New Clothes and Lunch Dates

I should not go shopping. I love to dress the girls. When I found this top on clearance for Em I couldn't resist. She is just so dang cute.

After volunteering we decided to have lunch with Hallie. It was a fun experience and Im trying to soak up the time they want to spend with me, I hope it never ends.

Occasionally we find a stray either in our back yard or at the front door. I often text Teann and let her know and shortly there after she comes to get one or both of them. On this particular night I was cleaning car seats they found their way in and buckled themselves in. This may be the easiest idea for babysitting ever because they can't unbuckle themselves. This is Eden and Em 

Dentist, Shopping, & Best Friends

I love each of our girls for so many reasons but one thing that melts my heart every time is watching their relationships with each other grow. They really are best friends almost all of the time.

After we got our dental insurance in place in January we set up appointments for the girls to get looked at. While Em waited her turn she brushed the monkey's teeth. It was pretty cute to watch.

The girls love Kids Town Pediatric dentistry they have so much fun. The office has a bunch specifically for the kids. 

Sometimes we get creative with shopping. All the girls love reading and it keeps them occupied but it leaves no space for me to shop. I guess that is a good problem to have.

The 3 amigos Honestly I always wondered how the girls would get a long with the space between them and Hallie and Gracie already being so close but that worrying has been in vain. Now that Em is older and can run around with them she is just part of their little group. I love the way they love each other

Silly Hallie

I really think God knew what he was doing when he sent me these 3 sweet, smart, and beautiful girls. They make my life worth living. I only wish I could freeze or slow time down.

Gracie 6th Birthday Take 2

On Sunday after the craziness of Saturday we celebrated Gracie's birthday a second time. At church she got a candy necklace and sung to in primary. 

We then attempted to make a Little Mermaid cake that Gracie requested. She also requested pasta for dinner.

She was so excited to blow out the candles until she thought they would start Ariel on fire. It took a lot of convincing but she finally blew them out and Ariel was unharmed

It was another fun night celebrating this beautiful girl and her turning 6. 

Happy 6th Birthday Gracie

This sweet tender hearted girl of ours turned 6! She requested the same party as last year and after checking a handful of times over a couple weeks we planned essentially the same party as last year. We stared at Pizza Pie Cafe with Matt's parents and the Grahams. She got to open presents and we sang happy birthday all while feeding our faces with as much pizza and pasta we could handle.

After our bellies were full we headed to do some bowling. Grandma and Grandpa had other plans so it was just us and the Grahams until about half way thru when the Bennetts got there. The bowling ally had over scheduled the lanes but we made it work and I think everyone had a great time

We finished just in time to head to Mindi's surprise party. We had cleared it with Gracie first to make sure she was ok to share her birthday and as expected she was excited. The girls opened up the hatchimals in the car and that kept them busy until we got to west valley. Corey was throwing a surprise party for Mindi and of coarse we didn't want to miss it.

This girl is so real and one of the best friends I've ever had. It doesn't matter how long its been since we visited or been together we always just pick up right where we left off.

When we got home we realized we forgot to take pictures with Gracie with her door decor. She was pretty excited about it.

Happy birthday to our favorite 6 year old

BRHS Friend Party

We were asked to host the "friend" party this year. Matt and I were first really excited to see and catch up with everyone. We haven't attended a friend party since Hallie was tiny. We keep in touch with Becca since she takes our family pictures and Corey and Mindi because we genuinely love and care about them. We are involved in each others lives. We decided to do street taco because they were pretty easy to put together and I did extra desserts for the family party so I had left overs for the party. It was a great idea to have the parties back to back then we only had to set up and break down once and we were able to use a lot of the same food. Anyways the party wasn't what I was hoping it would be and I finished off the party so disappointed in how it all had been. So Becca and Sara showed up without their husbands which was weird but whatever. The conversation constantly went back to high school and turned what I thought was inappropriate multiple times. I felt uneasy when they brought up the times they had been on dates with Matt and the things they did. I thought that was disrespectful and unnecessary. I was hoping that we could all find common ground and build friendships where we are today but sadly I don't think that will ever happen. Sex was talked about flippantly and I was then reminded that I have grown up and have no desire to live in the past. I want to talk about sex sacredly and with maturity especially with our kids present. I felt uncomfortable and embarrassed after everyone left I expressed my feelings to Matt and although he didn't feel the same he totally got where I was coming from. I don't have any desire to attend another friend party probably ever. 

Brower Family Christmas Party

Matt and I offered to host the Christmas party knowing that we had the best space that would fit all of us comfortably. After all we built this house for events such as these. We decided to do a theme and play minute to win it games. I think it made the party very successful. We decided to serve "roast beast" aka pulled pork

It turned out amazingly

Kerry had asked if he could have a few minutes to present something. He ended up doing some singing and teaching the kids how to do a couple dances. It was a unique thing for the kids and something I hope they remember for a long time

Then we played some minute to win it games. They were a huge hit and everyone seemed to have a great time

After all the fun it was time to call it a night. This was a pretty great attempt at getting a family picture

My relationship with Matt's family is hot and cold. I think it's often difficult because of the difference in relationship between Matt's family and mine. I am really trying and sometimes its meant with joy and other times no one seems to notice. This was a good night. I think having everything planned out was great so everyone had something to do.