THE NEW DO!!!

BEFORE.....

I know, I know! You're all probably thinking something is wrong with me. I even questioned myself before the major cut. But Dax had been asking lately if he could get his hair cut short because he really wanted to do a Mohawk like his friend. And I just kept putting it off and making up excuse after excuse. I really didn't want to cut his hair. I just love the long shaggy look on him and he has the most amazing hair, so cutting it all off I knew would be very painful. I just wasn't ready to face that moment yet.....until now. Today, I took Dax down to Marissa's Salon (she's the lady that usually trims his hair) and she chopped his hair off! I almost cried! Seriously, I got a little teary eyed. What's wrong with me? It's only hair right? I guess it was hard because he's always had long hair. When he was a baby we let it grow longer and then we'd do the occasional trim here and there, but we haven't done anything super short, so I guess that's what was so hard for me. He was going to look totally different and I don't do good with change. But I survived and made it through his first major hair cut. At first, I was really nervous because I didn't know if his hair type would look good short and how we'd style it and if it would turn out cute, but after she got to cutting and it starting coming together I was actually really excited. The short cut looks so cute on him and he does look different, but different in a good way. He looks older and more mature and not as mischievous looking. (Ha! Ha! Maybe he won't be so mischievous either) He looks all grown up and that made me almost cry too. But I really like the cut and he loves it and can't wait to show everyone. He keeps asking me if people will know that he cut his hair. And I keep telling him that I sure hope so, but they might not know it's him because he looks so different. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and if I start missing the long hair he can always grow it out.

The 1st cut. I was going to scream right here.

Ahhhhh! It's getting shorter....

....and shorter.

and even shorter.

Dax thought this look was funny. She was cutting on top and it was all standing straight up. He loved it!

Almost there.

AFTER......

Viola! Introducing the new DAX! I love the mini Mohawk. I love that it's still a little long on top and the sides. She cut it using scissors only, no clippers. That way we kept some length.

He thinks he's pretty awesome with his new do and I have to admit he is one little awesome dude!

and a little side note for my sister Shelly and my father-in-law..."Are you happy now!?" They were the ones who'd give me the most grief about Daxon's long hair.

Gymnastics!

Afton started a new gymnastics class back in January. It focuses more on tumbling and I had heard great things about this class so we decided to start going there. At first, Afton was a little frustrated with the class and had a hard time because she wasn't able to do everything right away. But the teacher was great and saw that she was sad and gave her a great big hug and was by her side for the entire class. And after that, Afton decided that she really liked the class. It took her a few weeks to master some moves, but she's doing so awesome now. She loves it and I love it. It's great exercise for her and she's learning so much. She's mastered the crab walk, inside outs, a round-off, front roll and back roll, and a dive into a front roll. I can't wait for her to learn so much more!

Doing a back bend with one of the teacher's helpers (Sam).

doing a cartwheel

Isn't she the cutest little gymnast?

T-Ball Time!

Dax has played soccer and basketball and now he's moving on to t-ball. He had his first practice today and loved every minute of it. He also loves that his friends Chase and Caleb are on the team. I don't know how much listening was going on, but he had lots of fun. Plus his coach his awesome. He really did a great job with them at practice and had lots of fun things planned and had lots of help. I think it's going to be a great t-ball season!

Dax saying hi to his new team and doing some practice stances.


Practicing catching with his buddy Chase.

Showing off his mad hitting skills. It was so funny! Every time he was up to bat whether it was at the T or his coach pitching to him he was determined to "kill" the ball. You could just see the look in his eyes that he wanted to smash the ball.

He's a pro now!

Yesterday, we took the kids down to the church parking lot to do some more bike riding and work with Dax some more. But we really didn't need to work with him anymore because he's pretty much got the hang of it. We pumped up his tires and he was riding around the parking lot like a pro and he was even starting by himself. So I think he's got the whole bike riding thing down now. I'm still working on uploading a video of him riding his bike, but my internet connection is just too slow for it....i think. We'll see if I can try again. For now you'll just have to deal with the photos.

Sorry about the blurriness. I don't know if you can tell, but she's in a skirt. Now that's talent... to ride a bike with a skirt on. I don't think I could even do that.

Logan with his "motorcycle". I love the pose!

Later that night we went and got ice cream and for some reason Dax ended up with most of it on his face. I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Jazz-Kings game

As most of you know our family are huge Jazz fans, so we love to go to their games when they're playing out this way. They played the Sacramento Kings on Friday and we went with our friends the Astle's. Dax and Logan and Jason were all very excited for the game. Logan watched the game for about the first few minutes, but Dax had a great time watching and cheering on the Jazz. He also had fun hanging out with his friends. Afton and I had a good time too. We just didn't get into it like the boys. But we all had a fun time at the game, although in the end the Jazz lost.

Dax, Steven, Caleb, Logan and then Afton.

The most awesome Jazz fans ever!

Don't you love Daxon's pose in the picture? He thinks he's pretty awesome and he surely is.

Caleb, Steven and Dax Logan and Afton

We were all sporting our Jazz attire. I thought Logan looked so cute with his hat and jersey on. And Afton had on her very girly Jazz attire.

last b-ball game

Daxon's basketball season came to an end last Tuesday, the 23rd. He was really excited to play two games but also a little sad that they were his last two games. He had a great time playing and can't wait until next year. He just loves basketball so much. It's definitely on his list of top things to do at home.....or anywhere else. T-ball season here we come!

Warming up before the game and Dax with his buddy Matthew.

Making a sweet shot during the game. I think he had just come in for a lay-up and I love that you can tell that he made it because of the way the net is swinging in the picture. I also love this picture of him running off with his "game face" on.

basketball game

On Wednesday, we went to Jason's cousin, Adam's, last basketball game. He's on his JV team and they were undefeated for the entire season. Max and Dylen were there so the kids were even more excited to be at the basketball game. They had a great time playing with each other and pulling silly faces. They love making goofy faces for the camera. One day I might get a decent facial expression out of them.

Dax, Afton, and Max making their funny faces. Logan making his funny face.

Afton and Dylen with their best goofy faces. Afton and Jason

Logan sitting with one of his most favorite people in the whole world-Jody. Everyday he asks if we're going to her house.

Adam is the guy in blue and red standing right by the 3 point line.

After the game we went to Fuddrucker's with the Ballard's and the Daley's. Max and Dax are best buds when they get together and were trying really hard to get us to laugh. And they did with this silly picture. They both had on their basketball jerseys and thought it was the funniest thing ever when they would pull it up over their heads. It was pretty hilarious!

Our Valentine's Day

Well, for Valentine's this year, Jason and I decided to for go all of the usual things like flowers and chocolates and instead we chose to go skiing.....well me skiing him snowboarding. We went the Saturday before heart day and it was a gorgeous day. The weather was beautiful. Almost a little too beautiful for skiing. I think it was in the upper 50's! Jason and I were sweating to death in our ski coats. I wish I could say the snow was great too. It had rained a few days before but had been really nice after that so the snow had been melting and then freezing. It was really crunchy snow in the trees. The grooved trails were nice, but I really love skiing in the trees. All in all, it was a great day. We had a lot of fun and it was nice to have a fun Valentine's day.

On February 14th, the kids woke up to a few little Valentine gifts - a heart balloon, some cotton candy and a coloring book - they couldn't have been more excited. Then we had some heart shaped pancakes with some yummy strawberries. The kids all had really cute Valentine shirts that my mother-in-law had sent them and I never got a picture of them in those. Oh well, I'm sure it would have been like usual trying to get them all to sit still and smile for me. yeah, it probably wouldn't have happened. Our day was pretty calm, we went to church, came home and lounged around the house and then had a yummy dinner and made some funfetti cookies.

more bowling fun

Since we enjoyed our first bowling adventure so much we decided to do it again. Jason was in Mexico for business so the kids and I met up with Misty and her family at the bowling ally. We had a blast! Afton and Dax enjoyed bowling again and they almost beat me this time. I did awesome our first bowling trip but this time "Hot Mama" (my sweet bowling name) didn't do so well.

Afton and Dax showing off their mad bowling skills. Don't you love Daxon's form?

this is how interested Logan was in bowling. He was being a little stinker and kept running off.

Emma, Afton, Dylen, and Dax

The bowling crew