So Much Fun!

We had such a fantastic time with my family this last weekend. I could go on forever about all of the fun things we had, and how much the girls loved having everyone around. We will never grow tired of having people come and visit us.

Nobody's recent post about her mom 's visit says it so well. She gave a pretty good list about why it's so great to have your mom around. I usually handle good-byes pretty well, but this time was not the easiest. Banana had a heart breaking meltdown as we were waving good-bye. Running Man was holding her and she just kept lunging for the car as it was pulling away, and crying hysterically for them to come back. It broke my heart.

Our Easter was so nice and relaxing. We held all of our Easter Bunny festivities on Saturday so we could spend Sunday focusing on the real reason for Easter. Banana got to have her first easter egg hunt and she LOVED it. We went to Devil's Glen Park which is where Running Man had his egg hunts when he was little. We followed it up with a delicious dinner at the Machine Shed. Fun was had by all and now we're counting down the days until we go home in June!

Swim time at the hotel! Em loved this floaty thing...I have no idea what it's called. She just floated all over the pool happy as could be.

The Family Museum has this slide set up and Em was intent on climbing up it. After many failed attempts with her shoes and socks on, we took them off and she made it to the top!

Decorating her princess easter eggs.

Banana and her loot. I can't believe the Easter Bunny stashed a five dollar bill in one of those eggs...



On the hay ride at the Machine Shed.

Showing Uncle Fanny her beautiful picture. She had him wrapped around her finger.


She was so excited when the "Easter Funny" came to visit!
Isn't she gorgeous in her Easter Dress?!

Finally... no visit would be complete with out Banana getting to make her "special treats" with Grandma. The sugar high lasted all night...

We're Still Here

Not having the internet in my house puts a damper on the whole blogging thing, but I really get a lot more done around the house. It has been good to take a step back and realize how much time I was spending on the computer. I get a lot more accomplished during nap time now. Good for my house...not so fun for me :)

This weather is driving us all crazy!! We have had a lot of sunny days, but the sun has been worth nothing because it has still been freezing. And then we had some sort of weird snow/freezing rain thing this weekend. Have I mentioned before how much I love the weather in the midwest?
We are super excited at our house because my parents and some of my siblings are coming to see us this week!! I get to see my little brother who just got home from his mission and I can't wait. Banana is bouncing off the walls and only driving me a little crazy by asking every five minutes how many more sleeps until they get here? Her excitement is very contagious.
Running Man starts at the student clinic next week! I think I might be more excited than he is. It's awesome to be at this point and to great for him to start doing what he loves.
Have a fabulous Easter weekend!

This is the beautiful pic she drew of me for the "arc" show.
Her awesome shades she has to wear while we do our "epercises."
Em's version of peek-a-boo

Perks

It seems like it has been a crazy week but now that I sit down to write about it nothing comes to mind...maybe that's a blessing :) I really can't think of a single thing to blog about. The girls and I have been having a blast hanging out while Running Man is at school, and are so anxious for the weather to turn nice again. It's not freezing, but not warm enough to take the girls outside for very long.
Oh yeah. I remembered something! We were watching a show about Einstein the other night and there were several interviews with some so called experts on his life. At one point they were talking about his wife, and how she had great plans of being I think a physicist, but that changed when she had their first baby. The commentator made some statement about how she "settled" and to be a mom. That really struck me. There hasn't been one single moment since my children were born that I thought that I had just "settled." Being a mom is the most challenging, and the most rewarding job I could ever think of having. It made me so sad to think that this kind of attitude still exists. I'm not saying that I don't have my days that I long for a small little break, or to just be able to go to the bathroom in peace...But in all seriousness I wouldn't trade this job for anything in the world. And to show you some of the amazing perks, here are so adorable pics of the girls. I asked Banana the other day if I was her best friend and she looked at me and replied in all seriousness that I wasn't. Em was. It doesn't get better than that!

Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood!

I love this weather! It has been so nice to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air. We are living at the park, and going for walks all of the time. I know that it won't be long before I am cursing the heat and humidity, but I'll enjoy this while I can.
Last weekend we took the girls back to the Children's Museum in Iowa City. We went for the first time about six months ago and Banana hasn't stopped talking about going back to "New Ninos." We upgraded our pass to the museum here to include that one and we already have several more trips planned. I was worried about keeping Em entertained all day but she had so much fun. She was content for most of the time to be pushed around in the stroller. But when we got her out she was all over the place. She is too fast for me!! We spent a REALLY long time there and Banana was still upset we had to leave. The museum is in the mall, and there is also a cute merry go round there as well. We let the girls ride this time and it started out fabulous until Em tried launching herself off of her horse. I about had a heart attack. I shoud note that it is 100% my fault that she almost cracked her head open. I was watching from the sidelines and couldn't get a good shot so I asked Running Man to take one. (He was holding tight to Em to make sure she DIDN'T fall off). He gave in to my nice "request" and not even five seconds later she fell. Her seat belt saved her by stopping her halfway down and just letting her hang there in the air. I wish I would have gotten a picture of that but I was too freaked out to think straight at the time...Luckily no one turned me into DCFS.
Here are some fun pics of our outing to the museum.


I tried all day to get a good shot of Em, but every time we put her on the floor she would take off. If you can't tell she's laughing hysterically at my attempt to get her to stay put for two seconds.

The merry-go-round. Known now as the death machine.

One of our many outings to the park.
This was Banana's first time being brave enough to go down a big slide alone. She needed the support of her fearless little sis!

At the creek. We went to the duck pond to feed the ducks, but a not so subtle sign informed us that we weren't allowed. In order to appease Banana we walked over to the creek and skipped rocks.




Our most recent outing to the park with Banana's best buddies. I also win mother of the year for forgetting to put block on my kiddos...Banana woke up with a little sunburn. I felt awful! But luckily she comforted me by saying, "It's ok mommy. It doesn't hurt that bad." :(
On a parting note, Banana hs taken to singing the same song in Spanish over and over and over...I can't get it out of my head even though I don't know what half of the words mean. Feel free to call me up and sing up any song to me. PLEASE! I need this song out of my head. Now.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I just wanted to wish my mom a HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY!!

She is the most giving, generous, sweetest person that I know. She always puts OTHERS before HERSELF, and does so without ever complaining. I couldn't ask for a better mom or a better example of what kind of Mom I want to strive to be. Her grandkids adore her and so do her children. We love you Mom!!

No Pain No Gain...

I'm not impressed. The weather totally faked us out last week and made us feel like spring was finally here. We had a couple of GORGEOUS days that we enjoyed fully by taking numerous trips to the park, and a lot of really great walks. I felt myself finally coming out of my winter-induced coma...and now we are freezing our booty's (sp)? off again. (Is there a right way to spell booty)? It's not just cold here, it is FREEZING. I'm only a little jealous that my parents are headed to sunny California tomorrow. Banana can't be convinced that it's not a good idea to go to the park. Even when the wind freezes the snot to her face in two seconds she is begging to go. She so doesn't get that from me.
To keep ourselves from going crazy Running Man and I have started a new work out regimen. It's called P90x. I'm on day three and I'm pretty sure it's going to be my cause of death. I don't know how he convinced me it was a good idea. He has some serious powers of persuasion. I am actually really excited to be doing it despite my throbbing/aching muscles. Pain is a good thing, right? I actually woke up in the middle of the night to roll over and yelled out in pain. That has only ever happened when I have been pregnant/just had a baby. So...here's to my body looking like it did ten years ago :)

Running Man had his Induction to Clinic ceremony today. (That's a fancy way of saying he "officially" got his white coat and name tag). It was pretty exciting though. I did get just a tiny bit teary because it's been such a long, trying road and this makes it seem so worth it. The girls were surprisingly quiet and had tons of fun clapping for their dad and all of their favorite boys! Have I mentioned before what amazing friends he has?


I'll leave you with some super cute pics of the fun times we've been having.

Both of the girls had a blast swinging at the park. This was Em's first time and she couldn't stop giggling. So different from how Banana reacted her first time. She's grown to love it though :)
If she could spend all day on this slide she would be so happy. It rolls as you go down. I think it's mandatory that you pinch your fingers in it at least one time per trip.

Em is learning so many new things now. I don't think it will be long before she's walking. She's into EVERYTHING. And is loving her sing language. She jabbers constantly and is the happiest baby I have ever met.After the ceremony. I sat on the back row, and the refreshment stand was set up right behind us. Banana only asked every thirty seconds if it was time for treats yet...
I tried getting an "official' picture of him while he was getting his coat, but turns out I'm not so talented with a camera when I'm holding two kids and a lady with a giant head is sitting in front of me...
Have a great weekend!

Haircut!

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We are completely enjoying Running Man's break from school. We have not done anything spectacular, but I am loving just hanging out. We are all wishing we could be in Utah right now because my little brother just got home from his mission!! It was really hard to not be there to welcome him home but he is coming to visit over the Easter break and we CAN'T WAIT! Banana can't wait to see her "Uncle Fanny" and I am excited for Em to meet him. He is such an incredible guy with such a gentle heart so I know they will get along great.
More exciting news...Banana gets to start pre-school in the Fall. She got a full scholarship which makes us able to afford it, and it is all she is talking about. I don't think she realizes how long she has to wait before she can actually start. And I think that it is going to be a long six months for us...

We took Banana to get her first official haircut the other day (after A LOT of coaxing). I can cut it myself, but it really needed to have some sort of shape and style to it :) It is SO long and has been getting pretty straggly. The super nice lady took off an inch and a half and I didn't even cry! Banana was pretty nervous at first, but as soon as as she walked in and saw how awesome the place is she was ready to go. The place was super cute. She got to sit in her own Barbie car and watch Dora the whole time. The stylist even let her pick out some clips for piggy. (Who is now attached to Banana's side).

Ok, blogger is being lame and won't let me
fix these stupid pictures. So the first one is of Banana playing with her new play dough kitchen. She loves it!
Then Em is playing with the balloons. She is a nut. She will sit there forever and just beat herself up with them. Should I be concerned?
Finally, the haircut.