Dinosaur Week

This past week we finished up Mommy School for the summer. Actually, we will be doing Mommy School all summer long. I have lots of fun things planned for this summer! However, our theme weeks are over. We went out with a "roar!" and celebrated one of Adam's favorite things....DINOSAURS!!!

We pulled out every dinosaur toy he owns and had them on display all week. This picture doesn't come close to what he has. He can also tell you the names of almost every dinosaur he has. Pretty impressive!

We read all the dinosaur books we have. I felt inadequate as I was corrected on my pronunciation of several dinosaurs. It's pretty sad when my 4 and 2 year old can say dinosaur names better than I can.

We made dinosaur fossils out of play-dough! This activity was a hit and they did it several times throughout the week.

We made dinosaur rice krispie treats with dinosaur cookie cutters.

We've been saving our tissue boxes for a while so we could make some dinosaur feet during dinosaur week.

They turned out pretty good!

I sewed the kids some dinosaur tails. They loved them!

On Friday we took the kids to the "Dinosaur Museum" at BYU. This is the greatest place on earth! It's free and takes about 5 minutes. The kids wanted to wear their tails, which made me happy! While we were there, a Paleontologist came out of the back room, saw the kids in their tails, and said, "Look! Future Paleontologists!" Adam thought that was funny.

Since we only took about 10 minutes at the Dino Museum, we ran over to the Bean Museum. That is the favorite place to go with Daddy while Mommy is at work. Adam was doing a scavenger hunt and was almost done finding all the animals on his paper. He was having trouble finding a frog when Tessa finally spotted one. She showed it to Adam who then exclaimed, "Tessa, you're brilliant!!"

We've had so much fun doing Mommy School this year! I can't believe next year it will just be Tessa at home for Mommy School. I love being able to teach them and watching their love for learning and imaginations grow. Mommyhood is the best!!

A Happy Mother's Day!

I have been thinking a lot about Mother's Day this week and have thought about all of my mother's. To be a mother does not mean you have to give birth. Motherhood is so much more than that. I have been blessed my entire life to be surrounded by many wonderful mother's who have taught me and been examples to me. It is because of these women that I am who I am.

My Mom

My Mom taught me how to be a good mother and the importance of motherhood. Mom always says I teach her more than she ever taught me, but that is far from true. She has been one of my greatest examples and seeing how she valued motherhood made me want to be a mother all the more. I couldn't have asked for a better mom!

My Mother-in-Law

I hit the jackpot when it comes to in-laws! I love my Mother-in-law! I so appreciate her positive attitude and how easy going she is. She has taught me faith and selflessness. I am always amazed at how quickly she puts the needs of her kids first and how quickly she is at our side when we need help. Even if it is just a listening ear. She is a wonderful woman and mother!

My Grandmothers

My Grandma's taught me sacrifice. They were always helping their kids and never complained about it. I also learned optimism from them and how to always have a positive outlook on life. I miss them both so much and wish they were still here to teach me. There is so much more I could have learned from them, but I am grateful for the lessons I did learn and for the beautiful and talented women that they were!

Aunt Dee

I feel so blessed to have an Aunt who has always taken such good care of me. She has always been there for me. I am so thankful for the love and support she has always given me (in many different ways) and for all the wonderful memories we have together.

Maggie, Kathleen, and Tami (not pictured)

These women have been everything from my piano teacher to my young women leaders. I have learned so much from each of these women. Their love, support, and encouragement are things I have and always will treasure.

I could go on and on, but these women in particular are the mother's who have made me the women and mother I am today. Thank you doesn't seem like enough, but I hope that each one of them knows how much I love and appreciate them.

I am so thankful to be a mother myself and am so very thankful to have been entrusted with the angels that have been sent to our family. Motherhood is a wonderful blessing and I am thankful to have it as a part of my life!

We Love To See the Temple!

May 1, 2011

Provo Utah Temple

CONCACAF Championship!

Last night Eric was able to go to the CONCACAF Championship with some of our friends to cheer on Real Salt Lake. He had a blast. Sadly, they lost, but he said it was still way fun and the crowds were crazy!

Check out the confetti left everywhere after the game! We hope they pay their cleaning crews well!

Becky's Birthday Extravaganza!

Oh my goodness! What a week it has been! I turned 31 on the 23rd and I have had surprise after surprise this past week. I didn't see any of them coming and felt so, so special and loved! So many people put so much time into making my birthday special, and I have to give a huge thank you to my Mom and Eric for that! They were amazing!!!

It began on Tuesday evening. My Mom bought me and my friend Jodi to the Taste of Home cooking school that was making a stop in Provo. We had so much fun and it was so nice to just hang out together for an entire afternoon and evening. We learned a few new cooking tricks, got some new recipes to try, and came way too close to winning some awesome prizes. We had a blast!

Wednesday I noticed some money missing from our bank account, so I sent Eric a text to make sure he had spent it and that our cards had not been stolen. It was a large amount and I couldn't imagine what he would have bought for that amount. He never called from work that day or let us know he was on his way home, which he always does. He had to avoid me after that text. When he got home, he handed me a card, which I thought was a birthday card from his work (they are awesome like that). Imagine my complete shock when I saw this......

I couldn't even speak I was so surprised, so instead I just burst into tears. I am such a girl! He pulled out the kids bag he had packed the night before and we left as soon as we finished dinner! We dropped the kids off at my wonderful in-laws house for the night and we went to a movie. We even got popcorn!! I felt to spoiled! We got to sleep in until 8am the next day and then picked up the kids and went to breakfast. Adam thought IHOP was the greatest place on earth!

We then took the kids to my parents house and Eric and I headed up to Park City. I got to shop for hours. Eric was such a good sport and we had a lot of fun together. We went to dinner in Salt Lake and then picked up the kids and dyed Easter Eggs that evening. Eric did an amazing job!!!

I worked on Friday so I thought it was just another normal Friday. Imagine my surprise when one of my good friends (Cindy) shows up at my work to kidnap me! My mom had come in a bit earlier and was just visiting. I didn't catch on that she was there to cover the rest of my shift so I could go have a girls night with my friends! They had lots of yummy food to eat, we talked, painted our nails, and laughed and laughed! It was so fun and such a surprise!

Julie, me, Cindy and Sharylann

Saturday brought more celebration! My parents took Eric and I out to lunch at Milagros for both of our birthdays. It was nice to go out with just my parents!

Then we took our little family to the Provo Beach Resort to play for a couple of hours. The kids had a blast and it was a fun place to be on such a rainy day!

Strike!!!

That night we headed to the Nielson's for dinner and birthday cake. The kids got to go on a treasure hunt, which they loved! It was fun to visit with everyone.

Sunday we went back to my parents house for my birthday/Easter dinner. My Dad made me his famous chocolate cake and the kids helped me blow out all 31 candles.

Are you tired from reading all of this yet? I was exhausted once we got home Sunday night. I think my birthday wore everyone out this year! I had so many birthday wishes on facebook, I just couldn't believe how many people thought of me all week long. I couldn't have asked for a better 31st birthday!

A Very Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter this year! Lots of activities and lots of candy!

We have spent the last week learning about the real meaning of Easter and how the Atonement and resurrection blesses our lives. It has been so special to teach the kids more about their Savior and have them ask questions about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the gospel and that we have the opportunity to share our testimonies with the kids, even at such a young age.

Thursday night we dyed Easter eggs. They did a very good job and Adam was very proud of his "earth egg".

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to the Spanish Fork Easter egg hunt. Tess dressed herself (I am not allowed to pick out her clothes most of the time) and she looked like a colorful Easter egg herself!

Anxiously waiting.....

Adam took off....we totally lost him and it freaked me out! That is him in the red jacket.

The kids loved it! Even though they seemed to be the only kids that obeyed the 4 egg rule. It was a good, unplanned teaching moment. Gotta love those!

Easter morning brought baskets and an egg hunt. Since Utah weather will not cooperate this year, we did our egg hunt inside.

Our beautiful kids! We are so thankful for them!

Happy Easter!