Seattle

With training camp and football season right around the corner, Teag and I thought we should have a little getaway before the craziness begins!

We weren't quite sure what to do without our little buddy in tow, but we managed to do a few things and enjoy just being together :)

-

Neither of us had been to Seattle before and we were thinking the temp might be a little cooler than Southern Utah these days!

We drove around and explored, saw the beautiful UW campus, went to Pike Market a couple times, walked along the waterfront, checked out the floating houses and beautiful lakes and scenery, went to an awesome farmers market with the yummiest fruit, slept in, and of course, you can't go to Seattle without hitting Nordstrom and Starbucks!

Pike Market

we never did get a pic of them throwing the fish around!

the skyline

Puget Sound - I wonder if Derek and Meredith are on that ferry?! I really wanted to go to Seattle Grace Hospital, but we didn't make it ;)

The football and baseball stadium with Mt. Ranier in the background.

We didn't realize how rare it is to see Mt. Ranier! We had great weather while we were there so we were lucky enough to see it.
The Yankees were playing the Mariners while we were there, but neither of us are the biggest baseball fans so we skipped the game.

Teag next to our sweet rental car. Too bad he barely fit in it!
We swore we will never have a small rental car again...



us
(squeezed into our rental car!)

and of course, what is Seattle without NORDSTROM!

Teag was a good sport and checked out the global headquarters with me

I guessed there would be a lot of Starbucks, but who knew?!

There was literally one on every block - sometimes even 2 or 3!
Being in the Starbucks hub, I was able to find the VENTI size in my dream cup.

This one is for you Kelley!
This was our dream place in London! The only other place I have seen one was in Whistler, Canada so I was VERY excited to come across this!

-

Of course we missed our little man (thanks gma and gpa whiting for watching him!)

but, we did have a fun just the two of us!

new fave

Our buddy is obsessed with Toy Story.

buzz, woody, and the rest of the gang!

And crocs are a staple for Dallas in the spring, summer & fall.

So, when I saw these I couldn't resist.

BACK to SCHOOL

Tomorrow night I finish my first official class of the

Master of Education Counseling Program

This is something I have wanted to do and planned to do for a while now. The program was originally going to start last fall, but kept getting postponed, so I am very happy it is finally underway.

The first class, Portfolio I, was an overview of the program. I was really excited about my first real class - Life Span & Family Development. It has been SO interesting! It was almost like a parenting class at times. I only do one class at a time, each lasting 6 weeks. It is kind of nice to be able to focus on one subject. My next class is Personality Theories and Counseling Models. I am learning alot in general and a lot about myself (it CAN be a little much at times, such as when we were studying adolescence and had to write a 5-7 page self-reflection paper?!?!). It is A LOT of reading and A LOT of writing, but I am truly loving every minute!

It has been about 8 years since I graduated from college, so obviously things have changed.

I went to the store to get my "school supplies" and wasn't even sure if I should get a notebook.

It is all laptops now - again, very different from when I was in college! Back then I was thinking I was really with it because I had a {HUGE} desktop!

This new adventure will be a lot of work, but also so fulfilling and exciting. I will be sure to post all the interesting things I am learning :)

dal

{ enjoying a red mango - his favorite!}

{playing with daddy}



{so proud of his potty chart - too bad he hasn't used the potty yet!}

{best buddies!}

{SO excited for Toy Story 3! He was all set for the big show-buzz shirt, toy story lunch box filled with toy story fruit snacks, buzz and woody}

{that's my boy!}

A few things about our little man these days...

* he tells me "mom, you fired" when he doesn't like my answer to his requests. Nothing like my 3-yr-old firing me from being his mom :)

* Teag has a football camp at SUU this week and Dallas has been telling everyone he sees that his dad had to go camping

* he is Teag's little shadow - he was so bummed when we told him he couldn't go to the workouts with daddy this week

* he is ALWAYS practicing his letters, numbers, and shapes-in the store, while we are driving, around the house. Leap Frog really works wonders!

* I was having back problems and Dallas was the best little helper carrying things for me because "mommy's back was sick". He was so excited the other morning when I got him out of his crib, he yelled "Yay mommy! Your back all better! Now you can carry me again!" So sweet.
* "why?" - this is what we hear everyday, after pretty much everything we say. I have been told I did the same thing to my parents :)

* Dallas hadn't been to school in a little while. Monday was his first day back, so when I picked him up I asked him how his day was. He told me his friend Keen-meister went to time-out. I asked Dal if he went to time-out and he told me no and changed the subject. A little later in our car ride home, out of the blue, he tells me "mommy I DID go to time-out today at school". Uh-oh. It took a while to get it out of him, but eventually he told me Keen-meister hit him, so he hit him back. He followed up with "Mommy, we don't hit or kick. We only kick balls. And we talk nice" Good point little man.

* I rarely get a simple "no" from Dal. Regardless of the situation it is "no way Jose" - even through tears. Love this boy of mine!

* he takes his job of watering the flowers very seriously and makes sure to get it done every night

* whenever Teag or I go somewhere he comes out in the front yard to wave goodbye, blow kisses, tell us he will miss us, loves us, and tell us "peace mom" or "rock on dad"

* he wipes off my kisses and thinks it is about the FUNNIEST thing ever! (But he is pretty good about giving me kisses, so I guess it is a trade off!)

* Last night I was talking to him, asking about his day at school, etc. and he finally just looked over and said, "Mommy, shhh!" Great. Now Teag will probably try to use that one too!

-

{helping himself to a popsicle-one of probably 20 per day}

{so silly wearing my goggles in the tub}

{making cookies with gma-such the little helper!}

Makenzie & Memorial Day

We were SO excited that Jake, Em and Makenzie came to Utah for Memorial Day! We hadn't met Makenzie yet and were DYING to get our hands on her! Dallas called her 'baby Kenzie' the whole weekend - in the cutest little high-pitch voice :) Dallas also had a blast with Uncle Jake - he always had to know where Jake was. When Dal was going to bed he would give a general, "good night guys" followed by "good night Jake". I am glad he and his Uncle Jake had some bonding time ;)

-

We had a fun weekend hanging out!

The only thing missing was the O'Neils :( we missed you girls and guy!

My mom, Em, Kim and I got pedicures Saturday morning while the boys played with the kids, Kim and Steve impressed us as always with a yummy BBQ at their house, we played at Sugarhouse Park, the boys had a good time watching some big UFC fight, we had a fun BBQ at mom and dad's Sunday, then headed up to Ruth's Diner (always a favorite) in Emigration Canyon for breakfast on Memorial Day.

Dallas and Jake

Great Grandma Reynolds with baby Kenz

Teag and Jay showing us their UFC poses!
Jay is doing and looking so good these days! I would say the best he has in 5+ years.

It was great that he was able to be with the fam!

the UFC stare-down?!

Jer, Teag, Jay, Jake and Josh getting in a little b-ball

Always a favorite activity of the guys when at mom and dad's

Don't yummy berries just scream summer?! Kim and Steve made quite the dinner Saturday night. Kim does such a great job entertaining and I love her presentation!

apps

more apps and homemade hummus - yum!

Wow Grandpa - you are GREAT with the grandkids ;)

Teag and Steve checking out Steve's awesome smoker

Stevie did ribs and everyone was LOVING them - especially Isaak - between he and Teag they probably ate 3/4 of the ribs!

Awwwwww! My Cooper! He is honestly the sweetest, cutest, most loving and best dog! Kim, Steve and the boys took Cooper when we moved and have given him the BEST home! They boys take him on multiple walks everyday, play with him constantly, take him to the park, etc. We couldn't be happier with his new family :)

Uncle Jay and a not-so happy Dallas

Cutest Kim and Steve

Dal-man having fun playing at Sugarhouse Park

Dallas and baby Kenzie - is she not the cutest?!

I could eat her up! I REALLY wanted to take her home with me, but for some reason Jake and Em weren't cool with it.

Giving loves or practicing headlocks???

Dallas tackling Uncle Jay

Bennie's turn for loves from Dallas!

and...more loves for baby Kenzie

I am hoping that being around Makenzie made Dallas realize a sibling WOULD be fun...

he and his dad aren't so convinced yet

Dallas and Daddy

And now Isaak's turn for Dallas loves

Ruth's Diner!

We love Ruth's - they have such a good brunch, including meals 'for their vegan friends'

I also love it because Teag took me to dinner at Ruth's the night he proposed.

Steph, Ben, Kim, Kenzie, Jake, Em, Stevie and Jay at breakfast

Dallas does not do well at restaurants these days. We have taken an eating out moratorium for a bit...after the running, yelling, not eating, dumping a glass of water on mom, everyone was able to see why!

Grandma was a good sport though and kept taking Dal to see the river.

As you can see, he obviously didn't want to come back

Mister checking out the river

Dallas doing his famous "booga-booga-booga-ahhhh!"

from his Letter Factory dvd

our little fam

Josh, Jake and Jer were exhausted after a fun and busy weekend!

me and baby Kenzie

I made the call that I think Ben and Makenzie totally look alike - it isn't just the lack of hair

-

We had such a fun weekend! Counting down until Newport...2 months from now we will be chillin on the beach :)

favorites

I LOVE beauty products. One of my favorite websites is http://www.beautyaddict.blogspot.com/

Beauty Addict hasn't posted anything in a while, but one of my favorites was always

'five for friday'

where she featured 5 favorite beauty products.

I thought I would share a few of my own favorites now and then.
Enjoy.

-

My mom, sisters and I have all been using Gale's products for years/decades. This stuff is amazing! SO great for anti-aging as well as reversing damage caused by the sun or just problem skin. The website has an online skin advisor where you answer questions and it gives you suggested products. The products may be a bit pricey, but it is worth it. And if you order online you get 10% off. Also, the products are all organic, so no ingredients you can't pronounce.

http://www.correctiveskin.com/

When I was younger I wanted to be tan, especially my face, but now I just want wrinkle-free and young looking skin so I use the Anti-Oxidant Sunscreen RELIGIOUSLY! I use sunscreen on my face 365 days a year. I think this is the best out there because it has antioxidants to help with free radicals, anti-aging and already damaged skin.

Not only is the berry bliss skin polish my favorite exfoliant, but it smells SO DREAMY! It isn't too harsh and leaves your skin smooth, soft and glowing.

EGF gets rid of dead cells and heals the skin. It is derived from DNA and slows signs of aging. It also promotes new cell growth and boosts collagen production. I use it at night then use the berry bliss polish in the morning.

This is my go-to moisturizer. I love the way it makes my skin feel! I use it under my sunscreen every morning. The brand is ALOE LIFE and I usually get it at Whole Foods in the beauty section, but I have seen it at other health food stores as well.

Baby Magic soft baby scent has to be one of my favorite scents in the world! It is also my favorite facial cleanser. I use it at night - it is great for taking off makeup. Your skin will feel so clean and soft and you can't beat the yummy smell! I also love to use it on a poof (?) in the shower as a body wash.

All around great product. I use it as a lip gloss, on my cuticles, on dry skin, blemishes, and even as an eye cream. Anytime I am at Sephora I grab one because I go through them quick. There are also a minted rose and strawberry scents, but I wouldn't want to use those on my face. The classic ROSEBUD SALVE is my favorite.
-

So my 'favorites' were kind of fun to do! I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite FACIAL products and will maybe even give them a try. Next time I will share some favorite HAIR products...ooh-la-la!

my new fave

After obsessing over my sis Kim's new cup this past weekend, I was SO excited to find my own at the Starbucks at the SLC airport yesterday. They are a RARE find - I saw one on ebay for $50. My only complaint is it is a grande (16 oz.) and not the venti (20 oz.)

Oh well, I am just happy to have one :)

They are hard plastic, double-wall insulated to keep your drink cold but your hands dry. The lid screws on and the straw is hard too. AND it is dishwasher safe. So awesome. I LOVE it!!!

If you are lucky enough to find one, do yourself a favor and get it!

prayers

Every night when we have family prayer we ask to be blessed to make good choices. And every time this is said Dallas whispers, mid-prayer, "I make choices at my school". Teag and I can't help but look at each other with a big smile.

Love this boy of ours!

busy, busy, busy!

It feels like we have been going non-stop!

Between moving, Mother's Day, visitors, recruiting, Vegas, school and life we haven't had many free moments...

updates on all coming soon :)

story I had to share...

Dallas comes up with some pretty funny and pretty cute things...

First, I know I have mentioned what a staple Dal's be-be (binky), gooby (blanket), and baba (sippy cup with milk and chocolate carnation) are in his/our life.

Anytime he is sad, upset, takes a nap or goes to bed he has to make sure he has them. If he is naughty and has to go to time-out he immediately starts crying and in one long word tells us "bebe-gooby-baba". When he watches a show he 'needs' them.

Dallas also likes to talk about when he was in my tummy and thinks it is pretty funny. He will often say to me, "member when I sleep in you tummy mom?" So cute and funny - I get the biggest kick out of it! Anyway, the other day we were snuggling and watching one of his shows, and of course, he had be-be, gooby and baba. He looked up at me and asked, ever so sweetly, "Mom, I have my gooby, be-be, baba in you tummy?" I told him no, trying not to completely bust up. He didn't like that answer, put on his pouty face and said, "I want my gooby, be-be, baba in you tummy mommy!"

So I just went with it and told him he did.
And he got a huge smile :)

His Stats

Our {BIG} boy had his 3 year check up a couple of weeks ago.

He continues to grow, grow, grow

-

WEIGHT: 35.14 (90%)

HEIGHT: 40 1/2 (95%)

-

The doctors are always in disbelief at his size when we go in and told us if he continues to grow at this rate he will be 6'6" - 6'8"! And yes, Teag LOVES to hear that.

He seems skinny to us, but I guess with his height he has quite a few places for the lbs. to go!

I am constantly told how Teag was exactly the same when he was little, so we'll have to wait a few years to see if Dal has his daddy's big build as well ;)