Happy Birthday Samantha!!!

Happy Birthday Samantha! We love you so much.

Today Samantha turned 4 and she is really turning into quite the little lady. From makeup and dresses to telling us "ladies first", she is such a joy to be around.

I can't believe that my baby is already 4, I remember when I brought her home from the hospital. She was so tiny with a head full of dark hair, and we had so much fun together. She was my little buddy for that first year and a half.

It is still the same now. We have alot of fun going out on little "girls" outings, going shopping, getting snow shacks, painting our nails, and dressing up. She is the kind of girl that really knows what she wants, and she isn't afraid to tell you.

Samantha is really sweet to her brother (most of the time), and she loves to play with her friends and cousins. She adores babies, and can't wait for mommy to have one. She loves to play house, dress up, have tea parties, and just play.

Samantha is such a quick learner. She learned so many fun songs in preschool and in primary. She remembers them and sings them all the time. I love having her in primary with me (since I lead the music and she is right in front).

She is a sweetheart!!! I am so glad that she chose to come to our little family and that I have the chance/opportunity to be her mom. I am excited for the years to come when we can become even better friends and I can teach her some of the things I have learned growing up and I am sure she will be teaching me at the very same time.

Happy Birthday miss Sammie Sue!!! Mommy Daddy and Mason sure do love you!!!

Bear Lake with the Ballstaedt's

After almost 6 years we finally got my family, at least most of them up to the cabin. We had a lot of fun just mainly hanging out, reading, eating yummy food, laughing a ton and playing games. It was so much fun to just be together.

Mason was loving watching my dad and Aunt Jessica make homemade root beer with the dry ice.

Catch up time!

So I am actually pretty tired from the busy summer we have been having . . . . Samantha and Mason have so much fun playing in the basement together (even if Mason is wearing a dress up, I guess its ok) It just makes me so happy that they have eachother!

They even convinced Ben to get into the miniature pool that I've been filling up for them, what a great Dad. They really love him.

There were some wicked storms and all the kids wanted to do was watch out the window for the thunder and lightning.

Dad was pretty happy watching as well.

We went to the mall and Samantha had to try on bunches and bunches of shoes, just like her mom.

We've been snuggling up in Mom and Dad's bed in the morning watching tunes.
Mason has loved playing basketball or actually anything sportsy, and he especially loves his Superman Pajamas!
They had a tea party in Samantha's room by filling up their pales with snacks and laying out a blanket. It was the cutest thing.
One night we came home and the babysitter had built this awesome fort that they watched a movie in. It got knocked down, but Samantha and I rebuilt it, and then I even think Ben and Samantha re-rebuilt it.
Over Memorial Day Mason fractured his wrist and ended up in a cast, but I don't think he minded it that much.
We went up and watched fireworks with some cousins in North Salt Lake. Samantha and Mason had such a blast running around and playing.
My cute sister in law had a baby. Baby Jayden as my kids call him. They just love him and I think they are getting really excited for our new arrival in November.
We had a neighborhood parade that was led by a fire truck. As you can see my kids are really into it.
Here is a look from the doorway into my "new" salon! If you knew what it looked like before, it is a huge change.

So you see, we have been pretty busy, and the good news is there is still so much more to come of this summer.