Photo overload

I really want this blog to tell a story. More for my own personal journal-keeping purposes really. So be prepared for quite the overload of photos you're about to encounter. And for once in my life, I didn't get too chatty!

We've been trying to find a lot of things to keep us busy these days. Here is little miss playing our new game trying to catch the butterflies Elefun.

When we moved into our rental house we noticed a duck sitting on a nest near our front door. We've been watching her daily to try to see when those ducklings hatch.

It's fun to watch her leave the nest and when she comes back she stands in one place for awhile, making sure nothing sees her climb back into her nest. (Note added: Later today I went out to get the mail and looked at where she normally sits on the nest. She was gone and the eggs were cracked. It doesn't look like they hatched so I have no idea what happened???)

These two play like a brother and sister. It's all love one minute and "mine" the next. I do love it when they make each other laugh and play chase around the house.

This one has big personality.

This is how we get our exercise these days. And if one wants up on daddy's back, they both do.

Yes, she has big personality, but she is also very sweet.

We had a quiet Easter here at home.

I'm not sure what made me think letting the littlest participate in the egg dunking was a good idea. She was stained green for the night. And so was I.

You can see where M ended up after her dunking incident and getting frustrated she couldn't eat the eggs.

The finished product.

Easter is our time as Christians to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That will always remain the focus for our family, however we also have enjoyed letting the kids have baskets the past two years.

I had purchased a few items over the last couple of months that I set aside for their baskets. (Target $1 bins are great!) And I'm a big fan of new books for spring/summer.

There really isn't a good place to take family photos in our rental house, and it was pouring outside...so I set up the tripod, we huddled in front of the door and begged the kids not to move.

They really are sweet kids and I'm so thankful for them.

We're Okies!

Well, we arrived in Oklahoma 26 days ago. And I have yet to post a single thing about the move! I have loads of photos to share but instead of giving you photo burnout I'll put them up in a couple of different posts.

Before we left Arizona I wanted to take some photos around the house. Even though we were ready to move, I also knew I'd miss the first home we bought together, the home we brought both of our children from the hospital to and the 7 years of memories we made while living there.

As a family, we were apart for over 5 months since my husband took his new job in Oklahoma. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

But we survived. And are thrilled to be back together again. I tried to pack as much as I could before my family came to help us move. Packing is not easy when you have two little ones around!

I've learned a lot over the last several months. I've learned how to push through when you don't want to. I've learned that even when things look grim, someone usually has it worse than you do. I've learned to pray ALOT.

I've learned I don't want to live life without my husband. He is my partner and friend. We are much stronger together than apart.

The kids rooms were always so peaceful to me. I loved escaping to them to play with the kids since we spent most of our time in the family room throughout the day.

We're living in a small rental house for the moment while we figure out our new surroundings and next steps. I think I will miss the kids decorated rooms most of all.

Curious George is a family fave.

I'm looking forward to watching this little boy grow up in a new place. In our new home.

I'm not sure what I was thinking taking the girls room photos at nightime without a flash.

These are just a few of the frames that filled Miss M's bedroom wall.

The very first dress I made for my sweet girl. I had to hang it up on display because it might be the only one I make for her! Hopefully not though.

The kids love to look up at this photo wall and point to themselves and other family members.

And for the final embarrassment. We ended up having to drive 2 trucks to Oklahoma. Crazy? Yes. I'm so thankful both my husband and my dad were there to be able to drive them. It was a scary trip driving through the curvy roads of Arizona and the windy plains of Texas. I won't ever do it again.

The Lord watched over us and we made it safe and sound. Whew. I think the trip took years off our lives. Now onto our next adventure!

No excuses, just pictures.

So I know I've been away from the ol' blog a little bit too long. I'd tell you all of my reasons or excuses but figured I'd just make it up to you with some photos from the last few weeks. You know when I say few weeks it's been awhile.

Today we finally did some of this.

That was much needed after we were doing a whole lot of yucky stuff that involved trash cans and potties. I think you can figure it out from there. I'm praying we're on the mend and can get our family back to being healthy for awhile.

Before all the sickies came over us, my mom actually came for a week visit. What a treat to have another adult here to talk to after the kids went to bed!

Nana even got conned into sitting on a brick while getting dirty in the sandbox.

We spent a lot of time outdoors since the weather was so great.

I was glad Nana was able to be here to celebrate Valentine's Day with us.

I had planned that for Valentine's Day it would be fun to go out and get some cupcakes from a specialty shop that I had heard about. After a half-hour drive we arrived at the shop only to find it filled with candies instead. I was disappointed, left the store purchasing two expensive bags of candies that none of us ended up liking. Nice. I do know of another shop that actually does sell cupcakes that is on my list to go to next time my mom is here. *Wink*

We took N to get his first hair cut. Yep, I said first. And he's 3. He's had the baby hairs straying away for awhile but after it taking him about 2 years to actually grow some hair I thought I'd wait it out a bit.

The place had everything a child could possibly want and was way over-priced but worth it for his first haircut memory. Afterall, who doesn't want to drive a firetruck while getting their haircut?

And here is the big boy. Although when I say that he says, "No, I'm a little boy." I'm okay with that.

Thanks for coming Nana. You made the month of February a little less lonely, and two little kiddos very happy.

The weather decided to cool off for us a bit, and we enjoyed bundling up.

And as I think about my big/little boy getting his first haircut, I think I'll hold out as long as I can before getting this little girls curls chopped off. I spent my entire straight-haired life desiring hair that could hold curl while sleeping on those pink styrofoam rollers. Maybe she won't have to follow in those footsteps.

Family Fun

Nothing too newsworthy to share here, so I thought I'd share some of my Project Life photos from the past couple of weeks.

We all love when daddy is home.

Donuts are a rare treat, as in we've bought them maybe two times for the kids since they've been born. So when we get them N goes nuts. Like most children, his favorite must be topped with sprinkles...which he happily eats off first.

She loves food. And messes.

These are seriously the biggest strawberries I've ever seen. And purchased.

Sweet smiles.

Questioning if this is a safe idea or not.

While the rest of the country was covered in snow, Arizona was also hit with a little cooler weather that caused us to have to bundle up.

And I honestly have no idea how they learned this, but when I walked into the kitchen and asked what they were doing, N told me "making snow angels."

And when you have to stay inside because the weather is cold, you get creative...

Tea anyone?

For N's preschool I utilize the workbox system. It is fabulous and definitely vibes with my need for structure. He loves seeing what each tray has in store for him. We work our way through all ten in about an hour.

A friend let me borrow her Insanity workout DVDs. They are insane. And I have a love/hate relationship with it.