Kid's Fair 2014

We took the kids to the Eastern Idaho Kids' Fair again this year and they had so much fun. They love going. It is pretty crazy and full of people, but it's worth it when the kids are happy. :)

Little Miss Morgan was a trooper and only got upset when she was super hungry. Liza from Classy 97 walked by as she was crying and took her from me. She thought she was the cutest baby and really wanted to hold her. The kids got to touch lots of different reptiles, included a HUGE snake. It was gross, but the kids thought it was cool. They also loved all the games at the booths and all the candy they kept getting.

They also had a group of princesses there for the kids to meet. Brooklyn thought it was amazing since she loves Cinderella. We went twice, so she got to meet 2 different Cinderellas. I know I might sound awful, but I had to laugh at some of the princesses. I'll just leave it at that. The kids were amazed and that is all that matters. :)

 The kids also got to ride the ponies while we were there. Last year I waited in line for an hour and Carson refused to ride once we got up to them. This year he loved it and cried when we had to leave. Brooklyn giggled the whole time and laughed. Being a parent and watching your kids experience fun things is the best.

By the time we were done, all 3 kids were exhausted. As soon as we got in the car they all fell asleep. I guess that means it was a success!

Idaho Falls Temple

We are extremely blessed to get to live in the same town as a temple. Growing up, our temple district was the Mesa temple, 7 hours away. When the Albuquerque temple was built when I was in 8th grade - I remember being so excited because we would have a temple 3 hours away. We got to work at the open house and we were even able to be in the temple during the dedication. It was awesome.
When I moved to Rexburg the temple was under construction there. I remember not being able to imagine what it would be like to see the temple every day while I was at school and knowing that I could go sit outside the temple. I would go drive and park across the street while it was under construction and imagine what it would be like when it was finished.
After Jason and I were married we would go to the Rexburg temple every single week. It was amazing. It helped our marriage, gave us time to ponder and be close to the Lord, and helped us feel closer to the Spirit throughout the week. Once kids came along it became harder and harder, but my heart still yearned for the temple.

I am lucky to have several friends that enjoy going to the temple as much as I do. We take turns babysitting so that we can go during the day. At first I didn't like going without Jason, but with his busy schedule I realized that if I waited for him to go, I would never go. Now I get to go at least once a week, sometimes twice. I love it. I feel so much closer to my Savior and my Heavenly Father while I am there and I know that they are aware of me and love me.

I LOVE having a temple in the town we live in. It is such a HUGE blessing and I know that. I can take my kiddos to the grounds and let them feel the spirit that is there. When we drive past they love to point out the temple and watch it. I know that if we ever end up moving away from here I am going to miss the temple. Hopefully we will have a temple close no matter where we live.

St. Patrick's Day

I love St. Patrick's Day! It is such a fun little holiday. I remember growing up my Mom used to make us green food and I thought it was the coolest thing. I had plans to do fun things for the kids that morning, but we had just gotten back from Washington about 4 am and I was beat.
Jason decided to stay home from work that day and hang out with us. We took the kiddos to I-Jump to get all of their wiggles out from being in the car the entire week before while we were in Washington. It was the first time Jason was able to go with us. The kids had so much fun jumping with their daddy and throwing dodgeballs at him.

I even took Morgan out to bounce for a little bit. She wasn't sure what to think of it all and had a death grip on me the whole time.

After we were done at I-Jump we went to our normal playgroup for a St. Patrick's Day activity. The kids got to do a craft and decorate cupcakes with their friends. We love playgroup days! It's fun for the moms to all get together and it's fun for the kids to play.

Washington Trip

Zach graduated from the Washington State Trooper Academy in March! Wahoo! I am so proud of my little brother and am excited for what this means for his little family. I was able to go and watch his graduation. It was.....fun. Kinda. Let me explain.

Jason couldn't come because of work and school (the usual) so I decided to take the littles and go with Carly and Will. We took my mini van (yeah, we rocked the mini van) and headed out. I tried my best to prepare the kids for the ride with treat bags they got to open each hour. They had everything from a few new movies, crayons and coloring books, treats...you name it. It worked pretty good for the first 10 hours! The drive was 14 hours, however, and those poor kids were DONE. The last few hours were miserable for everyone. Lots of crying (me included), tired bums, sleepy kids, restless bodies. You get it.

Morgan fell asleep while we let the kids get wiggles out at McDonalds

Brooklyn's hair was full of fruit snacks, rice cakes, and dried bananas by the time we made it.

Sunset on the Columbia River on our way

When we checked into our hotel we had the most amazing gift basket waiting for us from Haleigh and Zach. It was full of everything "Washington" related. There was a trooper uniform for Carson, a Minnie Mouse dress for Brooklyn, a K-9 dog, outfits for Morgan, apples, maps, food.... It was adorable.

Thursday morning my parents flew in and met us at the hotel and then we drove to the state trooper academy for Zach's open house. It was the first time we were able to see him and he looked so handsome in his uniform. I was so proud of him when I got to see all of the hard work he had put in for the last 9 months. Carson was so amazed at all of it and you could see how much he looked up to his Uncle Zach. He wanted to follow him around everywhere. In fact, he still talks about Uncle Zach all the time and how he wants to be a trooper like him.

 

At the open house we got to go see everything Zach had done while at the academy. He even got to take us through the driving course in his trooper car. It was pretty awesome and he is a dang good driver! Carson LOVED the ride and was so sad when he had to get out. I hope being in the back of a cop car doesn't become a habit for him....

Friday was Zach's graduation at the State Capitol building in Olympia. It was really cool. They all drove up in their patrol cars and parked in a row. Then they marched into the capitol building together. It was really neat to watch, even through the rain. :)

The graduation took place in the state capitol building which meant there was no place to sit and it was a big quiet building where every noise echoed off the walls. The kids were pretty tired of being quiet by that point, so I didn't get to see much of the graduation because I was trying to keep them quiet and occupied. Carly and I did our best to keep the kids entertained with the camera while we waited for it to start. 

The good looking group of State Troopers ready to graduate!

We were all so proud of Zach and it was awesome to watch him graduate. We had a party for him later that night  - complete with donuts. :)

Little Miss Morgan hanging out with Nana.

On Saturday we were able to go do something the kids would enjoy - the Tacoma Aquarium and Zoo. They had lots of fun looking at all of the different animals and fish. Brooklyn got kissed by a walrus through the glass and Carson got licked by a tiger through the glass. Apparently my children look tasty.

We were able to take the kids swimming at the hotel. Brooklyn loves the water and was my little fishy. Carson only likes swimming for a few minutes and then he is ready to get out. Maybe someday we will be able to convince him to stay in longer.

On our final day in Washington we went to Tugboat Annie's for lunch. It was yummy! The view was pretty amazing, too.

It was great to be able to see Zach and Haleigh and to visit Washington. I really miss them and wish they lived closer so we could see them more often. It's hard not seeing them or being able to spend time with them! However, traveling without my husband was really hard. Having a 3 year old, a 20 month old, and a 3 month old on a long car ride and in a hotel for a week was a little too much. They were tired from late nights and early mornings, not being able to get their energy out. Mealtimes in restaurants are rough and I was ready to come home. I don't think I will be traveling without my hubby again for a long time. :)