Piano lessons???

The other day, I heard pounding on the piano, so I thought I'd investigate! There were my two girls, giggling and playing as loud as they could! By some great miracle, they both turned and looked at me at the same time, so I was able to get a cute picture of them. I think they're finally starting to resemble each other a little bit! I love how much they love one another!

Don't mind Pip's hair. I realize she looks homeless in most recent pictures! The poor kid's hair struggles when I don't have time to do something cute with it, and she pulls most clippies right out!

She's a First Grader!

London's officially a first grader! She had her first day on Monday. I love that whenever someone asked her what she was most excited about, she'd say, "eating lunch in the cafeteria!" Crazy girl! The kids and I took her the first day. We took millions of pictures by the front door, at the school, in her classroom, and by her locker. Who knew first graders had lockers?!? Not me! She had a great first day! She made some new friends and was excited because the cafeteria served fish on her first day! The day went so, so slow for the kids and I at home! We missed our Londy!
I made the poor kid look right into the sun!

Her first day outfit!

Her locker!

Sitting at her desk for the first time!

Channeling her inner Grandma Payne...

My Grandma Payne has worn a red wig for decades now. She still colors her real hair underneath, and has me trim it every once in a while. She was over this past week to have me color her hair. While the color was setting, Pippi took the wig, put it on, and started walking around the room! It was the funniest thing I've seen! Not only did she look hilarious, but I thought she almost pulled it off! Not many people can pull off crazy red hair like her Great Grandma Payne can!
Blowing kisses!

Taking a break and just walking around with the hair!

A profile shot! This little girl is just darling!

London's Bedtime Friends!

London is still so great at bedtime! She is a trooper sharing with Piper and is usually asleep within minutes of laying down. The other night, I was putting laundry away and accidentally left some of Piper's clean clothes on Londy's bed. When I came to put Pippi down and kiss Londy goodnight, this is what I saw! All her stuffed animals in Pippi's clothes! Pretty cute!

Swim Lessons

It's that time of year again! Swim lessons are in session again. This is year 3 for London and year 2 for the Beckster. I can't believe what a difference just a week of lessons has made for both of them! Beck is WAY less afraid of the water and of drowning (he has a serious fear...) and London can now do a front and back crawl! Way to go kiddos!

The Pipster watching while the big kids swim!

London doing her "front crawl"

"Here comes the bride..."

London received a Barbie bride dress up set for her birthday. I came downstairs the other morning to a whole lot of giggling! London had dressed Piper up and Pip LOVED it! The two of them played all morning long together! I love that they love eachother so much!
Out of control bangs!

trying out the "bangless" look...

My girls!

Crazy Bath Time Pippi!

This kid has got some serious bath time soap hair! I love it!

Londy at 6

Have you ever just taken a mini photoshoot of your little one just because they look so dang cute one day? Well, that's what happened here! Being 6 definitely agrees with my London! I don't post enough about just how amazing this little girl of mine is! She is incredibly smart and wise. She is logical and inquisitive. She is hilarious and adventurous. She is so many things! Did I mention that I think she's pretty darn cute, too!?! I love you Kater Tot!

London and Beckett's Birthday Bash!

This year, we combined the kid's birthday parties and had one giant one! We rented out the Clearfield Aquatic Center for the kids' friends and their families. This way, the kids were able to invite all their friends and we could all just hang out as families and have a fun time! We met outside in a covered pavillion for cupcakes and presents first, then headed in for a couple of hours of swimming! I made 3 types of cupcakes because I was in an experimental mood; funfetti at the kids request, a yummy "samoa" concoction (chocolate cupcake with a caramel center, caramel buttercream icing, toasted coconut, and a chocolate ganoche drizzled over top), and a "smores" cupcake (chocolate with a chocolate ganoche filling, graham cracker crumb topping, and homemade marshmallow frosting; toasted to perfection!) Okay, there was major cupcake overload, but I'm loving making them!

The kids were spoiled ROTTEN by everyone! They got so many fun gifts! We had a great time visiting, eating, and drinking Grandpa Payne's famous homemade root beer! Inside, the kids went crazy! It was so fun to look around and see so many people we love having a fun time! Definitely a perfect way for the kids to celebrate their birthdays!

Beck and some of his female admirers!

Obviously, the kids had a hand in dressing up these cupcakes! I love that Beck would put either an army guy or Spiderman on top of a cupcake, then proceed to douse it with pink sprinkles!


Singing Happy Birthday to my little ones!

the s'mores cupcakes!

the samoa cupcakes

Beck opening some presents!

London!

Beck with 2 of my Young Women, Riley and Miss Marley! He loves them!

1/2 a family picture! This was at around 9:30 pm; should have taken one when we could actually get the older two out of the pool!

London's Birthday Celebration!

London is officially a 6 year old!!!

Okay, I'm almost 2 weeks late in blogging about her actual birthday, but it's been crazy around here! London's birthday was the 20th, with mine the day before, and Beck's on the 26th. Throw in a gigantic party for the 2 of them on the 23rd, and some recovery time, and you'll see why it took so long! London had big plans for her birthday! We had crepes for breakfast, opened a couple of gifts, went to Cherry Hill, ate dinner at Cafe Rio, dessert at Iceberg, and more presents at home! Busy day! She had a perfect "all about Londy" day!

opening a gift first thing in the morning!

excited about her new swimsuit!

Iceberg with her cousins! she looks super happy!

More presents at home! We love you Londy!

Build A Bear

Naming Dark Vader! (Not Darth Vader; Beck pronounces it "Dawk Vada!"

Coming up with an original name; Hello Kitty!

Beck cleaning "Dawk Vada"

London helping to stuff Hello Kitty!

The kids making a wish with the hearts!

Picking our the bears! Thank heavens beck didn't choose this pink one!

My dad was in town during Birthday week and we met up with him and York and Jenny's fam at the Gateway to take the kiddos to Build a Bear! London has been asking for a while to go, so we used her and Beck's bdays as an excuse! I thought it would be fun, but I had NO idea it would be as great as it was! I swear, the adults as more fun than the kids did! They had a special going that let the kids pick any bear, outfit and shoes. SO much fun! London and Cammers chose matchie matchie "sun kissed" Hello Kitty with a Hawaiian getup. Reesey chose a panda bear, and Beck chose a wolf with a hilarious Star Wars ensemble. The kids loved choosing their bears, stuffing them, putting a heart in each, giving them a "bath," and finally dressing them. We had such a fun family outing!!!
Our little clan with Grandpa Cooper

Can you stand the cuteness? Londy and Hello Kitty!

My favorite guy and little lady!

Beck and "Dark Vada." I love the way he talks!