Panguitch and Vegas

After driving back to Vegas from Disneyland, we got up fairly early the next morning and drove to Panguitch Lake in Utah, a lake Jeremy always went fishing at when he was younger.  We hadn't been there in so long, several years before the girls were born, and Jeremy couldn't wait to get back there. 

One of many trout that we caught.

Each night we took a short drive in the mountains;  we always saw tons of deer and were also surprised to see several elk. 

Since we were out there over Bri's 4th birthday, grandma planned a wonderful Hello Kitty birthday party for her complete with an ice cream cake and pinata.

What's a camping trip without a campfire?

After spending 3 nights in Utah, we drove back to Vegas for two more days.  The girls had a blast walking the dogs to the park each day.

One day we went to a place in Vegas called "Springs Reserve," which was awesome.  It's hard to describe but was full of Las Vegas history, animals, gardens, a playground, educational stuff, etc.  The best part was that we were like the only ones there. 
They had an awesome cactus garden.

The garbage truck was one of the favorites.

Much thanks to grandma, grandpa, Darryl, Wendy, and Michael for a great week!

Disneyland

Sometimes you have so many pictures that you end up sharing none of them because it's almost too overwhelming.  But you gotta start somewhere, right?  So I'll start with day 1 of our trip to Vegas a couple weeks ago.  We had planned to fly to Vegas and spend several days with Jeremy's family in Utah at a fishing resort that Jeremy grew up going to (which we did).  After we booked our flights, Jeremy got the idea that it'd be fun to drive to Disneyland for one day and surprise the girls.  So that's exactly what we did.  We got into Vegas at 6:00pm on May 31st and Jeremy's parents met us at the airport with an extra car.  We then drove straight to Anaheim, telling the girls that we were going to visit Aunt Erin for one day (which we were.)  The girls slept the whole way in the car (since it was 8:00pm to their bodies and time for bed) and arrived at our hotel right by Disneyland at 10pm.  But since my girls are early risers, they were up at 4:00am since it was 6:00 am to their bodies, which is their usual wake up time.  Fortunately my husband was up as well and took them to Denny's while I got a couple more hours sleep.  After getting ready we headed into the park.  As we're driving in, Jeremy told them that this was where we were meeting Aunt Erin.  Emily looked around, saw the signs, and with a big smile on her face yelled, "Disneyland, Disneyland!"  It was great.  So here are some pics from the day:

Getting on the plane with their Minnie Mouse purses, having no clue:

Waiting for the park to open.  Mom just happened to pack the Minnie ears from Emily's birthday party.  :)
 We just happened to see this stone out front, one of many donors, I'm assuming.

 We took a picture of "our picture" during Splash Mountain.  Bri just barely met the height requirement.

 The highlight for the girls was probably the parade.  Bri was waving like crazy at all the characters that came by. 

We left at 5:00pm and boy were the girls tired.  They were asleep before we left the parking lot, and we drove straight back to Vegas that night.  It was a great day.

More to come from the rest of our trip . . .

My Mom

For the past 34 years, I have been blessed with the most amazing mom.  So on Mother's Day, here are 34 reasons why I love my mom:

1. She loves me.
2. She taught me how to sew.  (Too bad I never really caught on that well.)  Now she just sews stuff for me.
3. She has tea parties with my girls.
4. She never missed an activity of mine growing up -- games, concerts, . . . if I was in something, she was there.
5. She tried her best to get me to like vegetables.
6. She always puts everyone else above herself.
7. She loves my husband and laughs (sometimes too hard) at his jokes and stories.
8. She is never critical of my parenting even though inside she is probably thinking, Wow, I sure wouldn't do that!
9. She loves to play games.
10. She once paid me $100 to not watch TV for a whole year.  Yes, I did it.  (I think I was in 5th grade?)  Crazy, I know.
11. She loves to read and shared that love with me.  Now if only I had more time to actually do it.
12. She has come to our house for a month every summer since Emily was born.  What a blessing that's been.
13. She taught me the importance of doing chores when I was little and working hard.
14. She loves Scrabble, especially playing it with my dad. 
15. She always said, "Don't make a mountain out of a molehill."
16. She is always so supportive.  When I went through some rough times this past year she was never critical, she stuck by me and shared words of encouragement.
17. She taught me how to garden.  Let's see if I can remember anything this summer as I attempt my first real garden on my own.
18. She loves taking my girls to places I would probably never take them -- the Kelley Farm, Fort Snelling, etc.
19. She hasn't aged a bit.
20. She always made us a hot breakfast every day growing up.  Now she's the grandma who makes homemade waffles, which the girls love.
21. She memorizes chapters of the Bible at a time.  Even whole books.  Wow.
22. She never buys herself anything but also never complains.
23. She loves going on picnics.
24. She taught me that "a job worth doing is worth doing well."
25. She is the best tutor in Nebraska.  All her students are lucky to have her.
26. She sewed the most amazing Snow White and Sleeping Beauty costumes for my girls.  The compliments on them never end.
27. She was always there to help me with my homework, even the most frustrating writing assignments.
28. She likes to have "puzzle parties." 
29. She spent countless hours and dollars on piano lessons for me.
30. She's the only one I know who actually enjoys public transportation.
31. When we visit her or she visits us, she always lets me sleep in while she watches the girls early in the morning.
32. She prays for me and our family. 
33. She taught me about Jesus.
34. Better yet she showed me Jesus with her life.

I'm sure most of us at some point in our life say, "I sure hope I don't grow up to be like my mom."  Then suddenly one day we realize that wouldn't be so bad.  If I could be half the woman my mom is, I'd be doing well.  I love you, mom, and hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day.

We have a 5-year-old??

It's hard to believe that we already have a 5-year-old.  My, how time flies. 

While in Nebraska, we celebrated Emily's birthday with a giant cupcake cake, and with Grandpa Miles and Rita coming over to help us celebrate.

Back at home the next week, Emily chose to go to Mall of America for her birthday again this year.  We did "Toddler Tuesday" which means toddlers get special deals on rides and at restaurants.  Both girls had a blast on the rides this year, and Bri was much more brave than last year.

Even though Emily is not into American Girl dolls, we decided to eat lunch there since we knew she'd love it.  The restaurant is above the actual store and looks out over Nickelodeon Universe.  It is also all things girly and totally pink.  They let each of the girls pick out a doll to eat lunch with us, which they thought was pretty great. 

Her actual birthday started out with the traditional donut from dad. . .

and then she got to open a couple presents. 

She had preschool that day so she got to bring treats for everyone.  While at preschool I was busy working on her Minnie Mouse cake.  It was then a very last-minute idea to invite a few of her girlfriends over for cake and ice cream that night. 

As you can see, it was quite the crew.  I think they all had fun and Emily sure had a special day. 

P.S.  My dear Emily, I don't mind you turning 5;  it's kindergarten in a few short months that has me a little apprehensive.  :)

The Good Life

Jeremy had a work convention in Las Vegas the beginning of April so we all drove to Nebraska together and he flew from there with his friend Brian.  Then us girls got to stay with my parents for almost a week, and had a ton of fun.

One day we went to Morrill Hall, a museum on the UNL campus.  It was a special "animals day" so we got to see lots of neat animals and do some crafts.

I don't know if this is my daughter.  I cannot stand snakes!

The weather was beautiful while we were there, a wonderful change from the long Minnesota winter.  My brother and I used to spend hours throwing rocks into the creek when we were younger.  The difference is that I used to get way closer to the edge than I dared let Emily get.

Making some Tinkerbell stepping stones.

A fun morning at the Chet Ager indoor playground.

Another day it was a trip to the Lincoln Children's Museum, which they always love.  Here are my little Huskers.

Snuggles with grandpa.

Lots of time was spent playing in the yard -- soccer, volleyball, ladderball, . . .

and swings.

Thanks mom and dad for a wonderful week!