Mothers Day

We spent the weekend of Mothers Day at my parents house with my whole family. I couldn't have asked for a better treat. It was our last time all together for probably a while because Tyler and Kim are off to NY. We had a great weekend, and an especially nice day with a little church, some relaxing and our favorite food...Las Golindrinas. I tried this weird, totally "mormon" style cake with poked holes and jello and pudding and cool whip on top. I have to say I prefer actual home-made cakes. It must be the baker in me.

The boys did their usual wings meal...and then Tyson and Tyler planned our first trip to Buffalo New york in the fall for the annual wing-fest. They are truly so excited. I guess I should just go with it if it will get me a trip to NY in the fall with my husband.

I am loving how Mags is all about the pictures right now, and saying cheese as she smiles!

weekend nap

Apparently coloring was a tiring activity today...

easter

We had a very fun Easter weekend with just our little family. Saturday morning we woke up and took the kids to a neighborhood egg hunt. They get fun bounce houses and what not, so the kids love it.

This is Mags "cheese" face. She says it, and therefore the smile cracks me up.

We decorated and dyed eggs on Saturday too...there is nothing like waiting til the last minute. This was Sawyers first time since last year Mags was a newborn and we have just forgotten or been lazy, so he was in heaven.

We decorated flower and butterfly sugar cookies...so good!

And then there was actual Easter morning with candy and then more candy. I had to just tell myself just to let go as I watched my kids filling their mouths with chocolate peeps, jelly beans, and other gummy things, all before 8 am.

Last time we were at my Moms Sawyer told her that he wanted a green ball. Well, the Easter Bunny got him one, and he was so excited. He was convinced that Nana told the bunny that he wanted one. He is forever indebted to Nana now.

obsessed

Today I saw these two ladies at Old Town, where Tyson's store is.
I felt a little awkward because I wanted to tell Kyle of my obsession
with her, luckily Mags was there to break the ice and say hi, so then I got to say hi too
and tell them that I love them. Kim was so nice and said hi to Mags and talked about
how cute she is. Kyle was just gorgeous...everything I imagined.
Is it a little weird that something like this can make my day?
I LOVE reality TV.

life... through a 4 year old's eyes

my baby is ONE

I can't believe that a year has already gone by since Magnolia entered our lives. I feel like I know her so well. The way she is going to react when I offer her food... thrilled, what she'll do when I tell her it's time for bed...wave, what seems to excite her the most...apple juice or playing with the telephone, who she looks for first thing in the morning... Sawyer, what she hates... bows in her hair. So many things about her are like clock work. But I also love that she is at the stage where she is learning more and more everyday. I feel so much more aware this time around of needing to teach her things that I want her to learn, but also knowing I have less and less time on my hands as the days go by. I already feel sad for how little time we actually get to spend together, just Mags and me.
She is such a happy girl. Except when she's teething. Always walking around with a smile on her face, saying hi a million times a day. She is obsessed with her little baby doll and gives her wet, open mouth kisses constantly. I love seeing the bond that she and Sawyer share. They already play so well together, and I find myself loving having Sawyer around to help entertain. But she also gets a little temper with Sawyer when he takes things from her or bugs her.
She is saying a few words. Mostly Hi, Dada and juice. But I can tell when she is trying to say Sawyer and shoe, and only says Mama when she really-really wants my attention.
She could eat more than Sawyer on most days, and LOVES oranges. We go through a 5 lb. bag every few days.
I love that she has made me appreciate motherhood so much more this time around. It has gone so much quicker this time, and I feel such a need to take it all in.
Thank you Mags for making we love what I do, being a Mom...

I wanted to do a little party, then decided not too. Then last week I felt like I had to do something so I invited Tyson's family over for dinner and cake. It was a great night.

I decided to make Mags her own birthday cake because I thought it would be fun for her to just eat and eat and eat. I made a sugar cookie cake with strawberry frosting. A mini one for Mags, and then a big one for everyone else. Magnolia didn't even know what to do with it when we put it in front of her. Tyson tried to give her some with a fork and there was not much interest. Maybe next year I'll try chocolate.

Our new some-what backyard. It's little baby steps for us, but I am loving what I've got. the grass looks so beautiful and green. The kids still seems to walk over to the side and play in the dirt. Magnolia loves to eat the rocks and make quite the mess. I could care less though because they are happy and out of my sight.

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

Family time with the Huishes

We spent a few weekend in February at my parents house with Tyler, Kim and Benton. They were pretty last minute, and so much fun! The weather was so nice so we were able to spend some time at the beach and the park which was a highlight for the kids.
I am getting so sad to not have Tyler and Kim so close. I really look forward to our family gatherings and its not going to be as often with them all the way in NY. I guess we'll just have to go to them...

Sawyer and Benton are at a really fun age combo. They play really well together and are obsessed with wrestling each other. Sometimes Mags would get caught on the bottom, but she's a great sport about it.

Gary turns 60!

Tyson's Dad celebrated his 60th Birthday this week, so we have a few celebrations... On his actual birthday we went up to his house and had dinner and cake with the family that lives close.

Then this weekend the rest of the family came into town and we had a surprise dinner on Saturday night. I am not sure if it was an actual surprise, but I think all the family being there was.

We all got together one last time this morning for a brunch. It was so fun to all be together. The kids have such a fun time playing, and the adults have a good time talking and laughing.

all the kids, minus Owen who was sleeping.

Living Desert

A few weeks ago when Jace came home we went and spent a morning at the living desert. We always seem to make it there for the lights at Christmas, but Sawyer and Mags both loved seeing all the animals during the daytime.

The giraffes were may favorite part...

we saw a butterfly exhibit

Sawyer has an obsession with coyotes for some odd reason, so the coyote was the highlight for him

10 months

This seems to be a really fun/exhausting stage for us right now. I love how much Magnolia is learning and taking in everyday. She seems to be changing so much. But she is also becoming a handful with her curiosity for anything she can get her hands on, mainly in my cupboards. She wants to only hang out on the stairs which means I have to constantly be watching her. I haven't been able to find a gate yet that works with our stairs. She is taking some steps, but I wouldn't say she is walking quite yet. Probably in the next few weeks. She LOVES food. We joke she is just like my parents dog, she will eat anything she can get her hands on, and loves anything you give her. She is weighing in at 19.5. That means a front facing car seat soon, which I am thrilled about. She loves almost anyone. She will go to anyone to be held, and gets excited when she sees people like Tyson (of course), my Mom, Baby Owen, and even the girls at the gym. Sawyer was definitely a momma's boy so this has been a nice break for me. I am already counting down til nursery! She just broke her 4th tooth. Her teething has been a nightmare for us both. She is up way too much at night, and sometimes wants to play with Tyson and I between the hours of 2 and 4 am. I want to die! She loves to cuddle and lay her head on my shoulder at night. She hates to wear bows in her hair, but I still put them in all day long. She has the most beautiful big brown eyes... she is pretty much perfect and we love her so much!

welcoming home Elder Homec

Jace came home from serving in Mexico last Thursday night, and the whole family was there. It is so great to have him back!

sawyer and I made some posters


Owen was just thrilled to meet Jace for the first time...

Its great to have all the Homec's back in the USA

Blogging article

Katie forwarded me this article that I just loved. It made me so proud to be a stay at home Mormon mommy, who thrives on baking cupcakes, throwing parties and playing at the park with my kids (or at least watching them play!).
I love to read these blogs and so many more that uplift me and push me to be a better mom and wife.

the article...

sunny day

Today was in the 80's... so I guess there are days when I am glad I live in a desert. The kids played and had a picnic outside on our new pavers that were laid only a few days ago. I can already tell that they are going to change my life. Sawyer has barely stepped inside since we got them, and I enjoyed an hour of laying out and getting a sunburn this afternoon while Mags napped. To say I am obsessed is an understatement.

2010

My top moments of this past year... in no particular order, except the first one of course.

- The birth of Magnolia. Its weird because I feel like we've had her forever, and I can't remember it just being the 3 of us, but then again I still feel like I have a newborn and should receive extra attention for her.
- Sawyer learning to love to pray. He prays every night at dinner for us, sometimes twice. And of course he says it again every night before bed. His prayers are so simple, but so sweet and sometimes so funny.
- Rediscovering my love for the gym, and a new love for their classes. I haven't really worked out since we moved here and after Magnolia I knew that something was going to have to be done. Its my new favorite thing. I love that it feels like free babysitting everyday, and I feel better about myself too.
- Tyson moving locations for his store. It wasn't a big move, just at the other side of Old Town, but the traffic has been so great, and its been a real blessing.
- Spending the summer at my Mom's house. I loved being there with my Mom, Ali, Kim and Benton. It was so fun to have a daily routine with them since I always feel like we are trying to pack so much in to a weekend vacation.
- Magnolia getting old enough to be able to leave with a babysitter. We have an amazing babysitter who my kids love. I feel like it has changed my life since Tyson and I have been able to start going out on dates again. I feel like we are in such a good phase.
- Sarah and Colby moving to our neighborhood. Its only been a few months, but its been so great to have them so close. Sawyer asks to be dropped off there everyday because he wants to play with Colby, and I love being able to to go hangout for a little while during the long afternoon hours.

Its been a great year. I feel really blessed, and can't wait for even more moments that make me happy!