While our kitchen was being remodeled we visited with our good friends the Hoopers in Ohio.

It had snowed at least a foot the day we got there so we opted for some inside entertainment. The Columbus Zoo has an awesome Rainforest. All four of the kids loved it.

We had a great time in Ohio. I really didn’t want to leave. We love the Hoopers and miss them desperately in D.C. I’m so glad we went. We were worried about the long drive with the kids in the car. (Anyone who knew Hallie as a baby knows that she doesn’t do well in cars.) However, we were pleasantly surprised by both kids. They did great! More trips to Ohio may be in our future!

As I laid in bed last night I realized that I had had the perfect day. I am so blessed to have such a good life.
Here is why yesterday was so good:
*Ben watched the kids so I could sleep in.
*Kyle took a 2 hour nap before Church so I had plenty of time to get everything ready.
*Church was really good. Testimonies about being grateful for what we have were my favorite.
*Drove some little investigators home from church. They talked my ear off the whole time and I loved it!
*Came home and put the kids down for a nap then made Cafe Rio for dinner.
*Ate an amazingly delicious quiet dinner with Ben. (The kids were still sleeping.)
*Ben did the dishes.
*Played and read stories to the kids.
*Skyped with both families
*Bath time. (Nothing is better than clean chubby babies!)
*Read “The Work and the Glory” with Ben
*Feel asleep fast. 🙂

The kids before Church

While we were in Utah both sides of the family got family pictures taken. I think both turned out good.

We are so grateful for our families!

Ben’s wonderful Grandpa passed away last week and so Ben flew out to Utah/Idaho to attend the funeral. We were very sad we all couldn’t go but with us having gone to Utah only 2 months ago it was not in the budget.

I’ll be honest I was a little worried about being by myself for 4 days with the kids. I know that sounds lame but I am weak! I prayed that everything would be okay and I would get through the long weekend without breaking down. I have so many good friends who took care of me. Plus we had A.MAZ.ING weather so we were able to get out and enjoy the 70 degree sunshine. I told my friend Lindsey that God sent the weather for me to help but a smile on my face while Ben was gone. lol (I know, I know the world revolves around me!) Anyway, between my wonderful friends, great weather, and lots of outings we kept busy and enjoyed every second of what I thought was going to be a very long and hard weekend.

Here is just some of what we did:

That was a lot in four days and I didn’t even take pictures of everything. Thank you friends (Lindsey, Lindsie, Mary, Faith, Amy, Stella) who helped keep me busy so I didn’t go crazy at home without Ben. You are all the best and I am so grateful for you!

In other news. I wanted to post pictures of our new playroom. After getting so many toys for Christmas from Nanna we needed a place to put all of them. Ben is such a stud and gave up his office. He is wonderful! Now all the kid’s toys are in this one room which makes cleaning up so much easier. Me and the kids are in heaven!

I had an epiphany not long ago that I recorded in my journal. I love when other moms post something that inspires or uplifts me so I thought that I would try and return the favor.

“Being a mom I have often struggled feeling like “me”. The days are so full and busy that I get wore out and often find myself impatient and snappy. I wish for a happier me. The “me” who enjoys life and takes time to smell the roses. The “me” who is super social and fun and is even known to make people laugh now and then. I am constantly doing things for my family and at the end of the day I was wishing for more “me” time (whatever that is!) I’ve often thought “oh if I could just go to more Girl’s Night’s and get out of the house. If I could just have more time to do things I love like shopping, or crafts I would be a better “me” and a better mom.

However, one day while reading in the New Testament the Spirit taught me something and I recognized the way I felt. I felt truly happy and content as I read. I learned that I don’t need to do more activities that I like in order to be happier. (Although I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt.) All the Girl’s Nights Out and shopping trips won’t make me feel more like “me”. What I need to do is make more time for the scriptures and earnest prayer in my life. Those two things more than anything else will help me feel fulfilled and complete. Like MYSELF.”

Hallie had her half birthday on Sunday and so now she is officially 2 1/2 years old. My oh my how time flies! Sometimes I just stop and watch her and think “Can it be true? Can that little girl be my baby?” Anyone who knows her thinks she is 3 (people have thought this since she turned 2 because of how well she speaks). Strangers who don’t hear her talk but only see her size think she is 1. lol

Hallie loves her little brother and gets him to laugh quite often. She is also great at making him cry by taking his toys or shoving them in his face. It’s funny to see her on top of him saying they are wrestling or she is tickling him (with supervision of course!) Her most recent accomplishment was learning how to do a somersault all by herself. Naps have reappeared and I couldn’t be happier. We went several months with no naps so now that they have come back this past week I am a happy camper.

Hallie is funny when it comes to food. She is a huge snacker! She would snack all day if we let her.  Her biggest meal of the day is breakfast. We don’t buy cold cereal so she prefers raw oatmeal with milk and brown sugar. Yes, I  said raw! She refuses to let me cook it: “Don’t cook it mom!”  Her smallest meal of the day is dinner. She is very picky and often doesn’t want to eat what we are having so she goes to bed without it. She loves noodles, bread, sugar etc. Hates meat and potatoes. Favorite food is smoothies!

A new hobby she has picked up is photography. She carries our old camera around and takes a million pictures of everything. (Most of which have her fingers in them.) Diego is still her imaginary friend but seems to not be around quite as much these days. She loves going to Church and asks on a daily basis if we can go. Then on Sunday morning she insists on going as soon as she wakes up. She loves friends and wants to play with one constantly.

Ben and I often end our night telling each other all the funny things Hallie did and said that day. For example: telling people “peace out” or “thanks babe” or “come on lovers”. We love our Hallie! Life would be so empty with out her.

Kyle is now 7 months old and he is as sweet and wiggly as ever. Goodbye to the days where he would just chill in your arms, cuddle and hold still while getting his diaper changed. Hello to wiggly, busy, rolling and scooting Kyle. He wants to play every second that he is awake and as always he enjoys watching his crazy sister do what she does best. He loves to give everyone big smiles and he loves to babble. He eats all sorts of baby food these days and gets hypnotized when he watches us eat big people food. He wants it so bad! He can feed himself the gerber puffs with 100% accuracy and his fine motor skills seem to be better at this stage than his gross motor skills. He still loves his binkie but most of all he loves his mommy! I don’t think there is a person out there who loves me more than he does. lol He lights up when I walk in a room and cries when I leave. He’s my little buddy and I can’t imagine what life would be like or even remember for that matter what life was like before him. He is such a sweet and necessary part of our family. We all love our Ky Man!

Oh and he has blow outs daily. haha Which means lots of  baths!

Kyle turned 6 months old on Jan 9th but because we were in Utah I am just now blogging about it. I can’t believe he is half a year old! I seriously want him to stay my baby forever. He is such a good little guy who loves his momma. He is all smiles almost all the time and he is becoming a playful little man. He loves toys and grabs for anything and every thing. (Unfortunately it is usually my hair.) He started eating solid food and of course gobbles it up. So far he eats: carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, and peas. He also says “dada” constantly.

It seems like he changes everyday and sometimes I cry because of it. After watching Hallie grow up I know how fast it goes and it makes me sad to think that I won’t have a baby much longer. Okay moving on before I start crying at the computer. lol He now rolls in order to get to toys etc. It’s so cute and fun to watch him play with toys. He and Hallie are starting to play together and I love it!

Kyle weighs 18 lbs. 6 oz. and is 26.5 inches long. (on 1/27/11)

We didn’t send out Christmas cards this year…. BUT if we had this would have been the picture.

I have been blessed in my life to have great friends. Growing up I lacked good true friends and so I prayed and prayed that friends would come. Well the Lord answers prayers because they have come and I couldn’t ask for better people in my life. While in Utah I had hoped to see many of them. But, alas, sickness confined us to solidarity. I was there for 3 1/2 weeks and only saw a handful of friends, most of which, were willing to drive to see me. (Thanks girls!)

First up, Oakcrest reunion. (Oakcrest is a church girls camp in Utah. I was a counselor in 2004)

Next up: My name twin and old mission roommate. I still call her by her maiden name. Old habits die hard.

College buddies are next:

I decided that I only choose friends who make me laugh. These two do a good job at it!

Finally Highschool: