John's Birthday

We celebrated John's 32nd birthday this month! His birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so it was nice to be able to spend the day with him (rather than have him gone at work all day). The kids were super excited to have him open his presents, so we did that first thing in the morning. We then had nice breakfast before heading off to church. That evening, we had some friends over to have cake and ice cream with us. Happy Birthday John! We love you!!

Easter 2013

We had a fun time celebrating Easter this year. We enjoyed continuing our tradition of having a special Family Home Evening lesson about the real meaning of Easter, and the Resurrection of Christ. The kids were also lucky enough to get to participate in two Easter egg hunts this year, one with friends at a park where Makenna found one of the golden eggs and got to pick out a prize, and one at Grandma and Grandpa's house with cousins. The kids also got to hunt for eggs and their Easter baskets on Sunday morning, and I also enjoyed dressing Makenna and Clara in matching dresses for the first time!

 

After our first egg hunt (Makenna proudly holding her prize...a yellow duck watering can) 

 

 Digging through their Easter baskets on Sunday morning

 

 

 I love Clara's face in this picture!

Easter morning right before church

Hunting for eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Easter eggs

 This year I bought an Easter egg kit that allowed you to paint your eggs rather than dipping them. I thought maybe it would be more fun for the kids, and I think it was, although it definitely wasn't any cleaner. I love having little kids who get so excited for about holidays, and the fun traditions that go along with them!

 

Arizona - Playing

 While I was in Arizona, Amanda and I had a lot of fun 'playing'. We did a lot of shopping, which was a treat, especially since I only had 1 child with me instead of 3! We also had fun catching up, going on walks, and playing with the kids. And of course there was chocolate cake involved as we were celebrating Amanda's birthday! I had such a fun time while I was in Arizona, and was so glad I could go visit.

 

One evening we went up to the parks in Anthem and went fishing, and walking around with the kids. It was such a beautiful area, and evening to be outside.

 

 

These ducks were hilarious, they dunked their heads under the water right at the bottom of a small waterfall. It was almost like their own personal whirlpool bath.

 

Kate and Uncle Morgan with one of the fish he caught. Clara wanted nothing to do with it, but Clayton was brave enough to touch it.

Arizona - Pictures

While I was in Arizona visiting Amanda, we took a LOT of pictures of Clara. For Christmas John had bought me Amanda's old camera, so she was trying to teach me how to use it. I sort of understood what she taught me, but pretty much forgot everything as soon as I got back. Oh well!

 

The pink dress

My mom bought this pink dress for all of her granddaughters to have their pictures taken in. Most of the girls have had their 1 year photos taken in the dress, but since Clara is probably the size of most 1 year olds, we decided to go ahead and take some pictures of Clara in the dress. I love this sweet baby girl!!

 

Her scrunched up nose face

 

 

Clapping

 

 Walking - I love her ankle rolls, and big smile you can just see!

Eating Amanda's earrings

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!