Bikes and Such

With the warming weather Audrey made the brave decision to try her bike without training wheels.  We were all amazed at how quickly she caught on.  There were definitely some frustrating learning moments but after a week she was riding all over the place all on her own.  I have been really proud of her.  She is often out in the garage practicing and wants us to go outside any chance we have.  

 One very excited and proud face.  Now whenever I'm outside she makes Julia announce, "Ladies and Gentlemen presents Audrey on her bike!"  And then Audrey comes zooming around the corner.  We are expected to shower her with applause and cheers at that point.  Whenever Bryan is outside with us we also always end up having some kind of competition.  I believe at some point last week we were both on the girls' scooters having a race from one end of the drive way to the other (I had to forfeit because Bryan nearly collided with me more than once.  I'm not as adventurous as he is.)   At another point we were timing ourselves to see how fast we could run around the house.  Bryan definitely keeps things exciting around here.

 We went on a family walk on Sunday.  It's always amazing to me that the most unlikely of places make for the greatest days.  The girls loved this little pond we found and would have dug in the sand and played in the reeds all day if we would have let them.  Lily is just content to whine about the cold and eat rocks.

 Julia was hiding in these sticks at one point.  I'm not sure what plot they had going on in there.  I'm sure spies were involved.

 Audrey found some sand and...

 Julia was very quick to join in.

 With Julia being in school all day long I know I'm not always good at making sure she has friends over.  So the other night I let her and Audrey invite one friend over and we had pizza, painted toe nails and watched a movie.  It was a huge success.  I need to do things like this more often.  It made the girls very happy.

Some video proof that Audrey has learned.  This was filmed her first day.  She has actually improved so much since then.  

I also have some cute videos of our Lily.  She is so dang fun right now.  She loves animals and babies as you can see.

The Last Little While

I'm always amazed at how much time passes before I take pictures off of my phone.  Here's what' been going on the past couple of months.

We frequently go and visit Bryan at work for lunch.  Shockingly, they have really good food and we enjoy catching him for a bit.  They serve things like Salmon in herb butter and a side of garlic parmesan cous cous.  Not being in residency has meant having Bryan around SO much more. Having lunch together was unheard of those four years at Riverside.  It is nice and helps break up our days.  

 We had a snow day in February and we spent the majority of it making crafts.  Julia could do that all day.  She really loves art.  Her grandma brought her a huge art suitcase for Christmas and it has been used every single day.  This day she made a Valentine decoration for our window.  I love having their artwork hanging where I can look at it every day.  It's funny how many people in our ward/neighborhood notice it.

 She's just growing up before my very eyes.  She loves it when I put a treat in a bowl for her.  It makes her feel grown up.

 Aimei got this adorable outfit for Lily.  She looks so cute with her chubby little legs in those leggings.

 Story time is a big deal at our house.  Julia and Bryan have been working on chapter books together.  They each alternate reading a page.  I know he really enjoys that time with her and I'm glad they get to do that together.  Her current favorites are the "Treehouse" series and the "Boxcar Children."

 Lily is always trying to put on someone's shoes.  She is really good to smile for the camera.  It makes for some cute pictures that's for sure.

 This was actually taken in Las Vegas on my girls' trip.  I had my first In-N-Out burger.  I felt it deserved a photo for the momentous occasion.

 We love any "warm enough to be outside" kind of day right now.  Lily would spend the entire day outside wandering around.

 I made hearts in the hair for the girls on Valentine's Day.  They loved the attention they got whenever we went anywhere that day.  Julia said the lunch ladies all gathered around her during lunch to look at her hair.

 We got to go to Julia's school party that day.  A room full of sugar high first graders is always exciting.

 Lily even got a cookie.

 We went to a state park close by one morning for a long walk.  It was a little chilly but so nice to be outside.  I have been so thankful that the weather has allowed these jaunts for the past month or so.  We have pretty mild winters here and I am really enjoying it.

 One of Julia's masterpieces.  She has put that art kit through some serious use.

 Oooh we love this little monkey.

 Bryan took Julia and Audrey to see Phillip and Kacie be sealed in the temple.  Because Lily is not great in the car or for long days we decided it would be best if she and I stayed home.  She actually got to take a bath all by herself.  I'm pretty sure she didn't know what to do being in there alone and having free reign on all the toys.

 I took her on a date to Cafe Rio, just the two of us.  I'm always amazed at how easy one child is.  You definitely forget.  It was nice to have a weekend just for Lily but with the way she adores her dad and sisters (as do I) we were pretty thrilled when they came back home.  It was way too quiet at our house.

 We went on a hike around the lake by our house and this was the sunset as we were leaving.  I don't know why it is but I have never seen such beautiful sunsets as I do here in Idaho.  Every single night the sun sets in the window in our kitchen and every night it is beautiful.  I really love it.

 I get to spend most of my days with these two buddies.  They are very good company.

 Audrey has been working on her reading and is really making great progress.  She pulled out her scriptures to read the other morning.  I know she couldn't read a word but I love seeing her make the effort.

 At daddy's work for lunch again.  Lily kept making a break for the gift shop with all the breakable trinkets.  She is getting so fast these days!

 Bryan put Lily on his shoulders and was messing with her by moving around.  She did NOT like that.

 Just today the weather was absolutely beautiful.  We went on a long walk and sat out on the lawn.  I love those moments with my family outside, watching my girls caught up in a world of fairies and spies and just watching them explore.  It's those little moments I want to freeze in time....until they start fighting because Audrey wouldn't let Julia be the fairy she wanted to be.

 Dad is a frequent jungle gym.

 It really was a perfect Sunday afternoon.

Bryan saw this on the internet and decided if desperate times called for desperate measure he would be able to at least give the girls a ponytail.