Lego Morning

Sometimes it's just good to wake up and build Legos. :)

Cousins for a Week

We got to watch two of the kids cousins (Dani and Tori) for a week this past month and boy did we have a blast.  The kids were going non-stop and loving (almost) every minute of it! ;)  We made sure to have at least one fun adventure every day. 

They enjoyed taking turns on our new toy. 

 

Going to our cousins Presley's birthday party at Boondocks. 

 Having a lunch playdate at McDonald's.

 Hanging out in the car watching movies.

Picnics at the park.

 

 Having great pool parties in the hot sun.

 Going to the park and lake and feeding the ducks.

 And going on bike rides.

We even had a movie night with our favorite treats, drinks, and popcorn.

We had a great time and are glad we got to spend so much time with some of our cousins and get to know them better.

New Friends

Chloe and I had a fun day at the mall today.  It was the first time I have gone shopping with just her and she loved it.  She had a bag of chips, a sippie, and my phone for playing games and she could have lasted all day in that stroller. 
She kept saying to me, "Can I go say hi to the people?"  I wasn't sure what she was talking about so I fianlly said, "yes" and I got to see what she was talking about.  She wanted to go and "meet" the manicans.  It was so funny.  She would go up and admire what they were wearing and then she would just hold their hands and look up at them smiling.  It was so funny.  I love how kids see things. 

Flutterby

Today we had a special visit from this beautiful butterfly.  He stayed a long time and enjoyed our flowers.  We were all sad when he finally flew away, but I think Snuggles took it hardest.  She loved chasing him around.  We're so glad he came to brighten our day.

All I Want for Christmas...

...I'm sure he still just wants Legos, but you know how the song goes...

Sam was so happy to loose another tooth and get another visit from the Tooth Fairy.  Sam is very specific with the Tooth Fairy.  He doesn't want money.  He wants Legos.  Well the Tooth Fairy left him a note with some cash explaining that she was too small and tired after a long night to carry a Lego set to him, so he could use that money to buy a Lego set.  He was so excited.  When we got him his Lego set he only gave me half the money for it.  I told him that I needed all of his money to pay for it, but he then explained sweetly that he was only going to give me half of the money because he wanted to be able to get two sets.  What a wheeling-dealing little rascal!  I had to hand it to him for trying! :)

If you Water It, It Will Grow

I decided not to do a vegetable garden this year and focused on flowers.  I am so glad I did.  It is looking so beautiful and I just know when all the plants are in full bloom it will be spectacular.  James is my partner in crime in the yard.  I loves to help me trim bushes, weed, and especially water.  I love the time we get outside together.  It reminds me of working outside with my dad.  I love those memories and am glad they are coming back to mind as I work with my son.

Poor Chloe

Poor Chloe was so so sick.  She got strep and boy did she get it.  She had the throw-ups, the fevers, the rash, and the sores in her mouth.  The poor thing had no relief.  The only thing we could get her to eat for a while was the frosting out of oreos.  I know, tough life.  Whatever she wanted she got!  I'm just grateful I get to be at home with my kids, especially at times like these.  What a blessing to be able to just lay with my little girl all week with no other cares but her.  Just as it should be.

Taylor Nation

Dad M is a HUGE Taylor Swift fan and I am so glad he is because he took a bunch of us with him to her concert.  I can't even believe that he got tickets with the fact that they were sold out even before they officially went on sale, but that's how he is.  He always finds a way.

We ended up having some extra tickets so Tressa and Krista were able to come too.  It was a blast.  I haven't been to a live single artist's concert before.  Even the openers were amazing.  Ed Sheeran was unbelievable.  Taylor was of course amazing.  It was fun to sing the night away with her.  Thanks Dad!

Jeremy's Visit

We had a blast having Seth's brother, Jeremy, over for a visit.  It is always a blast when he comes to stay.  This time Chloe became his little admirer and shadow.  She was so cute with him.  When I put her down for bed she would cry and scream, "I want Uncle Jeremy to put me to bed!"  Where ever he was, there she was too.  We hope it's not too long until we see him again!

Bedtime Stories

I love a good bedtime routine, even though I'm not always up to the task! At our house it is teeth, potty, talking about what we did that day and what we're thankful for, prayers, songs, books, stories, kisses, noses, zurbers, knocks and bounces and our traditional name calling as we tell each other we love each other.  So, yeah, you can see why sometimes I am not quite at full speed for all that after a long day, so tonight Sam stepped in a read the books for us.  It was such a sweet moment.  It was one of those moments I wanted to stop and freeze and keep forever.  I loved that we were all cuddled up enjoying a good book that my son was able to read for us.

Chloe's Cruisin'

We had a fun day of shopping with Grandma M this last Saturday.  Each of the kids had a specific "want" that they went looking for.  For Chloe it was a bell for her bike.  Well, anyone who knows her Grandma M knows that a bell is never just a bell.  As soon as she heard that I was just going to spray paint James' old blue bike pink for her she decided that just wouldn't cut it for Chloe.

Enter pimped out princess bike. :)

She finally got to test out her bike today.  It was such a long, torturous, rainy weekend, so as soon as the blue skies appeared, Chloe was out in the alley refining her pedalling skills.  She got really good really fast and soon I couldn't keep up.

It's official.  She's a big girl now.

Mom, Can we Have a Picnic?

This is what you will catch us doing at least once a week.  We LOVE LOVE LOVE spending time out of doors, running around, eating good food, and soaking in the sun.  We usually invite at least one friend to go with us which always makes it more exciting. 
I just had to log this picture and count it as one of my many blessings.  I am so grateful for the beautiful neighborhood we are blessed to live it.  Seeing this picture makes me want to sing my favorite Primary Song, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me."  Each and every creation around me testifies of His love for me and I am so happy inside when I stop to think about it and give thanks.

Happy grandMOTHER's Day!

We had fun making aprons for the Grandmas today.  The best part was that we got to get paint all over our hands and feet and it was just fine.  We sure do love our Grandmas and are grateful we have an excuse to show them just how much.

Best Buds

Sam has a great friend next door who he just loves.  Andrew is a great buddy to Sam.  You can find these two cruising the streets on their bikes, playing video games, or hanging out in the backyard.  Sam will even run notes over to Andrew occasionally, telling him what a great friend he is.  We are so blessed to have great neighbors.

Alley Cats

If weren't not out in our backyard or on a picnic you'll find us crusin' in the alley.  We love riding our bikes all around.  We'll even bring out some orange cones and make obstacle courses we have to try to ride through.  Chloe is enjoying it a lot more too now that Aymee let her borrow a cute pink scooter that is just the right size for her.