Leap Day

 As far as Leap Day goes, we didn't do anything too special. But I figured I better do a post to celebrate it. We made a well overdue visit to Great Grandma and Grandpa Brough's house, Aubrey and I went to play group, and that's about it. We have had Cameron home with us the past 3 days, and he heads back to work tomorrow. 

 

Aubrey played with Light Bright at Grandma and Grandpa's house a few days ago. She loved it and will probably start asking to play with it every time we visit. It was one activity that actually lasted more than a minute. She refused to look at me and smile.

Jordan and Kate gave Aubrey a Build a Bear gift certificate for her birthday, and we finally made a trip to Salt Lake for her to pick our a bear. She had a hard time waiting in line (it was busy!), and didn't really have preference which outfit she had (she thought they all were fun). But we loved taking her and she has had fun with the bear. She talked to it and hugged it the whole way home. 

Cameron ordered a Ben and Jerry's ice cream book, and has made us some delicious ice cream. It really is incredible. We have had Oreo, mint Oreo, and Heath so far.

 While Aubrey and I were at playgroup, Ada and Daddy played dress up. It looks like she had a blast. She loves doing anything that makes her feel like a big girl. 

This is where Ada wanted to be today. She felt like she was part of the group while we played in the girls room and Ada bounced.

Happy Nappers

Wow! What a week. It started by pinning Aubrey down and forcing her to stay in her room for an hour of quiet time on Sunday, to a girl that has almost skipped into her bed for a nap (Four days straight now). What happened? I have no idea. But I am certainly enjoying the 2 hour naps that she has been taking. And as an added bonus, each day Ada has napped at the same time. And Aubrey still goes to bed easily at night. I hardly know what to do with myself. Usually I am unproductive. I nap, read, clean a little, read blogs, magazines, etc (I probably should be doing laundry or making dinner). 

 I am not sure how long this will last, and I continue to not expect it so everyday that it does happen, it is a nice surprise. It makes the long winter days go by faster, we are all happier, and there is a lot less whining.

Yesterday we had a fun morning making banana bread and cinnamon roll cookies to take with me visiting teaching. They both turned out delicious. 

 

It was in the 50s yesterday. It definitely felt like spring. We were able to play with sidewalk chalk, climb the brick wall, and ride her red car around. 

 

Ada is so into Aubrey, even more than she has been in the past. She is becoming VERY aware of her surroundings and wants to know where Aubrey is at all times.  We watched a neighbor girl for a few hours yesterday. Aubrey and Hailey were playing in her room and Ada kept screaming in the other room. Once Cameron brought her in to join the party, she was all smiles. She just wanted to feel like a big girl. 

Trying to ride the car down the grass hill. Didn't work too well. We had to settle for the parking lot. 

Stars on Ice

As we were driving out of the parking lot from our free day of skiing, we were listening to the radio when I heard in the background that they were looking for caller #10. I whipped out my phone just in time to win tickets to Stars on Ice this past Saturday. We were able to go with my brother Ben, and his wife Linda Lee. We had fun eating at Crown Burger and watching the skating. They were celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake. They showed a bunch of highlight videos that were cool at first, but then they started showing the same ones over and over. We loved the skating though. It was fun to see some famous skaters like Kristi Yamaguchi, Sarah Hughes, Jamie Sale & David Pelltier, Todd Eldredge, and more.  Their skating was incredible! Thanks to Kate and Jordan for watching our girls. Aubrey had fun playing Hide and Seek and making pizzas.

Ben and Linda Lee

 

Our group shots need some work. We laughed at the second one for a while. 

It was fun to see ice where there is usually a concert or basketball game. 

 

Mitt Romney made an appearance because he was a huge part of the 2002 Olympics. 

 

 Sunday after church we insisted that Aubrey stay in her room for an hour of quiet time. She tried every trick in the book, but finally she had no excuse for us to come let her out. She screamed and whined for a while. After the hour was up, I went to get her and could only open the door a few inches. This is what I found. Even though we felt mean, she needed it. And, she has successfully taken a two hour nap without any fuss the past two days. I am beginning to feel spoiled and hope she keeps up the napping. It makes for a happier day for all of us. 

Snowbasin/Valentine's Day

On Sunday evening Cameron had a patient in the ER that had fallen while skiing. He wasn't going to be able to use his passes for the following day, so we were able to head up to Snowbasin on short notice and ski. Kathy was able to watch the girls on short notice, and we celebrated an early Valentine's Day skiing and enjoying our day off.
 

We were lucky to have a couple inches of fresh powder, and the weather was clear. Perfect day. 

 

  I did have to switch my goggles for sunglasses. I didn't realize how old my goggles were, and they were falling apart, but luckily it was such a nice day the sunglasses were even better than goggles. 

We are glad that we made it up this year. Now spring can come anytime!

 

 That evening Aubrey got a Valentine in the mail from Brynlee. She kept saying, "Oh Thank You Brynlee" and will remind us that "It is important to me."

  Valentine's Day was pretty low key for us. Ada got a new onesie and Aubrey got some pajamas and a little box of chocolates. We went jogging/walking (we were pretty sore from skiing), and spent the day at home. Aubrey delivered Valentines to her neighbor friends. Aubrey and Cameron also bought me flowers and ice cream. 

New clothes!

 

 Ada is still a great eater. She gets so excited. 

Dancing. 

Yesterday I took the girls to visit Linda Lee, Lydia, and Eli while Cameron was at work. We made a holder for all the girls' bows, made cookies, played outside, played dress up, play dough, and much more. It was also fun that Ben was able to come home in the evening and eat dinner and see us before we headed home. I forgot my camera, but we had a fun day.

Castle Park

Ada trying out her new hat. I love sales this time of year! 70% off. Aubrey and Ada each got a hat and mitten set.
 

I don't know if I have written in down enough, but Ada is ALWAYS on her stomach. Only problem is that she can't roll over onto her back when she gets tired. It is so funny to watch her because it is instinct for her now to just roll over. It is impossible to stay on her back unless you are entertaining her. She will have some strong neck muscles.

Another funny tidbit, when Cameron and I got married I noticed that every time he used a Q-tip he coughed. I have made fun of him for all these years, only to have a little girl that does the same thing. I guess its not all in his head. 

Yesterday the temperature got to almost 50 degrees. After spending most of the day inside working on the kitchen, we decided we should take off to the park to soak up the sun! Aubrey requested the Castle Park, which is a really cool park in Fruit Heights.

Ada's first swing
 

Aubrey started swinging and turned to me and said, "I love this!"
 

So happy.
 

Tire Swing
 

Cameron told Aubrey to lay back and lounge in the red swing. She was too cute!

Probably the first and last time this will happen. It didn't last long.
 

The Castle Park is near Grandma and Grandpa Harvey's house. Grandpa walked Chipper over to the park and Aubrey sprinted to them faster than I have ever seen her run. Grandpa let Aubrey walk all the way home with him to say hi to Grandma real quick before they headed out and we headed home. She thought she was so cool walking Chipper and waving to us as we left in the car.

Play Kitchen Project

I found this little play kitchen for $25 at a consignment store right next to our house. The girls and I had gone to look around in the morning and saw it. I decided to bring Cameron back to see it the next day, but was worried it would be gone, so we went back that afternoon and got it. I was hoping we could work our magic on it!

The past few days have been fun as we have worked as a family to sand, repaint, and fix up the kitchen. Cameron and Aubrey helped out so much, and probably did more that I did myself. I think it turned out pretty good. It is cute.

First coat.
 

Loved the metallic paint on the sink. It looks like a real metal sink. It was an amazing transformation from the ugly yellow plastic bucket.
 

Finished product! 

The hand painted burners even turned out. And you can't tell, but Cameron screwed plexi glass in the oven door. I am excited to start finding Aubrey some dishes and things to play with.

Idaho Falls Weekend

This past weekend we were able to spend time in Idaho Falls with Lauren & Brian and their family for Emily's baby blessing. We had a blast! We hadn't seen Emily yet, and she is over 2 months old. She is adorable and smiley and so fun. Her and Ada will be great friends since they are only 3 months apart. It is also fun to see how much Ada has grown up in 3 months. 

 Brian's Dad is a photographer, and we had a mini shoot. I am sure he will send us some nice pictures, but I couldn't resist taking a few of our own. 

 Eating Cheetos! That's about all Aubrey ate on Sunday. 

 Aubrey and Brynlee had a blast playing outside on Bryn's cars. Brynlee is so fast and daring! She would shoot down the driveway and move her little feet so fast. 

 Cousins

 

Watching Signing Times
 

Ada, Aunt Lauren, and Emily
 

  Ada smiling at Brynlee

  Ada and Emily hanging out together. So cute!

Monday morning we built a slide out of the air mattresses and the girls had so much fun. Lauren and Brian have a big basement and the girls love to run around in it. Aubrey also loved the tent and tunnel that Bryn had.
 

Sleepy Emily
 

Brynlee

Friday night Lindsey and Adam surprised us and showed up at our house. Aubrey was so excited to see her cousins Montanna and Eden. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures. After playing with toys and sending Cameron off to work, we went out to eat at Zupas. Montanna started singing near the end of dinner and Aubrey was laughing and laughing. The two girls giggled the whole time. It is so much fun to see them enjoying time with each other. We hope to see everyone again soon!

 On another note, I am really missing nap time at our house. Right around when Ada was born, Aubrey decided she had had enough of naps. I sometimes live for that hour or two that I have to myself in the afternoon. We still make Aubrey go down for 'quiet time', but it isn't the same. Usually during quiet time she is really good and will play with toys and stuffed animals. But days like today, she screams, cries, and destroys her room. This means she will be even more exhausted this afternoon. I was quietly wishing they would both fall asleep at the same time today so I could get some things done. Aubrey takes about 1 nap a week. I guess I shouldn't complain when both girls slept from 8 to 8 last night. I will take sleeping in until 8 over nap time any day. And it will also be nice to worry about just 1 nap schedule when we want to get out and do things.