Daffodils in the garden

Every year in early April my family all dresses in yellow and we go to Red Butte Garden to get a photo in the daffodils. We bring the tripod and tell James to look at the camera and smile. This year we lucked out and even got a baby girl smile. What fun it is to look back on how our family changes and grows year to year.

Every single year I get a shot like this one below. The hillsides blanketed in daffodils beg to be photographed.

This year I decided to also get a few photos for Instagram with my phone, and ended up getting one of my favorite daffodil shots to date. Just love the angle. 

Within just the last few days things have been becoming alive. Leaves are just starting to open and the garden is once again green.

Another favorite from the day. Or maybe favorite from life. I just love these two.

Pink magnolias, oh my. Stunning.

This bright green branch just screamed spring to me. I knew that I wanted to add the text the moment I snapped the shot.

"Mommy! Look! A hole! I think a mousey lives down there! Or maybe a snuggle bunny!"

Now that spring has fully begun, I couldn't be more happy.

And of course I needed some side-by-sides:

Juliet 2012; Juliet 2013 (same bow!)

James 2011 (roughly Juliet's current age); James 2013


Family of four 2012; family of four 2013

We've been doing this tradition for years, before James even. To see them all click on last year's post right here.

Wrestle wrestle wrestle

Lately James has found a new love for wrestling with his Daddy. When he's on top of him he'll often say "wrestle wrestle wrestle". He is always wanting Juliet to join, but at this point she's just a bit to small. Before I know it though, Daddy will have two kiddos climbing all over him and pinning him down.

On this particular morning we were wrestling on James's bed. Juliet had found James's old sunglasses and she loves them. Kept them on for a good ten minutes. With all the silliness happening, I decided to grab my camera.

Charlotte {infant photography}

Every once in awhile I get to take photos of beautiful babies for friends. My lovely friend Jessica (who hosted my baby shower and then I hosted hers) had her darling baby girl only days before Juliet's first birthday.

She is super darling with long dark hair and little smiles.

This baby girl holds a special place in my heart, not only because she is a friend's beautiful baby, but because she's a February baby like mine. Joint Valentine's Tea one day? Yes, yes I think so.

Not long ago I took photos of her big brother Oliver. They look alike, don't they.

My life in Instagram

Today was is my birthday. It has been fantastic. The only downer is I had to take Juliet to the doctor for another high fever and more sickness. But E took a half day as a surprise and made brunch this morning. And we followed it up with a trip to Murray Park. It was just perfect.

Here's my life lately, according to IG.

1. Green tights and gold shoes for St. Patrick's Day. 2. Drive by shooting (the photo kind) on the way down to Zion. 3. Both kids seriously love these swings!

4. Her favorite spot is the ball pit. 5. The climbing phase has begun... 6. Rocking her to sleep each night is my favorite part of the day.

7. Where is my Juliet? 8. Our favorite bunny books (we have a lot). 9. Early mornings.

1. Picking violets. 2. A surprise birthday gift from E, a beautiful bunny for my garden. 3. Testing out the rain boots. They passed.

4. Playing games at Grandma's on Easter. 5. Fresh from a bath. 6. Easter brunch.

7. Life isn't always a fairy tale. 8. Marzipan for the win! 9. Exploring new playgrounds.

1. The weather is divine. Warm and beautiful with the scent of violets in the air. 2. James loved this big wheel at Wheeler Farm when he was this age too. 3. He hasn't taken his Jr. Ranger badge off his coat and wears it daily. So happy.

4. Annual friend's egg hunt was a hit. 5. Annual egg dying. He liked "orange with a scoop of blue". 6. Park days in spring are my favorite.

7. They spotted Daddy across the yard. 8. Spinnnn! The barf bucket at the park is his favorite. 9. Trying out his new shaving kit that the Easter Bunny left.

Easter day

Easter may as well be claimed as my favorite holiday. Yes yes, I love Christmas too, who doesn't? But Easter? The celebration of spring and flowers and bunnies and babies in bonnets?! AMAZING.

Each year putting the kids baskets together is more and more fun. Since we have two winter birthdays in the house we use Easter as an excuse to get some backyard toys that we've been pining for.

James has had his mind set for months. He wanted a lawn mower from the Easter Bunny. He also got red rain boots, bubble bath, goggles, seed packages, a tractor, two chocolate carrots, a shovel and a shaving kit.

Juliet was more fun, if possible just because buying for her is like buying for me. I only buy things I adore. She got a book, a bunny (of course), two beautiful outfits, socks, seed packages and chocolate carrots.

And just like last year, James was awe struck with the goods.

The lawn mower brought all the joy I knew it would. "Look at this! Gas!"

We invited E's family over for brunch and the weather was UNREAL. Never do I ever remember such a beautiful Easter, we even ate out on the patio!

Damma and James got right to work digging through the baskets.

And we took a little photo shoot near the forsythia again. James? Love those eyes. And can we just talk about boys dressed in pink?! My favorite!

Nothing has made me as happy as seeing this baby girl in her Easter dress. Love love love. 

I thought it would be fun to have all three grandchildren in a yearly Easter photo. So this year we had Chelsea (with her very pregnant tummy) sit between the kids for a photo. Next year her baby will be Juliet's size! After the photo I wanted a photo of Juliet with her baby cousin. You can see she was thrilled with this idea.

My heart.

After an amazing brunch was served (thanks to E) Juliet and Damma had to search through her basket.

Lots of goodies.

Soon it was followed up with the climax of the party: the annual hunt. Each year Steve (E's dad) puts on an amazing hunt for the kids. This year we decided to transfer the fun to the grand kids and James had a blast. He totally understood what to do and tore all over the house and the yard looking for clues. Finally they found a huge prize hidden in the basement with toys and more candy!

Later in the afternoon after naps we went to my mom's. My mom made sure to have "special drink" for James, knowing that a sure way to his heart is through root beer.

Auntie Melissa couldn't wait to hold Juliet. Oh Juliet, what a face.

Nana.

Since my birthday is on Wednesday (wahoo!) we celebrated with homemade strawberry cake after dinner.

Happy Easter!

And I love to see side by sides of time going by. Here are two:

2012

2013

2012

2013