Hello 6 inches

So we've been having some really nice warm weather lately - might have even guessed it was spring - but we were greatly mistaken!

Day before yesterday, out of nowhere, we woke up to this beauty:

Our neighbors trees drooping over the fence. I love snow covered trees against white skies.

Feels like a wonderland dream... and that's our shed!

Nala being a spaz... haha!

By now the snow is mostly melted, and it's a good thing I postponed cleaning my floors, if you know what I mean. What a bizarre yet beautiful occasion! I guess they say to expect this kind of strange weather patterns, especially in spring. We're just so grateful we've been blessed with goo-gobs of moisture this winter!

mom...

Making conversation with Avery in the car after church:

"So, Avery, is baby asleep back there?"

"no."

5 minutes later

whisper: "mom.... mom...

whisper back: "um, yeah? what is it?" (I'm humored that she's whispering at me because I don't know why)

Avery whisper: "baby's asleep."

:)

Tiny shoes!

Aspen is such a petite little girl and I think it's adorable! Her shoes kill me! They are size 2! There's only one size under that. I used to see these tiny sneakers and sandals and think, "that's so ridiculous- why would you put an infant in shoes like that!" Well, we are now using them, but not because she is an infant, but because she will be WALKING here any day now! It just cracks me up! How cute.

These actually look bigger in the picture. You should see them on her tiny feet. It makes me smile!

Jumping back in

I'm wrapping up two weeks of sickness and beginning to feel like a normal human being again! The girls haven't been too bad, but I've had a bad cold and sinus infection to fight. Thanks to friends and my good husband taking care of me, we're getting back on track now.

I was able to attend a women's conference "Time Out For Women" this weekend with friends and it was great! Perhaps more on that later. It'll take me a while to get my gears going back up to speed, but it feels good to be "free"!

The girls sharing the step stool. Avery is so independent; she can unfold the stool, get herself a bowl and pour some cereal all by herself. It comes in handy when I'm sick and trying to sleep in! She's also getting handy with the remote.

Aspen LOVES to say uh-oh! She'll say it purposefully or just to hear herself talk, probably both! I love her little talk and am noticing new words coming out sporadically. Today it was "Puppy." However, she doesn't usually repeat them the next day.

Kissable Squeezable Lovable

Pizza Night is the best!

Even Aspen can dig in now :)

Adorable.

Aspen is becoming much more entertained exploring the house and playing with toys on her own. She loves to crawl up on the toddler chairs and sit like a big girl. She has learned how to stand up point blank without pulling on anything (and was rather proud of herself!) and is getting closer to walking unassisted. She is always smiling and happy; just a sweet heart. Both of our girls are delightful to be with! I count my blessings as a mama.

Funny note: I was saying something in the car and Brian interjected something. Avery says in dismay, "dad- mom was talking to me." Whenever I comb Avery's hair she says "I look pretty, mommy." Sometimes when I serve dinner, Avery exclaims "I love ______ (whatever we're having)!" It's especially sweet when she says carrots or broccoli. :) If Avery asks for something in a whiney tone, we ask her to try again and she nicely says "Please may I have ____?" What a champ!

Happy & Sad

Happy:

I'm pretty particular about what I put on my walls and where; that's why they've been bare for so long. I took these pictures a couple days ago to show you that we finally got some pictures/decor up in our house! It now looks like a home! We love it. :)

Hallway

Hallway by the laundry

Living Room

Dining/Stair Area

Sad:

Last night, 2 am, Brian leapt from his bed in horror when he heard a huge shattering sound. Running to see what was the matter, he found our lovely temple centerpiece (from the dining/stair area above) fallen to the ground. We don't know why the heavy-duty hook failed, but it bent, allowing the frame to slip. I'm very sad about this unique piece of art that I designed and created myself (with much difficulty and time) and was very pleased with. I loved the subtleness of the etched image on the glass with a golden shining background (some angles you could see it very well and others hardly at all; it was cool). Below is a picture that I had taken when it was in the works. I'm not sure if I plan to salvage the frame and what I'll do to replace this piece, but it may be a blank spot on the wall for a while until I muster up a new idea. :\

Avery is 3!

Avery is my little lady. I love how politely she can say "Please, may I ___?" She is quick to serve before being asked and when being asked and also loves to share (most of the time). She likes to pick up Aspen and give her toys (and take toys away too). She has a watchful eye and sometimes catches danger before I do with baby. It's funny when Avery spills something or eats something I may not have approved of and says "it's okay, mom."

Avery loves to put her backpack on and pretend she is going to school. She likes to stuff it with "food" (toys) and pretend she is having lunch or at the grocery store. She just loves to pretend and do puzzles, which she is getting better at independently. Also loves watching movies, of course. She got a bike (I scored on that one) and Beauty and the Beast for her birthday! It's fun to hear her laugh. She is successful with always going #2 in the potty, but only occasionally pees there. I'm glad we've gotten somewhere in that department and I'm still letting her go at her pace.

Avery is excellent with Nala, our pup. Nala is learning how to obey well and Avery is a good and authoritative master. Please see this video; it's awesome! ("lay/down, stay, now COME, SIT, good girl")