Happy Father's Day!

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I wanted to wish the men in my life a very Happy Father's Day!

This handsome man is such an amazing daddy to his little girls! We are so blessed to have him. He works so hard for us. The gals are always so excited when daddy comes home (as am I). He is also a wonderful husband! Happy Father's Day- babe- We love you so much!!

Happy Father's Day to my own dad! This man is one of the best men I know! He does so much for our family and is one of the gals favorite people! We love you Pops- thanks for all you do for us!

Happy Father's Day to Joe! We appreciate all you do for us! Thank you and Gisele for raising such a great guy who has become a wonderful husband and father. We love you!

There are also a few other men I would like to say Happy Father's Day to. Sean's grandpa is such a great man also and has taken me in like I am his own granddaughter and I am so thankful for that- we love you! My uncle Ric- who has always been like my second dad and surrogate grandpa to my gals- thank you for all you do for us- we love you too! I was really close to my Grandpa Claude- our family called him "Butch" there is hardly a day that goes by that I don't think of him and miss him. I miss him calling me "Emmy" everytime he saw me. We love and miss you Butch.

Favorite Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past couple of weeks. We got Gracie feeling better for 2 whole weeks and she enjoyed being able to play outside with Brooklyn. These 2 little cuties are my world I love them so much and I love that they love each other so much.

Girls in the Princess car

Brooklyn started playing T-Ball and likes it- sometimes. This girl is going to do Sean and I in- she will be excited all day for the game and then we get there and she will not play. (Well she played in 1 full game.) And she is good- you should see this girl hit the ball. So I hope the rest of the season will go a little more smoother.

I went with my cousins and sister to see Taylor Swift in concert. It was such a fun concert- minus the grown dad and 2 teenage girls yelling at each other right behind us- but that is another story. We had a great time!

This morning when I went to go to church I noticed that my rose bush had bloomed over night. This rose bush was here when we bought this house and my mom's friend came and taught me how to prune and care for it. It does really well. It has somewhere between 12-15 blossoms that are out or close to blossoming. I love this time of year when flowers are blossoming. If you look closely you can see the rain drops on it making it even that much more beautiful. I took this picture this morning and by this evening more blossoms were there- it is so fun to watch. I am also happy to report that in our garden- we have corn coming up. This is our first attempt at a garden and it is quite a fun process to watch it grow. I am hoping for success in at least one thing that we planted.

And this little monkey that we call Gracie has learned the art of climbing and it quite good at it. Earlier today I was working on getting this post done and she had gone into the kitchen- I noticed that it seemed a little too quiet so I came into the kitchen to find her standing in the middle of my table. AHHH! I wanted to run and get my camera- but decided it would be better to get her before she decided to walk right off. One of the chairs was pulled out and she had climbed onto that and from there onto the table. Little stinker. She has had a rough 5 weeks or so- between her 3 ear infections and now she has a terrible looking throat and awful cough and fever. I am just waiting for it to go to her ears. She is such a sweetie and amazes me daily. Yesterday, she dropped something and said, "ah oh!" And kept dropping things and saying it. That is my favorite when babies do that. She will also repeat words she hears. Earlier Sean, Brooklyn, and I all said, "good" and next thing we know Gracie pipes up and says, "good." She also loves to throw things away. She will go around looking for anything that she can put in the garbage can. So far she has been good at only throwing garbage away.

A Pet Peeve...

I don't know if this bugs anyone else as it does me. You are in a public place and your baby decides to have a dirty diaper- you go into the bathroom to change the baby and there is NO changing table!! This happened to me tonight and I am still annoyed over it. This is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Sean had school on the night of Brooklyn's Preschool Graduation and had told her that when the movie UP came out we would go to Ogden and eat at the Pizza Factory (if you have never eaten there you need to- their Breadtwists are to die for- they also have a fun little arcade) and then see the show. We did eat at the Pizza Factory- but couldn't get tickets in Ogden so we made the little drive to Layton. Before the show started Sean mentioned that Gracie had a messy diaper and he was taking her out to change her. He came back in and said there wasn't a changing table so I took her to the women's restroom thinking that it would be in there- nope it wasn't. This theater has I think 18 theaters and we were in the back- so I walked to the front restrooms and no changing table. The manager was standing there and I asked him if there was a family restroom somewhere. He informed me that they didn't have changing tables. (I was quite baffled and thinking to myself- there are 18 theaters, 2 or 3 different places to buy treats, a huge room for birthday parties, but no changing table. That makes sense!) So I asked him what he suggested I do- lay her on the ground? His response, "probably just take her out to your car- I'm sorry we don't have anything else to offer you." I was so annoyed- I found a little secluded area that looked somewhat clean and set up shop and changed her there. Anywhere that is a public place should have a changing table. Now that I have got that out- we had a blast tonight- the Pizza Factory was as good as ever and UP was super cute!

All About Brooklyn...

Our little Miss Brooklyn has had a busy week. Last Saturday she had her first ever dance revue. She took dance this past year at Tueller's. I liked it because they don't do competitions and the revue was the Preschool classess and Kindergarten classes. So it was all about them. Brooklyn looked so dang cute with her hair all done-up and her green tutu was to die for. She did FANTASTIC and we were so proud of her.

Pops went and bought Brooklyn these flowers

And then this past thursday, Brooklyn had her last soccer game and then her preschool graduation. After her soccer game when I was getting her ready for the graduation, she looked at me and says, "Today is all about me, huh mom?" She has been going to Little Star Preschool for the past 2 years. We have LOVED this preschool and her teacher, Janae has been so good to her. I can't believe that my baby is going to Kindergarten next year. It is CRAZY!

(And on a side note- this past week on Monday I had Gracie back into the Doctor and she had another double ear infection- her 3rd in 4 weeks. The week before I had Brooklyn into the Doctor with an ear infection. And this week something hit me full force. I didn't hardly function for 3 days- THANK YOU everyone who helped me out with the gals. On Wednesday, I woke up without a voice and my throat was SO sore. I got into the Doctor and have a sinus infection and have been miserable. For anyone counting, that is 8, yes 8 times that I have had the girls and myself to the doctor in 4 weeks. Plus, Sean went once. My sister pointed out that I didn't mention that we did pay a $25 co-pay each time we went. Also- Gracie has had 3 antibiotics, Sean, Brooklyn, and I have each had 1, and I had a special mouth rinse to help my throat. We are hoping that after we are all off our antibiotics we will finally be feeling better and able to enjoy this Spring.)

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to wish all the women out there a Happy Mother's Day! I don't think that you actually have to have had a child to have mom attributes! There are many women around me who have not had that chance yet to have their own child, but they love my girls and I want to thank them for that!

These 2 sweet little girls are the best thing that have happened to me. I don't know why they have been entrusted to me, but I thank my Heavenly Father daily for them and their sweet spirits! I love you Brooklyn and Gracie! Thanks for letting me be your mommy!

I don't know what I would do in my own life without my mom! I could go on and on and on about my mom! But to sum it up best I just wanted to say, "Thanks mom for all you do for me and my family. We all love you so much! I know that I am the person I am because of you and your example to me. I love you!"

I also wanted to wish my mother-in-law a Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for raising the son that you did- who has become a wonderful husband and an amazing father. Thank you for all you do for us. We love you!

There are also a couple other women that I would like to say Happy Mother's Day! First, is my Aunt Paula. You do SO much for us and we appreciate it so much! Thank you so much for being my second mom and for being my girls other grandma! We all love you!

Second- To my grandma's- I miss you both so much! There is so much I would love to share with you and I know that you would love Brooklyn and Gracie! And they would love you! I think of you both daily!

And finally- to my grandma's on Sean's side. Grandma Harris and Grandma Maynard- Thank you for loving me like you own granddaughter! I feel blessed to be a part of your family! I love you both dearly!

What a great day today is to pay tribute to women!

Brooklyn's Birthday

(It's only taken me a week to get this post done) Brooklyn had a FABULOUS birthday. Brooklyn got a new Princess bike for her birthday. She was so excited for it. We wanted to get her a bike last year for her birthday, but she wanted nothing to do with it. (I think she may be the only 5 year old that doesn't know how to ride a bike.) She loves the bike and we have a hard time keeping her in the house and getting her in when it is time. She also had a field trip with her preschool class. For her 2 years of preschool I have gone on every field trip with her. She informed me that she did not want me to fo with her. I have to say I was quite sad. But she had a blast. Before her birthday Sean had asked her if you could do anything or go anywhere you want for your birthday, what would it be. Brooklyn's reply was, "Jenny's bowling alley." (I have to preface this- Sean had the week off of school and work and was really hoping Brooklyn would say Disneyland or something.) She didn't choose Disneyland, instead bowling. My cousin and her husband own the bowling alley in Tremonton and have invited us over so many times. We had a BLAST!! We had lots of good food, fun bowling, and GREAT company! Brooklyn is such a lucky girl- she has so many people that love her. I have tried to help her realize that it doesn't matter how many presents she got or what they are- she has a great support system behind her. Thank you to all our family and friends that took the time to come and support our sweet girl on her Birthday!

My aunt Paula made Brooklyn a Sleeping Beauty cake and we had Princess cupcakes

One spoiled girl

(My friend Rachel and her family showed up at the bowling alley for FHE. It was funny that of all places we would run into each other would be the bowling alley in Tremonton.)

The girls were exhausted when we got home and went straight to bed. At 3:00 in the morning, Gracie woke up and was BURNING up. She had been on an antibiotic for a week- so I knew that this wasn't good. She just layed around all morning and I called the doctors office and they said I should bring her in again. When we got there her temperature was 103.5 and that was on Motrin and Tylenol. The doctor did his exam and said that her ears had healed up from the infection and that she had another infection on top of that in ther left ear. The doctor asked me if she had had a flu shot this year and if anyone else in our family was sick. I told him that she had had a flu shot. He then goes on to ask me if I had heard of the Swine Flu and told me that she had all the signs and symptoms that was leading him to think that she could possibly have that. WHAT!?! So they had to do the AWFUL flu test. It took 10 minutes to get the results back and I was so relieved when he poked his head back in and said it was negative. What a relief. She is on a much stronger antibiotic and is slowly getting back to herself. This has gone on for 2 1/2 weeks now. So I am hopeful that she will be completly over it soon!

Past 2 Weeks

The 15th was my dad's birthday and we had a great party! Sean had to work so the gals and I went out to my parents house to spend the evening with them. I know I have said in previous posts what a great dad I have- so I will say it again! I feel so blessed to have the dad that I have. He is such a great person and example to me. My gals are so lucky to have him as their pops. They adore him and love him so much- and so do I!

I love this picture of Pops and Brooklyn looking at each other

It has gotten to the point that Gracie prefers Pops and Grandma over me. My dad was holding her the other day and handed her to me and she had a complete and total meltdown. It made me feel great!

On 17th Sean, me, and the gals headed up to Island Park. Ric and Paula have a TimeShare up there that they weren't going to use and if anyone didn't use it- they would just lose the week. My dad headed up earlier that day and we went when Sean got home from work. We had a few setbacks and didn't leave until later than we had wanted. It takes about 4 hours to get up there if you go the right way. When you get to Idaho Falls you are to take an exit that will take you through Rexburg and to Island Park. About the time we were supposed to exit- Brooklyn had a MAJOR meltdown and I wasn't paying attention. About a half-hour later Sean asked where we were supposed to go. I told him we would go through Rexburg and it would take us right there. To make a long story short- we missed the exit and ended up adding an hour onto our late trip. We did make it there- and the gals were thrilled to be out of the car- as was I. On Saturday we had a delicious breakfast and then we all went swimming. Brooklyn had the time of her life- Gracie not so much. I finally got out and got her and I dressed and she was content to watch Brooklyn swim. After swimming we decided to drive into West Yellowstone- Brooklyn was really wanting to see a buffalo (not likely so see one between Island Park and W. Yellowstone). As we drove through town a noticed a sign that said Yellowstone Park now open. So we went to check things out and sure enough it was. Brooklyn LOVES Yellowstone so you can imagine how happy she was when we drove in. It was a successful drive in. We saw lots of elk, lots of buffalo- taking their sweet time walking down the road, a beautiful waterfall, and to top things of when we were heading out we saw a huge grizzly bear. Brooklyn remembered seeing bears this summer when we were there and was saying she wanted to see one. We kept telling her that we probably wouldn't because they might still be hibernating.

We decided that on Sunday we would go to church and then go have a picnic at Old Faithful. I have never seen Yellowstone with snow or Old Faithful. (Gracie woke up that morning with a nasty cough.) The highlight of the drive there is when we passed a coyote running down the road. Brooklyn of course loved this. When we got to Old Faithful it was really windy and quite chilly and we had over an hour to spare before Old Faithful went off again. We went to the Durango and had a picnic in it. By the time Old Faithful went off, both girls had had it. And didn't quite enjoy it as much as I thought they would. But it is still an amazing sight.

That night, Gracie became one sick girl. She was running a high fever, coughing, and had a runny nose. We were going to stay until Tuesday, but decided to come home Monday. I got her into the doctor and found out that she has double ear infections. So it has been a couple of longs nights. But I think that she is finally feeling a little better.

It was fun to go up there as our little family and spend time together and get to have some time with Pops. Thanks dad for everything- we had a blast!