Arizona - Birthday Surprise

My sister Amanda turned 30 this month. Since turning 30 is kinda a big deal, I thought it would be really fun to go to Arizona and surprise her for her birthday! My parents were already in Arizona visiting, so Clara and I flew down to Phoenix on Friday the 15th. I was a little nervous about how Clara would do on the flight, but she was so great!

 

My aunt and uncle who live in Phoenix picked Clara and me up from the airport. The plan was for my parents to take Amanda out for an early birthday dinner (her actual birthday wasn't till Monday) with my aunt and uncle before they flew home to Omaha on Saturday. So after picking me up from the airport, we drove straight to the restaurant to meet my parents, Matt and Amanda, and brother Morgan (who lives in AZ too). My aunt and uncle went into the restaurant

 first, and I waited in the car for about 10 minutes before going in and just walking up to the table.

 

Amanda was SO surprised to see me!! It was awesome!! I had been worried that somehow the surprise would get ruined, since everyone else was in on it, but it totally worked out! She was really happy that I had come to visit, and would be staying for the weekend!

 

Amanda and me at the restaurant

 

 

Clara and aunt LaRae

Clara's Walker

Clara got a little walker for Christmas, and has loved walking all over with it. At first she could only walk in straight lines, and I would have to help her change directions after she bumped into something, but now she can turn it, and go where ever way she wants! Thanks for the great present mom and dad!

Snow

We had a pretty good snow storm a few days ago, and the kids were SO excited about it, that they couldn't even wait for it to stop snowing before they were outside playing. Our yard is mostly flat, but does have a gradual slope on one side, so the kids went out and went sledding. I was shocked at how long they stayed out and played, especially because it was still snowing so hard.

 

Makenna after she finally came in!

Two days later, we were able to have some more fun outside in the snow. Clara even came outside for a little bit, and enjoyed discovering the snow.

 

John also helped the kids make a snowman, using the new snowman kit they had received for Christmas from Uncle Joey and Aunt Marie.

 

And of course there were a few snow angels made as well.

Valentine's Day

The best part of my Valentine's Day was that John surprised me that morning, by telling me that he was taking the day off to spend with us! We had a nice Valentine's breakfast together, and had a fun day as a family. John also got Clara her first ever flower (which she later smashed on her high chair tray).

 

 

My favorite 'love' story came not on Valentine's day, but about a week later. Hudson had done something to land him in time out in his room, and he was not happy about it. (There were lots of tears.) John and I went into his room and shut the door, and were talking to him about why he was in time out, and trying to calm him down, when Makenna slipped this note under his door. What a sweet big sister she is to Hudson and Clara!!

 

Clara is Crawling

Clara is 8 months old now, and has started to crawl!! I love watching a baby learn new things. It is so amazing to me how one day they can't do something, and then the next day they can. I also love the 'crawling baby' stage. A crawling baby is just so cute to me. Clara has also already learned how to crawl up the stairs!! Life just got busier for me.

 

She made it to the top, and off she goes!

Sleeping

I always peek in and check on my kids before I go to bed, and sometimes I find them sleeping in strange positions, like sideways, or on the floor. My favorite however, has to be finding Makenna sleeping with a baby doll tucked under her shirt. Silly Girl!

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink - Year 2

Last night, we were able to make our 2nd annual trip to the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink. Last year we went in the afternoon, and the rink was almost empty; this year we went in the evening, so it was a little bit busier, but it was also fun because of all the lights they had up. Having Clara with us also made this year a little bit more complicated because only one of us could be out on the ice with the big kids while the other would stay with Clara. Nonetheless, we still had a fun time, and were happy to continue with this tradition.

 

Getting ready

 

Ice Skating with the 'big' kids

Bundled up under the lights