Only One In Diapers!!

He did it! Colt has been potty trained for the past two weeks, way to go Colt! Three weeks ago he wanted to wear underwear and that first week I was not consistent with him and put pull ups on all the time when we went out or when I wasn't able to devote my time to him at home-so he wore pull ups, and peed in them, a lot. Poor kid. After a few accidents one day and Ellie playing in his puddle, I lost it. I told him sorry but you have to put a diaper back on, you are not ready for this. And that was the magic. He was so sad and crying so much that he didn't want a diaper on and it just clicked. Since then he has told me when he needs to go, even when he had that diaper on. Within a day he was wearing underwear and has only had one accident in the two weeks since. It has been great! I am sure loving having only one child in diapers! 

Although, Ellie thinks she needs to go potty every time Colt does too so she tries to strip down and get on there after him, every time I change her diaper she wants to go on the potty  and any restaurant we go to she continually tells me potty and then tries to take her buckle off like I am really taking her to the potty!

Grammy sent him this sticker ribbon for doing so great and he was so proud. Every time I tell him he did such a great job he says so cutely, "thanks mom." He gets so excited to hear how proud I am of him and how good he is doing.  We are so proud of you Colt! I can't believe you are so grown up already. You are such a great kid and a wonderful big brother. We love you so much bud!

On Our Own!!

You read the title right! Eric and I went on a little get a way by ourselves to San Antonio! And it was marvelous :) We found a great baby sitter who stayed at our house and took care of our gang. I got this happy picture the first afternoon there. They kids had a great time with Karen and getting to spend a few hours with Grandma and Grandpa on Sunday. They were totally enjoying their "vacation" too!

We were enjoying our freedom from a schedule, crying, diaper bag, stroller, cleaning, laundry, etc. It was a little weird at first and kind of feeling lost without having to keep track of so many people and so much stuff for everyone. Don't worry, it didn't take long to adjust :) And believe it or not we did miss them, it was great to get away for a few days and just have fun together, but we did miss them, even Eric!

We stayed right on the Riverwalk in San Antonio in the Contessa Hotel which was really nice. We loved where it was located and that we didn't need the car all weekend. We went from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon and it was a perfect long weekend getaway. A 3 hour drive, close if we needed to go back and it didn't take us all to fly somewhere. We are pretty good at being lazy and we really loved getting to sleep in, nap, eat when and what we wanted, read, lay by the pool, go to the movies, try new restaurants (and actually get appetizers), shop, stay up late, go for a run, get massages, walk on the quaint Riverwalk, and sight see just a little! That pretty much sums up our trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Eating too much again. We had great food the whole time which is an extra bonus!

Riverwalk at night. It makes the city so different and very vacation-like, more than other cities we have visited. 

This was our sight seeing. We walked by the Alamo at night. Eric had come down to see it while I was napping one time but this was the extent of my sight seeing.

Roof top pool on the hotel. We had a great sunny day and the whole place to our self. 

Of all the places we ate at Eric loved this one best. It is called Zinc's and it was just next to our hotel. They recommended it and we tried it, and then tried it again! The food was great and the atmosphere is what Eric loved. It is too bright in these photos to get the real jist of it but it is an alley way between some buildings that they turned into an outdoor patio area. It was quiet and beautiful and made for a great experience. Here are a few more views of it below. 

He looks pretty happy! And I was too, it was great to spend some time with just my husband and have a great time with him. I love you Eric, thanks for a great trip! Can't wait to go again!

Some of This and That

Some more bits of life to record. Just the everyday cuteness I wish I could save. 

Colt started a sticker chart for good behavior. The reward of a sticker and the threat of taking one off is working pretty good. He gets to go to chucky cheese when he fills it up so he is very motivated. This is the only thing that motivates him!

Ellie can't help herself. We have learned to stay away from the park the few days after rain. One day of this was enough. Colt and Ellie were soaked from head to toe by the time we left. 

Colt as Leonardo. 

Ellie showing us how she eats an ice cream cone. It is always an adventure with you Ellie!

They are doing those capsule things that expand in water, they would do them everyday, they quite enjoy them! 

Ellie loves to tell me "stop" now, with attitude of course. She loves being part of the gang with the kids and speaks up when we ask what they want for dinner. 

The girls got their turn later and were equally as entertained!

Livy melts my heart sometimes. She saw this commercial for build a bear around Valentine's day where this little girl makes one for her mom and leaves it with a note for her mom in the car when she gets out. She saw it, loved it, and copied it. That is her build a bear and she made me mom note with hearts and left it in the back of the car when she got out for school. She told me on the way out "make sure to check the back seat." You're so sweet Livy!

We had a family home evening on Joseph Smith and we talked about the scripture he read, "if ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God," and what it meant. Afterwards we were going over sight words with Rachel and when she didn't know one she answered "I lack wisdom." She is sharp that Rachel! She gave me a laugh during a time that is usually pretty dull. 

"mom, please video and come to the living room"

My invitation from Livy for the dance recital by her and Rae.

I know I see this gang everyday but sometimes it just comes out of no where and I see them all like this and I think "Wow, that's my family." Also "How did that happen" and "I'm pretty stinking lucky."  

Eric has quite a few one liners that he uses over and over with the kids. Livy is started to use one and it is always a good laugh. "This isn't your first rodeo." 

Celebrating report cards with ice cream! I am so proud of you girls and how hard you are trying to do your best at school, you rock!

You are great examples to Colt and Ellie. I love you guys!

This boy is growing up so quick! Everyday I am shocked and amused at the things that come out of his mouth, sometimes bad shocked (holy crap, knuckle head, shupid-new word he made up b/c he is not allowed to use stupid) but most of the times in awe of how smart he is!

He is fighting the naps now but sometimes we still get one from him, even if it is mid-snack.

Some adorable faces we can't wait to see, or meet! They are growing so fast and they are so adorable! You guys make some cute kids!

If you don't see your face here children, it is your moms fault because she doesn't sent me pictures! I love you all though!

Fun Run and Hoe Down

The girls have been busy with fun activities at school. Recently they had a hoe down and fun run. For the hoe down the performed dances they have been learning in PE. They were excited for it and they wanted us there to show us all they have been practicing!

I love these pictures of these two, nothing like a sister!

Cute cowgirls! This one was my favorite, I love when they really smile!

They got positions right near each other on the floor which was helpful for me. 

Sometimes they ran out of little kids so they used a few bigger ones to fill in. Rachel did not like that when she had to dance with the older girl, she didn't smile once. Livy wasn't thrilled but got focused on the dance quickly and forgot. Luckily they would switch around so they didn't have it the whole time. 

Now Rachel is all smiles with her friend Noah!

And Livy was happy to take Colt and dance with him!

Earlier in February the girls had their fun run. It is a fundraiser that they earn money per lap. They had the gym blasting with crazy music and a lap set up for them to run around. The girls both really enjoyed it and did way more laps than I had expected, about 40 each. 

They let the families run around with them at the end and Ellie was the most excited. Colt said the music was too loud for him and just covered his ears, but Ellie just kept going around and around with the big kids. I'm glad you had fun girls and are loving being involved in school!