Triplets

For the last little while I've been watching my friend's (Kayla) little girl while she goes to school. E&S have LOVED having her here...sometimes a little too much. Ethan has learned affection so well that it has been a little problem in his relationships with other little people. Poor Brynlee has looked at me several times when E&S are both wanting her attention as if to say "Help me!".

Today was her last day coming over this term. E&S thought it would be fun to both get a cough/cold (Again!) and for Ethan to be teething. Brynlee was sad to see her mom leave, so they were all a little sad today.  I had to snap a photo as I was reading them book after book because they were all happy when I was reading...their faces just don't show it.

Happy Easter

We headed south this weekend for warm weather and good company.  We had a great time visiting Doug's best friend growing up, Ezra and his wife and two boys.  Saturday, we drove and hiked along an old creek bed to a hidden canyon for an Easter egg hunt. I loved watching the excitement on every child's face. I thought it was especially great that the children all sang, "I'm Trying to Be like Jesus" before they ran for their candy. Ezra's wife Elise has been doing this with her family since she was very little. It was a beautiful day for a little rock climbing!

Ethan and Sydney loved sitting in the jogger for too long...they were pretty irritated that they couldn't crawl around and eat the rocks.

A great way to celebrate the day before Easter...being outdoors with nature.

Exploring self-feeding

Doug had the 'great' idea of letting Ethan and Sydney try to feed themselves with spoons this week.  Sure glad he is taking it on.  I told him that he can be the one to work with them at night after he is home from work!

What a mess!

Bring on the warm weather!

We couldn't help but cross the street to a neighbor's swing set this last week.  Sydney loves the swings and so does Ethan.  He just was slightly excited about the rubber stamp pieces instead of wood chips.  The advantages of renting from the owners of a stamp company.  They are awesome!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Marchant

After Doug came home from work today, we made some 'flowers' and planned a visit to see Grandpa Marchant's grave.

Doug had envisioned a flower arrangement of grandpa's 'favorite things'.  We made flowers out of orange slices (candy) with licorice in the center. Doug was grinning SO big when he had the idea to add popcorn kernals to help weigh down the vase.  It was the perfect arrangement.

E&S loved crawling around in the grass.  We just had to work extra hard to keep them off of the head stones.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Marchant.  We miss you!

First Steps

It's official. Sydney took her first steps just an hour ago. We can't believe we're this close to these munchkins walking around.  Craziness.

Ethan is walking all over with the support of the walker they got for their birthday, but when it comes to standing without support, he seems to struggle with the way his feet point out at 45 degree angles due to his brace positioning. He even crawls with it on before bedtime! I feel bad when he tries to stand and can't, so we rarely let him have it on without taking him right back to bed.


Life is sweet for us. We are nearly 2 weeks away from our half marathon and Ethan and Sydney are still being troopers sitting in the jogging stroller for 90 minute jogs in the rain and snow. They actually really love it...they must be related to us!

So lucky

We have really loved spending the last 2 days as a family. We have had the special opportunity to listen to General Conference. We can listen to a living prophet, 12 apostles, and other leaders as they share from the scriptures and offer counsel that help me in my life as a wife, mother, friend, and as a person.  When it ends every 6 months, I always feel strengthened with a resolve to make adjustments in my life that will bring happiness into my life and the lives of those around me.

1st Presidency

Twelve Apostles

Ethan and Sydney have also enjoyed having the television on more often--we rarely have it on these days. Here Ethan is listening the choir singing--he always turns and looks every time there is music.

Love spending conference weekend with my little family.

Victory is ours

VICTORY #1: These two have been getting into everything lately. My victory is just trying to stay one step ahead of them with gates, locks, and saying "don't do that". They are my future geniuses--had to capture that with Ethan wearing my cap from high school graduation.

VICTORY #2: E&S are now 1 year old adjusted (or gestational age). Doctors all ask me their adjusted age because they were 2 months premature. A nurse has come to visit, weigh them, and answer any questions I have every month from the county health department. They contacted me because they were premature. Avon has been really helpful. This last week was her last appointment and I was a little sad to see her go. I asked if she would take a photo with them and she was kind enough to humor me.

VICTORIES #3-5: Life around this house lately has been anything but boring. I declared "a healthy house" on Sunday when no one was really officially sick! I woke up Monday morning at 4 am with the flu and said, "you've got to be kidding me." I was lucky--it only lasted 24 hours. I found myself laying on the floor while E&S crawled all over me because I didn't feel like doing anything. Being a mom and being sick is awful.

Thursday morning, I went into get Sydney from her crib (Ethan had been awake for at least an hour, as usual) and she gave me the biggest smiles...with puke in her hair! It was all over her bedding and I stook there, stunned, for a moment not knowing what to do. After an hour of bathing, washing (thanks to my neighbor, Mandy, who saw me outside not knowing what to do and hooked up her hose for me) and cleaning I declared a victory over my first child puking!

Friday morning, Doug woke up with the flu and stayed home from work. We had two 'sickies' that day.

Saturday Doug and Sydney both seemed better!  I declare victory over the flu...as long as Ethan doesn't get it.  So far so good!

VICTORY #6: Another victory is that Doug and I finally made a choice as to Doug's externship this Fall.  We will be going to Laie, Hawaii for Fall semester (Sept-Dec) and Doug will be working at BYU-Hawaii in the counseling center and teaching a class. We are so excited for the 3-month adventure.

VICTORY #7: My last victory of note is that I have tackled some of my fears with work and getting trained. I work at night when Doug is home and mostly lock myself in our bedroom (with the air purifier running to drown out their squeals) so I can make some calls. I've been overwhelmed by the expectations on my time from work but this week, I have gained confidence in my abilites. Woo hoo!