Christmas

We had a nice Christmas this year. It wasn't big or extravagant, but it was still nice. In the month or so leading up to it, we were pretty worried about how we were going to afford gifts for our kids. But December came around and we realize we were able to get not only gifts, but also stocking stuffers as well. The budget was small, but we made it work. I just feel so blessed we were able to get our kids a few things. I know presents aren't what Christmas is about, but I would feel awful if we couldn't get them anything. As I look back, I know Heavenly Father was looking out for us. It makes me feel so happy knowing that He cares for my little family.

 This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but the last couple of years, we received help from our ward (gift cards). They were a lifesaver! And we were so grateful for them. It was what we needed those years. This year, we didn't expect anything because in September Craig had finally gotten a full time job again and we weren't needing help with things (bills) from our ward anymore. Because of this, we actually had less money for Christmas this year, hence why we were worried. But we did it! We were able to have a nice Christmas all on our own. And it felt sooooo good!

Anyway, here are some pictures from Christmas morning.

Happy Birthday, Craig!

Today is Craig's 35th birthday. Poor guy worked all day, came home around 5:45, had a 10 minute celebration, and had to be at Barro's by 6:00. Busy day! Considering we don't have the funds to get him any presents at the moment, I tried to make it as special as I could. Earlier, the kids and I met him for lunch. He had to go pay the rent on his lunch, so he wanted us to meet him at his work and go with him. Afterward, we went to Ned's Krazy Sub for lunch. A few weeks ago, I decided I was going to make him this cake. My mom, sister and I discovered it one week (we like to get together on Friday's and bake/cook new things). It is so good (and oh so fattening)! And easy to make. Craig really liked it, so I decided this is what I was going to make him. This was the first time I made it by myself and it turned out perfectly. Craig knew I was doing this, so I wanted to surprise him with something. I decorated the house a bit for him. The last time I did this was for his 30th birthday, so he wasn't expecting it. It wasn't the best birthday, but it was the best I could do.

 That is supposed to be a 35. I didn't have a '3' candle.

I love Craig so much. He is a wonderful husband and father. He works so hard for our family so I can stay home with the kids. I love how important he feels it is that I do. That was one of the first things we talked about when we were first married (maybe even before that, I don't  remember). He sacrifices so much for us. And I am truly grateful.

Craig is my best friend. I love laughing and having fun with him. I love being able to raise our kids together. I love that I can be my weird goofy self around him. I love that I can share my inner feelings with him. I love that he supports me in all that I do. And most of all, I love that we are eternal partners. Growing up, I couldn't imagine wanting to be with someone forever, but now I can't imagine not being with Craig forever.

 Happy birthday, Craig! 

Sweet Dreams

I just love watching my kids sleep. They are such little angels. Their calm and sweet faces just melt my heart and I can truly reflect with out interruption just how much I love them. It just makes my heart swell thinking about it.

A few weeks ago on General Conference weekend, Caleb and Ella got pretty sick. Poor things had between 101 and 102 degree fevers. So we pulled out our sofa bed and let the rest and sleep there. I have never had both kids sick at the same time so this worked out really well. I didn't want them to be sick, but I loved being able to watch them both sleep (I, of course, also watched conference). So I got my phone at one point and took pictures of Caleb sleeping. I didn't get any of Ella while she was sleeping, and I wish I would have.

Here they are sick on the sofa bed. Poor babies.

The next three are of Caleb's little angelic face as he slept.

Preschool!

Ella has officially started her academic career! Today was her first days of preschool. I am so excited for this school year! We didn't even know if we could sent her to preschool this year because every place I knew about was so expensive. I wasn't interested in doing a joy school or anything like that because it just isn't my thing. I didn't want to teach her myself because she doesn't listen to me and/or believe me when I try to teach her something. But, she listens to others and does really well in her primary class. And plus, I wanted her to benefit from going somewhere else and meeting new friends to get her ready for kindergarten next year.

I was so thankful when a friend recommended an inexpensive preschool! It is a price we can afford (and not $55/week like the local school district, which I find ridiculous). And even though I didn't know the teacher, I felt it would be good for Ella.

Ella has been so excited since we told her about going to school. She got to pick out her backpack herself and helped pick out a new outfit for the first day. She has known about preschool for about a month, but last night right before bed, it really hit her and she got so scared and nervous! I talked to her about what will happen and when she asked if she can play at school and I told her she would, she started feeling better, and went right to sleep.

This morning, she was very excited! She kept asking about every 20 minutes if leaving to go to school yet. So finally at 8:10, we left. We got there at the same time as two of her classmates. Of course she was shy going in, but I think she warmed up pretty quickly.

It was so weird at home without her here and not even within 15 minutes of me. But Caleb really enjoyed the time alone. He hardly ever gets time alone with us so this will be good for him too.

When we go there to pick her up, her class was just coming out to wait for parents. Her teacher brought her over and told us she did great and that she had an award she colored. Of course being the stubborn girl she is, she did not want to show us her award. She even said she left it at her school. She just wanted to show us on her time.

So Ella's first day of school went great! And she even wants to go back!

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Okay, so this is two and a half months late, but I'm finally getting around to posting about Ella's birthday.

On June 16th, Ella turned four years old! This was an interesting/special birthday because she shared it with her cousin Matthew's baptism! His birthday is the day before hers and the stake baptism date fell on her birthday. Another neat thing is that because of the baptism, my brother and his family were able to be here for her little party! They live in California and we only get to see them a few times a year.

These are some pictures from her party. She was so excited about all her gifts!

Ella is growing up so fast! She is such a caring and good little girl. And she is so funny! I just crack up at all the silly things she does and says. I am so thankful for her and am so glad she is a part of our family. I love her so much! I just wish she wouldn't grow up so fast.

Ella the Artist

Nap time is getting interesting for Ella. Half the time she doesn't sleep, but I still have her go into her room in the afternoon because she does still sleep. And when she doesn't have a nap for two or three days in a row, she becomes miserable. Besides, I thoroughly enjoy the quiet time I get most afternoons!

Usually when Ella doesn't sleep, she plays quietly or reads her books. Sometimes I will hear her belting out a song she made up or "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele.

But last week, I got a surprise! Craig was home (school's out, so no bus driving anymore) and he got her up. A minute after he goes upstairs, he yells down for me to come up and see something. I was scared. It could be anything. She is known to sneak things in her room she knows she shouldn't have, like pens, pencils, and other things.

Instead of anything being ruined (thank goodness), I saw this.

I was very impressed! It must have taken her a while to make that thing! For perspective's sake, it was probably around two to three feet long/wide. I love this girl! The things she comes up with never ceases to amaze me.

And another thing that amazed me was that earlier in that same nap, she actually cleaned up her room! Granted, she just tossed everything in her closet, but hey, she picked up her room without me asking her to!

BaZoo

Craig works for the Florence Unified School District, so he had the past two weeks off for spring break. Last Monday, we decided to go to the zoo. We haven't been in a long time and Ella and Caleb have never been. So off we went!

Ella was very apprehensive about the whole thing for about the first half of the trip(we were there about four hours) because while she loves animals, she had never really seen any in person. Except for chickens and horses, and cows she sees while driving by. I think she was a bit startled by their size. It probably didn't help that the first animals you see are the giraffes. So because of this, she refused to even look at the giraffes, lions, tigers, the rhino and few others. There was even a little chipmunk that came right up to us, but she screamed and frightened it away! But it all changed when she saw the flamingos. She was fascinated by them. Both kids where. It was about that point that she started to really enjoy the zoo. The funny thing was that during lunch, I asked her if she was having fun(this was during her unsure time), she said she was.

Caleb, on the other hand enjoyed the heck out of the whole trip! He would have stayed watching each animal for hours if he could. Each animal exhibit we left, he started yelling to stay. Funny boy! I think the highlight of the trip was when the peacocks started following us and getting really close. The kids got a big kick out of it. And we all really enjoyed the bald eagles. We have been watching the Decorah eagle nest on Ustream, so it was neat to see them in person.

It was so cute the rest of the week to hear the kids talk about 'bazoo', as Ella calls it. They had the best time of their lives!

Since Ella missed many of the animals, we will definitely be back as soon as we can. It was such a fun day. We didn't take many pictures, but here are a couple of the kids in the farm animals section. I don't know what they call it. All I know is that we were right by Pedro the donkey.