Daddy Daughter & A Day at Home

Watching Russ with Paige is time I truly cherish. I can see sincere joy in his face whenever he plays with her.

"Yes, your majesty." A little princess in training.

Dressing up is one of the joys of having girls.

Home-grown ballet - compliments of Granmaria.

A two-generation dress

Pretty Pose in her new spring dress.

This little red knit dress Paige is one I wore.

Group Shot

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Pink Sunglasses

Too funny to say much about this shot. Brooklyn likes to put her stuff on Paige. She is actually being very thoughtful; we were on our way to the park.

Pure Kid-sized Joy

A $120/hour ride

Priceless fun for a 3 year old

Learning to Drive Bumper Boats is Fun Work

Dancing and Singing with Lolly the Clown

While our husbands adventured with the young men to Cardston, my friend Deanne and her two girls Olivia and Natalie played at SPECTRUM, the sunshine festival at Kin Coulee Park. Paige didn't give one complaint for the 3 hours we spent there. She happily got toted around in the Baby Bjorn. My back on the other hand had something to say that evening. The girls had a blast playing on the rides, getting their face painted (the pictures didn't turn out well) and eating pocorn for dinner (that's all Brooklyn wanted). The highlight for Brooklyn was Lolly the Clown. Upon arriving home, she insisted on drawing Lolly's picture and wanted to send it to her.

Backed into a Corner

Another First

Paige sat on her own in the corner of our couch for quite awhile. Brooklyn insisted on a picture with her. Mom, do you recognize the "ballet" outfit Brooklyn is sporting? It may not be considered completely modest, but around the house it's just right.

Blue Dresses and Curly Locks

Our new camera is so fun to have, but I'm afraid that we will have so many pictures that I won't know how to store/save/present all of them. I take pictures almost daily - the girls look cute; have something cute on; are doing something cute or for the first time or second time etc etc. I could just go crazy! And then how do you balance it out. Paige is still is the not-moving-very-much stage of her life and Brooklyn doesn't quit moving. Who do you think has more pictures? I'm pretty sure it isn't because I love one more than the other. ANYWAY, both Brooklyn and I did our hair curly for church. She LOVES to be twins with mom. People thought it suited her. Funny, they didn't say anything about mine and Paige, well, she doesn't have much to curl.

In a Tree Top

Brooklyn decided she wanted to climb up this tree while playing at Strathcona park. We spent the afternoon there on a lovely day in between many rainy ones. We soaked up the sunshine while adventuring along the many paths and throwing rocks into the South Saskatchewan River. The wonderful spring day was enjoyed by our whole little family.

Mother's Day

I'm enjoying being a mom to Paige and Brooklyn - they are so cute!

Bumsie

Brooklyn has learned to get up from a bumsie - even with a sprinkler underneath. She was so proud of herself.

Look who's getting married

After Brooklyn spent the morning getting dressed (and undressed) for her wedding, she decided it was Paige's turn to get married. She usually likes to wear the veil down over her face.

Go Cougars Go!

Evan is the son of one of Russ' co-workers that had their second son hours after Paige was born. It was pure luck that the two ended up on the same team (or maybe there are some higher powers at work - we'll have to think about that).

What a beautiful day for soccer! We all had fun cheering Brooklyn and her 3 year old teammates through their first soccer game. Of course it mostly consisted of them running behind the ball in a large group. Russ can't believe that Brooklyn is his daughter (no daughter of his would shy away from taking the ball from another child). I have to remind him that she is just 3.

From the Iron Blossom

We had such a great time skiing and playing over Easter in Utah with the whole Zemp family. Here we are enjoying the great weather from the balconey of our room. (too bad we look so dark) The view of the ski hill from our room was fantastic and a defifinite bonus to staying at the Iron Blossom Hotel.

Russ caught me eating AGAIN! Lots of great food, fun and family. This picture is mostly to remember what part of the inside of our unit looked like.

Skiing from the top of Snowbird

After confidently skiing Chickadee, I wanted to attempt skiing down from the top of the moutain. Russ thought he could find the EASIEST way down for me so. . .

after a few chair lifts, this conveyer belt pulled us through a tunnel dug out from the front to the back side of the mountain over two summers. When you reach the back side of the mountain you see. . .

a view I'm used to hiking for hours and hours to see. The view was definitely worth all the snowplowing to get back down the mountain. I really wish I was a better skier, so that I could enjoy getting down the mountain as much as I enjoy going up!

Temple Square

The Flowers were so beautiful on Temple Square. I can't wait for spring to arrive in Medicine Hat!

Family Picture on the steps of the Salt Lake Temple.

A Day of Firsts

Brooklyn was ready to ski with Dad

Russ and Brittany helped Brooklyn ski "Chickadee". She made it down the hill twice before being too tired to continue.

Jessica hangs back to let Lauren show her ski skills. At under 3 years old Lauren is better than most adults!

Paige went swimming for her first time in a heated outdoor pool. We of course didn't stay long even though she didn't give any indication of being uncomfortable.

Sleeping Cousins

The girls (Brooklyn, Lauren, and Maddie) slept in their Ready-beds in this position every night. We amazingly slept 16 in a room designed for 8.

Adventures in Baby Poop

After a major blowout (the second of that Sunday), Paige got to experience a chilly mountain breeze on her bare bottom. Luckily the mess came AFTER her involvement in the family pictures taken in a canyon on the road up to Snowbird Ski Resort.

Hanging Out with Aunt Kristin

Lauren and Aunt Kristin took really good care of Paige. What a nice break for mom!

First Day in Utah

Brooklyn, Brittany, Lauren and Madison don't look too bad after a day of shopping at Sporting Goods Stores, Target and Old Navy.

Paige's Photo Shoot

What cute jamies! These are especially for the grandmas out there.

Paige's Bath

Paige doesn't completely LOVE her bath. I believe she tolerates it, which I'm okay with. It usually is a quick in and out so that she doesn't cry too loud and long while

getting dressed. However, tonight she allowed us to dress her up in a bathrobe. I can't wait to compare these pictures with those of Brooklyn wearing the same robe.

More Playtime with Paige

I brought out a toy that Brooklyn loved for many months. I guess even at 3 and a half she can still enjoy it, although she insists on lying underneath the PINK butterfly. Paige just loves having someone hit the toy to keep the music comin'!

Swimming Outside in March?

Brooklyn begged for us to fill her pool in the backyard. She even put on her swimsuit. We insisted that it was TOO COLD (the wind made the temperature outside just above zero even though it "looked" nice outside. She did end up jumping on the trampoline in her swimsuit for awhile to "prove" it was warm enough.

Playing With Paige

Paige has been telling us stories with her coos and gurgles for the past few weeks. She smiles so big and easy! She loves "pat-a-cake" and "my new bicycle" rhymes.