic man that brings her flowers and takes her romantic dinners.

She reply's with dreamy hope in her voice...

"AHHHH! Like Red Lobster and Denny's!!!"

Yes my dear! Like red Lobster and Denny's! If we don't get their hopes too high they won't be as disappointed in the future right!

I love these chickens!

2008-10-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Crazyness

2008-10-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Cricket has been on a trip lately! I can't seem to figure her out!She is rude, yells and makes me drag her kicking and screaming to her room for some quit time when she's out of control. Yesterday I had two screaming kids in tow as I dragged them the block home after dropping their friends off. It was so frustrating!I wanted to have a tantrum. There I was 4 months pregnant with nearly 70 lbs of wiggly kids. When I put one down to "walk" they would take off back down the street in the opposite direction. It was not our best day!

Help!!!What has worked for you guys? Books methods? you all must share!