Goodbye 3- Hello 4!!!

Our little Paityn turns 4 today! I can't believe she is so big already! Last night, I took her on a birthday date... just the two of us. It was SO fun and she is such a character! I asked her where she wanted to go and she said "To Target to get a toy and a dress and then to Cafe Rio for dinner!" My nieces are Cafe Rio junkies and they get so excited to go! We started out the evening with a few pics and then hopped in the car. Target here we come! After picking up EVERY SINGLE dress in her size we had a fashion run through and she decided on a polka-dot dress with pink ribbon. Classic Pai. She LOVES dresses! Every dress she saw she would pick up and say "is this a 5T?" She wanted to make sure it would fit perfectly! Then we cruised the toy isles for quite a bit. Of course, she picked out a ballerina dress up dress. Perfect with lace, flowers, and sparkly material! She was so excited! We stopped and grabbed a toaster while we were at it (for all of those that remember my toaster incident a few months back... I still haven't purchased a new one!). We hopped in the car and jetted over to Cafe Rio. A kids quesadilla and sprite was just what she wanted! Dinner was awesome and we laughed the whole time. She says the craziest things! Like: "Kelly, I love you morther than morther than morther than anything!" Makes my heart seriously melt! Here are the pics from our evening!

One of my favorite trademarks of Pai is when you ask her "How old are you?" she holds up her fingers like this:

We had to have a picture of the last day she could officially show us her famous 3! Happy Birthday Pai! We LOVE YOU!!!!

Sunless Tanner

OK, so most of you are very inquisitive about the sunless tanner my sister is crazy about. I searched high and low for it, even on Neutrogena's website, and I think they've stopped making it! But alas, my faithful www.drugstore.com has it!

Right now, drugstore.com has it for about 9 bucks a bottle with free shipping and no tax. Easier than going to the store! I've been using Jergen's Natural Glow, which my dear friend Mary recommended to me, but I've found myself waking up, showering, throwing on a pair of capris or a skirt and thinking several times: "dang, I forgot to do my sunless tanner last night!" (it takes several hours to show). My sister says this has a bronzer in it that instantly works so you can do it right after you get out of the shower. Plus the bronzer shows you where you have applied so you avoid streaks or blotchiness (or patches on no color which I tend to have a problem with!)Also, it's a fabulous foam texture that makes applying easy. Anywho, for any of you out there that find your legs to be a little white and are afraid of tanning like me, check it out! I'm sure you'll love it!!

Dance-A-Rama!

I seriously have the cutest nieces in the entire world! Honestly! Here are some pics from the dance recital this weekend. Couldn't you just suck on their cheeks? I do all the time!!

Happy Pop Pop's Day!

We were so lucky to have mom and dad come up to the city this weekend for the dance recital and for Father's Day. The day before, we made dinner for dad before the recital. On Sunday, we met at Cracker Barrel to enjoy some breakfast. It was delicious! Here are some pics of Pop Pop opening his present...



As most of you know, my dad is a FANATIC of restored cars. He has a restored 67 Chevelle SS and is getting ready to start on a Thunderbird he bought last year. Well, last summer, my mom and dad were at a car show when the editor of Chevelle World Magazine approached him and was asking my dad about his Chevelle. My dad almost passed out. Later into the conversation, the editor asked if he could do a photo shoot of my dad's car and publish it in an upcoming issue of the magazine. AWESOME! After the photo shoot, the editor asked my dad to compile some stories, information, etc... about the car. When my parents returned home, my mom and dad asked me to write some memories of the car so they could include it with theirs. We almost died when we received the magazine a few weeks ago. The editor took my story, word for word, and published it in the magazine and entitled it "Dad's Dream." I was in shock! I couldn't believe it! So yea folks, I'm kinda famous. I'm willing to give you my autograph, but please keep my where-abouts on the down low. The paparazzi is a pain the the patella! Ha ha!

Here is another pic at breakfast. Ya Ya and her girlies! So cute!

Angel Kaicee

Grab the tissues. I cry harder every time I watch it!

http://www.photographybyshellee.com/Slideshow/kaicee/index.html
(I can't get the link function to work, so you will have to copy and paste into your browser)

We are so lucky to have her!

Your Eggo is Prego!

Seriously, I laugh at myself. I went to Walgreen's on lunch to hunt for a sunless tanner that my sister has been raving about... and this is what I ended up purchasing. Two constant companions since pregnancy. Orbit Gum (for that terrible metal taste in my mouth, a common pregnancy symptom) and ice cream. I have NEVER craved ice cream like this before. And for some reason, the mixture of ice cream and peanut butter almost makes me faint... sweet mercy.

Home Sweet Home

Here are the pics! WOO WOO! I still can't believe it's ours. We are so lucky!

Master Bedroom

The Master Shower. Dad and Hayden get all the credit. And Mad- she was Hayden's grouting partner!

Master Vanity

My soaker.... ahhhhhh

If you come and visit us... you can stay here!! PLEASE COME!

The Office/ other side of spare bedroom

Guest bathroom

Danzer's room. It's in the works...

Laundry room. Hayden, grandpa, mom, and mom b built and tiled the step so I wouldn't have to bend over to get into my washer and dryer. I LOVE IT!

One side of the kitchen

Other side of the kitchen

Dining

Family room

Other side of the family room

Looking into the front room from the family room

Front room

Front room from the front door

I must say... it's better in person. Please come and visit us!

A Wonderful Friend...

I received this picture from our dear friend Kristin "Fred" this morning. I had to post this. Fred is such an amazing gal and she has been a WONDERFUL support to both Hayden and I during grad school. She will probably be going to Alaska after graduation to work :(. We will miss her dearly!!! We love you Fred!!

Where has he been all my life?

Ok, you might think I am completely crazy and a complete idiot but I have been exposed. To Jack Johnson that is, for the first time this weekend. Seriously, have I been living in a cave or am I just stupid? Either way, I couldn't believe I have been missing out on years of such great music. Jamie, my aunt, busted it out this weekend as we moved into our house. I was instantly in love. I have a very soft spot for music. I love everything: oldies rock, alternative, rap, country, classical, blues, etc... but there are certain artists that I just happen to LOVE. For one, The Cranberries. Another, Sarah McLachlan. Now, Jack Johnson has topped my list. I must have every CD he has released. I'm on the quest.

On another note, yes, we moved in! Yes, it was the most fabulous weekend ever. First thing on Friday when I got down there, I put our much missed bed together and we spent our first night in our new home. We woke up, to each other and the sun and kisses from Lola. No alarm clock. Hayden rolled over and said "I could just hug our bed!" We sat on our back patio, in our swing, with our puppy, Jack Johnson in the back ground, and arms wrapped around each other. It was the biggest exhale my body has experienced in quite some time. I was so content. I could have sat there the entire morning. We got all our furniture in and a lot unpacked. I know I promised pics, but the house wasn't fully together and I want to give you the complete picture of our finalized masterpiece. She's a beaut!

This weekend, scouts honor, there will be pictures taken galore. Consider yourself warned! Love, us