The Girls

I just love these pictures of the girls. It was a lazy morning and the girls were hanging out on the bed in their matching purple shirts. Emma was being so kind to share her "video" (that is what she calls her portable DVD player) with Lucy and she was really concerned that Lucy be able to see. Emma is really compassionate and caring with her sister. She loves to get her toys and find her things to play with. They love to make each other laugh. I am so glad they like each other so much!

And just a cute one of Lucy:

I think that's it with the random catch up pics. Hope it was fun for a bit!

I-Phone Photo Cache Part 2

More pictures from the past few months:

This is a picture of some of Emma's cousins and first cousins once removed or second cousins depending on whatever each of those mean! We were at Grey and Oakley's baby boy Corver's blessing luncheon. Emma literally idolizes my cousins Olivia and Quinn (the two oldest girls in the pic). She followed Quinn around the entire time we were at the lunch. It really is cute!

This is from our California trip. Emma picked this hat up and loved it! We thought she looked pretty cute in it.

I was excited to find this picture of Emma with Goofy. Her favorite tv show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - so she was just as excited to see Goofy as she was to see Minnie.

This is one of the few pictures from Emma's 3rd Birthday celebration at our house. We had a Barbeque, even though the weather wasn't cooperating. Matt had some awesome flames going!

I'll post the random pics one more time, then we'll be all caught up!

I-Phone Photo Cache

I just loaded pictures from the last few months of off Matt's i-Phone. I thought it would be fun to share a few! This is a picture from Lucy's blessing. We had lost the camera that day and so Matt was using his phone. I had forgotten that we got some pretty good ones:

Matt took Emma sledding last winter and she loved it. She didn't want to come home. I am not one to go to all that work to get her dressed in all of her snow gear, take her out, put on her gloves repeatedly - it was just so much work! Plus, I am not a fan of being cold. So, if Emma wanted to play in the snow, it was her Daddy who made it happen. Wow, in reading that I sound so high-maintenance. I'll do it on occassion.... - we'll just simplify and say I am a fan of summer.

This is not the best picture in the world, but the story behind it is funny! We went to Chuck-E-Cheese for Caleb's birthday in March and Emma really had a ball! The only trying time was when she got stuck in the tunnels and I had to climb in and rescue her. It's funny looking back, but I was on the verge of motherly hysterics because she was on the verge of hysterics and I couldn't get to her. We kept sending in the cousins after her, but she just wouldn't respond to them and follow them to get out. Mom to the rescue!

This is some before and after action on the house Matt has been remodeling. This is the hideous bathroom that he literally had to tear down to the bones. See "after" (well, more like "mid"):

More to come!

Cupcakes, Princes and Drive-ins

I am so excited! Most of you know about my cupcake obsession - how, ever since I had a cupcake from 25 on Main in St. George I have had this driving desire to try and make a cupcake that is as good as theirs. Mostly since I crave them daily and can't make the drive...daily. Anyway, all of their cupcakes are fantastic, but on my maiden visit to the bakery I had their Coconut Cupcake and it was this cupcake that has been my in the back of my mind as I have baked and baked! So, tonight I finally attempted the Coconut Cupcake and I have to say it was a complete success! If you like my vanilla cupcakes and you like coconut in any way you are gonna have to try these! Now I have to deal with not gaining 10 pounds cause I can't stop eating them!

On a totally unrelated note, Emma said the cutest thing the other day. I was trying to distract her and asked her to help me pick out what to wear. In the process, I was explaining that I had to look really cute for a date with Daddy because he is my "handsome prince." She started to whimper and was visibly upset so I asked "Emma, what's the matter?" and with tears in her eyes she explained "But, Daddy is my handsome prince!" SO CUTE! Right now her handsome prince is putting her to bed. They have this new little bedtime routine and so she no longer likes me to put her to bed - it is daddy only. He tells her the best little bedtime stories. I totally understand why! I am so grateful that Emma has such a good dad and that they are building this unique relationship with each other!

Last night we went to the Drive-In. Matt and I started the tradition of going at least once a summer since the summer we got engaged and I have really grown to love it. Yes, I am exhausted from staying up until 2am to catch the co-hit and YES I have only had one drive-in excursion that didn't end with me watching the back of my eyelids, but it is still a favorite. I love taking a million pillows and blankets, opening up the back of the Jeep, and creating a cozy little temporary bed akin to a childhood fort and watching a movie against the backdrop of a star lit sky. The cool thing about last night was that not only did we get to watch Night at the Museum, but it was enhanced with the backdrop of an amazing lightning storm! We had a great night. If you decide to take a drive-in excursion - just a few tips from some frequent visitors: Take lots of pillows and blankets. Take as many treats as you want! Don't worry if you have to park in the back - you'll still get a pretty good view. Take an extra radio. Drink caffeine so you can take advantage of the two for one (or less) advantage. Take entertainment to pass the time while you wait for dusk. Hold on tight, have fun, and enjoy your ride! Oh - and invite us! We'd love to come!

Sarab

Dinner Time

Last night I was desperate for someone to tell me what to cook for dinner. Matt always tells me he doesn't care (when, I know for a fact, he does care - but whatever...) so I am often left on my own. I just get tired of thinking of it! So, in attempts to get some help, I googled "what should I make for dinner tonight?" It didn't exactly help in my endeavors because I ended up creating something of my own with remnants from the fridge and pantry - BUT I DID find a really great blog that I can see myself becoming slightly addicted to! And - it is a great idea generator. So, I thought I would share it with you because I know a lot of you who read my blog are my fellow mothers and may understand the plight of coming up with dinner night after night. Visit thisweekfordinner.com. The creator posts her weekly dinner menus and occasional recipes. She also encourages readers to post their weekly dinner menus - thus generating hundreds of dinner ideas for you to pull from! Anyway, I am adding it to my blogroll because I know I will frequent it....

While we are on the subject - something else I was frustrated with last night that I figure a lot of you can relate to is - what is up with child mayhem during dinner prep?! I have angel children up until 4:30pm when I have to start thinking about dinner and then someone throws a switch somewhere and - WHAM! Emma is whining at my feet, wanting me to entertain her yet thwarting all of my attempts and Lucy is crying in her high chair which resorts to me trying to feed her cereal while pan frying the pork. This scene has been happening nearly every night this week and come 6:00pm I am warn out. My mom used to say that she was done being a mom at 9:00pm....

I can only last until 6.

He Did It!

Oh yes...it is what I mean! Matt has completed his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Marketing. For real! And as soon as we get that coveted piece of paper in the mail we will be celebrating without hesitation!

It was a slightly rainy, but beautiful early morning event when Matt and I got to attend the Main Commencement so that Matt and his brother Jared could "graduate together." (Sorry for the blurry picture) The two oldest and first of the five Hale brothers to finish their degrees, it was a proud moment for a Hale wife and I am sure for two Hale African Missionary Parents! We know that they were sad to miss the event, but we could also tell from their phone call that they were bursting with pride even thousands of miles away!

After sharing that moment with his brother, Matt was able to actually walk and receive his folder at the John B. Goddard School of Business and Economics Graduation Ceremony.

It was very proud moment for me as I am acutely aware of the sacrifice and hard work that Matt has put into getting this degree.

The road wasn't easy, but I am very grateful to him for the example of the importance of education that he has set for me and for our girls.

Sarah