Kinsie turned 2

So, we took her to the Zoo!

(And fun was had by all!)

Kinsie loves the movie Tarzan, so the gorillas were a big hit!

 She got really excited about the peacock that was roaming around the walkways!

 Britnee had too much fun and was out like a light for a good hour.

 Up close and personal with a Falcon/Hawk and an owl...it was so cool!

 Playing in the water fountain before we headed home.

Then we opened presents and had cake and ice cream.

The next weekend Kinsie's birthmom Dannie (and Dannie's mom Michelle) came by to visit and give Kinsie her gift.

 Kinsie loved it.  She has a thing with dresses and can't get enough of them.  This was really the perfect gift for her.  Dannie and Michelle stayed for dinner and we spent the entire night enjoying Kinsie, talking, and catching up.  It was so nice to have them come and visit.  All in all I think Kinsie had a really great birthday!

(I love this picture!!!  It is absolutely priceless and makes my heart burst with happiness.)

Mother's Day Weekend

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day weekend, because know I did! In fact Saturday was one of the best days I've had in quite awhile.

Our weekend actually got started on Friday. Chad was out of work a little early, so we celebrated by doing some good ol' fashion yard work. I strongly believe that there is nothing like yard work to bring a family together. Chad mowed the lawn while I planted some additional flowers in the beds. After the lawn was mowed and trimmed the girls were able to help daddy trim the tree and haul the branches to the garbage.  They were such good little helpers!

The rest of Friday night (after the girls went down) was spent sewing, wrapping, cleaning, and exhaling.  After a good nights sleep I got up Saturday morning and finished some of the cleaning.  Then (per my request for my Mother's Day gift)we got the girls ready and the car loaded and headed to Utah County to spend the day hiking, visiting family, and barbecuing.

We arrived at our destination Battle Creek Canyon  and started our hike...wagon and all.  The girls did a great job, and yes they did get out and hike too.  Before we had the girls Chad and I did a lot of hiking and some backpacking.  It was nice to get back into it and start up the tradition, plus the love of the outdoors with our girls.

Me and my girls enjoying a little break on the bridge.

After our little hike we headed to "Mama" and "Papa" to visit.  (aka: Chad's parents)  We spent our time there riding Uncle Kyle's motorcycle, playing with toys, reading books, and talking.  It was nice to see them and the girls loved being there.

Then, we headed over to my brothers place for a family BBQ.   Here the girls were able to see their cousins, "Mama" and "Papa" (my parents), Aunts and Uncles, and even my Aunt Teresa and cousin Heather came over for the fun. 

First thing we were sure to do was eat some yummy food.

Then we played some ball...

...and did a little swinging.

Finally, the girls got to see their very first cat up close and personal.

Yes, his tail was pulled several times by Kinsie.

Sunday was spent at church and at home with my family.  This was especially nice since we don't get to see much of Chad on Sundays.  I really had such a great weekend.  It was nice to visit with family and not feel rushed.  It was great to get out and enjoy the beauty of the earth with Kinsie and Britnee.  It was great to see our wonderful Moms and express our love to them.  And, it was really nice to get my fill of these.

I hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day!

Egg-citing

Look what we have growing in our backyard...

Three gorgeous robin eggs nestled in a perfect nest.  Aren't they the most beautiful color you've ever seen.  These little babies are growing in a bush right outside my bedroom window.  Chad has noticed over the past couple of days that a robin has been hanging out in our backyard.  After putting two and two together he discovered her nest and eggs last night.  I'm dying to show them to the girls sometime today.  I tried to snap a picture of the mother to be, but she's been a little camera shy as you can imagine.  I've already enjoyed peeking out my window down into the little nest to watch mama bird care for her three little eggs and it will be so exciting to wake one morning to find three baby birds in their place.  In the meantime, I'm content with our three turquoise eggs.  (They are so pretty!)