Sisters

It has warmed my heart to see my two girls begin to interact with each other.  When I was expecting Ireland I knew in my heart that if Blaire got a little sister they would be best friends.  I am beginning to see their relationship develop and it makes this momma proud. The other day they were playing and cuddling in Blaire's bed and I was lucky enough to capture the moment with my camera.

UCLA Botanical Garden

We're finally to the point where we feel we can start to venture out more as a family without total chaos. A little field trip to the UCLA Botanical Garden seemed like a nice, close, and stress-free idea.  I had visions in my head of our wedding reception at the stunning Red Butte Garden at the University of Utah.  UCLA's garden is not quite at that level, but it was quiet and secluded, and an overall lovely outing for our little ones.  

Summertime and the living is easy...

First item on the summer bucket list is complete.  Strawberry picking at Underwood Farms is always a fun field trip.  The berries are gorgeous and perfectly sweet and we Angelenos get to feel like we've escaped to another time/place.  A great day.  On to more summer fun!

Vegas, Pismo Beach, and Stuff

We went on a few short trips during April.  San Diego to see the Browns over Easter (technically March I guess), Vegas so that I could run another Tough Mudder, and then up to the central coast just to take a breather before Ally's Mom went back home.  A big thanks to Marilyn for all her help while she was here.   The girls (and I) are lucky to have you.  Great to see Grandma and Grandpa in Vegas as well.

Who's that panda?

Nothing like paying 3x retail for M&M's.  Blaire was on sensory overload.

Enjoying some Vegas sun.

First swim.

Blaire thought it was Rapunzel's castle.

The gardens at the Bellagio.

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My mudder buddy

Morro Bay

Hearst Castle

The pool at our new house

First Word?

I can't verify, but I believe that Ireland began saying Dad and Daddy this week.  I'll leave it to Ally to confirm or deny, but I believe we have a first word on our hands.  Dad-2, Mom-0.

The Girls

I am grateful each and every day for my two little girls.  Each day we laugh, we get frustrated, and occasionally get just plain angry.  Every day is an incredible amount of difficult work, and yet every day is such a joy. 

One of my greatest sins is that I can have trouble remembering the big picture when I am in the moment.  When Blaire is being difficult at the same time Ireland is tired and having a grumpy day, I can lose myself in the frustration that ensues and lose perspective very easy.  But whenever I look back I only remember how great it is to have them in my life.  What's very instructive to me is that I don't need to look back very far.  Each day when I lay my head on the pillow, even on the most difficult days, I think of them, the funny things they do and say, and thank my lucky stars that they are in my life.  LOVE them.

Blaire is all grown up.  She remembers the lyrics to songs after only hearing them once.  She puts on regular concerts using the broom handle as a microphone.  Her latest "tour" consists of the songs from the Barbie movie "The Princes and the Popstar."  She loves to dance and prefers not to do it alone.  She'll turn on music, then come grab her mom or me and enlist us in the jubilation.  Her favorite thing currently is for me to spin her around by her hand a-la country swing dancing.

Ireland loves to be involved.  If she's awake, she wants to be held upright and facing out.  And awake is pretty much all the time.  Girl hates to nap (and frankly still doesn't much like sleeping through the night).  Talks a lot, mostly the "baa, baa" sound.  Very drooly.  She has great dexterity and grabs and plays with anything in reach.  Apparently hates socks as she immediately pulls them off her feet once put on.  Very photogenic.

Photogenic

Irish Girl 1

Irish Girl 2

Easter

Great day with family and reflecting on our Savior's gift. One of my favorite passages in the New Testament is when two of the disciples are traveling to Emmaus following Christ's resurrection and Jesus joins them, but their eyes were holden that they did not know him.  Toward the end of their journey they ask the Savior to tarry with them, still not knowing who he is.

 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

 32 And they said one to another, Did not our ^aheart ^bburn within us, while he ^ctalked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

 

I at times worry that if I lived and walked with Jesus that I would have doubted the resurrection as I tend to be a cynic, and that sometimes the tangible (actually knowing the Savior) is harder to believe than the intangible (having faith in someone who has always been presented as God).

 

Then I read these words and remember that whether you walk with Jesus or not, the spirit will testify of his divinity if you are willing to listen and obey.  This always brings me comfort.  What a generous Heavenly Father.

Happy Easter!

Coloring Eggs!

Never Too Young

The Easter Bunny Came!

A New Stuffed Piggy

Nanny and the Cousins

Cutest Ever!

Love My Girls