Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines day is not in my top 5 holidays but it is still a fun holiday. Ryan knows that I am not a flower kind of girl. I love flowers but I hate that many times they are expensive and they just die. Especially since I have nothing close to a green thumb! If anything my thumb has gotta be brown because that is what color all my flowers or plants end up being! Don't get me wrong flowers make me smile, especially when they are for no reason....but I would rather the money be spent on something else like a date!

I think it is neat having a holiday just to celebrate the one you love and your relationship but really it shouldn't require a holiday to to something extra special for that person. But it is one and I have always enjoyed the day. A few of my favorite Valentines memories as a kid are:

The Valentine's Tea in Elementary school. We had to wear our Sunday best. So we got to wear dresses!

In second grade there was a snow day so we didn't have to go to school and I went out in the 2 or more feet of snow to hand deliver valentines to my friends.

Making Valentines boxes to take to school that each kid would put a Valentines in for each classmate.

One year we got a Super Nintendo for Valentines day from my parents.

Happy Valentines Day to my Valentine! I love you!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart! I love you very much!

Here are a few pictures from today.

Notice the 24 plus 4 more candles! There was no way I was going to fit 28 candles on the cheesecake. Well I could but it would ruin it.

Blowing out the candles!

Sedona

I have finally been outside of the Phoenix area without just driving through. I have lived here almost 7 years now and sadly have not really stayed anywhere but Yuma (to visit my sister in law when she lived there and my grandparents when they lived there). Other than that we have just driven through areas and haven't stopped and enjoyed or explored the area. I have always wanted to go to Sedona and Ryan went recently so since tomorrow is his birthday he took the day off work and we had some fun. We drove up to Sedona and spent the day up there. Here are some pictures from our adventure.

We stopped at Sunset point. Kade was being a cranky boy and didn't want to participate in getting his picture taken.

Here is everyone on the car ride there....I ended up between the two kids because Kamryn needed to be entertained for the 2 hour car ride. This is one way I entertained Kamryn...

Kade again...not wanting to get his picture taken.

Kade got a nice close-up...Thanks Kade, you can practically see up my nose!

He was willing to take a picture of himself though!

When we first got to Sedona we ate at Open Range. It was pretty good food! The kids meal is pretty cool too. I guess I was impressed that they got a 4 pack of Crayola crayons to color on the menu and then the meal came with the main entree along with fruit (which was watermelon), cold veggies, seasoned fries and a cookie! I was jealous! I love all those things.

While the boys were in the restroom I took a few pictures of Kamryn. She was being so cute!

Then we went walking around to different little shops.

We sat down by a water fountain and had some ice cream. Kamryn loves ice cream!

Kade showing off his muscles!

Kade did a pretty good job taking our picture...I did crop it though!
Kamryn and I by one of the Pink Jeeps! I wish we could have went on a tour! One day...

Kade on the pink jeep!

I was trying to take a picture of something else (I don't even remember what) we were driving at the time and I got this random picture of a sign.

There was a pink pig but I didn't get a picture of that one...

Getting ready to go to the Outlets, which we thought would be fun, but there really weren't many stores. While we were there we went into a shoe store and Kade found the Sketchers (the light up ones) that he wants REALLY bad. Every time we see them he has to have them and has a huge meltdown when we won't get them. So Ryan had the idea of telling him to go out to the car with me while he bought them. Well Ryan really wasn't going to buy them and break the news to him later when it wasn't in front of a bunch of people in the middle of the store. So I went along with it and he had a meltdown later.

What a fun day!

Small talk with an old lady

Today an old lady start talking to Ryan and about our kids. She asked how far apart Kamyrn and Kade were and I told her 4 years. She replied with, "That's quite a big gap!" and then I threw back at her, "I did have another boy in between them but he died." not rudely but enough for her to possibly shut her mouth. Then she through back at me, "At least you have kids. I always wanted them but never had any." I felt bad for a minute. But thought who was she to judge how far apart my kids should be? Oh well we continued on with the conversation (we were waiting for Ryan's turn to get his haircut). She was nice and just asked questions about the kids. I hope I didn't offend her.I am pretty sure I didn't, because Ryan would have let me know. I was just bothered about her comment and wanted to stand up for myself. I wish Kade did have a closer sibling to him. But God had other plans. Now that I am having two so close together I am sure I will have similar reactions but just the opposite!

I already get that surprised look out of people when they ask me how far apart Kamryn and Keegan will be. I tell them almost almost a year exactly they always tell me how hard that it's going to be. But honestly how many of them have kids a year apart? How do they REALLY know? Yeah maybe they babysit kids that are a year apart, but are those kids siblings and are those kids theirs? I think that makes a big difference, could be worse could be better, but I think they will get used to the fact that they are both around all the time and I will get used to them and I will know them inside and out, better than a babysitter. Before I had Kamryn I thought, wow this would be hard if Kooper were here. Now I am getting ready for that situation with a 1 year old and a newborn and honestly I am not really worried about it(yet). I know there may be challenges, but for some reason I am not nervous or scared or even thinking about how hard it is going to be. I know it will take adjusting,I am mostly worried about leaving the house alone with them. Maybe I am thinking more about as they get older how much easier it will be and that idea or thought is drowning out the thought of when they are so little still. Guess I can only wait and see.

I wish I would have taken before and after pictures of Ryan. He decided to let his hair grow a little (maybe I will get some pics tonight). It has been shaved weekly for the past 5 years....it was getting long and needed trimmed. It's not long enough yet to really style it, but in about a week it should be. It is weird seeing my man with hair again! But he's looking hot! I haven't actually told him this, but I encouraged it because I am sure that he won't have hair for too long.... all males in his family are bald on top or it's pretty thin (hope I don't offend any family members reading this)! He might as well have some hair while he can!

Naptime

I went and took a nap in our bedroom since I have to work tonight. I came out to see if they were watching the Superbowl and this is what I found...



all of them asleep on the couch! What a good Daddy, he even got Kade to take a nap.

Silence

Ahhhhhhh.....silence. I love the silence right now. Kade and Kamryn are asleep and I finally have a little time to myself. This is something that I am starting to struggle with just a little bit. I work less and so my main job is just being a Mom. It's hard. Before when I was working full time hours I felt that it was okay that I don't do the dishes today or that my house is not clean because I have a whole other job and I deserve a break. Now that most of my work is being a mom and taking care of my kids, which I do love, I just feel overwhelmed sometimes. I love my kids very much but I feel like I don't ever have time to myself or silence. Kamryn isn't loud but Kade is. He is fun to be around but today he was driving me CRAZY! The kids went to bed early...well at least Kade did. I needed some time to myself before I went crazy. Now the house needs picked up and clothes washed and folded and I just want to do nothing. Well actually that's a lie. This is what I want to do and if I manage to find a babysitter by next Saturday night this is what I will be doing: Going to the Olive Garden with Ryan and then off to a movie. That's all I want!
I am done now. I am done whining. I love my life and my kids and I should just get over it! I am sure there will come a day when I just want them to be home, I want them to bug me and they won't.

Dear Kade,
Could you please not strip down to your underwear and refuse to put your clothes back on. Also would you please stop getting every toy imaginable out. I don't like your excuse when it is time to clean up that your can't because your hands are full of other toys. Thanks for telling me that you love me and for brushing my hair this morning! One more thing.....don't scare your sister. I love you!
Mommy


Dear Kooper,
Could you please watch over your siblings? I am sure you already are but I just thourght I would ask. Visit us often and make me prouder than I already am. I love and miss you! XOXOXO
Mommy

Dear Kamryn,
You did such a good job sleeping through the night last night, could you please keep doing it? I enjoy the regular 8 hours but 11 hours is unbelievable! You are such a cute chubby girl, you have no idea what is coming, but I hope you love babies! I love you!
Mommy

Krue or Keegan or whatever your name is....baby.
Continue to kick me as much as you want. I always enjoy it. It eases my mind. Continue to grow and be a healthy baby and don't do any funny stuff like flip around too much. I don't want you to get tangled in your cord. I can't wait to meet you....well actually I can wait, but I am very excited. I love you!
Mommy

Ryan,
Thanks for listening to my crazy theories or superstitions. Thanks for being a good husband. I miss you. Thanks for not complaining about the things that I don't get done. These new work hours stink but I know that we will SURVIVE! I love you!
Kami

Look alike?

This is going to be a quick one. I am super tired and 8am church comes way to fast!

Kade and Ryan.....look alike just a little bit???? I took this picture of Kade the other day and it made me think of this picture of Ryan from when he was a kid.

A walk to the park

We have had a fun day today. It has been nice to just have a Saturday free and be able to spend it with Ryan and the kids. It was funny because we were at a strip mall and we went to Old Navy and Kade kept wanting to go to other stores but he REALLY wanted to go to TJMax. I don't know why, he has never been there but he was soooo excited to go. He pushed Kamryn around in the shopping cart and kept making her laugh. So after we went out and used some gift cards we got for Christmas we came home and went for a walk. The weather has been so nice. It was 68 earlier today and felt good outside with just a jacket on. Kade wanted to be a "tough guy" and refused to wear a jacket.

Here are some pictures I took with my phone because of course I didn't have my camera with me!

Notice the "poop bag" Ryan is swinging around!

Kade pushing Kamryn in the stroller. They both loved it. Kamryn just sat back and enjoyed the scenery!


Kamryn waiting patiently while Kade played on the playground at the park. I got her out and let Kade go down one of the smaller slides with her. I think I might start going outside more often, if the weather stays this nice. I didn't realize how good Kamryn was in the stroller.

My very first gingerbread house

I just had to post picture of my very first gingerbread house! I have always wanted to make one but I just never have. I remember when I was a kid my Aunt Amy would make a gingerbread house every Christmas and it always looked so cool. Then the other night I watched this huge Gingerbread house competition on TV. I don't remember if it was then that I said I wanted to make one or every time I went to Sam's Club and saw the kit. But anyhow I was soooo surprised when Ryan walked in with a gingerbread house kit! My sweet husband remembered how much I wanted to make one...and during his lunch break at work drove to Sam's club and picked it up.





I had tons of fun decorating it with him. I was glad Kade didn't want to be too involved because I wanted things in specific places and not random candies everywhere. So this is how it turned out.

Thanks sweetie!

On a side note, I felt kind of like a crazy women today and took Kade and Kamryn to the MALL!!!! Yes, I took kids to the mall by myself on a Saturday just weeks before Christmas. And the funny thing is that Kade and Kamryn were awesome. I think Kade felt a little intimidated by it being so crowded that he stayed close and held my hand almost the whole time, and Kamryn slept most of the time in the sleepy wrap! It was awesome! I have found that Kamryn and Kade are alot like me. They like to get out of the house and walk around stores. Ryan on the other hand would rather be at home watching football!

And I just had to post a few random pictures of Kamryn.