Spoiled!

Last weekend I got completely spoiled . . . and surprised. It was better than a usual Friday because we had 'going to Ruby River with the kids' planned that night. I enjoyed the day and the weather looking forward to breaking out of my bubble.

About 3:30 pm my husband arrived home. Much earlier than his usual time. I was told to get ready and painted - that we had a date and his sister was coming to babysit.

I didn't hesitate. I spent the next while showering, doing my hair, and doing something that happens bi-annually -applying paint to my face. I looked hot :)

A little after four there was a knock at the door. Excited that his sister Bethany was here, you can imagine my surprise when I saw my parents on the front step. Did they stop in spur of the moment for a fun visit? Not likely. Not when you don't live next door.

So I greeted them into my home completely confused. I was then informed that I was being let go from my job for the weekend. My parents were taking me to play and to the spa and I would check back in Sunday night for an early birthday party for Whitney.

Sounded awesome! Shock factor - absolutely!

I quickly packed, and still, a little hesitant if this was for real, said good-bye to husband and kiddos.

We went to Olive Garden, a soccer game, did flowrider (loved!!!), worked out all by myself without hitting the pause button every three minutes to cater to a child, shopped, got a pedicure, read a book in silence, ate at Cafe Rio, watched a basketball game, ate a ginormous cinnamon roll, talked - to grown ups, enjoyed being a kid again in my parents house. It was perfect and fantastic. And although I missed my husband and kids I didn't let that spoil any fun because I knew my shift would start again Sunday night.

It was the perfect amount of time. Completely rejuvenating. I owe a shout out something fierce to my husband for setting it all up. I enjoyed every minute, and every minute I enjoyed reminded me how blessed I am to have the husband and kids I do!

She's 1

She's 1! I/She made it! Made it to the fun part of babyhood. I love the one year mark, for me, this is when the party begins. Apparently Hailey knew it was her birthday because she has taken learning to walk a lot more seriously lately. She's about there. We started celebrating Saturday by doing a kid favorite - Chuck E. Cheese with G & G Rasmussen.

Then on her birthday we had her favorite meal. This kids is serious about her pizza. She freaks out from the moment she sees the box in the store, cries as she has to smell it in the car on the way home without having any, and wants it the second we walk in the door. Happy to be eating pizza.

Then came cake. Well, not really cake. She doesn't like anything spongy like bread or cake. So - we had a great oreo no bake. She loved. Soaking it in.

Offering some, what a sweet girl.

The result - beauty!

All cleaned up and ready for presents.

As dad assembled her new amazing four wheeler, the kids had a blast with the box.

Testing it out in her new jammies.

Happy Birthday Hailey. You definately run the show. A few things I love about you right now: When you open and close your hand to wave to me in the rear view mirror in the car. The way you love to tease and be teased. Your love for outside - you already take me to your shoes and jacket every morning. When you give me a hug or a big smile - it melts me. love you!

Look alike Quiz

Alright - It's Quiz time. I'm shocked when I see pics of Whitney when she was little because I swear Hailey and Whitney are almost identical sometimes. In so many ways this past year has felt like I've been raising Whitney all over again. It's brought back great memories. So pull out a pen and paper - we'll see if you get a kick out of this 36 question quiz. Is the picture Whitney or Hailey? You just might do better than Aaron :) Especially since he cheated by looking at backgrounds!
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Hopefully in a couple months I'll have this: :)

Alright, let's see how you did:

Upcoming Answer key:

1.Hailey 2. Whitney 3. Hailey 4. Whitney 5. Whitney 6. Hailey 7. Hailey

8. Whitney 9. Whitney 10. Whitney 11. Hailey 12.Whitney 13. Whitney 14. Hailey

15. Whitney 16. Whitney 17. Hailey 18. Hailey 19. Hailey 20. Whitney 21. Whitney

22. Hailey 23. Whitney 24. Whitney 25. Hailey 26. Whitney 27. Hailey

28. Hailey 29. Whitney 30. Hailey 31. Whitney 32. Whitney 33.Hailey 34.Whitney

35. Hailey 36. Whitney 37. Whitney

Different view

Minutes ago I snuck into the cupboard to get a bowl. Alright I didn't really sneak, but the kids were down, house was clean, and Aaron was at basketball. Icecream sounded like a great way to celebrate! As I pulled the bowl out I whacked my elbow on the cupboard. It hurt - but I've had much worse. Was was funny was the first thought that came to my mind.

When I was about six or so me and my brother stood in the kitchen watching my mom get icecubes out of the freezer. She was an awesome mom, getting the necessary ice to cool our soup down before we ate it. Then, she fell. Not a trip fall. A, my body is unconscious fall. Me and my brother started laughing as she "played dead" on the floor. What a funny mom to fall and pretend dead at a moment like this. As she came too we realized that her act, and the broken glasses on the floor, weren't really an act. She had hit her funny bone so hard that she fainted.

What made me laugh tonight was that now I could see it from her perspective. The hussle and bussle of taking care of kids over yourself and then boom, your on the ground. Next thing you know you've got a massive headache, your glasses are broken, and your kids are staring at you half laughing still. What a weird memory of mine - and what a weird experience that would be.

Yes, I'm sure you feel enlightened for reading this. Happy March. I'm going to eat my icecream now. (magic shell on top - unbeatable!)

Hot and Cold

Last week I had the luxury of going to Miami with my husband. He had work to do for just a day there, so I tagged along and made it a vacation :) My parents were awesome about watching the kids so we could go - which I'm still very indebted for. We stayed in Pompano, which is about 40 minutes north of Miami. I loved it. I was spoiled. I soaked up every minute. Even the plane ride I enjoyed reading and just worrying about myself alone.

To show how spoiled I was, here is the view from our room. No zoom needed.

The first day we got there we discovered jellyfish lining the beach. It was pretty cool. Yes, when we went running on the beach we had some close calls to stepping on some, but it was still quite a sight to see so many stranded along the beach line. The next day they were gone. We swam in the ocean, the pool, the hot tub, watched the kite surfers (I wanna try!), went to the pool, the hot tub, and back to the beach. We got massages, ate out, shopped a little - and did I mention the hot tub? It's even better while eating a blizzard!

The weather was awesome - high 70's and low 80's. We rented a paddle board - which is pretty much a surf board with a paddle. You stand up and balance on the board while trying to paddle. It' quite tricky and fun with waves. Luckily our waves were just the right size. to small for real surfing, but great for paddle surfing.

The last morning there the ocean looked more like a lake. I took a nice leisure paddle around. It was too easy - I like the challenge of the waves! Here's me, a speck on the ocean.

We came back to snow. What extremes! Within a couple weeks we went from skiing, to ocean, and back to snow. It was great snowman making snow. I smiled pretty big when I saw what Aaron and the kids had made.

Thanks again Mom and Dad for making a getaway possible. It's amazing how I appreciate any moment of freedom I get now. Every getaway is priceless freedom! But I was reminded of one thing. I could play all I want, and I would enjoy it, but nothing brings as much satisfaction and true joy as my family/kids. A part of me is not whole when we're apart. Love ya midgets!