The Miskin Family

The 3rd annual yard sale happened a few weeks ago. We were lucky this year because it didn’t rain, but not so lucky that it was the hottest day of the summer thus far.

Unfortunately our yard sale was not super popular, but it was fun hanging out with my friends and visiting with the people who came by!

Tanner did his lemonade stand again, and was actually more successful then I was! He was excited to spend some of his money on an Ang stick (from Last Airbender).

Trent had run some errands and do some odd jobs around the house, so the kids were all with me most the time. Luckily there were treats, toys, and babies to keep them entertained.

This is Nadia after a long day of fun and sun.

We signed Tanner up for t-ball again this summer. For some reason the season flew by, and I didn’t get any pictures or video until his very last game!

This year Tanner was a lot better at hitting the ball, and then running to the base. However, Tanner was still a ball hog, and would often fight his way through his teammates to get the ball. Tanner loved it, and we cannot wait until he can do coach pitch next year!

Oh, and this is how Natalya entertained herself at most of the games. I guess if she ever has to escape from jail she will be all set.

For the 4th of July (really the 2nd and 3rd of July, but it is Utah and we celebrate it for 4 days), we headed to Trent’s parents house! The kids love going to little grandma and grandpas house. As soon as we get there they head for the basement playroom and play with everything! One of the favorites is the dress-up box (okay  maybe it is my favorite, but the kids deal with it).

That night we went and watched the Logan fireworks show. We had a great view, but we were far enough away to not get stuck in traffic. The kids had fun playing with grandma and grandpa and eating treats before the show started.

.

On Saturday morning, most of us (most of us meaning everyone but grandma and Nadia) went and saw The Last Airbender. Tanner loved it, the rest of us thought it was just okay. After we headed to Willow Park. Willow Park  is a mini zoo in Logan that we love!

Over all we had a great time, lots of dun thing sot do, and lots of good food. We had to leave Saturday night in order to be home for church on Sunday, and on our way home many of the other cities were doing their firework shows, so it was an entertaining ride home.

I have no pictures, but we also had a great neighborhood firework show on Sunday night. The kids got to stay up late again, lots of good food again, and a lot of great company again! This was the first year in 7 years that we did not make it down to the Provo Freedom Fest, but I am going to make sure we go next year!

Some friends and I were able to get together and see Eclipse on opening day! Of course, no Twilight movie is complete without a themed party beforehand.  This year my friend Jenn was the host. We had a lot of yummy treats like bottles of Bella’s blood, vampire bite cookies, red and black cupcakes, red mint brownies, and some others that I am sure I am forgetting. We also made bracelets to go with our Twilight shirts. My favorite was my friend Mauri’s, it said “I love Jakeward”.

Unfortunately we forgot to get a big group picture of us! But we snapped some right before the movie started!

The best part of the movie? The nachos Mauri and I shared.

As I do for all birthdays, I tried to plan a fun day for Natalya!

She woke up and we let her open her presents from us! Her current obsession is princess and the frog, so we got her a set of princess and the frog figurines, along with some other things. Tanner picked out a Tinkerbell Beauty Set that came with a hair dryer, comb and brush, curling iron, scissors, nail polish, perfume, lipstick and other things (all pretend), it was a huge hit!

For breakfast she picked egg-in-a-hole and sausage. Natalya loves sausage, and she ate four pieces! After breakfast we headed to the pool! It was not the warmest day, but the kids still had a blast! When we came home I told Natalya that she didn’t have to have quiet time, that they could watch a movie instead… she picked Ducktails. She also received a surprise visit from our friends Kai and Katie, they brought her a candy necklace and ring pop, which she loved!

Later in the afternoon, grandma and grandpa Miskin, along with Aunt Elise came over to help us celebrate! We had a dinner full of Natalya’s favorites: hot dogs, chips, carrots and broccoli, grapes, and root beer. Natalya must have been really excited because all she only ate chips, broccoli and one bite of her hot dog (she is known to put down two hot dogs).  The kids could hardly handle waiting for the adults to finish eating, because they were so excited for the cake!

We sang happy birthday and dug unto the Princess Tiana cake and the princess cupcakes!

Natalya received more presents from grandma and grandpa! her favorites were the lip gloss, the build your own pop bead jewelry set, and her “light saber” wand! She also loved the purse, jewelry and money from aunt Elise.

After it got dark, we lit off some fireworks just for Natalya’s birthday! She loved it, and loved that she was able to stay up late.

That night I asked Natalya if she had a good birthday, and she said, “I love my birthday!” And it wasn’t even over! The next day she received a box from grandma and grandpa Fulkerson full of clothes (which she tried them ALL on), more princess and the frog toys, dress ups and jewelry! She was certainly a spoiled birthday girl!

July 6th 2007

July 6th 2008

July 6th 2009

July 6th 2010

Happy birthday to our sweet, loving, little princess! And for your viewing pleasure, a diva in the making:

Some of Natalya’s favorites: Princesses (especially Princess and the Frog), barbies, barbie movies, princess polly pockets, candy, good chocolate, mac and cheese, sausage in all forms, being the mom to Nadia, eggs for breakfast,chips all the time, riding her bike, swimming, getting pretty, wearing dresses, dancing and singing, cute shoes and jewelry, purses, playing starfall, spending time with dad, playing with other girly friends. She knows the alphabet, and is learning the sounds. She also is starting to write her letters too! We love her and all her girlishness (even if she is a drama queen).

And he still is working away on his i-phone…morphine and all.

Trent had been having stomach pains for several days. By Sunday we were a little worried and were encouraged to go to the emergency room. Luckily it was not anything too drastic, and several days later he was all better!

The shining moment in all of this was when I was trying to find someone to help with the kids Sunday morning so I could go be with Trent. This was a HUGE undertaking considering whoever took them had to take them to church! I was so touched as I went down my phone list to send out a SOS text, and saw that I had so many people I would feel comfortable asking for help. I ended up only texting people in my own ward (figuring it would be easier that way, with church and all), but there were so many more I knew I could have counted on. After the text went out I received several phone calls and messages back from people willing to help in anyway they could. It made me realize that I truly do have wonderful friends, that would do whatever they can to help out! I hope they know they can count on me just the same. A huge thank to all of you!

Every year our great city of Lehi celebrates Round-Up week. All week long there are many fun activities to participate in, and we try to do as many as possible.

This year we were able to do the Pioneer Party Sidewalk party, where the kids played ring toss, bought some penny candy, received a balloon or two, got some tattoos (temporary of course) and their faces painted!

We also hit three parades in three days. First was the all horse parade. We met up with our friends and had a blast trying to stay cool, and watch all the horses go by.

Of course Nadia loved it, she pretty much loves anything that involves animals.

I am always impressed with the Rodeo Queens and their tight jeans and HUGE hair. There always seems to be an “only in Lehi” moment every year… this year was the equestrian vaulting team. Gymnastics on horses? Why not!

The next morning we headed to Thanksgiving Point Dairy Days. It gets better every year! This year the kids made their own butter, ice cream, played some farm games, and rode on a cow train.

And anyone who has known me for a long time knows I love cows! So I couldn’t resist getting a picture of the kids on the cow couch!

Friday night we had parade number two! This parade is called the miniature float parade. Many of the wards around Lehi put together a mini-float, and they are judged and then they all get to walk in the Grand Parade the next day. Our ward missed out on the float this year, but it was fun to see all the others! In this parade Nadia totally go the whole candy thing down. She would start cheering and screeching when she saw someone throwing candy, and then when it was thrown she would pop up and frantically try and pick up as much candy as she could!

Bright and early Saturday Morning, we went out and grab a spot for the grand parade! We were again able to meet up with friends, which makes the parade way more fun. I have been really impressed with the Lehi parade. It is not so busy that you have to camp out, but there is lots of candy, lots of freebies, and just lots going on! Unfortunately Trent was not feeling well (more about that in another post), so we left him home with Nadia.

This year Round-Up week snuck up on me, so we did not do as much as I would have liked. Luckily there is always next year!

A few weeks ago Natalya had her very first Ballet recital! We signed her up for ballet in march, and she loves it. More then anything, she loves dancing and looking at her self in the mirror.

A few days before the recital, there was a dress rehearsal, where we were allowed to film and take pictures. Here are some video I was able to get, it is classic Natalya. Some of them are long, so beware!

This is the best one to watch to get a good idea of what her dance is supposed to be

This is mostly her being a diva, taking advantage of the stage

The little girls had been there 2 hours already. You can tell in this video. For some reason Natalya reminds me of Tinker Bell in this one.

This is the last practice they did of the dance… I love the dirty looks Natalya gives.

Natalya loved her costume, and loved that she was able to wear make-up! For the dress rehearsal we were told to put the girls hair in bun. So, it was a hard task, but I was able to get her hair in a bun. But, for the recital they had us do ringlet curls with hair half up. This was almost as hard because Natalya’s hair does not hold curl. I think I managed to put enough hairspray in though because her curls stayed! She did very well for her “photo shoot”

Natalya  also did very well at her performance! The circle of girls she was in did the best! They all did exactly what they were supposed to do. There was no wandering off or staring at the audience like some of the other girls did. I was very surprised because she did so bad at the dress rehearsal. When we went to meet her after, she was so happy to see we got her flowers. She apparently saw all the other girls getting flowers and told Trent, “I thought I wasn’t going to get any, but you got me some!” She is a diva through and through