Enjoying the Spring weather

We are loving the weather! Forgot we needed sunscreen, haven't suffered too much. Just a little pink.

I have been wanting to make a tu-tu for Jane for forever and I finally did the other night. We went to Jo-Anne's and she picked out the tulle (I really don't know how to spell these words). She picked pink, pink, and more pink. A little darker than blush and bashful, but you get the point! She was so excited. Alice's needs a little more work, but it still fit. All I did was take a piece of elastic (sewing kind) and measure their waists. Then I took strips of tulle and looped them around the elastic by folding the tulle in half and then pulling the two ends through the loop. If you need better instructions ask me. Anyway, Jane wore it to ballet class. We have glitter all over our house now too!

Zoo adventures

Kim called one Thursday and said her playgroup was cancelled and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the zoo. Of course! We had a great time and it was just beautiful outside.

Jane climbing the rope ladder with Mikayla watching

Alice eating her graham cracker

Braving the cold water (bad examples for Ben and Mikayla)

Jane and Alice in the water. Next time we'll have to bring their swim suits.

Ben testing the water. It was cold!

Fun times at home

Kevin loves to get the girls to make crazy faces with him. He goes through all the emotions and has them make that face. This is the serious face.

This is smiley

Laying down

Jane caught off guard because she didn't want her picture taken

The pouty, kissy face (or Alice's "mean guy" face)

So we were at Wal-mart grocery shopping and Jane asked to buy some fresh flowers. I normally don't do it, but I thought, it'll liven up the table. As they sat on my table I absolutely loved the color combinations and have been inspired as to the color scheme for Jane and Alice's room. Jane wants to paint her walls pink. I was thinking a lighter pink and she likes it too. So now I will accent with white and green and maybe even a little yellow.

Inspirational flowers

Kevin chased Alice all over the house trying to take a picture of her in Jane's dress. This one I loved.

Alice being mischievous

The formal evening gown look

Jane's look was slightly different. I tried to tell her that the top was called a camisol and it went under a shirt, but today she insisted on wearing it over a pink shirt with the skirt to church. I told her if anyone told her that her shirt went on the underside to tell them that she knew that, but wanted to wear it this way. I dont' think anyone commented.

The church ranch does an annual rodeo, which is always tons of fun. No bull riding, but plenty of bronco riding, cow roping, and pig catching. There is also my favorite, mutton bustin' for the little kids. They get to ride a sheep and get scored. The little girl who won this year rode that sheep all the way to the far fence. The little boy in this video wrestled the sheep to the ground. Too cute. For the first time this year, they had a bishopric horse race. The members of the bishoprics from each ward raced each other on wooden horses. It was hilarious. And our ward won!!!!! Kevin was the only member of our bishopric and he recruited Kevin Smith and Justin Planinz to help him out! Their team is the farthest away with Justin in a red shirt. My Kevin gets on second, and Kevin Smith on last. Great job guys. If you notice in the video, I yell out the wrong ward. Yeah, I know what ward I belong to! Enjoy!

March Madness!

I know I said I'd post more pictures from South Carolina, but this was easier and more recent. I'll get to SC again another day. We've had a good month so far. Jane loves to dress up and Alice loves it too. They got some cute little heart clip on earrings from Grandma Terry and they both love to wear them. Here is Jane modeling the earrings and her pretty dress. Alice is also modeling her pretty dress. (Pajamas make a complete ensemble!)

My beautiful little ladies

I had to get the shoes too

The bag in action. I asked Jane to model it for me and before she agreed she made sure we weren't going anywhere. I said, "Nope, I just need a picture and then you can take it off and keep playing." "Ok, Mommy."

Kevin took this picture. One morning (Alice likes to wake up early, so I lay in bed while she roams), Kevin found her sitting in the den with Pooh in one stroller and her in the other. She was too cute.

Up until 2 weeks ago I was still nursing Alice when she would wake up during the night. So about 2 or 3 times a night. I've wanted to ween her, but I hadn't gotten up the courage to. Well, my mom invited me to go to Time Out for Women with her and stay in a hotel from Friday to Saturday. I had to make a choice, either let Kevin deal with her and hope for the best, not stay the night, or start weening her sooner. I chose to start on Monday night. Kevin wasn't too thrilled because it was a week night, but I had high hopes. He was very supportive though. The first night she woke up every hour and I or Kevin would go get her and hold her or rock her for a few minutes and then lay her back in her crib. She kept asking to nurse, but I told her we were all done. The next night she slept until 4am (that is fantastic for her) and the following nights were just as great. Now she doesn't even ask to nurse. We can hold her and she'll fall asleep. She only wakes up maybe at 1 ish, but mostly just around 5 or 6 and then will go back to sleep for another hour. It is Wonderful!!!! I only had slight discomfort too, so I can't complain.

Kevin had a fun weekend with the girls. He took them to the Strawberry Festival and Jane rode a pony. She is getting so big.

Jane enjoying her pony ride

He also took the girls to a park by the river. They had a great time. Since then, Jane always wants Daddy to put her to bed. I leave for one night and they don't want me anymore! Ha, ha. I had a great time at TOFW too. So inspirational and motivational!

A few months ago a good friend of mine wanted to start a little pre-school/joy school for her son and any other little 3 year olds. Well, I thought it was a great idea. Sadly, she has not been able to make it, but I did get together with some other good friends and each Monday we have a little lesson for all of our girls. This week we learned about music: rhythm, fast and slow moving, and loud and softs. The girls had a blast. At the end we had free dance time. They were too cute so I had to take pictures.

Meghan, Jane, and Morgan (the dancers)

Meghan, Jane, and Morgan (with Eryn's little smile at the bottom).

Reesa, Adelaide, Leleia (our drummers) With Tamara in the background

All the girls (We actually formed a club, no boys allowed!!!!) Just kidding. Tanya and Alice Von are in the background. Tanya, Meghan, and Adelaide will be moving soon, so we'll miss them. I love how all the girls are dancing or drumming except for Alice. She is busy putting stickers on her hands and feet, priorities! We had a fun time.

Our trip to South Carolina and other stuff

Ok, so I haven't posted in a while. I've been working on shutterfly books, as you can see by my last post. Anyway, we had a great month of February. I'm only going to do some of the pictures of South Carolina in this post because there were too many. I'll follow up with the others soon.

First, here is Jane and Alice's new favorite hiding spot. As you can see it's pretty hard to find them. But they love it when we do!

Next, Jane has 2 friends at church whom she adores, Sami and Allie, and their mom, Krissy, made them bags for Christmas. They take the bags everywhere and carry all their things, from scriptures to ballet shoes. Jane really wanted one. I got the pattern from Krissy, which I have to say was kind of complicated, but here is the finished product. I was excited and Jane was very excited about the bag. She even picked out the lining fabric. I pieced old strips of fabric I had for the side panels. (Beth, you'll probably recognize most of it.) It was fun.

I finished the bag just in time for Jane to take it on our trip to South Carolina to see her Aunt Karlene graduate from boot camp.

Here's Alice saying, "It's really cold out here, but I'll do my best to smile!" It was so cold. I can complain because I live in Florida, but everyone else was bundled up too. The wind was just relentless and we were at the top of the bleachers.

Anyway, the first day was family day, so all the family and friends waited on some bleachers and we had a little info briefing. Then all the companies of soldiers came running out of the woods in their rows amidst the smoke and lined up. We cheered for them and then we got to spend the day with our soldier (on base).

D company

Our soldier, Karlene (she's the youngest of Kevin's siblings)

My mom and Karlene. Mom came along for support and the excitement of a road trip. We are grateful she joined us in our adventure and we had a wonderful time. Thanks, Mom!

Alice sporting a cute little ponytail. We toured the base by bus and played at the playground most of the day. It was chilly, but not too bad in the sun.

Friday was graduation day. The ceremony was nice and short and then the soldiers paraded by. It was pretty exciting.

Jane sporting her hat. Luckily it was warmer that day! No jacket needed, but gloves and a hat were a must.

Jane checking out the soldiers with the binoculars. I love this picture.

Karlene's company

The support crew

Karlene is in the 5th row from the back, 2nd in from the left

The crew, Me, Kami, Jane, Karlene, Bob, Valene, Kevin, and sleeping Alice

And here is a video of the presents Bob (Papa Terry) gave the girls. They love them. You did a beautiful job on all the gifts. Thank you again!