Journaling

I'm not very good at journaling and writing down my thoughts and feelings very well. But sometimes I feel like there are things I just want to remember and I think I may forget. Tonight is one of those nights. Montanna started crying in her bed three times while I was writing the last post. First she told me that she didn't want to sleep in the dark and we turned on her music mobile with the lights and she was fine when I left the room. The next time she was crying I went in her room and she said she needed to tell me something. She whispered in my ear, "I love you". I told her that I loved her so much I could hardly stand it. The next time she started crying she had to go potty. She really did, so I was glad for that wake up now instead of in a couple hours when I was sleeping too. 

Sometimes these frequent wake up calls in the middle of the night are frustrating and I find myself short on patience, especially if I am tired or in the middle of a deep sleep myself, but other times, I wish I could cuddle right in bed with them and snuggle up under the covers. I am already feeling sad for the time when they won't need me as much as they do now. I gave Montanna a kiss and a hug and put her in bed for the last time and I heard a groggy little voice from down below say, "Mommy, I want a kiss too", and I was able to give kisses to cute little cheeks down on the bottom bunk. Part of me wishes that these two adorable little girls that drive me crazy sometimes, would just stay the way they are for a little while longer. Time seems to go by way too quickly and I feel like I need to hold on to them for as long as I can because pretty soon they won't want me to get them in the middle of the night, and they won't want those big hugs and kisses, and they will be too big and tall for me to pick up and snuggle up close so easily. I love these girls more than anything.

On the other hand, I love that Montanna and Eden have started to play so well together. They do fight a lot and I hear screaming from one or the other because they always seem to want what the other one has, but then there are times when they are laughing so hard they can't stop and they are playing hide and seek and making up stories that make them giggle. They are finding new ways to be creative and play in their new surroundings and it is so fun to watch. Eden is starting to get quite the vocabulary. You can tell her little mind is working so fast and she know exactly what she wants to say and she stutters, and stutters until she gets it out little by little in her excited breathless way. She is super observant and both girls have an incredible memory. They bring up things we did months ago and I am amazed that they remember and associate some of the things they do. I love having smart, stubborn, opinionated little girls. I just need to learn how to reign in the stubbornness and help them learn how to use it effectively. 

These girls teach me new things each day about how to be more patient, kind, and a better mother. There are things I have on my list of things to work on, and patience number one on the list. I am so glad that each day is a new day and we have the chance to start over and make each day better than the last. I am so blessed.

Bunk Beds

When we made the move to Idaho Falls we knew it was time to move Eden from the crib into a "big girl bed". The room they have right now has the perfect little nook for a bunk bed and so we looked on craigslist and found the perfect one for our girls almost immediately. They are both so excited. Eden is excited because there is "no more crib". She says that over and over. Montanna is excited because she gets to sleep on the top bed. We found cute matching sheets at Ross the other day and going to sleep at night and taking naps has never been easier. I don't let them sleep in the same room for naps, so we have to trade off who gets to sleep in the bunk bed when they take a nap. I love happy girls! 

Cousins

We are so excited to be close to our cousins! Lauren's girls, Brynlee and Emily were able to come and play with us the other day. We are looking forward to many more play days with these cute girls! We also live close to some of Adam's Webb cousins and Montanna and Eden love playing with those kids too. They are going to have so many people to play with here. 

Brynlee playing withe the leaves and sticks. We are working on cleaning up the yard. It will be a fun project for this coming week. 

Baby Emily is all smiles. She loved being outside. 

Montanna and I found so many ladybugs! One of them crawled off her hand and onto her coat. She loved searching for them in the wet leaves and sticks. If you can't tell already, we are super excited for this fun backyard!

Horses

Just a few days before we left Dillon we took the girls out to see and feed the horses one last time. It was a perfect evening. The weather was so pleasant and the girls loved seeing the horses. I am missing Dillon already even though I am absolutely in love with my new place too. There is no place like Montana.

Big Sky Country

Idaho Falls

We made the move to Idaho Falls a week ago today. We rented a house in a quiet neighborhood and we are enjoying our new place. We miss Dillon and the ranch already, but Adam is glad to be closer to an airport for all of his traveling and the girls are loving their new back yard.

Birthday Pictures

 The birthday breakfast. Pancakes in the shape of a #2. Eden and Montanna both ate 2- #2 pancakes and a heart pancake. They were hungry!

 Eden opened her Movie to watch while Adam and I did some packing. She and Montanna were both excited about the movie Tangled. 

 Duke Cake and presents

 Birthday night. Eden was super excited to eat the Duke Cake.

MMmmmm.

 Princess for the day.

 Montanna got to open a present too. Grandma and Aunt Britney spoiled her a little bit, but it is really hard for a 3 1/2 year old to watch her sister open so many presents. She loved her Tinkerbell puzzle and little dolls from Britney.

 Eden brushing her My Little Pony and doing her hair. 

 Our little cowgirl!

Showing off her backpack from Aunt Britney. We love our little 2 year old!

Happy Birthday Eden!

Dear Eden,
I can't believe you are 2 years old already! These past 2 years have just flown by and it makes me want to cry when I think about how big you are getting. You are such an amazing and wonderful addition to our family and you fit in so well. I am so glad that Montanna has such a fun, smart friend as a little sister. This past year, you and Montanna have had so much fun together. I have enjoyed just sitting back and watching how you two love each other. Sometimes, you love each other so much, that you act just like sisters and the noise level in our home goes way up, either with laughing and giggling and singing, or screaming because you both want to play with the same thing at the exact same time. But, you guys always have each others backs.

Eden, your sister, Montanna loves you so much. Just a little while ago you were visiting Grandpa and Gran, and Aunt Britney in Colorado and your Daddy and I were able to go on a date to the Temple. It was such a fun night out for us and you were able to stay home and play with Gran and Britney. Gran made you and Montanna such a yummy dinner, but both of you didn't like it very much. Gran and Britney told Montanna that she had to eat 3 bites of green beans and she would get to have 3 sweet tart candies. Montanna had such a hard time eating those green beans, but she did it and got her reward. You, only had to have 1 bite of potatoes and you just wouldn't do it. Montanna saw how sad you were when you didn't get to have any candy and she looked at the candy she had in her hand and told Gran, "Here, Eden can have my last one." She didn't like to see you so sad and that made you so happy. We all love you so much.

You have started talking and repeating everything you can. You started taking a little later than Montanna, but you have caught up. You try to say almost anything that is said to you, and have become quite that parrot. You love saying prayers, and no matter who is saying the prayer, you repeat everything that is being said so you can say it too. You have started liking Nursery, which makes me so happy. For a while there, you would cry so hard as soon as Sacrament Meeting was over and would cling to me like I was sending you out to get tortured. The Nursery leaders would have to pry your fingers from around my neck and I would have to leave you kicking and screaming in the Nursery. Of course, I would look in 5 minutes later and you were playing and having fun with your friends. The last 3 weeks in a row, you have walked in and waved goodbye to me. You are so excited when we come and pick you up and last week, you said, "Mo Tan Tan!" and gave her a big hug when we opened the door to get you.

You and Montanna both love throwing the ball for Dante (Grandma Phyllis's dog) to catch. The other day Montanna was having you pretend to be a dog and throwing a ball to you and saying "Fetch". Now you think that playing catch is called "Fetch" and you hold a ball and say, "Daddy, you fetch?" or "Mommy, you fetch?" I love those little things and will be sad when you actually learn the real phrases.

You had a doctor's appointment today and you weighed 22.5 lbs and were 33" tall. You are getting so big! You are still a little shy, especially when it comes to Doctors. Montanna walked right up to the Doctor this morning and said, "Eden doesn't need a shot today." She was looking out for you, but you were still so scared you were going to have to get a shot. I'm so glad that you didn't have to have any shot's today, but you didn't realize that until we were getting ready to leave the office. I suddenly felt you relax as we headed out the door.

You are an amazing sleeper. I can count the number of times you have awakened in the middle of the night this past year on one hand. You are such a sound sleeper at night and even when Montanna is screaming in the middle of the night in the bed right next to yours, you stay sleeping, or just wait there quietly while I tuck the blankets around you again. You give Duke a big hug and go right back to sleep.

Your Daddy loves to snuggle with you and read you stories and watch movies with you. One of Daddy's favorite things to do is to get you out of bed on Sunday morning and bring you into bed to snuggle with him and tell stories while I make breakfast. He and Montanna take turns making up stories for each other, and lately, you have started taking a turn telling a story too.

Daddy has spent this last year trying to share his love for animals with you. You have come a long way in a year. When we first moved to Dillon, in April of last year, you were so scared of any animal that moved that you would scream and shake. Slowly, you have started liking animals more and more. You love dogs and cats and you pretend to be a cat all the time. You are still are a little nervous around the bigger animals like horses and sheep, but you don't mind them if someone is holding you.

For your birthday this year, you wanted me to make a Duke cake. This was the only thing you would tell anyone when they asked about your birthday. We had so much fun making that cake and you were so pleased with the results. Your Grandpas and Grandmas all talked to you on your birthday. You love the phone. You also got phone calls from almost all of your aunts and uncles. You have so many people who were thinking about you.

Eden, I want you to know what a blessing you are to me in my life. I learn things from you everyday. You teach me how to be a better mommy and to love unconditionally. I don't think you could even imagine the love I have for you and your sister and that love continues to grow each day. I look forward to watching you become even more amazing this coming year.

Love,
Mommy

Vets and Doctors

This is another Children's Museum post. Montanna is always telling us that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. This has been an idea that has stuck for the last 9 months. She has her Dr. kit here at home and takes care of Adam, Eden and I as well as all of their stuffed animals. She loved the Vet room at the Children's Museum and these will make some fun pictures if she does end up being a Doctor.

Gran and Montanna fixing up a puppy.

Eden and Gran with the same puppy. 

Ad and I

Eden was a great receptionist.

She loved being able to play on the computer. No one was telling her to get away!

Dr. Montanna

Looking at a broken bone. 

The girls with Gran checking out a Kitten. Montanna didn't want to put the "animals" back into the cages because she said they were sad in there. She would make a good Vet. too. I think she has added that to her list of things she wants to be when she grows up. 

Denver Children's Museum

We spent the first Saturday of our trip at the Denver Children's Museum. We had so much fun!It was Saturday so Adam was able to come with us, but Brett was traveling and missed all the fun. We'll be sure to do it again when Grandpa can come too. It was one of the best days the girls have ever had. They were in heaven!

First they got to be firefighters and drive and look around a big Fire Engine!

They loved playing dress-up and wearing the fire hats and coats. 

Aunt Britney and Eden looking in a mirror! I love this picture!

Montanna the driver! Watch out!

Then we went to the bubble making room. The girls were in awe of all the different kind of bubbles. There was even a place where would could stand in the middle of a big bubble and pull a rope and you would have bubble walls all around you. So fun. 

Montanna and I making a big bubble.

The train room was next. All I could think about while I was in here was how much Rowdy would have loved this room and we wouldn't have been able to go anywhere else. There were trains and tracks everywhere and everyone got to wear a conductors hat. Eden loved this room. 

Eden and the trains

More trains

Here is the grocery store. We walked in and Eden immediately tried to get inside the cart. She knows how it works! They both had fun shopping and Montanna was able to be the checker when they were finished filling the cart. 

Buying their food. 

Both girls then put on their smocks and painted beautiful pictures. Montanna's picture had a lot of purple. :) Each one had a masterpiece when we finished. Too bad they stuck together and got ruined before we got home. Oh, well. I am sure they will have many more pieces of artwork in the future. 

Eden and the Big Bear

Daddy and Montanna

Here is a picture of Adam. He was having fun playing and watching the girls have fun. I like this picture. 

Eden and I touching the big tree. This room was like a big jungle with underground tunnels. It took a while for Eden to get the courage to go into the tunnels which looked a little bit scary even to me. There were kids dressed up as squirrels and rats and chipmonks. One kid dressed as a squirrel came up to Corrine and I and told us he was looking for nuts. We later saw that there were little pillows shaped like acorns that he was collecting in his nest. It was kind of funny. 

Here is Montanna in her nest. 

We had such a fun time and the girls just went from one activity to the next non-stop. Eden was asleep before we left the parking lot. We woke her up almost right away because then we took them to McDonalds Playland and let them run around some more. They were worn out by night time.