Tucson - Part One

Recently we were able to go to Tucson for spring break - well part of it. Shawn had a conference for school the weekend before Spring Break. The conference paid for him and since Ali can still fly free - we decided to make it a family affair!! We had such a great time!! The weather was so nice and it was fun to get out of Athens for a week - a very quick week!

We were able to stay with Shawn during his conference. We stayed at the Westward Look Resort - they beds were so comfy!! It was close to my family and we had a LOT of fun doing so. They girls were so excited to go to "Aunt Suzanne's" and play with Brynlee!
They had a good time together - and yes, there is almost a year difference between Ali and Brynlee, but I think Ali would take her down quick.On Friday, before enjoying the lunch buffet at "the Hut" (and we did enjoy!) the girls and I walked around the resort - it was pretty!Some nice lady saw me taking pictures of the girls and offered to take one of all three of us! Thanks. (26 weeks pregnant in the picture)
How do you get your kids to smile? I tell them to say cheese - and what do they do, "SAY CHEESE!"

Next I just said, "Smile" and Andie would pose while saying, "SMILE!"
The grass was so green and the girls enjoy running around on it.
They even enjoyed playing ring-around-the-rosie


Ali LOVED the water fountain!

Funny girls - never smiled for the camera - oh well.

After lunch - we went back to aunt Suzanne's so the girls could play again. The girls and I both loved that they could run around in the backyard and not have to worry about them running off!! They played with bubbles (well, Ali ate the bubbles or dumped the bottle)We got time to hold baby Blane - he is such a cutie!
And of course - can't go anywhere without enjoying a snack - vanilla wafers and fruit snacks!!
The next day we went to the park with Brynlee and had a picnic. The girls had a fun time and Andie was SO nice to dump a shovel full of sand on top of Ali's head.
Later, we went back to Suzanne's and I was lucky enough to project with her and made a silk scarf!! She was experimenting for a YW's craft. The scarf used to be white - you draw on the design and then paint it. Then you use rock salt and rubbing alcohol to give it different effects. It was way cool and fun to make!

Thanks McGee's for all the fun - it was great to see you!!

Ali Update

I need to take more pictures of Ali....she is a funny, funny girl. I am glad to report that ALL four of her 2-year molars are FINALLY in and she has been SO nice the last few days....could my sweet Ali be returning?


Not fully. The little girl is SO tall and has decided she is big enough to do anything she wants (as long as she can find the stool). She loves to turn the lights on and off. Yesterday, I had a can of orange soda on the counter and had given her and Andie a little in their cups. When Ali had finished her's she decided she could "refill" it on her own. She took off the lid of her cup, poured the rest of the orange soda in her cup and I caught her putting her lid back on. She looked at me with a BIG smile...."I DID IT!" got down off the stool and walked away.

This morning, we were having toast for breakfast. She was sitting at the table and I walked in to find my phone in the computer room. I came back out, and she had reached the knife and FULL container of strawberry jam, walked back over to the table and was starting to put more jam on her toast. I am SO glad that container didn't spill, how, I have no idea. Again she looked at me and simply said "Hooray!"

She has been so nice lately. Rather than throwing food on the floor when she is done, she walks her plate to the sink and throws it in there. So nice, not to have to clean the floor after every meal.

Finally....she is our little flirt. We first noticed it whenever Elder Harrell came to visit. Ali would toss her hip to one side, tilt her head and smile. She would hold this pose until he would smile back. She would bat her eyes at him and show off "everything" she possessed. It was hilarious. However, over the last few days, she has given the "flirty pose" to others - some random guy in Walmart to name one.

Let's just say, she always keeps us smiling and is so fun to have! We love you little Ali....(although, I'm not sure why we call her that...she's not so little.) :)

4 weeks!!

No....I wish I only had 4 more weeks until baby came....but it's actually 15! I was looking at my friend's blogs and notice my last update was 4 weeks ago!! YIKES.

I have needed to download pictures from my camera, or I should say Andie's Camera. She has taken quiet a few pictures lately and they are funny - funny to see life through the eyes of a child. Maybe I will make a slide-show with them. Until then, here are a few random pictures.


TWINS - I can't go anywhere lately without people asking if the girls were twins. The answer is NO! However, I wonder now that it's obvious I'm pregnant, what look would I get if I said, "Yes! And I'm pregnant with triplets" It would probably be the same answers as, "No, they are 15 1/2 months apart....and yes, I am pregnant!"Needless to say - they are hilarious and have a great time together (mostly)
Yeah, I'm not sure what to say about this picture....Ali will always keep you entertained.It has finally warmed up the last few days and they girls LOVE to go outside and ride their bikes. I have to make sure Shawn is home now, because Ali get's going fast and I can't chase her down. Andie is doing much better and almost always riding now without the need for us to hold on to make sure she doesn't fall.
Andie doesn't like the vacuum, "it's too loud for me mom." I asked her if she wanted to do it, and now I always have willing hands to help! It's great.
"WAG!!" Yes, Ali is attached to a plain white burp cloth, which we call "Rag" or "WAG" The date has been set, as soon as we are back from AZ, the "Wag" is going to disappear.

The girls made Shawn a valentine while he as at Bishopric meeting...they had lot's of fun.Pose for the camera....Thank You Wal*Mart for your cheap $6 dresses!!
Strike a pose

We splurged for Valentine's Day and bought a delicious chocolate cake from Kroger. Obviously not your 4-layer Costco cake, but a very close 2nd for taste!! It was YUMMY!We are doing good - staying busy with our callings, schooling, parenthood and life, but we are enjoying every minute of it!!

Car Insurace = Life Saver

For those of you who don't believe in insurance - let me tell you why you SHOULD afford it.

I didn't mention yesterday, but about 10 minutes after leaving the Doctor's office, we were in a car accident - we hydroplaned into the back of a truck. First of all - we are ALL fine. All four of us were in the car and everyone was safe.

It did NO damage to the truck - which is also good. He had a trailer hitch on the back which punched a hole in our bumper and radiator (from what we could tell.) It was leaking transmission fluid (more like gushing) and steaming a little - so we called a tow truck.

The insurance adjuster just called and the estimated damage is $2,042.83 - YIKES!!!! Not only did it damage the front bumper, metal frame and safety bar - it also damaged the radiator, AC fan and AC conditioner.

The mechanics will get it taken apart and parts ordered and make sure nothing else is wrong hopefully by Tuesday. Then if parts come in on time, we hopefully will have the van back by Thursday or Friday. This is on the hope that ALL goes well and smooth.

BRIGHT SIDE of the story! We have insurance. We only have to pay $250 for all the repairs. Our insurance also covers a rental car during the time of repairs - so we do have a mode of transportation!!

So - we are feeling VERY blessed at this point - first and foremost that no one was injured and secondly that we don't have to pay $2,000.

Count Your Many Blessings!!!

It's A....

GIRL!!! We are so excited! Definitely will save on some money and we already know what we are doing. Andie is super excited and has been telling people all day that she is having a baby "gister" It's funny.

Happy Anniversary!!!

WOW - 4 years already. That is crazy....although it sometimes seems like we've been married for longer.

We have been through a lot together. We have 2 wonderful (most of the time) little girls and another baby on the way - we find out tomorrow if it's a boy or girl.

I graduated with my bachelor's, Shawn with his Master's. We moved across the country and Shawn is pursuing his doctorate degree at UGA. We've had lots of fun vacations - including a cruise to the Bahama's and a trip to Disney World.

We have been so blessed and are so thankful for the knowledge of the gospel. We are grateful to be married for time and eternity and that our family can be together forever - what a blessing!!

These have been a prosperous 4 years and we look forward to many, many more years together!!

Happy Anniversary Shawn - I love you!

Andie

My little Andie is growing up WAY too fast! I can't believe that she is a sunbeam!! It seems like just yesterday, Shawn and I were sunbeam teachers and she was a new born, sitting in the corner of the room. It's amazing how time flies.


Here is her first day of Sunbeams. They got a "crown" that said, "I am a Child of God."
She has also been to her first primary activity - they got to have breakfast in their pj's with their teachers. I can't get the pictures to download from my camera - so coming soon!
Ali wants to be just like her - and loved playing with the hat.I just wanted to say to all our past sunbeam parents - THANK YOU!!! I now know what it feels like to have a sunbeam and for some reason, you trusted us! YIKES!!! Andie has a great teacher and we are looking forward to all the things she will get to participate in now!!

Blankets

I made the girls blankets for Christmas - and it was a good thing too! We have been freezing ever since!

Ali's is purple, with farm animals. She loves animals and it's funny to hear to make all their sounds.
Andie's is PINK! (Surprised?) Pink with Minnie Mouse - also fits her personality very well!Now we can all snuggle in our very own blankets - which usually translates to mom holding 2 girls with 3 blankets on top! :)

The Bikes

The bikes have definitely been the fun present this year. It has been freezing cold to ride outside, but they get plenty of riding time on Ali's bike inside the house.

Here are some videos and pictures - when did the girls get so big?

Ali trying out Andie's bike. So funny!



I love Andie's proud smile as she is cruising along!! What a big girl!

Coming Soon.....

Here is a preview of what we've been up to!

Lot's of snuggle time!!Holiday Baking and PartiesLearning about Baby JesusA fun filled Christmas with lots of excitementAnd...sewing? Yes it is true - I now own a sewing a machine, I threaded it by myself and made myself a scripture bag!!

Lot's of exciting stuff - more details to come.