Our little GIRL

Our little girl finally started walking last Tuesday!!  Hooray for Ellie!! She had taken up to 10 steps between Jason and I a month before but then suddenly lost her confidence and would only walk holding onto our fingers.

 Eating an ice cream cone all by herself!!

 Ellie's first pig tails!

Sun bathing with friends!  I LOVE that she LOVES hats and headbands still!

I can't believe how big our little girl is getting and SHE thinks she's even bigger.  She tries to do everything big brother does!  I love you sweet girl!  You bring a smile to my face!

Gavin's Preschool Graduation

May 17th Gavin had his preschool graduation.  Although he didn't actually graduate they have the Little Learners class in the program for the Pre-K graduation.  Unfortunately I had to work (we left the next day for Disneyland) so I missed it. :(  

 For their birthdays, each child filled out a poster about themselves with spots to add or draw pictures.  This was Gavin's.

 Ms. Kathy, Gavin's preschool teacher and Gavin.

Gavin and his good friend Kade.

But Jason had some GREAT stories about Gavin's performance!  Each child had a line in the program and Gavin had his down COLD!  We practiced it for a week and he knew it every time.  His line was "we had a lot of fun in preschool."  But when it was his turn to say his line into the microphone, instead he said "I been a good boy and we're going to Disneyland tomorrow"  Then when asked to say what he liked about preschool he said "I played at Jackson's house and my daddy picked me up." hehehe I WISH I could have been there!

Hats

Ellie LOVES, LOVES, LOVES hats, masks and everything else that goes on your head or face. So here is some pics of a random day where she had to wear Gavin's Hiccup hat (from How to Train Your Dragon, however the hat we actually got at Epcot in whatever country had the Vikings and water ride! Norway, I think.)

Mother's Day 2012

 I had a wonderful Mother's Day.  Jason and the kids made breakfast for me...eggs, waffles, bacon and cinnamon rolls!  YUMMY!  I would love to just shower this post with only positive, wonderful things to say but I feel like that would be fake. To be completely honest, this year has been really hard for me.  I have questioned my abilities as a mother a lot.  We have had a lot of struggles and I know I have made mistakes.  This year I have realized being a mom is REALLY HARD, REALLY TIRING,  REALLY FRUSTRATING and also WONDERFUL and AMAZING.  It has been a real eye-opener to many of my weaknesses.  Parenthood definitely brings out the best and the worst in you (or me in particular).  But I feel blessed to be a mother and know that if I put faith in my Savior and trust in Him, He will help me be the best mother I can be for my children.  Thank you to my own mother for your efforts and sacrifices since now I know how hard it can really be!  Thank you to everyone who let me bounce off parenting ideas and gave me love and support.  I am surrounded by AMAZING mothers and I am striving to follow your examples.

 Classic Ellie smile! It took me FOREVER to find the right hair flower for this dress, but I finally found the perfect one!

 Me and my darling boy Gavin! He is such a handsome boy!

Here's the outfit all together!  Yay!  I have waited like 2 months for her to wear this dress!