HaPpY eAsTeR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This year we were lacking in the Easter festivities, not because we didn't want to but simply because Kelsey dyed eggs and had a egg hunt with all her preschool friends and then the next day we had our playgroup and dyed eggs, made Easter baskets and had another egg hunt. So both girls had plenty of candy and goodies to go around that we just decided to forgo ours that we had planned. Plus with the fair the same weekend, we are always so rushed to get everything done so we had a nice relaxing Easter weekend.

On Sunday morning, Dave had his meetings an hour later than normal so he made us breakfast and then still had time to see the girls hunt for their baskets. Originally we were going to wait till after church, which is at 9, but Dave concluded that our kids couldn't be the only ones not on a sugar high so we did it before. We told them what each of their baskets looked like and they were off. Once they found their baskets, the conversations ended and their mouths were quickly filled with the overflowing chocolate. Doesn't her face just say it all?

No time to waste. I'll make quick easy work of this.
Glad to see she didn't go right for the candy.
Katelyn handing over the loot.
Check out my basket, dad.
Of course we couldn't have a holiday without the girls getting new dresses for the occasion. Aren't they just so cute? I love that their dresses are similar, not matching because in 2 years, Katelyn will be getting the dress Kelsey is wearing. So matching, but not twins. I have the two most beautiful girls!!

Clark County Fair

Last weekend we headed out to Logandale for the annual Clark County Fair. The fair seems to have tons of baby animals to see and touch each year and this year was no disappointment. Even though there was a light rain outside, that didn't dampen our spirits and the girls were just so excited with all the animals. We didn't attempt to ride any of the rides, but I see it as we escaped it for one more year. Success!!

This goat was just Katelyn's size and walked right up to her when she walked by and she was perfectly willing to pet and scratch its head.

These baby goats were just too cute not to reach out and touch.

The pen with the baby pigs is always packed with people gathered around. But with the weather the way it was, it wasn't a crowded day at all.

The mother was as tall as Katelyn and walked right over to the girls for some much needed attention.
There was a girl raising baby chicks and was around when we were there so she let Dave pick one out for the girls to hold and touch. Katelyn was the first to touch, but seeing as how her hand was as big as its whole body, you couldn't see what she was touching. So here she is trying to kiss it. We were a little skeptical to let the girls actually hold it because the little boy (baby) before us grabbed it and nearly squeezed it's head off!!

The rest of the day was filled with the usual pot belly pig races, kettle corn pop corn, cotton candy and slushy lemonade. What a perfect day at the fair. Can't wait till next year.

What's on your camera?

Since Kelsey has had her camera, she takes it everywhere. Which translates into us not needing to always have ours around. I was getting pictures off for a future post and there were some pretty cute shots I didn't know I was missing.

I love this one!!

Although I can't be sure, I'm pretty sure these were all taken while Katelyn was jumping off her bed, which she knows she's not supposed to do. Almost daily she is told to stop jumping. She jumps everywhere she's going, including on the tile floor. Ouch. I think this was Kelsey's way of catching her in the act so she wouldn't get herself in trouble for tattling.

Preschool Picture Day Preview

Yesterday was picture day at Kelsey's preschool. They took end of the year photos and cap and gown pictures for Kelsey as well as sibling photos. We'll get the proofs back after Spring Break but what I saw of the shots they took, the girls were just adorable. Unfortunately I was unable to snap any before we walked out the door but look forward to a future post of the final product.
However with an upcoming wedding, I've been trying out different hairstyles on the girls to see which they would look cute in. This is Kelsey's favorite and fortunately the easiest to do, with just a little prep work the night before. So what better time to try it out than for pictures? With Dave at mutual, I figured I'd try Katelyn's up the same way. I think Kelsey's is a winner, but we're still trying with Katelyn's.

They were just too cute not to take a few the night before. Yep those are socks and strips of fabric - the idea came from my grandma.
The reveal. By the time pictures rolled around, Kelsey's hair fell enough to just big soft curls which I love, but Katelyn's was still in such tight little ringlets. Not quite the results I was hoping for, so we'll keep trying. It does look like she'll be needing a haircut before the wedding though.

It's FINALLY official!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, after 4 long years of waiting and dating, my brother Jesse and Alyson are finally engaged to be married the end of May. It's been such a long time coming and we can't be more excited for them. They will be sealed in the San Diego Temple and the girls can't wait to see Alyson in her beautiful dress!! They've even started making some of their own plans for their weddings, some of which should be very interesting. Congratulations you guys, we are so excited for you and for Alyson to finally be joining the family!! We love you.

Pump It Up

Last week we went to Pump It Up with my friend's playgroup. The girls got to see some of their friends they haven't seen for awhile and had such a great time. They can't wait to go back again and this time, take their dad with them. Kelsey keeps planning this for family night, but has been sadly disappointed because Dave doesn't seem all that excited about the whole thing!!

Head first!! She has no fear, I love it. After this she was at the top with a friend of mine and she was laying on her side. Fortunately Heidi talked her out of going down that way since she would probably end up rolling down, rather than sliding down.

For Katelyn's first run she decided to take it easy, but after that it was all over.

I love these few pictures that my friend took of her two girls and Kelsey. We tried to get Katelyn in the mix, but as soon as she climbed up, there was no waiting at the top for anyone else and she was right back down again!!

They had such a great time, they only wished they could have stayed longer. But what kid wouldn't?!

Kelsey is learning without training wheels

A couple of weekends ago, we started teaching Kelsey to ride her bike without training wheels. With the weather only getting warmer the days are quickly approaching where we can go for bike rides again and not have to worry about being all bundled up. But it won't be long before it's too hot to ride during the day either. So here's some video of her learning and even after about 20 times, her smile never faded. We're so proud of you Kelsey.

As long as the road doesn't turn, we're good!! Once she was done and came inside she was a little upset about falling down and not quite getting it yet. When I told her that I could remember when grandpa taught me to ride my bike and that I fell a lot too she wasn't buying it. But when Dave told her about learning to ride his bike and all his accidents about falling down, she was feeling much better, considering she wasn't bleeding anywhere! So here's to trying again soon!!

Be impressed. Be. Very. Impressed

I'm sure every parent out there has said this at least once: "I have the smartest kid in the world!!" As for me, I know I'm biased and that only my opinion counts here, but seriously. She's the smartest kid I know.

I don't what it is about my girls, but they love puzzles. Since my brother's girlfriend was up here last month, Katelyn has been doing all the 25 piece puzzles I can get my hands on. I was never able to get any pictures of those because as quick as she was putting them together, she was taking them apart to do them again. My sister is proof - she's seen her. So after a couple of weeks of this, I got her one of Kelsey's 63 piece puzzles and handed it to her just to see if she could do any of it. I was there to help her if she wanted it but soon realized she didn't even need it. Once she looked at each princess and figured out who was wearing what, she had it. The only part she needed help with was the border and now she does that flawlessly too.


Check her out - she's amazing. I managed to get a picture of the finished product when she walked away momentarily and have since timed her in doing it. She did it on my bathroom floor the other morning while I was curling my hair which took me 15 minutes. Not bad for a 2 year old!!

(Note: We have since found the missing piece).

More pictures with Brock

They just can't get enough of this kid!! I'm not sure how it will go over when he doesn't come next week since it's Spring Break. I think it's great, just hopefully it won't wear off by the time this baby comes along. At least by then Kelsey will be in kindergarten and Katelyn can have her all to herself. I say "her" not because we know for sure, but we just don't do boys - we've pretty much all decided it's going to be a girl. Except for Kelsey. Only time will tell, but I'm afraid she's going to be very disappointed when we know for sure if it's a girl or not. As for Katelyn, she's not budging at all on whether she wants a girl or not - she's convinced already.

I love this picture because Kelsey was still sleeping and hadn't gotten to him yet. So Katelyn had him all to herself.

Here she is front and center.

First tea parties, and now ice cream desserts. What a treat for this little boy!! Do you see why we can't have a boy? He's going to be such a sissy boy!! Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait a little while longer.

Calloused children?

That's a rhetorical question, not to really be answered because some of you know we are very tough on our girls. Don't get me wrong, we are tough on them out of love and don't put up with a lot of griping and complaining, but it seems that we've passed this on at a very young age since these phrases have been and can be heard around the house quite frequently. At least once a day. And all directed at Brock who is only 2 1/2 months old. It really bothers Kelsey that I would even think of letting him cry at all, but I sat her down and told her very nicely that it's ok for babies to cry and that both herself and Katelyn had some crying time too. And that this next one will have to cry a little bit too. And he's not crying for any particular reason, he's simply protesting that he's not being held. Because you walk past him and he catches you, he immediately stops thinking you will pick him up.

Kelsey: "Brock, get your feelings under control."

Katelyn is the culprit for all the rest. "You're fine, Brock. You just ate." "Quit your crying out." and "He's crying like a little baby."

I'm sure this little one will hear much of the same after it's born too!!

The word is out

This post has been coming for awhile now, but with still a few people to tell before finding out on our blog, we're finally able to announce that we are expecting baby #3 in September. Unfortunately for me, it's the same EXACT day Katelyn WAS due (the 5th), but decided to grace us with her pressence and some serious prodding, on the 14th. I'm sincerely hoping it doesn't go this way again, so here's to praying for an August baby. Not likely. I'm pretty much past the morning sickness which lasted all day long this time so that was not so fun - hence the absense in blogging as of late. But we are set to find out sometime the middle of April what we are having and to be quite honest - it's just going to be another girl!! As for the girls, Kelsey wanted another sister up until last week when I started watching Brock and he has since changed her mind in wanting a brother. As for Katelyn, well, there's just no changing her mind, she still wants another sister. Dave and I - we just want a healthy baby and look forward to having to argue and decide on another girl name. It will not be a "K" name, as that will the be the 3 K's or better known as KKK. We can't have that.

Simple minds, simple pleasures

This has summed up the last 2 Sundays for me completely and here's why. On March 1st, we attended our nephew's baby blessing and last Sunday was Stake Conference. Translation: I was able to sit with Dave for two weeks in a row and there were no meetings for him to be at so he was home all day. For some of you that may not seem like such a big deal but I like having him around because it seems like during the week he is pulled in so many different directions just to be going constantly on Sunday too. And just being able to sit at home and veg for those 2 days, well that's a big deal for me and the girls. For only being in the bishopric for a few months, there have been some struggling Sundays with the girls when I feel like why even bother, but we still go. And then I see some people with just one kid having "one of those days" and I just think, at least you have your husband there to help. And props to us for not being late once since he's been in there. So here's to the small things in life!!

The proud new "mommies"

I started wacthing my friend's baby, Brock yesterday until she's out of school in June. When they came over on Saturday to drop his stuff, it was the girls talked about for two days until she dropped him off in the morning. They are getting quite the practice at being mommies and loving it. That is, until today when the novelty of having him around wore off!!

They just couldn't get enough of him. They didn't want to do anything but play and hold and snuggle him, including getting dressed.
Taking turns feeding him. Katelyn only wanted to do it for a few seconds, but Kelsey lasted the whole bottle, although he is the fastest eater I've ever seen.
They never let him get very far away from them. At least they got dressed, finally.
This is how Kelsey was anytime she was holding him. This was during Katelyn's nap and with the time change she woke up at 6:30 but refused to take a nap because she didn't want to miss anything.
There were a few fussy times throughout the day and Kelsey seemed to have the special touch to just hold him and calm him down. It's fun now because she was too little to hold and carry Katelyn on her own, but now she thinks she's so important to be able to do it herself.

Calico Basin

Last week for playgroup, we headed out to Calico Basin near Red Rock Canyon for some hiking and a picnic lunch. There were quite a few short easy trails that were perfect for the kids and definitely some place we will have to take Dave back too. We had a pretty small showing, but still had a great time with everyone that came. Although it was pretty windy up there, we all still had a great time, not to mention the kids got a great work out and were able to get out some of their energy. The girls had a great time and can't wait to go back again. We invited our cousin Vance to come with and were so excited to run around and climb on the rocks with him too. Thanks for coming out, Kimber.

Our first stop near a small joshua tree.

Vance running along the trail having a good ol' time.

Finally we got to some rocks they could climb all over.

Everyone sitting down for a little rest before heading back down.

Hanging out with our cousin.

Daddy & Me

A few weekends ago we were out at Dave's brother's house helping put in their landscaping in the backyard. They needed some equipment out there to speed up the process and the girls were all about helping dad. We have pictures of Kelsey riding on tractors when we were putting our backyard in but none of Katelyn so this was a new experience for her. And I'm pleased to say she was not scared in the least - always wanting to help her dad.

Katelyn was up first and then didn't want to give up her spot to her sister.

Then it was Kelsey's turn.

Fortunately for Katelyn Kelsey didn't want to drive the tractor for very long because there was something else grabbing her attention. Introducing baby Carter. She is going to be such a good little mom. So while Kelsey was holding and playing with Carter, Katelyn was doing this.

Getting to drive the big tractor by herself.

Anderson Dairy

Last week, Kelsey went to Anderson Dairy for another field trip with her preschool class. This is one of her favorite places to go and she can't wait for her free ice cream at the end of the tour. This trip was no different. Again, Katelyn got to tag along and even sweet-talked Miss Kris into carrying her half way through the tour.

Outside waiting to go in.

Calci the cow.

Listening to all the animals tell the story of Anderson Dairy.

What a great group of kids they were, and so behaved through the whole tour!!

The Grand Canyon

A couple of weeks ago Dave sold a roller to one of his customers down in Arizona. They needed it for a job they were doing out in Monument Valley (up towards the Utah border) so Dave asked if we wanted to go with him and on the way back we'd stop and go through the Grand Canyon since I'd never seen it. It was going to be a quick trip since he was only getting one day off from work to deliver it but the girls were all about getting out of the house and doing anything so we went. We left after church, around 3 and the girls each slept in the car and watched movies. They were so good. We drove over the Hoover Dam and what an impressive sight that was to see them building and working on the bypass over the Colorado River. That will be so nice once it's completed.

We stayed in the hotel until he was done delivering the tractor and then we headed for home the next morning. We decided to do the South Rim since it was still a few hours from home, but we still spent a few hours driving around in the park doing the whole tourist thing and the girls had a blast running around, looking at everything. The highlight was that all the mountains were covered in snow. Kelsey loves snow. We finished the trip by having lunch at a little pizza joint and then the girls slept and watched more movies till we got home. We got home around 8 and everyone was in bed at 9:00. We were all wasted from a whirlwind trip, but definitely worth it. Maybe we'll go again when it gets a little warmer.

Headed down to the tower. They saw this bench and they were just too cute with their arms around each other. They truly are best friends.

They tried to get as close to the edge as possible.

On top of the tower. I loved it that eveyone was so friendly to take pictures for us so we could actually all be in a picture together.
Kelsey working on her picture taking skills and doing great - no heads are chopped off and we're pretty closely centered. Success!!

What a great day!!