Bring it on!

I just had the most amazing week. My in-laws (best ever!) came to watch my kids so that I could spend a blissful week in Utah with Eric and then my sisters - all by myself! By the end of the week I felt rested, rejuvenated, inspired, uplifted, and ready to be a happy, wonderful mom again. Kimberly, Cari, and I drove through the night last night to get home for my kids so that my in-laws could catch their plane. Reality always hits - especially when you're tired. Since we left Phoenix, Ian screamed an hour of our hour and a half drive home, Isaac spilt a chocolate milkshake all over the van's carpet, Ashlyn peed on the floor, Ian learned (by example) to throw die cast cars, etc., etc. But you know what? I'm still happy, I'm loving being home with my kids, and I'm ready for whatever tomorrow brings, because there is nowhere I'd rather be than where I am right now. I love my life and am so lucky that it's mine.

More to come on my fabulous week later....

Fashionista!

Ashlyn's friend, Alexa, wanted to have a fashion show for playgroup on Tuesday. Ashlyn had no idea what one was (am I failing as a mother?), but was very excited to pick out and wear her prettiest things. She decided to go with a ballerina theme. From our front door to theirs I heard, "I am SOOO beautiful" at least twenty times. She really is a vision, isn't she? :)

Like a really good dream...

You know when you have a really good dream and you don't even remember everything that happened - just that it was good? That was our week with Eric home. It was heaven! No work, no stress. Just Dad. Icecream, basketball games, remote control cars, swimming. The works! I even got to enjoy him by myself a bit. Our good friends watched the kids while we went hiking and out to dinner. We finished the week off with a trip to the zoo. It's the only thing I got pictures of!

This is what makes life sweet!

Family Picture Time!

The first major item on my list for Eric's week home (aside from cleaning out the garage) was family pictures. The last ones we took, Ashlyn was 18m old. I bought a Groupon for a photo shoot with Michael Chansley, so Monday evening we were off to Reid Park for a serious good time. (Surely you caught the sarcasm - family pictures with little kids - okay, you've got it now.) Ian had been running a fever all day and was less than chipper, the wind was whipping mine and Ashlyn's hair all around, and it was a new park with lots of interesting things to see and do - much more interesting than holding still and focusing on having your picture taken time and time again. Nonetheless, I think we got some really great shots of the kids and a good one of Eric and I. The actual family pictures I think are only okay at best. I haven't picked one for the wall yet, but by golly I shelled out the cash, I'm going to do it - even if it's painful. Here's the best of the best!

Spring Break

For most of Spring Break, we packed up and headed to Thatcher to spend the time with Grandma and Grandpa and cousins. It was also the Herring's spring break, which was perfect, because my boys have such a good time with her boys. Grandpa was definitely the star of the show this week. He borrowed a train (the kind made from oil barrels and powered by a lawnmower) from a friend and gave the kids rides several times. They usually ended up at the park for awhile to play and then headed back home with lots of twists and turns. I had my camera out and ready for the first train ride, only to discover that my battery was dead with no charger. So much for spring break pictures! The boys also cornered Grandpa in his workshop and talked him into making wooden swords for everyone. He was a good sport about it and even made Carter a new one after he busted his first one within an hour. The visit was really nice for me, too. I enjoyed a long walk, lunch, cards, and good conversation with my sister - which doesn't happen nearly often enough! The biggest highlight of our trip for me (aside from picking Eric up for a week at the end of it!) was running into my old violin teacher. She asked me if I've kept up with my violin much, which I had to ashamedly answer "no"(with the promise of intent to start up again soon). She invited me to her house that evening for a violin lesson and it was SOOO much fun! I drove home giddy. I'd forgotten how much I really do enjoy my violin and it has rekindled a desire to learn how to play it again. I really appreciated her kindness and thoughtfulness. After Thatcher, we went to Phoenix to pick Eric up at the airport for a whole week's visit! He had to change to an earlier flight because of delays with his previous one, which was an extra bonus. We picked him up, treated the kids to IHOP (which to them is almost as good as Disneyland) and came home. HOME! It was so nice to be home with my family. What a great spring break!

"The Thunderer"

For a Daddy and some grandparents who wished they could have been there, and for whoever else has the desire to watch it!

I'm calling it official

Put on your safety gear....Ian's walking!

He's been standing up for quite a while now and taking just a few steps, but that was it. Since Friday he has decided that walking is fun and he's now doing it about 50% of the time. He still sits down about every 10 steps or so, but then he stands back up and keeps going. Watch out!