The BIG performance

Saturday was the annual luau and performance for Ame's Hula group. I couldn't believe what a huge turn out they had. It was held at this ampitheatre in Layton that is quite huge and it was probably 3/4 full. I could tell the little girls were quite "awe struck" when they came out on stage and saw all the people. Ame did an awesome job and felt very proud, I could tell. I was impressed at how much she actually remembered, even in front of the huge crowd. She just focused and did her thing!

It was a LONG day, on the hottest day of the year (of course). Quinn took her to dress rehearsal at 2:30 then came home and got the rest of us, because we volunteered to help out with the events of the night (as much help as we can be with 3 kids). Quinn was actually "security" so I didn't see him for most of the night, except when he came and sat for Ame's 2 performances. We appreciated the family and friends that were able to join us for this memorable & fun event (it was actually Ame's first ever "recital").

This picture captures Kaipo's personality quite well, and the energy I was blessed with throughout the day.

I actually did get video, but the amatuer blogger that I am, haven't quite figured out how to post it. Quinn did it once for me, but I never got the hang of it. Somebody needs to give me some lessons.

Friday the 13th

Friday was a BIG day in our four year olds life.........the training wheels came off. Her and daddy decided to do it while I went to the grocery store (for some reason) and she is now whizzing around like a pro. I don't remember it being that easy, when I was a kid.

I guess I should get some pics of her actually ON the bike, as proof of her real BIG girl ability!

can't keep up........

So I used to feel like summer was soo relaxed and carefree, but I don't really feel like that anymore (or at least not this year). Maybe juggling 3 houses will bring on the insanity. Hopefully that HUGE stress will go away soon, because it is not making life very easy (especially on the checkbook).
I just feel like I haven't got to enjoy this summer as much as I would have liked. I guess it is not over yet, but it sure seems to be going fast!!!!!!!!!!

mommy's poems to her sweethearts

So I wrote these a few months ago (thanks for your insight Karli) and have finally got them printed and hung in the kids rooms. My sister in Law helped me get them put with a picture. I was very pleased at how they turned out.

And.....

And we can't forget our precious boy, Ash. He was a little trooper through it all-the ongoing sirens of the parade disturbing his nap, the hot car rides, his feeding schedule all out of wack and the crazy neighborhood kids constantly poking and bumping into him. He was mesmorized by the fireworks though and loved watching them. All the events of day definitely wore him out too cuz he gave mommy a wonderful nights sleep from 11-5:30. What a sweetheart!!

4th of July Fun

We had a fun filled, non-stop day yesterday. I started out the day early doing a 5K with some of the girls in my neighborhood. Then the kids were in the bike parade, which preceded the real parade.

This is how Kaipo spent most of the parade running into the street, without a care in the world.

We had lots of fun hangin' with our friends, but it sure was HOT!!
After a little break, we headed to Layton, where Ame had a Hula performance. We were soo proud of her, she did such a good job and doesn't she look cute!

After being at the park and in the heat for a few hours, the kids crashed and got the rest they needed for round two. Later in the evening we hung out with friends in the culdesac-had a BBQ, the kids did their fireworks and then we watched the grand city show (from our driveway) which lasted all of about 15-20 minutes. We had a fun, full day of excitement and when those heads hit the pillow finally about 11pm, the lights were out real quick for everyone!

Swimming and Dress-ups

Last week, after a MUCH needed relief from the heat, my mom and I took the kids swimming. I am soo glad my kids love the water and are just like little fish. I just wish we had more opportunity to actually swim. Ame is taking swim lessons this week and next. It is a two week class, that is every day for 30 minutes. She is learning some great skills to enhance what she already knows. Kaipo and I are going to do a mommy and me class on saturdays starting next week. That will be a fun time for the two of us.

A couple of months ago I found some dress ups online for Kaipo. It came with some masks and capes for bateman, robin and superman, for a great deal. It was much needed after always seeing him in Ame's dress ups!

Kaipo doesn't always quite get the right pieces of the costume together, but at least there is nothing pink this time!

Ame always HAS to pose!

American Idol????????

So a few months ago my neighbor and I had the idea for our 2 CTR's (Ame and Jackson) to sing for their dad's on Father's Day. But because of the primary singing we couldn't fit into the father's day program, so we decided the week after would be OK. So Ame and her neighbor buddie, Jackson, sang "Where Love Is" in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. We practiced all week and they actually learned it quickly and sounded quite well. We went over to practice in front of the microphone on Saturday and we thought maybe it wasn't a good idea anymore. Jackson is kind of like Kaipo, full of energy and has a hard time being calm and still(I guess you could say). All the kids wanted to do is play with the mic & touch it with their lips and you know how that sounds. Plus our piano player didn't get into town until 12:30 am on Sunday morning so we didn't even know if she would make it, let alone get to practice together. But it all worked out-they practiced just b4 sacrament meeting and despite having to try & sit through most of the meeting reverently (and we have sac. mtg. last) because they sang in between the speakers, they did an AWESOME job!
Also, I tried to keep it a surpise from quinn. There were a few oop's that weekend and he kind of figured out something was going on, especially when we were walking into church Sunday and someone says (having seen the program already) I hear you have a performer in the family today. QUinn thought what? Did Brittany sign me up for something I don't know about?
We were very proud of Ame!! She was soo brave! She may not be ready for "American Idol", but I hope she continues to appreciate and share her beautiful talents.
Grandma and Grandpa Asplund also got to come and see her perform. Ame was of course very excited to invite them and they didn't need any arm twisting to make it either.


We told them to pose and this is what we got. You can see Kaipo with Azlin, doing what he always does, torment her!!!!!!!

What a dad........

The kids definitely LOVE their daddy! They are always soo excited when he comes home and are always begging for his attention. He has such a unique and special bond with each of our children. They pretty much know they can get anything they want from daddy. He is definitely the softy between the two of us. Thank you honey for all you do to provide for us and love us unconditionally (even when we drive you crazy)!

Fun Times with Family & Friends

Last week we went to Cherry Hill, as you may heard from Jamie. Ame had a blast with all of her buddies and Kaipo had so much fun being crazy with Cooper. This place is just perfect for the age group of kids that we have.
We only wish we had more opportunity to get together with our wonderful friends!

What a contrast-boys vs. girls........

In my family it is pretty much all boys. Ame can definitely hold her own though. But, Lucky for her she is getting a girl cousin soon, we can't wait for little Kaiya to join our family.

Then when we got together with Jamie and Lindy it was the complete opposite-GIRL overload. Kaipo didn't seem to mind though.

Treehouse Museum

If you have already visited my moms blog (she is much quicker at posting than I am), you know we went to the Museum with the kids and had a blast. We could have spent all day there, if it weren't for the kids being hungry and crying babies. There is just so much for the kids to explore and do. They were in heaven!

New Adventure

Well we started a new dance class today. Ame is still taking Hula but seemed to have lost interest in tumbling. Personally I think it was the instructor, I wasn't that fond of her either.
She is now taking a combo-jazz/ballet class. After going to our neighbors recital, she definitely decided that was what she was interested in. Hopefully she develops some more skill than the minimal ones she has come up with on her own. Either way I know she will have a lot of fun!

randomness.......

So of course I downloaded pics off my camera again and found some random things to share.

Ame was invited to a birthday party for her hula teachers kids over the weekend, and we had ALL planned to go, then mommy got sick-first a BAD cold and then the next day I got hit hard with the flu (the day QUinn was leaving for work training in Memphis for a week). Thank goodness my mom lives close. YOu are a LIFE SAVER, literally!! I can't tell you how much that helped me mom. Just hope YOU don't get sick.

Ame and Kaipo having fun in mommies BIG bath. I don't let them get in mine very often, I'm not sure why. Maybe I just don't feel like taking all my decorative stuff, scrubs, etc. down from around the tub or maybe I don't want the mess ALL the time in my bathroom. But I was feeling NICE one evening.
Last week I went to visit my old school and friends that I taught with. I've been wanting to do it all year and finally made it down there on a day other than the weekend. I was going down for a graduation party and decided that it was a perfect time, since it was 6th grade celebration day, to go see old friends. When we were pulling up Ame reminded me that no one would know it was me because of my dark hair, until they saw my face she said. So observant she is! The teacher on the left had been in the dunking tank and was embarrassed to take a picture ( I got to do that last year too) and the teacher on the right is pregnant. She has been trying for a long time so it was fun to talk to her about that. When I headed inside to say hi my old principal gave me a BIG hug. It was funny! And reminded me when I am ready to come back to teaching to come see her. But I think that is a little too far from my home now!

Memorial Day

Well I wish I had pics to go with this one, but unfortunately my fun was cut short, before I could get any.
Our holiday started with Quinn enjoying an early round of golf, then all of us checking out some sales, but we didn't find anything worth buying (unfortunately).
Then, we had originally invited Quinn's family up for a BBQ, but things changed and no one ended up being able to come so we had tons of meat and asked our neighbors in our caldesac if they wanted to BBQ instead. So we grilled and chilled, while the kids ran around, rode bikes and played (a typical night in our caldesac). Just after finishing round one of our meal, Kaipo decides to throw up all over the driveway. I was a little embarrassed & quickly brought him home, gave him a bath and Quinn stayed outside with the other 2 kids . So before I could get any pictures of our fun neighborhood BBQ I was home tending to a sick little boy. Not quite the ending I would have preferred to my holiday, but what is a mother to do????? Hope he didn't get the other kids in the neighborhood sick too....

All Smiles

A few weeks ago, Ash started giving real smiles.
He prefers to give them mostly to mom, and even Ame,
but will also give them to others occasionally. I had a hard time
capturing any "still" shots of him smiling, but here are a few OK ones.
I will definitely keep trying!!

Blessing Day

Well, we had Ash's special day on Sunday, which also happened to be mother's day. I wanted to do it on this day because my Grandma Asplund and Uncle Jim just happened to be here then. The day was of course hectic and busy, but it all turned out very nice.

We tried getting some family pics taken before church. Our sister in law, who I would say is professional, took tons of pics so hopefully she got a much better one then we did.

Grandma Frankie was an angel. She made fry bread, so we could have yummy Navajo Tacos. Then after everyone left, she stayed and cleaned my WHOLE kitchen! She is such a sweetheart.

Ame HAD to have this princess dress. She did look adorable.

Kaipo trying to get away from picture taking.

I felt so lucky to share not only mother's day, but also Ash's blessing day with so many people I love and admire.
Unfortunately, I didn't get enough pics with EVERYONE. We had all of Quinn's family and some of mine. It was truly a special day. Quinn gave the most beautifully, elegant blessing. Followed by a precious song, that him and his dad sang. For those of you who have not heard Quinn sing, he truly has a hidden talent that he needs to share more often.

This was such a Day. The Lord has truly blessed me beyond anything I deserve. I feel like the luckiest Mother, Wife and Daughter!

comparison

So here are the 2 boys in the same blessing outfit, on the same blanket. Kaipo (right) is about 3 months old and Ash (left) is 7 weeks, so he doesn't fill out the clothes as well. I would say there is a definite resemblence, wouldn't you? I will have to do some more picture comparison and post some more.

Ash just started grinning a couple of days ago. It is soo much fun.

Dentist

The kids and I (mom came along to help-thanks soooo much mom, I could have never done it without YOU) took a trip to the dentist a few weeks ago. Ame went first and did really well. They counted and cleaned her teeth. She was such a BIG girl. Then Kaipo took his turn in the chair. This was his first time so we made it simple. The hygenist was AWESOME and SOO good with the kids, explaining all the tools and letting them try each one out before she put it in their mouth.

Kaipo wasn't quite sure about them doing the brushing, but he let them anyway cuz he knew afterwards he would get a new toothbrush AND choose a prize with his token.

Ame thought the lights were a little too bright so they gave her some crazy glasses to wear.

Catch up......

I downloaded pics from my camera today and realized I have A LOT of catching up to do.

Here is a picture of Kaipo with our neighbors little girl, Azlin, who he loves to maul and torment! She is a real girly girl and is very petite AND definitely likes her own space, which Kaipo loves to dominate and take over. You can just see the mischief in that cute little smile!!
Here is a picture of me with my neighbor friends (left: Tara, right back: Cami, right front: Jamie-she is the neighbor right next to me with the 2 year old girl above and a boy Ame's age and she also has a baby 6 weeks older than Ash). This was our first girls night out. It was Cami's birthday and we went to this really fun Japanese Cuisine for dinner and had some good laughs. They are all such fun neighbors. We all just hang out in our caldisac (sp?) in the evenings and let the kids run wild. We couldn't have asked for a better neighborhood.