Sunday, September 23, 2012

{potty training and randomness}



Potty-training...
Eliza has been begging to wear underwear...we will see how it goes!



 I know I probably should not have taken a picture of her on the potty, but she looks sooo small on such a huge potty...I just had to document how cute she was and what a big girl she is becoming.



 I came down to the kitchen... to find THIS!
Henry desperately wanted to grow watermelons in our backyard.  We did.  They took awhile to grow and become ripe, but they ended up being pretty good.  I guess Henry thought he would get started with the cutting of the watermelon...I thought four knives was a little overkill!:)



cute in polka dots



so very mischievous



sassafras



I don't know what it is about this picture, but man does Henry look old!
...and so sweet and handsome:)



{sunday}

A few pictures of the kids in their Sunday best!








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Thursday, September 20, 2012

{st. louis}


I went away...far far away!:)
Actually, I got the chance to go to St. Louis to attend Time Out for Women.

  About 16 women from my ward headed down on Friday for a girls weekend away.  I had not gone somewhere by myself for this long (Friday and Saturday) since I had my kids 5 years ago.  I was so excited for myself and also for Henry and Eliza to have a fun weekend with their dad.  When I got home the kids could barely remember my name:)...it was dad this and dad that.  They had such a good time and it really helped them become even closer with each other. 

 I went down early Friday morning with Jessica Svenson and Tammy Wys.  The drive was really fun and fast, about three hours.  We decided to go to The City Museum first.  Wow!  There are not any words to describe how cool and unique this place is.  I can't wait to take my family.  It is designed with all sorts of recyclable materials.  There are things to climb and slides to go down and a whole assortment of cool stuff to do on top of the building.  There is a ten story chute you can slide down...ending up in a cave-like underground with more climbing and even water.  It was incredible.  I was getting over being sick and my asthma had been flaring up so I tried not to over exert myself.  I could barely walk out of there when we were done.  It was worth it though.

We then went to the St. Louis Arch.  The pictures definitely do not do it justice.  It is huge!  We did not have time to go on the elevator to go to the very top, but I don't think I would want to anyway.  It seemed very small and claustrophobic.

It was then time to meet all the other women for dinner.  Someone chose this fabulous restaurant in a cute little town that I forget the name of.  It was part of a historic downtown, which is one of my favorite things.  We then went to Time Out for Women.  The speakers were fantastic, funny and spiritual.  The music was beautiful and thoughtful.  It left me a lot to think about.  We hung out in jammies in one of the hotel rooms until late and then I passed out cold!

The next day we had speakers and lunch and a service project.  Again, it really was a great day with lots of emotions coming to the top.  I left with the desire to be a better wife and mother, a better everything.  We ended the day back in the old historic part of town I can't remember the name of to do some window shopping.  On the way home we had a really deep and thoughtful talk and everyone cried:)  We then ate at a sandwich place and sang out loud to old 80's songs.  It was great!  I am so glad I was able to have this opportunity.







































?, Sister Dietz, Melissa Powell, Charity Jeffs, Jacqie Lewis, Shelly Crespo, Sister Peele, Jessica Svenson, Terri Davis, Emily Monroe, Melinda Iund, Tina Glassett, Lindsey Williams, Tammy Wys, Nikell Christensen, and ME!

The End.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

{tanner's orchard}

Tanner's Orchard is one of our very favorite places. 

 As soon as September hits we have to make our first visit even though it is still really warm. 
 The atmosphere gets me so excited for my favorite season to come...the FALL!  The drive out to the orchard is beautiful and peaceful...I love all the cute farms and the kids love the HUGE windmills. 
The yummy treats and the fantastic playground make for a very fun family outing.




Yummy and sweet cider!



The ship and fire engine



The school bus and wooden train



The real train car and airplane



Fun races with each other...it is harder than it looks!



Pony rides



So hot!





A barrel ride