Moments like this...

How precious my sweet children look when they are fast asleep. It's hard to believe that just minutes ago they were fighting like dragons to stay awake. I shouldn't say that. Leah is like clockwork. 8:00pm comes around, she is ready. She'd rather not have any holding. Just lay me down, Mother, please! No protest.

Then there's Dillan. The problem is, my house is shrinking. The two of them share a room.

Dillan has been a cuddlebug since Day 1. He'll go through the bedtime routine without argument. Then the routine comes to an end, and the battle begins. I leave the room amongst the pleading tears of my child. But I'm also "done" by this point. This is where Chris' magic comes in, that is, when he's home. He gets Dillan his beverage (water) and rounds up the blanket. He's the only one who can do it. I allow it. It's nice that Dillan gets that comfort from Daddy that he can't get from me. It's part of their special relationship.

Miraculously, neither have woken up the other at night or in the morning. I hope that will last.

Life's an ocean, sail it

For the first time ever, our ENTIRE family was able to go on a ride at Sea World. The employees had always been adamant that a baby has to be able to walk to be allowed on the ride. This time I put her down and let her show her stuff. Priceless. Unfortunately it was Abby's-spin-till-you-throw-up ride, but at least we were all there...together.



The next highlight was the huge walrus who was eating with his face pressed up against the glass. He kept spitting out his snack, which one could clearly see was a small fish, still in tact although chewed up in the middle, and then slurping it back in. He did this constantly. Once Dillan saw him do that, he wanted nothing to do with the thing. Leah didn't seem to mind. Daddy couldn't get enough. It was hilarious.



and let us not forget...

Final Score: BYU 44 Wyoming 0

Whattaday!

Saturday was a great day for our family. We got up, put on our BYU Gameday Gear and headed over to the church for an Eagle Scout blood drive. Miraculously, Chris and I were both able to donate while keeping the children in check. Then we headed over to my parent's house to get ready for the party. We helped clean a little and set up everything. My goal was to have a bunch of "entertaining" things in the backyard to try and keep any kids back there so that the house was not too destroyed. Well, I tried.
Then the BYU Football game started, and then ended before halftime, and that kept us going the whole day and kept our guests wildly entertained.
I'd been stewing about the birthday cake for awhile, just not sure what I was going to do and trying to decide between various ideas I had seen, but determined to do it myself.
It turned out fairly close to what I had imagined. If I had recruited the help of my dad it would have been too good, I believe. Many at the party said it looked great, so I was satisfied. So was Leah...




It was hard trying to do everything myself, I guess I'm a bit of a control freak that way. I wanted Chris to take pictures and videotape, but I knew what I wanted filmed and what I wanted done MY WAY. Of course I would have had to leave Leah's clutches for awhile, which she just wasn't having since she was not about to take a nap.
So overall it was a lot of fun and she got so many cute presents including clothes, cell phones, and purses.
Thank you to everyone who was there, even if it was a little far to drive. We truly appreciate your love and support. It was a blast!

Happy 1st Birthday Leah!

Our little stinkbug has grown up so much! She has been so fun to have in our family and we love her sooo much. It's fun to see her sweet personality developing as she grows.





Happy Birthday LeeLee!

My Mosaic

Well THAT was fun.
It actually took me forever as I tried to figure out some of my "favorites." Decisiveness has never been one of my stronger traits.
I guess it turned out okay.
Here are the questions and answers associated with my masterpiece above:

1. what is your name? Kimberly
2. what is your favorite food? fruit salad
3. where did you go to school? BYU
4. what is your favorite color? green
5. who is your celebrity crush? Landon Donovan
6. favorite beverage? water
7. dream vacation? Tahiti
8. favorite dessert? chocolate-chip cookies
9. what do you want to be when you grow up? a beach bum
10. who do you love most in life? my family
11. one word to describe you: sporty
12. your nickname: buns