The Month of May... thus far.

Kiari is rolling all over the place now so when she's awake in her crib she hardly ever holds still. She is so sweet and we just can't get enough of her.


Earlier in the day Ethan saw me using hairspray to do my hair and said he wanted some on his hair. So I made a pretty sad attempt to spike his hair a bit. Later when he fell asleep in the car he woke up with some pretty cool bed-head. I love my little man.


My mom entered one of her water colors in a state wide competition and it was one of only 50 pieces chosen to be featured in the competition/display. Pretty dang cool if you ask me. Here's Ethan with my mom in front of her piece at the museum reception.


Is she YUMMY or what?!?!



This little boy loves his baby sister so much! And she can't ever get enough of him. He gives her hugs and kisses all the time and even enjoys helping her roll over... that's not necessarily her favorite thing but what are ya gonna do. One of my favorite things (this is a very long list by the way) is to watch her reactions to him while they're riding in the car. So often if she's fussing I'll ask Ethan to talk to her and almost the minute he does she'll look at him and just smile. When she does I'll say, "Ethan shes loves you so much." So lately he's been saying a couple things, "Mommy, she loves me soooo much." and "Mommy, I love her soooo much." I can't get enough of it. He can make her laugh and it's the cutest thing to watch. She's just enthralled with him and we absolutely love the relationship that's building between the two of them.


Saturday we went to a local farmer's market with the kids. I bought Kiari a headband and some super cute clippie bows.... they're like my new obsession. Love them!


Ethan got to plant his own little sunflower seed and bring it home.


After the market we went to the mall for awhile, we were in IF all day so neither of the kids were really able to take a nap. Needless to say Ethan was a little beat by the time we made our way home.


But before we could head home we stopped by the ward activity at the park... where Kiari was introduced to fruit punch. Yep... fruit punch...


...I think she liked it.


Monday was a perfect summer weather! Pretty late in coming this year so my mom and I took advantage of it and took the kids down to the park. I love that my kids love to be outside. I can't wait to get a double jogging stroller so that I can take them out as much as possible without having to load them in and out of the car. *sigh* By the time I get my double jogger I'll likely have 3.

Mini Road Trip

When Jacob was getting ready to head out to OK for the summer, the beginning of May, my parents were making a trip down to Utah to see him. So a little last minute I decided the kids and I would tag along.



An added bonus was getting to see some long lost friends!!! Sarah and I go waaaaaaaay back but ever since she moved to Utah we don't get to see each other nearly enough.



Our first full day in SLC it was raining but Ethan didn't mind at all, he insisted on holding "his" umbrella and also helped to keep Kiari dry.

He also made a new best friend.... Yea, Kjersti!! Later when the weather cleared up she took so many pictures of my kids out and about temple square, we had a blast.

Cherie and Kjersti are good friends of mine from the college days and again... we don't get to see each other nearly enough. So we met up and had lunch at The Garden inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where Kjersti introduced us to fried pickles. Yummy!

So I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before... I'm obsessed with my kids' feet. Hooray baby feet!!

My original plan was to see Sarah at church Sunday morning but a late night with the kids kept me from going so I was sooooo excited when she was able to meet me over at Jake's place before we headed home. When Ethan saw her he ran over and said something to the effect of, "Come on, let's play!" and proceeded to lead her into the house.


Sarah also got to meet Kiari for the first time.




It was a great weekend. Always nice to get a break from the routine for a bit and I'm so glad we were able to spend some time with Jake before he left.
WE LOVE YOU JACOB!!!!!

Remembering Why...

...I love to run...

I was so anxious to start exercising once I passed my 6 week post pardum date and when that finally arrived.... I was sick... got over being sick.... now the kids are sick.... now Trent is sick... everyone is better and new things manage to come up. Whatever the case, I'm definitely not where I would like to be physically. Now that the weather is getting nicer I see more and more people running outside and it makes me think back to when I was running outside every single day with my son in the jogging stroller (note to self: I need a double jogging stroller). It would make me think back to when, during a family Biggest Loser contest, I was running 6 miles a day and in the best shape of my life. I loved that feeling and I really miss the confidence that it gave me.
Well.... this week has been another kick-off for me and I'm ready to stick to it. I've got some great tools to help me reach my goals and I've got loved ones cheering me on.
Tonight my daughter was asleep when my parents invited me to head over the campus fitness center with them and I was just putting Ethan to bed. Woo-hoo!! So off we went. When we went earlier in the week I did a few miles on the treadmill walking a pretty speedy pace and keeping it at a steep incline. That night and the next day I felt amazing! Tonight I did pretty much the same thing but when a particular song came on (hooray for my hubbie's workout mix) I couldn't let that beat go to waste.
I ran. I ran hard. And it felt amazing. As I ran I thought back to all those nights and mornings that I spent literally busting my butt on the treadmill and how great it felt. I love feeling my body move like that, I love sweating! (is that weird?) I love the feeling of not simply exercising, but putting myself through a literal workout. One of the greatest feelings ever!
So even thouth my endurance definitely isn't where it needs to be to be able to run that hard my whole workout, tonight gave me a glimpse at what I'll be able to do in a few short weeks. I love to run. And I'm so grateful that my body allows me to do it. What a blessing.
Life is beautiful.

Mini update on the fam:
Trent's enjoying the semester thus far and working hard. He'll be participating in a career expedition to Denver next month and we're both excited about that.
Ethan continues to become this amazing little boy, he talks more and more everyday, he's a great little helper, and he just adores his baby sister... sometimes a little too much.
Kiari is already 5 months old and she rolls all over the place. Even when we hold her she has to be moving... reminds me a lot of when I was pregnant. And when someone in the room is talking she feels that she should be talking too.
And I continue to work from home and enjoy being a wife and mom.
Once again.... life is beautiful.

New Do