Hair Ideas

It has been a while since I have posted some fancy hair dos that we tried on Makayla so I thought it was about time.  We still love trying out ideas from the internet and even coming up with a few on our own.  Makayla is so awesome and sits very still sometimes for a long time to get cute hair.  Now that school is starting next week we won't be able to do things that are too fancy but no worries... she will still have cute hair!!!

I love this one.  You can't see the top but there are braids on both sides of the bang area.

Cute headband that didn't cost us anything!!!

Extra fancy Barbie bun.

Makayla's Belle hair.  This hair style made Makayla decide she wants to be Belle for Halloween.

This is called a waterfall braid.  Doesn't it totally look like a waterfall???

I love anything with a messy bun!

Another headband with a flower at the end.

From the front it looks like she has tiny pigtails.  It reminds me when she was a little girl and all we could do were tiny piggies.

I absolutely loves this hairstyle but it took FOREVER!!!

And last but not least...HAIR BOWS!!!

Harward Family Reunion

This year we were so excited to have a Harward Family Reunion (my side.)  Makayla could hardly wait to see her cousins that she hadn't seen in 7 months and Kyle is old enough now to enjoy cousins too.  Finally the day arrived to leave for Utah...

We decided that we wanted to spend a little time with Ben's family too so we went to Utah a few days early.  It was so much fun seeing everyone!!!  On our first day we took the kids to the Bean Museum at BYU.  They loved seeing the animals and spending time with grandma, Nate and Matt.

That night we went to Thanksgiving Point and the kids had a blast riding the ponies and feeding the animals.  Makayla was a natural cowgirl.

Kyle kept this smile on his face the whole time!!!

The next day we all took a hike up to Timpanogos Cave.  It was straight up the mountain for a mile and a half and then straight back down for a mile and a half.  We were all hurting by the time it was done except for...

KYLE!!!  He had a nice easy ride the entire time!!!  Poor Ben!!!

Everyone was really happy when we finally made it to the top.  The cave was amazing.  It had been so long since Ben and I had been there that we had forgotten how cool it was.  Makayla loved it but Kyle was terrified and wouldn't let us set him down the entire time.  Makayla was amazing and walked up the mountain and back down all by herself.  We were so proud of her!

That night we had a hot dog roast at grandma and grandpa's.  It was fun for Kyle and Makayla to play with all their cousins.  Being so far from our family really makes us all appreciate the times we have together.

The next morning it was off to grandma and grandpa Harward's house for our family reunion.  When we got there we just all hung out together and played and talked.  We had a great lunch and then it was off to the Temple for the adults while grandma and grandpa watched the kids.  We had a wonderful session at the temple and it was so much fun being with all my brothers and sister and their spouses.  When we got home Makayla came running up to me saying, "Mommy, mommy something terrible happened!!!"  Come to find out they were all playing on the slip and slide and the bees decided to join them.  In the end three kids got stung by bees including Makayla.  I felt bad for the kids and my parents but you have to admit that was kind of funny.  That night all the guys went camping and my sister and sisters-in-law all went to the Olive Garden.  It was so yummy!!!

The next morning it was off the the swimming pool.  Those of you who are not from Utah have to understand that in Utah they don't just have boring swimming pools they are all mini water parks.  The kids had a blast.  Here is Makayla showing off her water ballet as she glides gracefully down the slide.

One of all of our favorite parts of the pool is the lazy river.

That night it was firework time.  Since fireworks are illegal in Fallon we have to go to Utah to get our fix.  Kyle especially loved them.  He couldn't keep his eyes off a firework every time it was lighted and as soon as it was done he would yell, "More, more, more!!!"

Makayla loved watching everything with her cousin Cambrie.  At first they just watched but after a while they stood up and started dancing while they made up songs about the colors in the fireworks.  It was really cute.

On Sunday after church we went to Bridal Veil Falls.  It is so pretty there!!!  The kids as well as the adults loved playing in the freezing water.  A few of them even fell in the water including Makayla but it didn't even phase them.  They just kept playing and having fun.  Afterward, we had a picnic.  Everything was so good!  Why is it that food always tastes better in the mountains???

For each of the nights Kyle was sleeping in a crib (thanks Brighton!!!) and Makayla was sleeping in the same room on a mattress on the floor.  This night we were really having a hard time getting Kyle to bed.  We couldn't just let him cry because then he'd wake up all the other kids.  He kept saying he wanted to sleep on the bed with Kayla so we finally relented.  We put him down and told him not to get out and that lasted 1 minute.  We put him down again and told him not to get out and that lasted 2 minutes.  Finally he stayed in there.  I went to check on them and while Makayla was fast asleep Kyle was just playing on the floor.  That was it.  We took him upstairs to cuddle for a couple minutes and then he went back into the crib and finally fell asleep.

The next day everyone went to the Kangaroo Zoo and then out to lunch.  After naps it was off to another water park that was free!!!!  Oh I wish some of these things would come to Fallon!  Kyle had a good time with Hunter.  They are the only boys on my side.  

And it looks like Cambrie and Makayla are at their water dancing again!!!  Overall it was a wonderful trip.  We had so much fun with both sides of the family.  It was great letting the kids get to know each other better. We can't wait until Christmas to see everyone again!!!!

(I have more pictures to post but I am waiting for my sister-in-law to send them to me. (thanks Jenny!)  Stay tuned...

More Pictures

Here are some cute pictures I found and wanted to put on the blog. 

Happy Father's Day daddy!!!  Every year Ben gets a new picture of the kids to put in his office.  This year he has an extra special picture on the other side... A Makayla Masterpiece!!!  He also gets a tie every year (his request I promise!!!)  This perfectly shows our kids' personalities... Makayla kissing her daddy and Kyle trying to get into daddy's candy.

The kids were in desperate need of new summer pj's.  Kyle of course got his favorite Choo Choo Thomas pj's and Makayla picked out ice cream cone pj's.  Kyle constantly goes up to Makayla licking her pajamas.  That boy loves any kind of ice cream!!!

Kyle loves to help mommy and daddy mow the lawn.

Josie has gotten very kid friendly in her old age.  She loves getting great rubs from her big sister.

As I have mentioned a few times Kyle copies everything that Makayla does.  They have a lot of fun making funny faces at each other and at us.  I especially like this look!!!

4th Of July!!!

Our 4th of July started out at home getting ready for the day.  Makayla and Kyle looked so cute in their flag shirts. 

Of course Makayla couldn't leave the house without a fancy 4th of July hairdo.  Next we went up to Reno and watched the movie Cars 2.  This was Kyle's first movie at a theater so we figured he would do great.  Well, we were wrong.  He stayed interested for the previews while he ate his popcorn and then he was done. Ben and I took turns taking him out and letting him run.  At least Makayla got to see the movie and she loved it!  After the movie we went to dinner.  Kyle and Makayla were full of popcorn so their meals pretty much went to waste but Ben and I enjoyed ours.  After dinner it was off to wait for the fireworks. 

We got to the place and found a perfect spot.  Kyle and Makayla just played around the area while we were waiting.  As you can see Kyle did not want his picture taken!!!

Makayla spent all her time making new friends and dancing.  

Kyle had so much fun following Makayla around and copying everything she did.  Finally, after his long day he got pretty tired.  He found himself a cozy place to take a rest... right in the middle of the sidewalk.

Finally, the fireworks started and they were awesome!!!  It's not the most comfortable place they have them but they sure are beautiful.

Both Makayla and Kyle loved the fireworks.  The best part for Ben and me was snuggling with our kiddos.  It was a wonderful day.  Thanks so much to all the past and present soldiers that make our freedom possible.  We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful country!!!

Sewing Projects

As many of you know I love to sew.  I started out sewing little clothes for Makayla's dolls and then realized that if I could do that I could do clothes for Makayla right?  Well, it has been a lot of fun and Makayla absolutely loves the results.  These are a few of my projects that I have done recently...

This skirt turned out so cute!!!  We love it!!!

The pink dress looks so cute on Makayla.  She is even wearing it to church today.  The pj's I made from one of Ben's old shirts.  We need to make her another one... time for Ben to hand over another shirt.  (see previous entry as for why Ben had a pink shirt!!!  Hahaha!)

And Makayla's Easter dress turned out perfect.  She looks like she just stepped out of a Disney movie.  No worries, it isn't my sewing abilities that I am bragging about it's my gorgeous daughter!!!

We can't forget our handsome little man.  This is a tie that I made for Kyle for Easter.  He loved it!  I need to make him more because there is nothing that he likes better than going to church with his tie on and a little squirt of cologne!!!

My next project is Makayla's halloween dress.  Yes, I know it is a little early but she has decided she wants to be Belle so that might take a while to make.  I can't wait!!!

Better Late Than Never...

Ever since Kyle turned two on April 30th I have been meaning to write him a letter to put in the scrapbook.  I like to do this with each child on their birthdays just to let them know what they were doing at that time.  So I finally got Kyle's two year old letter done and here it is...

My Dear Sweet Little Kyle,

I can’t believe that you are two years old.  It seems like just yesterday we were holding our tiny scrunch-faced little boy in our arms.  You have grown up so much and have turned into an adorable little toddler.  I wanted to write you this letter to tell you how much your mommy and daddy and Makayla love you.  You mean everything to us.  We can’t even remember what life was like without you in it.  You are such a huge part of all of our lives and we love you more than anything.

You are doing so many things right now.  You love to color.  Most of the time it ends up on the doors or walls or floors or Makayla’s bed but every once in a while it goes on paper.  You love to bug your sister.  Even though she is three and a half years older than you you know exactly how to push her buttons.  I constantly hear Makayla’s screams as you are chasing her around the house with a stick in your hands.  Sometimes I secretly think she likes it though.  We will have to ask her when she is older and find out the truth!!!  You also love Josie.  You call her Jo Jo and she loves you too.  You are learning how to be soft with her and give her rubs but every once in a while you just have to pull her ear.  You love it when Jo Jo comes and sits by you to share your snack.  You love to snuggle with her when it is time for your nap. 

One of your favorite things is skin.  Yes, you hear me right I said skin.  Whenever any of us are getting dressed you get this little smile on your face and say, “skin, skin, skin.”  You love to be held and lay your head on my bare shoulder to feel skin.  It is very sweet.  You absolutely love to take baths!!!  You could spend all day in the bath tub if we let you.  You love to either have bubbles in the tub or put in a color to color the water.  You always tell me what color you want although you are not always exactly correct with your colors.  You also love to have your frogs in the bath tub with you.  You play with those frogs the whole time and it is so cute. 

Your very favorite thing right now is trains.  You call them Choo Choos.  You have so many trains at the house and you spot them everywhere outside.  You know where the train tracks are and are constantly watching to see if a train will pass on them.  We can be anywhere in the city and you will be playing and having fun.  All of a sudden you will stop and say, “Choo Choo.”  We will realize that there is a train horn somewhere off in the distance that you have heard.  It is amazing how much you love trains. 

Kyle you are the most amazing little boy.  You have the sweetest little personality and you love your family so much.  I can’t tell you how many times I have found you snuggling with Makayla while you watch a show, or snuggling with your daddy while he reads you a book, or snuggling with Jo Jo.  Every day when it is time for your nap I take you in my bedroom with your milk and your blankie and we snuggle while you drink your milk.  It isn’t long before you fall asleep and I take my precious little sleeping boy to your crib for a nice nap.  Every day Makayla makes sure that she can give you a kiss before I put you in bed. 

We love you so much!  We thank our Heavenly Father every day for sending you to our home.  We can’t wait to see what life brings to our little Kyle.

Love,

Your Mommy

Circus Circus

A few weeks ago the circus came to Fallon.  All of us were so excited.  We couldn't wait to see all there was to see...

As we entered we were greeted by clowns.  Both kids were a little nervous (I don't blame them) so that is why mommy was in the picture too!

The kids were able to feed the animals at the petting zoo.  It was so much fun but they were pretty stinky... the animals not the kids.  Luckily, they provided a super-size jug of hand sanitizer.  We used that a lot!

Kyle really wanted a ride on the elephant but that was a little expensive.  Maybe next year kiddos.

We all love cotton candy so we got some thinking that Kyle would love it too but he didn't.  Surprisingly Kyle isn't much of a sweet eater.  Shocking I know since the rest of us eat dessert for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

Everyone's favorite part of the show were the elephants.  The best part was that we were sitting right by the place where they came in and left so we got a really close look at them.  Kyle was in awe!

Makayla stated that her dream ever since she was born was to get her face painted.  She looked so cute afterward.  She was devastated at night when she needed to wash it off.  She literally cried about it for two days.  

And we couldn't leave the circus until Kyle got his train ride.  He loved it!!!  He is even loving this picture right now as I post this... Choo Choo, Choo Choo, Choo Choo!!!