My Princess Ashlyn Turned 6!!

I can't believe Ashlyn is 6!! Time is just going way too fast! She is our little sweetheart. Each day she seems to brighten it up in one way or another. Ashlyn has the most tender heart and always tries to do the right thing, I am amazed sometimes at the things she does for her family and her friends. She is my little drama queen and loves to dance, perform, play dress up, help with her brother and sister, read anything she can, draw and  color! This past year has been a big one she lost 2 teeth and started kindergarten. She absolutely loves going to school! Her birthday was on Wednesday this year so its been tradition that on my girls bdays I take them to get their nails and toes done. She after school Ashlyn and I set off for our birthday date! We started by getting pedicures and nails done, then she had bday money to spend so she choose to go to Justice for the first time! Oh my goodness when she walked into the store her eyes lite up and she got all giddy and was like a little whirlwind but found a new purse, scarf, and outfit!  Then she chose to go to Olive Garden (her favorite) just me and her for her bday dinner. We had so much fun together I love having her as a daughter and spending good quality time with her as a little girlfriend! So we threw her her birthday party on Saturday with her friends. For her birthday this year she wanted to do a Barbie Fashion Show! So with lots of planning we pulled it off and I think I turned out pretty fun for her and all her little girlfriends! She had a blast with her friends making fashionable flip flops then strutting their stuff down the runway! The were all so adorable striking their poses! The party ended with feathers everywhere from their boas and a very happy birthday girl! She told me it was the best day ever...I am so thankful for such a sweet little girl! I feel so blessed to be her mother! Happy birthday princess Ashlyn!! :) (Lots and Lots of pictures)

Her invites (don't know why its sideways)

Barbie Cake! 

Making the flip flops, the girls seemed to have fun picking out the ribbon, fabric, and jewels !

The cute tablescape 

The birthday girl on her runway! 

Her Birthday outfit! All dolled up ready to party!!

The birthday girl

Some more cute decorations

Ready for a fashion show

Getting our pedicure on! :)

At Olive Garden for her birthday dinner date :)

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you!

Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays!

So the month of April starts the birthday season for my family. My parents came down and we celebrated all the April birthdays at once. It was really fun to have them visit and also to get to celebrate with my brothers. We all went out to dinner and then had cake at home! Since my brothers live in our basement I thought it would be fun on each of their bdays to make them a yummy dessert! It was really nice to get to celebrate their bdays with them this year since for the last two they were on their missions!

Then my birthday this year, usually I just celebrate it with my family, but since I live in such a wonderful neighborhood with awesome friends I spent it with them! To start off my day Betsy and Kristen brought me a yummy cupcake and balloons, a perfect breakfast! They are just the sweetest friends a girl could have! Then we went to Blue Lemon with all our awesome neighbors and best friends! It was so much fun. I am so grateful for such amazing friends. Then my sweet husband topped off the fun birthday with getting me some Sperrys that I have wanted for a long time and a darling watch. I felt so spoiled! Thanks hunny for making my birthday special! :)

Tyson in his lovely birthday suit! :)

Me and my brothers at our bday dinner!

Jordan...Happy Birthday to you!

The best friends and neighbors anyone could have! All of us at Blue Lemon! 

My birthday blue lemon cupcake! It was delicious! :)

Spring Break Fun!

Our fun Spring Break Surprise Fun Jar!

Picnic Time!

Parker playing at the park

The girls after their sleepover at the park

They love going to Build a Bear

So this was our 1st official Spring Break and so I wanted to do something super fun. So I made a Spring Break Surprise Fun Jar! Each day they got to pull out a stick and it said something fun to do. So we did things like go to the park, play at Kangaroo Zoo, have Kenedee sleepover, go on a picnic, and the last and final thing was to go to Build a Bear! They loved picking out the surprise each day and were pretty sad when the week was over. I think this will be our little spring break tradition. :) Here are a few pics of our fun week!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!

All ready for church!

Brandon's beautiful egg :)

Ashlyn putting sparkles on her egg!

Easter morning so excited that the Easter Bunny came! 

Brooklyn happy to see the easter bunny came! (yes she slept in her clothes) 

This Easter was really nice! The Easter bunny came and left a jelly bean trail to find their things. Parker was so funny he was trying to step on all the jelly beans as they were on their hunt. The girls loved it and thought just like the movie "Hop" that the Easter bunny pooped out jelly beans to make the trail for them! We were able to have a nice time at church then a big Easter Brunch after. My brothers and sister joined in on the fun Easter brunch, since they are down here in Utah too. We all had a great time celebrating Easter together. We feel so blessed at this time of year for all the things the Savior has done for us. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life and to be able to teach my kids the importance of our Savior and all He did for each one of us.

So Sick!

So these past like 2 weeks we have been so sick! I started it all off with a major sinus infection, I had it for about two weeks then finally decided to go get meds to kick it out of my system. So I started to feel better then the next night Brooklyn was up all night with an ear ache. So I took her in that day and sure enough she had a double ear infection!! She was starting to feel better thankfully. I though we were in the clear of being sick little did I know what was instore! So Parker had a bad cold for a couple weeks but I didn't think it was really turning into anything. On Saturday the 17th he started to not eat and had a tempeture of about 102 ish then Sunday the same thing. So I was starting to worry now so Monday he started to look really bad and was starting to be lathargic and his temp was not coming down from 103! I called the doctor and took him in after Brandon got home from work. I was thinking he may have an ear infection too but not so lucky. The doctor looked at him and listened to him breath and said, "are you reay for this? He has pneumonia!" I was floored I felt so bad like I should have brought him in days ago. We did some breathing treatments at the doctors office but that didnt help. So we then were sent to the hospital! I got in the car and called Brandon to come meet me for moral support! He had X-rays done which did show his left lung infected. And then he had blood tests done. I was nervous about him getting his blood drawn but he was so sick I held him in my lap and he just sat there...he didn't flinch or even cry! This poor sick little boy! The blood tests did come back with his white blood cell count low which would be the pneumonia. We were very lucky and didn't have to stay over night at the hospital. After about 2 days of meds in his system and lots of rest he started to get back to our crazy busy little boy. We went into the doc for 2 more check ups unfortunately he had a double ear infection and had lost 3 pounds but I just took him for his last check up on Monday this week and his lungs were sounding great again and he only had one ear infection. So just a little bit longer on meds and his next hopfully last check up in a couple weeks. I'm so grateful this didn't turn out as bad as it could have and that he is back to his sweet healthy silly little self!!

Then to top it all off the day Parker was at the hospital my dad wasn't feeling well and went to the doc and they found a major blood clot in his groin area!! So scary! They put him on meds and daily shots to hopefully thin out his blood. They came and visited us this past weekend even with him not feeling well. He went back into the doctor the day thy got back and two smaller pieces had broken off and gone through his heart and to his lungs!! Crazy scary!! So yesterday he went and they put in a filter so no more blood clots can go through his heart or lungs. I am so thankful for my dad and all he does. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful father and a fun grandpa for my kids! I'm thankful he is feeling better today and things can only get better from here!!

We better start getting some nice weather and so we can all be healthy again! :)

We LOVE Disneyland!!

We went to Disneyland last week and had soooo much fun! I just love seeing the excitement in the kids when we are there spending good family time together! We left on Friday evening spent the night in Las Vegas, then drove to Disneyland Saturday morning to stay until Wednesday. Then Wednesday came and we decided we didn't want to do a few hours in the park and then drive all the way home.  So we decided to drive home Thursday instead and got to spend the whole day in the park Wednesday!

This year we had tons of firsts: We tried some yummy new food (which is Brandon and my favorite part!). The girls were tall enough to go on the big rides, Ashlyn can now go on everything and her new favorite ride is California Screamin!! Brooklyn really surprised us and went on Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain. Brooklyn LOVED splash mountain! She was so cute and proud of herself to go on the big rides. Parker did so good I was quite amazed because he is so busy at this age and such a crazy boy but as long as he had food in his hand while in the lines, we were golden. As soon as he could see the ride he would point and say "ride."  He thought he was so big to sit on the rides, he'd hold onto the seat bar then when it was about done he'd know exactly what to do and would push up on the bar to get ready to get off. We had such a great time! We found a new little snack restaurant we like to eat at now too and of course ate our usual snacks too; churros, corn dogs, skewers, and popcorn! We went to Minni's breakfast and will totally do that again. We saw so many characters and the breakfast was so yummy!! Parker is in love with Mickey Mouse so every time he would see a Mickey he would say "Mee Mow!!" and get all excited. The best part though was when he met Eeyore and gave him a pound on the nose! It was so funny Eeyore was kind of amazed I just know he was laughing inside! :)

We took the girls to Bippity Boppity Boutique. It's where they get to get all done up like a princess so they picked out a princess dress and accessory, then got their hair, make up, and nails done. It was so fun watching their little faces beam as they were turned into princesses...a little girls dream come true! That was so fun for the girls! The weather was just perfect to top it all off! Mostly 80's and up to 93 one of the days.  We had so much fun we can't wait to go back!! Oh and PS we are now Annual Passholders so we can go anytime!! Its quite exciting for Brandon and me (it's the geeky-ness in us I guess)! Did I mention we love Disneyland and can't wait to go back!! :)

Lots and Lots of pictures!!

Parker Boy sleeping with his Mickey

My favorite treat CHURROS!!!

Brandon's Favorite treat CORNDOGS!!

Parker being a little cheese ball 

The kiddos posing for a pic

The girls got to meet all the princesses!

They loved the tea cups :)

Ashlyn picked out the wedding minni ears of course

Brookie modeling her tinker bell hat

The usual picture in front at Disneyland

Brooklyn getting all dolled up at Bippity Boppity Boutique

Ashlyn getting all dolled up at Bippity Boppity Boutique

Brookie all finished practicing her princess wave

Ashlyn getting her fairy sparkle dust!

Ashlyn all finished and LOVED getting all done up like a princess!

Striking a pose!

Brooklyn posing like a princess 

Eeyore not knowing what to do after Parker gave him knuckles in the nose! :)

Meeting Minnie at her breakfast! 

Brooklyn tall enough and so proud to go on Splash Mountain

Ashlyn LOVED California Screamin...her new favorite ride

Meeting Mickey 

Some happenings around the Read home!

So these past about two weeks we have had quite a few great things happen! First and for most Brandon got a wonderful job that he is really excited about! We feel so very blessed to have this opportunity come our way. He is now working for GoYo Media and is the VP of sales.

This is like the perfect fit for him and his personality. I am so very proud of him and what a wonderful husband, provider, and father he is! So it looks like we will be in Utah for quite a bit longer than we had originally planned. But we are totally ok with that we really love our neighborhood and the friendships that we have made and the ward is great for an extra bonus!

Ashlyn lost another tooth! Yep another one she was wiggling it and it probably had another week or so before it would have fallen out by itself but she kept wiggling it, then went into brush her teeth for the night and ran out totally excited with the tooth in her hand! Now she looks so old with her two bottom teeth missing!

I finally got eyelash extensions, I have wanted them for like a year and a half and finally decided to just do it. So I was totally excited and way happy with how they turned out! But the next morning apparently I am somewhat allergic to the glue that is used to put them on. So I had puffy, red, itchy eyes for a couple of days with a horrible sinus infection...so much fun! Now its all calmed down I really like them! :) Another crazy thing I did was I actually ran for the first time in like, well lets see, since I had Ashlyn almost 6 years ago! Yep I know kinda amazing but it felt pretty good I was quite surprised. Just a little sore! :)

My sweet little Brooklyn is growing up so fast right now. I was just looking through some old pictures and how darling of a little toddler she was! She is becoming such a sweet little girl! She is constantly wanting to play with her friends in the neighborhood which is so great for her to have her own little friends. And I love watching her play baby dolls. She said to me the other day, "Mommy can I be a Mommy like you now? I want to for real life!" I said of course you can to your babies. Her response was, " No I want to be a real mommy with real babies!" She just is so into them and they are so real to her it's so cute! Another cute thing she said while we were watching her favorite movie Little Mermaid, "Mommy can my name be Little Merdmaid (that's how shes says Mermaid) ?" So for the rest of the day I had to call her Little Mermaid! :)

My sweet Parker boy is now 18 months I can't believe it he is getting so big and starting to talk like crazy! I love how happy he is constantly and how fun it is to have a boy in our house! He makes boys sounds for his toys and cars and he is gross and totally messy just like boys are supposed to be! So we are adjusting to his messes but we love the mess at the same time! He loves his footballs! And is starting to play catch with Brandon. Brandon still has high hopes for him to be his left-handed quarterback...so far he is left-handed and loves to throw. He is so sweet, my favorite thing he does is his dancing its so funny! He spreads his feet as far apart as they can go then moves his arms up and down while moving his head back and forth. It looks way funnier than it sounds! And some of my favorite words he says are Mee Mou for Mickey Mouse and when he goes to sleep for the night he HAS to give everyone in kisses and hugs then say Night Night Love You! Its so sweet! He is just such a fun sweet handsome little boy! We are loving every minute of him!

I think that is about all that's been going on at our house! Life is so full of wonderful things when you get to be a mom! I just love every minute of every day!

Happy Valentines Day!

We had such a fun filled Valentines Day! The kiddos woke up and each got a little love present from Brandon and me! They were so excited! We started the day with some heart cinnamon rolls. Then off to school for Ashlyn. I was able to go help at the Valentines party at school. It's so much fun being involved with her school things! She got to give out her Barbie Valentines. So cute watching her with her friends at school. :) Then the girls had been asking for weeks to have a neighborhood Valentines Day party. So right after school all the kiddos from our street came to party! We started by playing some Love Pictionary with heart shaped crayons (the girls made the night before), then we played Balloon Ping Pong, then treat time which the girls picked heart peanut butter and honey sandwiches, fruit punch, heart cookies, apples, and red jello! :) They had this so planned out it was cute helping them get it all together and put on the party for their friends. After snacks we busted out some music and ended the party with some awesome dance moves! :)  The girls got some love in the mail too! Great Grandpa Messinger and Great Grandma Bonnie sent them sweet Valentines notes and Grandma and Grandpa Bailey sent all of us some YUMMY chocolate covered strawberries, the best I have ever had!! Then to top off the wonderful day Brandon came home from work with some gorgeous flowers for me! I just love my sweet little family so much! Happy Valentines Day!

Good Morning Love Bugs!

My little Sweethearts!

All the kiddos at our party! :)

The yummy food!

My pretty flowers from my sweetheart!

My cute friends Betsy and Kristen! Love these girls! :)

I almost forgot the Saturday before Valentines Brandon and all the husbands decided to make a nice dinner for all of us girls. There was a total of 20 of us! We went up to our friends cabin in Park City (this house was just beautiful) and the fellas all made a delicious dinner with everything you could think of and for desert chocolate covered strawberries and cheesecake. After dinner we all chatted, goofed around, the boys threw some blue darts around (yes they seriously did that at our age), and we laughed so much! I don't think I have laughed that hard in so long!! Thanks for such an awesome night friends! I'm so glad we have such fun awesome friends! 

We had a special visitor come!!

The cheesiest smile ever...so excited to lose her first tooth! 

All ready for the tooth fairy to come!

Ashlyn lost her 1st tooth! It had been loose for a little bit so we knew by the way it was just dangling in her mouth that it was just a matter of time. She woke up and wiggled it for just a minute and out it came!! She was SOOO excited! :) She had been waiting for this to happen. So she set it on the dresser for it to be kept safe from little hands.  Well her OCD mom didn't know it was there and was cleaning and knocked it onto the floor!! We spent so long looking for it, then we decided to vacuum and sure enough we found it! Thank goodness! Well on the way to the kitchen to put it in a baggie for another safe keeping she dropped it and we had to find it again! Luckily this time it was an easy find, we made sure it was in the baggie tightly closed for the rest of the day for the tooth fairy to come. While she was at school I made her a tooth fairy pillow for each time she looses a tooth. She was so excited to go to sleep and have the tooth fairy come visit her. Sure enough she came with a little bit a fairy dust from the widow to her tooth pillow and a brand new dollar bill! Ashlyn was ecstatic when she woke up the next day! :)