Warm weather finally!

It's ridiculous how long this winter has seemed and how long we've been waiting to finally be able to play outside and enjoy the sunshine. Well, this week it finally happened! I've been letting Abbie and Leah play in the backyard almost every day lately and eat their lunch outside so on this day, after giving them their sandwiches and juice, I came out to find this:

It was so cute, they pulled the wagon into the backyard and set up a chair for Leah and were talking to eachother and just eating away, oblivious that I was watching. I just thought it was so cute!

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Leah figured out how to pull her ducky and blankie in the wagon and she and Abbie take turns pulling their animals or eachother down the driveway and sidewalk. I'm glad they are starting to play better together and not fight as much.

At the park on a 80+ degree day!

There was a lady blowing bubbles for her kids and she kindly let Abbie join in the fun. I thought this picture of her chasing the bubbles was cute!

We finally got around to planting our garden over the weekend and I let the girls have their own little patch in the back to plant all the leftover seeds from last year and a few from this year all together in a row. They love to dig holes and play in the dirt in this area and it doesn't get much water because of the rain gutter so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes up. The girls will have fun having a garden to water and weed all to themselves, though!

They put in the seeds, covered the row back up, and watered it all by themselves. They were such good helpers and were so serious about it!

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We planted sunflowers, corn, lettuce, peas, and carrots in the front...

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And then a whole bunch of tomato plants in pots to put in a tiny sunny spot in the backyard.

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This is almost double what we did last year so I'm excited to make salsa, sauces, soup, and sandwiches with tomatoes galore! I'm also doing peppers and cilantro so I have a few more fresh ingredients for making salsa. I can't wait and I'm going to make sure I wear gloves everytime from now on! (to see what I'm talking about, go here)

Reaping the rewards from a hard day of yard work!

Enjoy your summer!

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

Abbie's preschool had a zoo field trip last week (the title is from a song they learned and have been singing for weeks) and since it's been a year since we've been, we decided to go and brave the crowds and heat again! We had a lot of fun and both the girls had a great time seeing all the animals. Here's Abbie's favorite, the elephant!

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Jared and Abbie had fun in the insect room, I stayed clear on that one!

Leah loved the carousel but Abbie was terrified most of the time...
Until it was over, then she wanted to get back on!

We all liked seeing the polar bears and sea lions, mainly because it was air-conditioned in that room!
Of course, the only part the girls talked about after a whole day of walking around in the heat, trying not to lose a child in the crowds, and driving two hours and paying out the nose to see a bunch of animals sitting in the shade, was getting ice cream at the end. I think next year we'll just visit the pet store or Cabelas for free and then get ice cream and they won't know the difference!
Leah pouting when we licked her "drips"!

Silly Abbie!

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Interview with the Abbie

I've seen this survey going around and decided that it would be fun to see what Abbie's answers are. Here's what she thinks of me at 4 1/2 years old. Enjoy!

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you

2. What makes mom happy? When I be nice to Leah

3. What makes mom sad? When I make a big mess

4. How does your mom make you laugh? You tickle me!

5. What was your mom like as a child? You like to have tea parties

6. How old is your mom? Five?

7. How tall is your mom? I’ll go get the measure tape and then we’ll see how tall you are…sixty-zero! (the tape measure only went to 60" or 5 feet)

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Dora

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Go back to bed

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? I don’t know

11. What is your mom really good at? Your workout game (exercising)

12. What is your mom not very good at? You don’t feel good (I've been sick lately)

13. What does your mom do for her job? You get to play with toys at home

14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Cheerios", then a pause, "Oh, I know, oatmeal, you love it!" (I have it for breakfast almost every morning)

15. What makes you proud of your mom? I don’t know

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Max and Ruby’s mommy

17. What do you and your mom do together? Go to the park

18. How are you and your mom the same? We are both wearing pink pants

19. How are you and your mom different? I’m wearing a green shirt and you wearing a blue shirt

20. How do you know your mom loves you? You give me lots of kisses

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He gives you presents (talking about the Mother's Day present I just got)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Shopping at the store



Here's a picture of Abbie's latest thing that she loves to draw: A flower with petals, a stem, leaves, and the sun!

It's official...

I'm showing! Here I am at 14 weeks 3 days...

And today at 15 weeks 2 days!

Time to dig out the maternity clothes and say bye-bye to my skinny jeans. I haven't felt the baby move yet but am excited for that to start happening. I've been more hungry lately, eating everything in sight and I don't feel nauseous or sick anymore. Our ultrasound to find out if it's a boy or girl is in a month, I can't wait! Please send boy vibes our way!

Grandma and Grandpa T's visit part 2

After visiting Niagara Falls, Palmyra, Syracuse, Harmony, and Kirtland, Grandma and Grandpa came back to Michigan to stay with us for a few more days before flying back home. They had a great time visiting all the church sites, many of which they had never seen or haven't seen in decades. Here they are at Niagara Falls.

After seeing all those spiritual places, we decided they needed a dose of reality so we told them to go to HELL! Hell, Michigan that is!

We had a great time posing in these devil cutouts and looking at all the creative and fun things in the gift shop.

Abbie and Leah loved this "Little Devil's Door". We got there just as it was closing but normally the owner gives free ice cream to any child that can walk through that door without having to duck. Leah would have qualified but Abbie wasn't quite short enough. It sure was fun to play in, though!

We also went to the park and did my favorite walk around Gallup Park and then played on the playground.

Leah had so much fun swinging with Grandma...

And being pushed "higher" and "faster" by Grandma and Mom.


Abbie also had a turn and Grandma pushed her a lot longer than Mommy usually does...

And had fun playing games while swinging.

Abbie loved showing Grandma how she can go down the big slide by herself now

When it was time to go, Leah threw a tantrum and didn't want to leave. The only way she could be consoled was to have Grandpa carry her to the car.

The girls also enjoyed more time listening to Grandma play the violin and dancing around the room to the music

Abbie even got a little lesson on what the different parts of the violin are like the frog on the bow, the bridge, pegs, strings, and chin rest. I think we may have another rising generation of musicians in our family!

They also had fun making cookies with Grandma...

And reading more books at bedtime

Leah really got attached to Grandpa and would ask where he was first thing in the morning and after waking up from her nap. She loved to sit on his lap and read books and just be held by him.

It was also great to have my mom here for Mother's Day. We went to a RS conference all day Saturday and then went and got pedicures together while the boys (Daddy and Grandpa) watched the girls. Mom also got a new haircut and was really happy with the results!

Grandma took pictures of us getting ready Sunday morning and I thought that was fun to document also. Here's Abbie getting on her hearing aids, she's still doing great with them and even requests that I put them in first thing in the morning so she can hear her cartoons better.

Doing Leah's hair. They do pretty well letting me do their hair most days since we've been doing it regularly since day one. I'm just out of ideas on how to do something creative that doesn't take more than 5 minutes and will work with their fine, thin hair.

Here they are all done up and ready to go!

The whole family in front of our blossoming tree! I love springtime!

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa while they were here and will miss them until we see them again in July for a big family reunion out west. We can't wait!