Catching up

We had a huge dust/rain/hail storm the other night... Since it NEVER rains...We just had to let the kids play in it..they had a blast!!

Remember this dear friend? Our sister Regiane-Nonnie graduated from EAC with her nursing degree a HUGE accomplishment! We were so proud of her and happy we could be there to support her. She is so amazing...came to the states just 4 years ago, taught herself English, started school and now has a nursing degree! So impressive...we can't wait to see where she is going to go and get a job!

Doug and I had a PERFECT trip to Hawaii...a dream I tell you....I have like 200 pictures to sort through and share with you all. Until then here is a teaser....us at Shark's Cove...our favorite snorkel spot...and below at Kualoa Ranch- an incredible mountain....I am So in love with my Doug...and so very blessed...

An Unforgettable Birthday

 Doug and I turned the big 31 this past week. And in TRUE Dougie style, we celebrated with a bang! We took the girls out of school and went to saquaro lake on our new boat....oh lala! Being quite the handy/salesman, Doug traded a boat for a new A/C unit. And let me tell you it was a blast!!! We swam in the lake, had a picnic, played on the shore, and enjoyed every minute of our time together. I cannot wait for the family adventures and memories that we will make on this thing.

My awesome sister watched the kids while we went to dinner and test drove a few cars(our van is slowly dying:(

I just finished reading Heaven is Here, By Stephanie Neilson which talks about her trials of overcoming being burned 80% of her body. She shares the gospel, promotes motherhood, and is an incredible writer. I am so grateful for my health, and all my many blessings. So on our bday and everyday since, I have looked at motherhood differently.

That morning Doug gave me the shock of a lifetime. 

He surprised me a week long vacation in Hawaii! OH MY GOODNESS!!! Tears were running down my face, and I was weepy all day! I truly don't know how I got so lucky. He planned the flights, hotels, booked the sitters, and gave me a few days to prepare. I am giddy with excitement. Hawaii has always been on the top of our list of places we want to go-and wow....dream come true. I know this will be a perfect"baby-moon" and chance to reconnect before the real craziness of the summer hits. Sigh...and Doug is not just sweet with gift giving- he shows me everyday his love. He asks me daily, "What can I do to help?"  Today I had to take my phone into the store...I did NOT want to take the boys, so I asked when would be a good time for him to watch them. I told him, "I'm sorry I am such a burden on your busy schedule" To which he replied- You are my schedule, you are my life. Since we were 16 he has treated me this way....I LOVE HIM. What a blessing he is to me.

 The girls have been taking a little dance class and had a recital this past weekend. They were so cute up there dancing and wiggling their hips. Such precious girls! Our cousin Abigail came along for the fun...:)

 Mascara girls:)

I-phone pictures

We have been swimming now that it's hotter...so refreshing and cool!

Dress ups are always a plus....Grant has a super hero cape on

A few weekends ago, our friends invited us up to their cabin...and as luck would have it, it SNOWED! The kids and Dads suited up and played outside for all of 30 minutes..then back inside for hot cocoa....it was blissful!

Sometimes we don't get a nap and it gets to hard to stay awake....

Summer haircuts from Grandma...

Anyone else thinks this looks like my bro?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a.......

BOY!  We took the girls with us to the Dr. today, they were so adorable with their little inquisitive questions. He looks great and healthy and I have hardly gained any weight...score!

We can't wait to have another brother and missionary!

19 weeks to go....can I make it through the hot summer?

Easter and FHE temple night

The week of Easter I had a horrible sinus infection and a raspy cough. I was on meds and sleeping and had a fever and felt like crap! I'm so glad to be feeling better. And so grateful for modern medicine. Sat. rolled around and the Easter bunny had nothing ready for baskets or dinner. So a little sick, off to Walmart I went. Holy cow-it was busy! Got the stuff I needed and the next day we headed to church just for sacrament. I couldn't hardly talk let alone sing to do my calling. My sweet neighbor subbed and we came home to a peaceful evening together as a family. We decorated eggs, and had a hunt in the front yard. It felt a little weird not to have any other family around, but it was nice just to have my family.
Here are some pics from that day....

This past Monday for FHE we went down to our Gilbert temple. They were passing out pieces of the temple from a wall that was broken. We tried to get as much out of it as we could , but the boys were a little rowdy. We didn't stay very long. We drive past it almost every day and the boys will say, "Look Mom, it's my temple!" That's how I feel. It's huge and majestic and has been so fun to see the progess of the temple.

It was such a lovely day with temps in the low 80's that we went and got take out and went to a park by our house. We stayed until the sunset and enjoyed our time together. It's nights like this that make me so grateful for my husband and children. I have been so blessed and am so thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me. 

Here is little peanut..19 weeks along. I tease Doug and tell him that I feel like there is a little person in there because I feel so small. Being preggo with just one is crazy I tell ya:)

Cutest boys....

Playing, partying, potty talk

We had my sister Janiel over a few weeks ago with her kiddos to play for spring break. One night we got together with all the cousin's and made bird feeders for the front yard. The kids loved it!

 

 

Audree and Olivia have both lost one tooth...what an exciting time!

 Don't mind the pizza on the nose and face....

 We love our front yard....soft green grass

 Little Jesse is such a ham...he came up and said...."Cheese!"

And we had a party with grandma and cousins in town...another excuse to make a cars cake!

The boys have been ready for a while to potty train...I haven't been quite up to doing it yet until 2 weeks ago.  They have been doing pretty well...going #1 no problem!! #2 on the other hand...they have yet to go in the potty. They either wait and go in their pull ups or in the big boys....shesh...it's frustrating...

I have been battling a horrible cough and sinus infection and fever for the past week...it's been hard but thankfully my amazing Doug is always so helpful. Also little peanut is starting to kick...it is the best feeling! We find out on the 26th...can't wait!