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.

Chicks and bunnies

The girls always love to go to IFA this time of year since the baby chicks and bunnies are there. We decided to go this week for FHE and no surprise they still love it. Maybe someday we will live in a place where we will have both...only time will tell.

Some Much Needed Mommy Time

Lately I have been feeling a little overwhelmed and not my happy self. It has been pretty busy around here. With Gracie being sick, Matt traveling for work, me working extra shifts, and just normal stuff it was getting to me. I had seen a picture on pinterest weeks ago of how to paint your toenails for spring that I loved and I decided that it was time to make some time for myself and do it. After I got the girls down for nap I pulled out all the polish and had some fun. I love how they turned out and they make me smile to think of the fun coming this spring and summer. At times I forget while taking care of everyone else that once in a while I need to take care of myself and that just a little bit of attention goes a long way.

Dance Date Night

Dance date night was another date night put on by WSU marriage and family programs. It was once again a fun and great time. Chris was great and offered to come watch the girls.  We went to grab some dinner then headed to the event. When we got there there was about 8 other couples there and then of coarse the teacher. They taught the fox trot and the cha cha cha. Matt and I took social dance in high school and went dancing a handful of times in our married life so at times it was a little boring and basic. But we mad ethe best of it and had a night full of laughs and just being together. One thing I definitely found I am improving at is letting the guy lead. In all my dance experience I have been a control freak and tried to lead at the same time as my partner...which doesn't work really well.  But I have learned to let go and just let Matt be in charge it made the experience so much more enjoyable to me. After the class we headed home, got the girls in bed, and visited with Chris for a bit before he had to catch the train back home. Then we made some treats and snuggled up on the couch to enjoy movie with just us.

Love my hubby more and more all the time. So glad I have forever for us to be in love...cheesy yes but also very true.