another month

This post is going to be a picture fest.  You've been warned

We finished spring break off with a trip to Cabela's.  The kids enjoyed it.  Hailey went from being scared of the fish to loving them.  The kids loved seeing the animals and playing with the pop guns :)

 This girl, as always, is hilarious!  I'm pretty sure she could have her own reality show.  Follow this girl around all day and you'd have some awesome footage.  Her number one thing lately has been fashion.  She insists of dressing herself, sometimes with multiple layers, at least a handful of times each day.  Doesn't she look gorgeous?

 Yesterday we let her take a bath in "Ashley's bath".  AKA the sink.  She was mostly contained and entertained for a good 20 min. :)

 We had such a fun Wednesday this week.  After school we went to the park and them put our new pass of all passes to use at trafalga.  This place is perfect for Whitney and Travis.

 I got a good laugh at how soaked Aaron got on the boat ride.  Especially considering the kids were almost spot free.

 Whitney rocked the climbing wall.

So here's a cheesy moment.  I'm doing my best to enjoy the baby stage this time.  So far I'd say I'm doing good.  My favorite times are definitely when she's asleep.  So I had to take this picture.  This is the view from my spot when we snuggle.  Sometimes it's hard to go to sleep because I just want to take another peak at her cute content little face. :)  This part I will miss.

 But now when Ashley is awake she is more fun!  This last week she really figured her smile out.  I love that now she can find me, recognize me, and react.  It's payday!  Loving every time I get this reaction!

 So here are a few more cute pics.    Hailey sporting the pig tails

 nice chill Saturday morning.  I love Hailey's hair.  This is actually calm compared to normal!

 And yesterday we celebrated our 2 month mark!!  For me that's a big deal.  The first 2 I consider the hardest.  Now it's time to watch her grow and learn like crazy.

And that completes our picture fest of April.

April snow brings summer (spring) break

I love this crazy time of year. One week we get six inches of snow and go to the easter egg hunt decked out in snow suits. . .

The next week we have a pizza party out here . . .

Then swim and run on these . . .

with all our friends

and play in the dirt/huge sandbox next door because it's 80 degrees outside!!! I think I could get used to bipolar weather like this all year. Preferably with about 70 degrees the even level :)

And just for fun, here are a few (the good ones, although the others are much more entertaining!) pictures from our easter photo shoot. toothless wonder

Happy Easter and spring break to everyone. It has been so refreshing to ponder Easter and the reason we celebrate. How nice it is at a stage where you sometimes feel like all of yourself is given to others to know that no matter what Jesus is always there for me. The miracle of the atonement and resurrection is deep in my heart. If only I could teleport to the garden tomb to visit again for just 20 minutes!

one day at a time

Well, it's been almost 6 weeks. I'm not going to hide that I've been counting down. The weather has been too nice - just tempting me to go running! Although, I can confidently say that I am mostly enjoying this stage with Ashley. It's not my favorite stage. But it's been enjoyable.

I've got enough sleep to survive and I think that has made all the difference. She really is a sweet cutie. I can't wait to see her personality start coming through this next year. Here are a few pics. This is what my life has revolved around for six weeks...

Whitney thought she would like to snuggle with her teddy bear.

She purrs, stretches, cuddles and when she spits up - it's more like puking up!

So . . . the rest of the kids, have enjoyed many movie parties at night :)

Thank goodness for the great weather! My kids have played endless hours outside. I enjoy watching them from my kitchen window :)

A couple times we've ventured patio picnics

Now this girl, she is the REAL project right now. She has personality overflowing. She doesn't sit still or stop making noise . . . unless she's into something!

still loves wearing swimsuits in the bath

she tries everything on. Her latest favorite being Whitney's clothes

She plays with the older kids. I think she truly believes she is 10 years old

and the number one thing my kids have been doing is playing in our neighbors dirt/sand pile.

All this talk of great weather and then this happened today

The snow plow just went by!