Lions, Tigers, and Bears Oh MY!!!

We had so much fun at Monkey Man's Safari themed birthday party!!! Mal and I did Ryder and Monkey's 1 year old birthday party together since they are only 6 days apart. I am pretty sure the boys loved it and the guests most surely enjoyed it...I was a little stressed I have to admit, due to the heat and a few other last minute stresses but all and all it turned out to be a Roaring good time ;)...note to self never do an outdoor Birthday for Monkey again! I had so many fun ideas thanks to my darling and very creative cousin AshLee who did the invites, animal drawings, and placemat mazes. Check out her blog for these fun ideas and millions more that you can print for free!!! twopennybluemom.wordpress.com, she is a blessing!!! We had lots of yummy BBQ food, treats in the form of animals, and activities to help bring out our inner adventurer! I know that the little one will probably not remember too much but I loved almost every minute of it, so hopefully he did! Beware of the pic overload...

Invite...created by AshCenter pieces and yummy edible cake pops made by yours truly!
Our Safari animals, the kids did an expedition looking for the animals throughout the yard with binocularsOur VIP tour guides...

More animals

One of the explorers Hunter (fitting name) looking for animals... Another Center piece

Food table, with the Happy Birthday banner and year in review banners

Cake pops...lions, tigers, and bears oh my...there were monkey's too of course!

The kids goodie station...treat bags with animal crackers, chocolate bars, and mini rubber animals and snakes. Also the Binoculars, and maze placemats below...

It sure was a hot day...good thing we had lots to drink.

The yummies!!

More food...

Present time

Presents...

Cake time...our cake chef herself, Dani!

Loved his cake!!!

The cutest cakes I have ever seen made by our cute cousin...let me know if you need one for a party she is amazing!

Yummy!

Diving in

Happy Birthday Monkey Man!!!

Adventure...

This little Monkey of ours turned 1 last week!!! We couldn't be happier to have him in our lives! We threw a safari party for the Monkey Man, (pics to come) which was so fun. He is such a sweet boy, but a little high strung like his Momma! Speaking of Momma he is quite the Momma's boy...not quite sure why but it is very apparent. He is saying a few words like "momma", "da da", "daddy", "ba ba". "hi", hi dad", and "lee" aka what he calls cupcake his sister. He his such a character this one, he loves to dance and clap! Especially when watching Yo Gabba Gabba his favorite show. He moves his head back and forth and bounces his body whenever he hears music! He only has his two bottom teeth and is cutting in the top two as we speak. His sleep habits are still amazing and have been about the same since he was 2 months old, 7:30pm-7:30am with two good naps in the day! He crawls so well and fast, he pulls himself up to everything, walks around furniture, and has taken a few shaky steps! He is into EVERYTHING...and I think we are in for quite the adventure with this little man as he grows! WE LOVE YOU BUBBY! Happy First Birthday!

Yummy Cake

I love this pic!What a HAM!

Best friends!

Birthday Boy!

1 Year Stats

Height - 29 1/4 in.

Weight - 20 lbs

Head Circumference - 44 cm.

4th of July weekend festivities!

We had so much fun this 4th of July the kiddos are getting so fun and interactive during these kinds of Holidays...and because it was a long weekend we had tons of festivities!...

Monkey man and cupcake sporting their shades!

We went boating with my Dad and Cupcake did not like anyone wake boarding or surfing...she thought we were going to leave them in the water and she said "Don't leave them they will sink!"
So tender and cute but also so funny! Aunt Jenna comforted her! Me and Monkey...yes I know pink life jacket! Cute right?!

Daddy doing some of the hard work...blowing up the tube!

the kiddos playing with Monkey!

Cute little girlies...Cupcake and cousin Kaia! This was one of the few happy moments for him...he was not too fond of the tightness of the life jacket!

Max Man and Cupcake with the sparklers...

Cupcake and Daddy

Daddy, Me, and Monkey...watching the amazing fireworks show!

Cupcake and Me posing for a quick pic...oh how I love her poses!

Monkey man!

US at Grandma Lu's for fireworks!

Josh and Alli's Wedding Spectacular!

My oh my was this such a fun day and a beautiful wedding!! We love these two, and are so happy for them its been quite the journey for them and we are glad we got to be apart of it. The day was filled with lots of laughs, friends, good food, dancing, and a few tears! You guys are a wonderful couple and we love you! I also got to sing during their ring ceremony which was so special and I was so glad and honored to do so! Picture overload...beware!

Josh and Alli coming out of the Temple...so excited!Me, Maddie, and Barb...the terrific trio!
Some of the gals at the Temple...I obviously missed the funny face memo!
Erin, Me, Barb, Maddie, and Dani

The handsome hubbies...Jared, Dan, and My studly hubby

Us at the wedding dinner...Thanks Aunt Em, Kaden, and Kayla for watching our kids all day!

My little man being his flirty little self with Aunt Maddie

Josh and Alli...Jewish weddings are so fun!

Daddy and Monkey man who was loving all the excitement

Our fam with the happy couple...

Mommy and Monkey man...snuggles

Slow dancing kisses...Daddy and Cupcake

What a day!!!

Miss Utah Week!!

Wow what a fun week ending with our cute Miss UVU Danica Olsen winning Miss Utah! She has worked her butt off all year as all the girls do, and we are so thrilled for her! I first met Danica when I judged her in October at the Miss UVU pageant. Obviously she won and then a few months later I really got to know her when I joined the UVU crowd in Vegas to support Christina Lowe Miss Utah 2010 and a former Miss UVU compete for Miss America! Danica is darling and we all knew she had it in her to win! Wednesday night I spent the night up in SLC with Carly for the first night of Preliminary competition. Thursday we had a blast at Talent rehearsals and shopping away at The Gateway then back to competition on Thursday night. I missed Friday night due to our friends wedding (pics to come), and then Me, Cupcake, my Mom, and Sis headed back up Saturday night for the Final night!! We had a blast with just us girls! Gotta love the pageant scene!

Cupcake zonked at the end of the night... Danica by her new car in her new crown!!
Me and Carly celebrating...Vegas and Miss America here we come! AGAIN!

Yea Dano... Dan and Carly...so excited!Miss America!!! Teresa Scanlan was at Miss Utah Friday and Saturday...

we could have stayed longer after the pageant was over to get a pic with her but Cupcake was extremely too tired!

The girlies waiting for the show to start!

Tiare (Utah's Outstanding Teen), Cupcake, and Me! Tiare and I go way back to Cinderella pageants...she was a tiny thing all of 3 years old!! She sure has grown up!

Mal, Mom, Me, and Cupcake

Grandma Patti and Cupcake...

Me and Mal at Dinner

Me and Mady (Miss PG 2010) at Thursday Night competition

Heather, Me, and CarlyLizzy and Me...we competed in 2005 together!

Me, Danica, and Carly at Wednesday night competitionCongrats Danica can't wait to see you on the Miss America Stage!!! We will be there!

New Venture...Vivid Vocals!!!

Introducing VIVID VOCALS...

So I am so thrilled about this new venture in our life!! For a long time I have talked about owning my own business and it is finally coming to fruition! I have taught private voice lessons and have taught dance and been a Dance Director for a studio and loved to do both! But with kids and how crazy life seems to get I have been on somewhat of a break for a few years (other than pageant craziness)...I have been wanting to get back into teaching and my hubby and I have been talking about it for almost a year and finally decided that there is no better time than the present!! Vivid Vocals is a perfect way to combine the two loves I have for singing and dance! These fun performing vocal companies are starting in August and I can't wait!!! If you or anyone you know have kids or teens that love to sing or perform sign them up or let them know!! Visit my blog www.vividvocals.blogspot for the info! This is so exciting for our family and I can hardly wait to start teaching again!