Baptism Pictures

 My little niece was getting baptized which means photo-shoot from her favorite Aunt Cara. 

 Since we had four baptisms on Tom's side this year I thought I would take all three 

(that live here) along and do a photo-shoot together.  

I could die from the cuteness in these photo's.  

Seriously.  

I need to get my act together and get these printed for my MIL before she sees them here on the blog. 

(these are supposed to be a surprise for her)

Are you with me on the cuteness factor?  

Look at sweet Joseph putting his arms around his cousins. 

 Awww!

 Such little sweeties.

I love that they are so close in age.

(only a few months apart)

We are missing our cousin Mac who lives in MO that also got baptized this year.

These two.  

They have been best friends since birth.

I know they were besties in Heaven too.  

They love eachother like sisters - without all the fighting.

 Miss Amberly.  My sweet little angel girl♥

London, Congratulations on getting baptized into 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

We Love You!

To-Do-List

I was at Bunko the other night at sweet Ashley's house.  We were in the kitchen and right next to her sink was taped a To Do List.  Brooke and I had to take a picture of it with our phones because we have been having the hardest time getting our kids to clean the kitchen....all the way till it's done.  Done to Mom's standards of course.  It's the little things that make me happy.

So of course I had to come home and make my own Kitchen Clean-Up To Do List for my girls.  They do very well with lists.  Make them a list and they are happy to follow it.  I taped it up this morning and I have fingers crossed that my kitchen will now be forever sparkling.

The best part?  Her 13 year old daughter typed up this list and hung it in the kitchen herself.  All on her own!  Ashley, you've got a keeper there!  Give her a treat for me and tell her GREAT JOB SISTER!

Back to School 2012

School has started back up.  I can't believe how fast the summer flew by!  We had so much fun this summer.  I loved not having a schedule, sleeping in, swimming everyday and staying up late.  My girls are at a really fun age where they get along so well and we can just be together without a lot of fighting. 

I love taking a picture of the girls on the first day of school.  Looking back over the years it floors me how fast they grow.  Cassidy grew an entire inch from July- August!  One month!  She is now a half inch taller than I am!  Both my girls will be taller than me I just know it.

I won't lie and say that the last week was hard and I wanted school to start ASAP.  The excitement that these girls had for school could not be contained in their little bodies.  They were bouncing off the walls and couldn't focus on much of anything (chores).  It was hard to give up our easy breezy summer schedule but since they were ready so was I.  The first day went off without a hitch and both girls are loving school. 

And this picture is why I don't buy school pictures.  No school photographer could capture the twinkle that's in her beautiful brown eyes like her mama can.  Do you see the love? ♥  So remember, when it's time for school pictures......save you cash and take your own.  It will be worth it.  

Summer Vacation #2

 Amberly jumping for joy to be in the ocean.

This summer we tried something new.  Maybe not new to other people but, very new to us.  Camping. We've only been on one overnighter as a family and it rained.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best either.  This year we wanted to try camping at the beach.  We had heard for years how fun it was and I was desperate to get to the beach this summer so I signed us up.  Yes, me.  The non-camper signed us up.

And guess what?  We LOVED it with a capitol L!  Seriously one of the best vacations we've done.  in fact we were already planning our next camping adventure as we were driving home from this one.

 This girl (Miss Cassidy) would not get out of the water.  

She was in it from sun up to sun down.  I kid you not people.  

She was in heaven.

 I sat next to this handsome guy everyday.  We shared an umbrella and had matching beach chairs. 

 We brought a picnic to the beach everyday with snacks, drinks and lunch. 

 We didn't move from our post.  It was wonderful!

 Amberly didn't love boogie boarding as much as her sister but she spent her fair share of time in the water. 

 I didn't get in because it was too darn cold! 

 But I did get my feet wet, chased the waves, went for long walks, gathered smooth flat stones and shells, took a long nap, got really really tan and filled my heart with being at the beach.

 Amberly has the best Daddy.  He took her out in the water and didn't come in for hours. 

 Just him and her.

More beach pictures to come and a big thanks to our friends that made the trip so much fun!

Service with Smiles

Abby and her friend Britley did a little service for our neighbors.  At Activity Days (for our church) they gave them some ideas on how to show service to their neighbors.  The girls made cupcakes at Britley's house and took some over to her neighbors then came over to our house and made cookies.  I love how they ran all the way there and back excitement bursting from their little bodies. 

I got the free printable for the neighbor from HERE - Joy Ever After