Turning 2

Well, my babies are officially two years old. I wonder if I'll call them babies forever? They still feel like babies to me. I recently went through my archives and read some of my entries while pregnant with these girls. Man I was huge, I knew it and believe me I felt it, but I can't quite imagine it now. Makes me feel a little better about my body right now-even two years later:)

Birth-day

In a couple of the entries I wrote about being afraid of twins. Twins felt so overwhelming. I knew how hard one baby was and I simply couldn't imagine trying to feed/care for two! Well, it was hard, but it was perfect too. These girls were meant for our family. Danny and I were meant for them. We survived the first year, then survived the second which was even harder in many of ways, but both years were seriously fun and exciting too. The year we spent in Utah was maybe the happiest of my life.  

1st birthday

These girls are so much fun. They are best friends. They ask about each other (and Lucy) and want to be together. They play together really well. As I type they are laying on my bed talking about babies as they read books together. It is awesome.

I look back at my blog two years ago and there was a little fear and a lot of excitement. I am still excited about these girls. Every day is something new and I am so grateful for them because they are my miracle. They are a gift from Heavenly Father directly to me.  Sometimes I look at one of their little faces and I will be completely overwhelmed with love. I randomly start crying, smother my baby in kisses and Lucy just looks at me, rolls her eyes and knows that I am just happy. (Then she'll try to make me cry more by telling me that one day she'll be 18. I fake cried about that once and she thinks its hilarious.)

Happy Two Years Babies!

Six Years!

My Lucy is Six Years Old! I'm in shock. The jump between five and six seems huge! On Saturday we celebrated with a friend party. We had 10 girls from school and church and 3 cousins.  It was a very fun thing to plan. We decided to have a Brave theme-so we had a scottish games in Grandma Marilyn's back yard!  

We were lucky and got lots of help. Katy made things for me and helped me set up all the balloons, banners and games. Danny and Lindsay decorated the side yard with gorgeous sidewalk chalk. Mom and Katy made all the cupcakes. Marilyn and Steve watched the babies during the crazy morning setup-it was so nice having such great helpers.

 While we waited for everyone to arrive Danny played crack the egg. It could only end in tears...and it did, but fortunately not many.

Then we played a series of games. The bean bag toss was my favorite. Lucy helped me paint the triplets and we had a great time doing it.

We also had a three legged race and an archery test.

We made necklaces and put gems on royal goblets. After the activities they got a Brave lipgloss necklace. They were very excited about that.

After a pizza lunch and witch's brew we sang Happy Birthday and ate cupcakes. The afternoon ended with balloons filled with candy popping on the grass. It was really fun-candy went flying everywhere.

My favorite part of the party was the awesome bagpipe music we had going the whole time. And Katy speaking in her awesome Scottish accent-she is amazing! 

The party didn't necessarily go as I had planned. Next time I won't plan games that you play as an individual with so many kids-everything went pretty slowly. The weather was also a bit problematic. It was really hot but also windy. My gorgeous pennant banners were flying all over the place, there wasn't enough shade at that time of day so kids would play a game then retreat to the shade to guzzle water, it just was a little tricky. I'm glad Lucy had fun- that's what matters right?

Tomorrow is her official birthday. She is excited to go to breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa L, go to school with healthy treats (healthy?! Katy made me pumpkin cupcakes and I hope that counts...I'm going to call them pumpkin muffins:), have a fun lunch out with me, go to ballet and then have a party and presents with The Andersons. Lucky girl:)

Lucy is such a wonderful girl. She can play by herself, but is also a great friend. She is kind to others and generous. She is an excellent big sister-she looks out for her little sisters, shares her toys with them and loves to play with them. She is brave (she gave a fabulous talk in church on Sunday-I was so proud of her). She is a good student and loves school. She is getting to be a very good reader and loves to practice. 

I'm about to get seriously sentimental:

 The birthday girl in her "scottish outfit".

I remember the day Lucy was born. I had been laying down on bed rest for months and had a lot of time to think about motherhood and wonder about my baby. I was very ready for her arrival when it finally came. She was perfect. For me it wasn't a sudden rush of love or anything. It was a very subtle outpouring of love over the first days and weeks. I have loved getting to know her. When our life has been great, when it has been more tricky-Lucy's sweet presence has been a constant joy. She has grown up (to the age of six:) to be a beautiful and amazing little girl. This is how shes grown:

Let the birthday week begin!

Conference Weekend

We had such a fun conference weekend this time around. It felt more peaceful than it has in a long time. On Saturday we watched from home. Daddy enjoyed some conference snuggles.

 On Sunday we spent the morning at my parents' house. We ate a delicious breakfast and Mom made my very favorite-Sally Lund bread.  Katy had made a beautiful wreath with my mom's wedding flowers  the day before so I commissioned one that day. Lucy did some sewing and enjoyed a conference booklet of mazes and look-and-finds.

 The finished product!

 It as such a nice weekend to relax and renew. Can't wait for October.

Spring Break

My pics are compeltely out of order for this post and rather than hassle by moving them, this post will make no chronological sense. 

We have been loking forward to spring break since January because Becca and Ruby were coming to town. Lucy has it marked on her calendar and has been checking off the days. We did not waste our time together this year, we stayed busy having fun all week long. Becca actually got in the midweek before spring break so for a few days it was just Ruby and the babies hanging out until Lucy got out of school. These three girls are 7 months apart and are finally old enough to be good friends. Joyce is especially enamored by Ruby or "BD" as she calls her. She follows her around and knows that fun will follow. During those couple days Becca and I did errands, played at the park, brought my Mom lunch at school and lounged in the sunroom while the kids played outside. We had a really fun couple of days:)

As soon as school got out the real fun began because Mom, Katy and Lucy could join us! One day we went to the San Fransicso aquarium at Pier 39.  I typically dislike aquariums (I'm not a fan of the ocean or its creatures) but this was a really cool one. Joyce was so fun to atch because she LOVED it. She ran around giddy with excitement every time she saw a fish. She easily touched sting rays and sea stars.

 This view inside the octopus' home was awesome. I guess he usually sticks to the corners but when the kids climbed under the exhibit and into this bubble he moved around and they got a very close view!

 Afterward we walked along the pier and found the sea lions. There were a lot of fights going on between them and the kids thought that was fascinating.

 Maybe my favorite part of the day-the kids fell asleep almost instantly when we got in the car and the moms got a well deserved treat.

 We also spent a lot of time relaxing. I introduced Becca to Go ON, my favorite show right now, while the kids were sleeping or having quiet time.

 We also went to the Oakland Zoo during the week. I got a coupon in the mail for a season pass and paying for the visit with this whole gang really made the pass worth it. I'm excited to go alot this summer.

 Our favorite part was the goat pen and the train ride. The kids really enjoyed petting the goats. There were some ADORABLE lambs and kids to see as well.

On Saturday we celebrated Easter with the Leininger family. The night before Lucy was invited to a sleepover at Grandma's house with some of her cousins. These kids are really good friends and I hear they had a wonderful time. From what I hear they stayed up really late (10PM!).

We had a fun party playing outside with the cousins. I played my first game of kickball since elementary school. Fortunately I have improved since then:)

I didn't get a family Easter shot on Easter Sunday so this is it!

We had the first Easter egg hunt of the season.

I was feeling especially generous that day and let Joyce open up her eggs and eat them at her whim. She has got the taste of candy now!

On Sunday the Easter bunny came!

While I was getting ready for church (Moms get everyone else ready first after all) Danny took some pics of the kids.

After church Lucy and Becca dyed and decorated Easter eggs for the table.

These two were so excited to match!

Easter egg hunt number three. It was a rainy day so it took place in the living room.

Joyce and Lyd really got the hang of it byt the third time around.