Mar 13 - 19

Monday, March 13 - On the way home from bowling, I stopped by Sam's Club to grab a few grocery items. I am in full wedding mode now so these jelly beans caught my eye! "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans" are part of the Harry Potter theme for the wedding. These will make a great addition to the candy buffet! 

Tuesday, March 14 - There has been a lot of information recently about the dangers of the colorless, odorless, radioactive gas called radon. It can cause different types of cancer (lung, thyroid, etc) if the levels are too high in your home and/or if it does not have a way to escape around your house. It has become a major health issue with the advancement of energy-saving windows, doors, and air systems. If your levels are above 4, it is recommended that you have a radon-mitigation system installed. Our level was 5 (which is on the low end but we didn't want to take any chances - especially with kids in the basement). Simon took the day off of work and was here while a contractor installed our system. This hole is in our foundation in the basement. The piping goes under the house, up through the foundation, through the garage, and up through the roof. In the attic, there is a fan that sucks the radon from under the foundation up through the roof and it is expelled into the air above our house. Once it hits that much fresh air, it dissipates and is no longer a health threat. This is one of those things that we could have put off doing but we would rather this than go through the pain of getting cancer or having a loved one get it based on a $1400 installation! I will sleep easier at night knowing this is in!

Wednesday, March 15 - How goofy are my kids? Why dress like a normal human being when you can dress like a silly crazy person?? Love them!

Thursday, March 16 - Seriously!?!? SO funny!!! This was in Jessie's parent's closet on a shelf and I just got a kick out of it! 

Friday, March 17 - We had a little girl's over nighter at Jessie's parent's AH-MAZING house (10,000 sq ft) while they were away on a vacation in Hawaii. The 6 of us had such a fun time! We went to dinner at The Blue Lemon, ate a bunch of treats, watched a movie called Belle. It was a blast!!

Saturday, March 18 - Unfortunately, I had to leave my girl's sleepover a little early but it was totally worth it for the Princess Tea Party! Mom goes all out for this fun annual tradition. We had brunch at mom's and then headed over to the movie theater to watch the new Beauty and the Beast movie. It was really cute. The girls and I had a blast with our family!

Sunday, March 19 - We are trying a new thing for the kids' birthdays this year. We are having a small Sunday dinner party for Nick and Kendra with the Howard's and having a bigger party at our house with the Pearson's. Then, for Zack and Ricki's birthdays, we'll have a big party at our house with the Howard's and a small Sunday dinner party with the Pearson's. It's a little confusing but both sides of our family are getting so big, we are hoping this arrangement works out. Anyway, this is a picture of Nick and Kendra from the Howard family birthday party. :)

Mar 6 - 12

Monday, March 6 - Today was a crazy fun day with our birthday boy Nick! We took this wild bunch of boys to Airborne then came back to our house for pizza and cupcakes. It was really truly very fun and I was thankful that mom came along to help! Happy 11th birthday Nick! 

Tuesday, March 7 - I have been working with a group of girls in Nick's class for a few months for this day. It was the Battle of the Books competition. Nick participated in it too. The kids had to read several books and then they were quizzed on information from the books they read. These pictures are from the luncheon that the PTA put on for all of the participants. I was very impressed at how many kids took the initiative to participate in this awesome program! It was totally up to the kids if they wanted to do it or not. It was a really great day and a wonderful thing to be involved with.

Wednesday, March 8 - Dave & Viv got a new puppy and they named him Junior. He is ADORABLE! Unfortunately, Dave had a little episode of being very dizzy and weak and he actually fell down yesterday. He didn't really get hurt from falling but he still couldn't get up or walk this morning so Viv took him to the ER. They ran some tests and are working with him but honestly, I think he may just have too many meds in his system. Poor guy! In the meantime, Simon and I are going over and letting Junior out every few hours. It's fun to go over and play with him too!

Thursday, March 9 - Kendra had her 3rd grade program at school today. They did such a great job! I love my girlies!!

Friday, March 10 - Marisa and Bridget watched Ricki today while I went and had my eyelashes done. I didn't realize it would be a 2+ hour event! I was thrilled when, this afternoon, Amy Erickson came down with some Diet Cherry Coke that she bought but didn't like. Yum! Loving my new lashes!

Saturday, March 11 - It was a pretty nice day and Ricki was itching to go outside. Nick took her out there, after a little coaxing by his baby sis, and pushed her in the swing. She was all smiles and happy squeals! I can't wait for summer to get here!

Sunday, March 12 - Zack said, "Look at my funny hair mom!" He is such a happy boy and loves playing in the tub so I had to get some tubby pictures of him. 

Feb 27 - Mar 5

Monday, February 27 - Miss Angie had a dance competition with her daughter this Thursday so the kids had preschool this morning. To make it extra special, she did a pancake and pajama party! Look how cute our little preschoolers are!!

Tuesday, February 28 - I hosted book club at my house tonight. We discussed Ellen DeGeneres' book "Seriously...I'm Kidding". It was a super fun evening of laughter and talking. Oh, and yummy treats that I used to bride Andrea into coming! Haha!

Wednesday, March 1 - Since my house was already clean from hosting book club, I figured I would go ahead and host freezer meal group this morning! It was a really good one and there are a lot of meals that I cannot wait to try! In fact, Simon had a big lunch and I got a chicken pot pie from Tammy Mortensen so the kids and I enjoyed that tonight! I love that Ricki's BFF got to come too. Ricki just loves "Bidge" and they are so cute together!

Thursday, March 2 - Tonight was Ashley's baby shower. It was super fun to be together and get to celebrate baby girl Pearson! She is due April 5 but hoping to go to April 18 to avoid tax day for Ryan. Can't wait to meet this baby girl!

Friday, March 3 - Kendra and I were up late finishing her book report. She had to transform a soda bottle to look like Thomas Edison. I think it turned out cute! (It's hard to see but notice the real light bulb he's holding? Thank you Scentsy!!) This morning, Simon went with the kids to the Dad's and Donuts PTA activity. They said it was a ton of fun but there was a huge line just to get into the school! I'm glad they went to it though!

Saturday, March 4 - We got to go to the Real Salt Lake game today with Dave, Ryan, Ashley, and Henry. It was fun but a little chilly...especially when the wind blew. Real played Toronto FC and they tied 0-0. I was glad I was able to enjoy the game with my hubby!

Sunday, March 5 - How cute is little Kam learning to ski?? Katie and her dad Mike have been teaching him and he is doing awesome! I need them to take me to the mountain and teach me!!

Feb 20-26

Monday, February 20 - Simon was off today for President's Day so we were able to meet my family at Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Yum!

Tuesday, February 21 - This was a bittersweet lunch date. Leslie DeSouza is moving next week to Arizona so we had a farewell lunch for her at Arctic Circle. We'll miss her and her sweet smile - specially at book club! I am so proud of Nick! (I feel like I feel that way a lot lately!) He received his Webelos award tonight. He also earned his Arrow of Light but that ceremony will take place in June. What a great day!

Wednesday, February 22 - Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Jim invited me to go to the Little America Buffet for lunch today. The beef stroganoff is Jim's favorite and I liked it too! It was an amazing lunch and what's even better, the company that I was with! Big thanks to my sister who rearranged her plans with Grandma H to watch my kids while we went.

Thursday, February 23 - I just love lunch dates (obviously)! We had our February lunch group today at Cubbie's. We get different ladies at each group and it is so fun to get to know so many people better! How cute are those techno boys by the way!?!

Friday, February 24 - I spent a little time today making Nick's birthday invitation for Airborne. He is so excited that it's his turn for a party and he can't wait to go to one of his favorite places with his closest friends!

Saturday, February 25 - Today was just a really great day! First thing, Nick called Blake and asked him to come over to play Mine Craft. They had a blast! Tonight, Dave & Viv came over and watched the kids while Simon and I went out with Seth and Jessie. We went to dinner at Five Guys (after Olive Garden was too long of a wait) and then we went to the movies and saw "Lion". It was such a great show! I only went through one box of tissues!!

Sunday, February 26 - I get a little obsessed with puzzles when I get them out. I was up until about 2:30 am finishing this so I figure that totally counts as Sunday, right? Although I didn't take a picture, I wanted to mention that I went to the viewing of my great aunt Margaret Boehme. I was sad for the family but happy for her. She has been struggling so it is a blessing that she is now in a better place.

Feb 13 - 19

Monday, February 13 - How adorbs are these cute new haircuts?!? Halle got enough cut to donate! They look so beautiful! And what a fun thing to do on Brielle's actual birthday! P.S. I don't have a picture of this but Ricki is still super sick. We were not going to go to bowling and spread the virus but bowling got canceled anyway! (That's never happened to me before!) So we stayed home and sat on the couch pretty much all day long!

Tuesday, February 14 - Happy Valentine's day from these big mouth kids!

Wednesday, February 15 - I feel like so much has changed with Ricki in the past few weeks. First of all, I started just putting her in her bed and walking out at night. I know that seems normal but actually, I have been spending up to an hour and a half in her room EACH NIGHT waiting for her to fall asleep! She has transitioned so well to that, I think I could have done it months ago! This picture is of her eating breakfast in big girl pants! She woke up dry yesterday so I encouraged her to sit on the potty. She went! I put her in a pull-up, told her not to potty in it (like I've done a handful of times in the past), and after about an hour, she grabbed her bum and asked for a diaper. That was my clue that she wanted a diaper to potty in so I took her in the bathroom again...and she went! Here we are, over 24 hours later and she hasn't had one accident! I am hesitant to be too hopeful but she *MAY* have just potty-trained herself!!!

Thursday, February 16 - We had our Relief Society "Favorite Things" activity. We asked the sisters in the ward to bring a product, book, website, etc. that was their favorite thing and share it with the group. Normally, a Favorite Things party entails giving your favorite thing away but we just did it for the ideas. We handed out notebooks and pens to each person so that they could take notes about ideas they got while they listened to others. It was so fun and I had great feedback about it! 

Friday, February 17 - Ricki had her first "official" haircut today! Of course, she did cut a nice chunk of hair out on Christmas Eve but this was an actual professional cut by Penney. It's so beautiful! Tonight, Simon went on the Klondike scout camp so I had the fam over to go over wedding plans. It was really fun and ended up being a mass sleepover! :) I love my family!

Saturday, February 18 - My sweet mommy took all of us Howard girls to the University of Utah gymnastics meet. We met up, did a little bridesmaid dress shopping, Katie and I bought new UofU shirts, we had dinner at Olive Garden, then went to the U. The meet was SO fun! We loved watching it! What a fun day out with my most favorite ladies of all time!!

Sunday, February 19 - To say that my kids are a little obsessed with Finley is a huge understatement! They love this little girl and Nick took about 40 pictures of her! Isn't she so cute?? We can't wait for baby girl Pearson to arrive in April!