Feeling HOT HOT HOT

It was the craziest thing. It seems like all of the sudden summer has arrived. In one day the muggy, steamy heat that is Ohio summers is upon us. Bryan and I were discussing this as we were melting in the sweltering 86 degree sunshine yesterday and decided that we actually don't mind it. There is a certain smell and feeling that comes with the Ohio summers that makes it...summer. And possibly because we are such strong supporters of air conditioning, we are actually very glad it is here, even with the perpetual sweaty back that is the result of the humid air. It's that heavy air that makes you want to jump in a swimming pool or make a trip to the Bunny Fountains.

In honor of summer's arrival and because I have been itching to put the girls and myself in a swimming suit we made a trip to the fountains.Ahhhh don't you just love summer. I have decided that one of my favorite things is the summer smell on my girls. That mix between baby sweat and sunscreen. I think that you can only appreciate your own child's summer smell as I can attest to teaching young children and smelling their odor as they came in from recess. That smell was not so pleasant. But the summer smell of my own children is wonderful, well...most of the time.


Audrey was not a fan of crawling on the hard cement so she started to bear crawl.

The dancing bunnies themselves. We always have to pay the bunnies a visit on the top of the hill before we leave. It was a beautiful day and here's to many more beautiful summer days to come.

This Month is Such a Special One...

Audrey and I celebrated our birthdays this week. I don't know if I've had this much birthday cake at my house for a while. My birthday was up first (the 13th) and we celebrated with a trip to Red Robin and some hugs from some very cute little girls.
Bryan spoiled me lucky this year and got me an I pod. I have officially left the 80's behind me. Within the last year not only have I gotten a cell phone but an I pod as well. I even learned how to use I tunes. He also got me the fancy shmancy arm band to go running with. I think that it accentuates my bulging biceps quite nicely. No one is going to want to mess with me.
Bryan also went to Cap City and got me this delicious chocolate cake. It was amazing. He got two pieces and I told him we would never eat it all in two days. Yes, I was wrong and I feel totally justified since it was my birthday. Bryan you are too good to me. Thank you for the best birthday.
It is SOOO crazy to think that this was me last year. Big and uncomfortable and VERY ready for a baby to come out. And four days after my birthday she finally came. Such a sweet and beautiful baby. You never fully appreciate how much joy and happiness they will bring to your life and into your home.
And now I am celebrating a year since that time! I just can't believe it. Audrey has actually been really sick the past few days. So you may see the droopy eyed look in a few of these pictures, but she did perk up a little bit as the day went on.

Her special present this year was a new flowery car seat. I figure that you use one of the car seats per kid and so I was going to get her one that was fit for a girl. She actually really enjoys it, despite the angry look on her face in this picture.
We came home pretty early from church because she has been so sick. I think her favorite birthday present of the day was me letting her get into Julia's toys. She knew she was being sneaky and loved every minute of it.
Julia and I decided some time ago we were going to make her a lady bug cake. Not too fancy but the girls were excited about it.
Audrey's special individual cake for her destroying pleasure.
Such sweet sisters. As Audrey is getting older they are playing more and more together.

The present made for a great mode of transportation.
And it wouldn't be a birthday without balloons.
Julia was VERY helpful in the unwrapping of the gift...
and with the playing of the gift. She told me that they needed to "share" it. Audrey was content to make animal sounds. She loves the cow "moooooo."
Now she's ready for some cake.

I was so impressed that she dug right in. She didn't waste any time.
She was even willing to share.
My good friend Miranda, from BYU, was here on business and came and had dinner with us. It was so great to see her and to celebrate Audrey's birthday with her. Always great to catch up with good friends. Thanks for visiting Miranda!
Here is some video for the family that lives so far away. Hopefully it makes you feel like you were here celebrating with us. Audrey girl, we love you so much and are so glad you are a part of our family. Here are a few quick things about Audrey at one year that I don't want to forget.
She is such a calm influence in our home
She can make lots of animal sounds. Her favorite is the doggie bark. She also roars really good.
She can find most of her body parts and is particularly fond of her tummy and tongue.
She can say a few words. Her very favorite is "more" which gets her pretty much whatever she wants.
She loves baby dolls .
She's learning how toys work and how they fit together.
She is very sensitive and gets very sad when we tell her no.
She loves to be around us and likes to go to other people.
She loves to close doors but isn't too excited when she closes a door and is in a room by herself.
She likes to pretend to comb her hair and put lotion on.
She is too chicken to walk yet but loves her little walker.
She probably has chapped cheeks because I kiss them too much. We love you Audrey!! Happy Birthday Sweet Heart!

Things We Are REALLY Loving...

Well obviously this wild woman...and this little ballerina with the new little leg warmers I made her...


but Julia's love right now is her new big girl bike. We bought it from a friend and I was so excited to bring it home to Julia. I knew it was a little boy bike but I thought the fact it was red would make up for the bears printed all over it. Julia tried really hard to love it but the fact that she knew it was a boy's bike made it a little difficult. So my wonderful mom (Happy Mother's Day, I love you!) bought her a basket and a windmill to put on the front and then we plastered princess stickers all over it. Now it is the coolest bike on the block and Julia rides it so well. My new love is our new jogging stroller. Now don't go thinking we are high rollers. This is certainly not the top of the line stroller, but I LOVE it nonetheless. It fills the time when Bryan is on call and gives us something to do together when he is home. It has already been well-used.
Here are a couple more of the cute girls that I get to enjoy every day. Mother's Day is a great day to reflect on how blessed I am to be a mother. These two little girls have brought me more joy than I could have ever hoped for.

Rockin'

My husband is so cool. Check this out. Not only do I have a super sexy husband but some pretty cute kids as well. Kara is so talented (and super fun to hang out with) and if you happen to live in the Salt Lake area she will be booking sessions from June to September. Her info is on the website I linked. Thank you Kara!

Lost in Translation

Do you notice that when you have kids, pretty soon you start using new words? This is happening on a regular basis at our home and I thought I would give a run down on some of the new words we are using.

Lucky Arms Translation: Lucky Charms

Rice Christmas Trees Translation: Rice Crispy Treats

Asada Translatation: Quesadilla (We quickly fixed this one just because it could be confused
with another "A" word).

Snanwich Translation: Sandwich

Robin Pins Translation: Bobby Pins (It's like a little game every time I fix her hair. She has a bobby pin hidden for me to find. She thinks she is "fixing" her hair.)

"You-the-See" Translation: Tennessee

"That thing that goes round and round and round" Translation: The merry go round

Captain Morhino Translation: Captain Moroni

Spoiled Lucky Translation: Combo between Spoiled Rotten and "I'm so lucky."

Nogurt Translation: Yogurt

Capting Cook Translation: Captain Hook

Old McDonalds Tranlation: McDonalds Resteraunt

We have also come into the "Why?" phase except we use "how?" instead. For example: "How do we go to the store?" "How do we eat lunch now?" "How is Audrey crying?" Obviously she intends to use "Why?" but it does create some interesting answers and confusion on both ends.
To not leave our little Audrey out, she is pretty busy these days as well.

She is ALMOST walking. You know that stage where they can stand on their own for a long time but just chicken out as they begin to take steps. She is getting a little bit braver though and I think she'll be walking soon. She can say a few words. She says baby, mama, dada and more.

She is also still deathly afriad of the vacuum cleaner. The other day I was vacuuming and she of course was trembling from head to toe frantically finding a place to hide. So Julia went to comfort her. She literally clung to Julia the entire time I vacuumed.
Her little personality is showing itself more and more each day. She is such a tease but such a little cuddle bug. She is our weakness. None of us can resist her. And in just two short weeks my baby will be one! Where does the time go?