First Braid!

I braided this little dolly's hair for church today. It's the first time I've braided her hair and I loved it! (It might also be the last time I braid it for awhile. Braiding a squirming almost-two-year-old's hair is a joke.)

So, so cute! 

How I achieved such a remarkable feat.

Sad face. It pulled a little at the end because she was getting even more squirmy.

Grandpas Have Birthday Parties Too

Chad's dad turned the big 55 this year and decided to celebrate. The whole family went to dinner and then had fun bowling afterwards. I think it was their first time bowling for both Cayden and Laura (aside from the mini bowling they did at Scheel's this summer) and they loved it! I guess that even when you're a grandpa it's still ok to have birthday parties. :)

SO excited to be bowling! I about died at the cuteness of her tiny bowling shoes. (Btw, I have way more pictures of Laura bowling than Cayden. Probably because she got way more excited each time it was her turn than him.)

Getting help from Grandpa.

Watching the ball.

Yay! So excited! Laura was so excited each time that she would clap and then grab the metal ball guide and jump up and down until the ball hit the pins. So dang cute.

Cayden bowling. He loved it and was surprisingly patient in between his turns. It was nice for a change.

Grace did a little bowling with Grandma, but I don't think she quite got it. ;)

This is what Grace did most of the time. Smiled and talked to whoever would pay attention. Cute, cute girl.

After bowling, the kids (and everyone else too) got to play some of the arcade games that were at the bowling alley. Both Cayden and Laura loved that as well. Dinner, bowling, and games made for a very late night, but the kids were surprisingly well behaved.

Laura on a very, very tiny carousel. Still, she loved it.

I think the favorite game of both Cayden and Laura was this motorcycle race. They loved sitting on the motorcycle and thought they were racing on their own. They of course had to have help or else they would have crashed in seconds. 

 Waiting for the game to start. (Again, look at those tiny, adorable bowling shoes!)

Getting help from Steven and Grandpa.

Love the smile on his face! He had a blast!

Grace's Special Day

Last Sunday (the 19th) we blessed Grace in church. My family came from Colorado to be a part of it and we had most of Chad's family as they all live really close. In the circle we had both of Chad's grandpas, both of our dads, Chad's three brothers and Jesseca's husband, Richard. Grace was blessed with many things, but what really stood out to me was that she was going to have a lot of faith, be very trusting, have patience, and strive to find out Heavenly Father's will. What a sweet little girl we have been blessed with! I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who is a worthy priesthood holder and uses it frequently to bless our family.

Pretty girl in her blessing dress. It is the same dress I was blessed in, as was her big sister, Laura.

My side of the family.

Chad's side, minus Steven who was randomly missing.

My little family! This was the best we could do. Between Cayden and Laura someone was always goofing off in the picture. Little stinkers!

Sweet, sleepy smiles.

More smiles! Grace is such a happy baby. And that tongue. Seriously, she's like a lizard. Or a giraffe.

See that tongue?! (Excuse the sleepy smiles, we had just woken up from a nap.)

Daddy and baby.

Love this picture of my mom and Grace!

Proof that it was a long day. Chad and Brian passed out on each other and Laura was out seconds after Grandma started to sing 'I Love to See the Temple.'

Weekend Aftermath

One napping at 9am and the other glued to the tablet since mom and dad are playing catch up. (Another post coming shortly as to the weekend events.)

The 'January Blues'

We're all missing the lights, music, atmosphere, and family time that come with the holidays. The kids and I got used to Chad being home all day, every day and were in for a rude awakening once he started back up at school and work. So, in an attempt to get over the 'January Blues' we've been trying to stay busy. (Which with three kids is usually pretty easy to do even without adding in extra stuff.)

The kids have been giving and getting rides in the dump truck. It's seriously big enough for Cayden to even sit in. And no, I don't let them push Grace around in it.

We've been enjoying lots and lots of smiles from this little one. She has yet to laugh, but has gotten pretty close a few times. Love that little smiley face!

Trying on funny masks and hats. I think Laura looks like a bug with Steven's ski helmet and goggles on.

 Sledding with daddy and Grandpa. It was pretty much ice, but Cayden loved it! Laura wasn't a big fan so she hung out in the house with me, Grace, and Grandma. Cayden kept the boys out there until both Chad and Grandpa were done because their bums hurt. I love Cayden's face in every single picture! He was really enjoying himself. And Chad's face in the first picture... ha ha ha!

This little one has been enjoying lots of naps. I love how squishy and cuddly she looks here.