Utah Spring Vacation

We had our first family vacation of the year over Memorial Day weekend. It was so wonderful to be together as a family and have no interruptions! It has been a hard year with Nick working long hours and to have his undivided attention for 5 whole days was needed by everyone. The girls loved every second and we will be catching up on sleep for while.

Day 1. We went to the Payson Temple open house. The girls, Scarlett especially, love talking about weddings and marriage. They talk about wedding rings and fight over who gets to  marry baby Jack (so cute). As we walked through the temple we talked to them about how important it is to be married in the temple and how wonderful it is to have a family forever. Scarlett got so excited to walk into the sealing room and see a room that she could be married in. The temple was so gorgeous and when I walked into the celestial I could the feel the spirit instantly. I held my sweet Scarlett's hand and told her it was the most important room in the temple. It will be many, many years before I have my whole family together in the celestial room again and I know we will be there together one day. 

 Day 2. The girls have been wanting to go to the "jungle" for a long time and thought that they would love a trip to Hogle Zoo. Of course they loved looking at all the animals and riding the carousel. I am always amazed at how the most simple of activities makes children happy.  Even with rain and wind they had a smile on their faces the whole time. My favorite event of the day was a bird show the zoo put on. We had the best seats and we had birds flying right over our heads the whole time. My favorite bird was the desert hawk with its fast dive over our heads and huge wing span. All the birds were very impressive especially the talking green parrot, which Alice thought was the "funniest animal" she saw all day. At the end of the show Scarlett was chosen to be a volunteer and feed one of the doves from her hand. She was very brave and when she tried to tell Nick about it (he was watching jack) she had to stop and take a deep breath "Dad I am just so excited I can't tell you". She received tickets to the carousel for being so brave which of course made the day so much better. After the zoo went met up with Chole and went her Happy Sumo sushi where she works. Then we snuggled the kids all up and drove 4 hours down to Brian Head.

Day 3. We woke to snow! It was very cold and stormy all night and snowed about 6 inches. The girls were beyond excited to put on snow gear and build a snow man. Because it was not too deep or too cold the girls played outside for almost 5 hours. When they were all tired and ready for some food we loaded every one up in the car and drove back home. But the fun was not over...

Day 4 (Memorial Day). The weather was perfect! Snow one day and swimming the next. We spend the afternoon at LifeTime fitness swimming and enjoying the wonderful weather. We ended this fun weekend with a  BBQ at Camps. I am so glad we were able to spend quality time together as a family and be with our kiddos. They are amazing travelers and were glowing with excited the whole time!

They had electronic dinosaurs all over the park. Of course the girls loved them!

very playful snow leopard. The girls put their hands on the glass and he would follow.

Hard to believe that city and clara were my girls ages when the cabin was built. Time goes by way to fast!

Jackson 6 Months

This most adorable boy is 6 months. He makes every day for every person in our family better. Jack is the most perfect rollie pollie little boy and just what I always dreamed of. I am amazed how many people approach Jack and talk to him. They comment on his quick smile and bright blue eyes ( Nick's eyes). Last night I said "Jack give me kisses" and he leaned in to give me a slippery kiss. I love this little boy and am forever grateful he is part of our forever family. 

New tricks

1. Can sit for about 1 minute before falling over

2. Eats dinner every night and lunch when I have time

3. Gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth. I don't want him to crawl until after Lake Powell.

4. He was sleeping through the night for like a week and then went back to waking up around 3-5am. 

5. Giggles when we bark like a dog. The girls love to do this for him

6. He is growing in super blonde hair

7. Wakes up crying every morning and nap and will not stop till I nurse him. Then he is happy, happy for hours.

8. While I nurse he sticks his hand by mouth to kiss. Then he stick his foot there to kiss to. 

9. Loves to roll around and scoot with toys. He will be content for hours and is so, so happy.

10. No teeth yet but is super drooly. I love his gummy smile and don't want it ti change.

Jack is a very calm baby that hardly every cries. I am so blessed he is adaptable to our ever changing schedule and even if he misses a nap his still super happy. He is most content when we are sitting in our rocking chair nursing and snuggling together.

I bet by next month he is crawling and getting into everything!

Mothers Day 2015

                                   

I love Mother's Day! I love seeing my social media flood with pictures of and wonderful sentiments about mothers. I love seeing my girls get so excited about celebrating the day with me and the wonderful breakfast they help make. I love spending the day thinking about the role I play in their lives and the role my own mother played in mine. Nothing brings me more joy than being a mother and raising my children. Children embody everything wonderful attribute I hope to possess. They are kind, forgiving, meek and humble. I feel so blessed to have their Christ-like example in my life and feel of their wonderful goodness everyday. 

"One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one." Thomas S. Monson

 

My grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It breaks my heart to see her mind slowly deteriorate and her spunky personality become calm and sober. But she still remembers me and last weekend at Nate's wedding she came up and gave me the biggest hug. I always feel so loved when she is around. My grandma has a wonderful ability to spread love and cheer where ever she goes. I know its probably not true but I swear I am her favorite! That is how she always made me feel and I will never forget that.