Toddlers and Tiaras

The other day I slept over with my friend Aly LaComb (Rachel and Tim's daughter) and she introduced me to this show - Toddlers and Tiara's...I must say I was SHOCKED! And not in a good way! Little helpless girls that are Emma's age get plucked away from a normal, at-home life and are turned into modeling divas. We watched a particular episode about some Texas competition. One mother was insane! Her daughter was Taralyn, she was an only child (hence, the glitz), and her mother prep'd her in so many absurd ways like:

-flippers for her teeth. they covered her tiny baby teeth and made them look pro.

-airbrush and tanning...and the lady at the office desk saw her walk in and looked at her like, you've got to be kidding me.

-makeup which was OVERLOADED. She looked completely fake and I was almost gagging.

But what shocked me even more was her mother. That lady was OBSESSED. The family was clearly rich - living in a huge, Barton-like monstrosity, with one child, paying extreme cash to get dresses, clothes, and makeup and tanning o.d.'s, and completely spoiling their little daughter. Unreal.

Again, that mother was crazy. Probably in her later 40s, and forcing her child around like a dog. The dance routine she had her learn could win her a spot on Dancing With the Stars..she was insane! Both Aly and I were shocked beyond words.

But another thing about this show was that I wasn't just completely against it..it was good. I mean, horrible what these ladies do to their children, but the show in general pleased me!

*****another thing: there was a mother on the show who put her two young boys in, because she wished they were girls. She described them as, "the girls she never had"...I cracked up at the thought that her "boys" will grow up a little on the gay side ;)

In general, it wasn't bad, just horrific looking at those little girls..

"Y?"

The Lewis family kindly invited us to spend a few hours burning calories up in the mountains. So, of course, we hiked the Y. Today was a crazy day and the trail was extremely busy, but we managed to enjoy it. Eeep!

Here's the view from the car. I snapped a few shots just to remind myself how tiny the Y actually is from a distance. Yes, I know what's coming :)

Here's the pre-hike. Yes, pre-hike. Cars were parked all down the road and I'm pretty sure that just tacked on an extra mile to our list :) oh, PS, happy Memorial Day!



Tal and Jake joined the 30-Minute Club getting to the top. They ran like dogs! I must say, during that entire thing, I didn't break a sweat or even gasp for air like I was dying. I have endured much worse. But, when Sarah and I found the boys already sitting at the top of the Y, we were shocked! Well, in terms, I was. He was really excited to show me his giddy face for this picture. Lovely!!

Sorry it's all mixed up - this is the "Y" gate at the beginning of the trail. Go, Cougs!

I tried to get a good picture of my dad walking with Ethan. They trudged alongside the entire time and got in some great father-son bonding. And now I can prove to all you Arizona people that YES it's green and snow-less here! Beat THAT! :) :) :) Sitting on the Y - we were on the very tippy top! Sarah and I had to literally climb from the very base of the "Y" all the way to the very top ledge and just sit there. At first I was pretty disappointed, but glad it all worked out. We got to chill and drink water and chat. It's a really great view, actually.
Look at that! Utah Lake and MORE! I was really proud of myself for accomplishing such a hike. It felt great and the reward (a Roxberry and some Barbarcoa salad..yum!) made the hike well worth my time!! Glad I came! Thanks Lewis fam!

Isabel two weeks!

We had to crop some pictures in order to get ride of the whole "naked baby" thing that was bugging. So here are some of Isabel's two-week pictures that were taken a few days ago. She's beautiful! This last one describes her personality and the one of her smiling is just too cute to ignore :) enjoy!!

Isabel Ann

I made it this morning - it's not her birth announcement, I was just playing around to see what I could come up with. It's not bad, is it? Happy two weeks on Monday, Izzie!

Welcome home Izzie!

Yesterday Baby Izzie came home for the first time! She was so cute in her little homecoming outfit, and slept soundfully the entire car ride. Suzanne brought over some paints and poster paper and we got busy making this beautiful banner (we as in I)...Emma added her mark on the sidelines, as you can see, and everyone eagerly signed their name. Cute huh? Here's her little homecoming getup. It's so cute how small she looks in this carseat! Sorry you have to turn your head for this one. Blogger doesn't have image editing? Cum-on!!

When she's awake, she's always trying to pry her head up and look around. When she can't, she's wide eyed and chubby! Who do you think she looks like?!?!