Weekend Getaway

We played in Pocatello, ID for the weekend.

Shea had a mandatory "field trip" to take in Pocatello, for one of his online classes. To tour the "ON Semiconductors" location and gather some data for a project for the class. Since the "field trip" was supposed to take 2+ hours and Pocatello is about an hour and a half away, Shea would have been gone all day on Saturday.

So instead we made a trip of it and got a hotel for the night and enjoyed lots of playtime. It was the perfect little break.

Saturday morning we woke up early and finished up packing the car and headed out. Connor was over the moon thrilled for the hotel and the pool. He couldn't stop chatting about it on the way down (not to mention the days leading up to the trip).

After dropping Shea off we headed to McDonalds, to pass the time. Then Bella slept in the car for a nap while we waited for Shea's "field trip" to finish up.

Once Daddy got in the car both kids were full of energy and ready to play. So after getting Shea a bite to eat we headed to a park to let the kids run around. They love to play together, and I love hearing them shout each other's names as they call to each other. All the giggles and smiles made up for the brisk wind that accompanied us.

After gathering some treats we checked into our hotel. It was so exciting to be in a new place, Bella couldn't stop giggling and running all around, bouncing off the walls, literally! Connor was beat, and snuggled up with Dad for a snooze, while Bella and I snacked and watched some cartoons, before dinner. Bella was in love with the "spinny chair" and quite enjoyed her time to be wild while Connor slept.

It wasn't long before Connor was up and we were all hungry. Connor was stoked for the pool so he could barely concentrate on food, so after a quick dinner we rushed home to get ready. We specifically picked a hotel with a pool. Knowing that this would be one of the highlights of the trip. And boy were we right. Poor Shea had to take on this double team in the pool, while I tried to be useful on the sidelines (usually holding a shivering Bella, snapping photos, or dipping Bella in the water when she was too anxious to wait her turn).

Connor was amazing. Life vest on and Daddy close by, he swam all by himself. Kicking his legs and waving his arms. Heading across the pool to Mommy or making a break to grasp the edge, he had the time of his life. Big, crazy smiles. And Shea was SO proud. Bella on the other hand wasn't feeling quite as brave, once water hit her face she was pretty done :)

Connor could have stayed and played all night long. But poor Bella sat and shivered on the sidelines with me for the rest of the time, so tired. We loved watching Connor play tho, and throwing the ball to him as he raced from end to end with Daddy. 

Connor was so good though about leaving, all we had to say was one more time across the pool and then lets go get in a warm bath! Bella was more then ready for that warm bath feeling and was very ready for cuddles afterwards, and within moments she was out for the night.

Connor stayed up snacking and watching cartoons (of course the only thing on cable -which we don't have- is the same movies we own and watch over and over), we watched Despicable Me for the hundredth time and then lights out.

That morning we jumped on the bed like monkeys to wake Daddy for breakfast. The hotel served a small breakfast which was just enough for us. After some fruit loops, a bagel, and hot chocolate we were ready to pack up and check out. To our surprise we had a blizzard awaiting us. Fortunately, we planned an indoor day at the Outer Limits Family Fun Center, before we headed home. We stepped in the doors right as they opened, and both Connor and Bella were all too ready to play. I couldn't get too many shots of these two playing considering they were way too enthralled in their playing efforts to focus on Mommy begging for smiles and "cheeses".

We spent 4+ hours there. Enjoying a really yummy lunch! And it was nice being able to play games and then when they got too crazy we went back to the play place to let them run. It was so fun and Shea and I even got to spend a few tokens too!

800 tickets later (I hit the Jackpot twice on Deal or No Deal -Shea was so jealous of my skills), while Bella napped in the stroller Connor and Daddy fed the tickets to the ticket eater and we picked some amazing prizes! Connor got a set of cowboy guns and a bow and arrow (they are pretty much dollar store quality, but what do you expect). Either way Connor was stoked. We even got some candy and some bracelets for sleeping Bella.

As we left the weather had turned around, the snow had melted and the sun was shining. Connor was anxious to get home so he could open his prizes and napped the whole way back, dreaming about them I am sure.

It was seriously a fun trip of pure PLAY! But we were all happy to get home to Rexburg and to sleep in our own bed ... meaning everyone piled into Mommy and Daddy's bed.

I loved our little trip and can't wait to do more little family PLAY trips like this in the future.

"Jesus wants me for a SUNBEAM"

With the start of a New Year Connor has entered PRIMARY!
I cannot believe we have a child old enough for primary now.
His first Sunday was a little nerve racking and he cried while being seated with his class, but did good.
The next few Sundays were a bit of a battle.
He loves class but not primary; sitting with his class for opening exercises, sharing time, and singing is a little too much.
He loves his teacher though "the guy", as Connor calls him. His class is taught by a husband and wife team. Connor always has been a little more comfortable around men so it was no surprise this was the case here too. Lately I've asked his teacher to come out and grab him, instead of Shea and I trying to sit with him or have him sit with us, and SHOCKER his teacher comes out and off he goes with no fuss.

Bella had a hard time the first week transitioning to nursery without her brother, she cried on entering and had to be held for a while by a teacher. But it just toke some time. Poor girl her class has been reduced to 10+ to 3 including her. So I can see why it was hard for her at first. Now they tell me she is their "poster child" for nursery, never crying and always obedient.

I love dressing up these two for church and watching their Sunday smiles.

FROZEN Movie Night

The FROZEN movie just came out and we had never seen it before so for our movie premiere we threw a party!
The kids were so excited for the party, Connor especially, so I kept having to think of new things to do for the party that day to stall him. He was so anxious!

We made special movie tickets from a little ticket template I found online.

We colored FROZEN pictures and hung them up to decorate.

Connor helped me shop for all sorts of blue and white snacks, for our movie night.

The marshmallows were a big hit!

Along with our "blue soda juice", as Connor called it.  

Notice our blue attire, to celebrate :)

We even revamped some cupcakes so that they would match our FROZEN movie party. 

And we couldn't forget our FROZEN treats!

With all the excitement and anticipation for the party once it started the kids couldn't sit still for the movie; wanting to run, chase, or dance through the first half of the movie. Once the snowman, Olaf, came in Connor was a little more interested. At first I was a little disappointed for him, because he was SO excited to watch it and had been so patient waiting, and then wasn't really into it. But the next few days he would constantly ask to watch it, so I guess it really was a hit. Mainly I have just realized Connor LOVES a PARTY!

Month 8

I am now 32 weeks with about 50 days to go!
It feels good to officially have hit the 8 month mark!

Doctor Update:
As for me this month my doctor's appointment was quick and normal. Baby's heartbeat sounded good and healthy between the 130's and 140's, baby is measuring right on schedule. And was head down at the appointment although she is such a mover she has twisted around probably a hundred times since then. My next appt isn't till 36 weeks (they normally do an appt at 34 weeks but with such healthy pregnancies he didn't see a reason making me make an extra trip to Idaho Falls for the quick basic 34 wk appt), I am fine with waiting for 4 weeks for my next check up. Especially considering she is such an active little girl, so I never really worry about her, because she is constantly reminding me she is there.



Baby Update:
At 32 weeks baby is continuing to grow and grow, online it says ...
She's starting to get ready for her big debut, tipping the scales at almost four pounds and topping out at just about 19 inches. About the size of a squash. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. She is getting ready for her descent and likely in the head down position. In these past few weeks, it's all about practice, practice, practice as she hones the skills she'll need to thrive outside the womb — from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, your little one has been able to suck her thumb for a while now. Something else to note: As more and more fat accumulates, baby becomes less transparent and more opaque. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. 


Sibling Update:
Connor used to ask me when my belly would go away, now it seems as if my belly is around for good ...

C: I didn't spill anything it's all in my belly. So my belly is growing really big like Mommy's is. For-Ev-ER!

C: "Mom can I kiss the baby?" ... "I can be soft like this." (He proceeds to slowly pat my belly.)

Both Connor and Bella love poking my belly, every now and then. Bella pokes it saying "poke poke" kind of like "knock knock". They think it is hilarious and especially like to poke it when I can't do much about it, like while I'm strolling the grocery cart. And if they ever see my belly button (which has been poking out for months now), they love to try and poke and push it back in.

Bella doesn't really think much of "baby", but she loves to point out Mom's belly. And point and tell people "belly" in a funny deep extended voice. I think it is so funny because she has this proud little smirk on her face when she says it. It makes me think she says "belly" and points at it in efforts to show off how big her Mommy's belly is. I kinda love it.

{this moment}

When I just started a much needed midday snooze and I heard toddlers stirring in the next room, just waking from their nap.

With bed head in tow, sleepy whimpering and voices mumbling "momma", I started to leave the warm snuggles of my hubby and rise.

Instead Shea gathered both little ones up and promised them a rousing game of "hippos" --Hungry Hungry Hippos.

The giggles and laughter filled screams echoed through our little home.

My much needed snooze was cut short by my overwhelming desire to join them.

And 12+ games of "hippos" later, we started in on our 3rd box of Thin Mints- Girl Scout Cookies.

There was no camera to capture this moment but it was one I will remember for the wide smiles, cookie crumbles, and pure silliness.

Dining Out

Sizzler is the perfect place for our little family to eat all together. Both kids love the salad bar, especially the watermelon! And we get a side of ribs for Connor and he is a happy boy! (Ribs are about the only thing Connor will ALWAYS eat!) It tends to be messy but we love watching these two sillies!