Rockin' Birthday

I did it! I turned the corner headed to 30...yes i am 26. It was a great weekend. I got to celebrate every day of it! On thursday, i got to go out with this handsome man on a smokin' hot date to the falls and then to kiwi loco. Friday we headed to Idaho Falls and ate at the Olive Garden with my family and a few cousins in tote.

It was 2 days before my sister in law was set to be induced (Carrie on the Left) and it was my cousin Emily's due date (Right, she later had her baby on the following tuesday). We had lots to celebrate!

Saturday we watched conference which was wonderful and uplifting and then my brother got me tickets to "Bodies" at the Museum of Idaho. If you dont know me, I LOVE anatomy so this was the perfect gift. It is real live cadavers in every form you could imagine on display. If you ever get the chance, GO! it is SO worth it.

That evening we had presents and pie. My sweetie and my mom spoiled me. I'm not a huge cake fan so my mom made us pumpkin pie! Chad got me new running shoes, a SCHWINN!! and a cake decorating kit.

And on sunday we watched more conference and in the afternoon, this little sweetie was born on my birthday! Haidyn Meri Reed! This is my oldest brother's daughter. Here's the birthday girls!

Thanks so much to everyone who made is such a special day! 2011 has been my best year yet!

March Favorites

Although Motherhood definitely has its challenges, I constantly am finding myself in awe that I created these little beings. Carter is entering a hard toddler stage and Mollie is teething and starting to be mobile!! I recently was put in as the 2nd counselor in the Young Women and Chad has been super busy with work and a city league basketball team. Life is SO busy but I can't help but smile at all the sweet moments I have shared with my kids this month. These moments are what makes it all worth it! Here is Carter playing his "tar" (guitar). He even sings "ner-ner-ner" as he pretends to play it. This one melts my heart. Carter loves to share his trains especially with Mollie and no one else.

OK so this one REALLY melts my heart. Toothless baby smiles are the BEST!

Even though feeding babies is a chore and very messy, Mollie got to start solid foods this month and it is still exciting!

Carter wants to be EXACTLY like his dad. He constantly is wearing his jersey and b-ball shoes around the house. He is growing up SO fast. He can already count to 12 by himself, knows his colors, and we are working on the alphabet. He LOVES to sing and can learn any song very quick!

And this little gal changes every day! She is just about sitting on her own and can almost roll over completely on her own. A tooth should pop through any day now. We can't get enough of her smiles and every so often she blesses us with the sweet sound of little giggles. She will be 6 months old on April 5th! My how time flies!

Oh these little ones are the JOY in my life. THIS is what life is all about! :)

Attempt at being crafty!

YES
I made a car seat cover


NO
It is not perfect
BUT
i love it and Im proud of myself for trying
AND
i had SO much fun making it

Big boys need to play too

The last few months have been lots of fun getting to watch Chad do what he loves most. He got asked to join a city league basketball team and he has LOVED it. They have won most of their games and has a really great team. Every time i watch them i am SO amazed at how much integrity they have. They call their own fouls, and admit when the ball went out on them. They don't swear or scream at the refs. And they all play pretty level headed. Chad has made HUGE strides in controlling his temper and actions in this game and I am so proud of him. I don't think i could control my temper if there were other guys pushing me around and swearing at me, but some how he does!
The other thing that has made this so fun is that some good friends are on the team and the wives get to get together and cheer on our men. The season is coming to a close, but Chad is already talking about "next time...." GOOOOO FAT BOYS!!!! (no I'm not being rude, that is the name of the team!)

My Little Valentines

I love these to kids SO much and am so blessed to have them in my life.

We had a wonderful Valentines Day. We celebrated with treats and a heart shaped pizza.

Sweet little girl

Dear Mollie,

You are growing up so fast. Time has flown with you as a newborn. You are 4 months old now and changing every day. You have discovered your toes and ears and are always playing with them. You smile and coo at anyone who will give you the time of day. Yesterday you started rolling over! What an accomplishment! You weigh 14.2 pounds and are 25 in. long. That is tall for a 4 month old.

Last night was the first night you slept in your crib. I have to admit i was a little lonely and would wake up on my own wondering where you were. It breaks my heart to hear you cry while you are trying to go to sleep, but i know it is best for everyone.

The day care lady at the gym asked me the other day if your eyes are always THAT BIG. Well, the answer is yes and i fall in love with them every day.

Mollie you are a miracle and a true joy in life. I LOVE YOU!

Ringing In The New Year

We had a great time ringing in the New Year. We went out to Moore and spent it with his parents. We had a yummy dinner and some friends came over to play games. Then we played pinochle until it was midnight and ran downstairs to watch the ball drop on TV. The next day we wanted to take Carter sledding, but it was 2 degrees outside! We bundled him up anyway and went out for a few quick runs. I took a few quick photos and then ran back in before I froze to death. It was SO cold! But it was really fun for the few minutes we were out there. We had a wonderful and relaxing time!

Things I learned in 2010:
*Being pregnant with a girl makes you 100 times sicker
*Potty training doesn't happen over night (I'm afraid I'll get to learn this throughout 2011 too)
*I can accomplish tough goals when I set my mind to it
*It's so important to treat the people closest to you the very, very best!
*Labor goes VERY fast for me
*Having a family is EVERYTHING
*It is SO important to have the spirit with me constantly and always in my home for my children's sake (and mine)
*That families REALLY ARE forever...its not just a song
*Patience is a VIRTUE (I'll be learning this throughout the next year too!!)

HAPPY 2011!!