Easter Dresses, jelly beans, and eggs, oh my...

Malia gave her first talk in primary in this very dress...and what a fine job she did. The microphone didn't work, so I asked her to speak loudly. She bordered on shouting the entire talk. Such conviction from a 3-year-old on the topic of us all being children of God I had never heard.



Tessa and her cousin Gus (behind her) were said to have playfully discussed the whole ordeal while scouting around for easter eggs together. Such fun.

Viva Las Vegas!

I always wanted a sister I could share clothes with. This weekend as we were fixing ourselves up in the mirror I took a double take when I looked down and saw Whitney had no shoes on and was taller than me...how did that happen in like a week since we had measured last?

N-E-WAYS... Dar, Whit, Tess, and I took a much needed little vacay down to Vegas this past week.

Yes, that's my hairy beary of a husband...I love every inch of his hairiness, just know that.

I thought that was the neatest little angle of a picture. It's weird to imagine Darrin being a dad to boys... (Although he loves playing with his nephews). Those girls have got his number and all you have to do is look into his eyes when they're around to catch a glimpse of his love for them. Nothing sweeter.

Tessa got to play with my Aunt Aimee's daughter, Kendelle (born only a week apart) and they had some fun times together eating cheerios and talking in their "da-da-da-da-da-da-" talk.

Oh, and to make the trip even greater my Aunt and Uncle own two Great Harvests there in Henderson, so every morning's breakfast was the tantalizing tastes of pumpkin bread of chocolate cherry bread. YUM.

Thanks to the Grandmas for watching Malia. We knew she was having fun and didn't worry about her the whole time, although a few times we commented on how much Malia would have loved this or that. But, have to say when we heard a 3-year-old tantruming at the table over from us at the buffet we giggled to ourselves and continued to pork out in peace. Love you Malia, sweetie! :)

The games I play

I have decided that I am slightly neurotic. Today when I was running on the treadmill at the gym, which I haven't done for years mind you, I remembered that I like to play a little game when I run. I breathe in for two arm swings and then breathe out for three--making sure that the breathing out is done precisely when my hand is in front of my mouth so as to feel the air being exhaled. It makes the time go faster and takes my mind off the pain, along with forcing me to remember to breathe so I don't pass out.

Oh, and floss...I really dislike flossing at night when I brush my teeth. I am just so tired at that point that I have a hard time making it a part of my night-time routine. But, lucky for my gums, my weird self has made up a game for it during the day. (I read somewhere once that it really doesn't matter at what point in your day you floss, just so you do it in any 24 hour period). Darrin has floss in most locations of the house (he's a flossing machine) so anytime I see a container of floss and I haven't flossed yet that day, I have to stop what I was doing and floss right then.

I also never go upstairs or downstairs without taking something with me to put away. With two kids, there is rarely a time when I can't find something to take, but it's become a strange little mind game. I get nervous when I can't see anything immediately and start looking under the sofa. Like not stepping on the cracks on the sidewalk, I can't go up with my hands empty. Oh well, whatever keeps me sane in this little stay-at-home-mom world I live in. Or is it a sign of insanity? I really don't know.

Anyone else have any weird habits/games they play?

Chester

Meet Chester. The mouse. Malia informed me that there was a mouse named Chester in our window well. I couldn't have been more freaked out at first. But then then little guy started to grow on me. He was a chubby little thing, scurrying around, and as you can see in the bottom picture, trying to jump out "to get back to his family." This kept the girls occupied for what seemed like an eternity. That night Darrin put a ladder down into the window well to let it climb out. Malia was very sad. I asked why? because she had said she wanted him to be able to get back to his family....and she replied that Chester was supposed to be a part of our family now...hmph, head down, sad face...wa wa wa. And off to the keyboard she went to make up a sad song about the loss of her Chester.