3!

Happiest Birthday to the funniest, snuggliest, silliest, sweetest 3 year old in the whole world. I couldn't be more in love with my little Claire. She is still such a "bundle of joy". She makes us laugh each and every day, and never ceases to melt mine and her daddy's heart. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the joyous blessing of being her mom. There isn't a job I could love more than being her mom.
Happy Birthday Claire Bear.
"We love you more"!!
 

Spring Break

The week after the camping trip, Lilly had spring break, so the girls and I stayed in St. George for the week. Last minute my sister-in-law Katie, and her 4 kids, decided to stay with us for a few days. I am SO glad she did. We had the most absolute perfect time. It was so fun! When she drove off to go home, I about burst into tears...I didn't want her to leave because it was so fun. We did movie nights, swam a lot at the pool, caught frogs on the golf course, went to the splash pad, rode bikes, played with "the big blue ball"...it was non stop fun. Seriously.
We also got to spend lots of time with my in laws. I got to meet baby Chambers...what a doll baby!! I could have held him all day long. The girls were in heaven being with another set of cousins, and seeing their Grandma and Pompa. There were several fun nights spent up at Grandma's house...we caught frogs in her pond (again!), and the girls had a hot do roast over their fire pit (I got a night off...heavenly!), and of course, Lilly got to have a sleepover, one of her very favorite things in the world. It is always so hard for me to come home from St. George. It is hard to leave the beautiful weather and cousins. Counting down the days until our next trip!!
 

 

 

 

 

Snow Canyon

For spring break, my family took a camping trip to Snow Canyon. Growing up, we always used to spend Easter there, and we all have such fond memories of it. It was really one of the most fun trips our family has taken. The kids were so happy to ride bikes, play in the sand, roast marshmallow...all the typical camping things. And, no electronics. The kids were just kids...I loved it! My girls looooved sleeping in a tent, and they did so much better than I thought. The keep asking to go again. I loved being with my siblings and their cute kids. I miss being around them! It was 3 days of pure fun!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tumbling Showcase

A few weeks ago, Lilly finished up her tumbling class, and had a Showcase for family and friends...so they could show off everything they learned. It was darling. Lilly did well, but most importantly, she enjoyed it! I could tell she was a little nervous to perform in front of a big crowd, but she did really well! As soon as she received her metal, she ran as fast as she could into her daddy's arms. It was so darling. Claire bear hugged her and was really excited for Lilly. It was a fun morning!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

February Re-cap

What's happening in Lilly's world: She is in tumbling right now, and enjoys it. It's not something she will probably want to do again, but likes going. She isn't a big dancer/gymnastics kind of gal. That's ok, neither was I. She still prefers swimming, and still wants to learn how to dive. I thought for sure by now, she would have forgotten, or it would have lost its appeal over time, but she told me the other day, she wants to take diving this summer. She also wants to take singing lessons...she loves anything to do with music. If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, it is "a singer on stage, or a rock star". Hmm. We went to St. George and she was able to see cousins she doesn't get to see all that often. She loved it! They are all really cute together. I am glad she has such a cute relationship with her cousin Prentice, even though she lives far away. She also got to see Grandma and Grandpa Ballam...of course she loved showing off her swimming skills to them! She is starting to learn to read, and is really excited that she is getting the hang of it. I signed her up for Kindergarten, and she was NOT happy about it. She did NOT want to go into the school with me, and does NOT want to leave her preschool. Poor thing. She will do great though, I just know it. Health wise, she is doing great. She is on great medicine, so we haven't had any asthma attacks. We are hoping her lungs are getting a little stronger too. Cute little bug...love her to pieces!

Claire Bear is up to: She is so dang funny. Honestly. Every day she says something, does something, puts on some random outfit that makes us laugh. Like, genuinely laugh. She is so happy, and just wanders around the house all day talking and creating messes! She loves to dance to music after dinner, ride her Minnie Mouse bike, color, play play-dough, play with her blocks and puzzles. Really, she likes to do just about anything! We are growing out her bangs, and I think she looks so cute. I also signed her up for preschool for this fall...where has the time gone?! It needs to stop!! We met up with Anton's brother and his family at Chuck E Cheese, and she talks about it every single day. The girls had a great time. She is a little ray of sunshine. She is so happy, and brings me SO much joy. I couldn't love her more!

Anton: He is getting so anxious for this long, horrible winter to be over. He is ready to start hiking again. He has grown out his hair a little bit, and I think he looks SO handsome. Now, if he would only let me take his picture :) He took the leap and switched jobs at the first of the year. He is so happy, loves the guys he is working with, and is doing really well! I am so proud of him. Soon, he will start doing business in Bozeman, Mt., and he is really excited about it. It is such a great place, with great people. I love him. I am so lucky to have him.

I am really looking forward to warmer weather. We are all getting a little ancy around here. The trip to St. George did miracles for our spirits. We hope to see some warm weather soon, are excited to meet another niece or nephew soon, and are looking forward to our Camping trip to Snow Canyon soon!
 

Over the past few days...

We have been cooped up at home for the last few days, keeping our illnesses to ourselves. Thankfully the sun came out and we were able to ride our bikes - Claire finally got to ride her bike that Santa brought her - and took the dogs on walks. It felt lovely to be outside since we haven't been able to go anywhere for fear of getting others sick. I told Anton last night that you would think I would be going crazy staying home inside all day with these kiddos. But, it has been the complete opposite. It has been the sweetest few days. I keep hearing people with older children say "I miss having young kids around"...and I know one day I will miss being home with my girls. I have let house work get piled up, and instead we have snuggled on the couch watching movies, building forts, playing with every toy in the house, dancing, and even made a batch of sugar cookies. I got a little misty eyed last night while telling Anton every detail of the last few days. I thanked him so much for working so hard so I could be home with the girls. I thought of so many of the funny things Claire said or did, being there to praise Lilly on a picture she drew, or being there to kiss an owie. I wouldn't have it any other way. Sure, there are days where I just want to rip my hair out if I hear another fight between the girls, or where I would give my right arm for 2 seconds to myself...but, at the end of the day, I am so grateful for being home with them. I love them. I adore them. I am so blessed to be their Mom.  
 

Sledding

It was sooo cold over the Christmas break, but we braved it anyway, and went sledding. Lilly LOVED it. She could have stayed there all day. Claire, not so much. She liked it ok, then unfortunately she crashed into someone, and wouldn't go down again. So, she just sat with me and got cold. They looked cute in their snow gear. Love those little bugs!!