Gym Shows

I have 2 kids in Gymnastics shows this year!  On top of that I MC'd 9 other gym shows.  I think by now I'm pretty showed out.  But the girls did great.  They have learned a lot in their classes.  Charlotte has greatly improved in her trampoline skills and is learning handstands and cartwheels.  Savannah hasn't been in class long but she loves to go on the trampoline and likes slides and tries to do forward rolls but her legs are not long enough yet, so she just pushes her forehead into the ground.  Their classes are such good exercise for them.  For all of you who know my girls they are very delicate and need any chance to build strength.  As soon as we have a house with a yard we are going to get a trampoline.  Everyone should own one.  They are a total body workout and fun too!

Frosty the Snowman came to the shows.  Savannah hated him.

Chinese Tea in the Littlest Nutcracker

This year in Charlotte's ballet class they were the Chinese Tea in TRICKS Dance Studio's Littlest Nutcracker.  Charlotte had been looking forward to this day for weeks!  Her class did a great job.  If you watch the video from last year you can see how much she has grown and improved.  Savannah had a good time watching, too.  When the lights would go out between dances she would sign "more, more".  Maybe next year she can be in it!
Chinese Tea from Chilli Bean on Vimeo.

Thanksgiving Rolls

This Thanksgiving we made dinner rolls from scratch.  Our kitchen transformed into a  bakery!  Charlotte became an expert at rolling and by the time we finished the whole kitchen was covered in flour.  We all had so much fun and they were so yummy that we decided to do it again next Thanksgiving. 

Walking Baby!

A few weeks ago Hyrum and I dropped the kids of at Rose's house while we went out on a date and when we came to pick them up Rose commented, "I didn't know Savannah could walk!"  We told her that she can't...  But it turns out that she had been walking all around their house that night.  She has been walking ever since!  Savannah has sure grown up a lot lately.  She learned to crawl, walk, talk a bit and throw fits all within the last couple of months.

Savannah Walks from Chilli Bean on Vimeo.

Being Armless is Cool

At Joy school a few weeks ago we had a lesson about being thankful for the things we have, like arms and eyes.  As part of the lesson we practiced doing  things without the use of their hands.  They thought it was pretty cool to be "armless".  Since then Charlotte tries to do all kinds of things with her mouth or feet- such as turn on the sink and get a drink or draw pictures.

How the Grinch Ruined My Day

So how much money would someone have to pay you for you to wear that sweater in public?  A lot, right?  Well listen to this- I bought this sweater in back in July for $4 to re-sell on eBay.  (My eBay Mentor, Melanie told me once that tacky holiday sweaters do well.)  As I submitted it to eBay for $19.99, which I thought was a fair price,  Hyrum and I made the comment that NO ONE in the world will ever buy this monstrosity.  Less than a minute later it sold!  Shocked, I did some research.  Apparently it is a very rare Michael Simon Grinch Collectable Holiday Sweater which is typically selling for over $100.  So I'm pretty T.O.'d right now!  You live and you learn.  I will always do my research from now on.  

Twilight Movie Review

After all the hype and expectations through the roof, here is my review of the movie "Twilight".  I bought my ticket about a month ago for the 12:01 am showing.  We showed up at the theater 2 1/2 hours early.  Waiting for the movie to start was very entertaining with the overly enthusiastic crowd (that decided to have a talent show).  Almost everyone was wearing a Twilight themed shirt, from "Team Edward" to"Forks".  There was even a guy there that looked like Edward and girls were taking pictures with him.  I had low expectations going into it knowing that Edward wasn't going to cut it.  He's a good looking guy but was no where smooth enough.  He was kind of scrawny, too.  The other characters were cast pretty well. Wait, except Jacob.  Did I miss something?  Am I the only person who thinks he is a total dog?  You know what I mean.  My overall impressions were that the movie felt like the same quality of an X-Files episode from 1991.  The special effects left much to be desired.  They should have done the vampire fight scenes like the movie 300!  It wasn't all that bad.  It was fun and there were a few tense parts.  I had a really good time.  Everyone knows that the movies are never as good as the books.  But I think there are going to be a lot of upset "Twi-hards" out there.  She owes her fans BIG TIME.  If you don't like the book or have not read it, you will not like this movie.  

Back at Work

I know I have been really slacking on the blog lately.  I recently went back to work at Tricks and when I am not there I am cleaning the house or hanging with my peeps (a.k.a. Hyrum and the girls).  I am working in the office, gym and teaching dance classes.  Today was my first time teaching after 3 years.  The leotard was much tighter than it used to be...  I am teaching 3-4 year old Ballet, 4-5 year old Ballet/Tap classes, a boys dance class and in January I will be teaching a Tiny Tots Music & Movement class for 18 mos. to 3 years.  (The photo above is from 1999.  Those kids are almost, if not already, teenagers now.  That makes me old.)

Our Halloween - 2008

This year it felt like Halloween went on for weeks!  We started off with a bang with Trunk or Treat and a Summerhays Halloween party.  After that we dressed up again up for work, school, ballet, gymnastics and then Trick or Treating.  Hyrum got a lot of attention in his costume and was even asked by a complete stranger if they could take a picture.  It was a lot of fun.  Savannah knows the sign for "candy" and the sign for "please" anytime she sees a pumpkin bucket.  Charlotte is already planning her costume for next year.

We also spent some time up at Apple Hill and the local pumpkin patch.

Curious about Prop 8?

Here it is plain and simple.

Savannah Turns 1

Little Savannah had her birthday! Can you believe that a year has passed? We had a small party for her, only our family, because the poor little dear was sick. She really enjoyed her cake. At first she didn't want to get her hands messy so she just leaned forward and ate it like a dog. Which gave her a lovely chocolate mustache.

Gold Metal Week at Gymnastics

Charlotte got 2 gold metals this week from her ballet and gymnastics classes.  She has been watching a lot of the Olympics with us and was so excited to get her very own metals!  Charlotte was so proud standing up there on the platform.  Now when she sees the olympians on TV she says, "I could do that!"  ...I say, "Let's try to master a cartwheel first."

ShortFlicks

Here is a link to Hyrum's latest and greatest blog Shortflicks.  He is quite the blogger.  He has a blog for his soccer team, photo contest and now a video contest.  This weeks theme is DANGEROUS.  Here is my entry.  Feel free to check out the other entries and comment or even submit your own!
Caffeine + Kids = Dangerous from Chilli Bean on Vimeo.

The BEST 4th Ever!

4th of July Video by Hyrum

This 4th of July was the best!  I really mean that, too.  We had so much fun!  On the 3rd we had a BBQ with some of our Summerhays family members.  Then on the 4th we went to my aunt & uncle's for a BBQ Swim party and I got to see a bunch of my Fisher cousins and then in the evening we went to my parents and had a fantastic fireworks display from of my brother, Justin, and many other neighbors.  Their street takes this holiday very seriously!  There were bouncy houses, sprinklers, tables of food and music blasting.  Charlotte was having the time of her life dancing in the street with sparklers.  And Savannah somehow fell asleep in daddy's arms.  This will be a 4th that we will always remember.

Day at the Beach

Beal's Point is pretty much a dessert but we had fun!  The girls made a great mud pool and played in the sand.  I got to hang out some of my favorite family members, including Renee and Nat who were visiting from Washington DC.  

Charlotte the Golfer

Once or twice a week Hyrum has been taking Charlotte with him out to Empire Ranch and has been teaching the basics os golf.  She LOVES it.  She is very patient and wants to hit the ball well.  So she listens carefully to her daddy's instruction and tries to make the necessary corrections. Charlotte can now hit her driver about 20 yards and is good at chipping.  I'm excited that she has found something that just she and her daddy can do together.  They both look forward to it each week.

Trip to Tahoe

We enjoyed a short trip to Tahoe last weekend.  The weather was gorgeous!  We had fun hanging out on the beach and playing in the sand.

Savannah just wanted to eat the sand.

Charlotte put her new sand toys to good use and made a "rock lady" (below).

Savannah Signs

My Little baby is starting to communicate!  Baby sign is great.  Charlotte was a great signer at a very early age.  It was so helpful to know her needs and wants.  And it's so cute!  Now Savannah is following in her sister's footsteps.  Savannah signed "all done" for the first time after sitting in her car seat for hours while I was at the orthodontist.  She can also sign "more".

Back In Action

I'm back.  A lot has happened over the past month and a half!  We moved.  We are in a little condo.  Its nice.  We love it.  It's so close to everything.  I ride my bike whenever I can.    

Hyrum is still working a ton and playing soccer and some occasional golf.  He is teaching Charlotte to putt.  She keeps bragging about how she "got it in 5."  Not bad, eh?  Charlotte turned 4 and got a new bike and still loves drawing, doing puzzles and taking pictures.  Savannah cut her first tooth a few weeks ago and has number 3 on the verge of making an appearance.  She enjoys eating food, pulling hair and poking eyes.  I am keeping busy being a wife and mom and shopping for house stuff.  My latest favorite things (besides my family) are naps, cereal and my label maker.  

Our Happy Easter

Every holiday gets more and more exciting as Charlotte grows older.  She is so into it!  This Easter she had a blast dying eggs, hunting for eggs, eating candy from eggs and visiting with the Easter Bunny.  She insists that the Easter Bunny is a girl.  I always thought it was a boy... although it looks pretty girly with the long eyelashes and the giant pastel bow.  Who really knows.  We went to the ward Easter party and had an egg hunt and got to see a lot of friends and eat pancakes (our ward rocks).  The Folsom Eggstravaganza was a big hit.  It was packed!  It only took about 60 seconds for all the kids to find every last egg during the hunt.  Events like this just further solidify my love for Folsom.  We also got together with family.  Charlotte and Savannah LOVE being around their cousins!  It was really a nice holiday.  The weather has been so beautiful.  I love this time of year.  Oh yeah... and I turned 27.

Food and Ponytail

Our little Savannah is growing up fast! Last week she started trying out baby food. She didn't really care about the food but had a great time grabbing the spoon. Also I got to the point today where I was about to shave the baby's crazy mullet hair do. (Her nickname has been "Shark Fin" for obvious reasons)  But I decided to try a ponytail instead. As you can see it looks great! Some of her other latest tricks involve saying "mamamama" and "babababa" and rolling onto her tummy.

Disney Princesses On Ice

We had the pleasure of going to see Disney Princess Wishes on Ice on Valentine's Day. Charlotte and Hanna had the best time! Their eyes were glued on the performers the whole time. Melanie and I enjoyed it, too! We got to watch from the suites. That is the way to go. Complimentary food and our own bathroom. I'm not used to the VIP treatment. One of the attendants offered me a water bottle and I said "no thanks" because I though I'd have to pay like 5 bucks for it. Then she told me it's free... so of course I went for it!
Watch the video below for a little preview of our magical evening!

Savannah's Blessing

Our sweet little 

Savannah Claire 

on her blessing day! 

 

Thank you to all our dear family 

members who were in attendance.

  

Valentine's Party

Last week we invited a bunch of family and friends ages 2 months to 4 years old to come play and pass out valentines at Tricks Gymnastics. We had a great turn out and everyone had a really good time. The "big" kids got to dance, go in the bouncy house, jump on trampolines and swing in the pendulum swing while the babies sat patiently in their car seats and watched all of the craziness (Savannah sucked on her toes).  I think we will definitely do it again.  Thanks TRICKS!

Goose Attack!

It was a bad idea to begin with... I took the girls out to Negro Bar to take some pictures.  It was really, really windy and super cold.  As we approached the beach Charlotte was crying because the wind was blowing her hair all over the place and the blanket I had thrown over Savannah's car seat was blowing off, and we observed a large flock of geese.  They were peaceful and quiet until they saw us coming.  During the warm months of the year these geese feed off of the left overs from the beach goers.  Apparently it had been a while since they had been fed.  A long while.  They started to honk loudly and come towards us.  I have vast experience feeding geese so I didn't worry.  They would leave us alone after they found out I had no food, right?  Wrong!  They walked right up and bit me on the leg!  Then I threw a stick at it and yelled a bit and then they moved on.  I think Charlotte will forever be freaked out by geese from this incident.  What punks!  It didn't hurt, but what nerve.  Never bite the hand that feeds (or leg for that matter).  We used to come to feed the geese often- but no longer!  And I didn't get any good pictures taken.  I did capture the bite on video, sort of.  You can hear my say, "Stop It!"  The camera work is poor because I was trying to push the girls back behind tree for safety.  Ok, the whole experience is pretty funny.

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Sickies

Charlotte has been sick for a week.  Finally Savannah got it, too.  My two little girls just laid around on the couches all Monday.  The worst is definitely over.  Today they both feel a little better.  

New Hair Cuts

Last Thursday Charlotte and I said "goodbye" to long hair.  It was long overdue for the both of us.  We love our new do's! 

Oh, How I Love to Stand!

Savannah is getting bigger everyday. She is simply the sweetest little baby! She sleeps every night from 11 to 8, loves to suck on her toys and smiles at Charlotte even when she pokes her eyes. She also like to growl back and forth talking with me.  Savannah still has crazy hair.  Her mohawk has grown out into just a big poof on the back of her head and long in the back.  Yes, a little bit like a mullet.  Her latest trick is standing. She has these little stalky legs. I love it!

Killer Game of Dodgeball

Here is the video everyone is talking about! Dodgeball footage from the Fisher New Years party. (NOTE: No humans were hurt during the making of this film)

Learning the Culinary Arts

I'm tired of being so lame in the kitchen! I only know how to cook like 3 things including Eggo waffles. And when you have burritos more than 4 times a week, you know there's a problem. So anyways, I am teaching myself how to cook. I decided to have Charlotte learn right along with me. (That way if something goes wrong I can blame it on her. No just kidding.) She loves to help out with things when ever she can. I bought her a step stool and she is right there next to me mixing and rolling. So far we have made Shrimp pasta something-or-other, cinnimon pretzles, letter pancakes and ceasar wraps. Someday soon I will whip up a delicious bass.

Our Little Christmas

On Christmas Eve we left family parties early to have a quiet night at home with our girls. Hyrum gave us all new jammies. So we all put them on and got out some treats for Santa, hung our stockings and read "The Night Before Christmas" and talked about when Jesus was born. Charlotte was so excited! Every morning in the month of December leading up to Christmas she would wake up and run into my room saying, "Mom we forgot to open our advent calender today!" There were no more doors on the calender to open. It was hard for her to fall asleep.Christmas morning we all slept in until 8:00 then strolled down stairs while Charlotte ran to to tree and to fetch her stocking. The whole morning was so magical to her. The look in her eyes and tone in her voice was priceless! She was thrilled to find out that Santa ate his treats and the reindeer had eaten the carrots she left for them.
It is fun to be on the parent side of Christmas. You know what I mean? Creating the whole Christmas experience for your kids. As a kid Christmas was the best, but I think it is even better watching your children enjoy it.