It's all in the brows.

Dustin and Mikayla worked outside for a little bit on Saturday.  They were so cute that I just kept taking tons of pictures and I couldn't help myself, then I couldn't pick which ones I liked best, then I just decided to post 90 of them, but then you all would think I am obsessed with taking pictures of my hubby and daughter (and you'd be right-they are my only subjects in my defense...).  Oh well.  You've been warned.

See the flower in her hands (that doesn't leave her hands for ANY of the pictures)?  That's her newest favorite thing in the whole world.  Aunt Kim brought it to her all the way from New Mexico.  Something that prized cannot be put down, even to play in the dirt.  Her Pappy would probably be pretty disgusted. ;)  To say we have an obsession with all things related to FLOWERS around here would be an understatement.

See the resemblance?  Yep.  It's all in the brows.

The only problem with playing outside in the dirt all day on Saturday is that when Sunday morning rolls around, then this seems like the best way to pass the time...

How is one to know that it's okay to throw dirt outside, but dirt inside is off limits?

Dirt just adds so much volume to a practically bald head that it makes it hard to resist.

Luckily, we clean up pretty well around here.

P.S. She puts her own hat on and yes, we know it's on backwards.

Receptions are the Best

Receptions pretty much go like this:

1.  Your parents dress you up

2.  Everyone thinks you're SO cute in your dress that if you say "please" enough (do the sign language for please while loudly saying "eeeeeessssseeeeee"), then you get whatever you want.

3.  In this case, you get food.  And lots of it.  

4.  Oh, ya, and don't forget flowers.  Gotta have the flowers at a reception (or anytime, anywhere for Mikayla).  Your parents will probably try to keep you away from the flowers in the table centerpieces, but if you find Grandad he'll let you have them for sure.

4. Then, repeat step 2 all night long because the grown-ups are too busy talking and helping with the reception they'll give you pretty much anything you want to keep you happy.

5.  Oh, and if you have time, you'll probably want to congratulate the happy newlyweds.  It's the polite thing to do.

Congrats, Jeff and Natalie!  Love you guys!

Conflicted

They may be small, but I am in love with these...

Mikayla's "pigtails".

The only problem is that whenever she wears them she seems to think they are actually devil's horns instead of pigtails and makes it her personal duty to act the part.  It's AWFUL.  We barely lived through yesterday with the horns in place.  What's one to do?!

See...you'd be torn, too...the cuteness (as in those are so funny looking that they are actually cute) of the pigtails makes it hard to not put her hair in them!

Luckily, we had a couple (not a few, just a couple) moments like this yesterday that saved my sanity.

It's beginning to look a lot like home!

Our home is moving right along and we are getting more excited every day!  We get keys on June 8th!  Here are some pictures of the progress...

Sorry for the hateful faces and squinty eyes due to the sun.  (And no, our house doesn't have a black square on it, but I didn't want our address on the picture)

The kitchen is small, but I love it!

Have I mentioned that I am in LOVE with the pantry?!

The view of the family room and den (to the left) from the kitchen.

Mikayla is already making herself at home...we were all outside and she helped herself back into the house and we found her enjoying my Dad's soda-lid off and everything.

Doing what girls do in their houses...talking on the keys, um, I mean phone (everything is either a phone, necklace or hair flower to this chick).

The Rest of the Story

I snapped this shot the other day and I am in LOVE with the genuine cheesy little grin on her face that looks cute and innocent, but at the same time just screams TROUBLE.

Well, here's the reason the camera was out in the first place and the reason behind me laughing my head off.

Because baby bums are just so stinkin' cute and her frustration in not being able to move well was just classic.  

As the radio show host would say, 

"And now you know… the rest of the story."

All Business.

There is no "business in the front, party in the back" in reference to this chick's Easter celebrations.

Nope.  We're all business around here.

Remember when she got those sunglasses?  Probably not, so I'll tell ya.  Easter last year.  Can you believe how little she was?!

One of "Those" Days

It's been one of those days where you keep your camera close and listen to this to keep your sanity.  Luckily, we've made it to noon so far and we're both still alive and smiling.

You know the day isn't going to be good when you start it off having to eat on the floor because you keep throwing your food on the ground.  I guess that's what I get for being lazy and feeding her Cocoa Pebbles (Dustin swears she loved them on Saturday and he says it's okay if she eats them because "the box says they are a good source of Vitamin D").  By the way-she did have a banana for some attempt at a healthy breakfast.  It was just elsewhere on the floor, not in the picture, after being thrown.

It's never good when you can't tell if the dishes on the ground are "clean" because she just emptied the cupboard or dirty because she is unloading the dirty dishwasher (while you are loading it) at the same time.

Why is it always more fun to unfold the newly folded laundry than play with the laundry that only moments before had been in an unfolded pile?

And that, my friends, is only a sampling of our special day together.

Life is good! : )

Proof

Mikayla DOES have hair.  Here's the proof:

And, for the record, here's proof that Grandad has hair, too.

A Girl's Best Friend

We've got a new obsession around here.  Hats or "ahhtts" (sounding like George of the Jungle swinging through the trees...that's the best way I have of describing how she says it.).  Try leaving a headband on her for .2 seconds and no can do.  Hats, though, now that's a different story.  She loves them and wears them most of the day.  She can spot the goofy things from across the house and points at anyone's random hat laying around saying "ahhtt" until you give it to her.  Her Dad is proud.

I love how her ear always bends over under the hat. :)

My favorite is when she puts them on herself because it's always gangster style.

See? A girl's best friend!

Today

These words were what I needed to hear today.  I hope someone else can benefit from them, too.

"First, no woman should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heaven’s plan. Second, we should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home. We rarely understand or fully appreciate people’s circumstances. Husbands and wives should prayerfully counsel together, understanding they are accountable to God for their decisions."

-Elder Cook, General Conference April 2011

P.S. I've run out of storage for pictures on my blog.  I don't know how to do anything about it (you know, starting a new website or getting more space or whatever), so here's to the power of words with no pictures until Dustin helps me figure out how to "make it better". :)

Summer has arrived.

Mid 90s weather here this weekend meant time to break out the tutu bathing suit.