Ellie's first cereal tasting

Lately, Ellie has been so hungry!  So, I guess it is time for her to start solids.  Here is her first try of rice cereal.


 

A week in Vegas

We had a great time with Chris's family (like we always do).  Chris could only stay for a long weekend, but the girls and I got to stay the whole week.  Lucky us!  We spent a little time on Lake Mead the first day we were there and a lot of time in the pool the rest of the week!  Kylie would have swam all day every day if we let her. The rest of the time, we just chilled with the family.  Kylie and Ellie of course loved all of the attention from Grandma, Pa, aunts and uncle. You should have seen how good Ben could get Ellie laughing. :)

I had a great time too, especially when Brooke took me for my birthday pedicure!  I also got to go to the midnight showing of Harry Potter with Casey, Brooke, Ben and some of their friends.  I haven't gone to a movie on opening day in a long time!  On our last day there, I asked Kylie if she was excited to see Dad.  She of course said "uh huh!".  Then I said, "Yep, tomorrow we get to go home and be with Daddy."  She responded, "No go home.  Daddy come here to Begas (Vegas)!"  She sure didn't want to leave!  What a fun week we had, which is displayed by a few pictures:

Kylie's first tube ride!

Grandma and Kylie chillin' in the pool

Casey and Kylie keepin' it cool

Loving the local splash park

Ellie says, "On Wisconsin!"

Brooke built a fort and we all watched a movie

Kylie wanted "rainbow eyes"

Casey and Ellie

Kylie was lucky Grandma made a cake!

On a hike in Cedar Breaks, UT

Can't believe it's mid-July!

Well, it has almost been a month since my last post.  I can't believe how fast the summer is going!  Life has been busy, but good.  I thought I should do a little update:

We had a good fourth of July, which started with the Provo parade.  (You can check out Chris's pics of it on his blog  (http://chrisbunkerphoto.blogspot.com/2011/07/provo-parade.html)  Kylie loved the Little Mermaid float and the huge Scooby Doo.  That night we enjoyed a family BBQ and fireworks (and sparklers of course) at the Dave and Deb Rowe's place. 

Fourth of July!

 Kylie and Ellie are becoming better friends.  Ellie just adores her older sister, always smiling at her and watching her (it is hard to nurse her if Kylie is anywhere nearby).  Kylie is quite cute with her, showing Ellie her toys and telling her what they are, telling her, "It's o.k. Ellie.  Almost there." when she starts to cry in the car, and even wiping her chin when she spits up (which she does quite often).

 

Kylie wishes she could share a bed with Ellie!

Chris has been super busy with work and his internship (with a photographer in Lehi).  He enjoyed a "boys only" trip to the Idaho cabin with his Dad and brother last month, which included finishing the deck, two days on ATVs and a trip into Yellowstone.  He also made youtube when he was working at the Stadium of Fire concert....he got hit by a skydiver! (well actually by the barricade that was hit by the flagpole that was hanging down from the skydiver).  Even though he went flying (check out one of the videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfY-8CH0DK0 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dfcgJHvB6I&feature=related) he was o.k., just a few bruised ribs. 

And me, well, um...everyone else's updates are my updates!

We did spend some time down in Vegas with Chris's family.  I will post some pictures of our trip tomorrow.

Moments That Matter Most

This is my favorite Mormon Messages video so far. It made me tear up, especially since I could relate to all of the "moments" in this video.  It is based on my favorite talk from October 2010 General Conference....President Uchtdorf's address titled, "Of Things That Matter Most".  His words helped me remember once again what my priorities should be.  It reminded me that it is o.k. (even best) to slow down a bit and not to focus on the endless to-do list, but to focus on the significant, divine things.  He said, "Lift up [your] eyes and truly see the things that matter most."  Pres. Uchtodorf talked about four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves.   I am constantly reminding myself that it is good to just sit down with Kylie and play or to just chill as a family and talk; that I don't have to be constantly doing something.  Those little tasks aren't what is most important in the eternal scheme of things.  "Strength comes not from frantic activity but from....paying attention to the divine things that matter most."

To the Fathers in My Life

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so,

He called it ... Dad

– Anonymous 

I first want to pay tribute to my father.  Not only is today Father's Day, but it is also my dad's birthday!  He is one amazing dad.  He has taught me so many things throughout my life.  He is a hard worker and is the ultimate do-it-yourself guy.  But he also knows how to have fun and is always making me laugh. 

Father/daughter golf outing- April 2010

It has been so fun to watch my dad become a grandpa!  Kylie loves him lots and always has fun with him.  She especially loved jumping on the trampoline with him when we visited last year.

Kylie and her grandpa A- April 2010

Dad, you are awesome.  I love you so much and am so grateful for you!  I miss you!

Daytona Beach family vacation- May 2011

My Grandpa Abe is also a great example of hard work.  I think that it is neat that he's so happy when he is working on a project or trying to fix something.  I wish that we could see you more often Grandpa!

G-Grandpa Abe and Kylie-April 2010

I have so many great memories with Grandpa Jensen.  He has taught me so many valuable lessons, but his example of kindness and charity will always stand out.  I always look forward to spending time with Grandpa, whether it be working up at the cabin or playing card games. 

Grandpa J and Kylie- June 2009

My "new" dad is the best father-in-law anyone could ever ask for!  I love him for his kindness and of course for his sense of humor.  He is a wonderful father and grandpa.  Kylie is always excited to see "Pa" (maybe because he always shares his ice cream and Almond Joys?).

Grandpa B with Kylie- Jan. 2011

And finally, I want to recognize my favorite person in the whole wide world....my best friend, my husband, and the father of my children.  Chris is the perfect match for me and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for the chance to be with him.  He is so kind, loving, fun, creative, smart, and funny, among many other things.  But with today being Father's Day, I want to mention what an awesome dad he is!  It is so wonderful to know and to see how much he loves our daughters.  And boy do they love him!

Kylie and her daddy- April 2011

Kylie adores her dad.  They have so much fun together, whether it is at the park or just at home tickling one another.  It is often hard for her to say good bye when he has to go to school or work.  Several times she has even asked for her backpack and followed him up the stairs so that she could go with Chris to school.  It is so heartbreaking to watch her when she realizes that she can't go with him. She just wants to be with him all the time! (And so do I!)

Ellie and her daddy- Feb. 2011

Reading together- March 2011

Thank you Chris for all that you do for our little family!  I love you more than anything and am grateful for the wonderful father that you are!



Thank you to all the fathers in my life.  I love you all so much and am so blessed to have you as examples!

Ellie is 4 months!

To honor Ellie today, I thought I would post my new favorite picture of her and Kylie:

 

And here is one by herself:

Ellie has been such a joy lately.  She has recently found her voice and likes to babble and squeal a lot, most of the time very loudly.  It is so fun.  She likes to see everything that is going on around her and now lets us know if we aren't giving her enough attention! :)  We love you Ellie Belly!

Kylie loves Cazador

After Skyping Chris's family today, Kylie really wanted to go down to Vegas to visit them.  "Begas...go there!", she exclaimed.  She often asks to go visit and it is so cute to see her excited to see family.  But lately, she has been wanting to go to Vegas for another reason.....Cazador.  Kylie loves Cazador.  When we talk about who lives at Grandpa Bunker's house, he is now included in the list.  When we do get the chance to go down south, she spends as much time as she can outside with the dog.  Going to say good morning to Caz is usually the first thing Kylie does right after breakfast.  She likes to throw pine cones for him to chase.  She loves to give him treats....and to feed him grass and rocks.  She thinks it is funny when he gives her doggy kisses.  She talks to him occasionally too.  One time I heard her say, "Stay right there Caz.  Kylie be right back."  She had to come inside to get him another treat of course.  Kylie and Cazador are buds.

Here are some pictures of the two when we were down in Vegas for Easter. 

 

My Mommy Moment

I had a "mommy moment today".  The Provo library has story time outside under a big tent during the summer months....Canopy Capers.  You take your lunch, spread out your blanket and are entertained by the jokes, stories and puppet shows that the creative and very animated library storytellers put on.  Kylie loves story time at the library and was excited to go again since they haven't had it during the month of May.  Last night, I decided that we would go today and worked it out with Chris that we could have the car.  Of course it takes me a while to get us a lunch packed and get the girls into the car.  (Kylie at the last minute decided that she wanted different shoes on... and a different bow in, dumping out her entire basket of bows/clips.)  When I got in the car, I thought, "Is this even worth it?"  It took more time (and energy) to get everyone ready and out the door than we would actually spend listening at story time.  But, yes it is worth it, because we need to get out of the house when we can and the library is so much fun.  Anyway, I dropped Chris off at work and headed to the library.  Just as I was getting the girls out of the car, I realized that today is FRIDAY!  Canopy Capers is on Tuesday and Thursday!  I knew this of course, but for some reason (probably because of Memorial Day), I have been one day behind this whole week.  Well, I didn't want to waste this trip, so we checked out some books, spread our blanket under the canopy, ate lunch and read the books Kylie picked out.  It was still enjoyable, but that didn't lessen how dumb I felt.  But ten minutes after we settled down to eat our cheese and honeydew melon, another mother and her four kids spread out their blanket and their McDonald's lunches.  After a few minutes, I heard the mom say, "Oh I had the days mixed up, story time is on Thursdays and I thought today was Thursday!"  I had to chuckle to myself.  So maybe I am not so dumb after all.  At least Kylie didn't really understand my mommy mistake (like the other mom's older kids did) and she still had fun eating a picnic, reading books and running up and down the grassy hill outside the library.

Kylie has a hard time picking out just a couple books to read!  (Which is our greatest bedtime battle.)

Ellie Elizabeth

Our lives have become more complete since Ellie was born in February.  I can't believe that she is almost four months old.  She was sweet from the very beginning.  She has always loved to be held and cuddled.  And now she enjoys getting attention when we talk, sing and play with her.  I absolutely love Ellie's smiles.  When I go to get her up from the bassinet in the mornings, she gives me this big smile.  It always makes my morning (even when it is super early).  And recently, she has started to laugh, which is delightful to hear.  I love Ellie's eyes; blue like her daddy's.  They are so soft, loving and curious.  I also love her hands.  They have been my favorite feature of hers from day one.  They are so small, yet so strikingly perfect

Ellie, we are so glad that you are in our family!  You are loved and adored.  And we are so excited to watch you learn and grow and develop your own little personality.

 

Kylie Mae

Kylie turned two in January.  She is such a joy to have in our family.  She is the life of every party....o.k.... of every night.  I could have a whole blog dedicated to the funny things she says and does.  Just today, she got out of the bathtub (by herself of course) and starts hopping into the living room completely naked and dripping wet repeating "RIBBIT, RIBBIT". 

She is also the smartest two year old around!  She has always been very perceptive and picks up on things quite quickly.  She knew all of her colors and could count to ten before her second birthday....though she initiates most of the learning herself.  She will point to something, wanting me to tell her what it is.  And then she remembers it!  Something I love to do with her is when we are reading, to leave out words and she fills in the blank.  Even after reading a new book only once or twice, she will be able to finish some of sentences!  She surprises me on a daily basis with things she learns on her own and the details she remembers about things....which can work to a parent's disadvantage if you are not careful. :)

But most of all, Kylie is just so darn cute.  I love everything about her...o.k. so maybe not her power struggles (she is very strong-willed) or when she gets overly tired (but what toddler doesn't every once in a while?).  Most of all, I love her laugh, her occasional cuddles, and her squeezie hugs...oh and when she says out of the blue, "Mom?...Love you".