Mothers Day 2013

Our attempt at a mommy & me picture after church...not such a good idea but hey it is what it is...reality!

 We can't forget daddy he sure loves all us us girls

Mother's Day has been great so far. Matt built me a beautiful strawberry tower complete with 35 strawberry plants that I can't wait to eat. Im not much for flowers or jewelry really. I find that I would rather be spoiled a little everyday of the year than all just in one day. Matt and the kids do a great job at making me feel loved and appreciated. Of coarse there are the days I feel down and unappreciated but I think we all have those. Mother's Day to me is usually more about the kids than me. Now don't get me wrong I think its a great day but as I see friends and family post cards and funny things their kids say about them. I stop to think about how I want my kids to describe and remember me one day. I think its one of the many times during the year I re-evaluate if Im being the kind of mom I really want to be. Usually their is some tweaking that I have to work on but for the most part Im just thankful that I have the opportunity to be a mom. This year especially has made me realize that. I have been thinking about the conference talkes from April. I think my favorite was Sister Dalton's about being a mother and having children. I have noticed recently there are quite a few people out there struggling with comparing themselves to others and feeling inadequate in multiple areas of life. Luckily for me I feel I'm at a place in life I no longer feel that is a problem that I struggle with. Believe me there have been times and occasionally still have moments that I feel I should be/do what the world wants but I now have the confidence to stand and realize that isn't fair to me or my family. Matt has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and has given me the confidence to be who I am and make decision based on what I want the outcome to be not how I want it to appear to others. I know some people don't agree or understand this type of thinking which can be quite frustrating at times. As I watched conference I frequently got emotional thinking of my girls and the world they are/will grow up in. I am scared for them for the hard and trying times they will go through but also reminded in another talk from conference that where there is sunshine darkness can not reside. I feel my role as a mother is to teach my girls to love themselves for who they are. There are days I feel like Im incompetent to teach the lords valiant spirits he has entrusted to me. I can be impatient and snappy. But those are the times I am reminded Im at blessed enough to have 2 beautiful kids that love me and I love them more than anything. I am also often reminded bu my wonderful husband that as long as I am constantly striving I can't do any better than that. So this Mother's Day I am once again taking a step back to re-evaluate the relationship I have with the ones that make my Mother's Day possible to be a better mom for them and a better wife to mu hubby.

Baby Animal Days & Yard Selling

We once again had a fun and busy week but luckily it seems to be slowing a bit. Matt started his Masters program Tuesday and I keep telling myself that in a 18 short months it will all be worth the fact that he is gone and busy a lot. neither one of us have been in school since we decided to have kids. That was one of our goals was to finish school and pay off all our student loans before we had kids so this is a big change but this time will also pass. Back to fun things baby animal days has become some what of a tradition we meet up with my sisters and their kids(Kimber was even part this year). Hallie loves animals and it seems that Gracie seems to be that way so far. When I told Hallie that baby animal days was coming up she asked probably everyday if it was time to go for a horse ride so of coarse when we got there it was the 1st thing we did. Maybe someday we will live somewhere we can have horses.

We waited in line for a minute and watched the horses walk by Gracie seemed pretty excited about the whole thing. Once we got to the front they each got fitted for a helmet and off they went.

 With the smaller kids they put them on the ponys but Hallie requested to ride a big horse and loved every second of it

 Gracie on the other hand was a little unsure at first once the horse got moving she was all smiles.

 And they cried when they made her get off

 They had goats, pigs, sheep, cows, horses, ducks, rabbits, and baby chicks. They also had a reptile display but we decided to skip that since the line was forever...but that was really an excuse none of us like reptiles...yuck!

 One of the baby cows was asleep against the fence so the girls got plenty of petting time with him. Gracie also really liked the goats...not sure why. She spent quite a bit of time petting them as well. I decided rather than taking the stroller to take the harness and it worked great. I could keep track of Grace and it still allowed her to be part of all the fun.

 They had sheep shearing demos every 30 minutes of so. Hallie was fascinated and stayed to watch the whole thing. Then she got a piece as a souvenir.

 Then there was a bounce house and face painting. Gracie like the bounce house for about 30 seconds but Hallie stayed in there for quite a while. When we went to get her face painted Hallie decided she would rather have it on her arm.

 Here is her beautiful arm flower she was very proud of

 After we went to McDonalds and let the kids play on the play place while we had ice cream, french fries, and visited. The kids would stop by occasionally to have a bite but enjoyed the toys more. It was a fun afternoon. I always love when you tire your kids out from playing with them. So home to bed. Then Saturday morning I woke Hallie up about 6:15am to head to Day Break for their semi-annual yard sale. I was hesitant to take Hallie because I don't think I have a) every woke her up and b) been awake before 8am but when I wen tto get her she jumped out of bed and asked if it was time to go see Kimi. She did well and just mostly sat quietly in the backseat on the way down in her pjs

 There were a few times I would look back and see this...and just laugh quietly

Once we got there we looked for various things and attempted to see most of the 215 yard sales going on. We found some great deals and were tired and done shortly after 11. So we headed for home to see daddy and Grace. There aren't many things I like more than feeling like I got a great deal....its kinda a high for me. I think its fun to teach my kids how to get more for their money. Hallie and I stopped for a treat before we got home and then we had to show Matt all our "treasures" Im so thankful for a supportive husband that lets me go have some fun. And for my Hallie that is getting old enough she is really fun to take places and totally involved she is totally like a side kick. Heres to more fun weekends and time with the Fam.

Hallie's 1st Dance Recital

Hallie had her 1st dance recital this past weekend and it just so happened that it coordinated weekends with Kinley's baby blessing so my family got to be there to. Hallie was so excited and had been practicing at home with her little video I recorded for her. She dances to Splish Splash and loves her sparkly outfit and fluffy hair thing. Also another 1st was wearing makeup and to be honest I wasn't thrilled. I want Hallie to learn she is beautiful the way she is there is a time and a place for makeup but it isn't for little girls! But we followed the instructions and put makeup on her and I knew she had long eyelashes before but the makeup just accentuation them. Holy cow we are raising a beautiful girl...stay little forever.

 She was so excited to take pictures with everyone so we got there early enough to get a seat and take pictures. Hallie is Maddi's little shadow when she is around to bad they don't live closer so we can get her to babysit...that would be awesome. I can't belive she is so grownup I really think of her as Hallie's age and my "little" sister.

 Our beautiful girl all dolled up and ready to go

 She had been asking for weeks when grandma Sheryl was coming to watch her dance and the day finally had come. Now she is asking how long til we get to fly to see grandma...less than a month now.

 I love my little family! I think were going to keep it this way for a while(but that's another story)

 Ready in starting position

 By the time grandma Joy got there Hallie was very much over taking pictures but we tried

 Matt, Papa, and Nate were also thrilled there was the national university bike race going on so they could watch that while we waited for Hallie. I actually really like the dance recital stuff so we had the best of both worlds.

 Oh Uncle Nate..how we will miss him for 2 years. My girls love him and he is always so willing to carry or play with them. Its crazy to think about how big they will be when he gets home. He is a stud in about every sense of the word.

 Watching the bike race. Hallie also thought it was very cool. So we stood and watched for a little bit

 Then we got a picture of Hallie with her "prizes" for doing so awesome. A balloon and some cotton candy..her favorite.

Then we headed to pizza factory for lunch. After we headed home while my mom and dad to Nate to get his mission suits and shoes. My dad came up with the most brilliant idea. He said to Hallie in the car I think when we get home we should have a competition to see who can sleep the longest. And whomever wins gets a prize. Well on the way home Gracie fell asleep so Hallie was panicked that Grace was going to beat her so she quickly went to bed once we got home and slept for 3 hours! When she got up she asked if she had won(which she had) so she got a treat. We have continued to have nap "competitions" since Saturday and she has napped everyday and when she gets up I have been happy to give her a treat. We really appreciate all the family that came to support Hallie she was thrilled. We love our little dancer she is getting so grown up.

Last Weeks Happenings

We have had a busy last couple weekends. First, Randy & Holly's Shay came home from her mission and is now engaged! We are so excited for her. Holly is such a hostess and always thinks of everyone. She has bottles of bubbles fof the kids...they were in heaven. I always realize when we go "home" that family isn't just people you are blood related to but people you love and they love you for who you are good and bad. That makes Randy & Holly our 2nd parents they have been there throughout our whole lives and continue to include us.

 Gracie was thrilled when she got her own bottle...although it didn't last long before she dumped them out.

 The other day the girls had gone down to play and it was very quiet I went down and found them on Hallie's bed reading and eating fruit snacks. Warms my heart...love my girls

 Friday my parents got her for a fun filled weekend. It just so happened that Friday was also Nic's 24th birthday so before we got settled in for the night we met at Nic's for some cake and ice cream. The kids had a great time pulling all the cushions off Nic's couch into a pile to play in while the adults visited and hang out.

 Happy 24th Nic...love ya girl

 Kyle did a great job making Nic's cake. We had to laugh because he wanted it to be a surprise that he made the cake so he made it at Jills on his way home from work. Nic's favorite cakes are rainbow chip and german chocolate. I guess when Kyle went to the store all her could find was funfetti so he bought cherry chip. On Friday when Kyle and Nic were out for the day he said, "what's your favorite cake....say cherry chip with cream cheese frosting." I'm still not quite sure if he believes us that there is such a thing as rainbow chip

 And when grandma is around you better believe the kids aren't far behind and there usually isn't free space on her lap...Friday night was no different.

 Saturday after Hallie recital(post to come) we hung out and bbq'd it was just nice to relax and let the kids play and well grandma even got in on the action and showed the kids just how to act like a monkey on the tramp needless to say they spent a lot of time laughing as did we as we watched.

 Hallie has really become interested in her dr kit, assessing, and fixing people. She quite frequently makes whomever is around her patient. Which often times is fine with me because I get to lay down and she "takes care" of me. Rigs and Kimber became her next victim...I mean patient.

  We had some late nights enjoying time together and our kiddos showed it the most poor Luke fell sound asleep while eating and didn't change.

Mommy Times

With Matt so busy with work and school we have a lot of mommy time. The hospital has also been so crazy busy I have also been working a lot. But once in a while we have to get out and have some fun and the weather has been very helpful with that too. The girls are at a fun age and I really enjoy most of our time together. Hallie remains a sweetheart and usually very appreciative of what Matt and I both give her and do for her. Which makes it a lot easier to give her more. She is also very diligent at making sure Gracie is involved and part of everything...which really just warms my heart. So of coarse when  she realized Gracie had never rode in the helicopter at the mall she insisted Gracie needed a turn.  Well Hallie loved it and Gracie lasted about 10 seconds and looked pretty nervous.

Hallie and I have also been refinishing quite a few pieces of furniture during Gracie nap time they turned out really well. We just sold the last one so I guess that means its time for another batch but I think we will wait a little so I still enjoy doing it.

 The girls and I headed on a "roadtrip" to Logan to buy and sell some things off of Cache Valley Classifieds(a major passion of mine currently). We had a picnic and I think I was the only one who ate. The kids were having a ball. Hallie attempted to teach Gracie how to roll down a hill...but it was really cute. I realized while doing this post Gracie is experiencing lots a true interactive 1sts this year...and I love it. There are the endless green spaces and running in them.

 And it wouldn't truly be becoming spring without slurpees. Grace wouldn't even look at me she was very into hers.

 Throughout our drop off and pickups we also stopped at 3 different parks. The kids had a ball and made new friends at each one. It was fun since each has different toys as well.

 Then we came home, picked up daddy from doing home work and headed to the hospital for free dinner for  nurse appreciation week. The girls were both more concerned with the geese and their babies as well as the water fountain.

Oh living life through the eyes of a child is priceless and something I will ever be grateful for.