Wicked

When we moved to Texas, Audrey was almost four. She loved listening to the Wicked soundtrack, and it's all we listened to for probably six months straight.  To this day, when I hear a Wicked song, if I close my eyes, I can be driving Francy all around hot Texas, using my GPS (pre cell phone Google Map days) looking for a grocery store, post office, or Target.  Audrey had asked when she was four when she could go see Wicked.  I looked online and it said the recommended age was eight.  I told her when she was eight I would take her to see it.  It came close by in April, so Audrey and I made a fun weekend out of it, and she finnnnnnallllllly (in her words) got to see it.
April 20, 2013

"It was even better than I thought!" She loved, loved, loved it.  I would sometimes have to remind her to sing a little more quietly.  She knows every word to every song. 

After the play, we met up with Leah and her girls, and Alli for some lunch.  Since this was Audrey's birthday present, they brought out a birthday treat. She was surprised. 

Swimming at the hotel after.  We love these girls. 

Leah, Me, and Alli.  I love these girls too. 

A run to In-N-Out at midnight.  Because we are super fun moms like that. 

The next day Audrey and I went to American Girl Doll Store (while we waited for Nordstrom to open). We ordered a milkshake and sat and asked each other lots of these questions.  I had so much fun with my Audrey doing that. 

 

After we shopped, we ordered just a light lunch (ha!) and headed home.  It was a great time with my girl! Happy early birthday weekend Audrey! 

 

March Instagrams

The boys playing basketball and the girls baking cookies. We are so 1950's. #iamsofarfrombeingastepfordwife #gladdavelovesmeanyway

First day of swim team. #butmomilooksoweird

Maybe it's all the teeth professionals I have in my life, but this project Joshua did at school is one of my all time favorites. 

Coach Dad. I've dreamt of this day for a long time. #firsttimecoaching #sogladheisaroundwaywaywaymorethanheusedtobe

Five years ago today, my life was changed forever.  This sweet little boy came into my life. When I was pregnant with a boy, I was a bit skeptical about how much I would enjoy having a son.  And then I laid eyes on him. And he stole my heart. Happy Birthday to my energetic, happy, funny, good natured boy. I adore you. #iamatadbitobsessedwithhim #iwillforeverhaveacrushonhim

Brussel sprouts and Pringles for lunch. #foodoxymoron

Austin wants to be just like his big brother.  When Joshua put on his soccer jersey for practice tonight, Austin went and found Audrey's jersey.  He then wore this "dress" for the rest of the night so he could be just like "Joshwa". #joshuasbiggestfan #wellsecondtome #heonlytrippedonittwice # lovelovelovemyboys

He dressed himself.  #onecollartuckedin #mismatchedbuttons #stillmeltsmyheart

Somebody enjoyed their chocolate strawberry sample. #noticethejersey #wearingitagain #hecallsithissoccerballshirt

Yesterday's St. Patrick's Day parade. One of Dave's patients is in charge and asked if he wanted to be in the parade. The kids looooooved it. 

Clearly Heather saw something that we did not. An intruder? An eight legged monster? 

Day one of spring break: science museum. #austinlookshowifeel

Fun job today. #iwaschangingdiapersrightbeforeandrightafter

#tyrataughtmethispose

 

Happy first day of spring! Planting some wheat grass. 

Lunch with Dad.  I love spring break. #loadedbakedpotatowithcheesebuttersourcreamandbrisket

Last day of spring break. They both dressed themselves today. Lots of sparkles for her, collar tucked in and mismatched buttons for him (again). 

Lazy Saturday afternoon. #icannotstandmonolopy #thatshowmuchiloveher

Hot date with my little love. Sonic and the grocery store.  Cause we are high class like that. 

Feeling festive. #Easterissosoon #hoorayforspring #onlythreeeggsdropped

It was a drive through kind of night. I never thought I would be the mom who went to 3 different places to get food. There is a first to everything, and never say never. #ihavesuchabellyachenow

"Mom, this is way harder than it looks!" Said the girl whose paranoid mother made her wear a helmet while learning how to roller skate.  #1985calledandtheywanttheirrollerskatesback

The spread. 

 

First swim meet of her little life. Many memories for me, and her Dad, from our time swimming as kids. #howamithemomnow

 

Easter

Happy Easter! You know it's time to hurry and catch up the blog when your kids look significantly different. This was the best family picture we got that day.  We were lucky enough to have Aunt Ritz come celebrate Easter with us.


Kristin took this picture, and I'm so glad she did.  Hello, chaos. We had our friends who have become like family over for an Easter brunch. (Megan and Jeff, Chrissy and Pete, Laura and Aaron)

All the little kiddos.  I did a little spiritual thought with them while the adults hid the eggs throughout the house (it had rained the night before, and the ground was so wet and muddy).  

Find the loot!

SUGAR!!!

Joshua gave a talk in Primary that day.  He said exactly what he wanted to say, and Dave wrote it down. 

 

Aunt Ritz with the kids! We love her. 

Pictures at church.
 

Happy Easter! 

 

Joshua Turns Five

Saturday, March 9, 2013
My firstborn son turns 5. Presents in the morning (he really wanted a green machine and legos, and his grandparents came through)...

 

 

soccer game with Dad coaching...

cupcakes to follow...

lunch...

 

and I have no idea what we did for dinner, but I'm sure it was fun.
At the age of 5 (well, a little older than 5, because it is August and he just answered these questions), things about Joshua:

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite food: Hungarian Goolash 

Favorite movie: Ninja Turtle

Favorite treat: Swashie (Slushie)

Favorite vegetable: Carrots
Favorite fruit: Peaches
Favorite toy: Rhinosaurous (??)
Favorite TV Show: Austin and Awwy (Ally)
Favorite thing to eat for lunch: That thing in the birthday picture (and pointed to the goats cheese, pesto and roasted tomato panini)
Favorite snack: (snaps his fingers while he thinks) yogurt
Favorite animal: Rhinosaurous "Oh I already said that! Audrey do you know to spell that?"
Favorite song: "I am A Child of God"

Favorite book: That book! And points to the book that Audrey is reading (Dr. Nicholas is Ridiculous). He "reads" her chapter books all the time

Favorite cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios
Favorite thing to do outside: Jump on the tramp
Who is your best friend: Audrey. (love) Oh, and Milo, Spencer and McKay. And Beckett
Favorite drink: Pink Milk (Strawberry milk)
Favorite holiday: Christmas
What do you like to take to bed with you at night: My penguin. And Oso. (Special agent Oso) I took the kids to an amusement park and Joshua was determined to spend his $3 on one of those games.  He did the game where you have to squirt water into the clowns mouth.  He played against Audrey, and the worker gave them both a penguin as a prize, and they both sleep with them every night.
Favorite thing to eat for breakfast: Hungarian Goolash. (Then I said, "For breakfast?" and he said, "Bagels"
What do you want for dinner on your birthday?: Hungarian Goolash (Too bad I don't cook this. My mom makes it when she comes. 

What do you want to be when you grow up: "A Doctor, I mean no, a teacher." When I asked him what he wanted to teach, he said, "First grade."

It was the year for a birthday party (we alternate years) and he wanted to go to an arcade.  We took 3 other families (Chrissy & Pete, Carma & Topher, Megan & Jeff) and had cake and ice cream here and then headed down to the arcade.  It was so much fun. 

Audrey, Joshua, Spencer and McKay

Audrey driving a pink mustang around San Francisco. Perfect. (Never will happen in reality.)

Little cheater.