Dating

I truly don't envy people who are still in the 'single & dating' phase of life. It was great while it lasted, but the kind of dating I prefer is with my one true love and best friend! We haven't always been too good at getting out, but we've recommitted ourselves and are loving it! It's refreshing to have a conversation with each other before it's so late that we're both tired. And eating dinner without having to get up 16 times or prod a child to eat for 30 minutes, is quite a treat! This month we've averaged 1 date a week-WOW- lucky us!!

This Weekend

In Madisen's preschool class they have a letter of the week. This past week it was P, so on Friday night we decided to have a P -Party. She dictated the details to me:
Who: People- our family
Game: Popping Game
Dinner: Pizza & Pears (she vetoed the peas b/c she doesn't like them)
Movie: Princess Jasmin aka "Aladdin"
Movie Snack: Purple Popcorn
*And of course we were all wearing Pink Pajamas, except dad that is!

The best part is that it didn't stop there. Oh no, there was more P fun in store... On Saturday we attended the Primary Party while dad & Caitlyn stayed home & worked on a Project! The kids bathroom is getting a much needed make- over. Bill worked all day on laying tile & once he has it grouted I will Paint, add a new shower curtain and voila it will be as good as new! (Stay tuned for some Pictures!)

Finally

Today was a BIG day for Caitlyn.... her bottom 2 I-teeth broke through! HOORAY! She has had only 12 teeth for a l-o-n-g time. Which means that she's still missing 8 important teeth- her 4 I-teeth and her 2 year old molars. At her 2 year appointment the doctor couldn't believe that they hadn't come in yet... I guess she's just a late teether.

But it certainly hasn't affected her talking! Her latest & greatest phrases are:
"Actually....."
"I need to go get somepin"
Caitlyn why did you do __________. Her response is, "Since I needed to."

Growing UP

My little girls seem to be growing up too quickly right now! They are increasingly more perceptive of their surroundings- & it's obvious by their clever comments.

**Madisen**
She LOVES to sing! I hear her singing primary & other songs throughout the day & I'm constantly impressed at how many words she remembers accurately.

She really is tender hearted & tries to include Caitlyn in what ever she's doing.

Her new favorite colors are pink, purple, & blue. (Notice we've added 2 colors to the repertoire.)

Her fine motor skills have greatly improved over the last few months- she colors in the lines, uses scissors appropriately, and tries to correctly form letters.

Madisen got her first CTR ring on Sunday and she wears it each day with pride! I couldn't resist snapping this picture of my grinning girl who was elated to show off her new jewelry!


**Caitlyn**

You know what they say- The best things come in small packages! So true, she brings 100% smiles to us! (When she's not whining, that is.)

She only knows 1 volume- loud!

It's fun to hear such a little body talk like she's 4. The other day after we dropped Madisen off at preschool she said, "I don't want to go home." I asked where she'd like to go & she said, "To Kiera's."

She also loves to sing & amazes me with the songs she can sing! My favorite is when she insists on singing "Sunbeam" all by herself!

I feel blessed to have these girls in my life!

Happy Birthday Bill!

Today my incredible husband turns 29! (Yes, for those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I'm 16 months older than Bill... he loves teasing me about how OLD I am!)

Last night at dinner Madisen asked Bill how old he was turning. After he told her, she was trying to figure out how many that was by asking me to hold up my fingers. I showed her it was 2 + 9, she was delighted that she could hold up that many fingers!

So here are 2 + 9 things that I love about Bill:
1: He is a loving and devoted husband.2: He loves being a daddy: he's fun, patient, understanding, involved, & loves his little girls!

1: He's a hard worker- self motivated!
2: He's efficient.
3: He's a great listener.
4: He's considerate of my needs.
5: He loves his family- immediate & extended.
6: He's committed to the gospel & shares that love with our girls.
7: He puts others before himself- he's unselfish!
8: He's thrifty!
9: He always makes me laugh!

Happy Birthday Babe!

The Temple

For Family Home Evening this year we are having our lessons coincide with the primary theme: My Eternal Family. I even came across an incredible FHE booklet that has a lesson outline for each week. Of course eternal families are eternal because of the temple. As we were talking about this difficult concept with our girls, it dawned on us that we've never taken them to see the Las Vegas temple. We are blessed to have one in our valley & felt that our girls should be familiar with it. So tonight we took them to see & walk around the temple grounds. Our drive lent itself to some good discussion about who gets to enter the temple, when we can enter the temple, what we wear inside, and that we are reverent on the grounds. My favorite thing was hearing each girl take her turn singing "I Love to See The Temple" multiple times! Music is such a powerful teaching tool!

Madisen asked if we were going to "Get the spirit" like it says in the song. I loved being able to share with her that we have the spirit in us & the temple is just one place where we get to feel it in our hearts.

A Word

Many people like to choose a word to define their theme for the new year. I haven't done this before, but think it would be a great foundation for my 'new years resolutions'. I've been thinking about it the last few days and have decided that my word for this year is REMEMBER. That is something I am going to strive do more of this year; especially remembering the things that really matter most! I'm excited about it. :)