Happy Birthday Mrs. Bullardio!

Melissa.

Sweet and Cherubic.

Always Smiling.

Rae-Rae

Smart, Mischievous, Caring.

Humble.

Liss

Nurturing.

Vulnerable AND Strong.

Chuck

Fun, Witty, Hilarious.

Good Sport.

My Sister

Beautiful.

Inside and Out.

A Blessing.

<3 Natasha

Primary Talk

Yesterday, Ava gave a talk in Primary. Her talk was about following Jesus's example so that we can return to Heaven to live with Jesus and Heavenly Father. This was only the second talk that she has given and she amazed me! I thought that she might be a little nervous, but the thought never even crossed her mind!
We wrote a little talk together & colored pictures, and then we read it through a few times together, with me telling her what to say. After a few minutes of this, Ava decided that she understood it all really well, and wanted to say the talk in her own words, without my help! And that is exactly what she did!!! I literally did not say one word to her, she did it all on her own! She practiced a few times out loud for me, and this little video is one of those times. Each time she practiced, the talk was a little different, but the message was basically the same.
It has just struck me lately how much she is growing and learning. It is so fun to see her change, but it makes my heart ache just a bit to see my little girl get so big. Thankfully, she seems to know just when to snuggle up to me and tell me that she will always be my baby girl! I am so proud of my sweet Ava!


(Pause the other music on the blog & you can hear her better)

Finger Painting

On Thursday, the kids & I decided to make finger paints using a recipe that Ava & I had seen in a magazine. It was actually kind of a crappy recipe for paints, but the kids had fun anyway. It was also safe for them to eat, which of course Dillon did!

The masterpiece!!! One of the happy, messy artists!

The other messy artist - a little more intense maybe, but still happy!

After the kids got all cleaned up, I heard Ava in the bathroom telling Dillon to 'say Aaaahhh'. She was totally brushing his teeth, and he was letting her! This is actually really amazing because every night is a serious battle with Dilly to brush his teeth!
Then they snuggled on Ava's bed while she played a game. This is also quite amazing - Dillon doesn't really slow down for much!
Once I got Dilly to bed, I came to tuck Ava in & I noticed that she had added something to her Cinderella nightlight! I thought it might be scary for her (since it looks like the devil!) but she said it was just 'a friendly monster mask' and that she liked it!

This was such a good day with the kids - they make me so happy!!!

Brunch at Joe's

Easter weekend we went to one of our favorite places, Joe's Farmhouse Grill, with Tash, Jake, Sam & Maddie. I was sad that Bri Bri was out of town - he loves to eat at Joes!
It was the most beautiful day, we had a really good brunch & then we just hung out & enjoyed being together!

While we waited for our food, we played the 'Little Pet Shop Go Fish' game that Aunt Tasha gave to Ava.

Aunt Tasha gave Dillon an ant farm, which our bug-man was thrilled with - we just had a hard time keeping the ants in the ant farm!
Ava waiting for her food...

It was a little rough for Jake & Sam - Jake didn't feel very good & Sam had sprained his ankle the night before...
Maddie & Dilly
Ava
Dillon in the trees (as usual)

Maddie ran away from me any time that I tried to take a picture of her that day, but then I found this picture later that day that she had taken of herself!

Later that day we went to Tasha's house & played some more games. Apparently Ava & Sambo had a pretty good conversation...
The kids saw this rainbow out our window when we were eating lunch one day that weekend. They were so excited - Dillon kept saying rainbow the whole weekend.

Groovy Dilly

Anytime there is any music playing, Dillon just starts shaking it!! He can't help it - he just has to move!!! This is the other day, when he just stood in front of the stereo & danced for about 1/2 hour - he was soooo into it! (pause the other music on the blog first, ignore the totally messy living room, and definitely ignore my nerdy voice on the video!)

Spring Pictures

A couple of weeks ago I had my good friend Rachel Bailey take some spring pictures of Ava & Dillon. You can check out Rachel's photo blog here. (there are some more cute pics of my kids on there - in case this isn't enough!)
Dillon would not hold still for a second - so I was pretty happy to get some of these great shots! When he wasn't totally running from the camera, he was playing with a roly-poly bug that Ava had found, and he just kept saying 'creepy-bug' in his little growly voice. He was also facinated with Rachel's camera and would look straight into the lense at about one inch away!

Zach

Today is my nephew Zach's 15th birthday. I have so many great memories of Zach & things I love about him, but I will just write a few...

I remember the day he was born & the first time I saw him. He was the cutest little baby with the craziest head of hair! He still has the greatest, thickest hair. (seriously - what I wouldn't give to have hair like his!) I remember when he was only a few weeks old, our entire family hiked to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon & I hiked to the falls with Zach in my arms!

When Brian & I lived in Salt Lake, we were so lucky that we were able to see Zach & his brother Chase all the time. I have missed them so much since we have been in Arizona.

I have the best memories of them coming to my condo to hang out & swim, & then playing Red light, Green light or Mother May I or Simon Says. We always went to movies & on picnics and Zach would always make me laugh. He was so sweet to Chase & protective of him.
Two of the best things about Zach have always been his smile & his laugh! He has the kind of laugh that is contagious - I hear him laugh & I can't help but laugh too..
When we visit Utah we love to get together and play games. Zach is my Nerts partner & we rock together! (at least we have a lot of fun together...) He has always been a really good skier & snowboarder, and he skateboards & plays football. Zach is so sweet to my kids, he always patiently helps Ava play gameboy. Zach has such a big heart & we love him!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACH!

Easter

Happy Easter!

(Thanks Meg, for sending this picture. This is Ava when she was 1 1/2)

Easter

Easter came a little early at our house this year. Ava & I decorated eggs on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, the Easter Bunny came. (With Brians schedule, the Easter Bunny, Santa, the Valentine Fairy - they all come early!)

The kids got 'splatter balls' - these sticky balls that 'splat' when you throw them and then creep down the wall. They loved them!

Ava has been asking for a 'boy barbie' for a couple months now. The Easter Bunny brought her a Ken Doll, but she won't call it Ken - so far it has been Bob, Charlie & Edmund!

This is Dilly later that day, just looking cute! And old!

Dillon is getting really good at riding Ava's scooter. (If he gets a little better, maybe we will buy him his own scooter that isn't pink!)

This picture of Dillon isn't Easter, but I love it! It just makes me happy to look at! (Maybe it's his teeth!)

This is my pretty girl - Ava

This is a little video of Ava & Dillon dancing in the kitchen. Ava is being super silly, but they are both shaking it pretty good. (If you watch it, just make sure to pause the other music on the blog first).