First Haircut & Lesson Learned

Okay- so remember how I straightened Lucy's hair back at the first of May? 

And remember how the next few days I had worries that I had permanently straightened her hair?

 Well, turns out I was right. 

So warning to all your mom's of daughters with adorably curly hair...DO NOT TAKE HEAT TO IT! 

I learned that really no one should be taking heat to toddlers fine baby hair. 

(why didn't someone warn me!)  

The women at the hair shoppe told me that I most likely did damage her hair enough to make it lose it's curl. I almost cried.

 I realize that her hair was most likely not going to remain curly forever. I know she would have probably grown out of it anyway in the next few years. But the fact that I sped up this process and lost the curls makes me so sad. 

So, I am trying a few things to help bring it back a bit, and my SIL suggested we give her a trim and that could help, not too mention help it grow in thicker. 

I was actually really sad, it is a big moment and I didn't have time to prepare. (ha- only half kidding) 

I am glad we did it though. She lost practically no length and it just looks more clean cut. 

Not a huge deal, but to a mommy- my baby's first haircut seems like something to blog about! ;) 

Long story short...hopefully some curl will return (a little has in the back) and don't take heat to your kids hair, especially if it's curly. The End. 

p.s...thank you Jennifer, we appreciate you always taking care of our hair needs! ;)

Weekend with the Foxes

It's always a party when the Fox clan rolls into town. 

We loved having Erik's parents, Laura and Jennifer's family come down last weekend. 

We were celebrating Lucy's Birthday, Mother's day and Memorial day all in one! 

With leftovers from Lucy's party we re created the Elmo party with Cousins. 

They had a blast! 

I think Lucy enjoyed her 2nd round with the cupcake even better than the first! ha! 

After her hands got too messy she just started eating piggy style!

Present time! 

I wish I had better documented her gifts. 

Grandma & Grandpa Fox gave her an Ariel doll, a ball and a kit to teach Lucy to read. 

Laura gave Lucy a cute mini wagon to pull her toys around. 

In it was stuffed Simba, Pumba, and Nemo along with the movie "Finding Nemo" 

Jennifer's family got Lucy a golf set. 

All of her favorite things! She couldn't be happier! 

Thank you so much everyone! 

Then we went and hit up the pool! 

Later that evening I peeked on Lucy playing quietly in the living room and this is what I found. She spent almost a whole hour just combing Ariel's hair, pulling her in the wagon and talking to her. 

I think she's in love! 

Thank you Foxes for a fun weekend! 

Goodbye Friends!

The night before a lot of the 4th years were leaving we figured they could use a dinner.

 So we threw a little barbeque. 

I also wanted to just say goodbye to all of them at once and get it over with. 

(don't mind the wild child down in front sweating like a hog!) 

It was really hard to say goodbye. 

My hardest year yet. 

I had some very close friends move back to the west coast.

It was a tearful evening. 

I will miss all the girls a lot, but

these 3...oh man, Chelsea life will never be the same. 

But don't fear, 

your legacy will live on through the freezer food and cleaning supplies you left behind with me. ;) 

Brittany Miles. 

She lived (past tense-sad) across the street from me for 3 years. I keep looking out my window to see what she is up to- only to realize she is gone!  (I didn't realize how much I did this- creepy) I loved hanging out front with her and our kids all day long! As soon as I would see her out front I would neglect all I had to do just to go talk to her.  She is the best to talk to, laugh with, and craft with, not too mention her kind, kind heart. She always did a ton for me! Wow, I miss this lady a bunch! 

Jackie Shafer

I wish we had gotten closer earlier, but being in the branch together and serving in Primary together over the past year has made this girl one of my dearest friends. I learned so much from her example, she has such a kind heart, not to mention she is the funniest person you will ever meet!  I love being around her and lover her to pieces! Unforgettable friend. 

Katie Hutchison

I love this girl! I think she and I have a special bond because we both struggled to get pregnant for so long and then got pregnant in the same year. It was so fun to watch our kids play and grow up as mom's together.  Katie is so easy to talk with and the sweetest person I know. But be warned...she is a bit quirky...and I think I will miss that most of all! 

Okay, slightly dramatic (maybe) but this is a big deal. I know they are not dead, but I am just so sad things will never be the same and we will never be this close again. It is comforting to know that I will always have these girls in my life and even as we grow apart this time has made a huge influence on my life and I will always look back fondly on this time. 

Addie Shafer, Charlie Hutchison, Lucy Fox 

Someday I hope these 3 amigos meet up again. I loved watching them play and grow together over the past 2 years. I know Lucy doesn't understand and probably will barely notice there absence but my heart just breaks when I think of her losing these buddies! I love these kiddos and both Lucy and I will miss them sooo much! 

Farewell friends! 

Till we meet again....and we better, real soon.

 Preferably somewhere tropical! ;) 

Brian Regan

As an early Fathers Day gift I surprised Erik with tickers to go see Brian Regan. 

We hadn't looked up our seats or anything and it was just the same price for the whole place,

 so we were shocked to find out we had seats on the 6th row! It was awesome! 

Mr. Regan really lived up to our very high expectations! 

We love him and had fun laughing our faces off! 

Turns out we sat by some friends so afterwards we went to Sweet Frog (our first time) it was delicious! 

I got red velvet cake Ice cream- oh divine! 

Totally great night! So happy we got to see him! 

4th Year Kickoff!

Aaron, Chris, Cory, Erik, Josh, Brian

Nichole (in a hole-that's why I look short), Lauren, Erin, Danielle, Jenna, Emily 

Lairds, Tracy's, Laytons, Foxes, Hones, Gibbons. 

Can you believe it? 

Erik has just started his 4th Year of Dental school. 

In one year this amazing and unique time in our lives will be gone.

 We celebrated mourned this day with a BBQ. (ha!) 

No- We are excited to graduate and Erik is very ready to be a full time Dentist,  

but we are definitely dreading the goodbyes to come this time next year. 

We love these people so much. 

They have truly made this an unforgettable experience that we will treasure for a lifetime! 

So here is to the beginning of the end!! 

Lucy's World!

I would like to first thank Pinterest for all it's contribution to this party. 

This year using Pinterest made the party a breeze! Nothing like last years work! 

So, without further ado, I give you Lucy's 2nd Birthday party by Mommy and Pinterest. 

The Invite

The setup 

It was forecast to rain just like last year so we had to move the party inside. It was a little crazy and a little cramped but it all worked just fine and everybody still had fun! 

The Food 

No, Lucy did not do those drawings, I did. Thank you very much! 

Lucy loved everybody singing to her and even clapped for herself at the end! 

I think she also approves of Mom's cupcakes! yummy! 

I think some of the other kids liked them too! ha! 

Maybe bright red frosting wasn't the way to go. 

Not to mention all these kids are just sitting on my carpet....what was I thinking? 

(it actually was totally fine, minor spots that totally came out!) 

Games! 

Some of the kids! 

(the ones I can fit in my one and only zoom lens!grrr) 

 Toss the cookie in Cookie Monsters mouth! 

This was a hit and is still up and going at my house! 

I just made the cookies out of felt and rice, like little beanbags. 

The have "chocolate chips" on the upper side, should have got a picture, they are pretty cute! 

Present time!

She really got the concept this year of unwrapping the presents. 

Ever single piece of paper had to be off that box before she even thought about playing with it! 

She took it very seriously! 

Lucy with her loot from family and friends! 

Thank you to everyone who came and helped make Lucy feel special on her big day! 

Fishy

We are happy to welcome this little addition to our family. 

We love Fishy so much he even got own photo shoot already!

Happy Birthday Lucy! 

See her mouth- She is saying "fishy"  It's the cutest thing in the world! 

We are going with the name Fishy because we worry anything else might confuse Lu! 

So It's a Fishy..so Fishy it shall be! ;) 

I never thought a goldfish could be so exciting. Throughout the day she will run to me and ask "Fishy?- Come on!" She then will drag me into the kitchen, climb onto a chair and excitedly point and yell "Fishy!"  It's like she remembers he is there and is so excited all over again! She loves feeding him as well. It's a great pet! Let's just hope it survives us. I don't have the best record with goldfish ( 11 goldfish- longest life- 3 months.) But we are keeping our fingers crossed. 

Lucy turns 2!

May 14, 2012 

I didn't realize as a parent how almost, sacred your child's birthday is. I hope I get these feelings every birthday of hers for the rest of her life. The whole day I just get an overwhelming feeling of joy, and peace and happiness. I think back to that beautiful day when Lucy entered the world and I just want to squeeze my little toddler! I love her so much, my life was incomplete without her and I love reflecting back and celebrating this incredible day.  

This year we had a big party planned with friends but coming off the beach trip Lucy got a little sick. So we postponed the party a day and just took the day easy. It ended up being really nice to have that extra day to prepare for the party and to have Lucy to ourselves on her actual day. 

We didn't do a whole lot but we did want to give her at least one of her presents. I was so excited for her to have this.

It's a really cute little kitchen with lots of sounds of the characters talking etc. I got it at a garage sale for $12! The moment I saw it I about died, it was perfect for my Lucy Lu! And as I suspected, she loved it! After her nap Erik had it ready downstairs and I brought her down, she turned the corner to see into the living room and LIT UP! She sprinted down the hallway yelling "Elmo!" It was priceless! 

Then, even with uncombed hair, we set out to get Lucy's 2nd birthday present/ decor for the party. A goldfish. Erik has been wanting to get a fish for Lucy for a while now. I didn't really care much until I realized I could put a goldfish on display at Lucy's Elmo party and then Dorthy could be there! Perfect! Ha! 

Lucy was more interested in bringing home this "mouse" more than the fish, but that ain't happening anytime soon sweetie- sorry. 

Re directing her to the Goldfish tank- She is not too sure yet! 

"I shall call him Fishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my fishy!!"

And thus..."Fishy" was born. 

Last Day at Myrtle

On Friday morning the last of our friends went home and we had the place to ourselves for one more day. It was kinda nice to just have time with our own little family. 

We hit up the beach one more time. 

Lucy loved getting buried in the sand, digging in the sand, and throwing shells in the ocean. 

And remember how scared she was day one? Her fear of the ocean was conquered and she loved going and jumping waves with us. Daddy even took her out pretty far. She loved it. And I love seeing these two together. It makes me so happy. (notice how she holds Erik's ears...so cute) 

Run!!! (best picture ever!) 

I need to frame this picture, everything I love in one picture. ah. 

After naps in the afternoon we headed out back one more time. This time we tried to fly our kite. 

Yes it did end up in the pond, oh well. It was still fun while it lasted! 

Feeding the ducks for the last time. 

Then at night we drove down to the large boardwalk and walked around. We ate yummy burgers and fries and got ice cream from our favorite place- Iggys.  

The perfect ending to the perfect vacation. We did not want it to end. Thanks to the Tracys, Gibbons, and Laytons for making this a trip we will always remember. We had a blast! 

I'm even sad to be done blogging about it...a little. ;) 

Thursday at Myrtle

Our house from the front. 

Thursday Morning we headed to the beach again. 

The kids had a blast! 

I would like to add that this day ALL us girls took turns actually getting in the water and boogey boarding. It's hard to get me out of my comfy beach chair, toes in the dry sand, and get me to leave my snacks, but once I did I was happy I had. I love riding the waves, It's a really cool feeling. So, I am glad I actually got in this year. ha! It's kind of a big deal. 

We came home and crashed! 

Later that evening we went out for Ice Cream at Famous Kirk's. It was really yummy. 

And I had to get a picture in front of our resort. I seriously love this place and hope to go back!