easter weekend

we spent easter weekend with john's sister's family in AZ.  we had the best time!  i think there is just something awesome about being with family on easter.  also, i love these people of mine.

conference weekend in laguna!

the past few weeks, mimi and grandpa have been staying with aunt jayme on the weekdays while george works in a court case in orange county.  we have tried to get down there a few times to visit, and we've met up in disneyland a couple of times.  but over conference weekend, since we didn't have any sunday/church obligations on sunday, we were able to go down and watch conference with them.  it was my favorite conference weekend to date, although this weekend is still a strong contender!  

my girls would literally live at the pool/beach if they could.  they honestly never get tired of it.  let's be honest, neither do i.

THE way to watch conference with kids... with a bunch of toys completely new to them.

also, the ocean waves were nice background noise while listening to the conference talks.

country western day.

hazel's school goes above and beyond.  we are so blessed to go here.  a couple weeks ago they did a "country western day", and the kids got to ride ponies, pan for gold, pet farm animals, and milk a "cow".  

the downside to such an amazing event, is that i had to bring cora along to watch/take pictures, and it was TORTURE for her not to be able to participate.  especially in riding the ponies and the petting zoo.  don't worry, heffalump, you'll get your chance to go to preschool too. ;)

daily joys of motherhood

wet kisses
spontaneous dance parties
indulging in a sweet treat together
tummy raspberries
reading books together - i especially love the back-up to sit on my lap *heart eyes*
playing pretend
joyful giggles
laughing at the hilarious things they say and do
seeing the world through their rose-colored glasses
always being ready for an adventure

for every moment they make me want to pull my hair out, there are a dozen moments like this.

hazel:
has to make a wish on every dandelion on our walk home from school
is still obsessed with the number 11
asks for hot chocolate even on warm days
is always saying also-ly, "let's ride the matterhorn and also-ly the teacups"
puts on her "you make me smile" jammies first thing when they are clean
walks up the stairs on all fours, as slowly as she can (especially when we are in a hurry) - she knows how to get on my nerves!

cora:
says yes in the most enthusiastic, slow-building shout "yyyyyyYUH-ES!"
is obsessed with pizza right now
is a champion fit-thrower
helps me make dinner or a treat often.  she is expert at evenly spreading cheese on pizza!
has started fighting her naps a little bit
could be potty-trained right now, if she wanted to be
has started talking tons, but i only understand about half of it!