Just wanted you all to meet our new little niece Kate. Jen (my sister-in-law) just gave birth to this beautiful baby. Jen has diabetes and being pregnant and diabetic is risky and very difficult. Jen, however, has done an EXCELLENT job, as you can see by the picture of this beautiful little girl. Good work Jake and Jen! We love you guys!
This post goes out to Joe. Even though Joe has been so busy with school and all the stresses of life, he has always tried to have quality time with the kids each and every day. These pictures only touch on what Joe does with the kids, but give you a view that Joe isn't just your ordinary Joe.
Here is a picture of Joe relaxing and swinging with the kids in the hammock down stairs in our basement.
This morning, I caught Joe reading a book to Kayla and doing push ups at the same time. It made me laugh, so I sneakily snapped a picture. Joe gets the "BEST DAD" award. And he truly is. He always puts us first no matter what he does.
Yesterday was a very cold here in Michigan. We had another snow storm and got 6-7 inches. Because we are so excited for spring and summer, we decided to bring it inside. Joe and I have been craving campfires, roasting marshmallows, and smores. Joe started a fire for us and Kayla and Isaiah loved making smores. Looks like we will be having a snowy Easter.
Here's what our porch looks like:
And here's the nice fire we made and the smores:
We decided that since last weekend got in the 40's (it felt like the warmest weather ever since this winter) to venture down to the zoo. We had a blast. Our friend Ryan's wife was in NYC, so we went with Ryan and his two beautiful kids. We had a blast and will be back soon. Having kids has made me become a kid again. I love doing everything with the kids, I hope it keeps me young. :)
We decided it would be fun to make a St. Patricks Day a little more fun this year and bring a rainbow, pot of gold, shamrocks, and GOLD in our home. I hid the gold coins all around the house and Joe and kids had to find them and put them by the pot of gold. It was a lot of fun, and the kids had a blast.
I remember growing up when my mom made me green eggs in the morning for breakfast. I always thought it looked so gross, but have decided to carry on the tradition with my family. A few years ago I found this HUGE mug for Joe and I get it out special every year on St. Patrick's Day. Joe was a little grossed out by the green eggs, but he can never turn down eggs and especially potatoes.
Just thought I would show you just how talented my husband is. Joe found a fallen oak trunk in the forest in our neighborhood a little while ago and he decided he would make a chair out of it. During spare time (which there is very little in law school) Joe has twiddled and sanded away at this log and tonight he finished the very last touches. My favorite part about the chair is that not only is it sturdy, but he engraved something on the back of it. You see, the story "The Three Little Bears" is very popular at our house. Kayla is constantly requesting us to tell her the "Goldilocks Kayla" story. Since, the Baby Bear's chair breaks in the story, Joe thought it would be funny to make Baby Bear's 2nd chair. And believe me, this chair is VERY sturdy and heavy and there will be no more Goldilocks Kaylas breaking Baby Bear's chair. :)
I was tagged by Danielle.... Here we go...
1. What time did you get up this morning? Let's see....about 7:45, which is 5:45 mountain time and 4:45 pacific time.
2. What do you usually have for breakfast? In the midst of getting the kids what they need, and trying to shovel food down Isaiah fast enough, I usually forget to eat and it hits me around 11:30 when I am reminded by a growling stomach.
3. What is your favorite CD at the moment? The mix Joe makes me every year. It's Joe's tradition to make a new mix of songs for me every Christmas.
4. What kind of car do you drive? A Honda Accord. This car has been a trooper. It has taken us across the nation many times.
5. Favorite sandwich? I love rotisserie chicken sandwiches with big juicy tomatoes (yummy)
6. Favorite item of clothing? I love the kind of sweat pants or sweat shirts that are brand new and cuddly on the inside.
7. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? Hawaii or Jerusalem.
8. What color is your bathroom? Good question. The walls are white and the garbage can is blue and sometimes we have a blue, yellow, creme or towel that hangs. We aren't quite in the decorating mode because of the student budget. I guess I could get more creative. Maybe I could make something cool out of a milk jug or cans and hang them up. :)
9. Where would you retire? I think Maui sounds perfect. Nice weather, beautiful scenery and sun.
10. Most memorable birthday? I'd have to say my very early childhood birthdays. I loved all the attention of my little friends gathering in a circle to give me (the birthday girl) lots of presents. It was so exciting.
11. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball
12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Both, but a little more night.
13. What is your shoe size? 6.5
14. Pets? nope, but we have some pretty big squirrels that live in the trees in our back yard.
15. What did you want to be when you were little? A cashier. I loved the buttons and the scanners. It was my life long dream.
16. What are you today? I don't quite understand the question, but I am a mother to 2 beautiful children and happy that my husband is almost done with law school.
17. What is your favorite candy? Anything chocolate
18. Your favorite flower? I love gerber daisies and anything my dad plants in his yard. I grew up for a love for flowers.
19. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? When Joe graduates in May. Yipee!
20. What are you listening to right now? The dryer clanking with probably some loose change in it.
21. What is the last thing you ate? Ummm.... I think a little piece of a brownie
22. Do you wish on stars? I love to star gaze.
23. What faith are you? LDS
24. Who was the last person you spoke with on the phone? Hmmm, I think it was my friend Camille.
25. Hair Color? Blonde
26. Name of your favorite school teacher?
27. Chocolate or vanilla? CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE
28. When was the last time you cried? I honestly can't remember, probably about a month ago.
29. What is under your bed? nothing, there are boards in the way or else there would be a lot of things.
30. What did you do last night? Went on a date with my little boy, Isaiah while Joe was on a date with Kayla. We had a blast.
31. Favorite smell? Freshly cut grass.
32. What are you afraid of? Snakes (me too Danielle), the cold and sometimes the dark.
33. How many towns have you lived in? I think at least over 10 (because of Argentina)
34. Do you make friends easily? I think so.
Now I tag: everyone who reads this.
I don't think so. Isn't it great reading to two beautiful kids with a great big mess of toys around? I love it!
This might sound so crazy, but I don't know if I am quite ready for Spring. Yes I am DONE with the frigid freezing cold days, but the snow here in Michigan has been AWESOME this year. Lately, I have been getting the kids all dressed up in their winter clothes and pull them around on the sled. Not only is it fun for the kids, but it is a great workout for me. We walk to the only hill around this area and slide down it a lot of times and then we trek home. This has been so fun, and so am I ready for Spring? Yes, but it is a toss up because of the great workout and fun times we have been having lately.
A few weeks ago, Joe had winter break so we decided to head down to Sandusky, Ohio to an indoor water park. It was so much fun and a very nice break from all the snow and freezing days. Kayla loved the tube water slide and couldn't get enough of it. The lodge was packed with pools, hot tubs, water slides, water toys, and even a talking clock. It was so much fun!!! And a very much needed break. (See slide show below)
Wow, it has been a little while since I posted a little something. I have lots of pictures and stories to tell (which I will post soon). I just first needed to ask all you moms if you know of any good suggestions on a good diaper bag (and dads, if you are knowledgeable about this sort of thing). I have been through too many diaper bags since becoming a mom and I can't seem to find one that is sturdy and nice enough to meet my needs. Any suggestions?? I was thinking of posting a picture of the diaper bag I am currently using, but it is so torn up and tattered that it hardly looks like a diaper bag anymore. Thanks for taking the time.
