Spring Break

We had such a great time last week! We went to Florida to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday. I am so glad that we were able to be there for her. She is an amazing woman and has lived an inspiring life. We loved being in our shorts and flip flops and not having to bundle up everytime we went outside. We went to Disneyworld, both the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom. we took my grandma along with us and she did great! It was so nice to be together as a family and to have Aaron with us the whole time! It was a much needed and much appreciated break! Here are a few pictures from the trip. With Grandma and Grandpa, GiGi and Minnie Mouse!
One of the 3D shows. Maggie loved it!
Hallie LOVED this kiddie water slide at Typhoon Lagoon.
Maggie loved it, too, but it took a few minutes for her to decide that!
At GiGi's Party!
Cute sisters!
At Chef Mickey's.
We took Hallie and Abby on the River Rapids ride and they loved it! They were so proud of themselves!
I thought this was too cute. Maggie loved to be wherever GiGi was.
Hallie and Abby went on Splash Mountain. I couldn't believe that they did it and liked it! They are big enough for "big kid" rides now. It is so much fun!

A Moment to Give Thanks . . .

I have to admit that I am terrible about leaving comments on my friends' blogs, and even about adding my friends to my "friends" list. Like most of you, my computer time is very limited, so I buzz around trying to catch up and see what everyone is up to, but I don't always leave comments. I love it when people leave comments on my blog, so I don't know why I do that, but my point is . . . I love reading about your lives and families, even if I don't always say it!

As I was reading blogs last night, I came across a great friend of mine that I used to dance with at BYU. I had been anxiously checking her blog to see if she had had her twins yet and came across something that really made me think. I saw that the twins had were born and were healthy and were actually three weeks old, and then I saw a picture of her husband dressed in his Army Uniform and a blog titled, "Deployment Day". I read about her family and how they had to say goodbye to husband and dad for at least a year, while he went BACK to Iraq to serve our country. I read about how her three year old cried when he had to say goodbye and about how "Daddy's" arms trembled as he passed his three week old twins off to my friend Camille, accepting his duty to serve and miss the first year of their lives. I read about how Camille worried about his safety and how she planned to get by while he was away. And then something that really struck me, she said, "People ask why and how we live this life, and we say, we live this life so that you don't have to." That really struck me and I just had to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who serves our country in that capacity. It is so easy to go on living my life, to not even really think about how the war is impacting so many families' lives. But when I read a personal story about a dear friend of mine, it hit me a little harder and made me very grateful to those who live that life and make those sacrifices. I can't imagine what that would be like and I just wanted to say thank you and hopefully help others take a minute to remember those who put their lives on the line for us, and their families, and to remember to pray for them and their safe return.

And baby GIRL makes three!!!!

Well, the long anticipated day of ultrasound came and we are having another girl! I have to say that I was shocked. I really thought it was a boy! I hate to admit it, but my "mother's intuition" has been wrong all three times! Luckily I have Aaron's "father's intuition" because, once again, he was right. Sadly, I spent an hour today, returning the few "boys" items I had already purchased. That little guy (if it had been) was named, dressed and nursery decorated. Now that it has sunk in a little, I am getting very excited about the idea of a house full of girls! The new little one is healthy and strong and of course, measuring on the higher end of things! We are so excited and feel so blessed to have this little one coming to our family. So now we need a little help with names! We are having a hard time with it this time. We have NO possibilities that we have come up with, so we welcome your suggestions! In fact, we are begging for them! Anyway, just wanted to share our exciting news!

Funny Funny Stuff

Maybe it is because it is getting late and we are a little sleep deprived, but Aaron and I were cracking up at this video. So , we thought we'd share.

Valentine's Day Pictures ( A little late!)

So I know these pictures are a little late, but I had to post them, mostly for my family to see. But also because I have been meaning to write about Hallie's Valentine Party at school and the cutest thing that happened there. So all morning I was telling Hallie about her Valentine Party and Mag kep saying, " Hallie- party . . . me, too?" I said, "yes, you get to go to Hallie's party, too". This is a huge deal for Mag because she wants to do EVERYTHING that Hallie does. When we got to the party, I was cracking up b/c Mag was acting just like she was one of the older kids. She jumped into musical chairs and they couldn't figure out why the numbers were off, b/c Mag just blended right in. So once we figured it out, Hallie held out her hand and said, "Here Mag, come play with me" She led her through the game and helped her understand the rules. Then they played a game where they had to find a certain color of heart that was hidden in the room. Hallie found two hearts each time and gave one to Maggie and told her to take it to the teacher. She let Maggie help her make her animal sounds for animal charades. I was so impressed! It was so cute. Hallie was being such a great sister. They aren't always that agreeable, but they are really starting to get along and Hallie does such a great job with her "little tagalong!" Just the other day, Hallie was kind of sad that I don't sing her the potty song after she goes potty. (It is a really silly song that we sing to encourage Maggie) anyway, after I explained to her that she was a pro at going potty and I used to sing her the song and now we are trying to teach Mag, she was instantly satisfied and runs into the bathroom to sing for Maggie everytime she goes. I love it! I love that they are friends and that they are getting old enough to really play together and love each other! Sorry, kind of a different post, but I was just watching them play today and remembering the Valentine Party and I was so thankful for what I have.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

I know that I just did a spotlight on my sweet hubby, but since it is (was) his birthday, another post about him is totally justified! We had a fun celebration on Saturday. Hallie and I decided to make Aaron a "beach" cake and have a luau for his party. We thought it might pull us out of our depression about the winter weather! It worked for a night anyway! Also, we went out to dinner with some friends and then went to the Nascar Race similator in the mall. Aaron said it was really fun! They wouldn't let me ride because I am prego, but he liked it. I took a hint from Debbi's blog and got Aaron the Planet Earth DVD's. Thanks for a great idea Debbi. We all love them! We found a sweet deal on ebay, so I like them even more! Anyway, Happy Birthday to Aaron. can't wait until spring break when we can actually hang out again!

Aaron and his "treat" from Fuddruckers!

In the Nascar!

Our Beach Cake, minus the people. By the time I got the people out, Mags had done a number on the cake, so this was the best we got!

Daddy and his girls at the Luau!

Celebrate!

Well, I have to admit that I am nervous to say this outloud, but I potty trained Maggie and it worked! Anyone who knows me knows that my experience with Hallie was, " less that desirable", so I vowed to wait until Maggie was 4 to even try! But since she was basically potty training herself, I decided to support her in her efforts and it was a success! (At least I think) It has been a week and we have had successful outings and even made it through church accident free. I am so excited and wondering how I should spend the extra $50 a month!

Most of you know we are having a baby in July! We are so excited! Hallie has even set up toys in her room in anticipation, "just in case the baby comes today and wants to play in my room". It is so cute and I feel so bad that she has to wait until July. I feel so bad that I have to wait until July! And speaking of waiting. I must admit that I twinge with envy as the girls due only a week or two ahead of me are finding out what they are having. I have to wait until March 5! What a cruel joke! I will be 22 weeks. So I am desperately looking for a way to sneak in an early ultrasound. I have volunteered myself as a subject at Whitney's ultrasound tech school and have even located a fetal photo studio in Des Moines. If I opt for the fetal photo, my husband might get actually, really get mad ( for once). Any ideas?

Lastly, I have a new obsession. I really want a bunk bed type deal in my girl's room, but I have these weird fears about bunk beds. I worry about someone falling off the top and I worry about a child falling off the ladder and I even worry about the top bunk crashing down on someone's head. (Probably stems from sleeping on the bottom bunk with my brother above and hearing every little creak in the support beams). Anyway, I think I found an alternative. It is a bunk bed, but not nearly as high, with stairs instead of a ladder and no one's head under the top bunk. Sounds perfect! Only it is WAY out of our price range. So I have been trying to figure out how to get this bed. I found a guy in Craig's List who can build it for a third of the cost. Has anyone had experience with that? Would you recommend it or is that crazy? Also, do you think it would be too wierd to sleep with your head out in the middle of the room? Thoughts? Advice? I would appreciate any input! Here is a picture of the bed so that you can get the visual.

One more thing. Can anyone tell me how to get rid of the space at the bottom of every post. It is really annoying and I can't get rid of it!