Not Much Has Changed

We were running a few errands near the Portland Temple, so we stopped by and took a few {58} pictures. As I was cleaning and editing the pictures, I had a flash of the past. Not much has changed. Ms A still loves playing in the reflection pool.

Today:August 2006:She still loves smelling the flowers.
Today:August 2006:

Hair Clippies and Bicycles

We have a very GIRLY Girl! When I came home with some hair clippies, Ms A was more than EXCITED to try them on and pose for pictures.

This evening, Ms A. decided we needed some family time outside, so she got mom and dad out the door and requested a trip to the nearby soccer field, a favorite place for riding her bike. She's becoming a little speed demon. Ms A has also become braver on her bike {WaHOO!}. She was pedalling all over the place and encouraging mom and dad to exercise. {well mostly mom} We had a great evening.

Thanks! Grandpa Allen!!

Reed's dad is in the Middle East for a contract job he'll be on for a year. A few weeks ago, he asked if any of his grand-daughters would be interested in some jewelry. With Ms. A loving to dress up as a Princess, we gratefully said yes. A package arrived yesterday from Grandma Gayla full of wonderful, sparkling Princess jewelry. Ms A was ecstatic to try them on, but only after her Cinderella dress was on. She was equally excited to pose for Grandma Valerie and mom. Here are a few of the pictures.
Pretty Girl












In Malaysia, umbrellas are used for protection from the sun. The sun peaked out today after a few days of cloudy skies. We don't see much of the sun, so Ms A had to use the umbrella and her styling sunglasses. :)



Serious Look





















Posing with Grandma Valerie

Are we done YET!?!?!

I Have the BEST Four Year Old

Any day of the week whether I'm in jeans or in a dress, I'll hear "Mommy, you look beautiful!"

Today as I was preparing dinner, Ms A. asked for her work gloves, when I asked why she simply stated: "Mommy, there's two dandelions that I NEED to pull up." Daddy found her gloves and she pulled the 'icky weeds' up root and all! She held the weed gingerly between her fingers and she took them to the weed pile I started, but haven't cleaned up.

After the weed pulling, she knocked on the door to give me the glove back then asked if she could have a bowl. I asked why and she said, "I need to pick some raspberries." My heart leapt in joy and I quickly grabbed a bowl. I enjoyed watching her walk up the the bushes and then race back to a safe place away from the buzzing bees. Reed and I went out and helped her and she felt much more secure with the two of us.

Isn't Ms. A AMAZING!!

I love my LITTLE SWEET PEA! :)

Reed's Newest Project

Reed took a week off to enjoy some time with Ms. A and to work on a new project - a bench/shoe organizer. After a few trips to Home Depot and JoAnn's (Yes, Reed went with me to a fabric store), we purchased the items needed. Unfortunately, we had a bit of a heatwave this week, so he's been working in the garage while it's been in the high 80's and low 90's. Reed went to work on Monday and finished it this afternoon. Ms A and I helped a bit with the seat cushion and glueing the carpet. When Reed declared that the bench was finished, Ms A in her best validating voice said, "Daddy, it looks great!" Then she proudly declared that she helped a lot. :) She is a GREAT helper.

Here are a few pictures of the process.

Before:






Staining:






The Bench Cushion:

Cutting the Carpet:






Adhering the Carpet:






All Done:

Reed did a great job and the garage looks so much better. The bench is nice and comfy. :) Thanks sweetie!

Sweet Peas

As soon as the first hints of Spring arrived and stayed in our part of the world, Ms A and I planted some seeds. She was so excited to see what would come up. We planted a little garden and a few Sweet Peas in our flower beds.

Typically, we can grow a nice little garden with corn, carrots, beans, peas and tomatoes. This year, the only luck we've had are the sugar snow peas, peas, tomatoes, squash and few peppers Aunt Sara gave us, after a neighborhood cat ate ours.

Normally, I haven't had much luck in the growing 'flowers from seeds' department, so I was reluctant to buy them, but Ms A insisted, especially since they were her nickname. I was shocked and amazed at the height/length (some 30 inches) and blossoms from our Sweet Peas. They went crazy! It must have been the magic words we said as we planted the seeds. :) My Sweet Pea loves to compare her height to the flowers.

Our side flower bed: I was amazed to see purple and red blossoms on the same plant. (check out the height of the plant, the clematis is about 5 feet tall)I love the detail capturedPretty colorsFlowers from the Snow Peas