Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day, did you know? So Happy Earth Day to you! No, I didn't make up a song about earth day but we did do a little celebrating. McKell brought home a little worksheet from school for her to give herself points for things she does to help the earth. Some examples: use both sides of a piece of paper, walk instead of ride in the car, carpool, recycle, wear warmer/cooler clothes instead of using the heater/air conditioner. I went through the list with her and she marked the ones she has done this week, which was quite a lot.

It was nice out so we went out front to play. McKell came up with a wonderful game her and Alyssa could do. They were going to 'help the planet' by picking up any trash they found. We spent 3 hours outside riding bikes, playing with sidewalk chalk, and picking up all the trash. It may sound like we have a very messy yard (we don't) but they were digging through rock piles to find stuff and going to neighbors houses as well. They LOVED it! It was so funny to hear them yell 'over here, I found a little piece of paper' 'oh, I wish I would have found one, can you tear it in half so we can both have something to throw away'. Seriously they were cleaning fools, too bad they aren't like that inside. Maybe we will have a House Day, actually it should be a house day everyday.

When we moved to Iowa our main complaint was the crazy garbage system. They only let you have a certain amount of pounds in your garbage can which has to be the small can and you have to buy special bags for your yard waste and leaves. It was such a hassle, but it got us to recycle everything and now that I know the ins and outs of recycling I love it. When I am in Utah I am kind of disgusted that everyone doesn't recycle. So anyway Happy Earth Day. If you didn't get the chance to beautify something today do it this week.

Music to my Ears!

Our good friends, the Dawsons received some amazing news this week. Their little girl Sadie who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma last spring, finally got a 'break'. She has been receiving chemotherapy since July. They found out yesterday that while the tumors are still there, they are no longer active! This news made my day and I had to share it with all of you. Everytime I think of it I smile and tears come to my eyes. They have been through so much this past year and they finally have some hopeful news. The Dawson’s are such amazing people, and have shown such faith and strenght through it all. I know this will continue to be a trial, but it is so great that maybe soon she can feel like a 'normal' 2 year old. We love Sadie so much and she continues to be in our prayers.

I have a friend from high school who's little boy had some clean scans this week as well. With all the crappy news of the economy and the war and everything it really is music to my ears to hear about these wonderful, strong little kids who have been given a chance to live and fill our days with joy.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ok- So it isn't my birthday but I did go on a great weekend trip with my girlfriends and spent way more money than I will actually get for my birthday- so happy, happy birthday to ME!

I am back from

Chicago, it lived up to its name- the windy city, this weekend. It was windy and cold the whole time. We picked up friends at o'hare on Friday and stayed out in the suburbs to shop and play. We all got make-overs from at the mall and actually went to a make-up class on Saturday. We left with lots of new makeup and a few people had extra eyelashes! Wowzers we looked HOT!

We were able to go to the

Saturday morning. We had a great experience and it was so fun to spend some time in the Celestial room with my friends.

Saturday night we went to

It was awesome! This was the 2nd time I have seen it and I think I liked it a tad bit better this time. Both times it was wonderful. We stayed at the famous

Drake Hotel. It had the most comfortable pillows and towels of any hotel ever! But we had a few problems so I wouldn't recommend it -and for the price of the room we could have our own 1,000,000 thread count towels. :) It was fun to stay there, but I am very glad we got a big discount because of the nasty hair and toenail we found on the pull-out bed.

We went to bed during the early hours of the morning and did lots and lots of shopping. We ate at PF Changs and Cheesecake Factory and some other yummy places. There were 9 of us and we left 27 kids behind with our hubby's! What wonderful men they are to do this for us, we all needed some time away and had a blast just playing. I somehow lost my voice during the trip and on Sunday could only whisper- horrible! But everyone else probably liked not having to hear me talk. I finally am getting it back two days later. Monday morning when I talked to Alyssa she kept telling me to quit talking like that- you sound like a little girl. When I told her I lost my voice she said when are you leaving to go get it, Heavenly Father probably has it. I don't know how I survived 3 days with no Alyssa comments!

I think this is a great tradition- anyone up for next year? Let's do New York City!!

Banana Pants

Nate was doing this funny noise this morning so I pulled out the camera to see if he would do it, of course it was a no go. Alyssa said she would like to do something so she could watch herself on the camera. Here is the footage-

First day at the Park

We experienced our first day at the park this year. Remember it was Iowa style which means it included:

*hats, coats, and gloves

*runny noses

*socks and shoes

The kids had fun but it was a little too cold to be out there for too long. Here are some pictures of my kids and how they reacted to some swinging time:

McKell:

She didn't want to go too high. Wanted to be in control the whole time telling me push me 3 times and if I would do it 4 she would start screaming, if I pushed her 3 times but they were really hard, she would freak out. She is very much like her father in the risk taking area.

Alyssa:

She usually likes to do everything the same as McKell. But today she was feeling her adventurous self and wanted to be pushed as high as possible. She was having so much fun going higher and higher.

Nate:

Nate was just happy being outside. At first he just liked hanging out in the stroller, then he noticed all the fun going on at the swings so I gave him a turn. He absolutely loved it. He didn't care if it was high or not he loved it. The girls would make faces at him and he loved it. He really had a great time.

Nate turns 1!

Nate's birthday was today! We celebrated with a bug party. The party was for 3 one year olds. Nate's birthday was today, Avery on Tuesday, and Sophie on Thursday. Crazy that we all had babies last year so close together. Nate had a great time and really enjoyed his cake. He loved the balloons at the party and spent the time walking around taking balloons from others and carrying them around. The party turned out fun and all went swimming after at the pool (we did the party at a hotel meeting room). I would like to show you some pictures but Phil was in charge of taking pictures with our camera and there aren't any pictures except for cake pictures. I am still in shock that there aren't any pictures on my camera, Jen and Teresa please save me.

Nate is such a fun little boy. He loves to be tickled. He loves his sisters and is interested in everything they are doing. He has become quite the eater and loves to eat pretty much everything. He loves to take baths and knows how to make huge splashes- I was soaking after the last time I bathed him. He loves toys, especially boy toys. He loves to cuddle and give hugs and kisses. He loves to make messes of any and every kind. He loves being outside and looking out the window. He enjoys swimming and swinging. He is a good little dancer when he hears music. He loves when his dad comes home. He is a mama's boy through and through. We love little Natey Boy and can't imagine our life without him and can't believe it has been an entire year since he was born.

APRIL FOOLS!

HaHaHa! Hope everyone had a great April Fools Day! Nope not pregnant, but it sure did get lots of comments. If I could be certain I would have another boy, I might try and get pregnant this fast but since it is 50/50 I can't take the risk just yet.

Surprise to us and you!

Wish us luck! I am expecting- I wanted to keep it a secret a little longer but I hurt my knee and Phil thinks I might need surgury. I have met with my doctor and have started taking my shots, not fun. Baby is due end of November- right after Alyssa's birthday- but since I go early it will be the first part of November. We are still in shock, I am still breastfeeding Nate! So as you can imagine this was a BIG shock for us. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to see who finds out when- how often DO you read my blog?