And the Pictures Keep Coming....

1.  During Andy's spring break, we left the kids at home with Andy's mom and flew out to Houston (our next destination) to look at the area and hopefully find a home! Here we are, getting ready to board our plane.  Selfie junkies.  

2.  We were staying at a really nice hotel in Houston that also had a spa.  So you better believe we both got the luxury treatment.  I got a tired legs pedicure (that was simply wonderful) and Andy got a massage.  It was the perfect way to start our trip! 

3.  We also had some pretty delicious food...of course!  Really looking forward to the plentiful Mexican restaurants and BBQ restaurants.  And the plentiful free parking.  Something Boston rarely has!

4.  We found a house in Houston, close to Andy's work and a good elementary school.  All important things for me!  So, returning home to this princess was all the sweeter.  I really missed the kiddies, but boy is traveling so much less hectic without kids!  This is Clare completely entranced by the movie Frozen, the day we returned.  

5.  The second half of spring break, Andy took a guys trip with some good friends out to Park City, UT.  When he got there he made a quick stop at the Salt Lake City temple.  I loved getting this picture via text from him.  This is where Andy and I were married, so this picture was especially sweet (and is now the wallpaper on my cellphone too, I might add). 

6.  While in Park City, Andy also went skiing with his buddy Taylor.  He loved it and only fell hard one time.  I definitely think this is a hobby he might pick up in the future.  I mean, just look at that face! 

7.  The kids and I tried to find things to keep us busy while Andy was gone.  One day we went to Ikea.  Noah was especially happy because I let him have root beer AND an ice cream cone all in one day.  Lucky kid! 

8.  Clare missed her daddy a lot while he was gone (so did Noah, I might add).  My kids are just so much happier, as am I, when Andy is around.  Clare specifically asked to take a picture for daddy, and this is the one we got.  She is just too sweet! 

9.  We also spent a lot of time making forts in the kids room.  They loved it and would often just sit in their fort and chat.  It was perfect.  

10.  This picture just makes me smile.  This is Noah's artwork and these are sharks.  Notice the little fin on each sharks back and the sharp teeth!  The one in the middle on the left hand side is a hammer head shark, which is why he doesn't have a round face.  Perfection. 

11.  Then there was a day at the park.  A cold rainy day.  But the kids didn't bat an eye and that makes it all worth it.  

12. Shortly after Andy's return, Clare came down with either a bad cold or allergies from the slowly moving spring weather.  She was wheezing really badly and it scared me, as I could tell she couldn't get a good deep breath.  I took her into the Dr. and sure enough they had to put her on a nebulizer.  It helped, thankfully.  We also were prescribed some steroids and an inhaler.  Before too long she was back to her normal self.  

13.  Noah kept his little 'fort' up for a couple of weeks.  I loved walking into the kids room and seeing a little hand or foot hanging off the side. 

14.  Even though he has crazy hair (I have since cut it), this little guy and I had a lot of fun spending an afternoon just the two of us.  I sure love him.  

Christmas - Ohio Style

This year we spent Christmas in Ohio with Andy's brother, Greg, and his family (wife and three boys). We were so excited to spend this year with them at their new home.  The 13 hour drive was a little overwhelming, but totally wort it once we arrived - not to mention the kids did really really well on the long drive.  

I can say, without reservation, that there was a lot of playing going on with the kids.  They were going from sun up, to sun down (literally).  They had so much fun together and  played so well,  I couldn't have asked for it to have gone better.  Clare got in on the fun too, and they all had the best time.  It makes me so happy to see this, because I have such fond memories playing with my cousins as a child.  I love seeing my kids create similar memories.

Allice and I did a lot of baking for their neighbors….A LOT! 

And on Christmas eve we had our traditional pizza and root beer float dinner…

After dinner we got in our PJs and read the Nativity story from the scriptures and talked about the birth of Jesus.  I loved doing this with the kids and seeing out involved they were with setting up the nativity.  

After reading the nativity the kids opened one little gift.  Then they decided to put the bows on their faces and put themselves under the tree.  It was too funny and they thought they were hilarious. 

Christmas morning our kids woke up at around 7:30, much later than any Christmas in the past!  It felt great to sleep a little longer.  The kids were immediately ready to head downstairs and see their gifts, but we as parents had to make it as painful as possible for them.  We all used the bathroom, brushed our teeth etc.  I figure my parents did that to me, I need to pay it forward. ha! 

Then, the unwrapping commenced!  Noah got mostly cars, from the movie, which he was so excited about.  He also got a few other things from family that he was just as happy with (tools etc).  Clare got a cabbage patch doll, because I had one and adored it, so I figured she needed one as well. 

Obviously they made off like little bandits.  It was really wonderful to see how happy they were and to share the generosity of all our family members too.  

The remainder of our trip was spent doing things as a family…the zoo, the museum, the mall.   There were also a lot of nerf gun fights.  It was perfect! 

The picture above is arguably my favorite picture from the Ohio trip.  We sure love this clan. xo