Now is a great time to live in Texas

It has been beautiful weather here in Houston lately. I know the heat is coming soon so we are trying to enjoy the out doors and the kids are loving the nice weather. It has been in the 70's and 80's and just really nice out. These pictures are from before I went to Utah but I'm running a little behind!

One Saturday Livy asked if we could make a garden. So we settled on a few plants in pots. Maybe next year if we plan ahead we can get a real garden going. I think it would be great to have a real garden one day.

We went to Home Depot and got some dirt, tomato seeds, one strawberry plant, and one cherry tomato plant.

They were so into it and still are. Everyday when Eric gets home they remind him that it is time to water their plants. They get so excited every time a little sprout grows, it's adorable. They loved planting and watering and taking care of it. It is their special project with daddy.

Thanks dad for this fun time together!

There was also a crazy number of lady bugs in our grass for a few days. Livy was really into catching one and asked me to help her and what are the chances of looking down and finding one. Well little did I know they were all over. They caught tons of them that day. It sure was fun for them and so neat to see.

I love this one of Rae and the one of Livy below. They loved just staring at them and trying to keep track of where they were crawling. Rachel did suggest at one point to rip its wings off but we had to have a chat on why we don't hurt the animals. Trouble maker!

Mr. Outdoors has been loving it too. Happy to do anything outside he is enjoying his alone time on the trampoline!

Breaking out the bathing suits! We haven't gotten as crazy as their cousins and hit the freezing pool regularly yet but we have broken out the sprinkler and water table which seems to entertain them enough for now. I'm not ready for swim season yet!

Sharing their treasures! I love your sweet spirits and wonder with everything you come across. You two are amazing little girls and we are so blessed to have you in our family! We love you so so much. Thanks for being such good examples to your little brother.

Colt is keeping us moving!

Colt is about 16 months now and so much fun. I had forgotten how much I love this age. Lately he has gotten the screaming when he wants something down to a science which is driving me nuts and diaper changes are still a struggle every time but other than that I love this age. He is so fun, cute, happy to go with the flow, always trying to do what his sisters do, and thinks he is much older than he is!

He would be outside all day if I let him. He just hangs out with Pebbles, walks around, throws balls around, goes on the trampoline and just loves being out there. Of course he loves the water too when we break it out but he is happy to be out there no matter what. He also loves to point out every bird and airplane that he sees!

He loves getting a turn on the trampoline by himself! He wants to go to preschool so bad and just play. There are tears some days when he doesn't get to go into the classroom. He is saying new words everyday it seems like. So far he uses no, yes, out, up, go, car, bird, airplane, ball, baba (bottle-his favorite), more, dog, mama, dada, Pebbles, nose, eyes, hair, sit, hat, book, hot, clap, hi, bye, cracker, shoe, baby and I am sure there are more I am forgetting now but those are most of his favorites. He is always trying other ones when he hears you say them and working on thank you, olivia, and rae rae right now. I love hearing him talk and watching all that he can understand. It is just amazing how quick they learn!

He loves playing patty cake and still wearing anything he can as a hat. He is always busy and going going going. The girls are so good at protecting him, entertaining him while I change his diaper and loving him. Sometimes they think they can play as rough with him as they are with each other but he handles it pretty well.

At his 15 month checkup he weighed 26 lbs. 10 oz. and was 32 inches tall. He is in the 75% for height, weight, and head. Pretty much where he has been all along and going strong!

Now for this little one! I am almost 30 weeks now and feeling every day of it. It's not bad really and I feel guilty complaining at all but this pregnancy is definitely harder on my body than the others have been. I just have a lot of constant pains especially in my groin muscles. To lift my leg to put my underwear on is a challenge! Either way she seems to be doing good so we're thankful for that. Doctor appointment in a few days so we will see then how we're holding up! Only two months left now!

I showed Colt my belly the other day and was talking to him about the baby in there. Now when I ask where the baby is he pulls my shirt up and points to my belly and says "baby." It is so cute so I had to get it on video to have for later! Sometimes he lays on it and kisses it too. I don't know if he really knows what a baby is but he knows where the "baby" is. What a sweet little guy. I can't believe he will be a big brother soon!

I love his little hand in this picture while giving a kiss!

Please don't mind the white white belly and terrible stretch marks! Sorry everyone!

The big guy after a bath. We've still got the constant diaper rash going on so he gets to roam naked for a while after the bath, with his pink towel, so manly!

We sure love you a lot Colt! Everyone of us. You are such a fun and sweet boy and we are so happy to have you in our family!

Utah

Ever since this little guys has been born I have been trying to get to Utah to see him. Things come up and I get anxious and never booked a ticket but I finally did it for my birthday and it was great. I was so nervous about leaving the kids but they were fine without me, now me on the other hand was another story! I was crying at all sorts of things. It brought out my emotional side being away from them! Glad to report that everyone was happy and safe when I got home! Great job Eric! Thank you so much for this little vacation. It was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Here is little Luke all snuggled up . He had a nice seat on my belly and was all snug and quickly drifted off as we waited for our most delicious to go cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory.

Look at that adorable face! He is such a good baby and it was so fun just to hang out, play with Luke, read, go out to eat and chat and laugh a lot with some of my favorite people!

We did have one major blowout. Yuck. That was like a 30 minute cleanup with a bath by the time we got that mess off of him and his parents stopped taking photos of it!

These two are so in love with this little guy and seem to be enjoying having a baby so very very much! I loved watching you two with him and the funny things you say and sing to him. What great parents you are already! I love you guys!

It was such a great weekend. I loved just hanging out with you guys. It really of makes me sad that we can't just do that any day we want to. Oh what it would be like to live near each other! Either way I am so glad I got to come and meet you little, or big should I say, man! He is just perfect! Thanks for such an awesome weekend. I love you guys and can't wait to see you again!

Us at our finest! Miss you Cass! Always do sis!

My B-day

Last week was my 29th birthday! I still don't feel that old which is good but my mom says she is starting to feel old now! It was a great day! We had a 'March b-day Williams sister in laws' birthday lunch, which means April and Jenina had a lunch for Jamie and I. Next month it will be our turn to do a lunch for the April b-day girls! It was so nice to eat something good for lunch, now leftover kid stuff or pb and j and actually sit down to eat! It was great and delicious! The kids ran around and played together which we don't get to do much since everyone is in some sort of school now a days! Thanks so much guys!

Then I got a babysitter and got my hair cut. It was nice and relaxing to just sit there. It is so hard for me to stay awake when someone is "playing" with my hair though! After that we went to eat at Olive Garden for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Williams. Yum! It was delicious again!

Colt enjoying two lollipops at a time!

Yes, Rachel wore her Barbie mermaid Halloween costume to dinner, I didn't want any arguments today! And Livy was just super hyped at dinner. We couldn't get her to stop talking!

Colt loved the when they sang Happy Birthday!

After we played outside a little before we went in to get ready for bed and for me to start packing! The next morning I went to Utah for the weekend all by myself! What a wonderful birthday gift! Post to follow! It was a great birthday. Thanks for all the cards and phone calls, I miss you all so much. Grateful for another wonderful year and so may wonderful blessings!

So Proud!

Last Sunday the girls both had their first turn to particpate in Primary opening exercises. Olivia did the prayer and Rachel gave the scripture. I know it is a simple thing but I was so proud of them and so excited watching them up there and their excitement for doing it.

Livy gave the opening prayer all by herself. I didn't help with a word. It was awesome. She did mention she was thankful for her toys for the first time so that made me chuckle inside a bit but she did awesome thanking Heavenly Father for her blessings too. I am so proud of you Livy! You are such a sweet independent little girl!

Rachel had the scriptures. She read 1 Nephi 22:2. She was so brave and spoke loud and clear so everyone could hear her. She had no hesitation and was so happy sitting and holding her scriptures as she waited for her turn. You did so great Rachel! I am so happy you enjoyed doing it and are excited about the scriptures. I love you so much sweetie!

Colt wanted in on the picture taking too!

Livy has inherited my love of chocolate. In this picture as you can see there was only a small piece chocolate cake left and she just couldn't wait. This is about 7 am and that is what she wanted for breakfast. She tried to get it herself and dropped it on the floor. The icing got stuck on the floor but she still got the cake part! We don't usually eat cake for breakfast around here, or at least I don't let the kids see me if I do, but I figured was it worth the tears? She would just eat it later so whats the difference.

Nap time with dad.

Messy boy. He thinks he is just so big and can do anything the girls can do. He tries to keep up with everything they do. He is good at keep away. If he steals something of theirs they still can't manage to get it back. They say he is too fast! He hides it behind his back and moves his hand all around pretty quick continually changing positions so they can't get it. It is pretty funny.

But back to the point, this morning we were painting. I gave in and let him do it, and of course it was messy but I expected that. This was after the big clean up. He still had some on him and he did his hair so nicely don't you think? It stayed like that until bath time that night. But he sure was happy!

Baby update. This is a picture at 26 weeks (one week ago). I feel gigantic and it is just hard to move around, mostly bending over is the problem. And with Colt who throws stuff on the floor constantly I am always bending over. Other that that things are good. So grateful and glad to report baby looks good and everything checks out good so far. Measuring two weeks ahead but that is normal for me. Even though it is getting hard and uncomfortable it is so worth it. And I can't complain because for the most part I feel ok which I know is such a blessing because I know some people have terrible pregnancies. Everytime I look at my kids I still can't believe I am their mom. For some reason it is just crazy to me and hard to wrap my head around. But I know I am so blessed and so grateful to have them and to have the opportunity to be their mom. They are so awesome and I just love them and pray each day that I can know what to do for them. I am also so grateful that Heavnly Father gave little kids the ability to forgive pretty much instantly and a million times over. I am so grateful for that and that they still love me even after every time I get mad. I understand why we are to become like little children!