Auntie

My cute little sister had a cute litte baby in December. I knew that I wanted to go meet him and help with the kiddos but didn't think there was anyway that could happen. Then I talked to my best friends generous brother and he gave me a buddy pass, so I was able to take a quick last minute trip. I somehow didn't get a picture of the adorable new baby, but he is CUTE!!!!

My parents were kind enough to let me watch them in there home so that Becki could have some uniterupted time. The girls and I had a fun little sleep over.

complete with mani-pedi's

The three older kids and I kept plenty busy. We had fun making marshmellow towers and houses.

We also painted and did other crafts

For lunch we had bagel sandwhiches and fruit butterflies.

Mmmm....eat up!

Even tho it was a super quick trip it sure was nice to get to meet my newest little nephew and spend some time with the others. I (heart) being an Aunt, it's the best!!!!

Ryan was a saint and took a couple of days off work and ran things smoothly at home. He made it so fun for the kids and I never had to worry about them.

I don't have any pictures, but I got to spend a day with Amy. We went shopping and to lunch and I got to spend some time with her darling family. My dad spoke in church so we went and listened to him. He is AMAZING!!!! My mom feed us a delicious lunch and then I was off to the airport. It was wierd to be in Utah and not have my kids or get to go see everybody, but it was really nice to finally get to play auntie and help out for once. I just love Becki's little family!!!

Moo!

So the other day at "Mommy School" we did a little activity on where our food comes from. I let Becca cut up the adds and paste in columns if the food came from an animal or plant. Becca really seemed to be into it. That is the only reason I can think of as to why when I opened the fridge this morning I found a black and white cow in our fridge.

I got a good little giggle out it. What a great way to start the day.

A gem of a lady!

I sure do miss this amazing lady!

I have been doing A LOT of thinking lately about family . Mainly extended and how important each relationship should be. In doing so I realized how much I miss Ryan's sweet Grandmother. Even though it is hard to keep connected through all the miles it was important to her that we stay connected. She always made sure to call us once a week to check in. She LOVED talking to the kids and if one of them wasn't home we were sure to get a call later in the week, which I loved. She always paid attention to the little things my boys were passionate about and would ask them lots and lots of questions. It was amazing how well they knew her, just by the phone calls. I wish her and Becca could have had some more time together. Becca was so little when she passed away and does not remember her. This life is too short and thinking of Grandma has made me long even more for more time with those I so dearly love. She had a way of making everyone she was with feel like they were everything to her. She was so involved and she always looked on the bright side and saw the best in everyone. She was a great listener and I would give anything to go pick up the phone and have a heart to heart with her right now. I always cherished and respected her advice and opinion. We sure do LOVE and miss you Grandma Great!

It's really going to happen

Despite my best efforts to keep Miss B little she is getting closer and closer to the next big exciting stage of life. KINDERGARTEN! We took her in for her shots and she was so very brave. I told her I don't like to look when I get shots and that it might help to sing her ABC's. She had to get 4 shots and decided to give it a try.

She looked away and started singing A,B, Ccccccccc(first shot), D, E,F, G,H, Iiiiiiiiiiii(second shot) J, K, L

then they switched sides, she turned her head and the nurse said keep going, your on L. so L, M, Nnnnnnn(third shot), P, Q (at this point she was ready to be done) and said I don't really care about the rest. :) hahahahaha. She did the final shot and Miss B was soooo brave. She was so sweet and fighting back the tears. It was adorable. The nurse made a HUGE deal to the entire office staff of what a great job she did. One doctor said he kept waiting for the screams, but it never came. :) It's true...my baby girl is growing up!

Birthday Visit

I know my birthday was awhile ago, but I want to be sure and write down this happy memory. My sister Christy called and asked what I wanted for my birthday. True to me, I answered what I always answer. For her to come and visit me. She said, "I knew you were going to say that. I can't be there on your birthday but what if I come the week after" WAHOO!!!!! I was so excited. She had some airline vouchers that needed to be used and I got to benefit from it. My camera was broken so I didn't get any pictures of her while she was here darn-it. But I found some of my favorites from good times past.

This picture captures perfectly how Becca is with her Auntie. This visit was no different. She thought Christy was there soley for her. She had her playing board games, toys and she did Christy's hair who knows how many different times. Christy was adorable with her and very patient. The boys also loved having her here and talked her ear off. She was craving some good az green salsa so a trip to Tia Rosas did not disappoint. Mmmm...that sounds so good right now. We were also able to get a lot of shopping and talking in. It was the perfect birthday gift.

One of the things I LOVE about Christy is the relationship she has always been able to maintain with her kids. In every stage of life. She was the cutest hands on mom of toddlers always doing cute craft projects and and activities with them. I did not have kids at the time, but I was watching closely and mentally taking notes of things I wanted to do for my kids some day.
Then as her kids have grown into teens I am sooo impressed with the adorable relationship she shares with her kids. She has been a good example to me of how to lighten up and listen. Not to over react, yet how to still disapline when needed. It is so fun to watch her with her boys. They laugh and joke and just have fun together. I asked her this year what she did for new years and she said the boys had a couple of different invites with friends but they said they would rather just stay home and play games as a family. I thought WOW...how cool is that. I know that is what I would rather do too, but what teenager picks chillin with mom and dad on New Years?! Kids with such fun kind parents. Now that is awesome!!!!

I am so glad Christy was able to come and I missed her before she was even gone. Thank you Christy dear for the awesome visit and amazing example. I hope you know how truely amazing you really are!!!!!

Cutest thing EVER!!!

So...since the second she was born, I have dolled over my adorable girly girl. I waited a looooong time to finally have a girl and I just LOVE dressing her up. Well the other day I left kind of early and was gone for quite a while. Ryan took Becca with him to run some errands. He knows how important it is to me to have her hair done with a matching bow and coordinated outfits. I was very impressed to see how he did her hair.

Isn't this totally the cutest thing you have ever seen?! He didn't just do a pony tail, he went all out and braided it too. I absolutely LOVE the position of the bow. :)

I LOVE being married to such a tuff, strong, hard working, manly man who at the same time is the most gentle, sweet, giving, kind hearted little Daddy. It's funny to see how wrapped around her little finger he is.

New Vacuum

One of the things Becca really REALLY wanted for Christmas was her very own PINK vacuum. Well...Santa did not disappoint. She squealed when she found it and said "I got what I wished for" :) It turns on with a little heart shaped button and has little balls that spin around. Cutest vacuum ever! After all of the presents were opened and we had moved on to other things I walked down the hall and found this.

hahaha, her cute pink little vacuum neatly put away next to the family vac. Vacuuming is Becca's very favorite chore to do, and she's quite good at it too!