Father & Son's Camping

This past weekend was our ward's Father and Son camping trip. Derek and Chase were very excited about going. I'm not sure who was more excited actually. Chase was so sad at lunch time on Friday because he was thinking that Dad had left him. I had to explain to him that Dad was still at work and he most definitely would not be forgetting him. Derek came home around 5pm. I helped load up the car and they were gone pretty quickly after that. Saying goodbyes was hilarious. Maeley and Chase were so cute. Saying how much they loved each other and Maeley told Chase "Have a good time. Be safe. I love you." And they gave each other multiple hugs and kisses. It was very sweet. We are so happy that our kids love one another.

Chase bundled up in the morning.

Because it was just the two of them it was easier to sleep in our car than to pitch our large tent. Derek added the tarp for privacy.

Chase and Daddy - I love them.

In the morning they made paper airplanes.

Doesn't Chase look so cute?

They both had a great time even though it was a short trip. Now I'm anxious to go camping again.

While the boys were away the girls and I had some of our own fun. Maeley picked out a movie at Target the day before. She chose Princess Protection Program. I'm not sure if it was because the word princess was in the title or because it came with matching BFF necklaces. Zoe and Maeley love the necklaces. The movie was pretty cute and I was shocked at how well Zoe sat and watched the whole thing. In the morning I painted Maeley toes and fingernails. I could tell Zoe wanted hers done too. She sat so still while I was doing it. I could tell she loved every minute of it. She is such a sweet girl.

Maeley's haircut

Thursday Maeley got her haircut. She was so excited to get it cut. We went to "the hair cut store" as she calls it and sat so well as it was being cut.  I had to come to terms that Maeley had my thin hair that is hard to work with. Her hair was just so stringy and and uneven. But now she loves her hair cut and so do we.

Dresser makeover

Like I mentioned in my previous post Derek and I started refinishing our dresser. We're finished now. It's wasn't hard at all just took patience waiting for coats to dry. Here's before and after pictures.

Yes we forgot to get a picture before we removed the drawers. Whoops. We were so excited to get started.

After

I love it! This picture doesn't even do it justice. It's amazing!

If you want to see more picutres you can check out this blog.

Random

For Mother's Day before we ate dinner Derek had everyone say some things that they loved about me. Its was very sweet and definitely unexpected. Derek did a wonderful job at making me feel extra specail on Mother's Day.

Chase told me the next day that he loved that I call him "my little buddy". I never knew he loved that nickname. I'm glad he told me.

Zoe has found that if she steps on the wet wipe container then she can get climb onto the couch. It's pretty cute to watch her.

A few days ago I took the kids to the store and bought some work books and games for them. We now have a school time. They are really enjoying it. I cannot wait for Maeley to start preschool.

Derek and I have started our dresser redo. It's going to look awesome! We are also planning on refinishing our table and making two benches for it. We have a great time doing projects like that together.

Derek and I are also cutting out sweets during the week and allowing one on Sunday only. It's been hard but I'm glad we're doing it. Oh and we're doing without soda.

For about a month now I've been consistantly working out. I'm not seeing results and its very frustrating but I'm not going to give up.

I made the best chicken enchiladas ever last week. Yumm Yumm. I have realized that when Derek is making me a specail meal I choose something mexican.

Last Saturday we went to the Gila Valley Temple openhouse. The kids were very well behaved. I don't think we heard one peep out of Zoe. At the end they had some cookies and bottled water. A few days later Chase told her wanted to go back so he could have some cookies. Yep, the kids have been asking all week for me to make cookies and I won't give in.

I'm in a really blah mood today and am so happy its Friday.

Zoe's 18th month dr. appointment

Yesterday I took Zoe in for her check up. She was pretty funny. This time she tried so hard to be brave. She held in her cry until the doctor moved her ever so slightly then she lost it and began bawling. What was the funniest thing was when the nurse came in to give her a shot. Zoe gave her the death look. It was hilarious and the nurse definitely noticed.

Weight: 22lbs (between the 10th and 25th percentile)

Height: 31.5" (50th percentile)

Head: 47cm (50-75th percentile)

Some random facts about Zoe

-She is left handed

-She has 8 teeth but is about to get her bottom molars any day

-She loves books (she's sitting near me now with a book in her lap)

-Loves being one of the big kids

-Doesn't talk a ton but can easily get her point across

-Loves animals

-When she really wants to be held she will hang on tight

-Her favorite foods are macaroni and cheese and baked ziti

-Still won't drink milk, rarely will drink juice but loves water

-Just like Maeley and Chase she will sometimes walk on her tip toes

-Loves her bed, her blankets, and dogs she sleeps with

(the other night I counted 2 blankets and 6 stuffed animal dogs she slept with)

-I wish I could say that whatever her breathing problems have been in the past are no longer but I can't. Just last night we had to give her 2 breathing treatments because she was wheezing so much. Can you believe it's almost been a year since she was hospitalized? Overall though that doesn't happen very often but we have to be careful when she gets a runny nose and cough.

Zoe brings so much love and laughter into our lives. We love you so much Zoe.

Family fun

Last Saturday was a great day. Weekends are always the best because daddy's home which makes the kids happier, which in turn makes me a much happier person as well. We took the kids to the zoo. They have been asking for quite some time when we can take dad to the zoo and we finally made  it happen.

I love how Maeley becomes our tour guide.

Chase's favorite animal, the giraffe.

This rhino I think looks weird.

This was the best shot we got. Sadly Derek was taking all the pictures so there's not a single one with him.

Maeley's favorite animal, the polar bear.

There were lots of cool birds.

We loved watching how excited Zoe was when she saw each animal.

I love Maeley's pose.

Zoe did a lot of pointing.

Still can't get them to look at the camera at the same time.

I love doing fun activites together as a family.