Discovery Gateway

We had a gift card given to us a little while ago and decided to make the day of it and invite "grandma with white hair" to join us.  I never knew this place was so packed with fun!!

Lyla even enjoyed herself.

Now, Sydney, sitting in the helicopter spotted a mannequin on a stretcher that the kids were pretending was sick and needed to be 'life flighted'.  It was meant to be fun.  Sydney had nightmares about this "boy who was hurt" for days.  He scared her so bad!  We tried to explain…but it did not help.  Traumatized.

They went in a simulated tornado.  For some reason, I really thought they'd enjoy it.  I was wrong.

So Doug finished it alone at 78.7 MPH winds.

There was a part of an airplane where they could sit in the cockpit and play.  There were even airplane seats behind where you can pretend you're on a trip.

Lyla had a great time playing in these giant 'blocks'.

Warmer weather

The weather has been teasing us…reminding us that Spring is just around the corner.  We snapped a few photos this week.  Ethan, Sydney, and Lyla all ready for church.

A play date at the park with cousins and with my cousin's (Nicole) kids.  It was slightly chilly to be sitting on a bench watching them play.

We found my cap from HS graduation while unpacking and they thought it was the silliest hat.

Lyla bundled up at the park while Ethan and Sydney played.  Spring…is…close!

Dancing the week away

I tell Doug all the time that "my days evaporate" and I don't feel like I get much accomplished.  I remember when Ethan and Sydney were babies, Doug would come home from campus and I would tell him all I do is "keep kids alive all day" and sometimes it feels that way again.  But really--these lively kids make my life full.  When I top and think about it, my life is extremely full of joy.  Look at this little girl who has finally mastered sitting up!!

…and dancers who find joy in just moving their bodies??

…the snuggles I get every morning from Lyla are priceless.  I finish my workout (and sometimes in the middle several times) with snuggling this little girl.  She is a mama's girl like nothing I've ever experienced!!

We had a dance party and Ethan brought a dress downstairs from my closet--he hand-picked it for me.  I laughed so hard and couldn't say no.  Lyla has started a new cheesy grin that I had to capture on camera.

We went to the dentist for teeth cleanings and left understanding that we will need to start budgeting to fix Sydney's post-thumb-sucking mouth.  She had pushed up on her pallet such that it has created a cross bite because her teeth don't fit together.  The dentist told me that Ethan's front teeth have some signs of trauma.  I told him about him hitting the concrete patio in Hawaii face-first on his bike--yup, trauma alright!!

We went to Doug's basketball game and had a great time cheering him on.  Ethan and Sydney in their pajamas--so fun to hear them call out to daddy.

Yes, life is FULL these days.

Duerden time

Chenae and I have been friends since our Freshman year in high school.  I am in love with the idea that they live so close now. We have a hard time aligning our schedules to get together, but when we do it's like time hasn't passed.  Our kids played together well today and we decided to go to the dinosaur museum on BYU campus.  I didn't even know it existed!  (Nor did anyone else.  It was empty.) They took the opportunity to play tag in the small museum where they could run through the circular displays.  

Layla is not much older than them, but is a foot taller or so.

They pretended to be dinosaurs for the photo and I could barely get them to hold still.

…and they were off!

Hollywood Connection

Daddy knows the way to these kids hearts'.  I had some work to do today so Doug took Ethan and Sydney to Hollywood Connection for a few hours.  The had free hot dogs that day and free rides with our Pass of all Passes.  I think they must of thought this was heaven.  

Love

My grandma's health has been deteriorating rapidly.  My sisters, Katie and Michelle, drove down for the weekend to spend time with her.  It was SO fun to have them stay with us.  Ethan and Sydney thought so as well.  They prepared a 'show'--complete with seats, blankets for their laps, etc.  They made me a seat on the floor with pillows.  Love these performers.  They sing "Let it Go" from Frozen CONSTANTLY.

On Saturday, Katie and Michelle left toward home by way of Ogden to see their kids competing in a ballroom competition.  We decided to be spontaneous and drive up for the competition.  We had a fantastic time.  We packed a lunch and the kids got to see "beautiful dresses" and dancing while I got to chat with my sisters.  Win-win!

We took a photo with this dinosaur that was at one of the entrances of Weber (where the competition was held) and Ethan and Sydney thought it was awesome.

We stopped at a park while I fed Lyla on our way home.  Ethan and Sydney had a blast with Doug.  I joined them after feeding Lyla in the car and reminded Doug that whenever he takes them to the park, they get muddy.  I think we're just programmed differently.  He does know how to have fun--much more than I do.  I know how to keep the kids clean and the house tidy.  :-)

Singing to Great Grandma

My grandma hasn't been doing well.  I've been preparing Ethan and Sydney because we've been told by Hospice that she has 3-6 months to live.  They told me that "they will help her feel better by singing to her" and so we stopped by to visit today.  She now has a hospital bed in the family room and so they literally had a captive audience.

Dance class

I recently discovered that my friend, Leslie from back in my Singles Ward days, teaches a dance class in her basement.  I was so excited to enroll Ethan and Sydney.  We are planning to do it for one month and see how they like it.  It was so cute to watch them on their first class.

Playing

Well…Ethan's piggy bank given as a birthday present by the Dansies on lasted 12 days.  He dropped it while walking carrying it in the kitchen excited to show me his money. :-(  Tears were shed.

We opened their Legos we gave them and I made this airplane.  The sad part is how proud I was of it.  I kept telling them not to ruin it.

This little nugget is almost 9 months old!! She lights up our house with smiles and laughter.  She's on the verge of scooting around on the floor.

She is sitting up like a champ and Ethan and Sydney adore her.  Lyla was lying on my belly and they came and joined her laughing and giggling.

I've turned over a new leaf with my vegetable eating!  I became a Beachbody coach and am starting challenge groups and cannot believe how much fun I'm having coaching people to be fit and well.  It reminds me of why I loved working at the health food store.  It was a blast for me then and this is just about the same rewarding experience.  I snapped a photo of my fridge busting at the seams with fresh foods.  Love it!