Updates

Kaiya is on a regimented diet and exercise program... okay, so she just joined in on Brad doing P90X while wearing her usual dress-ups. This particular ensemble cracks me up; Tinkerbell complete with a purse, gloves, and pearls. We're averaging about six costume changes a day around here lately.


I went to a conference last weekend and came home to Brad and Kaiya asleep on the couch. How either of them could actually sleep like this is beyond me. (And did you notice the Rapunzel dress?)


Ben is finally starting to talk. One of his favorite words is "choo-choo", so we've been playing with a lot of trains lately. (Too bad he thinks anything with wheels is a "choo-choo".) He also says "ya," "uh-uh," "Die-uh," and "muh" - which I thought was an attempt at mom, but is really just the word he uses when he wants something. It's crazy how old he is starting to look. He's definitely not a baby anymore.



Lastly, I think I've finally finished my TV stand. I put fabric along the back and bottom panels of the shelf to give it more color. I also got cuter baskets and decided against leaving the top empty after finding this super cute tray and finial at Target. Kaiya is obsessed with the bird figurine, however, so he's usually not in his perch.


Doesn't the white look awesome? I still kind of wish I'd done it blue... but I think the fabric inside is a good compromise :)

Did It Myself

We inherited this old dresser from Brad's parents; apparently it was part of their first bedroom set. (I so wish I had a before picture of the grainy walnut color and scrolly brass hardware.)

Anyway - I painted it black and used it in the guest room for a few years. But when we got a new TV but couldn't afford a new TV stand last fall (at least not the $1000 one I had my eye on), it made its way upstairs.

After a few months of still not being able to afford a new TV stand (it sucks to have expensive taste without the means to satiate it), I decided to give the old girl a makeover. I've seen a lot of people modifying old dressers for TV stands on the internets lately, and thought I'd give this whole DIY craze a try.

I wanted something like this...

Or like this...

And after some minor hiccups, I ended up with this...

It's not perfect. Up close the wood stain on the white paint just kind of makes it look dirty. And I still need to fix a couple spots and put on a coat of poly. I also need to sew some cute blue fabric liners for the boring baskets. (I was experimenting with some ribbon when I snapped this picture with my phone.) And Apple needs to release the new Apple TV so I can get rid of the bulky, eyesore XBox :)

But overall, I can't help but be proud of myself. I love the way the white color brightens up the room and contrasts with my super dark couches. I love that I don't feel the need to put any decorations on top of the dresser; I love simplicity! And of course, I love that I completely changed the feel of my living room for less than a Benjamin Franklin. I guess I can't complain about that.

Christmas 2011

I swear, Kaiya was happy Christmas morning. I toyed with the idea of doing her hair, but I figured it was funnier to showcase her morning do. The poor kid looks like this the majority of the time.

Christmas sure was great this year! Marsha and Andy came over to see the kids open their presents in the morning, we attended church, and then went over to the Walkers' for our annual Swedish pancake inhalation.

Kaiya got a princess scooter and Ben got a basketball hoop from Santa Claus. FYI, That misshapen blob on the love seat behind Kaiya is a loaf of bread from Mrs. Claus's bread machine... my daughter seriously asked Santa for two things this year: a piece of bread and an airplane. He didn't disappoint :)



This was the only present Ben really cared about unwrapping: the chocolate Santa from his stocking.




Christmas morning aftermath. Ben was SO entertained.


Here are Ben and Papa after brunch...


Obviously Ben was a bit too focused on his toy here; you gotta love an awkward picture!


p.s. I never did find my copy of White Christmas. I feel like I've betrayed my heritage in some way by not watching it once in 2011. I promise I'll buy a new DVD this year.

A Christmas Preview

Hot Diggity Dog!

Kaiya turned three just before Christmas and we celebrated at a Mickey Mouse birthday party. We had Mickey cupcakes, rice krispies, and ears for all the cousins (we're up to eleven, btw). I am so grateful to have such a supportive family - we had all of our Utah family here for the big day. I love knowing how much my kids are loved!


Brett and Robyn had a contest to see who could draw the better Mickey on their cards... I don't think Kaiya cared.

This Barbie car was the hit of the party (thanks Alicia)

it is now parked beside this,

in Kaiya's room. Don't worry about Benzilla climbing into the second story.

I can't remember why Vance isn't in this photo... but I wanted to try to get a shot of all the crazy kids in their ears. (Some were more cooperative than others.)

Megan outdid herself with Kaiya's new beanie. Check out the built in Minnie ears! A--wait for it--mazing.

I love love love this picture of Ben with Scott and Megan.

And now that it's January, Kaiya is a bona fide Sunbeam. She was a champ on Sunday in Primary, not the least bit scared or sad. Brad and I were sitting on the back row (he was helping me with my six year old class) and Kaiya turned around to give him a huge grin and a thumbs up! She also volunteered to help lead two songs. I don't think there's a shy bone in that girl's body :)

more Disney

I know I just posted Disneyland pictures, but these ones from December are too good to pass up.

Thank heaven for little girls

Sayla Larsen and Kaiya have dance together on Tuesdays. Imagine a dozen uncoordinated three-year-olds running around a studio in tutus. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

The girls were playing at our house after class the other day. They are so funny together...






See? Told ya.