Signing TIme

This is so classic Eliza-binky, blankie, sippy, and Rachel (lady on signing time!)

Mother's Day 2012

My mother's day was pretty low key. We went to church, came home, and Ryan's parents came down for dinner and  to bring Sadie back from her "birthday weekend" with them.  know I think it all the time, but I don't say often enough how blessed I am to be these kids' mom. I always say, "I hope I don't mess them up too bad..." but in reality I really do hope I can do a great job being their mom because they are really good kids (most of the time!) 

Connor gave me a sweet book that read,

"My mom likes to...lay out in the sun."

"My mom's favorite color is green."

"My mom likes to eat ice cream."

"My mom's favorite game is tennis."

"My mom's favorite show is The office" (not true-never watch that show:)

"My mom looks pretty all the time."

"My favorite place to go with my mom is Texas."

"One thing my mom says a lot is, "Feed the dog!"

"I like it when my mom goes running with me."

"If I could give my mom anything for Mother's day, I would give her a card because I love her."

"I would like my mom to know that I love her."

Mother's Tea

I was so happy to go to the annual Mother's Tea and Sadie's preschool. It is really so precious. They sang lots of songs like this...

We hung out with good friends like these...

Sadie served me "tea" (punch), fruit, and cake....

They sang more adorable songs...

I LOVE this face!

Friends!!

When asked to write a description of why her mom is special she said,

" Because she tucks me in at night. She gives me kisses at night. She gives me hugs. She makes me breakfast."

Connor's Spring Baseball 2012

Connor had a fun season of machine pitch baseball this year. Ryan helped coach and he had an amazing head coach and lots of friends on the team.  It was the most competitive sport we have played so far, but Connor didn't seem to stress too much, and really played well.  The girls enjoyed coming and playing with their friends and the weather wasn't too bad for some of the season. I loved having fun moms to chat with! The final game of the season was a tournament game on Sunday, and I was very proud of Connor for making the decision to not play. He actually made the decision himself without pressure from us. He was very torn because he wanted to be there for his team, but knew that church and time with family is where he should be. He is such a good boy. Can't wait for next season!

The "Connor's"

Eliza enjoying the game!

Grandma and Grandpa came for a game!

There is nothing cuter than a little boy in a baseball uniform!

5 Year Old Sadie

I am so lucky to be Sadie's mom. She is responsible for some of my most joyous moments as well as most challenging ones. She is so sugary and sweet and concerned for others as well as SUPER sassy at times. I love to watch her play with her little princesses, Barbies, and stuffed animals. She plays well by herself and can often be found in a corner playing alone, but also LOVES to pretend play with friends, Connor, and mom and dad. She loves to read scriptures and fairy tales-and don't forget Pinkalicious! She loves to sing loud to The Sound of Music, Annie, and Muppets soundtracks. She is a perfect angel at school and usually at friend's houses, but saves her sassy side for home.  She is a GREAT big sister. One of her most favorite things to do is go and "wake" Eliza up from her crib. She makes me go away so Eliza doesn't see me and they have their "time" together before I come and get them both out.  Eliza is pretty independent and doesn't always appreciate Sadie's mothering, but Sadie's heart is in the right place. Recently Connor and Sadie have also gotten along much better and often stay up really late in their room talking and playing together. Sadie loves dance, soccer, and recently has done a gymnastics class...she isn't the most coordinated, but she sure loves it! Sadie ADORES preschool and primary at church. She never missed a day this year except when we were out of town. She is pretty opinionated about what she wears, but one of the best things about her getting dressed (especially for church) is she loves to match me as best she can. She wants her hair like mine, if I am wearing a skirt she changes her dress to a skirt, if I am wearing a jewelry-she runs and puts some on...its just so cute!! I know it won't last long so I have to enjoy it while I can! She has a special place in her heart for her friends, cousins, and her Grandmas. Can't wait (and am a little scared) of what is to come with my Sadie Lady! Love her and am so grateful to be her Mommy!

Sadie's Fifth Birthday Celebrations

Since it's an odd birthday we didn't have a "friend" party but we still celebrated the big "five" and I think Sadie was very happy. We started the weekend before when Grandma and Grandpa came. Just them coming is present enough, but they brought her a fun jewelry box along with lots of accessories including sparkle shoes and a new purse! After presents we headed to Sadie's favorite, Panera for Mac and Cheese, and then downtown for cupcakes!

Candyland at the cupcake store with Grandma

 On Sadie's actual birthday, she and I got to go for a date to the movies and to get pedicures!  I love having daughters to do fun girly things with!

All done!

Connor always so happy to hug his sister.

 I love how easy she is to please. We asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she asked for a "singing princess balloon" and a stuffed dog...Ryan also got her a pink razor scooter that she LOVES.

She also did not want cupcakes or cake-Just candles in icecream. I felt a little guilty about not making something more fancy than that, but she insisted that she only wanted chocolate ice cream! 

Eliza enjoyed the ice cream too!

Sadie's preschool birthday was celebrated the day after. She got special treatment the whole day!

 She requested chocolate chip muffins, blueberry muffins, and apple slices for preschool snack. I think that they were a hit!

Of course Eliza loved snack time as well!

Las Vegas

I had planned a trip to Las Vegas with some girlfriends from Olympia a few months back. I had planned to just cancel it when I was going to go to Charlie's funeral, but it worked out that I drove back to Las Vegas with another old roommate, Alissa, who is from Las Vegas and her sweet baby Aurbrey and was able to meet the girls just a day late and still take my return flight home.  It was so fun to spend 6 or 7 hours straight with Alissa catching up, laughing, and crying. I sure love that girl! 

I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to have a good time after such a heavy weekend at the funeral, but the girls were so sweet and empathetic, and it was so nice to have some relaxing girl time and SUN!  

Sad News...

On my way home from Texas with my kiddos, I received a text from my college roommate Anna that told us that her sweet 4 month old Charlie passed away from SIDS. I was so saddened by her news. I love her like a sister and can only imagine her pain and suffering as a mother. About a week later I flew to Utah with Autumn (and sweet Violet) and we were able to attend Charlie's memorial service. It was really neat to have all of the old college girls there to support Anna. It was such an uplifting service and surely strengthened my testimony of God's plan and eternal families. At the same time it was just so sad and I hurt so badly for Anna and Chad. They, however, were so strong and united together for their sweet Charlie and daughter Hailee.  Something tragic like this sure gives a different perspective on life, after life, and what is truly important. I'm so thankful to my inlaws who came to watch my kids so that I could be there and to Emily and her family who let us crash at their house and even babysat babies so that everyone could go to the service. I am so blessed with wonderful friends and family.

Packard family 

Charles Preston Packard

The girls at breakfast before the funeral-behind those smiles are VERY red eyes from crying. 

"Texas" Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa came home from their trip in time to spend a few days with us. Grandpa did cannon balls into the pool, took Connor to an Astros game, and Grandma is always good for stories and  snuggles.  Glad we got a little time with them...next time we will visit when they are in town the whole time. :)

Easter in Houston

We spent the Saturday before Easter in Jon's parents backyard. They live right on a lake where the boys could fish, everyone could swim, and they had the perfect patio for hanging out. I don't remember the last time we did Easter egg hunts in swim suits! So fun.

Eliza fell asleep in my arms-a rare treat for me!

I think these 3 are pretty sweet!

The Easter bunny visited!

Cutie pie girls!

Before church-don't know where Eliza was??

Sadie even lost another tooth on that special day. What a fun surprise! Easter Sunday night,   I had a talk with Sadie and Connor about our Jesus our Savior and what a special day Easter day was. We talked about what a blessing it is that HE died and was RISEN three days later. We watched a couple of little videos on LDS.org. I hope they get the true meaning of Easter in addition to the fun traditions that we do!