Feels like Summer

Yesterday we bought a plastic pool. Ryanne wanted to play in water and we really didn't have any options to do that outside until the pool purchase.
The weather has been really nice, not too hot yet, in my opinion. But, it started getting warmer yesterday.
As soon as Jonah got home from school, they put on their suits and started playing.
These little pools are great for occupying children for extended periods of time.
Hours later, they got out and we dried off.
This morning Ryanne asked if she could get back in the pool.
Sure, why not?
So, the girls have already played for hours. We are taking a short break right now, so that when Jonah comes home from school he can play too.
Hurray for water and swimsuits and little plastic pools.

Jonah's Baptism and My Family's Visit

Jonah decided to be baptized and we decided to wait until the end of March so that my family members from Utah could come and share the special occasion with us.
I am so happy that Jonah wanted to be baptized and that he wants to follow in his Savior's footsteps.
It was a beautiful day and it was so wonderful to have all of Matt's siblings and their families and almost all of my siblings (We missed you Jake!) and their families, plus our parents there to share in the special day. It was the first time that all the grandkids on Matt's side have been together since the youngest, Lucas, was born. It truly was an experience!
All the cousins had so much fun playing together for a few days.

My parents and younger brother came during my brother's spring break, so they were able to stay for a week and a half. We enjoyed the beautiful spring/summer-ish weather and sunshine.



We took a trip to the Aquarium in Atlanta and my brother Jacob met us there, so that he could spend a few days with everyone.






My brother celebrated his 18th birthday while he was here, so I reserved a karaoke room at Shokitini, downtown in Athens, for the party. It was so much fun. We had our own private little room with a couple of mics, remotes and big screens.
We sang, danced, laughed, and ate some delicious food. It was a blast.

I think that everyone enjoyed it. Doesn't that look like a happy birthday boy?
After the exciting karaoke party, we went home and enjoyed some homemade angel food cake and homemade ice cream. I sure had a blast and I think Andrew did too.
The last of my family visitors left earlier this week.
I have the best family. I love them so much!
Thanks for spending so much time with us.
Love you!

Mt. Yonah & Our 9th Anniversary

So, every year we celebrate our anniversary by going out of town for at least one night.
We take turns planning our trips and this year it was Matt's turn to plan.
I had no idea what we were going to do.
We had some friends come and stay with the kids overnight and also had help from all the local grandparents (Thank You!!).
We left early in the morning and I was so tired, that I slept up until we got to the grocery store to get a few snacks for the hike. I knew we were hiking, but I had no idea where.

We ended up hiking Mt. Yonah, the same hike we did the day we got engaged, over 9 years ago.
It is a good hike and a few things have changed in the years that have passed since we hiked it last.
There is a new trail head, but all the maps were gone, so we just parked in the same place we did last time and hiked up the steep road.
Matt didn't make me rock climb straight up the rock face like he did last time, but we didn't take the easy way up. We still scaled the rock, by going around it and it was quite scary to me in certain places. It was really cloudy and kind of wet.
Matt said I looked like a cat after I had gotten on all fours and climbed a particularly steep and slick place, very quickly. I was just scared and I knew that if I didn't do it fast, I wouldn't have to guts to do it.

Anyway, we got to the top and found our tree. It still had Matt's proposal carved in it! Fun!
We took some pictures and explored a little bit.
On the hike down, we decided to take the new trails and ended up by the new parking lot and trail head. Too bad our car was in a completely different spot. We figured it couldn't be too far, so we just walked on the roads for a couple of miles until we found the car.


(I love that Matt proposed this way- It was so cool to see it all over again!)
We drove to Helen, which is really close to Mt. Yonah and found a cute little hotel on the river.
We got cleaned up and took a nap in the middle of the day (I haven't taken a nap in a really LONG time, so that was really refreshing).
We went out to get something to eat and then played Minature Golf. It started raining on us while we were golfing, but it was really fun.
We came home the next day feeling recharged and ready to take on the week.
The only bad thing about being able to spend so much time alone with Matt, is that I miss him like crazy when he has to go back to work.
Back to real life, he says.
It's ok. I love my real life too.

Jonah's 8!!

Last week Jonah turned 8 years old! I can't believe it.
He was super excited about his b-day get together with our family here. He was really excited about all of his gifts and read The Diary of a Wimpy Kid in less than 24 hours! (He must take after me)

Savannah and Ryanne were really excited about being able to pick out a little gift for him.
He wanted brownies, so we made a brownie tower. He chose Peanut Butter Swirled Brownies and Mint-filled Brownie Cupcakes.
Then on friday night he invited 2 friends over and we took them out to dinner with us.
We came home and had a "late-over", where they played games and had a ton of fun.


I can't wait until later this month when Jonah is baptized and my parents/siblings are coming for the occasion. Fun!!

Happy Anniversary to Us Today!
It has been 9 years- YAY!!!
We are going to go on a date tonight- Exciting!!

Snow

So, it snowed the other day.
I won't lie. I didn't get excited. Well, maybe just for a second because it was kinda pretty.
I can't figure out why snow and cold weather love me so much.

Anyway, the kids ran around in it when it was falling and the next morning, they wanted to play it in.
Too bad I didn't bring our snow boots that we had in Utah. I really didn't think that we would ever need them. Who came to the rescue? Matt, of course. He rigged up some "boots" with some of his athletic tape. Yay- FOR Dad!


We had a fun Valentines Day. I had a coupon, so I was able to get the girls these little cute matching dresses, tights and headbands.
We all color coordinated and went to church.

Someone found a cool hot pink heart to surround their amazing family.

I love Valentine's Day

I have always loved Valentine's Day. Not the gift giving or candy or commercialization of it, but just the idea of being thoughtful and expressing how much you care to the special people in your life.
Not to mention, I have the best valentine in the world. Matt always does something thoughtful and creative for me. Remember last year?


I helped Jonah cut out hearts for his valentines to give to his classmates and to decorate his valentine box and it was just so much fun. I convinced him to make homemade valentines this year to pass out at school and he actually had a lot of fun coming up with the sayings.
I thought he was really creative and the best part was when he realized that homemade valentines were more fun to create.



We also had to decorate sugar cookies. Valentine's Day and sugar cookies just go together. It is always entertaining to watch kids try and cover their cookie with 2 tons of sprinkles. I just had to laugh. Those little nonpareils really can make a mess.

I guess I just like hearts and love.
Pretty great things to celebrate if you ask me.

I love my girls.
I love the warm sunshine.
I love smiles.
I love hugs.