Almost warm enough

Last week I got brave enough to take the kids to the zoo. Our membership expires soon and I don't know how much longer I can push a double stroller with 2 kids in it up that hill (because THEY are too tired to walk it). The weather was actually decent, but not quite warm enough to eat outside. We ate lunch on a bench in the leopard area, where there was heat and no wind. Anyway, it was fun... but I don't think I will do it again until the weather is a little better, or I'm a lot less pregnant, whichever comes first.

Carson's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe Carson is 3. It seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. He has been such a fun little boy. One thing is for sure, he is not lacking in the personality department. He loves being the center of attention and making us laugh. We love Carson so much and have had such a fun couple of days celebrating his 3rd birthday with him.

Back in time, here's Carson as a newborn:

First Birthday.

2nd birthday.

And yesterday, for his 3rd birthday. I put Carson in this new shirt for the party and Nate had to put on his shirt that matches. They were so cute as twins. I guess, unconsiously, I dress Carson like Nate.

Tiff and Blake gave us some of Blake's "Qubes" to keep at our house. Blake is starting a company making them. They are some really cool foam/ fleece cubes that are SO fun to play with. The kids have loved playing with them. Thanks guys!

I got Carson this outfit for his birthday. He LOVED it so much he immediately changed right in front of everyone. He calls it his "basketball outfit" because of the shorts. I love that he gets so excited about little things like that.

Obsessed

I don't know if it's the winter, the pregnancy, or what, but lately I have been completely obsessed with crafts. Here are a few I've done recently:

I made these hearts with my friend Brittany last month for the girls' room. It's kind of hard to see, but the pink heart has crystals glued to it, which adds a little sparkle, so fun!

Brittany also helped me make some flowers and bows (she's amazing!). Then I learned how to make the headbands and the curly bows. The curly bows are so fun. Girls are so fun!

I made these blankets for the baby. The pink & green minky one is super soft and for the crib, the brown & pink one is just for fun.

I found this idea from Gardner Village and copied it for a valance in the girls' room. Lots of ribbon & then I added the flowers (actually hair clips from Brittany).

I made these square plaques to hang above the girls' beds with their initials on them. I left the baby's blank because we're not positive on the name yet.

Can I just say that it has been SO much fun getting ready for another girl?

Other obsessions lately: shopping for kids clothes & finding GREAT deals! (LOVE the gap outlet), baking cookies, and Bajios veggie burrito: YUM. Actually eating out in general is pretty much on my mind nonstop.

A happy Valentines Day

We had a great Valentines Day spent at the Salt Lake temple with Nate's family. Austin Ruslan was sealed to Nate's parents, what a special thing to witness! Here is a picture of all of us after the sealing in front of the temple.

Diaper free... for a couple of months at least.

Carson is officially potty-trained! We had a rough couple of days at the beginning, but once he got it he really got it. He hasn't had an accident for several days and is little mr. independent when it comes to the restroom. I'm enjoying not changing diapers for the time being and we are all excited to go to Ikea. 2 kids in the playzone for a whole hour, that's a whole hour of shopping without kids! Anyone up for a morning at Ikea and meatballs for lunch afterward? ( I LOVE their meatballs!)

And now I get to start stocking up on newborn-size diapers, which are so much more fun to buy than size 4.

Here's a picture of Carson in our "Underpants Parade" we did, from the Go Potty Go movie we rented from the library.

Extreme Makeover, Mom Edition

This morning my kids wanted to do my hair and makeup. Carson was in charge of makeup (using Sadie's makeup) and Sadie did my hair. This is the beautiful result:

If anyone is interested in their makeover skills, let me know. I'll send them to your house. By the way, the play makeup doesn't come off as easy as you'd think. After washing twice, exfoliating, and then washing again there are only subtle remains of Carson's art.

Holiday fun

We had a fun-filled couple of weeks with Christmas and my parents in town.

Christmas Eve: spent the night at Nate's parents' house. We stayed up late playing Rock Band.

Sadie and Carson had a fun Christmas & got some fun presents from Santa.

Nate and I decided to get a little more festive by wearing our ugly holiday sweaters from an ugly sweater party we went to earlier in the month.

Chantell loved her hand-made slippers (made out of maxi-pads) from moi.

Nate's mom's side of the family has a fun tradition of spending the night in a bowling alley in Brigham city (owned by an uncle). With unlimited bowling, lots of yummy food, and fun company, it is one fun night! My parents and some of their friends from Ogden came with us for the first half of the night, they had a blast. All the guys were sore from bowling so many games. I bowled one game with the kids and decided bowling and pregnancy don't go together. (Plus, Sadie beat me.)New Years Eve: We partied it up Rock Band style at my uncle Rob's house with his family. Costumes were mandatory.