Three little blessings

By some miracle we ended up with an Easter shot of all three girls smiling!


Most of them turned out more like this. I can't even remember what it was that she was wanting at this moment in time. I am enjoying our little spicy 22-month-old. The temper tantrums seem mild compared to the joy she brings us. I struggled immensely at this age with Aubrie, but it seems so much easier with No. 3. I think because I realize how short of a time it is that the temper tantrums last, and I also realize how fun it is to see her cute little personality come out while she tries so many new things.


It was her first Easter that she could truly enjoy. This is her first time dying eggs.


I realize those tiny hands won't stay bitty long.


Or dyed orange forever!!






Teyah loved finding eggs and knew immediately what to do. (Notice her piggy tails! Her hair is finally long enough!)


Of course, she also knew what tastes good!


All three of these girls bring me such joy!


I am so grateful for my Savior, who died for me, so that I could live with my wonderful family forever.

The best b-day ever

My hubby planned an amazing surprise party for me last week when I turned the big 3-0!


After a nice dinner, we returned home to a house full of 10 friends there to surprise me and celebrate! We had my favorite DQ icecream cake!


Dave also planned a game of "This is Your Life" with lots of surprises.


The first was my cousin Autumn who had been hiding in the basement!


He also called several old friends on the phone and internet and they all told memories they had of me and made me feel special. It was such a trip for me. I was so impressed with his party agenda. I don't know if all the guests enjoyed it because I was the center of attention the whole time, but it was fun for me! I am not usually comfortable with the spotlight, but for one night, I definitely enjoyed it.

Dave also made an amazing video out of pictures and video of the past 30 years. Have I ever mentioned that I have the most amazing husband?! Seriously, he is the best.

Teyah's fashion statement

Time to potty train? Or, maybe we just need to teach this kid some style tips? As we were folding laundry, Teyah found the pile of her big sisters' underwear, and on her own, and with help, managed to put on about 20 pair! At least they are clean!



Bedtime came and as you can see she is not too pleased with me making her take them off!




I relented and allowed her to keep two pairs. I figured it wasn't worth her crying in her crib for hours, but there was no way I was going to let her dirty ALL of her sisters' underwear for the week!

Teyah's speech is picking up along with her tantrums. She absolutely loves to copy her sisters. It is a fun age. My favorite is seeing her want to hold everyone's hands everywhere we go. So cute! Teyah's spunky personality seems to be enhanced every day!

Spring Break, will travel

After much debate of where to spend Aubrie's Spring Break, we finally chose Wisconsin Dells. We love this place. It's so close, and so over-the-top fun.


The resort we stayed at has three indoor water parks and this HUGE play structure. The kids had a blast!


We didn't take a ton of pics, so here is one stolen from the resort's website of one of the parks.


The long winter has made our two girls a little cold on water slides, so we did more than our fair share of wave pool, jacuzzi, lazy river, and kiddie splash area. However, Dave and I had our fill of slides and eventually they both warmed up to them.


We had a great weekend despite a few hiccups, including this one (and that's three days later after much of the swelling had come down!). Lesson learned: kiddie slides are designed for kids, not adults. At the end of the slide (with Teyah in my arms), I flew off the soft landing pad and onto the hard area of the pool which is only one foot deep. Ouch! I thought the far away shot was the most tame.

March Madness update

The Madness has brought even more drama to our house.

After the 1st round, Teyah made a strong showing, besting all of the girls...
Daddy 24 right
Teyah 20
Elliana 17
Aubrie 17
Mommy 17

But in the 2nd round, Mommy made a strong comeback....
Mommy 14 right
Daddy 11
Aubrie 7
Teyah 6
Elliana 3

So, overall, Daddy is leading the pack.
Daddy 35
Mommy 31
Teyah 26
Aubrie 24
Elliana 20

Stay tuned to see who comes out on top in this year's family March Madness Championship.

Bracketology

Each year our family kicks off the March Madness basketball season with a little "Bracketology", or the "science of filling out our brackets". As you can see our children have given this much thought and are anxiously awaiting the first games....

Ellie's Results...Final 4 of Utah, BYU, Pittsburg, and North Carolina


Aubrie's Results...Final 4 of Kansas (Dorothy is from there), BYU, Florida St, and Arizona St.


And now the selection committee's process. As you can see Teyah's results are a "work in progress"

(wrtten by David)

Green Eggs & Ham

I don't think she likes them.

Happy Golden Birthday Ellie!

We have been busy celebrating Elliana this week!


Grandma T. was the most special guest at her 4th birthday party!


Grandma's special present was Ellie's American Girl doll, named Emily. This doll is lucky to have such a wonderful mommy. Ellie is incredibly nurturing, and has not lost site of Emily since her arrival.


Papa and Grammy supplied the Snow White dress-up.


I made the cake.


And now that she's 4, she's driving semi-trucks. (At the park at MOA. Thanks to my awesome friend).

A few things to remember about my sweet Ellie:
-She has patience beyond her years
-She has an amazing memory and keen sense of direction (she always knows where we are in the car and if I ever stray the course).
-She's already learning to sight read words
-She is responsible and in some ways like a grownup (we're actually surprised if she happens to do something age-appropriate -- like color on walls!).
-She is physically strong and athletic. Throwing a ball, jumping, cartwheels, etc. come very easily.
-In the past year, her confidence has blossomed. It's awesome!
-She also learned how to write her name this year.
-She is impressively nurturing to her dolls, little sister, or anyone younger than her
-She craves her "soft blankie"
-She is tenderhearted

I love you Elliana! I'm so proud of you and love being your mommy!

In two months of skating..

We went from this...


To this!


It truly is amazing how fast they learned. I'm grateful because this experience didn't start out at the top of my list of fav's.

Here's my top ten list of all the things intimidating about taking your kids to ice skating lessons in Minnesota:

10. Dressing them in full winter gear while at least one of them whines, complains, and refuses to wear snow pants because they "don't feel comfortable."

9. Carrying two pairs of skates, two helmets, a diaper bag, and a 20-month old on the long walk into the ice rink (of course a stroller is not an option due to the unplowed parking lot and the several inches of fresh snow).

8. Trying to shove four feet into skates while your toddler is running off and the class is about to start.

7. Making friendly conversation with the mom sitting next to you, only to be embarrassed because of the skating terminology she uses that is not in your vocabulary.

6. Realizing you just put your babies on ice with sharp blades attached to two of their limbs, and then watching them fall, and fall, and fall...

5. Trying to skate with them (as expected by the teacher) and straining to simultaneously hold both of them upright when you barely know how to skate yourself.

4. Watching the other parents literally skate impressive circles around you.

3. Realizing you were the only parent to rent skates because all the other parents seem to have well-worn hockey skates.

2. Listening to your 5-year-old complain that she is by far the oldest and tallest in the beginner class.

1. Not being able to feel warm again until the next day because you freeze in the whipping winds and sub-zero temps on the way into the ice arena, freeze for 60 minutes in the ice arena, freeze on the walk back to the car, freeze on the drive home, and at that point, you officially become an icicle.

I suppose the intimidation, drama, and stress were worth it because look at them go!


And I'll throw in a picture of the mascot for good measure.

Dear Valentine,

I am the luckiest girl in all the world that you chose me to be your valentine!


Nine years ago today, you asked me to marry you!


Our wedding was amazing and I was in love.


But I had no idea that I could love you more and more each day. Through the joys and sorrows of each day of our marriage, our love has been strengthened!


We shared our college graduation day!


You encouraged me to go on adventures that I wasn't sure I wanted. But I grew as a person and we grew as a couple.


You encouraged me to try new foods that I never thought I would enjoy.


We laughed about the "simple" things.


Our faith has grown together, and you have always been a great example to me.


We have spent hours traveling the world and making lasting memories.



And have seen cities I never dreamed of seeing.


Your sense of humor has helped make it joyful-- even in the face of adversity. Facing what life might be like without you, strengthened my love for you, and has made me NEVER take even a day for granted.


I prayed for an extension of your life so I could see you be a silly Daddy. I knew you would be great!


Even though you have yet to have any sons, our girls adore you as much as I do!


You work so hard to advance your education and to support our family. You have kept your smile through your trials.

Together we have seen God's beautiful creations.


And welcomed three of them into our home!


You are my go-to guy. My anchor. My stable force.


My best friend! I love you forever and am so happy to be married to you!! Happy Valentine's Day!