Summer lovin'

I haven't had too much to post lately. All we have really been up to is my school and on my days off we head to the pool. We love the pools here and the fitness center and trails. It makes it so easy to have fun without spending a ton on gas if you know what I mean. Today I am extra tired as I had 6 clients at school and then came home and cut a friends hair and now have 3 extra boys to watch so their parents can go on a date. I will be glad to have a day off tomorrow. The kids are doing great. Katelynn had her first sleepover and is loving being a "big girl". Matt is running the house and coming in to the school whenever I ask to help me reach my goals (I don't know what I would do without him). Brennon is off and running, but only at a short 29 1/4 inches and barely 20 lbs.... Poor guy has a lot of growing to do. His twin cousins are 10 months and already taller than him. He is such a joy, though. He loves to blow kisses and flirt and signs please and thank you all the time. Hope everyone is enjoying summer as much as we are!

Why my kids have seperate rooms

We have always had the kids in seperate rooms, but Katelynn has been so scared to sleep upstairs by herself, so we decided to try letting her sleep in Brennon's room on a mattress on the floor. This is what I just found when I went up to check on them. She had taken books in there to read to him.

What's Up in Alva Life

I have been soooo busy with school the past couple weeks, but am LOVING it! I am starting on real customers this week and am having a blast. This is a picture of me with my first guest. I did highlights and a cut. Wish you could see it closer, it turned out really cute!
I also flew to Alabama to see Chris, Joy, and celebrate Sarah's first birthday. It was so fun to catch up and see the kids play together. We had to get this picture for blackmail someday ;)
Brennon and I had so much fun together. I miss being with him all day every day. We had a lot of quality time this past weekend.
The Birthday girl with Mommy. Definately a Mommy's girl as she should be!
We also had Matt's parents come stay for 5 days. The kids loved all the attention! (Still Santa to Katelynn)
Our newest yard sale find was a battery powered jeep. I couldn't resist. I wish I was small enough to drive it around. Katelynn begs to drive it every day.
Katelynn is getting so mature and keeps us laughing and loving. We love having her around even though she is still stubborn as ever.

And of course, our lovable boy. He is such a cuddle buddy lately and loves to give kisses.

Scrapbook Retreat

I got to go on another scrapbooking weekend and had so much fun! We ate, ate, and ate some more. We also had fun talking nonstop and of course scrapbooking. We did take a break for some time outdoors and for the dance game. Thanks girls for a wonderful time!




I had to include some pictures so you all could reminisce with me of how little Katelynn was. I had to do the purple clothes pages for Joy and the Grandma and Grandpa ones.

What's New

Since I am in school all day I try to play with the kids every day when I get home. This week we made cookies together and had a blast!

School has been so fun. I have a great class and have already made some great friends. We are also learning like crazy and start cutting real hair next week.
Another shot of playing with the kids. Isn't he adorable?
We have had crazy storms lately. One day it poured and I had to take the kids outside to run in the rain in the street. It was crazy, but so fun!

Tagged...... Alright already!

I just want to know which one of you thinks I have time to sit here and write all about my habits when you probably already know too much about me. I think I have been tagged by at least 4 people and I just laugh, yeah right. I guess the guilt has finally gotten to me. So, here it goes...

Fact: I LOVE Dr. Pepper, Dairy Queen, and Italian food. I think everyone needs that one thing that is their guilty little pleasure and these are mine.

Fact: I love to be around people and a part of things. I hate to miss out on anything fun.

Fact: I am secretly pretty competitive. I think I got it from having 6 brothers. Luckily getting married and having kids has toned it down quite a bit.

Fact: My personality in college was Mainly Red (dominant, likes to be in charge, very driven, leader) with some Yellow (playful, carefree, loves people)
Now that I am a mom and wife I am mainly Blue (caring, likes to serve others, sensitive) with Red and Yellow. Isn't it amazing how you change? Take the color code test if you haven't.

Fact: I love to travel.

Habit: I can't kiss my kids enough. Especially when they are babies. I find myself kissing them over and over without even realizing it.

Fact: I am so happy with my life right now and feel like I don't deserve all my blessings.

Tagging: Anyone who reads this and wants to do it since I am lazy and barely got around to it.

Who's supposed to be cutting hair?

We had quite the weekend with Katelynn. Friday I came home form school and before I even got out of the car, realized that Katelynn had cut her hair. I had just finished growing out her bangs and she had chopped it off in the front and also on the side at her jaw line. I was so upset, but decided to make the most of it and I cut it really db`short for summer. Ever since I started hair school she has been so into hair and makeup, so I guess it was just a matter of time.



We think she looks really different with short hair. Maybe older? What do you think?

We have also been going outside on walks a lot now that Brennon can walk. He loves exploring everything outside. It is so cute to see him waddle around.

Paddle, Pound, and Pedal Race

Matt and I made it through the triathlon Saturday morning. We canoed, ran, and biked. We had so much more fun than we expected and actually finished with a little energy to spare. As you can see, it was wet and muddy, which made it even more fun.

It was so fun to do the race together and finish as a team. We decided we make a great team which I suppose is a good thing since we will be together for pretty much forever :)
This was the group of us that won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in our division. We were all in the same ward which made it so fun. The next picture shows everyone in our ward who participated. It was such a fun way to stay in shape and bond as couples.

Easter

We had such a fun Easter this year with both kids old enough to find eggs (sort of). Brennon is kind of scared of touching grass for some reason, so he would just stand there and point at the eggs. It was still really fun and cute!

We also went to an egg hunt in a nearby town and the kids had fun finding eggs and playing with balloons.



Our neighbors had us over for Easter dinner and an egg hunt and they just got a new puppy. Of course Katelynn was in heaven and would not put it down. Brennon also tried to kiss it as you see in this picture.

We love to party

Katelynn and I celebrated another double birthday. I think it is the best thing ever to share your birthday with your little girl. It gives me a great excuse to always have a party and make a big deal out of our special day. We have had so much fun this week and are now all partied out.

Katelynn and her friend Olivia. She had to play with her on her birthday and they accidently wore matching outfits. They are so cute together!
Katelynn opening one of her presents, bet you are surprised she got this for her Birthday.... :)
Another benefit of sharing your Birthday with a 4 year old is you only have to do 4 candles instead of having to overload the cake and give away your age!

Katelynn of course had to have a "pink" horse party so we had everyone over for a BBQ and played all evening Saturday. Brennon found a new favorite toy at Katelynn's party and thought it was so fun to watch it fly. We ended up tying it to his shoe so he could chase it around.

Matt gave me the game RockBand for my birthday and we all had way too much fun playing it. We definately need practice, but were rockin it out as best we could!

Lots happening, few pictures

So our lives have really been crazy this month, but I am so used to posting pictures, I hesitate to post my boring writing. But, here it goes.

Matt and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary!!! Wow, it seems so long, yet so short. We had a great day together and decided to go small this year since I am starting school. It turned out I was glad we stayed here. We went to Dallas and went to the temple to do sealings. It took us a while to get in there and set up and when we finally started, we told them we were celebrating our anniversary and they asked us about our wedding. We looked at the clock and it was exactly 11:00am, the exact time of our sealing 5 years ago. Cool, huh? Then we went ice skating and to our favorite restaurant, Cheesecake Factory. It was so nice just to hang out for a day and remember why we are best friends and what is truly important in our marriage. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is perfect for me!!

Monday I started school, and I love it! I have been so nervous about going back to school and leaving the kids, but I have felt so right about it and I think it will be perfect for me. Its a new dimension in my life that I have been looking for where I can be social and creative. The kids are doing great with Matt as Mr. Mom and he takes his responsibility seriously. He has literally taken over the house and won't let me do most things now. He even schedules time to have play time and art time with the kids and wants to teach Katelynn to read. So I know they are in good hands and I am loving making new friends and learning again. I told Matt today I actually enjoyed taking a test today and I never thought I would say that again. I can't wait to have a new challenge and be able to do it while being a Mom. So, after finally just doing it and watching the new show "Secret life of a Soccer Mom", I say to all you Mom's, Just follow your dreams!! I know I'll be a better wife and mother because of it.

Growing too fast

My kids are growing and changing so fast, I had to go get pictures again. Here are a few of my favorites: