Fun in a Box

Aaron's Grandma Rietfors, sent the kids a fun package for Easter. Although they loved their gifts, I think the box was a bigger hit. I made the mistake of letting them have their fun and walked out of the room. When I came back in those darn peanuts were scattered ALL over.

Oregon

A little over a month ago, Aaron I got to go to Oregon. So much fun!!!! It was a really fast trip and we didn't get to see as much as I would have liked, but we had a blast and saw a few friends as well. The highlight for me was staying with my dear friend Michelle that I grew up with in Sandy, Utah. She and her husband now live where I used to live. We had sooooo much fun and I'm not sure I've laughed that hard in a very long time. Next time we are in Oregon (which hopefully will be soon) we'll make sure to have more time to see some of the amazing places that I grew to love so much.


My cousin Kerry and her husband Dale


My dear friend Merilee


Amazing Michelle! She truly is the friend of a lifetime!

Go for your Dreams!!!!!

I've learned a few things in the last few years of my life about going after your dreams. I'm married to a wonderful man who inspires me everyday. One of the greatest things Aaron has ever taught me is the importance of trying something, going after something, and not giving into the negative voices around you that tell you it's dumb or you can't do that. I'm so grateful to be married to such a man who has dreams and seeks after the "impossible".

This video is so inspiring. If you have a secret dream or want something in your life, Go For It!!!! Don't give into those negativities all around us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

Easter

Okay, so I am way beyond behind in blogging lately. I've been soooo busy and every time I come to blog, something comes up that is more important. Anyway, Easter was super great! The kiddos had a fun easter egg hunt on Saturday with their cousins. Goodness, you'd think I never give my kids candy because they've been on the biggest sugar high ever since. Ugh!

Aaron and I have been teaching Hannah what Easter really is all about. Not sure she understood, but I can't help but feel so thankful for the Savior this Easter. His ressurection truly is miraculous and such a gift. I'm so thankful for his magnificent life!

Coloring Easter Eggs





Egg Hunt


Grace 2 & Hannah 3


Lydia 15mo. & Nathan 22 mo.




Playing with Cousins



Abigail 4 months old




Easter Sunday

Abigail 4 months old

Length: 24 1/4" - 50%
Weight: 12lbs. 9oz. - 25%
Head Circ: 40cm - 25%

Every mother thinks their baby is the very best, but ladies, I'm telling ya, Abigail is the BEST!!! Abby is rolling over, sleeping through the night, and unfortunately losing her red hair. We are still hopeful that she'll be our little red headed girl.

Mischevious Cousins

Nikki was visiting last week. Since we've moved, Hannah and Grace don't see eachother as often. Nathan, Abigail, and Nikki's Lydia were all asleep so we put a movie on for Grace and Hannah in my room. Nik and I were chatting downstairs when I thought it might be good to check on the girls. They were being awfully quiet. LOL To my GREAT surprise, they were "cleaning" my shower. I say "cleaning" because that's what Hannah said they were doing. They got into my hair conditioner and soap and smeared it all over the shower and themselves. At that very moment I had to tell myself that someday I'd laugh about this. I wasn't laughing too much when I walked in on them, but now that it's been several days since it's happened, I do think it's kinda funny. Lesson learned: Never leave 3 year olds unattended. :o)LOL

Cabella's for FHE

Who knew that Cabella's could be so fun? It's literally a stone throw from our house and deffinately a great little secret. They have a giant fish aquarium, a mountain with a water fall. All kinds of interesting wild life (stuffed). The kids were fascinated. It even has a little restuarant to boot, so we got ourselves a treat at the end. So fun!

52 Blessings/ Week 10: Blankies

When I was a child my thumb pacified me for everything. So much so that I was a little too old still sucking my thumb. That's another story though. Anyway, both Hannah and Nathan are blankie kids. They LOVE their blankies!!!! Hannah got hers from Kelly who is the girlfriend of her uncle Mike. We love Kelly, and truly Kelly, this blanket is what Hannah loves most in life!


Nathan's blanket was actually a gift from his Grandma Lombardo. She gave it to Hannah when she was just a little tike, but Nathan has taken to it and is rarely without it. To get this thing washed is quite tricky. I have to distract him long enough to get the blanket away and then I quickly put it in the wash. When he asks for it, I tell him it's in the wash and he'll go sit by the washer, sometimes crying, until it's done.



I am grateful that my kids have these little things that comfort them. They've come from people that love them, so it means even more to me. I wonder if Abigail will follow suit and have a favorite blankie as well. We'll see.

Hannah's Prayers

Ok, so I hope I can remember everything she said this morning in her prayer, but I just HAVE to write it down. She's growing up sooooo quickly.

"Dear Heavenly Father, and thank you for my family here on earth. And thank you for my wonderful food. Thank you for Beauty and the Beast that Chadley let me borrow. And thank you for the things grandma makes (not sure what she's talking about here or which grandma, but I thought it was cute). Thanks for the gospel and for my family here on earth. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

I think I got it all and that is exactly how she said it. Too cute! I'm so glad she's thankful for her family "here on earth". What a sweet little girl we have. :o)

Abigail 3 months old

PURE JOY!!!!

She is the cutest little stinker ever! Abigail is smiling, cooing, and sleeping throught the night. Love her, Love her, Love her.

52 Blessings / Week 9: Dads

I was looking at pictures of my wonderful guy, (Aaron) and couldn't help but be so grateful for the AMAZING dad he is to our children. They adore him! He is fun personified. I really don't know how I got so lucky to have married such a great man. I know "luck" didn't have anything to do with it actually.


I'm also grateful for my own dad. He is so WONDERFUL!!! He was the greatest father growing up. Taking care of my own children, I realize more than ever just how much my parents did for us kids. One thing he did was wake up every morning at 5:30 to make us a hot breakfast. This was very important to him since he wanted to spend time with us everyday. He was a busy man working to support his large family and he showed us his dedication to serving the Lord as well. Such a great example he's always been to his family. We didn't have a lot of "things" growing up, but we had time together. Our family vacations consisted of camping, camping, and more camping! I loved it and still do. Fortunately the great outdoors have always been pretty much right outside our own back door, so that made it quite nice. Dad would always cook a FABULOUS dutch oven dinner, we'd play games, go for hikes, and then we'd end the night with Dad telling us some ridiculous story he'd make up. Those were the best days ever! He has taught me so much.


Aaron's dad, Steve. Isn't he handsome? :o)
I never knew Aaron's dad, but sometimes I feel as if I knew him. Aaron loves his dad and is also grateful for his wonderful example. He strives to be the kind of father to his children as his dad was to him. I think his dad would be proud of the man he has become.

I've always known the most important decision in my life would be to marry the right person, at the right time, in the right place. Fortunately, I feel that I did. So, thanks be to these wonderful men in my life and for the fathers they are! I love you both so much!

Out of the Mouth of Babes

WARNING***WARNING****WARNING***Do not read this blog out loud if young children are in the room. Some text may not be suitable for young children. Parental Discretion is advised.

So, Hannah has been saying things that are just too funny not to document. Here are some of her latest comments.

1. In Sacrament meeting a few Sundays ago, I took Nathan out to change a poopy diaper. I had to walk by Hannah and Aaron to get out. Apparently Hannah said, in full voice mind you, "Daddy, are you a little gassy?" NICE!!! :o)

2. Last night Aaron sneezed at the dinner table and Hannah said, "Daddy, do you have a cough and diarrhea?". Tee-hee

3. Last, but not least with our little missy, Hannah has been going #2 in her underwear lately. Needless to say, it has been EXTREMELY challenging to be patient with her as she seems to do it on purpose. Urgh! Anyway, we've been making her clean herself up, (supervised of course). The other day Aaron was in the bathroom with her while she was cleaning herself up. To give you the full picture she was standing by the toilet with her wipes and talking to the poop saying, "come on poop, come on my wipe" (everything is alive to her). If that's not bad enough, once she succeeded to clean herself up and the "poop was on the paper" she then said, "oh, there's some crap"! Um Hello.....we don't talk like that I swear!!!! Aaron just about died laughing, but did his best to not let her see him laughing as we CERTAINLY don't want to encourage those kind of words. We have no idea where she heard that word, but think maybe she learned it from some boys she would play with occasionally. They were a little older and maybe they talked a little dirty. :o)

Oh this parenting stuff is always good for a laugh!

52 Blessings/ Week 8: Books

I think I started reading to Hannah, no joke, a week after she was born, maybe sooner. It must have rubbed off because that girl LOVES to read! Or be read to rather. Nathan also loves to be read to. I'm so grateful they love books and hope they always do. I must admit that reading is something I've grown to love. I didn't always like to read when I was younger. Now, I love to read and almost always am reading something. What a blessing it is to be able to read!