Happy Veterans Day 2015!

We had a great time at the Parade!

Veteran's Day was a lot of fun, but very exhausting. I was already tired from working the day before and both kids have been giving me trouble at night, making it impossible to sleep. In fact, I almost cancelled our plans so I could stay home and take a nap because I had to work the day after but I'm glad I bucked up, grabbed a Starbucks latte, and made some really fun memories with  my kids :).

My cup of sanity right here!

Austin wanted to go home with Grandma the night before (she was babysitting while we were working) which was just fine with us! So that morning I only had one child to get ready so we could head out the door. I don't know why but it STILL took 2 hours! I think that's just how tired I was....

Baby girl and I made the drive to Logandale, and once we met up with my Mom, Nate, and Austin, we headed over to the parade! We got there fifteen minutes early so we could find a good spot and set up our chairs, which was just enough time for Austin to get bored and throw a temper tantrum in front of everyone.... it was pretty embarrassing :(.

Who knows what started it.

As you can see by my face, I was not amused, and was quite honestly wondering why I didn't just stay home and take a nap!

But soon a helicopter did a fly by with the pilot waving out the window, and like all two year olds, Austin suddenly perked up and found joy in his life again! The police cars were the first to come by with their sirens going, throwing candy out the windows. Now Austin was really loving it and I was again happy with my decision to not stay home.

"Look Gama! Fire Truck!" He doesn't know the difference between the police and the firemen yet ;).

Running out with Grandma to grab some candy!

Once he got the hang of it, he no longer needed someone to go with him. He was ready!!

We had a great time watching the marching band, the cheerleaders, and teaching Austin to put his hand over his heart when the flags went by with the Boy Scouts. It was at this moment that I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I felt so grateful for the Veterans who put their lives on the line to keep our country safe. I felt grateful for my little family and for the opportunity to take them to this small town celebration so we could salute the old Vets as they passed us by. They especially loved Austin by the way as he ran out into the road and waved to them ;). I don't think we take the time to stop and realize how blessed we really are. Life gets rough, but we still have more than most and we want for nothing. Who could ask for more than that?

I am thankful for my sweet Mom, and how much love she has for us and our babies. She saves me by being our babysitter so I could go back to work. I don't know what I would do without her!

I'm grateful for Nate and the great support system he has been to me and my sisters when our Dad decided to not stick around anymore.

I am beyond grateful for my sweet babies. They mean the world to me and I would die for either of them without hesitation.

I am grateful for family and how much mine loves to be involved in our lives. I truly believe it takes a village to raise children. Everyone has a different personality and different traits that will help my kids learn and grow in countless ways.

I am grateful for the pure love of Christ and how often I see it shining through the eyes of my children and their sweet spirits. All we can do is hope we are doing it right and life doesn't take away their inner beauty.

After the parade we went to Sugar's for breakfast as is our long standing tradition since I was a little girl actually being a participant in the parade! Both kids did great which was a happy surprise and Momma got to eat her breakfast! SCORE!!

We went back to my parent's house after that and sat on the front porch for a while, enjoying the weather and looking at my old baby pictures. I wanted to see if our kids look anything like I did as a baby and it was shocking. Eve has my chubby cheeks, and every once in a while you could see it in the eyes. But Austin, that boy is my twin! Even HE thought the pictures were of him and he kept pointing to the 2 year old me in the pictures and saying, "It's Aus'in!!" We tried correcting him but he didn't understand. Seriously though... the resemblance is remarkable!

Around nap time we headed back home to see Daddy who only had to work half the day. The kids slept in the car and then we spent the rest of the day watching movies and spending quality time as a family. It was the perfect day!

Mommy and Eve's Little Time Out

Having a picnic lunch at a park nearby in the beautiful sunshine :).

I have been dying to go to Time Out For Women this year! I have needed it big time. I've needed the inspiration, the enlightenment, the time out from life... I brought Eve with me which was special because it gave us some bonding time without Austin around stealing all the attention. Eve is our sweet child that for the most part doesn't ask for much. She lets Austin be his demanding self and she rarely complains. This has been such a blessing for us but sometimes I feel bad that she isn't getting as much one on one attention as she might need.

I dropped Austin off at Emmett's house Friday morning. Those two have been best friends since they were little babies and Austin LOVES to go to his house. Josh would pick him up after work and then the two of them would have a boy's weekend while the girls were away!

We carpooled with Sadie and headed off to St. George to meet my Mom, Aunt Tammy, Aunt Heidi, and cousin Jessica at my Grandma Wiegel's house so we could all go to the conference together. Grandma has this big mirror in her hallway and Evelyne had a blast playing with her reflection in the mirror. She kept trying to give herself kisses and bonking her head hard every time! Then she would laugh it off and try it again ;). She was so adorable!

Silly baby playing with her twin ;).

Her hair is getting so long!

We had fun sitting in the hallway and watching her!

Getting a pony ride from Great Grandma Wiegel.

Right before we left for lunch, Eve had a blow out and I didn't pack enough clothes :(. So she was naked for a while until I could wash out the poop stains and try to dry her clothes. That's okay though because she is even more adorable naked!!

I had woken up 3 hours before everyone else in hopes to have time to do my hair. But of course, the kids decided to wake up early too, leaving me once again with the pony tail.

Once everyone made it to Grandma's house, we headed over to Chuck a Rama for lunch! It was yummy and the baby did great! She is so opposite of Austin....

Our gang (minus Heidi and Jessi who were late) eating wayyy too much and feeling super sick afterwards.

After that we went to the conference and spent the next two days laughing, learning, and enjoying each others company. It was just what the doctor ordered for us all and we were sad to have to go back home. I loved holding my baby and walking around in the back while listening to amazing people talk about uplifting topics. There were multiple moments when the spirit was so strong, I couldn't help but squeeze Evelyne tight and cry into her hair. Life has been so hard lately and I am so grateful for the opportunity to feel the spirit and be around some pretty amazing women.

Eve had a fun time getting passed around from person to person, each giving plenty of loves and kisses.

Cousin Jessica is the sweetest and she loved little Evie!

Our 4 generations of women picture.

Getting goofy for a minute... gotta keep it interesting!

I love my Momma and sister soooo much! I only wish Briana could have joined us. Sadly she had to work :(.

We don't get to see Aunt Tammy very often because she lives in Utah so it was fun getting to catch up with her and hear how her family is doing!

Getting some loves from Aunt Heidi!

It is the support from the women in my family that gets me through the day. It is their love that encourages me to be better. I am so blessed!

Meanwhile, Austin and Daddy were having a great time! They ate at Burger King for every meal, watched Back to the Future (Austin's favorite movie), and met up with Grandpa Porter at the movie theater to see the new Peanut's Movie! Josh and I had our doubts on how well Austin would do since we have never been brave enough to take him to the movies before. We both imagined him jumping on the chairs, and throwing popcorn everywhere. But it sounds like it was the exact opposite! He calmly sat in his chair in between Dad and Grandpa, proudly in charge of holding the popcorn. Josh said he kept looking up at Dad and Grandpa and getting this adorable, proud look on his face like he was officially one of the men! Josh also said he kept yelling, "uh oh!!" every time Snoopy did something crazy and starting saying, "Mommy and Daddy!" when Snoopy gave his girlfriend a kiss ;). I loved hearing all about it and look forward to possibly visiting the movie theater again in the near future!

Since it was a children's film, they had a little play area set up for the kids to go inside Snoopy's dog house and play!

Austin even got to meet Snoopy in person!! :)

Halloween Week 2015!

We had such a fun Halloween this year! It totally trumped last year when Austin had croup and ended up in the hospital...

Our community held a fright night for the kids and it was so much fun! There was food, games, and of course, lots of candy! Austin had a great time in the pumpkin patch picking out the perfect pumpkins for himself and Evie. Then, after he raided the candy table, he won some prizes at the game tables (with the help of Auntie Briana who cheated for him) and then we went over to the food area and munched on popcorn balls and all sorts of yummy treats. Josh was sick so he stayed home while Briana and her boyfriend (Trevor) filled in. I was so glad I had their help because it was quite the task trying to keep an eye on Austin and help him out with the games and pumpkin decorating while trying to keep an eye on the baby who had fallen asleep on the walk down to the park. She woke up towards the end and was very shocked to see all the people and activities going on around her!

It was baby girl's bed time and she fell asleep in the stroller.

Getting ready to hit up the candy table!

Picking out the perfect pumpkin.

Austin didn't know what to think about the Monster's Inc. guy, but he walked right up to Scooby Doo and gave him a big hug!

"Nana" picked him up and showed him that this wasn't a "Scawwy Monster."

Decorating our pumpkins!

Putting the spider legs on :).

Briana is so sweet with the kids! She is a great Aunt!

Look at those adorable little wings!

CANDY!!!

Watching the mad scientist do some cool experiments! Austin loved it!

Trevor on sleeping baby duty ;).

The fairy is flying!

Our next party was our Ward Trunk or Treat! We had a chili and cornbread potluck dinner and then went around to all the scarily decorated cars and loaded up on MORE CANDY! Austin wore his costume just long enough to take a picture and then decided he was over it. So nobody knew what he was supposed to be but they gave him candy anyway. I guess when  you are two you can get away with that kind of stuff ;).

The baby had a good time in Daddy's arms while Mom tried to keep track of Austin. He wanted complete independence from me and wouldn't let me walk around with him so I had to follow at a distance and watch. I was so sad about this! But all became right in the world when he started following a blonde woman who he thought was me and suddenly got super scared and started bawling his eyes out and yelling for Mommy when he realized his mistake :). I couldn't help it, I loved that he still wanted me around and from there on he allowed me to trunk or treat along with him :).

I love my handsome hubby, scary ghost, and baby fairy soooooo much!

They were so cute!

This is the point where he started freaking out and trying to rip his costume off....

Actual Halloween day was a blur of activities and we didn't get the greatest pictures, but we had A BLAST! We started the morning off at the temple because my Mom finally got her temple recommend back after years of struggling with life and we wanted to support her in her first day back to the temple since our wedding day! Josh went, but he didn't want to do a session so he did initiatories by himself and then met us back at the house later. I'm still not 100% sure why he did that but I think it has something to do with his Dad dying and wanting some time alone. My mom had quite a few friends there to support her. It was so special! After the session, a couple of us stayed for lunch at the temple cafeteria and had a good time talking and laughing. It was a great morning!

At the Las Vegas temple before we went our separate ways.

The whole gang, it made my Mom's day to have so much support!

Once we got back home, I baked pumpkin snicker doodle cookies, a ham, and made my famous homemade pumpkin bisque per tradition! The food was sooo good! Briana and Trevor had babysat for us while we were at the temple and Sadie came over later with her new boyfriend. Who knows how long this one will last so I didn't bother with him being in the pictures.... Nate showed up towards the end of dinner and after he got a chance to eat, we got the kids ready and went trick or treating! We have the greatest neighborhood. All the houses were decorated and Austin had a blast! Grandpa carried fairy Eve around while we all followed Austin from house to house loading up on all sorts of goodies! We made it around the whole block and he still begged to keep going! The only thing that kept him from throwing a tantrum was telling him we need to get home so we can look at all his candy hahaha. Once inside, we munched on candy and watched Beetlejuice as is tradition. It was a great night to follow a great day! I love having kids because it lets you relive your childhood all over again :). Oh, I forgot to mention that Austin once again refused to wear his ghost costume so we compromised and dressed him as a 49'ers football player. I was embarrassed by his pathetic costume but he actually scored a lot more candy because of all the 49'er fans who thought his costume was the best! ;)

Our trick or treating group minus Grandpa.

Hanging out by his pumpkin he decorated and munching on a pumpkin snicker doodle. This was his costume. I added some black under his eyes to make it a little more legit.