Happy Easter!

Weekend to fall in love...

I took a weekend away. It was much needed. I got to go meet my best friend's new little man. He is precious. I fell in love. It was so nice to spend time with Adrianne and get to see her as a mommy, which by the way I still think she was born to do. I didn't want to leave them. I miss them terribly.

Seriously, who could resist this face?

Kiss him for me Ad...

Cars...

This boy has a thing for cars. Not the model, year or the engine size. He like to just line them up perfectly. Which is fine. Except when friends come over to play. Usually I try to separate some for him and some for a friend that way he doesn't have to get upset when they do their own thing with them. Today was no exception. The friend wanted one of Myles' cars. He was informed that "These cars no play. These cars no go vroom!"

And then he continued to stand guard.

It's a BOY!

It's a boy and five little girls. Lexi had her puppies! She is quite the little momma. They were born Monday March 30th. Jessie was by her side the entire time. She was a good little coach. The little boy is the one with the brown markings on his face. They are just super cute...

All cuddled up...

Have a feeling we are in over our heads.

Happy Spring!

Spring is here!

Took the kids to Daffodil Hill on Wye Mountain

"Guys, wait for me!"

Liam, Myles and Jessie

Stopped for lunch at Panera

Day One of Spring Break

Puzzle Time and do I really sound like that?

We have a love of puzzles at our house. Myles LOVES puzzles. It's his thing. His stim. His love. He has always amazed us with his sharp eye for shapes. Just about a month ago we introduced jigsaw puzzles. In no time at all he had become "passionate" about his puzzles. So "passionate" in fact that I lock them up at least once a day so that he will play with his other toys. Out of sight, out of mind right? Every time we go to the store he wants a new puzzle. Today was no different. He walked back and forth trying to decide which one he wanted. I gave him several to choose from that were all within the 24-35 piece range. He was insistent {INSISTENT} that he wanted the tractor puzzle. That's the one he wanted no matter how many times I told him that it was too hard (I really shouldn't be saying that, I know, I know...) Finally, I gave in. We ended up with the John Deere 60 piece puzzle. He was practically singing the whole way home he was so excited. He cleared the "puzzle table" and we opened it up. I dumped out the pieces and let him do his thing. I timed him to see how long it would take the first time. With absolutely no help from me it took him 11 minutes. 11 whole minutes. He never even referenced the picture on the box.

I promise you that I won't let my doubts hold you back little man. You did it!

I have been know to say the following phrases to my children

You are driving me crazy!

You are driving me nuts!

You are driving me bananas!

Yesterday Myles kept letting the muddy, smelly dogs into the house. I kept getting them back out and getting after him for letting them in. Finally he stomped into the kitchen, rolled his eyes at me, gave me a HUGE DRAMATIC sigh and said to me in his loudest, most irritated voice,

"Mom, I'm driving!"

Stopped me in my tracks. Did he learn that from me? Hmmm....

13.1

Yesterday Matt completed his first half marathon. Him and Lynn have been working up to this for a while now. I was so proud of them for finishing it under their goal time. Not bad for first timers. Lynn came in at 1:53:07 and Matt finished at 1:58:37.

Krista and I took the kids down to watch them cross the finish line. It was so inspiring to watch people as they completed something so intense.

This is a sign of a successful day.
The dished aren't done.
The laundry is waiting to be folded.
But it was beautiful outside.
And we played...

Colorado Trip!

It has been a whole year since we have been back. We missed it. We were ready to visit. Matt had to work in Denver so I took the chance to go and visit. Two days of driving. It was worth it. Bear with me, a lot of pictures were taken...

We were able to go to our old ward, which was so much fun. It was so nice to see so many familiar faces and really feel at home. Our super cool friends, James and Melanie hosted a little get together for us at their home. It was so nice to be able to visit and reconnect with friends.

The kids had a blast playing and hanging out with friends. James and Jessie were both able to go to school and see a lot of people. James even went to early morning seminary (we thought he was crazy but we were proud of him).

While the kids were off hanging out with friends Myles and I were able to visit Inspiration Playground. This playground opened right after we moved. It was absolutely incredible. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun.

On Wednesday we were able to visit Loodles Coffee Shop. Mark Ludy is one of our favorite children's authors. He happens to live in Windsor, Colorado and his wife owns this little coffee shop. Every Wednesday he hangs out in the lounge and doodles. People come and watch him. We were able to hang out with him. He was so awesome. He signed several books for us and let Liam peek into his art studio. Super cool!

Matt had an afternoon free and we were able to take the kids to Cinzetti's. All you can eat Italian Buffet. Funny story: Myles was asleep when we went in. The kids all started getting their food. Myles woke up and I got him situated in his high chair. He looked around and said "Um, I would like a number six." Maybe that's a bad sign when your kid starts ordering by number...

Anyways, check out Liam with his dessert dishes. This is the real reason we go there. Incredible desserts. yum...

We also got to hang out in Denver a couple of days with Matt. Hotel swimming pools are one of our favorite vacation spots. They had a blast.

We had a great time visiting Uncle Jesse in Denver. Dinner + LOST= A great evening. The next night Matt, Myles, Jessie and I went over to his house so Matt could get some acupuncture on his knee. Simon and I didn't get along well. A little Benadryl helped but we had to cut our visit short. Matt's knee is doing much better though. Thanks Jesse!

The trip would not have been complete without a trip to GOODWILL! Love this store. Have I mentioned this before? I have missed you my dear friend. We actually had to buy a topper for our van to take home everything. Sorry Matt...

We had a great time visiting with Uncle Richie. Myles has found a new best friend. They had a blast playing football and flashlights. Liam was finally able to play that video game he has been wanting to play. Sure enough, it scared him. And Myles learned the cutest dang trick {dripping with sarcasm} What does a mommy say? No, No, NO.... thanks Rich... When did this happen?

Our last night we got to hang out with our friends. Melanie's famous tacos, a mean game of Blockus and a movie night for the kids. Thanks for all the fun memories.

We had a blast. It was a long trip home. We wish we would have had more time. There were so many more people we wish we could have spent time with. Till next time...

happy {HEART} day

Artwork by Liam

Poor Baby...

Yesterday Myles had a procedure done at Children's. We felt very blessed to have a wonderful doctor taking care of him. This kind man is currently booked a year out and he worked us into his schedule (not even on his regular surgery day). We felt confident that he knew what he was doing and would do what was best for Myles.

Long day. Sad boy. Thank goodness for pain medicine.

Happenings...

I could spread some butter on him and just eat him up. Messy face and all. Life is all about playing hard and sleeping good.

Honor Roll Recognition Ceremony. Yep, that's right! Liam is on the honor roll. I could not be any prouder. Love him. Love his crazy hat hair.

Love that fact that he was the only kid that took a bow.

He attends a school where all of the other children are pixalated. Strange, I know.

We paint or draw every single day. Every single day.

Somebody loves me. And when I was surprised with these at my door that's what I said. Myles said " I luvel lou mom." Yummm... I luvel lou too.
"Myles luvel cherry chantpoop"
Translation: "I love my cherry shampoo"

We went to a dinner theater with our Arkansas BFFs. These kids ROCK and are serious fun to hang out with. It was different than the regular old dinner and movie. It was fun.

And they are super cool people.

365 days

It has been a year since we left our home and traveled south. I cannot believe that we have passed our one year mark for moving to Arkansas. A lot has happened in the last year. Lots of laughs. Lots of tears. Some great accomplishments. Some setbacks. We have made some good friends. We have missed some good friends. We have survived severe weather, tropical depressions, tornadoes and the unbearable humidity. Some days it has felt like 100 years since we left. Other days I can't believe it has been a whole year.

On our first night in town, we had none of our possessions yet and it had been a long, long trip. We took the kids out to King Buffet for dinner. We thought it would be fun to start a tradition and go there for our "anniversary". It was a horrible tradition. We won't be doing it again next year.

Don't they all look so excited?

In our prayers...

This past week our friends David and Nicole lost their little boy tragically in a house fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their family at this very difficult time.

Play Hard Little Man...