Weekend Recap

 This weekend was great. It seems like it has been a while since we have had a really good one. Usually they seem to always be really busy.This one was the prefect mixture of accomplishment and play.

Friday night after Sam got home from work and we made some dinner, we decided to hit up the new Leatherbys in Draper. Our friend Mike works at that one so we thought, why not? Unfortunately, Mike wasn't there, but it was fun to go anyway. When we got home our kids were hyped up and stayed up WAY past their bedtime, but hey YOLO right?

My Saturday morning started out early. I got up and went on a 4 mile run. 4 miles. I am pretty freaking proud. I am slow, and I can't run the whole time without walking, but my walking isn't for very long, and I beat my previous 4 mile run time.

Check out the 4.01 time differences! Small for some, but huge for me

I can only go up from here! We then spent the afternoon cleaning, shopping, and napping. Later that night, we packed a delicious picnic (BBQ chicken salads....soooo good) and went to the park to play. They got new toys in the Taylorsville park since the last time I was there and let me tell you, way more kid friendly, and more swings, and even some bongos, which both girls approve of.

After the park, we went to Tim and Ashley's house and hung out with them. It is so great that they are back for the summer, and I wish they never had to go back to Kentucky again.

Sunday after church, we went to our friends house to watch the USA vs. Portugal game and BBQed up some chicken. USA came SO CLOSE! After the game, we ate our feelings in s'mores. And don't worry, a s'more + fresh raspberries = heaven. Plus, the raspberries make the s'mores have negative calories, so really, win win.

The best part of the weekend probably had to be Abby falling asleep last night for the night before 8, and Maddie shortly after 9. That is huge for us people. We have ourselves some night owls for kids.

She fell asleep on the way home and didn't wake up even as we got her in her pj's

It really was a good weekend, good food, and good framily time. And now Monday, if you please, be kind to me.

10 Months

Its that time of month again to write some cute little stats about my cute little baby, who before I know it isn't even going to be a baby anymore.

10 month Madalyn:

• Has hair that won't lay flat. No matter what I do, It sticks straight up. And I love it.
• She won't wear bows anymore. I put them on her head, but she will pull them off in a matter of minutes. I still fight it on Sundays, but most other days she wins,
• She is mobile! Really, really mobile. She was crawling before she was 9 months, but now she is everywhere. Its only a matter of time before she starts to pull her self up on things.
• Madalyn gives the best hugs. She wraps her tiny arms around my neck and buries her head in me. It is one of my most favorite things ever.
• At her 9 month appointment, she went from 58% in weight to 17%. Her doctor was a little concerned, so we are working on eating more. It has helped her sleeping a ton. She used to wake up at night crying, but now the kid is getting more food so she is satisfied til morning. Thank goodness.
  
• Speaking of sleeping, mama can't rock her to sleep anymore. She has been refusing to cuddle in lately and go to sleep, so now I just put her to bed and 3 cries later she is out. It breaks my heart just a tiny bit, but its also quite a relief. 
• She eats pretty much anything now except drinking cows milk. But she also knows what she wants and what she doesn't want. If it is something she doesn't like, she lets me know by squaking and moving her head all around so I can't put any food in her mouth.
• If I shower when she is awake, she sits on the bathroom floor and cries the whole time until she sees me. The only time I have a peacful shower is early in the morning.
• She is a very happy girl and usually always has a grin on her face.
• She grew another tooth this month, making it so she has on top and 3 on bottom.
•  She still is in 9 month clothing and size 3 diapers.

Here's to two more months til I have a 1 year old!

The Dealio of Life

 Life lately has been trying to do laundry with my stinker baby "helping." Its been Grandma Nonie fake cutting Abby's hair. Its been loving my two girls, and its been Maddie getting around during exercise class.

 Life has been Abby riding a horse, and naming it Bella. Also, its been being all cool and playing daddy's guitar. Its been lots of walks pushing our babies, and its been a best friend who made my day brighter by sending me the best. bracelet. ever.

 Life lately has been Bree finally getting her wish and putting Maddie to sleep. Its been a daughter confused about the seasons. Life has been switching sunglasses with Abby, and evening family walks. (Abby is getting pretty good at walking around in heels. She is a natural.)

 Life has been a stupid selfie to show off my new hair. Its been a daughter just too tired to wake up at Costco. Life has been the cutest snuggly girls in the world, and its been my adorable Maddie wearing Papa's hat. 

Lastly, life has been some fun swing time at the park. Its been Abby wearing my boots around the house. Those boots are made for walking! And its been having fun playing on the dinosaurs at City Creek, being the perfect toys for both girls and babies. 

9 months!!

Time for another update for my little Maddie Marie! At nine months she:

• Had her first big fall. She fell off my bed when I stepped out of the room and got 2 big scrapes on her nose. Mom for he win.

  

  Notice her poor nose?

• On a related note, she is mobile! She has an adorable crawl, and beat her sister to it by 1 month.
• She feeds herself finger foods quite well. 
• Her favorite treats are graham crackers. After she stuffs one in her face, she squeals for more until she gets it. 
• She now has 4 big teeth, two on top and two on bottom, but is growing 2 more on top. And let me tell you, this teething bout has been the WORST!
• Every morning when I go in to get her, she has the blankets over her face. Once she hears me, she pulls them off and grins at me. Best way to be greeted first thing in the morning. 
• She prefers my phone to any other toy.

  

  A slobbery faced shot of her teeth

• She already has the fake crying and tantrum throwing down. 
• She still prefers being held and bouncing on my hip over any other activity
• She loves walks
• I don't want to jinx it, but lately she has been a fabulous sleeper, and is automatically sleepy by 9. (which I realize is still late by some of your standards, but that is quite early for us. Abby is an after 10pm night owl)
• She is in size 3 diapers and wears 9 month clothes
• She will not keep bows on her head
• Her jabbering ang giggling are the best sounds in the world.

I can't believe that in 3 very short months, she will be 1. Stop it. Stop the growing. 

Anniversary Weekend

 When we first got married, I knew I wanted to do something fun for our 5th anniversary. I also remember thinking it seemed like sooo far away. Well it has come and gone, and here we are starting out our 6th year of marriage. And life is good.

Since it was the first time leaving my babies, I wanted to stay close. We decided on Midway and it was absolutely the best decision ever. On Friday, our anniversary, we dropped the girls off at my sisters and headed out. We had bought a Groupon for The Homestead Resort. Well, upon trying to check in, we found out that Groupon never sent the information to the Homestead. Usually that would have been ok, but they were completely booked. Thankfully the Zermatt (their sister hotel) had space so we were able to get a room over there. It was an super nice place, and it looked like we were in Switzerland or something. (the only downside: no free breakfast and it ended up costing us $30 more. Still worth it though.)

After we got checked in, we quickly changed into our swimsuits and headed to swim in the Crater. The water was so warm, and we got to soak in it for almost an hour. Perfect start to our trip. We didn't get any pictures of us on that day, except back at the hotel room, but we later went back and took these gems.

Post Crater swim

After the Crater, we went and got pizza at this cute little Italian place. It was so good and fun and quaint.We then stopped by the store for some goodies and headed back to our hotel to swim. They had a great indoor/outdoor swimming pool, and two pretty great hot tubs. We then spent the rest of the night eating our candy and watching tv.

So, I should mention that I was so focused on getting everything packed for the kids I forgot a few key items. Namely: our toiletree bag, (which meant to toothbrushes, toothpaste, or deoderant for me to name a few) my pump (which really was awful) and my fan. With no fan noise, I couldn't get to sleep. Finally at about 2:30 my sweet husband called the lobby to see if they could send up a fan. They did and after that I slept great.

We had to check out by 11, so we mozied about, got ready, and left our hotel room. We then ate breakfast at the expensive hotel restaurant and walked around Zermatt and The Homestead for a bit. We walked to the top of the Crater, which had like a billion stairs, and my legs are just starting to not be sore. Midway is so beautiful! We decided if we ever get rich, we are buying a cabin there. And maybe retireing there when we are old.

Looking down into the Crater

The billion stairs

In front of our hotel room

It was such a fantastic weekend together, reconnecting. I'm not going to lie though. Picking up my babies from my sisters was the best. They were both so happy to see us. Maddi wouldn't stop grinning and bouncing. Abby couldn't wait to tell us all about her weekend. Thanks McGees for taking our cuties!

When we woke up Sunday morning, Sam told me he had taken Monday off so the fun continued the whole weekend. Monday we just hung out around the house and then went to a Bees game that night. We lost big time, but hey, I got my hotdog. (side note: I got a fancy hot dog. I think I will stick with normal hotdogs from here on out.)

It was the perfect weekend spent with the love of my life. Happy 5 years Sam. Here is to many, many more.

Abbyisms

"How do I look?" she asked me.

I can't believe how many cute things Abby says daily. Half the stuff I don't even know where she gets it from. I want to hurry and write them down before I forget.

• "I'm cold! I'm freezing, frickin cold!"
• One day as I was getting out a sippy cup for her, aparently she didn't like the one I got. In her most disgusted-teenage-like voice she said: "Green? Really?"
• One day as she was going poop, she exclaimed: "It's gonna be a huge one. My poopies are going to build a snowman!"
• Almost everyday when hugging Maddie, "We are best friends!"
• "Maddie is so cute the big goo!"
• "I have a friend Emily. She is 40 months."
• As we were getting ready to leave the house, "Let's go dear."
• "I love Grammy. She is sooo cute like a baby!"
• "I love Papa. He is a good guy."

And my personal favorite:

• "There's a monster in my gina!"

There you have it, just a few of the many, many things my Abbigale says.

The Time I Danced With The MoTab

Clear back in 2004, I had the oppertunity to dance in the Tabernacle Choirs Christmas concert. They have lots of dancers now, but I was among the first group of dancers to perform. Natrually, the best group. It was an AMAZING experience. Audra McDonald was the guest singer, and Peter Graves was the narrator. My part was only a small one, but the impact it had on me was huge. I have always loved performing. That is probably 80% why I love to dance, and to perform in front of thousands of people was just amazing. 

If you look close, I am in this little clip a few times. (hint, 1:50 and 2:09, but don't blink.) 

This whole experience was just amazing. Even Rehearsing in the Conference Center was awesome. I am very blessed to have had this experience

After the concerts were over, I remember being so emotional because to me, performing there with the Tabernacle Choir, it didn't get any better. I danced again in 2005, but for some reason I didn't love it as much. It was still a great experience, but it just wasn't the same. Different dance instructor, and different dancers. Still, I am so lucky to have done this twice.