President's Day and Ice Cream Dates

Last week on Presdient's Day, we took a trip to the Akron Zoo with our friends, Jen and Ava. It was a beautiful day and we were all so happy to be outside.

Ava in her awesome owl hat.

Hazel courtesy shot for her first trip to the zoo.

For something different we got some fish to feed the penguins. Morgan really enjoyed that but the girls had a hard time with the rubber glove.

My kids trying to join the ducks in their pond.

The lemurs have the cutest furry hands.

I love the rope bridge pictures.

Smiles all around.

After lunch, we saw a few more animals and played on a little playground. This has been the weirdest winter, basically it has been one long spring, but we'll take some more days like this gladly.

Pepper, Hazel and I go mall walking every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The other day I noticed that my little Pepper was dressed all in pink, with a pink donut, pink strawberry smoothie and pink flower in her hair. That's my girly-girl.

As we were leaving the mall, I noticed that Pepper looked like a 60s snow bunny with her puffy pink coat, leggings and boots.

Our Akron Ward had a chili cook off last Friday. I entered the pie contest with a Maple Walnut Raisin pie. It also had oatmeal in it. IIt was kind of a weird concept but it was really tasty. Kind of like a raisin crisp in a pie crust. I won the People's Choice Award. I was pretty excited, yay for me:)

On Saturday afternoon, Krista and I took, Pepper and Sophie out for an ice cream date. Both girls started potty training at the same time and they are both doing great.

Of course, Pepper had her pink ice cream.

Our big girls! Gotta love Pepper's jeggings, teehee.

After the ice cream date, we met up with Cody and Morgan for dinner at Steak and Shake. I was a little full from ice cream but surprisingly we managed to eat all our food.

I took Hazel in for her 4 mos check up last week. She weighed in at 12 lbs 12 ozs and was . This put her in the 25% for weight and 75% for height. I couldn't believe how little she was. I thought she seemed like a little baby so I guess I was right. The doctor said that it wouldn't hurt to give her some more calories so on Sunday we started feeding her rice cereal. She's still not too sure about it but she's getting better.

Valentine's Day, Potty Training and Show Choir Cousins

So there has been a lot going on the past few weeks besides the fun holidays. Pepper, Morgan and Cody all got sick right after Auntie Mesha left. Pepper had a sinus infection and possbile RSV. Luckily, Hazel some how escaped all the nastiness and right now only has a bit of a runny nose. Knock on wood. Anywhoo, with all that and the crazy weather life has seemed a bit weird lately. But that didn't stop us from enjoying Valentine's Day. I made these cupcakes for a playgroup I hosted on Tuesday the 14th.

These are the lovely flowers Morgan and Cody picked out for me.

At playgroup we made valentines for Daddy.

I saw this in the Disney magazine I get and thought I'd try it. I spread cool whip on a cookie sheet and froze it. Then I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out a heart and put it on top of my hot chocolate. The kids had fun with it but it was kind of messy.

Some of the kids enjoying a snack.

Morgan stayed for a party after school. He wanted to show off all of his valentines from school.

Not the best picture of Morgan but this picture did make me realize how big my son is now.

Such a great big brother!

Hazel wearing the winter suit we bought for Morgan when he was born.

My little doll.

My girls just hanging out.

Not sure what is going on here but it's funny anyway.

This is how we pass many dreary afternoons. Every time I put Hazel on the floor every one tries to talk to her and get her to smile. This is one loved little girl.

Just a quiche I made the other day. I mainly took the pictuer because of my pretty pie plate Cody gave me.

Like father like son. I'm glad to see my ipad is being put to good use.

So now for some big news around here. Pepper is wearing big girl panties!!

We are all VERY excited!

Actually, this photo is pretty accurate. Morgan has been Pepper's biggest cheerleader through this whole process. He is the first one to tell her "great job" and "way to go." The first time Pepper finally peed on her little potty was when Morgan went in and peed with her. He has also been a great help keeping Hazel happy and entertained while I spend a lot of time in the bathroom with Pepper.

I had been planning on potty training Pepper sometime soon but kept finding reasons to put it off. I think I was just scared to start this whole process over again. This weekend we had a lot going on but I just had to bite the bullet and Pepper seemed to be potty training herself without me. The antibiotics she was on gave her the runs and I think she decided the thought of going on the potty seemed much better than yucky diapers. We're a few days in now and she seems to be doing really well. Here's hoping!

On Friday evening, Cody's cousin, Robin and her family came to visit. Their son, Antonio, was performing in a show choir competition on Saturday. The kids were over the moon to be together again and we were so excited to have them here. Friday night, Robin and Cris got a hotel room in town so that everyone could go swimming and so they could have a date night.

These swim outfits are a bit small but hey they work.

All the kids goofing around.

Cris taught Pepper to just jump in from the side. After this, we took all the kids home and put them right to bed. Even the teenagers were asleep in about two seconds. I guess we wore them out.

Saturday afternoon, we all went out to Chipotle for lunch. Then we took the kids home, got Ali all set up to babysit and wished her luck. Then Robin, Cris, Cody and I headed off to watch Antonio and his school's show choir perform. It was a lot of fun to watch everyone perform. It was like a real life Glee episode when they are at regionals or something. We were there from about 2 till midnight. Hazel was a trooper and did a great job. Till the ride home of course. Poor little thing just wanted to be asleep and left alone.

Cody, Hazel and Robin during a performance break.

Not the best picture of Cris but Hazel's little tushy sticking out was too cute not to include. We were all a little exhausted getting ready for church on Sunday but it was so worth it so have them all visit. We are so grateful to have family so close now that we can share these experiences together. I have a feeling this will be a new annual event for us and that is just fine by me!

Auntie Mesha Visits

Before I talk about our week with Mesha here are a few random pics from the past week or so. Pepper always loves to put on her ballerina pajamas when people are over so she can show off her dance moves. Such a cutie.

Pepper likes to take pictures, especially of Hazel. I was pretty impressed by this one.

Winter days equal lots of dress up time. We like to tell stories during dinner and every story features Princess Pepper and Jedi Morgan.

Our mall has opened a play area that is just perfect for us. I meet with friends at least two mornings a week to mall walk and then we let the kids play. Mesha was a trooper and joined us for this morning ritual three times.

Pepper has gotten very into skirts and tights lately.

Something we did last year with Mesha was going to the local animal rescue to pet the kitties. We haven't been since but were all excited to go again with Auntie Mesha. This little kitty was named Morgan.

She was perfectly happy in human Morgan's lap. Morgan did really well holding them. Pepper was happier to pet from a distance.

The weather here has been so crazy lately. Every Saturday morning for the past three weeks we have woken up to snow. But during the week it has been sunny and in the 40s. It was so nice this past week that we were able to go to the park and for a few walks.

Auntie Mesha taking good care of Hazel who was trying out the Ergo carrier for the first time.

Abby, Ben and Becky met up with us to also enjoy the freakish winter weather.

Yep, we hit up the kitties twice in one week.

A very happy Mesha. She's like the kitty whisperer.

On Friday morning, we took the kids to story time at the Nature Center. That night we got a babysitter and joined some friends at a new fancy burger place called The Rail for dinner. It was a lot of fun to go out with other adults. Hazel still tags along but she was a good baby and just hung out till she fell asleep. After a great dinner, the ladies went home to the kiddos while the husbands went to the movies. We are really great wives:) Next time we're going to switch! Saturday Mesha had to go home. We all miss her but are so glad she came to play with us for a whole week. Can't wait to see her out west this summer along with the rest of her family. We love you, Auntie Mesha!