Mommy moment

I love this picture because of Hallee's big smile!

Yesterday, as I was making lunch for the girls, Hallee came up to me, gave me a big hug around my legs, and said, "you're my best friend EVER!" That was a great moment to be a mommy!

CocoaDreams Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

CocoaDreams Aprons Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

This apron is really really cute! I've never owned one, but I have always wanted one, so I don't have to change in to scrubby clothes to go cook dinner! Check out how cute they are! And hope I win!!

Birthday shoutout

So, today being Annjilla's birthday, I was thinking about all the people/friends/family that have birthdays in September, so I thought I would give them a shout out! And a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Even though some have already passed....better late than never right??? :)

Sarah - what up girrrl? Hope your birthday a couple weeks ago was spectacular! From what I hear it was! Sorry we couldn't be closer to celebrate with you.

Blade - oh little one, I can't believe you're one! I wish I could be around you more to watch you grow up! Holy cow! One! Maybe your mommy can pinch your cute cheeks for me. ;)

Annjilla - Happy Birthday TODAY!!! I hope you could enjoy the day, have fun, and party a little. :) We really miss you guys a lot! You had been the closest family to us for a long time.

Valbees - I know your birthday isn't for a few days, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY coming up! I miss you so much! I hope your first birthday as a mommy treats you well! Love you!

---um----that's all I can think of off the top of my head, without looking up everyone else's bdays. So.....if there is anyone else I missed... HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Everyone deserves a little shout out every once in a while! :) Sending love to all our peeps!

Life is fun

This weekend was really fun because Kyle and I were able to go on a date for the first time since we've been out here. It was just nice to have some quality time alone together, so we could talk and hold hands rather than hold babies and listen to crying, whining, laughing, and what have you that babies tend to do. It was pretty refreshing. Then yesterday we had a ward picnic, met some new people, had lots of food, and soaked up some sun. Then we watched the slightly depressing BYU game....yikes. But we had some friends over to watch with us, so at least the company was nice! :) But...in this midst of all the fun, Maddie got sick and so now I am home from church with her, because I don't want this sicky spreading germs, or getting worse. I am pretty sure she picked it up from a play group we had last week...but oh well, building the immune system, right?? :)

I have got to say, we really are having lots of fun out here. I know a lot of people complain about it, being so far from family, and not liking the east coast and all, which I am sure there will come a time where I will complain about those things too, but as of right now, we are really enjoying our time. We are making lots of friends, loving the beautiful area, gorgeous neighborhoods, cute apartment, and Kyle really likes his school. So...nothin to complain about. The whole living on student loans and going in debt thing is slightly stressful sometimes, but se la vie, right?

Here is a cute video of Hallee playing the piano at the children's museum. I got a year membership so we frequently go there to play. :) Enjoy!

NYC MIA

Mia came to visit us for Labor Day Weekend and we had a blast together. Friday after classes we hopped on the train to catch a bus that took us up to NYC where we took the subway to where we stayed for the weekend. We stayed at my mom's friend's place which is right between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. It is such a fun location with a gorgeous view. In the morning I would take the girls down to a park in front of their building and we would play on the beach and the play ground. I expected the Hudson to be a little dirtier and maybe have some bodies floating down it, but it was surprisingly clear.

Saturday we started off by going to Canal Street, or China Town, and Megan got to experience the back alley purse shopping experience (last time we did this in NY she didn't come because she and Hallee were feeling sick). Sure enough as soon as we walked down the street a little Chinese lady passed us discretely saying, "Coach bags," to no one in particular. We followed her back to her secret hideout where "babies" were not allowed so I stayed outside with the girls. The time I went in one of these secret stores there was no AC but Megan got that luxury so they were able to shop in comfort.

Afterwards we went to eat at the Shake Shack at Madison Park. The line was out of control! You would have to be mental to wait in a line that long for burgers, cheese fries, and a shake. So we waited in line.




On Monday we were back in Philly and we went to Linville Orchards. Hallee had such a great time there which made it such an enjoyable day. There was a huge playground, animals, a farmer's market, and pick your own fruit and veggies. We picked strawberries, pepper (purposely singular), apples, peaches, and pears.

On the hayride over to the pick your own.

Maddie and Daddy checking out the animals. I would feed the chickens corn and Maddie loved it.

Hallee picking apples. She started saying, "Twist and pull," as she was picking and Megan asked me if I had taught her that while we picked strawberries. I hadn't so I asked her where she learned it from. "From Mickey?"

"No."

"From Barney?"

"No. From Special Oso!"

Playhouse Disney teaching kids how to pick fruit, nuff said.

Babies growing up

Our little Madeline started crawling last week. I know, she was just shy of 9 months old, but Hallee was a late crawler too, so it was expected. I think all the chub has been holding her back! Not really. We do love our little chub!....Anyway, we are so excited that she's crawling now! She is a real cutie!

Hold Me Closer Tiny Dancer(s)

This week has been crazy and next week will be nuts. Here's the recap. Searching for a home. Commuting 2 hrs. each way from MD to PA. Temple is putting us on a single student's budget for the student loan eligibility. Homes we searched are out of that price range. Start a new search in ghetto homes. Walk out covered in fleas. Gold's Gym screws us over and costs us big. Fly back from NYC to ABQ on Friday--flight canceled, weather. Eat great NYC pizza. Fly out of NYC on Saturday--flight canceled, crazy guy with fake bomb wakes up too early to terrorize. Buy and read Glenn Beck's Common Sense (please read it no matter what your political view this is something that I think we the people can all agree on). Eat great burger from Shake Shack. Thanks Rich. Finally get on a plane on Sunday. Plane delayed on the runway for 1.5 hrs., weather. Weather passes, power on the plane dies. Finally flying to Dallas but get there even later because plane has to conserve gas and fly slower in order to make it to Dallas (don't fly AA). Get to ABQ.

So now I'm in ABQ to pick up the car and drive up to P Town to pick up our stuff and then drive across the country to Philly. Hopefully there is a home to take stuff to (that's Megan's job while I'm driving, I'm sure she will find something).

I've been gone for 3 days and I miss my girls! I miss Maddie's kissable cheeks. I miss Hallee giving me BIG! kisses and hugs. And I miss Megan's company. At least I have these adorable pics.