{absolute magic and wonder}

This year has been so amazing for Christmas.  Kaya is in absolute wonder.  It's so much fun.  She is a full force Santa believer.  It's the cutest thing I've ever seen! Leslie and I took the kids to see Santa and get their pictures taken. Kaya wrote Santa a letter.  It said "Dear Santa, Thank you for bringing me an Elf."
{We got the 'Elf on the Shelf' this year and she LOVES it. I will post more about that later.}

When we got the kids pictures taken, One of us had to put on a big belly and dress like Santa.  Leslie was the chosen one, because we figured Max would act best for her.  The session took a total of 5 minutes and I think they got some great shots.  Such a fun time for the girls and some cute pixx for the Mama's!

waiting to give santa their letters

santa read her whole letter

{Fall, Fall, Falling 2011}

Fall is my very favorite season of the year. It always makes me so happy for the leaves to change color and to see all the pretty sweaters, scarves and amazing boots that come out of everyone's closets. The weather is so perfect, the smell of the mountains and yummy pumpkin goodness is enough to get my mouth watering as we speak.  It seems like there are so many fun activities for kids during this season as well.   We started our season out with Gardner Village.  We took Kaya to see all of the witches and pumpkins on display.  So much fun.

This year Greg and I decided it would be best to paint our punkins instead of carving them.. It's more fun for Kaya because she actually gets to participate in the creation. We forgot to take pixx of punkins the night we painted them, so this is the only one we have.  Kaya's pumpkin is the big one on the left... its a  butterfly and on the back is a caterpillar.  Kind of a sweet idea.. Mine is the one next to hers and the only one we are missing is Bunny's punkin with a huge 'U' painted on it. (For the University of Utah for those of you not in the know.)

I took two separate trips up the canyon last week.  One with my favorite guy and the other with my favorite girl.  Both experiences were amazing.  The canyons are gorgeous and it made me feel so lucky to live 15 minutes away from the top of one of these beautiful mountains! I'm surrounded by canyons with lakes and rivers and gorgeous trees.  It's beautiful and I love living in Utah.

My canyon adventures with my man:

My canyon adventures with my wo-man and my dad:

Kaya and Papa taking it in.

Cascade Springs up Am Fork Canyon

Such an amazingly beautiful place.  

And finally... Thriller!  I have wanted to go see this production again for years and Greg agreed to go with me.  The performances are so amazing, they even entertained Greg for the most part.  If you are in the Salt Lake Valley and haven't had a chance go see it.. it's a must for the Halloween season!!

She's 5 going on 16!!

Happy birthday to the most beautiful, fun, smart, loving and sweet 5 year old!  I couldnt be more blessed to be your Mommy.  You have shown me more strength and courage than I ever thought I had and you have given me more love than I ever thought I deserved.  You changed my world, 5 years ago and I couldnt be happier with my little partner in crime, that I have been so extremely blessed with!  Happy Birthday sweetie...I'm so glad you are mine!

This year for Kaya's birthday, she wanted nothing but a bike.  Greg and I decided one evening that it was time to try out a bike with no training wheels.  To our surprise she caught on rather quickly.  She loved every minute of it and has wanted to do nothing else but ride a bike since that day.  She has had lots of practice at her Dad's house and with 'Bunny' to make her a riding guru! Soooo, obviously I had to get her a big girl bike for her birthday and Greg got her all the essential bike accessories, like a helmet, a bell and a really cool water bottle that sticks to her handle bars.

I showed up as a surprise after school on her big day with a whole handful of balloons and her bike hidden around the corner.  I told her to close her eyes when she got outside because I had a surprise... she decided it would be best to close her eyes the entire way out of the building! (So cute!)  When we got outside, there was Papa and Stella waiting around the corner with the bike and a camera to wish her the happiest birthday, ever!!! She was so excited and then stopped for a minute and said "wait, is this for me?" haha

After the 'long' bike ride home (I basically ran with her the entire way home) it was time to party!  Kaya decided she wanted to go to Jungle Jim's with all of her favorite people for her birthday.  We basically had the entire place to ourselves.  The kids just went on whatever rides the wanted however many times they wanted and had so much fun.
The guest list included: Me and Bunny, Mimi and Papa, Stella (Leslie was missed because her best friend got married the same night), Linkin and Blake, Ashley and Tyson, Jeffy, Bill and Rama, Ashlyn, Kaylee, Braxton and Kari and Ari.  We even got a special appearance by Grandpa Capener. We really appreciate all the love that was shown to the little bug on her big day!
Some of her favorite gifts from the party where her bike accessories of course, all the barbie dolls, the jammies from mimi and the load of gifts from Bill and Rama.  You all spoiled her rotton.  Thank you everyone!

On the way home from Jungle Jim's Kaya said "That was the best most funnest birthday ever!  Can I do that again next year for my 6th birthday?"  I guess we will see if that's what she wants to do in a year! Happy Birthday Baby girl!! I love you!! xoxo