Back in the Saddle Again...

It’s been a very long time since I’ve created a post. Last year seemed to fly by at the speed of a jet liner. It’s only now, after successfully moving across the country, starting new jobs and reconnecting with loved ones that I’m finally feeling settled enough to find my way back to the blog.

Leaving Houston triggers mixed emotions. While I didn’t care much for the scenery, I found that I cared A LOT for the people. We made some great friendships and it was hard to say goodbye.

Houston also provided us with some difficult life lessons, but the struggle is what has helped us navigate to the place we are today… and that place is sooo good

Here is some of what you missed recently…

Braxton's 4th Birthday!

New big-boy bike!
Transformers Birthday cake!
First Snow Angel...
First Snowman...

The view from our backyard in Logan, Utah.
See you soon!

Not a morning dog...

I KNOW you're not trying to talk to ME before 8:30 AM!
That's what I thought... see you in an hour... if you're lucky.

Drum roll please...

... the play-set is complete!!! Let the wild rumpus begin!

We had to crisen the play-set with water activities, complete with water-slide and Slip-and-Slide.

Braxton introduced us to his latest catch phrase... "Watch and learn."
For example... "Mommy you're not very good at doing the slip-and-slide... watch and learn."
I watched, but for some reason I COULD NOT learn!!! I remember really enjoying the slip-and-slide as a kid, but for some reason I couldn't come to terms with hurling myself down to the ground in hopes I'd slide a few feet. I'm so lame... I'm ashamed.

Aric however LOVED the slip and slide and insisted on purchasing the one with the weird arch to slide through cause it was "soooo much more sweet!". What can I say, he's very in touch with his inner child.

We had such a good time! Braxton is crazy about the newest addition to our yard and I can't lie... Aric and I are equally stoked. It turned out to be a nice little Sunday afternoon with the family. We wrapped up the day with 2 amazing new recipes for dinner AND the most wonderful watermelon I think I've EVER tasted for desert!!!
Braxton ate on his new picnic table that's attached to the back of his play-set. He thought he was pretty cool eating outside in HIS very own play house!!!
I liked the recipes SO much I decided to share (and I'm not good at sharing). Low cal and GREAT taste, you can't beat that!!!
The yogurt sauce was surprisingly amazing, so don't skimp on it!!! (Victoria this would be a good "pretend chicken" recipe. It has lots of flavor. Marinade it in the fridge overnight!)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-tandoori-recipe/index.html
This was an excellent summer side dish!!!!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/spring-garden-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

Building a Play Set is HARD WORK...

We hope playing with it is easier!

SPLASH DAY!

Today Braxton had a Splash Day at school. He was SUPER excited. When he woke up and saw all the supplies I'd picked up for his big day he jumped up and down and said, "WOW you're a really good Mommy!!!!"

We lathered him with sunscreen and ALL NATURAL bug spray... it was sort of stinky. Think lemon in your nostrils.

He's such a little cutie pie! I HEART him so BIG!

Ugly Shirt Day

The other day Braxton discovered his fashion sense and he refused to wear this particular shirt... he said, "It's ugly and none of the kids on the playground are going to like it!"We took pictures and emailed them to daddy so that he could voice in on the situation... Daddy said he looked handsome so we made a deal that he'd wear the shirt today, but he could choose his own shirt tomorrow. I regretted it the rest of the day and I couldn't wait to pick him up from school and change him into his favorite graphic t-shirt.

Later that afternoon Aric called, "I'm being forced to wear an ugly pink shirt at work today for the Taylor Swift broadcast." He was extremely upset... he DOES NOT WEAR PINK.
It turned out the be the most unhappy, ugly shirt day in Vance Family history.

Guitar Lessons... and underwear.