Lauren Avery Cornell

Lauren has been tagged by York! I'm supposed to name 5 things about Lauren that you may not know:

(1) Lauren was born with a full head of jet black hair. No one could believe she was my baby. Everyone was sure she had been mixed up with another baby in the hospital! Today, I don't believe there is any question that she is Tanner's daughter...they look just alike!

(2) Lauren is a mean shot with her BB gun. She puts me to shame!

(3) She's a perfectionist! That is why we are sure she is MY daughter!! After her bed is made in the morning, no one is allowed to sit on it because it will wrinkle or scrunch up. Also, she likes her shoes lined up just-so in her closet. I think I've created a monster!

(4) Lauren is one of the most tender-hearted people I know. She loves everyone and is always trying to do the right thing. When she gets in trouble, she is heart-broken and ashamed. Oh, I just love her guts! She's such a good kid. And then there was Pai...just teasing!

(5) Lauren loves to learn. She's a smart little cupcake (but, I am a little biased!!). She loves school and anything academic. Once again, she's her mother's daughter.

Lauren is our little dancerella (oh, and that reminds me, she absolutely loves to dance!). She is such a wonderful example to Paityn and Raegan. Love you, bugga!!

We tag -

(1) Madyson H
(2) Kenslee R
(3) Brevin H
(4) Brinkley H
(5) Brilynn W

More Pics of Danzer's Birthday

Oh my! Have I mentioned that I'm in love with my new Nephew, Danzer? Isn't he cute? We have so many fun pictures that I have to share just a few more!

Lauren, Paityn and Cousin Danzer

Ya Ya and Raegan

Great Grandma Ollie and Baby Danzer

Tanner (my oh-so-sweet hubby who drove down for Danzer's birth, held him for a few minutes, and then turned around and drove home for work) and Baby Danzer

My "squishy" baby Roo, taking a sink-bath at Ya Ya's house. I could just suck on those sweet cheeks forever!

My New Call to Serve

Young Women's

I've been having serious withdrawals since being released as Primary President. I so loved serving in the Primary. We seriously have the cutest and most righteous kids...right here in the Syracuse 3rd Ward. I love 'em! Anyway, I've been feeling empty. And then, on Sunday, I got called to Young Women's as the 2nd Counselor (to serve those vivacious Beehives!). I couldn't be more excited about my new calling!

Long, long ago, in a far away land called Ferron, I had a Young Women's leader who touched my heart very deeply. She was a role model, a hero of sorts. I loved her then and still have a great love and respect for her today. I hope that I can be half the leader she was. I love you, Jacki!

I have big shoes to fill, and I'm most definitely nervous about that. But, I'm feeling up for the challenge! Wish me luck (and much inspiration!).

Danzer Jack Behling's Debut

HE'S HERE!! The prince has arrived! After much anticipation and a very sleepless night, Danzer Jack Behling made his debut today at 12:20 pm. He is 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. He's absolutely beautiful. You can say that about boys, right?!? He's precious beyond compare.

I had to share him a lot today, so I'm anxious to return to the hospital tomorrow for some serious bonding time. It's not a moment too early for Danzer to know who his favorite aunt is...me, of course! He is definitely snuggle material - I can't wait to hold and stare and snuggle!

Kelly was a superstar in the delivery room. Four pushes and Danzer was here (...not to mention, her hair and makeup were still in perfect condition after the baby's arrival!). Kelly beamed and cried and beamed and cried. Hayden was smiling from ear to ear. Kel and Hayd will be AmAzInG parents.


The miracle of life is simply that...a miracle. We love you, Baby Danzer, and are so excited to have you in our family!

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

We went to Ferron this past weekend to celebrate Pop Pop's 59th birthday and in hopes of celebrating the birthday of Baby Danzer. Unfortunately, Baby Danzer's birthday hasn't arrived yet (although, at the latest, we'll be kissing his cheeks by this coming Friday).

Lauren and Paityn were so excited for the big birthday party. They made a cake for Pop Pop and Ollie (who will be celebrating her 81st birthday at the end of the month) , decorations and a personalized crown for the birthday boy (no party is complete without a crown!).

Pop Pop and the girlies getting ready to light the candles (it was a close call...we almost lit Pai on fire as well!).

Pop Pop, Ollie and Pai waiting for us to finish our oh-so-fabulous rendition of "You've Had a Birthday."

Grandpa Pierre (aka "Pear") and Grandma Olive (aka "Ollie", "Oily", or "Ol")


Aunt Kelly and Baby Danzer. We're trying to be patient in waiting for Baby Danzer's arrival. The patience part just isn't very easy!


The party animal in action! We love you Pop Pop and hope you had a wonderful birthday! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Our Trip to the State Fair

I had a brilliant (or so I thought!) idea last week. On Tanner's day off, I wanted to take the girlies to the State Fair. I hadn't been to the State Fair since the days of grade school fieldtrips (and that was a long, long time ago). I had fun memories of this big yellow slide and, well, I'm not real sure what else I expected. But, let me just say that my expectations were far too high. I guess I expected something more than an overpriced carnival.

YaYa came to town that same day, so she met us at the fair and took Lar and Pai on some of those overpriced rides. The girls had a fun time...and that's what ultimately counts, right?!? The girls' favorite part? When the Tomato's eye fell off during the Veggie Tales concert.

Roo's First Do

Raegan's hair is finally getting long enough to play with (which means one more hairdo for me each morning!). Lauren and Paityn have names for every hair-do. They were so excited to come home from school and see Roo's hair in "1-2-3 on Top."

Flat Stanley Goes to Colorado

Flat Stanley's latest adventure was in Colorado with YaYa and PopPop. You can view a slideshow of their trip by clicking HERE. They went on a 4-wheeling trip to Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Thanks YaYa and PopPop for taking such good care of Flat Stanley.

Now, Stanley's off to Kanab to visit Nana and Papa.

Who Needs Dolls When You Have Raegan?

Lauren and Paityn absolutely adore Raegan - almost as much as I do! She has been such a sweet addition to our family. For the most part, she is just a happy and content baby. She lets Lauren and Paityn get away with too much, usually.

A few days ago, Lar and Pai had Roo down in the playroom with them and I heard Raegan start to cry. When I ran downstairs, this is what I found...

Why play with dolls when you have Roo? The girls love this doll (a very authentic, 1970's beauty - handmade by my mom). They thought it would be fun to dress Roo up in the doll's oh-so-small clothes. I had a killer time getting Raegan's chubby arms back out of the arm holes!

And then there was the day the girls thought Roo would enjoy some music. I had just finished working out. As I took my earphones off, the girls had a fabulous idea. When I returned from the shower, I found Roo jammin' to the Ipod!

A Princess for a Day

The girls think this is the funnest. After all, everything in our house seems to revolve around Princesses!


You Are Belle!

Intelligent and kind. Your beauty goes much further than your apperance. Also, you make judgements of people based on their personality and not their looks. Attaining all the knowledge that you can is one of your major goals in life, but you are also a person who can make things happen.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

A Trip to the Dinosaur Park

Yesterday, we ventured to the Ogden Dinosaur Park with Great-Grandma Ollie. Our first stop just happened to be the ONLY robotic dinosaur in the entire park. I thought it was pretty neat. Pai Pai, on the other hand, was not so impressed! I spent the rest of the afternoon explaining to Pai that dinosaurs are extinct and that the replicas in the park are fake - simply made of cement and plaster.

We had such a fun afternoon! We love it when we can get on Ollie's schedule...she's the busiest lady we know. Between tap dancing, water aerobics, lunch dates, golfing, the library, piano playing and shopping with her friends, she's one busy grandma!

First Day of School...Part II

Today was Paityn's first day of Preschool. She has been looking forward to it, but has been especially anxious since Lauren started Kindergarten. No need for a new backpack...she only wanted Lauren's hand-me-down. Everything Lar has is "big girl" stuff to Pai. My little Paiter is growing up too, too fast! I'm going to miss having her around all the time. She definitely keeps me laughing. I love you, Pai!

Ally (Pai's friend from our neighborhood), Miss Connie and Paityn

Two Rays of Sunshine

One of my dear friends from college, Nikki, came to visit today.

Last October, Nikki and her husband were blessed with two very sweet, identical babies. They were born very prematurely (at 28 weeks, I believe) and they have all been through so much in the last 10 months. There was NICU, life flights, weeks and weeks of stay at Primary Children's Hospital, surgeries and more (not to mention that for a period of time they were separated - Hunter was in the St. George Hospital and Carter was in Primary Children's Hospital). Wow! I can't even comprehend the ups and downs (and sleepless nights!) they have been through.

Today I got to hold and love Hunter and Carter. They are such handsome, sweet little boys. Thanks for sharing them today, Nik!

Tomorrow, Carter is undergoing surgery at Primary Children's Hospital. We'll be thinking about you and praying for a speedy recovery, Carter!

Aren't they precious?

Hunter

Carter

Labor Day Weekend...In a Nutshell

Labor Day is for laboring, right? Tanner spent the weekend laboring at his home away from home. But, we were able to squeeze in a few fun things in between his long work hours. Nana and Papa came to visit and spent one night with us. It was so fun to see them - we don't get to see them often enough. Lauren was anxious to share some of her new Spanish skills (her rapidly expanding vocabulary...thanks to Kindergarten!) and Pai was more than happy to perform with song and dance. If nothing else, I think we kept Nana and Papa entertained!



We also had a fun BBQ and get together with some friends from our neighborhood. Paityn absolutely adores her friend Kayden and always asks if she can forgo the sunscreen - in hopes that she can be as tan as Kayden someday. She wants to be just like him!