Peanut Butter from the Jar

This little miss is 26 months and becoming more and more independent all the time. Earlier this week I was helping Hallie get ready for the day when I went out into the kitchen I found that Gracie had gotten herself some peanut butter, strawberry jam, and a drinkable yogurt for breakfast. She was eating them with a spoon. When she say me she said, "look mom look, Gacie did by self." She was so proud of herself. Then she asked,"ok mom ok?" I said yes and just let her keep on eating it with her spoon.

Love this sweet independent girl

IFly Fieldtrip

When the preschool first announced they were going to take a fieldtrip to Ifly/Flowrider/IRock I knew Matt would want to go. They said they were going to give all the kids a chance to rock climb, a couple kids and their chaperon a chance to do Ifly, and just get to watch the flowrider. I talked to Matt about it and sure enough he was excited to go. Its nice since he is gone so much that he can occasionally do things like this to spend time with us during the work day. It turned out that the hospital was still crazy busy so I ended up working while Matt took her on the field trip. They had a great time. After they were done Matt text me to let me know they had had a great time and how it went. I immediately panicked seeing as I had forgotten to ask him to take pictures. I was so happy when Matt replied that he not only had taken several pictures but also video!!! Yes he deserves an award for the most awesome husband and dad! So here they are I will explain what they did as we go. So they went to Ifly first there the first took all the kids into the tunnel and turned the fan on low to give them a demonstration as to how the Ifly works much like wind. Once the fan was going they let water out and watch it turn into a funnel and how the water suspended in air. Afterwards a few kids tried it out Matt said Hallie decided she didn't want to try it she was a little nervous.

Next to Hallie is her favorite friend Millie. She talks about her almost constantly. 

Next was IRock. They talked to the class about the rules ect and then harnessed all the kids up and they all got a chance to climb the wall. Matt said Hallie was nervous at first and then ended up climbing higher than the rest of the class. After she had her turn they rotated the rest of the kids through and Hallie started calling for Matt when he looked around to find her she was at the top of the free climbing wall waving from the top.

After they found out the flowrider was closed for construction so they didn't end up getting to see that but had a great time seeing what they did. Im so grateful for Matt and his willingness to take time to spend time with us. I always knew he would be a wonderful dad but he has far pasted my expectations...he gets better all the time.

Sisters and Best Friends

I can't even emphasize how much these to love each other. They truly are best friends and it makes my heart so happy. Where one of them goes the other isn't far behind. They play so well together. Here are some pictures of our girls. Watching a show on the Zoom

Fun bath time together

My mom found all these fun surprises(barbies) in Vegas since they are sold out everywhere here. They were so excited when they got to our house. And I would dare say they are not alone very often. 

The other morning I was making breakfast Hallie says," Mom come take a picture of us." This is a daily occurrence riding the horse together going on a new adventure. On this particular day they were taking Anna and Else to the Dr. Love them and their fun imaginations

I hope these 2 stay best friends forever. It took me several years to realize how valuable having a best friend and sister in one is.

TIMBER....Cutting Down Some Trees

With spring just around the corner the yard work has begun. We decided this year to have someone come and professional trim our trees. A couple of our biggest ones are starting to grow over the roof and a couple different ones are starting to look dead is certain places. We had a landscaper come and he told us that 3 of our trees were either dead or dying because of how they had been "topped" before we bought the house. He said there wasn't much of a point in leaving them in and that he would charge us 600 bucks to cut them down. On Friday night Matt and I were laying on the couch cuddling talking about what our weekend was going to entail and we decided that Saturday we would cut down the trees ourselves. Our great friends and neighbors wanted the wood for their fireplace so they offered to come help us and we gave them all our wood. It was so nice to have twice as many hands to make the work go faster.

Hallie was very anxious to get going and was a huge help. She loved to carry the branches over where Steph and I would cut them up and load them into the truck. 

 We got the 1st tree down pretty quickly then we had a few problems with the chain saws. Steph and I loaded the truck with the branches while the boys dx the saws. Matt ran to get lunch and replacement parts, I took the branches to the green waste, Steph stayed with the kids, and Jon went to get a different chainsaw. It took a couple hours to really get back in our groove....which sucked since it slowed us down so much. But once we got going again it went pretty quickly. 

The kids were so good and played in the backyard and kept themselves pretty entertained for most of the day.

Now that they are down someone is coming this week to dig out the stumps and then we will be replacing them with new trees. It was a very long day but at the end of all of it it was worth it. Oh just a side note the day was a little cooler and we wore jackets all day but when we went in to get everyone bathed we all had gotten some sun. Evidenced by some pink cheeks and hair parts....spring must be coming.

Blessed

Recently while talking to my sister in law I realized just how much I love my life right now. I remember throughout my life I have thought oh when I get to a certain point in my life I will be happy with where I am. I can truly say when I became a mom I found that place. And the longer I have been a mom the more true it has become. I spent pretty much my entire life wanting to be a mom and saying that I feel blessed to now be one would be an understatement. Yes, there are still days I get frustrated and need a break...that's normal. But knowing that the Lord has entrusted me with 2 of his special valiant spirits is at times overwhelming. Matt and I are doing our best to raise kind, loving, daughters of god. That hopefully realize the power and privileges that come with being a daughter of God. I read on a parenting website a couple weeks ago about different bedtime routines one lady mentioned that before she put her kids down for the night she told them 3 things she loved about them. I loved this idea and have since started doing this. I think it has made me more grateful for my girls and being able to be their mom. One night I had told Hallie her 3 things, kissed her, and tucked her in just as I was getting ready to leave Hallie said, "mom you forgot one thing you love about me.....my silliness." We both laughed I agreed with her and said good night as I was heading up the stairs I heard her say, "mommy I love your silliness too." In moments like that I realize how much I love my "job" as a mom. I have 2 sweet, loving, beautiful, smart, healthy, and thoughtful girls who look to me for direction in life. I have also found that in doing this I have found more patience during the day and focus on the positive. I think focusing on what you are grateful for makes me a more positive person. For instance when I ask the girls to come brush their teeth or get their shoes and socks on and they quickly come I make a bigger deal out of it than if they hadn't listened. It really has made a big world of difference in my mood and theirs.

A Hubby Who Loves Me

 I have a husband that I truly fall in love with all over again on a regular basis. He does so well at showing me how much he loves me. We are at a "hard" point in our lives where he is gone a lot and we have to be more diligent at making sure we communicate and make sure we let the other one know how much we really do love each other. He is a thoughtful, self motivated, hard working, multi-tasker, that finds time for everything although I have no idea how. Although we still have a few things we would like to accomplish I feel very blessed and have pretty much everything I have ever wanted out of life. The last month or so the hospital has been so busy and I have been working quite a few extras. One of my "extra" days I came out after shift and found this surprise in my car.

Im thankful for a hubby that knows me and loves me for who I am. He finds just the right ways to show me often. Love you babes.

A Day with Kimber to Discovery

Going into this week I knew it was going to be busy. Matt was gone to Seattle for work the 1st part of the week, the R.S. birthday so I had a bunch to do for that, and just normal stuff, oh and Im working extra since the hospital is still crazy. But Tuesday when Kimber called to see if we wanted to meet her for lunch and to go to Discovery Gateway I said yes. We had to rearrange somethings but it was worth it and a great day out for all of us. Although we should have been getting ready the girls were so funny both trying to ride this tiny horse and then the one on the back would fall off and they would laugh and laugh. After we got ready and Hallie off to preschool. Gracie and I ran a bunch of errands and got a lot accomplished. 

 Once we picked Hallie up from preschool we headed for Salt Lake. Both Kimber and I found great parking spots and we walked to get some lunch at Costa Vida. It was chilly and on and off snow flurries making the walk pretty chilly. The kids were, of coarse, having to much fun playing to really eat. So Kim and I just visited and enjoyed our lunch while the kids played.

 Then we walked down to discovery. By the time we were done with lunch the sun was out and had warmed up a little but it was still colder than it has been. The kids wasted no time finding something to play with. It was so nice the last time Kimber and I took the kids there were a ton of people there and made it hard to really enjoy it. This time there weren't many people there so it was nice that way.

 I decided to take a different approach at taking pictures this day. I just wanted to capture them in their element and didn't want to chase them around trying to get them to look at me. 

 Luke would bring the food to the table and Gracie would pretend to eat it. They played so well together although Luke didn't stay in one place for more than a couple minutes.

 While Gracie and Luke moved on to the water tables and getting plenty wet

 Hallie spent probably the 1st hour in the grocery store doing every job from the deli to the cashier

 Both the girls love horses so it was no surprise when they both wanted to sit on the horse and saddle. Hopefully one day sooner than later we will have horses of our own.

 Hallie was like the driver and gracie and her baby the riders...I think they stopped for gas 10 times in about 5 minutes 

 I loved that no matter where Hallie went she really got into character. She always wore the coordinating uniforms and tried it all

 Last time we were there the upstairs area was a large empty space with some blocks we were excited to see that they had added quite a few things. The kids started in the archaeological dig sit with foam feeling sand/dirt. Gracie wasn't sure what to think about the pieces between her toes

 We all got on the airplane and went for a flight Hallie informed us to buckle up that we were headed to Ogden Utah luckily it was a very short flight.

 Here is our little captain

 Here is our little group. The kids did a great job surviving without naps and playing well together. I'm so glad that Kimber thought to call us and wanted to spend time hanging out with us it was a fun day.

Kinley's Turns One

Saturday as soon as we got out of Disney on Ice we headed for Nic's house for Kinley's 1st birthday party. We were a few minutes late but made it just in time for all the festivities. I remember last year heading for Disney on Ice with Hallie waiting to hear if Nic was going to have Kinley before we got home. I was glued to my phone for every update and now I can't believe she is 1!!!! We had dinner then headed to the family room to visit and open gifts. I was actually surprised at how well the kids did at not opening Kinley's presents or at least listening when they were told not to.....that is one of my huge pet peeves! Ez became the baby whisperer with more than one on his lap at a time.

 Nic got Kinley this adorable bow...seriously Im going to buy the girls one in every color

 Jill bought Kinley a little people house and I think the kids had just as much fun playing with the box.

 Then it was time for cake. I loved Kinley's balloon and banner. She was all smiles.

 And definitely enjoyed her 2 cupcakes.

While we were eating cake Kyle turned on the music and it didn't take very long for the kids to get the beat going...so funny

 Then it was cuddle and chillax time. We typically end up snuggling someone elses child. I truly do love my sisters kids. I wondered how that would work but I really do love them like my own and I know my sisters feel the same about my kids.

What a fun filled day filled with the ones we love the most making memories. Happy birthday Kinners!!

Disney On Ice

Last year when I took Hallie to Disney on Ice she had an awesome time so when it came around this year Matt and I had planned on going but decided that since we are going to San Diego we decided not to. Then Gracie got sick and Hallie was an angel child and my right hand and an opportunity presented itself to buy tickets and we decided to take it. We decided to go as a family this year since its just more fun to go as a family. We decided to go to the Saturday matinee since we thought it would work best for our schedules. The girls(mostly Hallie) picked out both their outfits as soon as she got out of bed and all day asked how many hours til we got to leave. After nap we got everyone changed, grab some quick pictures, and loaded up to head to Salt Lake.

While we were waiting for Hallie to go potty Gracie made herself comfortable and ate her PB & J

 We got there and seated about 5 minutes before the show started. I'm sure Matt would have liked to have done several other things that day but he was more than willing to come so it made our family day complete. 

 Last time we went we didn't really know what to expect and ended up with less than stellar seats so this time we spent the extra money and sat on the 17th row in the section the show performs to. It was totally worth it and we had a much better time being able to see.

 Gracie didn't move the 1st hour of the show. I kept asking Matt if she was ok and he said she just looked mesmerized so her took this picture to show me and yes indeed she was mesmerized.

 This year they did short presentations of 4 Disney Movies. First was The Little Mermaid they had great costumes and such fun songs.

 Second was Tangled...which has always been one of the girls' favorite. When Maximus came out Gracie started clapping and saying Look Look Mommy!!!

 Then came intermission and more pictures

 Oh how I love this little group that I'm so blessed to call my family. I'm not sure where Gracie got the idea in the picture above but it then created the laughing in the following picture just have a genuine great time together.

 Third was Brave...I was somewhat disappointed in how short it was and wished this segment had been longer.

 Matt's favorite was the triplet brothers and how silly they were

 And last but not least was Beauty and the Beast. The girls thought it was so funny that the tea cup and tea pot life size and skating around.

It was such a fun afternoon just spending time together just being us.