I Sort Of Rambled...

It seems like every day I find more reasons to fall in love with these beautiful little girls. Sometimes I take them for granted, and sometimes I don't always treat them the way I probably should. But they seem to be the most forgiving ppl on in the world. It's usually right after one of them has gotten into trouble, or I've lost my cool for no good reason, that they show me how lucky I am. Banana will climb up in my lap and sing me my favorite songs, or tell me how much she loves me. Miss Em will run to me and snuggle her face to mine and give me her version of kisses. Which leads me to wonder why we, as grown ups, find it so hard to forgive. We probably, at times, treat our children way worse than we would ever treat someone else. or talk to them in ways we never would think of doing to another person. Yet our kids are always the first one to show forgiviness. We always hear time and again how holding on to hatred or bitterness only hurts ourselves, but how often do we do just that? You'd think we'd learn our lesson...Right? Are we just gluttons for punishment? I know I don't like harboring those feelings, and HATE carrying around that buren. Why do we take so long to just let it go? We all make mistakes. We all say things in the heat of the moment that we know we shouldn't. We misjudge people and pass our judgements without thinking how it will affect that person. Or think we know exactly what makes a person tick, when we really don't know them at all. So...my point is, well maybe I don't really have one :) There's nothing like this going on in my life right now, so I don't really know why I wrote about it. This blog is basically my journal, which probably isn't always the greatest idea because I forget that it is open for everyone to see. :)

Anyway...basically it all boils down to the fact that I am in LOVE with my children. I want to be just like them when I grow up. I have an incredible hubby, and amazing friends. Now I just hope I have the good sense to come back and read this post if I ever find myself in the above mentioned situation. Remind myself that it's all good!!


Aren't they gorgeous?! I know I'm biased...
A little show of sisterly love. Banana loves giving her sister hugs, but hasn't learned the art of being gentle. (meaning she loves to wrap her arms around Em's throat and pull her back towards her). No one likes to be suffocated ;) And she always takes Em by surprise so there's sometimes some screaming accompanying this show of love...
Oh yeah, I need to put in a huge plug for my SIL'S AMAZING etsy shop. She is super talented, and has the cutest stuff! So, go HERE and check out her stuff. I also have her linked on my sidebar!

Have You Ever?

Have you ever had one of those days that you are almost wishing somebody would say something snippy to you so you could have a legitimate reason to scream? That has been my thoughts for most of the day. I'm sure that makes me a horrible person but I can't seem to get my mood in check today. I can't pinpoint what it is that has me on edge. It's not my children because in all honesty they are being fabulous today. My husband just as fabulous. No crappy weather to blame it on either. Bleh. Please tell me I'm not the only one who has ever felt like this?!
That aside, Banana and Running Man had an awesome campout last night. It was Banana's first one ever and according to her dad she had the time of her life. Miss Em and I couldn't go due to work so we had a (not so) quiet night at home. It was good to spend some one on one time with her though because her being a second child and all I always feel guilty for not giving her the same attention Banana got at that age. The weather has still been pretty hot so I wasn't too worried about them freezing to death, I was mostly worried about her not sleeping. (She had to be at preschool first thing this morning so that REALLY worried me). But true to form she was a trooper and loved it all. She is such an outdoorsy kind of girl. Well she's a big girly girl too, so I think she strikes up a nice balance. She is already trying to plan the next camping outing so we need to hurry and squeeze one in before Iowa winter sets in :) Here are the pics that Running Man took for me!
This is an awesome hammock that our friend Randy brought to sleep in. Running Man claims it's the most comfortable thing he's ever sat on.
Banana has been battling with a giant fear of the dark lately, but Running Man said it only took two minutes before she grabbed the flashlight and started trekking into the woods that night!
A true breakfast of champions....Juice box and marshmallows. I did pack some fruit for them, but I'm pretty sure I can see it sitting on the table behind them. Uneaten. Camping is all about the goodies anyway right? :)

Am I Ready For This?

I can't believe Banana has started pre-school. I thought about telling you that I wasn't emotional at all about it, and that I was happy to send her on her way. But...that would be a TOTAL lie. In fact she had to tell me to leave her in her classroom. What do you do when your baby doesn't need you anymore? Ok, that was slightly melodramatic...technically she still does need me, but that morning it didn't feel like it. She was SUPER excited and the morning seemed extra long as she was counting down the minutes until it was time to go. We got to school, and I took her in and tried to linger as long as possible. (Turns out as long as possible was around thirty seconds). I only cried a teeny tiny bit as I was walking out the door. But I wasn't too ashamed because there were several other moms doing the same thing :) So, she's all grown up, and is loving every second of it!

I saw this cute idea in a parenting magazine and couldn't wait to try it out. On the first day of every school year I am going to make the cute cut out of what grade they are in. They get to hold it and I'll take a pic on our front porch. Banana loved it and I think it's a pretty neat tradition!

These are the only pics she'd let me take at school before she was kicking me out the door.

Just so you don't think I've forgotten about my other wonderful child, here is Miss Em in her fave new hiding place. I keep finding all kinds of fun treasures behind that chair :)

Banana currently thinks she is Hannah Montana and will usually make us refer to her as that. We got her this Disney sing along game that is full of her songs. There's nothing I love more than listening to a tween idol sing songs about teenage angst.

Finally I wanted to wish this absolutely incredible guy a Happy Birthday!! Technically it's not until tomorrow but I won't have the internet tomorrow so I needed to say it now!
He is my perfect match, and takes such good care of us. There's no one else I would rather spend eternity with. He is patient, forgiving and always puts us as his priority. He has sacrificed SO much these last five years, and I can't believe this chapter of our lives is almost over. He is calm when I am not, my voice of reason when I can't seem to get a grip, and the perfect example of loving others in spite of their flaws. He doesn't care what other ppl think of him (or me for that matter), and brings out the best in everyone he comes in contact with. I love this guy!!

So Long Summer

I can hardly believe that summer is almost over. You wouldn't be able to tell if you stepped outside because it's still been close to 80 degrees this week. But there are a few trees around our house that are starting to change and I LOVE it! To finish off the summer we had a couple of really fun outings this week. Banana and I went to pick raspberries with some of our friends and it was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. I was worried that Banana would hate tromping through the fields, especially when we got there and I realized I had her in flip flops. Gold star for me! But she didn't complain once and after a few minutes she was a pro. I think she would have stayed all day if we didn't have to get back to Em. The whole reason for picking ther raspberries was so I could attempt to make jam for the first time! I was super nervous, but it was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and the batches turned out!! I really decided to improve my domestic abilities this week and try my hand at canning. So far I've done jam and corn. And I am going to attempt peaches this week. I went to the farmers market yesterday and picked up lots of yummy stuff so I can't wait to get started. Running Man is especially excited for zuchinni brownies tonight!
On Friday night we went to a River Bandits game and had a great time. We normally sit in the bleachers, but opted for the berm this week and I am so glad we did. The girls could run around to their hearts content and I wasn't nervous about Em pulling the hair of the ppl in front of us, or trying to keep them entertained. We met up with some new friends who have two boys that are the same ages as my girls and we loved the company. Our goal was to make it until the fireworks (which are at the end of the game) but by 9:15 it was only the bottom of the 7th and Em was starting to meltdown. So...we left. We were sad, but we got home and heard the fireworks start and they lasted a total of one minute. So, we weren't too mad at ourselves after that.
Banana also started dancing classes again this week which means I started as well. I am teaching her class and so far it's great! She is such a doll and my heart melts watching her in class. She's an old pro already :)
We're trying to come up with a few more things to do this week. Running Man has the week off from school but will be busy studying for part II and part III boards. Ugh. I know a lot you gals out there are in the same situation so call me!
All the kiddos headed to the raspberry patch.

Banana picked that whole bucket by herself. She was pretty proud!

Em made it her mission to run around stealing everyones drinks and treats. Good thing we were surrounded by ppl with great sense of humors :)



It was completely dark outside by Em insisted on wearing her awesome shades everywhere. I was slightly worried about her safety. But not enough to take them off. (She just looked so dang cute).
Banana and her cutie friend Carson. He's a doll.

What's the perfect snack for a 3 yr old at 9:00 p.m.? Cotton candy of course!
Headed home after an awesome night!

Bad, Bad Blogger

I really wish I had the internet at my house. It would make this blogging thing a whole lot easier. But...it is kind of nice to not have that temptation sitting there all day. Getting on the internet isn't even an option for me at home so I can't be swayed into spending countless, mindless hours on the computer. That being said, I still wish I had the internet :)
We have been keeping pretty busy these last few weeks. We are absolutely LOVING the gorgeous weather. I wish it felt like this all of the time. Fall is probably my absolute favorite time of year so I am getting so anxious for it to be here. I am super sad that it is our last fall in the Midwest. Nothing can compare to how gorgeous it is out here in the fall.
The girls and I survived a LONG weekend without Running Man. He competed in his third adventure race. This year he really challenged himself and did the 24 hour one. He normally does the 12 which is still insane. But, him and his good buddy Mark survived and actually had a fantastic time. It was weird to not have any contact with him for so long, and wonder if he was alive or not :) I'm sure as soon as he gets the pictures back he'll tell you all about it. All I can say is that he is awesome and I'm so glad I'm married to such an adventurous guy. It makes me deal with a lot of my fears and I usually find out that I love the thing I have been scared of for so long.
Running Man also has boards coming up (on his birthday), so we are gearing up for not seeing him for two weeks. He has to take two parts this time and can't wait to have them over with!
Here's some visual aids of what's been going on!
These girlies really do love each other! They are best buddies 99% of the time. The remaining 1% involves a whole lot of screaming...
Banana's favorite dress up in her hula outfit. And she makes Running Man sing the "huki lau" (no idea how to spell that) song endlessly.
Another FHE picnic with our good friends the Walls. They came on their motorcycle so Banana got to go on her 3rd ride on one! I am amazed that she holds on, and even more amazed that she loves it.


Last night's FHE walk on the bike path. It's so quiet, and so nice. We even saw around nine or ten deer running around. One of them was a little fawn. I wasn't quick enough with my camera to get a shot. Next time I'll be prepared!

Pictures, Pictures

I don't have a lot of time to fill you in on everything that's been going on. I do have time to hurry and post some pics. That's what really matters anyway!

Banana LOVES to go to the gym with Running Man and I, and on this particular day she went with her dad to do P90-X. She loves to run and do anything that involves being active. One day she came home from running with Running Man and I asked how her exercising was. She informed me what it wasn't exercise, it was fun! (I wish I felt that way all of the time ).


This is where she does her pull ups :)

Finally a Bix picture. I don't look my greatest, but I was just happy to be standing up! We walked a mile down to the starting line, the race was 7 miles, then we walked a mile back to our house. Phew. I loved it though!! I can't wait to do another one!
This is all of the children my amazing friend C watched during the race. My two girls, our friends' twins, and her little girl.

We were checking out at the grocery store the other morning and there was a Taste of Home cookbook for sale. It had these adorable piggy cookies on the cover. Banana spotted it and thought it was the coolest thing ever. Those who know her well know that is has a teeny tiny (huge) obsession with pigs. Don't know where it came from, and it is still going strong after two years. This was the first time I let Banana be a really active participant in the baking process. She had a blast, we made a mess and it was so much fun!

And, here is a fun shot of all the girls at a special girls night out. All I can say is that fun was had by all, and we can't wait for the next one :)

Falling Behind

I am such a bad blogger. We have been so busy with tons of fun activies, which means I have A LOT of pictures to post. Unfortunately, I just haven't been able to get into a blogging mood. I'm at work now with a lot of time to kill so I thought I'd try and get you a little updated. (Plus, I am trying to ignore my kids screaming in the nursery, so this is a good distraction!) Banana ran the Jr. Bix the other weekend, and she was so excited. She has been looking forward to it all year and still remembers exactly what happened at last years race. She remembered the ice cream, and her medal and playing in the fountains. Luckily all of those things were present at this years race. I had so much FUN waiting to start the race with her with the 2000 ppl crowded in around me. (Notice my sarcasm). But it was very worth it to be able to stand next to her as she ran, and to see the excitement on her face when she finished! The next morning Running Man and I ran the Bix, and I will post pictures of those as soon as I get them from my friend. This AMAZING friend came over at 7 in the morning and watched not only my children, but her toddler, and another friends twins who are Em's age. (That would be 5 kids 3 and under). She deserves a medal. I am hoping she'll let me repay her in homebaked goodies! I'll tell you all about my race when I get the pics.
Right after the Bix on Sat. morning we headed down to Nauvoo so we could see the pageant. We got there with a few hours to spare so decided to take the girls around old Nauvoo. We had so much fun visiting all of the houses, and spots that are still there. At one point we were walking down the road and I hear someone shout my name. I wasn't too surprised because I knew our stake was in charge of the security that night so I thought we'd run into someone. I turn around and see one of my best friends from high school running towards me! My friend Nicole served a mission down there and came back for a quick visit with an old companion. I was so excited! I totally forgot to get a picutre but it was so nice to catch up. I haven't seen her since her accident and she looks as gorgeous as ever.
Before the pageant they have a whole area set up with fun pioneer games and activites. Banana fell in LOVE with all of them. She has always loved Nauvoo but this put her over the top. Em was such a trooper. She had been awake for ten hours by that point and I was so relieved that she was taking it all in stride. The pageant was wonderful, and I don't think it's possible to describe the spirit that you feel when you are there. We love living so close, and being able to go to the temple there.
phew. I think you're pretty much caught up. More pics to come next time!

The best part of the race for my children...the food!



We absolutely LOVE this fountain downtown.


With their infamous prairie diamonds, and a lucky horseshoe!Yummy gingerbread cookies
One of the highlights for me was watching Running Man and Banana do the stick pull. I'm sure you could hear her giggles from a mile away!