March moments

This easel was a Christmas thing and we've probably only done this:only a handful of times since then. Because clean-up takes longer than the production of the works of art of course.
It really is worth it though.


Dad, Caleb and most importantly our good friend next door built some amazing storage shelves in the garage.

Grandma Jeanne came to visit! This is the scene only minutes after arriving home from the airport with her. They LOVE her attention, her stories, her hugs, her smiles, etc. etc. etc.

Vanilla ice cream cones on the front porch.

Nothing better than that.

We watched five caterpillars turn into butterflies - kind of. We actually missed seeing the butterflies emerge from the cocoons. I know, I know, what's the point then, right? We did give them some juicy oranges and watched them eat and then reluctantly let them fly to freedom after a few days.



Avery and Presley graduated to two-piece pajamas that have been very much needed ever since the diaper days have passed us by. (It's not fun to unzip and peel off the one-piece kind in the middle of the night and watch Avery shiver on the toilet.)

Before and After

Instead of a before and after picture of Presley's arm, I decided to display these. Her hair has gotten longer and her morning looks are priceless. But after a few minutes, she dolls up really well! It's kind of amazing - just like the pink cast. After only 5 weeks, her arm is as good as new.

New and much improved...

It's PINK
and WATERPROOF!

Presley's "BIG owie"

Yes, she broke her arm - both bones in her forearm. And after 6 hours in the emergency room, she looked like this. At one point during all the waiting, we were laying face to face on the pillow on the bed in our makeshift emergency room, her little nose touching mine. I couldn't help but think how nice it was to have some one-on-one time with her, even if it was in those circumstances.
We had to cut the sleeve off of her pajamas that first night and have since had to hunt for short-sleeved shirts to wear...
Avery refers to it as "Pressey's big owie." Presley loves all the increase of love and attention - and is doing fine!

Happy Valentines Day, I love you Nae

-Aaron

"Where else would you sled?"

After our snowstorm last week, the street in front of our house quickly became a sledder's heaven. We of course thought it a little odd, but quickly caught on because 1) it was a blast and 2) no cars ever threatened the fun. Aaron made a comment to someone at work about how funny it was that we spent the weekend sledding down the street hill outside and the reply was "well, where else would you sled?" I think we need to tell Caleb where we went to sled as kids. It definitely wasn't the street.

Here is a view that shows everyone walking up the hill -

and then a view looking down...Aaron and Caleb spent hours out there. It was really cold, but Aaron was sweating through his clothes when he was finished - pulling Caleb up the hill on a sled is a great workout!

Avery, Presley and mom were watching from the window all day (it was day 1 for no more diapers). They wanted to go outside so bad, and mom finally did let them go down the hill a few times. They loved it!

When it does snow here, most of the time it quickly turns to ice. So, it's not necessarily snowmen-making snow, but it works well for the sleds. When it doesn't quickly warm up to melt things away, people don't get out and drive around. And school was canceled for three days! Three days! Apparently, they just don't have equipment to move the snow and ice around and the buses are stuck in the parking lots until everything melts. I guess that makes sense, but all we Utahns can think is "silly North Carolinians!"

No more diapers: still perfecting...

We are far from being perfect at this. In fact, Presley had two accidents before bedtime and I'm afraid she's making herself sick cause she hasn't pooped for a long long time. And Avery didn't quite make it to the toilet when she pooped. I also continue to change one or two sets of sheets every morning.

On a positive note, I THINK Presley has caught on to the fact that you either pee in the toilet, or you hold it (in tonight's case, until you explode - twice). Avery continues to tell me when she has to go all the time! And most importantly, they look so darn cute in their undies, especially when they're practicing somersaults.