A little trip...

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Bolingbrook, IL. A short weekend getaway. Though, I don't think "getaway" would be the best choice of words considering it was with 2 kids under the age of 3 and a man who loathes shopping. But I can honestly say we all had a good time, though one more day and it'd probably be a lie. We stayed in a nice little cottage-like hotel there, went swimming with the girls and loaded up at Ikea.

First real time swimming with Elliana and we found she is a water baby just like her brother and sister. And if his mom is wondering if Heath made it out of that huge store without hyperventilating , he was so wonderful and patient. Though he reminds me occasionally I owe him big. The kids were little troopers too. All sweethearts.

Over the past weeks

So, its been a while. A little bit of everything, laziness, business, homesickness, and just plain sickness. Flu season has been terrible to us this year. But everyone is doing much better. Hope I don't jinx us. Here are some random pics over the past few weeks.

We've been painting our house and Saydee loves to help.

We bought a little potty a little over a week ago to embark on the potty training journey. Yet I have lacked the time and energy to start. It's been a crazy few weeks and yes I'm a procrastinator who likes to make excuses. So, Saydee found the potty chair and I came in to our family room to this. No, she didn't actually go potty but she apparently knows the routine. I think she's been ready for a while, just waiting on mom to start the process. Anyway she's excited about being a big girl.

And she loves to explain to "Anna" all about her potty and what its "all about". Big responsibilities. Here we go...

Checkups with Elliana

Elliana had her 9 month checkup this week. All of our babies have been cute little chunkers well above the curve, and I'm talking into the 100th percentile. But, apparently Elli hasn't grown at all. She was in the 75 % last checkup and now she is at the 25% in both height and weight.
Our Dr. says that is completely fine, that its just her genes taking over. And considering my side of the familywith lots of short people, no surprise there. So, no worries and we still kept those adorable rollie pollies.

We also met with our plastic surgeon who was impressed with Elli's progress with the helmet and reshaping her head. All of our doctors say she is meeting her milestone requirements very well. As you can see she is a beauty. So sweet and happy.

Pony rides

Lately Saydee loves to pretend she is an animal. Dogs, cats, horses. One day she was a snake, so so funny. Anyway this particular day she was a horse and we let Elli ride her around the living room. Saydee was wearing braids that day and she grabbed hold of them like reigns.
Saydee kept saying, "neigh, neigh, neigh" It was hilarious to watch.
She made Heath and I try to ride her too.
This picture would have been much cuter had i not cut Elli's head off. Oh well.

Peaches

Saydee always wants to feed Elliana. So we finally let her. And I've got to say we were pretty impressed.

25 Random Things About Me

I have been tagged a few times recently. I figure this one would cover them all.

1. I love childhood games; 4-square, capture the flag, red light green light, colored eggs...
2. My lowest grades in high school were in Spanish and PE; "D" in both.
3. I served a Spanish speaking mission and got my degree in Physical Education
4. I still dream of having a pet dolphin and living like the characters on Swiss Family Robinson
5. We have moved 4 times in the last yr and a half.
6. I once performed CPR on a man at an ATM assisted by a self-proclaimed nurse, very scantily clad. I later found out she was a prostitute trying to collect $ from the man. Very surreal experience. Fortunately i didn't contract anything. Unfortunately the man passed on.
7. I love watching a storm outside.
8. I took a lot of recreational classes in college. Volleyball (3 X) Horseback riding, kayaking, snowboarding (2x), fly fishing, step aerobics, swimming, kickboxing. They got me through it, with alot of credits.
9. I am notorious for getting lost. Terrible with directions. Terrible.
10. I love playing in the snow. I can make nearly anything out of snow; giant turtles, trains, igloos, forts...
11. I love things super organized. If not, I'm a complete non functioning mess
12. I love a clean, open, uncluttered house. Though its not always so
13. 90% of my time in the car is spent in song at the request or demand of our 2 yr. old
14. I prefer snow cones to ice cream
15. I am way too impulsive by nature
16. I played the saxophone for 3 years.
17. I don't even remember the scale.
18. I recently got a job teaching aqua boxing and swim lessons. Only 8 hrs a week. I love it!
19. Favorite colors: green, red, orange, black, white... and sometimes blue
20. I once told a thief to empty his pockets. Yes, a little too bold and perhaps not my brightest hour... again I came away unscathed.
21. Heath and I signed up for a team triathlon. Aug 15th. This was my first week of training and I want to die from pain and then eat a greasy cheeseburger with curly fries.
22. I wanted to be a veterinarian as a kid
23. I love to snuggle with my husband and kids.
24. I would love to learn how to... play the piano, knit, simple wood working, sew (basics), and play racquetball or tennis
25. I often worry too much and over analyze things.

I tag anyone who has a moment to share some random things! I'd love to read them!

St. Louis Temple

Saturday we took the girls to the St. Louis Temple. Actually, sad to say it was our first visit also. Yes, we've been here a year and 1/2 and the temple is 30 min away. So, it's our goal to attend more frequently.

It is small but so wonderfully peaceful and beautiful as all temples are. The girls loved it there. The temperature was great and it was just our little family around enjoying the temple grounds. I'm sure it's even prettier in the spring and summer.