sleepy.

I think every day leading up to and while I was pregnant with Vin my thought process went something like this...

"Please, oh PLEASE let this baby be a better sleeper than Van!"

I am here to tell you the man upstairs was listening.

Yesterday Vin was ON ONE.  All. day. long.  Finally right after 4:00 pm, I thought...darn it, I am giving him a nap if it is the last thing I do.  I didn't care if it screwed up his schedule.

I didn't hear a peep out of him until this morning at 7:30! 

That my friends is down right reDONKulous!

aaaand next time I think about giving him a late nap, I will remember to put him in pj's!  He slept in a polo shirt and socks...and no pants.

reviews, giveaways, free stuff, oh my.

I have gone back and forth on whether I like giveaways and reviews.  I always go to giveaway blogs, and think...they can't possibly like EVERYTHING they get.  To me it doesn't feel credible, because they have 1,396,458 things they have said that they have absolutely loved, and you rarely find something negative.

I love doing food reviews, but I found I like to pay for my own food...because then I can write a negative review, and not feel bad.

Two weeks ago I was given an opportunity to do a review.  Not only would I get paid a nice amount of money for writing my posts, I would get the very expensive service for free.  I went in and after the presentation...it just wasn't there for me.  I decided to back out.  You read that right...I backed out of money and free!! It just wasn't for me, I couldn't write about something that I, a. didn't absolutely fall in love with, and b. a service I'm not sure really works.

For me it doesn't matter how much money is waved in front of my face...I need to feel credible, and I need to LOVE IT!

I got an email from someone wanting to send Van a KooKoo bird.  The attached pictures looked cool in the email, and I said sure send it on over.  When I opened the small envelope, I thought..."lame, that's it!"  I left the KooKoo bird on the table, and didn't think much of it.  Van woke up the next morning, and was freaking out about this little toy.  Who knew.  The 6 year old doesn't think that little KooKoo bird is lame at all.  Even though it probably cost them less than $5, I feel more inclined to write a little ditty about it on my blog...because VAN REALLY DOES LIKE IT! 

So give me your thoughts?  Are reviews becoming less credible, because sooo many people do them?  Do you just skip reviews all together when reading a blog?

children.

I got a tap on my shoulder at 3 something this morning. The wind was scary, and woke Van up.  I invited her into our big bed, and I knew as soon as she climbed in...she wasn't going back to sleep.  Van has never been a good sleeper.

After she was successful at waking up Paul...she successfully woke up Vin too.  That's my girl.

She didn't fall back to sleep until 6:30 or so...and then my day started for realz just an hour later.

I realize the days of her wanting to snuggle in my bed, and thinking I am cool...are numbered.  I hope they aren't, but I am realistic.

I am tired today, but those sleepless nights are well worth it nowadays.

shopping.

Hi my name is Von, and I don't wear a size 12.

Nice to meet you.

I have really been struggling the past few weeks with my size.  Not because I can't live with it, because I can.  I am starting to notice the trend...they don't make cute clothes in my size.

Just because I am not a size 12 doesn't mean that I don't want to look stylish and cute...apparently the stores didn't get that memo. 

My shopping nightmares started a few weeks ago.  I went to Down East, and realized that X-Large doesn't fit me there, and that was if I could even find an X-Large on their shelves.  If that doesn't scream "Hey, big girls...we don't want you in our cute clothes!"  I don't know what does.

I headed to American Eagle, because that place is still cool...I think?  After much hunting I couldn't find one pair of shorts, pants,  or capris in my size.  No big deal, right.  It didn't really upset me....UNTIL I found out they carry my size online.  If that doesn't scream "Hey, big girls...shop online, because we are too embarrassed to have you in our store, but we would love to have your money!" I don't know what does.

I have heard good things about Kohl's, and as a last effort I decided I would go look there.  I searched and couldn't find my size in the department I was in.  I asked the cute little sales girl if they had "bigger" sizes, and she lead me in the right direction.  I almost bawled.  There I was standing in the plus size section where my 90 grandma would be found.  I was surrounded my elastic waist slacks, and stretch pants.  I came home and looked at Kohl's online, and found more of a selection...and then kinda got offended that they even sell "plus size jewelry".  What does that mean?  Should I be wearing different earings to make me look thinner?

I had high hopes for wearing nice clothes this summer, but I guess I will be sticking to Old Navy and Target for this Summer season.

Blarg.

PS Do not even bring up going to Lane Bryant {I am not my Mother!}.  Do not bring up going to Torrid {I am not a hooker}.  Do not bring up going to Sears {It was a stretch for me to shop at Kohl's}.  The End.

bubbles

Last summer we got this cool book and bubble wand.  We learned that the two best times to make fantastic bubbles are extremely hot days and right after the rain.  Even though my kids are going absolutely CRAZY with all this darn rainy weather...we are totally diggin' the perfect bubbles we are able to make!

What can I say?  We take our bubble making very serious.

Angie Clayson Photography

I am pretty sure it was about a year ago that I won a giveaway to have our pictures taken by the adorable Angie Clayson.  I thought that I would have her take Vin's first birthday pictures, because we had already planned our family pictures.  Weeeelll, I hated our family pictures.  Oh yes, I said it...I HATED THEM.  So, I begged and pleaded with Paul, and he agreed that he would endure family pictures again...for me!

To say I was kinda nervous to have this be a good experience would be an understatement.  Lots of emails were exchanged, and I expressed all my concerns {thank you Angie for listening}.  We went over everything from what poses I wanted, location, and I even emailed her pictures of what clothes I had picked out for the kids.  {I realize I am sounding kinda crazy, I do get crazy about pictures...it is true.}

We went to the Lehi Railroad Depot Museum.  Who knew that place was so popular?  I guess it is all the rage for those in Utah County.

Let me tell you what made this experience good...

She brought an assistant. 

It made it soo nice.  Someone to hold Vin when Paul and I were getting our pictures done, someone to blow the bubbles while Angie took pictures, someone to hold balloons in between pictures, the overall extra set of hands was amazing.

With our last experience we felt very "posed", and I was not a fan.  Paul ended up looking very awkward and uncomfortable...and should we even discuss how he was sooo mad at the end.  He may or may not have even gotten feisty with the photographer.  I really didn't blame him.  Sooo, even though she posed Van and I...we didn't worry about the boys.  Truthfully, I was just glad that my boys were there with us...I didn't care if their chins were forward, head tilts to the left, left leg in front of the right...you get the point.

Angie brought treats, and she shared.  That always scores points.

Angie had the coolest bubble machine gun, and instantly won over the kids with it.  I was even mesmerized by it.

There was not one complaint out of Paul...and that is saying something.  He even said on the way home that he liked her...bonus points for Angie!!

I am glad that I finally got a professional picture of my children together.  She captured them perfectly...Angie let us be ourselves, and that is what I love most about our experience and it shows in the finished product.

Angie Clayson Photography 

rocked our Party of 4.

Preeeesh Angie...it was fun to meet you IRL.

last chance.

I will be picking winner's tonight for the two giveaways.  If you still want to participate...links are on the side bar. 

I have a couple of more giveaways to do...but started to slack after I got sick.

I was going to vlog today, and then my battery died...lucky you. 

How do you feel about vlogging...btw.  I mean, it feels like it is all the trend, but I can't figure out why.

Do people really want to see video instead of pictures and text?  I am confused.

365 photo challenge part 2

I am over 7 pictures in, and I am loving it. 

I never thought that I would love taking pictures of things...I tend to love to take pictures of happy smiling faces!  Do you blame me!?

How is your challenge going if you are doing one?

We are less than two weeks away from Van completing her Kindergarten year.  Whoa, that went by fast!  I have really appreciated how much thought and effort the teachers have put in to making Van love her school experience. 

I love all of her art work she brings home, but this by far is my favorite...and some days how I feel.  I asked her to tell me what it means "Mom, it is a crazy person!"  Well then...it fits me perfectly!

She is going to miss going to school for the summer...Paul and I on the other hand...are jumping for joy!  We can't wait to have her all to ourselves!  We miss our little Sassy Pants when she is away!

the downside.

Today we tried a new place for lunch.

It made me sick.

So sick...I went to work and lasted 13 minutes, and came back home.

This would be the downside to eating out, you occasionally will eat bad food. {Yo Mama's BBQ, I am talking about you here!}

How can I complain though. I was home to kiss my babies good night, and that my friends is worth eating the bad food...that made me have to come home sick.

Good night, I am off to get some good zzz's.  No time to be sick for long, I have big plans the next few weeks.

i may be crazy.

I usually pick the healthy cereals, but mostly I am the Mom that picks the cereals that have the coolest toy{seriously, you have to click on this link to see how itty bitty Van was}.  I especially love it when the healthy choice actually has a cool toy.  It's a win-win for me!

General Mills is teaming up with Dream Works to promote Kung Fu Panda 2 coming out.  Guess what that means?  Cool toys in Cheerios!  Wha, wha!!

We received a box of the Apple Cinnamon Cheerios...have you tried these?  I am not much of a Cheerios fan, but these are kinda addicting.  I may have taken them for our snack to church just so that I could have some too!

One morning while Paul was working we had a Kung Fu Panda Party.  Van put on her Kung Fu Panda pants, we watched the first Kung Fu Panda, and we snacked on what Van called "Panda snacks" aka Cheerios with Kung Fu Panda on the box...aaaand we played with the cool cereal toy!

Here is where I am crazy!

Another giveaway! 

I may have been slacking in my pay it forward blogging duties, and needed to do a few giveaways...so make sure you enter all of them as they appear.

This one you will receive the first Kung Fu Panda movie, a box of cereal....and the best part...the cooooool toys! =)

Giveaway will run until Friday, May 20th, 2011...11:59 PM mst.

disclaimer: general mills through my blog spark sponsored this post, and the prize pack you will receive.

video.

I can't tell if Vin likes to Zumba, or just likes the girls?

National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month.

Holla.

Truth is Van still doesn't know how to ride without training wheels.  It usually ends up in tears and frustration when we have tried...so I have decided to back off.  She is just a timid thing when it comes to bike riding.

Last year when we got the Schwinn bikes I was so excited to be able ride side by side with Van...with Vin being towed along in our cool new bike trailer.  All my dreams were dashed, because Van would rather ride in the bike trailer with Vin.

I have decided this will be our year...Van will learn to love her new bike.  Van will get more brave, and even though we might not be able to take the training wheels off, we will stay active!

To celebrate National Bike Month Schwinn is running a Bike it Forward campaign!  If you enter to win a bike for your friend...you will win one too!  They are giving away 2 bikes away every day!

Since we already love Schwinn at our house, it was a no brainer when they emailed to ask if I wanted to giveaway some awesome Schwinn gear!!

Yup. Giveaway time!

Enter to win this gift basket.

Extra entries are available.

Follow Schwinn Bikes on Twitter for 5 extra entries.
Follow this ol' blog for 5 extra entries.

And feel free to like them on Facebook as well.

Giveaway will end Friday...May 20, 2011 at 11:59 PM mst.

Good luck ya'll.

*disclaimer: I will be given a basket of goodies for free, and so will you.

Called to Surf

A weekend or two ago I was invited to attend a blogger event to get up close and personal with some of The Shops at Riverwoods.  It was fun to get back into the blogging swing of things, because I have been out of my game for awhile now.

Called to Surf was a personal favorite of mine...you will see why...

We have been planning for the past few months our vacation to Southern California.  Of course there will be Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, and Legoland...but there will be the beach and swimming...dun, dun, dun!!

Called to Surf is obviously a play on words...those clever Utah County folk.  This store specializes in swimwear...but has shoes, clothes, THE COOLEST watches, and surfboards. 

Have you ever planned a trip in the middle of December (crazy Utah weather) to some place tropical, and wondered where the heck you are going to find a cute swimming suit?  Look no further friends...Called to Surf...365 days a year has the cutest stuff!

I always struggle with swimming suits.  I obviously am not the girl that has the "perfect" figure that I can go to any shop, and find what I am looking for.  If I was being honest, I don't think I have ever wanted to go swimming suit shopping...until I walked into Called to Surf {and no they are not paying me to say this}.

So wanna know what I will be sportin' in So Cal...

Did you really think I was going to show you a picture of me wearing it...I think not!

Surf's up dudes, I am off to get a tan!

sad.

Blogger is having issues.

My lastest post has completely disappeared...it isn't even in my drafts.

Van had been working on a guest post...it was oh so cute...it is gone from my drafts.

I wanted to bring back my Food Review Friday today, but I think I might wait until Blogger has his (it has to be a male) act together.

Happy Weekend.

this video should have went with my last post

365 photo challenge.

I don't know what got into me, but I decided to add one more thing to my daily routine.  It seems trendy to do a 365 photo challenge, but a trend I am kinda diggin'. 

Today I started, and it was fun.  I took random pictures all morning, and then sat down to see what picture I liked the most that I wanted to edit.

I am NO photographer...and I don't want to be...but I do want to be more inspired by what I take. 

I told my sister this morning that I wanted to take more than just pictures of my family...but to start off my challenge I loved this pictures the very most.

I didn't tell Van I was taking her picture...this was as spontaneous as it gets.  This is really what she looks like every day when I drop her off.  She kisses me, waves, and runs with her over sized back pack all the way to the door.

I won't always share my pictures on my blog, but I want to be inspired by your pictures too. 

Who is already doing this challenge?

How do you share your pictures with everyone?

What are some new ideas for a beginner like me?

over share.

Do you ever feel like with all of the social media sites out there the possibilities are endless to over share?

I remember one time using the "check in" option on Facebook, and my Sista called me right away proclaiming "I don't care that you are at Target!  Disneyland, yes...or the airport...but Target!"

Since then I got addicted to Foursquare, and the craze for checking in at destinations has become addicting...all to see if my next check in will bring me Mayorship at my favorite hot spots.  Yes, I realize I am ridiculous.

So where do you draw the line on what you share on the internet?  Some choose private blogs, some don't participate in Twitter or Facebook for one reason or another...

What do you do and why?

aaand go.

a story in a picture.

{click to enlarge photo}

a day to celebrate.

There are so many women that have helped me become the woman I am today. Thank you for listening and for being the strong women that I have needed in my life.

There are women that have helped me with my own children. Thank you for teaching my child to read, teaching Van to appreciate the gospel, making my Vin smile, being the person on the other end of the phone call when Van decided to call someone, watching my children so that I can date my husband.

I woke up this morning knowing I am blessed to be a Mom.  I am blessed to be an Aunt, to be a sister, to be a women...which is what I think Mother's Day is all about.

Let's celebrate today...shall we?

the new do.

I have a hard time trusting people to cut my hair.  My Dad is a hair dresser, and is really good at what he does.  So since I stopped talking to him...well, I didn't cut my hair for a very long time...and I was so nervous to trust someone to do it.

Back in November when I was still a Sassy Scoop girl, we reviewed Aveda Life Salon.  I was brave, and signed up for the hair cut knowing it was time to make the big step in finding someone new.

(I probably could have gone another few years without cutting it though.)

Let me say...amazing! amazing! amazing!

Scalp massage, shoulder massage, shampoo, cut, style, service...and all for 35 bucks!  Yes, I am telling all of you...go, go right now!

I finally got the itch this week to cut all of my hair off, and the first place I thought of was Aveda Life Salon...and my girl Megan.

After my hair was measured and discussed...I had enough to donate to Locks of Love.  It made me oh so happy.  Check that off my Bucket List.

Crazy amount of hair, right?

and a cute picture of us together...

and just for good measure I took one right before bed...

I think I am ready for family pictures on Saturday!  yeeehaw!

wordless wednesday: he is a hungry boy.

but he sure is a cute hungry boy!

feeling a loss.

Some days I don't think about it.
Some days it is overwhelming the emptiness I feel.

Today is one of those days.

I am missing those people that once were my friends, my entertainment, the people I could count on, my family...now they are no more than acquaintances.

As I watch our daughter become less and less like a little girl, I think of all that is being missed.  We have entered a world of high heel shoes and press on nails.  How much she has changed.  She is confused, and wonders why people aren't her friends anymore.  It is sad really, I can't explain to her why...because I don't know either. 

It breaks my heart that some people have never even been able to meet our baby, who is not a baby anymore...more like a toddler.  He won't have the same memories Van did.  I guess it is good thing, he won't ever know what he is missing.

I always say tomorrow will be better.

The emptiness will not stay forever, because my life has been filled with amazing people.  I know they don't replace the people that are gone...but they do a great job at filling in the gaps.