Reading

Hallie loves to read to Em and Em seems to really like it as well. I think its really sweet how all the girls love and interact with each other I hope it always stays that way

Organizing

Since we moved in I have wanted to organize the girls totes of clothes. I knew it was going to be a large undertaking but really wanted to sort thru them and get rid of the things that were stained/worn out/out of style. So while Matt was out of town for work I tackled the project. It did take quite a while sorting and organizing but now I feel like I have a better idea of what the girls will need for clothes and what they have plenty of. I ended up clearing out 2 large garbage bags! While I cleaned Em played with the wood block. She really likes it and all the things it does. 

I was hoping to take the clothes to kid to kid and get some money for when the kids need different clothes but I was disappointed when they gave me $10 and only took a few things! I guess I will give them away to someone that needs them. But yeah for cleaning and getting organized

Spring is Coming...Em's 1st Time Swinging

It was the free zoo day in Salt Lake so Ashlee, the kids, and I decided to make the trip to and have a fun day enjoying the sun. Shortly before we got to the zoo Nic called and said the zoo was packed and to stay away. Although we were disappointed we grabbed lunch at Wendy's and went to a nearby park. It was a good opportunity to let the kids play and let Em swing for the first time....she loved it!

I mean look at that sweet face!

Hallie was just as excited as Em was to see her swinging. She is such a great big sister and a huge help to me.

It was a great day to get out and enjoy the sunshine...we haven't seen much of that for a while. 

Our 1st Winter....Not Without a Few Issues

We timed it just right when we moved in before the snow really started falling but after that we had a few hiccups along the way. We got about 4 feet of snow total at one time this winter. A couple of our issues have included an ice dam and some water issues. With all the snow on the roof it created an ice dam and caused some water to leak into the garage. Matt had to climb on the roof and melt the ice/snow and then we put a pan in the attic to collect the water until we can get heat tape put up this summer. We are hoping to be much more prepared next winter for all the snow and ice. Here is a picture of the house. We can't wait to paint the house and see what it looks like all done.

When the snow started melted so quickly the ground couldn't absorb it quick enough and it started to pool in the back yard. One day while Matt was away on business I went downstairs to find 2 of the back window wells full of water. So we set up the sump pumps and some hoses and pumped the water away from the house. We have had to do it a handful of time this winter/spring. Once we get the ground landscaped and the dirt pile in the back gone I think it will take care of the problem.

We are hoping that once we make some minor changes that we can avoid these problems from here on out. I naively thought that a new house shouldn't have any issues...lol. 

Practicing Crawling

Em seems to be in no hurry to crawl. I was talking to the developmental specialist at work and she gave me a few things to try to help her get moving in the right direction. She seems to really like doing them. I think she feels like such a big girl and I love watching Matt interact with the girls.

Initionally distraction was key so Matt and the girls got creative

Im sure in due time she will decide she wants to be mobile but for now we are just having a fun time practicing and working together

Sledding...Em's First Time

The kids have been really hesitant to this point to go outside and play by themselves until the last couple of weeks. I guess with the weather getting warmer it is more pleasant to stay outside. Hallie was so excited when I told her she could take Em for a ride in her sled. 

Hallie is a fantastic big sister. She wants Em to experience everything that she can. Its fun to watch all of the girls bond now that Em is getting older and can do more. Im sure this is the first of many times they will go sledding in their childhood. I remember sledding with my sisters growing up. It was so much fun. We love it in Huntsville and look forward to many winters to come

Happy Valentines Day

Sunday was Valentine's day so we attended church and then let the kids open their gifts after. They were pretty thrilled...lol. Matt and I love these girls more than anything and love any excuse to show them how in various ways

Family Valentine's Date

Matt and I aren't into most of the commercialized part of Valentine's Day instead we chose to celebrate our love on a more regular basis so we usually spend our Valentines at home away from the crowds enjoying our family. A couple days before Valentine's day Matt and I decided to take the girls on a Valentine's date. They were really excited. We went to Moviegrille and saw the Good Dinosaur. It was really cute and everyone really liked it. Em had a few minutes that she was fussy and needed to go to sleep but after a little rocking she fell asleep in her car seat. The other 2 were great ate all their dinner and really enjoyed the movie. It was a really fun night all together. Now that life is seeming to slow down Im really looking forward to doing more like this

Gracie's Valentine's Party

While Hallie and I were picking out Valentine's and Gracie was sad she didn't need to make Valentine's so I decided we would have a valentine's party for all of the little kids in our ward that are her age. She was so excited and wanted to be a part of everything from the decor to the food to the activities. She was pretty excited about the valentines she picked out and did a great time writing her name on each of them and taping them together

They exchanged Valentines...

We decorated and of coarse at cookies

After they played for a hour or so and then we had lunch before everyone went home for naps. It was a fun time and it was completely worth all the work watching Gracie be so excited to have a party with her friends

Beautiful Views and Double Trouble

The views up here are spectacular and I find that I take the time in the day to make sure I notice them. I have also noticed that the girls commonly say stuff about how beautiful it is up here.

These two have become the best of friends...when they aren't bickering..lol. They can be so funny. When the girls were all together we were making sugar cookies and I found them eating the greek yogurt with their fingers. I hope Morgan and Gracie will stay friends and always have each others back.

Splashing in the Tub

Finding you can splash in the tub is pretty cool

Backsplash

While building the house there were a few thing put on the back burner because basically Matt and I were exhausted and tired of making decisions. By the time we got around to them the trade workers had already completed their work so we decided to complete them ourselves. The back splash was one of them. We had a hard time deciding on a back splash but finally found something we liked.

Matt started the accent piece Friday after work. He made some great progress. 

Saturday Matt had to go help a coworker fix a dishwasher counter so the girls and I finished getting the tile put on the wall. I have never ran a tile saw but it wasn't to bad and the girls were great help. By the time Matt got home we were pretty much finished. I love when I get a chance to try something new and see how impressed Matt is with me..lol. We then had to let it sit and ended up leaving it until Monday and then grouted it in. I think it turned out to be a great look for us.

I also took my counter pieces and painted them the accent colors. I think they add a great pop of color against the neutral tile. That way when we want to change it up it should be pretty easy