Locks of Love Family

My cute little niece, Ella, donated her hair to Locks of Love today. Every year at her elementary school, anyone who wants to donate their hair, gets to get their hair chopped off in front of the whole school during an assembly. Apparently last year had a big impact on her when she heard about it because she's been growing her hair out all year. Her mom almost cut it a few months ago, not knowing her plan and was quickly corrected that no she would not be cutting her hair.

So I decided to go to the assembly with my sister and my mom to watch the great event. She looked pretty nervous to be up in front of the whole school, but was so brave. She was the only 1st grader brave enough to do it.

She dedicated her cut to her cousin Eliza, who is her same age and lost her hair a couple years ago during her cancer treatment and also to me. I thought it was so cute of her to think of us.

So I officially am no longer the girl in our family with the shortest hair...certificate of progress for me.

THEN...as I got home from that great event and got on my computer to post this, I logged onto my Facebook account only to find out my sister Lori just cut off 13 inches of her hair and donated it to Locks Of Love as well today! I am totally shocked since I didn't know she was going to do this but how great of her. I haven't seen any pictures yet but I am sure it's going to be cute. So we have had a Locks of Love family day today.

Good job Ella and Lori for donating to such a great cause.
I love you both.

I heart California

I went to California this last weekend to visit my sister Christy and my cute, adorable, 3 nieces. I was a little sad when before I left the weather was supposed to be cool and cloudy the entire time. When I mentioned this to Christy she told me it was the Great company not the Great weather I was going down there for. And was she ever right. The bonus was that I had great weather as well and saw the sun each day I was there.

I had to get in my fix of favorite restaurants down there. So on the way back from the airport, we stopped at In-N-Out. That night we went to BJ's pizza. We woke up the next morning and Christy had gone and gotten yummy doughnuts. Where are all the good doughnut shops in Utah? Chinese food and doughnut shops (yes the same place) don't exist up here, how sad cuz they make the best doughnuts. Then on Saturday I went to Islands with my friend Konstantina from high school. I don't think I'll ever go to Islands without thinking of my other friend Alisa from high school, good times and yummy food. I'm full just thinking about all the food I ate this weekend.

I have the cutest 3 nieces down there. I love them to death (along with my other ones that I get to see all the time.) It was so fun to be down there and just hang out with them. Eliza, 7, lost a tooth while I was there and she was so proud for pulling it out herself. She is so sweet and lovable and has this cute twinkle in her eye. We were able to go to her end of the year school luau where I could see all her friends and teacher that love her as well. Avery, 4, is a sassy little thing. She knows what she wants and nothing stops that one. And then at the same time, she is so cuddly and cute. She came into my room each morning to ask if she could lay in bed with me. Really I think it was her way of getting me up out of bed. She even threw a small tantrum when she realized I was leaving to go home...just about as cute of a tantrum as you can get! Mia, almost 2, has the cutest smile ever. She is talking more and more and loves her older sisters. When they were gone one night she walked around the house and outside calling their names and asking where they were. She is a cutie.

Between eating out and playing with my neices, Christy and I were able to go to the beach, ride bikes in Newport and just spend time relaxing. Christy is a great mom and has a lot going on at all times and yet never seems frazzled by her girls wanting her time and attention. I am amazed at what a great mom she is.

Sorry for all the pictures, feel free to skip them, but you'll miss 3 cutie pies.

Shane wasn't able to make this trip with me. By the look on his face when he dropped me off at the airport, you would think he was all excited for his bachelor weekend away from me...really he worked all weekend. Hopefully he got a lot done without me there bugging him.


Mia at the park:


Avery at the park:


The beach while Eliza was at school:


Avery and I feeling the water:


Eliza swimming after school:


The Boardwalk - Newport Beach:


The Wedge - Newport Beach:


Eliza showing off her missing tooth:


The cutest 3 California Girls:


So now I am at the end of this post and realized I haven't mentioned that they do have a dad, and Christy has a husband. But for some reason I don't have a picture and forgot to mention him. Sorry Brett! Brett is a great dad and didn't complain once when he had to watch the kids so Christy and I could go out and play. He helped fix up the bikes so we could ride them and even came home from work early and took the girls to a movie. All his in-laws up here in Utah call him Father of the Year...he really is a great guy. I did try to thank him and let him take Christy out one night while I babysat. Thanks again Brian family for letting me come stay!