Happy

Juli has tagged me to list ten things that make me happy and pass it on to some bloggers that make me happy. These aren't in any order or ranking.

1. Running. I know this may sound strange to a lot of you but I really am happy when I am running; letting my mind wonder, think through my life or problems, or just singing away to the tunes on my Touch.

2. Taking naps with J. They don't happen as often as they used to bk (before kids) but when they do I am in heaven. Just cuddling and sleeping the day away can be so nice. Sometimes I pay for it that night, when I can't sleep but it is always worth it.

3. Daisies. They are my favorite flower. I like the plain ones the best but pretty much any kind make me happy.

4. Seeing my kids happy. Whether it be just as they are playing around the house or when they get to do something new or that they love to do. When they are happy it rubs off to me. I think the saying "If mama aint happy aint nobody happy" should also apply to kids and babies.

5. Spending time with family and friends. It is always so fun to catch up with family and friends and to reminisce.

6. Finding a new outfit that really makes you look good. I know that this is really girlie of me and usually I wouldn't consider myself much of a girlie girl but I really like how I feel when I think I look good. Does that make sense?

7. Finding a good deal. I get this from my mother. I remember when I was a teenager her showing off her latest good deal find when it wasn't usually anything that we needed at the time. She would brag what a awesome deal that it was. Now I find myself doing the same. I try to make sure that it is something that we need (usually clothes for the kids - even if they can't wear it for another year or two) but sometimes I just can't help myself.

8. The occasional Dr. Pepper or Cherry Coke. I don't have them very often (due to pregnancies and nursing) so when I do it makes me happy and I really enjoy them. The only way that I will have the Dr. Pepper is out of a can - out of a bottle just won't do.

9. Cuddling with my kids. I love when my little ones will climb up in my lap and cuddle with me. Elle is the best at this. I feel bad because she is always wanting me to hold her and too often I have other people or chores demanding my time.

10. Me time. I know that this is selfish but sometimes it is so nice just to have time to myself. Sometimes my patience and nerves start to dwindle and I need to escape for a little me time fix. I have been know to go out shopping (it is amazing how much more looking and trying on clothes you can do by yourself) or go get a pedicure to refresh my nerves and calm me down so that I don't loose my mind.

So that was way too easy and there are more that come to mind but I guess I am done. I would like to tag Lauren and Amanda - if you want to that is. It does make you happy when you try to think of all the things that make you happy.

April catch up

I can't believe this month is almost over! It seems like it just started. Since I haven't been on top of keeping up-to-date on here I thought I would just do a catch up entry. Here we go.

• Easter was fun this year. It is so much fun having two girls that get excited about it. We had 2 egg hunts. One with Amber's little class and the other with our neighbors, the Picklesimers, who graciously invited us to their family Easter lunch. The Easter Bunny came and then the girls got to color eggs. Then it was off to some other friends for Easter dinner. It was loads of fun.

• On the 7th my brother John drove down for the day with his family so we could all play. It was lots of fun. We spend most of the afternoon at the park (that is where Elle got her sunburn) enjoying the sun - maybe a little too much.
  
• J got all crazy and cut all his hair off. It was a surprise to me when he walked in the door. Here is a video to see the transformation. If you want to read his take on it go here.
  

• I turned 28 on the 13th. I still can't believe I am this old. Where does the time go!? I got spoiled by family and friends with $, gift cards, and goodies. J got my bike fixed for me after it has been baking away in the sun for years. And I ate an entire Village Inn Banana Cream Pie (over 4 days - but still not good). Amber and Elle sang and wished me a happy birthday at least a dozen times if not more so it was a great birthday. Thanks everyone.
  
• There have been lots of time spend outside enjoying the weather before it gets too hot. We have been to the park, had picnics, went swimming, gone on walks, flown kites, and just played and laid in the grass. This is what we have been doing the majority of our free time.

Elle and Amber blowing their bubble whistles

Nathan looking up at the trees

Silly sisters loving on each other

Nathan trying on his new shades

Elle on her favorite park toy

Amber swinging away.

• Yesterday we took our new canoe out for its maiden voyage. The girls really had a great time and can't wait to go again.
  

Amber's first ride in the caneo

Elle waiting for another turn

The girls out with J/Papa.

• As you can see Nathan has been growing like a weed. He is a happy little guy most of the time.

Sunscreen and Whatnot

So I guess it takes Elle looking like this:


to remind me that it is Spring in St. George, which means we (me included - poor Elle gets her fair skin from me) can't go out without sunscreen on. You would have thought that after how bad I felt last year


I would have remembered to lather her up. I think I am going to start a summer bag that I take with me when we are leaving the house. In it will be: hats, sunscreen, and water bottles. I would love it it were cool enough here to just leave it in the car but I am sure if I did things would explode. Here are a couple of other pictures to enjoy. Now we are headed back outside to enjoy the weather while we can.

Amber being a Y

Don't you love my hair

Little mommies

Big girl hair

Big boy

Nathan in his Easter outfit

Amber in her one of her Easter dresses

Elle in one of her Easter dresses

Happy boy

Happy girl

Happy girl

Pictures of Elle

As promised here are some of my favorite pictures of Elle. It is always so hard just to pick a few so sorry there are so many. I even tried to cut them down. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Elle

Today at 11:55 AM Elle turned 2! She has been telling people that she is 2 for a couple of weeks now because I was trying to help her practice holding up two fingers so it is good that it is official now. She also has been telling people that her birthday is "way up in the sky" because we have been telling her since Amber's birthday that her birthday is "coming up."

Here are a few things about Elle. I will get up some of my favorite pictures of Elle ASAP (I was working on it today and kinda crashed the computer so when things are up and running again I will post them.) Happy Birthday my baby girl!

• She is almost always happy with a smile on her face
• She is brave and will try pretty much anything
• She is a great snuggler
  
• She is good at making people laugh
• Her favorite color lately is orange—she wants everything to be orange
• She loves babies and will take at least one baby with her everywhere
• She loves playing pretend with Amber
• She easily adjusts to whatever is going on
• She loves to dance
• She is the messiest eater who loves to dip in various sauces
  
• She likes to do things herself
• She doesn't like when you try to call her anything but her name; she will correct you, sometimes very sternly, that her name is Elle.
  

Tall boy

Yesterday Nathan had his two month appointment and wow has he grown. For those interested here are the specs:

Weight: 11 lb 5 oz. (42%)
Height: 24 1/4 inches (93%)
Head Circumference: 15.75 (44%)

As you can see he is still growing longer and longer. I knew that he was long but to think that he is already 2 feet tall is crazy to me. He is doing so well and has been a pretty easy baby for the most part. Here are a few new pictures of him.

Nathan in his summer hat.

Look at those cheeks and his double chin.

Elle, Nathan, and Amber (I didn't tell them to do this they just did it themselves—what love).

Nathan's Blessing Day

On Sunday we blessed Nathan. It was a nice and simple get together with just family and friends because it happened to be Stake Conference, which we didn't know when we picked the date so family could arrange schedules and purchase airline tickets. J gave Nathan a special blessing and after we headed over to the bank for some brunch. We had a great time visiting and eating. Thank you everyone who made the trip and thanks to Mary for making some really yummy food. Here are a few pictures from the day and also a fun video of Nathan smiling for Grandpa Ben.

Nathan all ready to go.

The three silly monkeys all dressed up.

Nathan, me, and J.

My little man and me.

The Maxfield family
Top row: Kelli, Jed, Mary, Max, J, me, and Junetta
Bottom row: Amber, Drew, Elle, and Nathan

The Giles family
Elle, Ben, Virginia, J, Nathan, me, Amber, and Bonnie

Isn't he just so stinkin' cute!?