Zoo!

We got to go the Zoo with Claire's preschool class. And, it so happened to fall on Lilly's birthday! We had a great time. The weather was cool, but beautiful, and wasn't very busy which was nice. And it was a bonus to see some of the new Lions!

Lilly turns 6!!

Lilly had such a fun birthday!! It seemed to last for days and days, lucky girl! At times I think my heart may burst with love for this girl. She means the absolute world to me. I feel so blessed to be her "mama" - it is certainly the very best job in the world. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Some of my very favorite things about Lilly are:

*Her beautiful smile, and the freckles on her cheeks.

*Her laugh. Her genuine laugh is so funny, and so contagious. 

*She finds humor in things...mostly in Claire :)

*She loves to be outside. Either riding bikes, jumping, playing in the treehouse. 

*She still wants loves from me. I carried her to bed tonight, and I love that she let me do that.

*She loves school and is such a good little reader.

*She loves music. Loves to sing, loves to play on the piano, and loves to listen to music.

*She is an absolute sweetheart. 

I am having a hard time coming to grips with her being SIX! Time goes by way too quickly. I was just telling my mom tonight that Lilly is coming home with all the papers announcing the end of school programs and such, and I am having such an hard time with it. It is certainly bitter sweet. Just yesterday morning I had both girls in the bubble bath, then we had lunch together...it was just our "normal" morning. I am sad that this fall, it will never be that way again. I will miss our mornings and lunches together. I look forward to each stage with my girls, but at the same time, I can't stand that they are growing up. Life with Lilly and Claire is so sweet. Lilly, just like I tell her everyday, is "my favorite six year old in the whole world". I am looking forward to spending lazy pool days this summer with my girls before we are slaves to the school system. (Can you tell I am struggling with Lilly growing up?!?!)

Love you Lilly Bug!!! Thank you for making our family so happy!!

 Since Lilly loves ice skating, we thought she would love Roller Blades, and we were right. She was so excited when she opened them, and wanted to put them right on and head outside. She got to open these a few days before her birthday because Anton was going to be out of town on her birthday. These were her "big" gift.

 Good Morning Birthday Girl!!!

She got this birthday hat from school. She had such a fun day at school, and took Zebra Cakes for her special treat.

She loved her Barbie from Claire, and the Beanie Boo's from her sweet cousin Annie!

Anton works with the most incredible people. Some of them have turned out to be such dear friends. Robert & Rene came over a couple days after Lilly's birthday to bring presents for the girls. They gave Lilly a Calico Critters ice cream truck, and Claire a really cool Batman - such incredibly thoughtful gifts. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends - near and far!

Cell Phone Dump

The girls always hate when Daddy has to leave town for work. I thought this little note was so sweet.

 Our first spring in this house!! It was so fun to see what flowers came in. We planted a few tulip bulbs, but was still surprised to see everything pop out of the ground. We have already started working on the yard, and putting our own stamp on it. It feels good to start making it "ours". That was one thing we LOVED about our old house, so we are excited about doing that to this home.

Both girls had their dental checkups. I was so proud of them because they both had perfect teeth! They love going to the dentist - cute little squirts!!

My parents are the best. Every time Anton leaves town they offer to take us or have us over for dinner. It is so fun to be with them, and have someone to talk to. The girls, I am sure, get tired of me so it is a nice break for all of us to get to be with them. This particular night they wanted to take us to dinner (Lilly wanted pot stickers), then take the girls to Toys R Us to pick out some new toys. They were stoked! So was I! :)

I absolutely love peeking in and giving kisses to the girls right before I/we head into bed. Lilly is so funny, and she has been doing this every since she was tiny. She gets her favorite toys (of the day or week) and lines them all up on her pillow. I will be so sad when she stops doing this. I love how "little" she still plays. So innocent, and so sweet!!

Easter

After looking back at years of Easter pictures...it seems like the last several years, we are in St. George for Easter! This year was no different. It was a fun weekend, and beautiful weather. The girls had so much fun being with cousins and Grandma and Grandpa. This particular Easter was really sweet, given the recent passing of my Gramps. It was as if I finally really understood and took to heart the tender and incredibly beautiful meaning of Easter. We went to visit Anton's grandparents before we left, and seeing his grandpa interact with the girls brought back so many memories. In fact, the whole weekend seemed to bring back sweet memories of my gramps. Walking around the art festival made me miss him so much. He would have wanted to know all about it, and would have wanted to know all about what we did while we were there. I really really missed him while I was down there. As we drove away from Anton's grandparents home, I cried. I cried selfishly because I missed my cute little Gramps. And, I cried for Anton...I told him I dread the day when he has to say goodbye to his sweet grandparents. Even though I was a little melancholy over my gramps, we had a great time! And, with our track record, we will probably head down again next year!

Cell Phone Pictures

We had some good friends from our old neighborhood stop by to visit with their brand new baby girl. She was SO adorable, and Lilly couldn't get enough of her. We ooooed and awwwed all over her. Lilly had to take off her socks to look at her tiny little feet...so funny! Anton and I couldn't believe how small she was, and how weird it felt to hold such a small baby. Definittely strange to think our little twerps were once that small - or smaller! It was fun to have a baby in the house for a little while! 

 The girls had their well checks. Both are growing just right, and everyone is healthy!! Lilly was sitting in the chair across from me, with her legs crossed and she looked so grown up. I couldn't believe it. Stop growing!!!!

 Anton has cut down several trees in our front yard, and Lilly really wanted to help. So, gladly, we put her to work!! I remember doing yard work as a little girl, so it is kind of funny to be putting my little girl to work.

 It has been so fun living within walking distance to my parents. I love getting the phone call to see if we are home, so my mom can walk up to say hi. This particular day she brought Easter treats for the girls. Of course they are the super nice, fancy chocolates and treats that I would never buy....leave it up to Nana for the good stuff :)

 Claire kept her bunny ears on for so long on the drive to St. George. I love how random she is!

 Batman is in the house!! Notice the buns on her head...sometimes she likes her hair done, and when it is "done" it is darling!

Claire turns 4!!

How?! How on earth is Claire already 4?!?! I can't stand how fast time flies by. This year she wanted everything "Batman" for her birthday...the cake, her presents, her balloons. And, that's what she got! She is such a funny, sweet, adorable little 4 year old. Every single day, I give thanks that I am blessed to be her mom. She is the definition of Joy. Not a day goes by where she doesn't make each of us laugh. Here are some of my very favorite things about Claire:
*Every morning she asks for Pancakes and chocolate milk.
*She loves Pizza, and asks for it almost every day for lunch.
*She has the best imagination...she can even play "family" with french fries! 
*She loves anything Super hero. In particular, Batman.
*Every night she can't go to bed without a love and kiss and "love you more" from us.
*She loves to ride bikes, jump, play outside. She could play outside for hours.
*She asks me all the time when it is going to be summer, because she can't wait to swim!
*She doesn't love going to school, but enjoys it once she is there. When I pick her up from school, it is my very favorite thing. Seeing her in her little backpack, and the smile she gets on her face when she sees me, absolutely melts me. 
*Right now, the only friend she needs is Lilly. She loves Lilly so much. I am so glad they have each other.
* My very favorite thing about Claire...she still needs me. She needs snuggles, loves, encouragement and mommy time every day. I love it. And, I love her. More than I can adequately express.

Love you Little Claire Bear!! Happy 4th Birthday!!

Claire, 4^th Birthday!

1. What is your favorite color? Dark Blue

2. What is your favorite toy? Batman

3. What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon

4. What is your favorite tv show? Batman

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza

6. What is your favorite outfit? Batman shirt with dark pants

7. What is your favorite game? Bubble Guppies game

8. What is your favorite snack? Yogurt

9. What is your favorite animal? Cheetah

10. What is your favorite song? Let it Go

11. What is your favorite book? Batman book

12. Who is your best friend? Lilly and Charlie

13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump on the tramp

15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk

16. What is your favorite holiday? Summer

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Softie

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Mashed Potatoes with gravy

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Batman or a zoo keeper

Spring Break

We stayed in town this year for Spring Break. I knew we were leaving town for St. George several weeks later, and I needed to stay in town for work. Unfortunately the weather was so crappy, so we didn't get to do much outside. Still, we had fun! Lilly got to go to the Jazz game with Anton, I took Claire swimming. We went out to lunch. And, the highlight...we went to the new aquarium! It was amazing! Super expensive, and some of the exhibits weren't full, so I was a little bitter paying so much and not having it be completely complete. But, it was amazing. The girls loved it! It was the perfect place for the cold rainy day!