Walking Machine

Olivia is officially walking! Yeah! It is really cute. She still crawls using 1 knee and her other foot, but for the most part she gets around by wobbling and walking like a baby robot. I got this video a about a week ago and it was so cute I had to share. Don't mind all the toys in the back round.....that is how it is around here until everyone is sleeping :)

The girls inform me all day how many steps she has taken. They are just as excited as I am!

Here is a picture of my new hair cut. I know, super exciting. But it kinda is because I went crazy and got 5 inches off and cut bangs! Wow, I am so wild.

 We went on a hike over the weekend which was really fun....until Annie fell down and cut her hand and her hip. Then Macey fell and Olivia was tired of being in the backpack :) But it was fun to get outside and enjoy time together, even if everyone was crying :)

I have so many pictures of my kids sleeping funny. I can't help myself. She is too cute!

mom

It has been two years since my mom passed away. I miss her so much. Everyday. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real. I want her to be here to hold my babies, answer my cooking and sewing questions, make late night shopping trips to Old Navy and Target, get mothering advise from and just to talk on the phone with. Even though she isn't here in person, I know she is an angel watching over me and my family. Rex used to tease me because my mom and I used to talk on the phone EVERYDAY even if we had already seen each other eariler in the day. She was the best mom you could ever dream of. As the time passes I keep realizing there are so many ways that mom and I are alike. Which makes me smile. Like a part of her lives in me. And that makes me smile even more. Like the way that we both have a special love for brownies. And that I have to make the bed every morning and have the sink cleared of any dishes before I go to bed. I love to exersize just like her. I love being a stay at home mom and wife, just like her. The way I talk Rex into dinning in at our house. Convincing him that I can make the same yummy food way better than any resturant can......just like she did to dad. One of my best frieds Amy, who was close with mom and ran a marothon with her, came to Cottage Grove. We had a picnic and talked about mom while the kids ran around. It was beautiful weather too. We visited her grave site and had homemade pizza and chocolate cheesecake in her honor. We looked at old family photos. It was nice. I love her so much and I know that I am truley blessed to have a mom like her. Love you mom.

This is at Annie's 2nd birthday. I love this picture. We had a panda party and my mom conviced my brothers and dad to dress in black and white.... like a panda. Just for Annie. I love how my "family" sign is perfectly above my family.

This is Easter, just a couple weeks before mom passed away. She made all the kids easter clothes and of course we had a yummy and wonderful family brunch. Good memories......

Easter

We had a lovely Easter weekend here as a family. We kept it fun and simple. We had an egg hunt at our house for the girls and they loved it! They were running around so fast finding all my "clever" hiding spots. In fact it was so fast all I have is one blurry picture of Macey. We talked about the true meaning of Easter with the girls and I was so proud of Annie and how much she knew about Christ and the story of the resurrection. She does listen! :) We and little Easter baskets and a nice church service. And to top the day off, a super yummy dinner with Papa and Heather. I love all holidays and any excuse to get together with loved ones and cook and eat! I am grateful for my Savior and his sacrifice for me. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be with my family forever. What a blessing!


My little girls with "wild crazy morning after a bath hair" and their Easter baskets.


Olivia with her new train. She was giggling so much as Rex drove it all over her!


Family picture on our porch. I love that porch. It makes me so happy. Don't the girls have cute dresses? Thanks to Heather my kids looked beautiful!


Sitting on the bench. Love that bench too. Love that these pictures turned out!


My sweet girls. They love that baby!

Another one of the girls. Too cute to not post!

Olivia turns 1!

I think I am still in shock. I am having a hard time comprehending that my sweet baby is 1. I cried a little bit yesterday because no matter how much I try to convince myself she is a tiny baby.... I know that she is getting bigger and growing up a little each day.

Olivia has a special place in my heart. Well, all my girls do of course and I love them ALL more than anything in the world, but I believe that Olivia saved me. I was so sad all the time after my mom died that no matter what I did I didn't ever feel happy like I used to. We had been wanting a baby for some time and after months and months we finally found out that I was pregnant. I remember falling to my knees in thanks and gratitude for a new baby to love. I remember crying, but this time they weren't tears of sadness, they were tears of joy. Finally, I was happy. I felt good again. I felt normal and couldn't wait to love and hold this new baby that was in the spirit world with my mom.

The day she was born I remember so vividly being overwhelmed with happiness. I couldn't stop smiling and that is how it has been ever since. Olivia is so good. Good sleeper, content and happy, puts up with the girls dragging her around, holding her in what looks like a pro wrestling move, does great in the car, loves to eat, snuggle, plays great and loves me. Happy birthday my sweet baby girl. Thank you for coming into our lives. I love you.


She is my April fools baby so of course I had to make fun treats! Burger cupcakes and sugar cookie fries! They were a hit! I tricked Annie and told her they were real fries. The look on her face when she took a bite of they fry.....pure. happiness.


Then I made acorn candies. The kids loved these ...... and so did Rex.


And sushi rice crispy treats. Fun, huh? She will always have fun parties :)


We had friends and family over for a little party. I know that she has no idea what is going on..... but any reason to hang out with all the people I love, I will take it! Here is her own little cake, cute! She wasn't quite sure what to do because up to this moment she has never had any kind of sweets.....but


she loved it and made a huge mess.....yes!


Opening all her little gifts. Some books, clothes and a play smart phone. Now hopefully she will stop sucking on mine :) Isn't her hat awesome? I got it from my sister and all my kids love it. She wore it all day long. Cute!


Me and my baby. LOVE YOU!