girls weekend

This past weekend three of my dearest friends from Portland made the long trek out to good ol' Eastern Idaho. I have always commented that we had the best group of friends when we lived out there. We were each others family.  So many other friends couldn't make it and were missed, but boy did we have a great time. One bummer was that it pretty much rained the whole time they were here.  We did have a few moments of gorgeous weather that we were grateful for though.  We were able to walk around BYU-Idaho a bit while Naomi and I reminisced about our days there and how much it has changed.  We also did plenty of shopping which was fun. The gals got a whole bunch and I resisted until I get my waist back.

Eating at the Texas road house. Boy did we eat! Steak, Salmon, chicken and endless hot rolls with honey butter. We could have stayed all night .Yum Yum

Feeding the fish

We went to a place called warm river that isn't to far from where we live. I think at first they thought, "Oh fun....feed some fish."  Once we got there though they realized why it is so neat.  You stand on a little dock next to the most picturesque river and mountain side and feed literally dozens and dozens of river trout that never ever leave. People bring marshmallows, bread and dog food to feed the fish.  Rachel was trying so hard to take a picture to send Chad because she knew he wouldn't believe it!

Visiting the beautiful Rexburg Temple

After we left warm river we headed up to Mesa Falls.  The weather could not have been more beautiful and the waterfall was amazing.

At mesa falls there is a small visitors center that we decided to check out.  The curator said that we needed to kiss the moose for good luck. Oh why not!  Shortly after the kissing incident we were taken by surprise by a ferocious bear.

Here is Lisa at the famous Big Juds restaurant.  They have the best greasy homemade fries and burgers as big as your head. Lets just say that we were glad we shared that one.

What a weekend we had.  We stayed up late, laughed until we couldn't breath, did nails and each others makeup, cooked together and just enjoyed our time like the good old days.  Thanks Naomi, Rachel and Lisa for such a great time!

young love

I didn't think I would be seeing this quite so young

I literally laughed out loud when I found it

 (Me... love....Brigham)

at least I think they're at the temple

Lately

I feel like things have been really great but extremely busy these past few weeks.  With the warmer weather here, we have been spending a lot of time outdoors.  Mowing and fertilizing the lawn.  Fixing sprinklers, planting shrubs, landscaping, going  to soccer practice and games, swim lessons on Saturday and fitting in Aaron's new "hobby"..... running. (Have I mentioned he's lost 25 pounds, during busy season too)  Lets just say I made a lot of salads and he ran a lot.  Such a stud but that is another post. 

We are getting anxious for baby girl to come. Just over 6 weeks.  I think that we've finally decided on a name.  Aaron is tasked with picking her middle name, and has informed me that he'll let me know what he decides when we are in the hospital. 

The girls are out of school in three days. Anna has a talent show this week where she is going to play a piano piece and Brooklyn preformed in a "circus" for graduation last week. She was a tight rope walker. For Summer I am trying to find a way to have some structure but not expect too much.  I need to stay organized or I'll go crazy.  Carter is a sweet heart as always.  He definitely has his moments, but truly he is such a pleasant little guy. I am trying to soak up every bit of him.  Here he is giving his baby a drink. He loves to carry around these dolls, and then in the next breath I can hear him making machine gun noises.  Don't ask me where he learned that. I think boys come wired that way. 

   

 Here I am in the standard awkward pose, trying to document the 33 week belly. 

 My baby basil

 Oh how I hope this smile is a phase

I know that this is so random, but I thought it would be a fun idea to document what you have on your fridge from time to time and how it will change as your family changes.  We have

1. Anna's pink spelling list

2. The girls star charts. (when they fill up all the squares they get a prize)

3.  Brooklyn's picture at bottom

4.  Baby girl ultrasound pictures

5.  Picture of my in-laws

6.  Wedding picture of Aaron and I

7. Our article of faith for the month.  (We work on a new one each month in family night and keep it on the fridge so that I can repeat it each time I go and get a drink)

8. Picture of my cousins adorable baby Luke

9. Tonks family picture

10. Sunday school lesson schedule

and finally..... note to self. Aaron needs a new bike

handy (& hard working) men

(Helping dad fix Nana's sprinklers)

I tell Aaron often that when I married him, I had no idea how handy he was.  At first, something would break or I would want something built and he would say, "I can do that."  I didn't really believe him at first. Slowly though, I began to realize he could fix just about anything.

  Another thing that I love, is that Aaron knows how to work.  When we first started dating, Aaron was landscaping with friends for a large company that did everything from sprinklers to ponds and any other yard related thing you could imagine. He worked very long hours and was very tan. :) 

After we were married he mowed lawns, and was the "maintenance man" and an appartment complex and worked very long hours, fitting in work and school.  Then after undergraduate school, he went off to Ohio State (Go bucks) and got his Masters degree in 10 months.  He worked very long hours and I was so proud of him. He did the same studying for his CPA exam, and communiting long hours to work in Portland.  I never wondered or questioned that Aaron would do whatever it took to take care of our family. 

Aaron is also one of those people that would do anything for anyone.  He doesn't bat and eye or complain. He just says "sure!"  All his best buddies are that way too. Maybe it was something in the water there in good ol' Sugar City.  

How grateful I am that my little Carter is going to be able to grow up with such a wonderful dad.  Sitting side by side, learning how to be an exceptional man and father. 

Love you A!   

{the boy}



sisters & motherhood

                                                (Jamie 30 weeks    Michelle 23 weeks)

Here is a picture at my adorable little sister's baby shower.  I can't believe sometimes that she is having a baby, but alas it is true. We are having little girls just 7 weeks apart.  I think she is probably tired of Angie, mom and I telling her how tired she is going to be, and all the joys of labor and breastfeeding and overall exhaustion of parenting.

 Michelle got her dose this trip of loud, rambunctious girls (and one adorable little boy), never ending meals and snacks needing to be prepared and cooked... and then cleaned up, long car rides with kids that just wanted out, fighting and whining. You get the point.

 I hope that she also saw the sweet hugs, cuddles, thoughtful notes written and pictures drawn, adorable creativity as plays were practiced and preformed.  The sweet spirit that comes with 5 little girls singing primary songs to a 97 year old woman in her living room.  Motherhood is the hardest thing in the world.  It tries your patience, & will power.  Each day you need to evaluate why you are doing what you are doing. There are days where you want to throw in the towel and say, "Why do I do this?" Then in a sweeping moment those feeling can go away when your little boy, with sleepy eyes reaches up to you after a nap, and just wants to rest his little head on your chest as he slowly wakes up. Then you think, "I am the luckiest woman in the world to be able to be here in this moment, that I am your mother."  That moment may soon pass as you hear a loud crash down stairs, and you have to go asses if any stitches are needed, but those small moments are what keep your perspective where it should be. 

I know that Michelle is going to be a wonderful mother. I know that there are things that scare her to death. I know because I felt the same way as I'm sure all mothers have.  I don't think you ever stop learning or growing as a mother. You'll make mistakes and pray to do better the next day.  You'll pray a lot.

  I read more books now than ever before.  When you have your first, you read books about breastfeeding and sleep schedules. Now I am trying to remember breastfeeding and how to handle a sassy, strong willed red head. I am so thankful for an amazing mother, sisters, and other strong woman around me who have taught me not only the importance of motherhood, but the true joy that can be found even when things are hard. 

I told Michelle, "You think that you know what love is before you have a baby, but when they put that little girl in your arms you'll feel a love so deep, like you have never felt before."

I love you Michelle! I can't wait to watch and support you throught this amazing time in your life.

lately

 In an attempt to be a "fun mom" I decided to follow through with a pintrest find.  This one seemed easy enough and for once, I had all the supplies I needed on hand. What better time do to it than when our friend Caroline was over for a playdate. I give you....

"Salad Spinner art"

Supplies:

Salad Spinner

Washable paint (We had liquid watercolors to that worked great too)

Cheap paper plates trimmed to fit the bottom of the spinner

We had so much fun experimenting with different colors and techniques. Each plate turned out unique and beautiful

 Spring break weather in our part of the world is still pretty yucky. Lucky for Anna, who has recently become obsessed with trying to learn cursive, Nana gave her a little light box that has helped greatly to master those tricky letters. She stayed busy for a long time.

 While daddy was working the Saturday before Easter, Nana planned an Easter egg hunt and scavenger hunt for the kiddos.

 The scavenger hunt began with clues that led the kids to places all over the house.....

first in Nana's closet

 Then in the refrigerator

 Lastly in bathroom

 They had so much fun trying to figure out where they were to go next!  The clues were so cleverly written and ended with a great message about the Savior.

Right after the Easter egg hunt we had a big spill and everyone pitched in to help clean up. We soon realized how fun a vacuum can be!

 This is Carter's new face when we say smile. The girls think it is the funniest thing in the world. The more they laugh the more he wants to do it.  Hopefully by the time we take family pictures, we've found a new grin.

I have never seen Anna so excited about something in a long time. She started soccer last week and couldn't be happier.  She is always reminding me when practices and games are.  We are so proud of her for her hard work and are sure that this is going to help her build more confidence.  She is a bit timid to go after the ball but I don't blame her because there are some pretty aggressive boys out there.  Can't wait to see more games!

party time

We had some family over to help us celebrate Brooklyn's 6th birthday.

She was very insistent that she wanted a butterfly cake. We searched pintrest and found this cake. I have to say that it looked do-able but was a little more complicated than first thought. She was very excited though when she came home from school and saw the finished result! Phew.

Birthday Pizza

Nana came over a bit early and we were able to get a quick shot with her favorite grandchildren. (Just kidding)  She will have 14 grandchildren by the end of summer. 

Anna and Brooklyn with cousins Ryan and sweetie pie Emily