Happy Spring!

Doesn't this say Spring?! Courtesy of Emma!

My Five:

1. Sunny days!

2. Emma's fun friends at school

3. Happy hour at Sonic! Blue Powerade slushies... 54 cents!

4. When Matt says, "Let's BBQ!" That means I get the night off!!

5. Emma's sweetness. She just asked me where her preschool teachers go to church, and I told her I didn't know. She asked if they learn about the prophet, and I said, "No, they don't know we have a prophet to lead us." Then she said, "Oh, well I'll tell them on Friday at school!" 

Outside we go!

Lately it seems that we've had some really super cold days, and poor Tal just stares out the windows and at the door just hoping for a chance to go out.

Luckily last week it warmed up so we took full advantage. Into the wagon we went! Tal could hardly control himself with excitement. It really is refreshing to have these kinds of days as a mom. It puts a new spring in everyone's step! We had fun.

Peeek-A-Boo!!

My Five:

1. Spring flowers peeking out of the ground. You can't help but smile.

2. Desserts! We have a recipe exchange night with the very culinary talented ladies in our ward and it was dessert night.

3. Our ward conference at church was one to be remembered. 

4. Story time at the library.

5. Being married to my eternal companion. Six years out of eternity seems kind of insignificant, but they have been so full! I feel extremely loved and blessed.

6 years and counting!

March 1 was our Anniversary, and since it fell on Sunday we partied on Friday! I left a fun surprise for Matt at work, but his surprise was far more impressive. He made us a reservation at a place called Flemming's, one of those restaurants that everyone should at least experience once in their life (mostly because it might take that long to pay off the bill you ring up... just kidding, sort of)!!! Just the experience of sitting there and receiving the wonderful treatment was such fun, not to mention the incredible food. Matt had mentioned when we made the reservation that it was our anniversary and throughout the night the manager and a handful of others would come and congratulate us. Very nice! And as we were about to leave our waiter brought out this little golden box:

And when I opened it, it revealed four of the most beautiful things I've ever seen (maybe not ever, but close):

Matt knows how much I love tulips, so starting from our first anniversary he has given me a tulip for ever year we've been married. Aren't these 6 lovely ladies beautiful!

We had a wonderful evening, and I feel especially blessed and lucky to have married such a terrific person. He is my match in every way. 

All boy!

What happened?! I'll tell you what happened. Ten months happen, that's what! Tal is EVERYWHERE. He doesn't just sit and smile or... just sit... anymore. He's mobile. It took him awhile, but he's figured it out and he's enjoying every minute. He still smiles but it's while doing this: (Amy HELP....!)

Everyone asked me if I was ready for a boy, and I naively thought, "Well of course!" But along with the trouble he's getting into he's showing his very animated personality, and i love it!! Let the adventures begin!!

I haven't done My 5 for awhile so here we go:

My 5:

1. Answered prayers. Gosh I'm so thankful for that.

2. "Bounty Select-A-Size" paper towels, for the many messes that we seem to have had lately. It seems to have been more then usual... not sure why?!

3. My camera. To capture all these memories.

4. Love

5. Getting over my fear of making a pie crust. Don't laugh! The first time I tried making one it was a complete disaster, so now 5 years later I've conquered pie crust making!!! And it was good too (that's always a nice bonus)!

Eagles

Eagles you say? No, I'm not talking about about my old school mascot (although I did feel a bit of Millard pride during the day...), but real eagles. This time of year since most of the water north of Missouri is frozen many eagles migrate to Alton, IL where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet to fish. It was a incredible site. We were able to see almost 100 of these truly inspiring birds. 

Here we all are on  the Bluff City Trolley that drove us around to see the birds. Thank goodness for the Trolley. I was FREEZING that day, and the Trolley kept us nice and warm. Grandma, Grandpa, Emma, Tal, me, and Dita's coat in the bottom corner (sorry Matt didn't get you all the way in the picture, Dita)!

Emma made it her duty to make sure everyone on the tour entered and exited on the correct side. It was very funny. And those that happened to get it "wrong" were very good sports to go back down and try it again... the "right" way! Thanks for keeping us straight Em's!

This is the dam and power plant that helps keep the water here unfrozen so the eagles can fish. The seagulls were definitely getting in on the action too!

This was the very first eagle we saw. Very cool.

And of course if there is water, that is were you'll find Emma! 

There were also quite a few pelicans around. 

The kids loved looking out the window. Emma thought the binoculars where great. It made everything look really FAR AWAY...! ;) 

I had to take this picture through the window, but these blue herons were so beautiful!!

And now the eagles:

Most of the eagles fly down for just a couple of months then fly "home", but a few over the years have decided to make this their "home." Eagles mate for life and always return to the same nest. And the nests were huge.

Learning a little more about these majestic animals made it even more clear as to why it is the bird that represents our nation. Such a great experience.

Snow!

This post is pretty late since the snow is completely gone now and it's been 70 degrees, but better late then never!

The pictures say it all... the girl loves snow. Literally! She loves to eat it. If I let her she could have eaten us a path out of the garage and over to our sledding hill (we have a great little hill down off the driveway!) instead of having to shovel one!! I'm sure she got her fill, though.

And of course the gloves came off, until she realized that there really might be a purpose for wearing them!! 

Then Daddy came home, and it was back outside (he felt left out I guess!)

Guess who's taking the picture! Yep... ME

Tal had his first sledding experience. I'm not sure he enjoyed it like he should have. It couldn't be because he could barely breath underneath the git-up I've got him in, could it? Sorry buddy! Just remember, you were warm... and I love you!!!

Look at the poor kid's eyes!

It's wonderful how kids can make you feel even when it's snowing! 

Fun in a box!

Who didn't do this? I wanted to crawl in there with her. Fun never ends when you have a big, empty box. Now if only she could instal what was in the box...!

It's a little to late for COLD FEET...

 You're in it a little to deep, now!! We love you, and your cold feet!!

Tal's first hair cut

He's 9 months and already needs a hair cut (we didn't cut Emma's hair until she was 3!!!) The hair right on top just kept growing and growing until I was going to use a barrette to hold it back... just kidding, dear! And so it was Daddy to the rescue. He promised he was a pro. He had had plenty of practice cutting missionary's hair while on the mission, so there was no doubt he could getting Tal's right!! 

I think he decided it was a little more tricky cutting a squirmy, Cheerio eating, little boy then a 

fine, responsible, mature (because they all are right...) missionary. But in the end Matt was right. He did a great job. And Matt, great news. You're hired! You've earned yourself a new, full-time responsibility, babes!!!

The finished, happy product!

Nighty-Night

Being Emma is pretty exhausting!

Sweet dreams Em's!

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

We got all our pictures and files back!!!!!!!!  Matt went to get the hard drive taken out of the computer, because we were going to send it to California to a place that thought they could retrieve our lost "stuff." Well, while at Mac head quarters in St. Louis, they told Matt they would try to get our "stuff" with their equipment. They weren't too optimistic, but it was worth a try. Those bless-ed, smart people found EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! I cried... again. We lucked out. But know we bought a back up drive, not cheap, but so worth it. 

SO know I've finally been able to post about Christmas!! Enjoy, I know I did!

My five:

1. Smart, smart computer people. 

2. Smart, smart computer equipment.

3. My brother that's on a mission in Montana. He's so great.

4. A warm home. The high today has been 5 degrees, but with the wind chill it's -20 degrees.

5. The knowledge that our Heavenly Father has a plan, even though it may not be how we think things should be.

Santa came to town!

Christmas Eve

Spending Christmas Eve with Matt's parents was wonderful. Aunt Dita and Bro. and Sis. Yocum were there as well. We ate a wonderful dinner and had a beautifully prepared program of scriptures, stories, and testimony. Feeling the spirit testify to me of what happened that night so long ago felt so good. With each year, that passes I tend to put myself more in Mary's shoes. She was a mother. She had dreams and feelings. Those feelings she had must have been so powerful yet peaceful. I'm so thankful that I have the knowledge of the restored gospel, so that I can reap the blessings from what Mary experienced and gave to us so long ago.

Emma told was the Nativity story with her Nativity set.

Tal's new past time! What a monkey!

Me and the monkey!!

Emma has inherited Matt's love of trains. Choo Choo!!

This is for all our Utah friends. Although Jell-O isn't an everyday meal item, we do right when it is served. This was almost to pretty to eat, but... we did... and it was good!!!

The Big Day

Christmas morning is my favorite! Excitement, joy, surprise, and breakfast!! I must say that my Christmas present cam early. My mom flew out to surprise me, and that was the best gift ever. She just showed up on my doorstep one night. I couldn't believe it. Matt keeps secrets really well! Thanks for coming mom. I love you!

K- so now for pictures:

Emma and her doll house

Tal eating the wrapping paper (of course...)

What a cute present

All dressed up

Merry Christmas everybody!!