Christmas Instagrams

I am finally able to put our Instagrams on our blog from Christmas.

Someday I'll catch up!

Headed to the airport! So so excited!

Phoenix airport. This little germy play area was a lifesaver for us!

Beautiful snow covered trees at Trolley Square.

Squishy hated being all bundled up, and especially hated that 

she had to wear socks! But she sure looked adorable.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning!

Nerf guns have been a HUGE hit!

Christmas Day.

Feeling incredibly blessed.

My dad took Lance ice fishing for his first time. 

He really enjoyed it.

And looked good in the carharts!

Squishy had her first ER visit.

And our first ER visit ever with a child.

It was scary, but no worries, she's healthy as a horse now!

Taking the kids sledding!

Papa rigged up an old knee board for the kids and pulled them behind the razor.

Layla could have done this for hours.

Ice Skating!

Kids loved it!

Celebrated Ms Layla's 5th birthday!

Can you even believe she's 5!!

Visiting sweet Great-Grandma Vida.

Our kiddlets Great-Great Grandma.

Goodbyes at the airport.

Sister love :)

The greatest man I know.

I love my father so much.

Airplane ride home was a total success!

They looked like this until we landed, then slept till 10am the next morning!

We feel so blessed that we were able to go home for Christmas and give

our children the white Christmas they had been dreaming of.

It was such a wonderful holiday.

Marx is potty trained!!

This is BIG NEWS!

Last Sunday, Jan. 19th I was doing my thing after church..

changing diapers!

When I laid Marx down to change him, he viciously said, "No! Peepee in potty!"

So I said, "Ok! Let's go!" With zero intentions of potty training, because let's face

it, I was not ready to start that.

I scared myself after trying to potty train Layla while I was 9 months pregnant with Marx.

See peed all over my house. 

She wasn't ready, but I was bound and determined to not have 2 babies in diapers.

Well, Marx was born, she wasn't potty trained.

But, then my wonderful mother showed up to help me with my new baby and

my busy 2 year old, and WaLa! Layla was potty trained.

Mostly by her grandmother and her awesome whistle she'd perform

every time she'd potty.

Anyways, about Marx!

It immediately clicked for him. I think he had 2 accidents the next day 

and it was enough for him to realize he did not like it in his underwear.

We had to make a run to Walmart to by more underwear, since we only have 3 pair, 

along with potty treats and stickers.

So I'm pleased to report, this kid is potty trained.

Hallelujah!

Really, in like 3 days, he was trained, but I didn't want to 

jinx him or myself. But it's been just over a week with zero 

accidents since the last couple the day after he started.

He wakes up dry after naps, so we don't do pull-ups

during nap time. We still do pull-ups at night, to save my laundry piles, and sanity,

but he wakes up dry. He's probably ready.

So proud of our Marx!

He's awesome!

And, btw... I firmly believe in waiting until THEY are ready.

He was ready, and he nailed it!

Christmas in Utah 2013

Our Christmas was fabulous.

It was white and very cold!

 Lots of family, sleepovers, cousins, eating, 

presents, movies, games, wrapping, lights, playing, ice fishing, sledding,

ice skating, and Cafe Rio happened!

The children did great on the plane rides, everyone stayed healthy, all except

for a little mishap with our squishy baby, and we just felt SOOO much

love being at home with our Utah family.

It was just perfect.

(I have so many Instagram pictures I want to share on here, but I can't remember

the easiest way to do it! Someone please help me!)

]

Lily's Pink and Gold 1st Birthday

One of my new years resolutions is to blog at least once a week.

Every Sunday to be exact.

I used to be so good at it, then our squishy baby came along and I 

couldn't figure out how to manage anything anymore!

Now that she's turned one, things are getting a little easier.

She's become much more independent, and I DO have time on Sundays to

sit and journal about our past weeks activities, ups, downs, and all our in betweens :)

For Lily's party, I choose to do pink and gold!

I LOVE LOVE how everything turned out, and I've decide to keep the decorations

and do the girls' room in pinks and golds.

It's amazing what you can do with some tissue paper, paper, empty boxes, ribbons, frames, and

of course a Silhouette Cameo machine! I love that thing!

Squishy baby DESTROYED her cake and made the biggest mess.

I didn't mind one bit.

It was her day and was well deserved!

Happy Birthday Baby Lily!

We LOVE you!

Fall Family Pictures 2013