St. Patty's

We didn't have the best St. Patty's day...to say the least. Both the girls have been sick all week, and while they are both starting to feel better, they were nice enough to share the nasty bug with their mom and dad. We had hoped to dodge the bullet. We had both not felt well last Monday, but managed to make it through the week. Unfortunately we both woke up this morning feeling like we'd been hit by a bus. Thank goodness it's the weekend.

I had some fun things planned for "leprechaun" day, but most were tossed out the window this morning when I woke up and realized someone beat me up while I was sleeping. Although those mischievous little leprechaun's did managed to sneak into our house and plan a little treasure hunt for Reese. (Have I ever mentioned how much this kid loves any kind of treasure hunt or scavenger hunt??) They left a trail of chocolate gold from her room to the first clue, then managed to scatter gold through-out the house. It was fun to have Reese burst into our room this morning excitedly yelling, "mom, mom...those crazy leprechaun's visit me and leave chocolate all over!!" She dragged Arnold and I around the house until she found her final treasure in her bedroom closet. We tried to act as excited as two people can, who feel like death. Then Arnold was nice enough to make "green" blueberry pancakes for breakfast. That put a wrap to our St. Patty's day fun. We all sacked out on the couch for the rest of the day. We didn't even wear green. Most of us never got out of our pj's.

Swings...

first ride of the year for Reese...first ride ever for Anni...

It started out pretty good. Anni was happy for the first few swings....but...



...it didn't last very long...



Maybe it's that she's still not feeling 100%. But this little monkey wasn't quite as big a fan as her sister has always been. With Reese, the swings were love at first ride.

We'll have to try again when everyone is feeling a little better.

Not even one yet...

...and already plotting her escape.

Cabin Fever...

I definitely have it!! The funny thing is, I've gone much longer without leaving the house, but the last three days have felt like eternity. This is the first time both girls have been sick at the same time. I mean really really sick. Throw-up, fevers...mainly fevers. The good news is that both my girls tend to just sleep a lot when they're sick. Sunday night was the only night I was up with Reese...throwing up. But since then, there's just been a lot of shut eye.

As a result, I'm bored out of my mind. I would clean...but I'm just going to have to clean again once this nasty bug leaves us for good. The laundry is done. Not much cooking to do, when no one is eating anything. Sooooo...that just leaves one thing for me to do...

Crafting! I made these fun hair accessories for the girls, and a few to give away.

Reese was my funny little helper. She laid on the couch the whole time; checking on me every once and a while. She was always ready with an opinion as to what she liked and didn't like, which one's were going to be her's and "not Anni's", and which ones I could give away. I only halfway listened to her. I think her fever was so high...she was deliriously funny.

Independence...

From the moment Reese was born she's been on the fast track to independence. She consistently wants to take big and little steps, long before I'm ready to let go. Lately she insists on getting herself dressed. This includes picking out her clothes. She doesn't even allow me in the room when she's getting ready. While this has presented a few minor frustrations...like the fact that she a couple favorite outfits she likes to wear over and over and over again, or the fact that she hasn't quite grasp dressing to the weather...she's actually impressed me so far. On most days she's managed to put together some really cute outfits, that match and everything.

That is until today. She came downstairs in this little concoction. She even managed to get her favorite Mickey shirt into the mix.  I'm hoping it's just the fever she's had since the middle of the night that's throwing her off.

But I've continued to support her creativity and encourage her independent thinking. I told her I thought the outfit was awesome. Her response...

Reese: ya mom! see...stripes...stripes. It matches.
Me: So why do you have your Mickey shirt underneath?
Reese: Why? cause I a little cold and Mickey keep me warm. (she has the chills)

See...I think it just might be the fever.

Wheels...

One kid tries everything to get out of hers....






...and the other one is excited to show her new ones off!



Watch out world...she's on the move!

What we've been up to...

It's been a crazy couple weeks. We've had a lot going on.

The weather's been hit and miss, but this week we've had a couple really beautiful days. Sunshine always means the neighborhood is out! So we had a lot of serious play time. And in our neighborhood the kids love to go cruising.

Reese has become a little pro at driving her friend Rowan's jeep.




One day we even had a little picnic. Anni loves being outside. This week was her first real, out of the stroller, freedom to explore, outside time. She was eating it up...literally :)






We played inside too. Claire and Lucy came over one day and they got their Picasso on!




The biggest news of the last couple weeks is my new calling of Young Women's Camp Director. If you've known me long enough, you know I've had this calling before. I'm a little nervous and axious. Obviously I know I can do it. Spending 15 years planning events has me more than prepared. I'm just worried about getting it done with out my family and house falling apart. I guess we'll see how it goes.

After a week of stressing over the new calling, I took the best medicine possible....A girls night out!!

These are just a few of my wonderful neighbors and friends. I always mention how awesome our neighborhood is because of all the kids and friends for Reese and Anni...but I forget to mention the awesomeness of having so many amazing women to hang out with, vent with, laugh with...and sometimes even cry with. I know we won't live here forever, and these women are what make me sad about that.



And last...but not least...we've been planning and preparing for Anni's 1st birthday party. Reese and I have been doing some serious cafting; birthday banner, cake topper, hand-made birthday hats, gift bags...it's going to be awesome!!! Pictures to come.

35 Things...

Arnold turned 35 on Saturday! Reese surprised him with a candy poster and party whistles. He got to take a day off from his diet, so we made him a yummy breakfast, relaxed and played as a family, then we went out to dinner with his sister and her family. Then they all came back to our house for cake and ice cream.

Arnold and I don't really get each other birthday gifts. We usually buy stuff we need or want...when we need or want them, so it's kind of pointless to spend money just for the sake of a birthday. Not to mention that Arnold really is a minimalist. He never really wants much...until he wants a really big thing...usually some sort of electronic device that I know nothing about. And he's made it very clear that clothes and ties don't count as gifts...so...for his his birthday I decided to write 35 things I love about my husband...

1. He is one of the most honest people I know. I'm going to ride his coat tails to the CK...just on his honesty and integrity alone.
2. He does the dishes....all the time...without me asking.
3. He's a huge help around the house. He always seems to know when I need help, and just jumps in and does it.
4. He's a true gentlemen in every way. It's one of the first things I loved about him.
5. He always thinks things through and never makes rash decisions...quite the opposite of me. That's why we make such a great team. We balance each other.
6. He tells me that I'm beautiful, even on days when I'm clearly not.
7. He loves that I'm a strong and independent woman, and allows me to be who I am.
8. He's usually always the first to say, "I'm sorry".
9. He puts up with all my "creative" cooking. Many nights, when an idea just doesn't turn out...he eats it anyway.
10. He can fix anything...even when he doesn't know how...he figures it out.
11. His overwhelming knowledge of all things electronic. I know he saves us a small fortune fixing our computers etc...
12. He always lets me sleep in, when he can.
13. He plays barbies and doll's with his girls.
14. When I'm emotional and "girly", he just hugs me and tells me every thing's going to be OK.
15. He has the most beautiful eyes.
16. He scratches my back every night to help me fall asleep.
17. He would be willing to sacrifice anything to make me and the girls happy.
18. No one can make Reese and Anni laugh like he can, especially with his cartoon voice.
19. He has an abnormal love of chocolate. If there is such a thing.
20. He's the best secret keeper. You could trust him with your life.
21. He's a hard worker...almost to a fault. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to give 110% in everything he does.
22. He gives the best back rubs.
23. He can reach all the high stuff.
24. He plays the Wii with Reese...so I don't have to.
25. He loves to travel.
26. He's a fish out of water...just like me.
27. He's 100% genuine...what you see is what you get. I love that he's real.
28. He's a kid at heart and has a real playful side.
29. He loves music.
30. He's humble and gracious, even when he's accomplished something great. He's not one of those macho, show off guys. Love that.
31. He's a little heater...keeps me warm in the winter.
32. He can always make me laugh.
33. Although he's the first to admit he doesn't understand very much about women...he sure does an amazing job living with 3 strong willed, stubborn and sassy girls.
34. He's 3 years younger than me...so I guess he made me a Cougar! :)
35. When I started dating him, I thought he looked like Clark Kent...but he really did turn out to be my Superman!

Happy Birthday Arnold! I love you more than words!

Reese says...

Reese: I really love you mom, but you being a little crazy not giving me a snack right now...cause I really hungry. So please not be crazy and I have a cheese stick?

Normally I would not suggest calling your mom crazy when negotiating to get your way...but starting out with the "I love you" was a pretty smooth move.


Talking to Reese about going camping this summer...
Reese: What we do camping mom?
Mom: We go somewhere in the woods or by a lake and we pitch a tent and have a campfire. It's so much fun!
Reese: Where we sleep?
Mom: We all sleep together in the tent. Our whole family. We get to snuggle together.
Reese: Yaaa! I so excited mom. I sleep by you and daddy and you scratch my back all the night long.
...ummmm...that's not what's going to happen...but I haven't broken the news to her just yet.


At the dinner table...
Reese: Boys are such silly nuckleheads.
(after we die laughing...inside)
Dad: What??
Mom: Who told you that?
Reese: Claire told me that about boys. Claire knows all about boys mom.
Mom: So does that mean that daddy is a nucklehead?
Reese: (laughing) Noooo mom! Daddy not a boy. He a daddy.
Insert mom and dad trying very hard not to laugh!


The other night Arnold and I discovered that over the course of the weekend Reese's play room had been hit by a hurricane...aka...serious kid destruction. Arnold asked Reese to start cleaning it up. After many protests, he informed her that if she didn't start cleaning up, he would...and any toys he picked up would be going into a "time-out" (She would loose them for a day). When I backed him up and reassured her that was indeed the case, she threw her hands down, head back and cried out in distress..."You're killing me guys!! You're killing me."


I was having a conversation with Reese the other morning about all the beautiful things about her...
Reese: My eye's brown mom?
Me: Yes, you have the most beautiful brown eye's.
Reese: But Anni have blue eye's. Blue eye's bootiful too mom?
Me: Yes, you are both beautiful. You can look different and both be very beautiful. That's the best part of our world. We have so many people who look different and they're all beautiful in many different ways. But do you know what the most beautiful thing about you is?
Reese: What so bootiful on me mom?
Me: The most beautiful thing about you is what's on the inside.
Reese: (looking at me like I'm crazy) like my bones mom? My bones inside bootiful too? That kinda silly mom.
After a good little inside chuckle, I explained what I meant. I don't think she totally grasped it...but she will one day.

Anni - 11 months

Far too close to 1 year for my taste...but despite every effort made to thwart the process, this kid just keeps growing up!

In all honesty, I'm a conflicted mother. As much as I would love for Anni to stay little forever, I also have this overwhelming excitement to discover who she will become. There's this small part of me that waits with utter anticipation for the unfolding of her personality. Will she be sassy, strong willed, and brightly colorful, like her big sister and her mom...or will she have the quiet strength and tender heart of her dad. Only time will tell.

As of right now, Anni is the smile to our day and sometimes the literal punching bag to her big sister.  She's currently sporting her second shiner, courtesy Reese. However, her dad is partly to blame. Ultimately her poor little face is the result of a dad asking his 3 year old to throw him the remote...with poor Anni in the line of fire. One things for sure...whatever Anni may or may not become...she will be one tough little lady.




As most big sisters, Reese loves to hold and...well...maul Anni. Recently Anni has started to make known her dislike of this behavior. In other words, she is finding her voice. It usually includes a cry out for help or a scream/loud grunt of dislike, followed by the typical arching of the back and kicking her way out of Reese's strong hold.  Anni's definitely a fighter.




Anni's not quite walking yet, but she loves her little toy walker. She squeals with delight as she peruses her way around the living room.




I couldn't resist this picture. Mainly because I have a very similar one of Reese at this age. Anni's favorite TV show is Mickey Mouse Club House. There is no un-gluing her eye's from the TV, if Mickey's voice can be heard.



A few other random tidbits:

Anni had a growth spurt of teeth this last month. She now has 5 1/2 teeth with 2 more ready to break through.

I have officially purchased the last can of formula and babyfood that I will ever have to buy. Until I have grandchildren, I suppose. Anni loves whole milk and absolutely refuses any form of babyfood.

Anni is still quite the mommy's girl. She has a bad case of "Stranger Danger". There are only a select few people who Anni allows into her heart. But I'm sure she'll grow out of it...hopefully!

One thing that Anni does do...that her sister never did at her age...run...well fast crawl...to the door as soon as her daddy walks through it. She is always so excited to see him when he comes home.

Anni is a little talker. We don't know what she's saying, but she loves to talk. She does say Mama, and baba (bottle) and a whole lot of other gibberish that will hopefully be understandable at some point.

Valentine's Day Fun!!

We had the best Valentine's Day! Arnold and I actually celebrated on Saturday night. He took me to a cute little cafe in Springville for dinner, then to Hobby Lobby where I was allowed to spend the money he would have spent on flowers...on craft stuff. One hour at a craft store, just for his wife...I married a good man. Then we went to the Chocolate Place for dessert. It was a fun night out.

I'm so grateful to be married to my best friend! Arnold is the best husband and father. Every day he does and say's things that make me feel beautiful and valued. He's a hand's on dad and helps out around the house every chance he gets. I really couldn't ask for more. I am a lucky girl.

As for the kids...here are the highlights from all their fun Valentine celebrations...

Breakfast. Thanks Grandma Thiebaud for the fun heart shaped pancake molds. 






Delivering Valentine's to Reese's friends.


Making chocolate covered strawberries to surprise daddy!


Getting ready for a fun Valentine themed family dinner.


A fun little surprise from daddy right before dinner.




A Valentine scavenger hunt for the big surprise from mommy & daddy.


Who gave you those awesome gigantic teddy bears??? "You and daddy!"

Shhhh...don't tell...

...but Reese will be delivering these yummy Valentine's to a few of her BFF's tomorrow. She's so excited to share our latest Pinterest creation.

Favorite things...

Every night after prayers, books, and song, I ask Reese two questions. First, "what was your favorite thing about today?", then "what didn't you like about today?" She never fails to come up with the funniest, most interesting answers. My favorite days are when her answer to the second question is, "Nothing mommy, I like everything about today...it a good day!"

After I ask her the questions, she always asks me the same questions back. The other night she wanted to know what daddy liked and didn't like about the day. Before I could answer she jumped in with her own response...,"I know...daddy not like going to work cause he miss his Reesy sooooo much. And he really like to come home and see me. I make his day all better!"

You could not be more spot on little Reesy! You're daddy's favorite part of every day is definitely coming home to you...and Anni too!!

And your mommy's favorite part of everyday...having these little conversations with you!

There's always a first for everything!

Anni's had several first over the last couple days...

Her top two teeth finally broke through, after several months of playing peek-a-boo. She started clapping, much to the delight of her big sister. And then there was this...I finally let Anni ride in a cart without being strapped in her car-seat. She thought she was a pretty big deal. There was lots of squealing, bouncing, and pure elation!

 

Funny Funny Reese...

This is a game Reese lovingly calls "Anni fishing". She stands at the top of the stairs and throws her jump rope over the gate. Then she calls to Anni, "Anni...come over here Anni...come get me Anni." Then when Anni make it over to the stairs and grabs the rope Reese proclaims, "I caught her, I caught her...I caught you Anni." The first time she did it I said, "What are you doing?"...she said, "I'm Anni fishing."



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Random...
Me: Reese what do you want for breakfast?
Reese: Ummm...maybe something green.
Me: something green? what would that be?
Reese: Uhhh...you know, like last night...green things.
(When Reese say's "last night" or "yesterday" that really means anytime within her span of memory.)
Me: I'm sorry sweety but I don't know what green things you're talking about.
Reese: oh yea...they adacado's.
Me: Avocado's?? You want an avocado for breakfast?
Reese: yea mom...those adacado's are so elicious!! (delicious)
Me: I'm sorry but we don't have any avocado's sweety. You'll have to have something else. How about some cereal.
Reese: Oh man...I really want a adacado. Not fare we not have adacado's.

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I clearly have one sweet deprived toddler on my hands. Since Arnold and I started a diet 3 weeks ago there has definitely been a lack of sugar around here. This morning I started making cupcakes for my nephews mission farewell on Sunday. (Trust me...I'm going to be good and not eat any.) I've been mixing and whipping in the kitchen for the last 45 minutes with no attention from Reese, until I make one little comment...

Me: Hold one one second Anni, I'll get you out of your high chair as soon as I put the cupcakes in the oven.
Reese: (totally engrossed in her cartoons) What you say mom?? Cupcake??? You say cupcake?? You have cupcake?? (now on her feet in the kitchen) We make cupcake? I have a cupcake? When we have cupcake? I get to eat cupcake?? I want cupcake!!!
Me: What's that Reese? Did you say you don't like cupcakes?
Reese: No no no no mom...I lOVE cupcakes! I really really want cupcakes?
Me: (laughing) clearly! You can definitely have a cupcake as soon as they come out of the oven.

Poor girl camped out in front of the oven for almost 15 minutes waiting for a cupcake.

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Talking to Reese today about facial expressions...

Me: What do you think this face means? (making happy face)
Reese: Happy
Me: What does this face mean? (looking sad)
Reese: So sad
Me: And what do you think this face means? (looking surprised)
Reese: freaked out!
Me: (laughing)
Reese:(starts laughing too) That's your so so funny face mom :)

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Me: Reese what do you want for breakfast?
Reese: ummmm...I want eggs...and maybe sausage...wait...no no no...I want pancakes with strawberries.

Funny, I don't remember saying, "Hi, welcome to IHOP. Can I take your order?" But I'm a sucker...I made her the pancakes with strawberries. It's hard to say no to that sweet little face.

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When I turn my back for 2 minutes...

...this is what can happen...

Dishwasher dancer.
 

happy-sad day

Logan went into the MTC today. I can hardly believe it. I've felt a little sad tonight. I remember my first night in the MTC and I remember how scared and homesick I was...and how hard a mission can be. It's not easy to think of someone you love so much, possibly feeling the same way. But I also know what an awesome experience is in store for him...and how life changing and wonderful a mission can be... and that makes me happy and excited. Many mixed emotions.

I can't even imagine what my sister must be feeling today. The first of her babies to leave the nest. I'm kind of glad I have many many years before I'm standing in those shoes. But I also know the time will pass much more quickly than I would probably like.

It feels like only a short time ago that I got the call that my sister was in labor and that little Logan was making his way into the world. I rushed to the hospital to be the first, besides his mom and dad, to hold him. It was love at first sight. It was the first time in my 18 years of life that I knew what it felt like to instantaneously feel such an overwhelming and unconditional love. Over the years he grew and he was my little buddy. He would run into my arms the second he saw me and would cry when I had to leave him. There was rarely a day in the first two and a half years of his life that I didn't see or talk to him, until I left on my mission. On that day he gave me a big hug and said, "I go wif you mimi?".  I cried for the first hour of my flight, at the thought of not seeing him for 18 months.

Many years have passed and now it's his turn. I know he's not a little boy anymore. I know he's ready and I know it's one of the greatest things he'll ever do. All that said, I can't help on this night think of the  innocent little eyes on a sweet little boy, and pray with all my heart that what ever emotions he's feeling tonight he'll be strong and know how much he's loved. And know by this great service he'll have the opportunity to share that love with many who so desperately need it.

We will be praying for you every day Logan!



And to my big sister who's feeling a little like her heart got ripped out today...thank you for having such amazing kids. And thank you for letting me love them like they are my own. When I think about how I made it through my twenty's and half my thirty's being single...I can't help but credit these three little munchkins who could always bring a smile to my face...even on my darkest days.