Gwen turns 2

Wow, I cannot believe my Gwen is 2. It feels like I was just posting her one year old birthday party. Well, I hope she had as much fun as I did. We started out at the Fun Park. The kids played in the soft play for a while then we played lots of video games.

Here is Gwen at the soft play.

Elsie coming down the slide.

Of course Kaylix and Tayson were there. (Gwen's cousins)

Gwen and Tayson were playing with the little air hockey. They were so cute. Tayson really got into it.

Vern and I playing while Kaylix and Elsie played each other.

Gwen and Tayson really loved the balls too. I think Tayson is going to be a basketball player or a baseball player.

Then we came home for some cake and ice cream and presents.

Say cheese.

Make a wish. With some help from Elsie she got the candles out.

Thanks grandpa for the McDonald's bucks!

Gwen got a new bed spread, a big play dough kit, a big box of safari animals, a barbie from Elsie and her very favorite present was from Jenny a little package of 6 lip glosses. She is finally starting to call it lips stick but for the longest time Gwen has LOVED lip gloss and called it "lips."

She didn't touch her cake and ice cream because she wouldn't stop putting on lip gloss.

She was excited about her new princess bed.

But she STILL didn't take a break from putting on the gloss.

She was willing to share with everything.

But Tayson seemed to like it.

We also played with the Safari animals that night, Tayzilla was knocking everything down before we could even set it up. The next day we had a play dough party with her new play dough. We had such a fun day. Gwen has been such a blessing in my life and I couldn't have asked for a sweeter child. I hope the terrible twos by pass and we have a great year.

What is a word for non-photogenic?

I can not get a good pic of Gwen just looking at the camera and smiling. Why? I don't know every time I pull out the camera she just looks like she is in a trance (deer in headlights) or if she is actually trying to smile for me it always just looks goofy. I am not an obsessive person but for some reason it bothered me that there wasn't a good "smiling" picture of my sweet Gwen. So I took the girls, did their hair, put them in matching colors and tried my hardest to get just one pic of Gwen looking at the camera and smiling. This is the best I could do.


Seriously what is up with this kid?


I have a million of Elsie smiling, she LOVES the camera.

This is cute, Gwen was copying everything Elsie was doing, even her arms.

Finally I just told them to run around the coffee table and I got one of her smiling, but she wasn't looking at the camera. Still unsuccessful!

Here they are at Halloween, Gwen is not assuming her character as Winnie the Pooh she is just in her trance. I can't think of a better word then trance.

Family Photos

I've been wanting to get a few Fall family photos and I asked my client and great friend, Kylie, to take some and I think they turned out great. Here are a few with the family.



Gwen looked like a deer in headlights for most of the photos.

I love my sweet family. My husband and girls are so precious to me. It was a great day playing in the park and taking photos.

New Blog

Hey everyone I just started a new blog. lenashouseofstyle.blogspot.com I know it is crazy because I can't even keep up with this blog but I just wanted to share some photos and to put the website on my new business cards.

Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon

We went to southern Utah May 20-25. We just love it down there when it is not too hot. I took a lot of pictures of Bryce Canyon this time because I have already posted pics of Zions in an older post. Anyway, it was a ton of fun. The first thing we did when we got there was hike from the trail Sunrise to Sunset. Gwen wasn't feeling well and by the end she was miserable I wish I would have waited to take her hiking.

It was a beautiful hike. We stayed in a cabin this time in our same favorite camping resort Ponderosa Ranch. It was so fun.

Elsie did the zip cord this time and loved it! She was so brave, she didn't even hesitate off the four story balcony.

Elsie was so funny during the trip here are a few things she said and I wrote down.

We drove over those vibrator things of the side of the road. "Mom the van just tooted!"

A bunch of bugs splatted against the windshield. I said "gross bugs" She said "why are bugs squirting us?"

Outside at night. I said "wow the moon is bright" She said "No that is just my flashlight."

She was so good and funny the whole trip!

Too cute!

My friend Aubree came from Farmington for the day and stopped by for a couple of hours to visit. Her daughter, Clara, was TOO CUTE!!! Seriously, Clara was kissing Gwen and she wasn't quite sure what to think about it. I can't stop laughing at these pictures.

Awww, she is so affectionate.

She was giving Gwen Elsie's shoes. It was funny. They played really well together.

LOL Gwen looks like a deer in headlights.

She has no where to run.

Thanks for the visit Aubs! LYLAS

Accident Prone

Gwen is sweet and very passive. She is like a ray of sunshine after a long storm. She is a dream come true. My only complaint right now is that she is the MOST ACCIDENT PRONE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET!!!!! Here is a little example. Today we were getting ready for our 9 o'clock church and Vern has to leave to set up the chairs as part of his calling. So, it is just me and the girls. Gwen fell down 3 times while I was just doing Elsie's hair! Then at church I lost track but I think she fell, from tripping over her own feet, about 10 times and she fell off of chairs 3 times. Her feet are going faster then her brain can process and she loves to climb so of course we all know that climbing = falling with a 17 month old. Well we came home from church and have a nice picnic in my back yard. Elsie loves picnics. Gwen was just walking and did a cart-wheel off the deck smacking her face and leaving her with a big shiner. Vern and I are just exhausted today and if anyone is wondering why just spend one day with my sweet little angel and you will know. :)

Here's the shiner!

Oh, and one more thing. My new favorite! I taught Gwen to raise her hand and say "me" whenever I ask a question that starts with 'who.' Like, Who's cute? "Me" or Who's sweet, hungry, stinky, one, whatever she knows the right response.

Easter Pics

We had a great Easter! Here are the two matching summer dresses we got the girls.

Here is Gwen sitting on Grandpa's lap eating HORSERADISH! (not joking)

Elsie and Gwen were spoiled by the Easter Bunny at Grandma and Grandpa Bales.


The egg hunt at Grandpa Bill's.

Elsie trying to hit a pinata.

This year we made our pinata a pull pinata for the youngest to participate. It was a lot of fun and Elsie helped put it together. Here is Tayson pulling the string. It fell out on the third try.

I love Easter for many reason's. It is the largest family gathering at my dad's. It is the only time I get to see my extended family. Vern's family really gets into the spirit if things too. But most of all it reminds me that Christ was resurrected. That we will all live again like him. Nothing is more important. I love my family and I love the gospel. I am so blessed.