More catchup

This past month has been a crazy one. I know I use that excuse every month, but it doesn't change the fact that it's the truth. This might be a little on the longs side, so brace yourself!

We'll start with Thanksgiving. We had some dear friends of ours, the Giddens, come and stay the weekend from Atlanta. They came in Wed, and I had to work wed night. Thursday I spent all day in the kitchen. This is our first time ever "hosting" thanksgiving, and I think it might be a few years before I do that again -- it was exhausting! So, if anyone is looking for visitors next thanksgiving, count us in :). And mom, I have yet another newfound appreciation for you. I worked friday morning (yes, black friday) and got off at 2. We then got in the car and drove off to Nauvoo, IL. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nauvoo, it is a city that was founded by early memebers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and contains a lot of history of our church. They recently "rebuilt" the temple that was burned down long ago. So we spent the night in Nauvoo -- thanks Motel Nauvoo for the warm welcome -- and did some sight seeing the next day. I had to work that night so I left early and left Ryan and the girls with the Giddens and they had a blast with more sight seeing! Here are just a few pictures from the weekend (unfortunately we only have pics from our trip to Nauvoo, but since the food was subpar that was the highlight of the weekend).







Making rope

Making horse shoes

Making wagon wheels

Making candles

This last one is my favorite of the whole trip. I can't tell you enough how much I LOVE to see my girls love on eachother, and this one of them holding hands melts my heart everytime I look at it. How did I ever get so lucky?! The view with the Missipssippi River in the backround isn't too bad either.


These next pictures are from decorating the tree. Aubrey insisted on wearing her hat.


One lucky branch got spoiled (I think they got 12 on there before they started falling off).

If you could see our tree now you'd see a pretty bare bottom third. After close to half a dozen broken ornaments we moved them out of Eva's reach. She doesn't quite understand that you shouldn't warm up your throwing arm with ornaments from the tree.

My final topic of today. Craigslist. I am addicted. I buy. I sell. I browse. I thought about having a yard sale but decided it was too much work so I have been selling like crazy. This past month we've sold
wooden storage chest: $50
wedding cloak: $100
punching bag and gloves: $50
bunk beds (parts missing): $75
tires: $125
double jogging stroller: $180
I know there's more but at the moment they escape my mind (I'm busy wondering what finds I will see today)
This past month we've bought:
Ariel vanity (all pieces still included) for $15
Step 2 car (like little tikes cozy coupe) in awesome condition: $20
And lastly, my favorite...we had one of these growing up and I have been looking EVERYWHERE for an inexpensive one. I found this little gem (with minor sunfading and a little dirt) for only $50. And my girls are in heaven, which means I'm in heaven, which means Ryan is in heaven.






Craigslist, I love you. Thanks for making my life easier, and my girls happier.

I know I said that was it, but one more thing. Yesterday Ryan was making me dinner for my birthday and burned his hand. Bad. We're talking blistering 2nd degree burns. He went to Urgent care last night and they gave him some special ointment, vicatin, and lots and lots of gauze (he has to wrap his entire hand for at least a week I think). What a sweetheart. Dinner was fabulous, and I just hate that he had to leave town this morning. I love you Ryan. You make my life better. You make me better.

Back with a bang...

I know, I know, I'm due for some some severe reprimanding as it's been over 4 months since I've posted anything. Not that we haven't had anything worth posting about, but rather we've had too much going on, a broken computer, and a missing camera. Now that I've found our camera and bought a new computer, I have no excuse for not posting. Playing catch up on the past 4 months seems overwhelming, so I'll just start from now (and catch up later if I'm lucky).

So today was a big morning for us. Aubrey will be 3 in February, and has never had a haircut. Not even a trim. I was always afraid that if I cut her hair the curls would disappear forever. Well, her hair grew. And grew. AND GREW. Until it was a disaster to comb after a bath and caused more trouble than anything. We knew it was long enough to donate for locks of love, but I was waiting until after Halloween because Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz needs those long pigtails. Then Halloween came and went and I just kept putting it off. Well, no longer. I am proud to announce that my little baby is no longer a baby but looks like such a little lady. Here is a step by step of the momentous occasion.

We took her to the Hairy Elephant.

It is kiddo haircut heaven. She got to pick between a car, a train, a jeep, and an airplane and she chose this vintage cherry red airplane. Then she got to pick what cartoon she wanted to watch (she chose Elmo).

Here is a shot of her long locks pre-chop.

Bring on the scissors.

After the initial cutting, she got her hair washed by this elephant. Nice elephant. They had this cart with like 12 different colors of shampoo and Aubrey got to pick out what color shampoo they used (she chose pink and yellow) and said it smelled like a cupcake.

Here is the finished product. SHE LOVED IT (and so did mom)!

Here is the back/side. The tire of the jeep behind her makes it look funny, so just ignore that.

Her picture with Amy, who did a TOP NOTCH job, especially considering how wiggly Aubrey was (you can see the shampoo cart behind her).

Long story short, Hairy Elephant is a parents dream come true for kids haircuts. And just for fun, I'll throw in a picture of Eva who insisted on riding in the jeep right next to Aubrey. I love these girls!


Finally, to my sweet little Aubrey. You were such a trooper. You sat still (well, still enough), and looked down (and up, and then back down) when Amy asked you to, and even let them wash your hair. I am so proud of you, and just want you to know that you look ADORABLE (although from the way you were smiling at yourself in the mirror I think you already know that). I can't believe how quickly you are growing up. I love you Aubrey!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my own wonderful father, and of coarse to Ryan's dad as well. I have been blessed to have such wonderful father's who have taught me, and Ryan, about everything important in life. They set amazing examples for us and then sat back and enjoyed, probably even laughed at on a few occasions, as we tried to figure things out. We love you guys for giving of yourselves to your children completely. WE LOVE YOU!

Father's Day wouldn't be complete if I neglected to say thank you to the most important father in my life right now -- the father of my own two beautiful girls. Ryan, you have worked so hard to take care of us so that I can stay home with Aubrey and Eva, and it means so much to us. Not only are you extremely good looking (there's no way I could have such beautiful children based on my good looks alone ;), but you know what it means to have a good time, and the girls ADORE you. I admit that sometimes when I'm up with Aubrey at 5:30 am and she starts asking for you over and over I get a little jelous. But only slightly, and only for a second because there's no one I'd rather have her adore, and look up to, than you. Thank you for another year as the world's #1 daddy! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Mother's Day, and Happy Birthday!

I wanted to take a minute and tell a few of my favorite mom's how much they mean to me. First...

My own dear mother. I hardly know what to say, or where to begin. I struggle to manage two darling little children (and keep the house clean -- which, let's face it, I have a lot of room for improvement), so I have no idea how she managed to do it all with EIGHT kids. Not just any eight kids, but the eight of US. What's even more impressive, is that she did it with a smile. Mom, you have been one of my greatest examples of sacrifice. You always put your kids needs and wants above your own, and never complained. NEVER. I tried really hard to recall a time when you raised your voice with us, but couldn't think of a single time. So mom, for your sweet kindness and unconditional love, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I know it doesn't do what you have done for me justice, but I love you. A lot.

Next, I have to take a minute and brag on the world's greatest mother-in-law, whom I consider just another mom to me. I didn't have the opportunity to grow up with you as a mother, but Ryan has shared with me all of the good you did as a mother for your own dear three children. Kudos to you on the work you did with Ryan. He is who he is today in large part to you. You laid the foundation for his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the greatest gift any mother can give a child. For the past 3 1/2 years of our marriage you have been our full time "researcher" on anything and everything and have probably saved us hundreds of dollars :). I can tell that you spend your time thinking about your children and what you can do to help them in whatever situation they may be in. Most importantly, I can tell you love your children, and I know that you love me. Thank you for raising such a wonderful man to be the love of my life and father to our beautiful children. What a strong and loving woman you are! Thank you! I love you too. A lot.



And to all you other moms out there...keep up the good work, for it truly is the greatest, and most important, work in the world! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And of course, how could I post on my mother's today and not wish my own dear father a happy birthday, because TODAY is indeed your birthday. Dad, you also had a wonderful mother who has helped to turn you into the man you are today. So thank you grandma for giving me a wonderful father. Dad, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you for who you are and how you have helped me to become who I am. I have so many fond memories with you, but I'll just list a few.
1. Christmas shopping for mom's gift every year. Remember the one year the sensors went off at the bookstore when we were leaving? I do :).
2. I remember you taking me to store to buy ice cream one night, only to discover that your real reason for going was to give someone a pass-a-long card. That was one of the greatest preparations for my mission.
3. I remember you stopping by the hospital after Eva was born. No one else was there, it was just the three of us. It was so nice to spend some time with just you there.
So dad, on your birthday, just know that I love you just as much as I do mom. A lot!

Who says a 2 year old doesn't have style

Aubrey loves to go out in the backyard and play, but the rule is she has to have weather appropriate clothes on. She asked to go play outside the other day and I told her she had to put clothes on (she would live in her pajamas 24/7 if she could). This is how she came back.



The shirt is for comfort (it is a pj top inside out and backwards -- apparantly the only real way to wear a shirt. We'll see if it catches on.) The shorts are for functionality -- lots of room to run and jump. The sandles are good for airing out the feet, and let's just face it -- the hat is just for cuteness factor. All in all, Aubrey has her own sense of style and we let her fly with it.

More easter

Step aside easter bunny, my easter babies are here! Thanks Grandma for the beautiful dresses...they looked adorable. Across the street from our house (we live on a cul de sac) is a small lake/pond with a fountain and ducks. We headed over to take a few easter pictures. Mind you, I am by no means a professional photographer, but with models like these two little girls it's always fun. They may not be smiling in these pictures, but you can guarantee that I had a smile the size of Texas (a quick shout out to all our family in the great Lone Star state :). So sit back, relax, and smile.

March of Dimes

Mike, Tracy, and Izzy (some friends of ours here in MO) have been through what no parent should have to when they lost their little Brooklyn last year. She was born around 28 weeks, and fought hard for 11 days, but was called back home for some reason we can't begin to imagine. There is something extra special about those little ones who are called home so early. Nonetheless, it must be difficult. March of Dimes is one of those organizations that works to help those who truly can't help themselves -- those babies who are born early and fight so hard for their time here on this earth. What an inspiration. As a mother, I literally can't (nor do I want to) imagine what it must be like for the parents of those most precious babies. Long story short, Mike an Tracy invited us to walk with them in the March of Dimes walk a few weeks ago. We gladly accepted and it was a perfect day. The sun was shining and the turnout was amazing. It took us forever to walk the three miles because there were so many people in front of, and behind us, that we could hardly move. The thing that impressed me most was that most of the people had been through the unimaginable and had lost their babies prematurely, yet they were positive and upbeat. They enjoyed themselves and realized that they were better, and stronger, people -- and parents --for having been through that. They were smiling. It touched my heart like few things can, and made me proud to be part of such a great cause. We also got to see our friends from VA, the Wright's (minus Paul who was at a track meet). We had a great time and can't wait for next year's march! Count us in Mike and Tracy!









Our little snoozer. She slept for the last half of the walk and just chilled in the stroller. She is her father's daughter :)


I highly recommend any, and all, of you get involved in March of Dimes.