This-n-that

A picture here, one there...that's the way it usually goes.
Here's to getting caught up on the blog!

Avery with her very first pony tail.
It was a stretch, but I got those 3 or 4 hairs into that rubber band :)

We had a really neat opportunity to take an ultra fast temple trip to Salt Lake with our little tiny branch from Eureka.
I'm pretty sure we live in one of the only places in the west that is 5 hours from a temple.
It was the first trip the Branch has taken together and it was a really neat experience!

View from our hotel room...I was hanging over the balcony for this shot.
Glad I didn't fall to my death :)

My girls have never seen the spring flowers at Temple Square.
We were a little too early.
I felt a little sad because I know what these little babies are going to turn into.

Before we headed for home (I was dreading the long car ride with Miss Avery who had just made the car ride there the day before) we decided to stop at Hogle Zoo.

It was such an amazingly beautiful day, a little crowded but totally worth it.
I love that these monkeys look like they are having a deep, serious, yet loving discussion.

Sometimes I feel like this..

Just a little too bright.

I wanted to stop someone and have them take a picture of our whole family,
Dan said no. Here's one of me and my girlies instead.

This giraffe was so close.
We could have touched him.

Waiting in line for the train.
And waiting...and waiting...are we at Disneyland??

30 mins+ in line...2 minutes on the train.

Kallie and her friend Mary Kate tried out and made it into the Eureka Talent Show.

Everyone who participated got a medal.
Kallie was so excited...it's hanging above her bed.

Unpacking the LAST load from the storage unit. Hallelujah!!

Avery and I are on the verge of a nervous breakdown (not really :).
Please let's never move again...I can't unpack even one more box!!

Somehow we're missing a few things. My exercise weights, our Wii guitar, Little Tykes shopping carts, baby doll strollers...if you see them on the side of the freeway will you grab them for me?!

Blessing

On Sunday, March 4th KayLynn and Dave blessed their sweet little baby Kyle.
So, so grateful we got to be there.
It's worth living in a little town so Dan can have a great office and we can still live close enough to drive home and be a part of these special events.

4-generation picture.

Smiling at Papa.

My mom and her dad...love this picture.

Me and my cute grandpa...love this picture too.

Two babies...love this picture too :)

Oh my, the sugar cookies Kamie made.
I won't tell you how many I ate.

Dan talking with my other grandpa...love this picture too.
These two can talk for hours.
Dan thinks my grandpa is a genius, I think he's right.

A sad story that must be told- my good friend Jeni and her cute girls drove down from Salt Lake to go to the blessing. We had been texting back and forth, but I wasn't sure if they were going to make it. They tried to come to the church, but missed the blessing so they decided to drive to my mom's house since they knew we were having lunch there after. They got lost and ended up driving around Springville and Mapleton forever. They tried to call my cell phone, they tried to text me...I left my phone in the back bedroom and missed them all (this is the part that makes me the saddest- if only I had my phone with me :(. They looked up my dad on white pages and ended up at his work. Most friends would have given up long ago, but they kept trying. Finally they found my parent's home phone number and called the house. I answered this time. My dad guided them in...we saw them for about half and hour before we had to head home. My heart hurts a little telling this story. I love Jeni and her girls...so glad we got to see them. If only it could have been for the hours they spent driving around. I promise to keep my phone near at all times forever more.

Sydney

On March 5th my sweet little Sydney turned 9!!!
We ended up in Utah because of a Court of Honor and a Baby Blessing...
Syd was thrilled to celebrate with cousins.
The party seemed to continue for days...

Before I post the b-day festivities, I wanted to post a couple for G'ma Sherry.
She gave the girls craft kits for x-mas and they LOVED them.
Here is Kallie modeling the tie-dye shirt she made...
I thought it turned out so cute! She wears it all the time.

They also got to make bead key chains...I think this one is a penguin.
Thanks G'ma Sherry- we love you!

The first thing Sydney wanted to do for her b-day was go bowling.
Dan & I had forced the girls to run about a thousand errands first...
this bowling trip was earned through blood, sweat and tears.
I loved this action shot :)

Dan killed us all (of course) and he didn't even use the bumpers.
I should have.

Go Kallie!

Sleepy baby...

So glad we got to see the Wiricks...oh how we love them.

Cousin party!

We made Harry Potter wands with sticks, wire and glow in the dark beads.

Costco cake- can't beat them really.
Happy 9th Sydney, Happy 12th Caden, Congrats James (for getting his Eagle), Welcome Kyle (was blessed the next day).

"My Auntie is Awesome"
KayLynn & Andrea bought Avery this shirt for x-mas so we needed a picture.

Coombs cousins

I wish Christie lived next door to me.
(Along with a lot of other people too)

Sometimes balloons are worth the money...look at that face :)

Norris family playing Harry Potter Uno
(I strategically cropped myself out- not a good pic of me).

Anthony and Riley- he was so proud of his cowboy hat and boots.

They couldn't wait to get their hands on the cake...

Sydney & Kelsey

Back at home...Monday, March 5th
Breakfast in bed- it's tradition!
Smoothies, donuts (from her new donut maker) eggs & bacon.

Hair party!

Class treats (from the donut maker again).

Friends over for pizza dinner.

Oh how we love our Sydney Rae.
I love birthdays...I love celebrating birth and life.
I really want my kids to know how much I love them.
What a fun weekend!