March

Mom was here when the month turned over and was able to celebrate Thomas' first birthday with us.  He really wanted to go bowling, so we did.  I was surprised how much fun it was for the kids and for me.  Pretty sure I dominated.  

Thomas requested apple pie for his birthday cake.  

Still cute, even when he really needs a haircut.  (I do not believe there are any pictures post-haircut.  So so so bad.  Macrina said he looked like a monk.  So bad.)

While mom was here we played with the kids all day and played games all night.  She was kind enough to watch the kids one night so Paul and I could go out on a date.  Sometimes that's just really really nice. 

And just like that, she was gone and we were again outnumbered. I would like to say, church is getting better for our crew.  (Knock on wood.)  I mean, we're still a circus...but better.  

These guys are getting better and better about playing together happily.  The amount of time between needed interventions is lengthening.  I love how much they enjoy each other.  They've got a pretty good life with a built in buddy. 

Until Ezra falls asleep, that is.  Man, this kid.  When he is ready to sleep there is no stopping him.  He's just done.  We've stopped doing naptime (which really made our bedtimes smoother) but often this guy can't quite make it all the way to bedtime. 

Here's a personal highlight...shelves!  I was really wanting to make our living room a little homier and these shelves were the result.  I was so happy with how they turned out.  You can go ahead and put it on pinterest, I know you want to.

Esme, practicing her aviator's alphabet at the aviation museum. 

This winter was long.  Thankfully we had a trip planned for March.  We went to visit the Iversons because we love them and also because we really wanted to check out their new house in Midway.  It was such a delightful trip.  The way I remember it, the kids traveled really well and had so much fun playing with Griff's kids.  They just went to the basement and Griff's kids let our kids do whatever they wanted and just kept them safe.  They were so patient and so fun.  Our kids still talk about them all the time.  While we were there, Esme and Ezra called them, "the cousins."  Of course we stayed up stupid late playing games and talk talk talking.  Their robot vacuum would come on in the wee hours and we would take that as our cue to get ourselves some sleep before the kids woke up.  These friends are good for my soul.

As is the Liger at the Bean Museum.

When I go to Utah, there are some necessities to accomplish.  One of those things is milkshakes.  Esme's face here is the best representation of the way my heart feels about Utah milkshakes. 

Jeff and Kathy awesomely came out to spend a day with us since we were in their neck of the woods, loosely speaking.  They took us to The Pie, my other Utah necessity.  So so so good. 

We had an Olsen get-together at the Iversons too.  Grant and Jen came as did Andrew and Brianna.  Griff is such a great hostess.  I totally invited all these people to her house and then she prepared a fantastic meal.  They were such champs to bring all their kids up the canyon in a blizzard, but it was such a lovely evening of chatting and catching up.  I really feel so lucky to know all these people and I'm grateful everyone would make the effort to spend an evening together.  This is apparently the only picture I got of all these people who are so great.

My favorite bit of conversation I overheard this week was Ellis telling Ezra in the sincerest and most serious voice, "That's called whipped cream.  It's good." 

It was so fun to be in their beautiful home and to really appreciate how much work they put into designing a home that would have a good feeling in it. 

Too soon it was time to say goodbye, but they did such a good job of making us feel welcome...we might just have to descend on them again!

We took the edge off of coming back to the winter with a trip to the greenhouse where Ezra narrowly escaped being eaten.