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Gracie performed several dances today during naptime. Included costume changes, toe touches, hair swipe, swirls, twirls, and quiet humming for music!

Blowing her hair!!

I’m loving my new haircut!!! Thanks Mom!

It has been 8 days and I trimmed off a 1/2 inch on my bangs!! Does my hair really grow that fast? Or am I just OCD and hate hair in my eyes?

The girls got a trim for summer time. Ains looks so cute and her hair curls just right!!!

What!!!!!! I know! I cut bangs!! Crazy!!!

Garth likes it! He says, “Change is always good!”

I like it!!! Except when I feel like there is a big bug flying above my glasses….. And it’s my HAIR!

Mom gave me a GREAT summer haircut!

(so much for growing out my hair!)

Very cute hair flowers!!! She crouchetted them! Ainsley has a white one and Gracie has a pink one. So super cute!!

Garth and Meg made potato taco roll things (flautas) while I was at the funeral. I had arranged for Granna Sandy to help with the kids before I knew Meg was coming. So Granna helped clean up the kitchen and watch the kiddos too.

Everymorning I wake up and feed Emi in the big rocking chair and the big girls come staggering in as they wake up. We love all cuddling up together.

Until I can’t take it any more and I make everyone wake up get up an start moving!! :)

Summer (my neighbor) and I trimmed each other’s neck line in her garage. I think we did a pretty good job! And the price was right! FREE!

Now I need mom to teach us how to cut each others hair “for reals”!!! Or atleast come and visit every 6 months and set up shop!!

This past week has been a blur. But it did happen! Even if I didn’t blog once!!! Ahhh!!

We did LOTS!
Dinosaur Museum. Thanksgiving point Farm. Pony rides. Good bye to Aunt Meg, Daniel, & Zackary. Emi eating under an Umbrella. Reading Fairytales. Going to the library. Celebrating my suprise birthday at Purple Turtle. Playing. Cleaning. Sleeping (sleeping in!). Sniffles/sore throat. Hair cuts. Teaching RS. New outfit. Happy girls. Helpful & Patient Daddy! Happy Birthday to ME all month!!

Check out that HAIR! :)

Emi’s hair is coming in strong and in the light there are shimmers of red!!
GrAnnie Annie, Uncle Cameron, and Garth’ s beard all have red hair.

Silly mom arrived promptly at 11:30 – I thought I was right on time. Story time started at 11. Oops!!

We stayed and played on the big rug until the next story time at 12.

These were some of our favorite books. I love the little black girl illustrations! I love that curly hair!

I would love to get these books on emotions. A great lesson to teach the girls and I think Gracie really would enjoy the color emotions book.

Today there was another little girl that picked Ainsley out an kept pushing and hitting her. Poor Ainsley was trying to listen and was getting so bothered by this little stinker!! The other mom would take the girl away and across the room but she would find her way back in a few mintues and poke poke poke Ainsley. Ainsley was really good and tried to ignore her an listen to the story time – she would turn around and give her “the look” of get away! I’m trying to listen!! And would scoot closer to the story lady and closer to Gracie.

I finally got all mother-bear and protected my little one. Then this stink tried to get Emi. So I protected my young :)

The other mom felt really really bad!!! And left in a hurry. It wasn’t a big deal – you could tell it was her first kid and lunch/nap time. I felt bad for her.

We drove to salem to get the house shelf and then we drove to Murray to get the high chair. Emi and Ainsley were champs in the car all day!!

This is the Eddie Bauer high chair you can buy new at Toys R Us for $150 and I got ut on KSL.com classifieds for $60. I inspected it and if I found one scratch I was going to give then $50 but it was in GREAT condition! Nothing wrong!! (and someone else was going to come buy it at 2pm) so it was a deal!!

Another savings of $90!! That brings my day total to $340+$90= $430 saved!!

I might not coupon on a regular basis but I do get great deals in other areas of my budget!

Still works great!! Ainsley gets to pick 2 things and Gracie picks 4. IF they stay in bed. Everytime they get out they get one less thing.

I do not buy things for the treasure box. It is full of little parts and pieces from their favorite toys that get left behind. Like Barbie shoes, Polly pocket clothes, notebook, markers, sparkly hair ties, etc. I pick them up when I find them forgotten around the house and put them in the toy box (with out letting the girls see). Then in the morning it is a GREAT suprise and they are excited to go play!!!

I also put left over Valentines candy in there or pieces of bubble gum. That makes the girls REALLY happy.

We made it through the night! Poor Garth was exhausted and I kept pushing him out of bed bec I was sleeping next to the wall. And I wasn’t being very polite :(

The girls got only 1 thing from the treausure box because they got out of bed 3 times! (not happy!)

BUT we all ate bfast and played and got dressed and did hair and watched Dinasour Train! And now we are waiting for preschool pick up at the HS.

At the truck stop I was feeding Emi while Garth was doing his business. So when he came out I headed in with my dying phone. Garth gave the the left over cash for some snacks and so I picked up a charger $11.95 and I saw a delicious banana bucket 2 for $1. When I went to pay I realized I had $13.00 and it came out at $13.75.

I was like, DANG! And the cashier said, I have a quarter, and I said I still don’t have enough. I asked if I could buy one for 50cents. He said no, sorry. So I just set them back in the basket. And then this nice trucker (tough as nails) guy handed me a dollar! :) and I was able to buy my bananas!! I gave him back his quarter. And thanked him very much!!!

See there are nice people!

And while walking back out to the big truck parked in the lot I got a few whistles (whooo whoo)! I am the cutest thing that has Visited the truck stop in a few years! (and I didn’t wash my hair today)

Sister York came running over when she heard the truck start. She was in her PJs and bed hair with puffy red eyes. She had been crying all night and so emotional that we were leaving and was so worried she wouldn’t be able to say goodbye. We shared hugs and kisses and tears!!

I even was able to return all the eggs I borrowed as I gave her 9 eggs left in our fridge I was planning on boiling but never did. :)

Cynthia & Ron are wonderful neighbors and we are going to miss them very very very MUCH!!!

Garth & My dad picked up the big truck at 11! Erin & Nicole came and cleaned like crazy! My kitchen is sparkling!!! Still no pictures of the “cleaning crews” but probably for the better because my greasy hair is out of control, Erin was wearing her skin tight cycling pants, and Nicole was covered in left overs from Kori! We are the sightly clean up crew!! LOL

We all are happy & helpful! :)

Thanks to Erin we have beautiful pictures (using her new 50mm lens). Playdate started with Nicole dancing and singing to ______ (an awesome kids music singer I can’t remember). Then I gave a short lesson about “True Loves Kiss” and saving that kiss for when we get married in the Temple to our future Husband or Wife (Las Vegas temple picture thanks to Nicole’s iPhone image search skills). Then moms set up their crafts at the tables and everyone pitched in to help!!

As soon as the crafts were done everyone ate their healthy lunch snacks and then it was time for clean up.

I am really going to miss the monthly holiday playdates :(

Look at that picture!? I am glad that I am smiling but honestly – who did my HAIR??! (oh yeah – my couch did during Dinasour Train!) come on people!! Tell me when I have bed head!!!! It looks like I havnt showered for weeks!

The girls are having a slumber party in Gracie’s room. I love them being together and supporting each other in the move. I never had a sister growing up and so the sisterly love I see in these girls is just an amazing thing everytime!!!! Bath & Bedtime went great! The girls are in bed now, all the lights in the house are out, and I am getting ready for bed too. I went out to get a drink of water when I hear this little chit-chat from Gracie’s room. I couldn’t understand everything but Ainsley was saying something about …..hair…….long and then later…….the horse….. And Gracie started talking and said something about ….. The witch was waiting……. The princess…… Her dress….. And so on mumble mumble……

The lights were off and they were in bed just talking. I just stood thinking about these cute girls are going to grow up being best friends & sisters. I never EVER had this! I guess the closest thing was living in DT dorms my freshman year at college. That was the first time I shared a room with someone else. (that’s what happens when your the only girl!) and We didn’t talk about horses, witches, or princesses.

So I left the girls alone talking in their beds after I listened for a few minutes in amazement at the unique communication & love of Sisters! (something I always wanted – I think watching it happen w my daughters is the next best thing!)

We arrived in St. G at 2 am and woke up early to get to Vegas. Dad stayed w his truck to help bring down a load for Jimmy & Shauna. Jimmy & kids are moving in w Mom & Dad so Jimmy can get a job in Vegas. Shauna will finish up hair school in June and join the ranks. Jimmy is hopefully going to be teaching HS in the fall and they will find a place to rent.

She wanted to lift it up and carry it around the house……. “Like on Alladin Mom!” she kept saying.

So creative!! But I didn’t have a solution for that idea. She was DEVISTATED! And very disappointed when we needed the chairs to eat dinner.

Free is fantastic!! My mom is magnificent!!

What am I going to do without you?!

Ohhhh that feels great!!!! Mom cut my hair! Last cut was Thanksgiving!

I know. I should let it grow out. But she looks like a big poof head!!! So I trimmed her curls and look how cute!!!

Price $10 each
Excellent Condition. 2 black Office Chairs with fabric cushion seat & back

Justin is awesome and tried calming my nerves saying it was no big deal and it adds character. It is not funny! It is horrible!

And i hope my children got the clue of how angry-mad-dissappointed-devistated-ANGRY it made me!!

I didn’t and don’t even know how to discipline them. I made them lay down on the bed and watch me tape it together. (w Blues Clues on the TV behind me)

I kept turning off the TV and saying how horrible this was!!! I broke down to tears 3 times! I called Garth crying. I txted Justin crying! Sandy came home and I was crying!! — she thought someone had been hurt —- I said it is worse!

It would have been better if they cut their hair off! Hair grows back! This picture is ruined forever!!!!!!

My mom said something profound about teaching children to understand the consequences rather than fear the punishment.

I am attempting to teach 4 year old Gracie and 2 year old Ainsley the consequences!!!!!!!????? But how?!

The girls earned a princess everynight. The deal was if they laid down and went right to sleep they could earn a princess Polly pocket. It worked great!!!!

As an added bonus they got dressed, hairdone, teeth brushed, cleaned up, ate breakfast faster than lightning WITH smiles and happy faces so they could open their new toys!!

And then they played together all morning under the table!!! It was FANTASTIC!!

The best $4.99 spent!!

Emi has glimmers of red in her hair in the sunlight.

What do you do to make yourself feel beautiful??

I had some extra time to get ready and I thought about the quote on my girls mirror. “I am Beautiful”

I really thought when do I feel beautiful and what does it take??

I took it as a challenge and these are
My findings:
- A hot long shower.
- a cute outfit that fits proper (not to tight or big)
- blow drying my hair in sections. (it takes the same amount of time to just blow dry but when I do it in sections I really feel beautiful and my hair just works better- why I still don’t do it everytime??)
- using a flat iron for long sections by my face
- hairspray for extra body
- clip to hold hair out of my eyes!
- face lotion
- eye liner, natural eye shadow, mascara
- bronzer used on my cheeks
- put on my glasses
- brushing my teeth
- lip stck & lip gloss
- deoderant
- love spell lotion on my arms & elbows
- comfortable shoes
- a SMILE

AND I can honestly look in the mirror and say, “Today I made the effort and now I am Beautiful!”

But really I think the beauty shines from inside and I CHOOSE to be beautiful. I hope my daughters will learn from the example I try and set for them.

He says, “ask me who styles my hair.”
I say, “who Dad?”
He says, ” Mia Pilllo, and it took all night!”

Wheezzzzzze!!

I did it! I showered! But first I put this sign on the door just in case :)
Now I need to blow dry my hair…. Everytime I start it I swear I hear a big truck….I come running out and NOTHing!

Early Christmas is the best!! Thanks Garth for letting me open my present early! (if it ever comes!)

My Sis-in-law is going to Evans in St. G and is doing great!!! She cut my A-line on Saturday with a few tips from Mom (my usual stylist)

We had a great dinner with all the famLEA! Thank goodness the Yorks live next door and let us borrow their last stick of butter & a card table and chairs.

Almost everyone was here! Mom, Dad, Eric, Carrie, Rob, JaimeLynne, Garth, Jamie, Troy, Trisha, Aaron, Dustin, Brandy, and then the kids: Afton, Eliot, Simon, Gracie, Ainsley, Zackary, and Emi.

We planned the “tentative” schedule for Thanksgiving.

And we talked about the new Break the Fast schedule! What was presented was whoever hosts the break the fast gets to plan a fun famLEA activity the Saturday before. For example garth planned On Saturday the men got together to play video games at 6am followed by breakfast with the wives & kids. Then we had BTF at our house today.

Mom and Dad are doing Dec.
We are skipping Jan.
Eric & Carrie doing February.
J & G will pick up again unless we get any other volunteers. We are sort of last minute famLEA eventers but are trying to accomidate the in-laws who like to schedule. :)

(What they don’t know is mom & I have been doing this for months!)

We had a great time with the Tripp fam at the ward Trunk or Treat!! Cinderella (Kori) fit right in with our ruffles and adorable blonde hair!! Matt protected all the women :)

Check me out!!

I found these pictures from the day of my baby blessing. I think Emi looks like me. What do you think??

**check out my Mom & Dad!!!!!! Sweet glasses dad!! Awesome hair mom!!

We almost blew away at the park on windy Tuesday. Thank goodness for grAnnie hats to keep our hair under control.

I trimmed the girls hair.

Was standing on the chair instructing all the ponies. I just missed it – she got down and was talking to each one in her class. Sooo cute!!

We packed up and headed to Gma’s house for a hair-cut to fix the butcher job!

I walked in the door and turned around and said, “Uh, mom, can I get some help?”

She laughed!!!
And then fixed me right up in no time!!
Because she makes it seem so easy!! I am not sure if I learned my lesson —
(just next time I will use the buzzer)
Uh oh!! That is a bad thought!!

So.
I can’t stand my hair when it grows long on my neck.
I looked in the mirror.
I thought – 3 kids at super cuts.
Bad thought.
I thought again.
“hey I could fix it myself”
I found the scissors.
Sat on the bathroom counter.
And I BUTCHURED my hair!

See the before and after.

I thought as I looked in the mirror again and said:
Uh-oh! I better call my mom.

Showered, dressed, hair done, make up on and ready for a wonderful day!!