So...Let Me Catch You Up

So...obviously I haven't been doing a whole lot of blogging lately.

But a whole lot has been going on.

In August the kiddos started school.

First Daughter - 4th, Second Daughter - 2nd, Third Daughter - Kindergarten.

They love school and are doing great. 

In September I celebrated my 31st birthday.

I went out to breakfast with a bunch of friends, had lunch with my sister in-law, and had Red Mango with my family for dinner.  It was perfect!  I felt very loved and loved all the yummy food and wonderful people.

We completed another busy soccer season.
We were lucky to have beautiful weather throughout the season.  I sure love watching my kiddos run around that soccer field.

A new daily activity for us is to go watch the trains.  Son#1 absolutely loves trains and we have found a few spots where we can get an up close view of the trains going by.  It really is a highlight to our days.

The girls are taking piano lessons from me this year.
I was really nervous about how that would go, but luckily it is going amazingly!  So much better than I expected.  We really enjoy the one-on-one time together, and they all are doing really well practicing and progressing.  This is the first year for Third Daughter and she is doing great!

At the end of September, Husband and I broke away for a couple nights to go to CA for one of Husband's friend's wedding.  We were able to go to the temple with his family that lives out there and that was wonderful.  Even though it was a very quick trip, it was very nice to be kid free for a little while and enjoy family and friends (and beautiful CA weather) together.

The day we got back from CA was the Ogden Temple dedication.
It was a special day for First Daughter because she is now old enough to attend the dedication.  I really loved going with her and our cousin Andrea.

We have been having the most amazing weather, and the most amazing sunsets and sunrises!
I really love the view every night and can't help but take pictures.  I send them to my mom because she loves clouds. :)

Speaking of beautiful weather, the kids have been spending most of their afternoons outside with friends.  First Daughter loves to ride her ripstick and the others love to ride their bikes.  This weather won't last for much longer, so we're soaking it all up while we can.

 We really love fall.  Son#1 has discovered leaf piles and he just loves to lay in them.

Two weeks ago I ran my fifth half marathon.  It was the Pink Series half in Park City.  The weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful.  As for the course - not my favorite.  It was pretty hard.  But the company was fantastic.  I have loved training with these ladies and so proud of how our little team did!

This fall park season has been really fun for Son#2.  He can climb up the stairs, walk around the park, and he loves going down slides.  Playing at the park is one of my favorite things to do with my family.

Last Saturday Husband and I celebrated our 11th anniversary.  Things didn't exactly go as planned, but we were able to spend the evening together anyway and that's all that matters.  We spent some time talking about what we love about our marriage.  It really made me so grateful looking back on our life together, how we've grown, and what makes our marriage so incredible.  I love this guys more than ever and still feel like he is my greatest blessing ever.  I stand by that statement.

And last but not least...

Third Daughter lost her first tooth!  And as a matter of fact, she lost her second one just today!  She was so excited to get a visit from the tooth fairy, even though our tooth fairy is pretty forgetful and almost always doesn't come the first night.  Oh well...we forgive her :)

 

Well, now I've pretty much caught you up on all that's going on around here.

Life feels pretty good.

I am loving being mom to these kids and wife to my husband.

Which is good, because I spend a whole lot of time doing those two things :)

 

 

 

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So...Zoo Date

This month was Second Daughter's turn to go on a date with mom & dad, and she got to go with her best friend too!  It was so much fun to double with our friends and their daughter to the zoo and out to dinner.  Second Daughter was so excited and the night ended up being all she imagined it would be :)  This time with her was so great.  It's important to break away from all the craziness and have a chance to reconnect and remember all the things we love about each other.  Dating (including my kids) is awesome.

Best buddies.

I love these two.

Best monkey buddies - look how their tails are braided together!  So sweet.

 I found this hilarious.  As if a sloth isn't lazy enough, let's give him a hammock.

 

We decided to throw kid dates into the rotation of our date nights and it has been fantastic.  Some friends of ours have been doing this with their kids for years and we always knew we wanted to do something like it too.  We used to use date nights as incentive to encourage our kids to do good things, complete chores, etc., but we decided we didn't want our kids to have to earn time with us.  We want to just give it to them.  We want them to know they are important to us and that dating isn't only an opportunity for mom & dad to get away from the kids.  Dating is a way that we can strengthen our relationships by having fun together and creating great memories. 

 

Since our Sons have come into our lives, we have noticed some of our children needing a little extra attention and reassurance, and we haven't always been able to meet those needs as often and consistently as we want (and need) to.  These dates have been such a great thing for them and a way to fill their "love tanks."

 

Second Daughter still talks about how much fun she had, and has already started making plans for her next date.  Actually, she started planning the next before this one even happened :)  Love that girl.

 

Speaking of date night...

Husband and I get to go out tomorrow night just the two of us.

It seems like it's been a very long time since we've had a date night to ourselves.

We've had a blast going out with friends, family, and our kids, going to the temple (and sitting far away from each other), but we are excited to have some one-on-one time tomorrow night.

 

I really love dating my husband.

I really like him.  :)

 



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So...We've Been Busy!

Remember when I actually used to write on this blog?

Ya, me too...

 

Well it's been a busy few weeks over here.

I'll start with my trip to BOSTON. 

Yes!  Boston!

 

Son #2 and I hopped on a plane and headed to my hometown for my mom's 60th birthday.  The best part about it - she didn't know we were coming!

 

We showed up at my parents' house while they were out to dinner.  We put Son #2 in a high chair in front of the front door so when they walked in, this is what they saw.

It was awesome.

We all jumped out at yelled "surprise!"

She was so surprised and so excited.

Son #2 cried a lot - poor guy didn't know what was coming.

Mom with all her grandkids that were there

Son was such a champ throughout the whole trip and on the plane.  It was really nice to have some one-on-one time with the little guy.  He's such a mama's boy so he especially loved it.  He even got to sleep in bed with me the whole trip!  He would grab onto my arm and snuggle me in the middle of the night.  So sweet.

We came home on Daylight Savings Sunday and needless to say, the adjustment was a little rough.

We also got new windows last week!
Wahoo!
I am so very beyond excited about this.

We had two birthdays this week.
Third Daughter turned five.  We celebrated with a disco party, princess cake, and a trip to the dollar store (her request).  She got a new bike, tea set, and clothes from grandma.  She was very happy!

Second Daughter turned seven.
She had strawberry cupcakes with vanilla swirly frosting.  We celebrated with lots of Minecraft (her choice), friend time, and hot tubbing at night as a family.  She also got a new bike, new shoes, paints, and clothes from grandma.  She also got a picture frame from her best friend with a picture of them in it.  She loves it!

In other news -
We've been loving the warm sunny weather

 

and First Daughter has discovered a photo booth app on my phone :)

 

The leprechauns visited our house this morning for St. Patrick's Day but we didn't get any photos to prove it.  Just imagine lots of gold coins, Reese's peanut butter cups (they're gold too), Werther's, and green clothes.  Oh, and Lucky Charms. 

 

It was a breakfast of champions.

The kids loved it.

And the leprechauns turned our milk green too.
Naughty leprechauns...

Corned beef for dinner tonight.
I've never cooked it, and I've never eaten it.
This should be interesting.



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Monday Memories 072::2 Years

 First Daughter - two years old - 2007

Second Daughter - two years old - 2009

Third Daughter - two years old - 2011

Son#1 - two years old - 2014

 

It is so crazy to me to think that it has been almost seven years since First Daughter turned two. 

So crazy.

 

 

 

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So...Right Now...

Right now Second Daughter...

::loves to help mom.  especially with cooking.
::talks a lot.  she really really likes to talk :)
::is so thoughtful and remembers everything.
::is a great friend.
::is starting piano.  she is nervexcited (nervous + excited).
::loves animals.  especially foxes.
::loves treats.  any kind of treats.
::loves being my shopping buddy.
::is so good at reading!
::has started singing with vibrato.  she has a beautiful voice.
::struggles to be patient with her little sister, but she is trying.
::is still our sensitive sweet soul.
::still prays every day for our family to be together forever.
::chats on the phone with her best friend.  they sing songs together on the phone and it is the most adorable thing ever.
::loves skinny jeans.
::loves to play Minecraft with her dad.
::has lost one tooth.  it was a very exciting day!
::is in first grade and loves it.
::is the first to complain, but also the first to obey.
::still loves cuddling with mom.
::loves to hold her baby brother, but is ready to give him back after about 2 minutes :)
::still loves to paint.
::makes up jokes that make no sense at all.
::raises her hand when she wants to talk at the dinner table or during family home evening.
::gets in "why" mode, and it's not my favorite...
::makes lists all the time.  especially when planning play dates with her friends.
::doesn't like anything that has to do with death, surgery, or hospitals.
::loves to read.
::loves one-on-one time.
::is full of so much love and concern for everyone in our family.
::is such an important part of our family - we love her!



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So...Photo Dump

I thought it would be a good time for a little documentation of every day things that make life so wonderful :)

First of all...this little man has stolen my heart.  He is so easy to love - squishy, smiley, cuddly, and extra cute.  Those cheeks!  He's been spending some time lately in the exer-saucer.  He loves it! 

Third Daughter has fun with her baby brother during the day.  She thought this was so funny - he has elf ears :)

We enjoyed the last few park days of the year.  I absolutely love going to the park on chilly fall afternoons.  And it felt good to ditch the homework/practicing/chore routine and just enjoy the warm sunshine at the park.  (Still can't believe there are five of those little ones...)

Not too long after our park days, we had a few cold, rainy days.  One morning we woke up to a little bit of snow.  The Daughters and Son #1 decked themselves in their snow gear - snow pants and all - to go play in the less-than-one-inch of snow on the ground.  It was hilarious.  First Daughter even made this miniature snowman.  I guess they are anxious for winter (they didn't get that from me!).

 

Son #1 makes me laugh (and sometimes cry - but mostly laugh) everyday.  He is so funny!  And it is so fun seeing more of his personality come out everyday.  Here are some things he's doing lately::

Turns on the tub.  And apparently drinks from it too.

(Better that than the toilet!)

Pours his snacks on his lap in the car.  Sometimes he pours them into his cup holders.

It's messy, but it's his way and it makes sense to him, so I let him do it.

And I think it's adorable :)

Not really sure what his plan was here...

He waits on our front step for the moon. 

The moon rises over the mountains and he knows this, so he waits and watches.

And he waits for it to get "gark" for this is when the moon appears.
He actually gets quite upset when I try to get him off that step and come inside.
This activity is very important to him.

He also waits for the bus.  He LOVES buses.

 He also loves riding the vacuum :)

 And apparently his little brother too...

This picture of Jesus is on the wall in our kitchen behind Son #1's highchair.  I love that there are finger prints all over it.  Every time Son #1 stands up in his high chair (which scares me to death and I wish he wouldn't do) he points to this picture and says "Jeees" which kind of sounds like "cheese" but means "Jesus."  I love that.  And I love those finger prints.

When the Daughters heard that Grandma Joy was in the hospital and that she might die, they decided to make cards for me take to her when I went to visit.  Second Daughter made this card.  The inside says (in her own spelling) "Dear Grandma, I hope you have a great time in heaven."  She wanted Grandma to have that before she died.  Quite possibly the sweetest thing ever.  First Daughter saw the card and told Second Daughter she shouldn't write that because Grandma Joy might not die.  Second Daughter was embarrassed so she ripped it and scribbled it out.  I kept it, and gave it to Grandma Joy in the hospital.  Second Daughter has the most tender heart.

I'm sure Grandma is having a great time in heaven.

First Daughter had her first school choir performance for the school Veteran's Day assembly.

It was so fun to watch!  Here she is with a couple of her cute friends.

Two of my siblings and my parents were able to come in to for Grandma's funeral.  We went out Saturday night to Station 22 and Comedy Sportz in Provo Center.  We had a great time! 

Good food, good people, good time, great memory. 

"Mom, will you hug me and take a picture?"

Yes Third Daughter, I'd love to.

 

 

 

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