A pirate says "ARRR"

It was pirate day at Liv's preschool.  She came home from school wearing this girly pirate hat and a patch to match found below.  They went on a hunt for treasure and came home with "golden." 

Happy Birthday Ry

I like to focus on the girls when it comes to blogging, but wanted to dedicate this post to Ryan.  Today he turns 31.  I am not the type to let feelings flow for all to see but I am going let it go just for today.  I love Ryan.  He truly is my everything.  He is the reason I get out of bed in the morning.  Literally... the alarm goes off at 5 and he pushes me out of bed.  He will call randomly during the day just to see how my day is going.  He never complains about my cooking, ALWAYS has a listening ear and is an amazing dad.  The girls adore him and simply can't get enough of him.  Ryan appreciates and respects my role as a mother.  He is my biggest fan.  He is adventurous, hilarious, smart, incredibly attractive, athletic, spiritual, thoughtful and has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  I sometimes still say to myself..."I can't believe I am married to Ryan Martin." {my 8th grade crush}   I love you Ryan.  Happy Birthday.

Finally...a warm day

The temperature hit 50 degrees on {Saturday} which meant it was time for some outside adventures.  Olivia was feeling a bit sick but managed to ride her bike, shovel the last bit of snow and take a rest on Rylie's blanket.  Rylie enjoyed the fresh air and anything she could get her hands on in the garage.  The options were good! {cleaning the garage is my favorite spring activity...I look forward to it every year.}  Dru rode her scooter and made snow cakes with her little bucket and shovel.  I know this was just a tease for warmer weather, but we'll take it!

Rylie  was wishing the ice cream cones on the chair were real.

Ry and Liv filling the grasshopper cage to feed Lizzie.  It is all just gross to me, but Ryan and the girls love our lizard.

{today} It was a little too quiet upstairs so I went up to see what the girls were doing.  They got into our bed and fell asleep.  Liv is still sick and Dru may have caught the same bug.  

{Sunday} picture.  Liv is still sick but is willing to pose for a quick pic.  I have trained them well.

Draper Temple Open House

We attended the Draper Temple open house yesterday.  It was unbelievable!  A friend watched Rylie, which gave Ry and I the opportunity to really focus on Dru and Olivia.  I don't think they blinked the whole time we were there.  It is amazing to me how much detail we noticed and the spirit that we felt.  We went with my parents and Daniel, Megan and Winston which made it even more special.  At the end we enjoyed yummy cookies and bottled water.  I was amazed at all the volunteers and the amount of cookies and water it took.  It was such a wonderful experience for my family.....one I hope my girls will never forget.  

I sneaked a pic of the massive amounts of water that are brought in daily!

The bride room was beautiful.  Ryan told the girls that when they get married, this was the room they would get ready in.  Yikes!  I do not want to start thinking that far ahead.  I am still worried about Dru starting full-day school next year.   

Dru on the bus with Aunt Kim.  She loves Kim!

The whole family 

So ready for spring...

LOL

My darling sister-in-law Rayne bought me a M.E. journal a long time ago.  On the front it says "count your blessings."  Ryan and I use it to put quotes and funny stories about our girls that make us laugh.  We count Dru, Olivia and Rylie as our greatest blessings.

Here are some of my favorite quotes...

Dru: age 4 

  "I didn't hit her, I punched her."

Dru: age 5

  "These pants are dirty... I have to put them in the hampster."

Olivia: age 3

  "I am the biggest littlest sister."

Olivia: age 4

  "The icecream is cold but that's ok, I will still eat it."

Rylie:  18 months

  When Rylie gives someone a kiss or a hug, she has to go around and give everyone she sees a kiss or hug.  She makes a cute little noise when she is walking around from person to person.

Dru: age 5

  "How did Jesus build the world?  Did he just get some wood and build it?"

Dru:  age 5

  "Isn't it weird how you have two hearts...one in your stomach and one in your neck?"

Valentine party

I volunteered in Dru's class this morning during their Valentine party.  It was my favorite hour of the day.  It is so great to see Dru interact with others and grow up before my eyes.  I was in charge of Be My Valentine bingo and laughed all morning long.  Times like these make me miss teaching in the public schools.  When I got home and ran around with Dru, Liv and Rylie all afternoon I soon realized their is no place I would rather be.  I can't seem to say it enough...

I love being a mom! 

Dru had a little Valentine party with some of her kindergarten friends and a new girl in the neighborhood.  They made valentine holders and cards, ate lunch and decorated sugar cookies.  

Rylie did not want to be left out.  She colored and ate cookies with the big kids.

About 3 minutes after Dru's friends left, Dru and Liv changed their clothes (I habit I must stop) and crafted some more.

  Cute Olivia fell asleep next to her dad who was home sick.  She was snoring some major logs and  Ryan had to capture the moment.  

We made Kristen's famous sugar cookies for Dru's Valentine party tomorrow.  The girls love to help out especially when it comes to testing the dough to make sure it is not poisonous. 

Dru and Olivia create something new every single day.  

This is the creation for today!

Aunt Adrienne gave the girls these great princess pillow cases to color.  Friday was a rainy day so the pillow cases were the perfect activity.  The girls had a blast coloring them.  They are both unique and just their style.  Thanks Ade!

I went to a R.S. workshop on Saturday and left Ryan in charge of breakfast.  I forgot to tell him not to let Rylie feed herself yogurt.  Ryan got these great shots.  

Valentine Sunday

On our way to our Monday swim...I had a hard time getting the girls to take off their new shoes.  They were dancing in them all afternoon!

Sister Attack!

I feel so blessed to be a mother because of moments like these.  

Ok, we all know that Olivia is obsessed with 3 things:  short sleeves, Rylie and her dad.  This story is about Rylie.  All morning while Dru was at school, Liv was of course, smothering Rylie.  Rylie does not like it, but that does not stop Liv.  After 3 hours...Rylie waited at the window looking for Dru to come home from school.  She kept calling her name...oh so cute.  

Finally, Dru got home and Rylie flipped out laughing with excitement.  When Dru sat down to show me her school work Rylie went up and gave Dru some great hugs.  (when Rylie gives a hug, she goes around giving EVERYONE in sight a hug.)  Well, at this moment, she kept going back and forth between me and Dru, leaving Liv out.  At first Liv laughed (see pic #3) because me and Dru were laughing hysterically, but then the laughter quickly turned to tears.  She literally sobbed in my arms saying, "Why doesn't Rylie love me?"  I almost teared up too, because of what I had just witnessed all morning long.  REJECTION!  I know they will all best friends one day.  Liv will just have to keep being persistent!  

 I know she will never give up!

Rylie sneaking away from Olivia.

Olivia is my name...smothering is my game!

Rylie showing off her teeth.

Olivia is now into wearing Rylie's jackets because they are 3/4 sleeve on her...almost short sleeve!  Olivia loves to accessorize all day long.