Pioneer Day

In honor of the 24th of July, we had a special Family Home Evening. We talked to Julia about the pioneers and made the little handcart that they had in the Friend this month. I LOVE the Friend for FHE ideas and Julia loves it when we whip out the glue and scissors. Though I must say the next morning I found that Julia had decided to get the glue and scissors out herself and make a beautiful mess. I'm just glad that she didn't do too much damage and she is always very quick to confess. So, I usually don't post things like this on my blog, but I guess I was feeling a little inspired and wanted to share some of my feelings. I always am in awe this time of year for all that the pioneers went through. It is so amazing to me that they were willing to sacrifice so much and make such a journey for their faith. I think that having my new little baby Audrey and thinking about how difficult it would be to make that journey with her gives me an entirely new appreciation for what the pioneer women did (carrying the baby across the plains and the natural child birth that they endured). I cannot imagine the sacrifice of leaving your home and all of your belongings and setting out in a wilderness, completely on faith that things would work out. I cannot imagine the loss and sickness they endured along the way. It bring tears to my eyes to think of the mothers that lost little ones along the way, that had to care for sick children with no means of medical supplies, and to listen to the complaints of your child who's feet were so sore from walking for so long. I am SO thankful for all that they did so that we could have the greatest blessing of the gospel in our lives. So, if you took the time to read this, and you really want to be uplifted, I am including a link to one of my very favorite talks given by M. Russel Ballard. If you get a chance you really should read it, I promise you won't regret it. You can get it here
Have a great Pioneer Day! And don't mind my cheesy post or the cheesy grin Julia is giving. She kind of had a difficult time grasping the concept of the pioneers. We just told her that they had to go camping for a really long time. When I did singing time for the little ones I told them to imagine having to walk to their Grandma's in Utah and having to leave all of their toys behind. One little boy, very concerned, said, "Even my trucks!?" I'm sure some very stressed out kids came home that Sunday.

Two Months

I can't believe two months have already gone by. I think the second child goes by WAY faster than the first. It is all a big blur of sleepless, crazy, joyful and wonderful moments that slip by too fast and yet you keep hoping to move forward. Audrey has been such a delight and I am enjoying her so much. She is much more awake and alert during the day and always has a smile for me and when in the right mood and occasional laugh. It is amazing to me how you can love a little body so much. I think that her face is chapped from me kissing it so much, and her smell is just the best. She is growing as she should and is a whopping 12 pounds. We are now in the 75th percentile all around so she is doing great. She's sleeping much better, which is nice. She's doing seven hour stretches which is GREAT. Julia absolutely adores her and is very careful around her. Of course sometimes she loves her too much, but that's the way it goes. My girls are my delight.
How could this face not make you smile!?

Julia has been begging me to add a video of her. She is singing "I Know You" from Sleeping Beauty. I think the choreography with the sunglasses is a nice touch. I am angry because my memory cut me off, but I am posting it anyways mostly for the joy it brings my two year old to watch herself on video.

Memory Lane Tag (You're It!)

Memory Lane.... the tag that gets everyone involved

Got this from a few friends and I thought I would play the game.

Here's how you play

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. it doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory of you. it's actually pretty funny to the responses. if you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

The Day I Was Waiting For!

As mentioned in previous posts, the dream of my heart was to dress my girls in matching outfits. I am pleased to announce that my dream has come true. I must say that it was everything I hoped it would be. It seems these days that Audrey rarely makes it out of her car seat, so you do not get to see the cuteness that is matching outfits, but I assure you it is very adorable. At the moment there are only two sets of matching outfits, that is soon to be changed much to Bryan's dismay. Now that I have started there is no stopping me. We will soon be moving on to church dresses and swim wear I am sure. So until then here are the pictures of the two matching outfits we currently have.
The pink and green stripes do coordinate beautifully I must say.
Check out those cute skirts! My girls definitely know how to work it.
And here's pictures of Audrey getting ready for church on Sunday. She is such a good poser. This is an easy age to take pictures. They can't move or protest. Now catching the two year old is a different story.

And for those family members who never get to see Audrey and for Grandparents who saw her a month ago but need to see how much she has grown, I did a little video. It is amazing to me that as a mother, how you can just stare at your baby. I find myself just watching and talking to her for long periods of time. The sad thing is when I am doing baby talk, Julia comes and mimics me and I realize how silly I really do sound. Oh well, I'm going to just keep on doing it.
I must admit, the video isn't too exciting, but I could stare at my little Audrey all day long. She is getting so chubby and cute I just can't stand it.

Happy Fourth of July!

We started the morning in the pouring rain watching the local parade. You can see Bryan in the background rocking a screaming Audrey. Julia started off very nervous of everything and would not go and stand by the road. When some guy tried to give her a flag she freaked out. But after watching the brave Zach and seeing the other children enjoying themselves she gave in and joined in the festivities. We made through half of the parade and then it was pouring and the baby was screaming so we went home and dried off.
She is trying hard to put on a brave face. I don't know when Julia became shy. Last year she wanted to run out in the road. This year she wanted to stay in her seat and watch from the sidelines. She had a great time though and loved the candy.
Million dollar smile.
My cute patriotic girls. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great, so we spent most of the day inside. But we did have a BBQ and the weather cleared up so we went to the fireworks. Julia was stoked to get to stay up late and loved watching the pretty colors in the sky while Audrey slept soundly in her carseat.
And I finally caught it on camera! Audrey has been smiling for a little while and it is so hard to catch it just right, but I finally did it! She has been such a sweetheart and makes us all so happy. Couldn't you just kiss that face right off?! Check out that wild hair!