another little dancer

 Our sweet little Savanna started dance today!!  There is 6 week class for three/four year olds to let them try dance and see if they are ready/interested in taking lessons.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for Savanna!  I have been talking it up for about two weeks now and Savanna acted excited that she would be doing dance like her big sis.  I knew once the day came, she might not be quite as excited.

When we got there she was a little nervous to go in and it took about 10 minutes to get her into the class, but she went in!  She stayed the whole time and while she didn't participate completely, she did listen because she was able to tell me every single thing that happened.  So while some moments were a little bumpy, she did much better than I was anticipating and was over the moon when she was telling me about it.  She gets to go twice this week and I am hoping it will be quicker getting her inside to start dancing.  She is super coordinated and if she gives it a shot, I think she will be really good at it and will love it!  The dance studio we found is absolutely amazing.  They are so sweet with all of the kids and they learn so much! Apparently a lot of people come in from Nashville just to dance in this studio so I feel so lucky my beautiful girls get to be a part of it!

a very happy easter

 Easter was a wonderful day!  The girls woke up thrilled with their Easter baskets.  When Caimbree saw an egg in her basket she shook it and remembered the hunt the night before and said, "MONEY!!!"  She was just as happy with the candy as the money.

We had breakfast and got everyone ready for church.  We prepped a few things for our Easter dinner and tried to get the little girls to take a nap.  Caimbree was the only one who fell asleep...the other girls were just way too excited to settle down.  My older brother arrived and Heidi played legos with Jackson and Hubert while waiting for the egg hunt.  It was so much fun to see all of cousins together.  This is the first time it has ever happened and it just made my heart so happy!  Caimbree is missing from the cousin picture because I just didn't have the heart to

 wake her up!  The hut was fun and everyone was happy with their eggs!

We went to sacrament meeting and headed home for our delicious Easter dinner.  It really was a perfect day and I loved seeing the girls so happy with all of their cousins.  Although I wish we could all live even closer, I am so incredibly happy we live close enough that getting together isn't impossible!

hunting for eggs

 We did an Easter egg hunt for the girls Saturday night.
They are all at the best age for Easter egg hunts.  They get so excited and they really don't care what is in the eggs. There is always so much candy involved during holidays so we decided for this one to put some pennies inside.

 The girls looked so adorable looking for their eggs and Heidi was so cute about helping the little girls find their eggs once she had found all of hers.  Heidi had fun counting her money with Uncle Mark and Caimbree, Ginny, and Savanna had fun filling their banks with their coins.  It was so fun and a great warm up for the big hunt on Easter morning!

coloring eggs

 We came home to color Easter eggs after the zoo.  The girls had been talking about dying eggs with Ginny for over a week and they couldn't wait to get started.

 They all seemed thrilled with their designs and the colors so I think it was a hit!  They made surprisingly little mess except for the cup of blue Savanna shook a little too hard haha.  Such a funny little girl.  I sure love how Easter is full of such fun activities.

extravaganzoo

 We had the best Easter weekend!  My little brother in Detroit decided he and his wife and their little girl were going to come visit.  The girls could not wait to meet their cousin Ginny, and neither could I!  She turns 3 in July and because we have always lived so far away, I have never had the chance to meet her.  My girls fell in love with her right away and they all played so cute together.  Heidi and Savanna loved having a sleepover with her in their room, going on Easter egg hunts, and spending every second they could together.  Ginny is the most adorable little thing and seeing the four little girls together was a blast.

We met at the zoo on Saturday morning.  We had no idea when we went that it was their biggest day of the year: Easter Eggtravaganzoo....it was crazy!!!  It took forever just to get into the parking lot and the zoo was packed.  The weather was to die for though and the girls didn't seem to mind the crowds.  As always, they loved petting the kangaroos and tortoises.

 The girls also loved their Aunt Rachel.  Even Savanna wanted to sit next to her at church, and if you know Savanna, you know that means something!  We had a fun day at the zoo and then headed home to dye some eggs and have a girl Easter egg hunt!

stone work

Last week the stone was completed and now they just need to put the siding up on the front.  We are doing a board and bat style siding in the eaves.  Choosing the stone was extremely stressful.  The stone we used on our last house we absolutely loved and we could not find anything that came even remotely close.  We chose a stone and when the stone price came in over budget, we decided to look around again (we were going to do a lot less stone, but because of where the house sits, we really had to to do more to make it even visible).  We looked at stone again hoping to find something a little less pricey. We found one that was slightly less, but the labor was also less so we decided to go with that one thinking they were similar enough to make it worth saving.  Well, to be honest, I was a little disappointed when I saw it.  I don't dislike it, I just like the other one a little better.  Truthfully, even if we had gone with the other stone, I would have thought, "I really wish we could have found a stone like we had before," so it's not the end of the world.  I do kind of wish we had gone with the other one, but I think this one will look great once the siding complete. It looks different depending on the time of day, but I would say these pictures are pretty accurate.  I was a little down about it yesterday and Heidi kept saying in the most cheerful voice, "I think it looks great, mom!  It's perfect!"  It's so fun to have them be such a big part of the whole process.  It has been a little stressful sometimes having three little people with us every single time we have to pick something out and there are times they have been oh so very bored, but overall, they have been amazing throughout the whole process.  Heidi has been an absolute lifesaver with her little sisters.  She is a master at coming up with little fun games at each place and it keeps Savanna and Caimbree much happier.  For example, at the stone place she was telling stories about the different stones and they were pretending they were going to someone's house or something.  They feel like they are part of picking everything and are having fun watching it all come together.  I can't wait to share this home with my sweet little family and have all of the memories of the girls being part of each step.  As happy as I am that we will soon be in the house, I will definitely miss the fun times we have had being together choosing things.  It makes me sad to think about how fast this stage of life is going.  I'm going to blink and I will have three teenage girls in this house.  There has to be a way to make the clocks stop for a few years!

easter family night

 The Monday before Easter we always have a special family night.  This whole month we have really been talking and focusing on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  Tonight we hid eggs with pictures and details of all of the events that happened before and after Christ was crucified.  The girls had an absolute blast hunting for the eggs.  We brought them in and put the events in order and read some scriptures.  The girls were listening more intently than usual and were able to tell a ton of the story themselves.  This year it was even more special than past years because the girls were very involved in telling the details of everything that happened.  As I was bearing testimony of the events and what all of it meant, I looked over at Heidi and noticed she had tears in her eyes.  As we were talking about everything and testifying of everything, we could all feel the spirit so strong.  The girls kept saying how much they love Jesus and when we were talking about all of the things that happened to Christ, Savanna kept saying, "I feel sad for Jesus.  Why did they hurt Jesus?  I feel so sad."  She has the most tender, loving heart.  We watched a video showing the crucifixion and resurrection and the girls were completely silent.  Savanna was so sad during the crucifixion but when it got to the resurrection, Heidi put her arm around Savanna and said, "This is the happy part!!  He is risen!"  They wanted to watch it again and again, but we only had time to watch it once.  Every night I sing to the girls before bed.  I was singing Heidi, "Did Jesus really live again?"  As I sat singing and hugging her, I was so choked up I could hardly get through the song.  I am so grateful for my Savior.  I am so grateful that because of His sacrifice for me, I can live with Him again.  I can't wait to see my family members and friends who I have loved and lost.  When I see my sweet, precious girls so touched by the spirit, it strengthens my testimony and makes me want to be better, stronger, and more faithful.  I am so grateful for the spirit I have felt in my life.  There are times I haven't paid attention to it, or have taken it for granted, or have started to question and doubt what I have felt.  But when I think back on moments like tonight when the spirit is SO undeniably strong it is all the proof I need that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me so much in spite of all of my shortcomings and doubts.  I am so grateful He sent these three precious angels to me and for their sweet, tender hearts.  I am so unbelievably blessed.

monday afternoon montgomery bell hike

I had a doctor's appointment today and Jeff was kind enough to take the day off so I didn't have to worry about what to do with the girls.  It was a beautiful day so when I got home I put the girls down for naps and when they woke up we headed straight to Montgomery Bell Park for our first hike of the year!  We had the best time and it felt so good to be hiking together again!  The girls kept wanting to find walking sticks.  Savanna thought it would be so funny to try to walk with a little, tiny stick.  Of course when Caimbree saw her, she also had to try.  Savanna always brings so much laughter to all of us with her funny little personality.  We had such a great time and it was nice to be able to do a family hike on a Monday afternoon! We can't wait to get out and hike again soon.

seeing green

 Heidi had a leprechaun visit her school and she was so very excited.  Her excitement made everyone excited for St. Patrick's Day.  After the leprechaun visit at school she decided she needed to build a trap.  So for the last week she has been drawing sketches and coming up with a number of ideas to catch a sneaky little leprechaun.  It was pretty cute.  She set a trap that included coins and clovers she had hunted.  Unfortunately, the leprechaun was not caught, but the girls were happy with the gold treats

left for them.  The leprechaun also made quite a mess of the chairs and turned the toilet water green.  It was a very eventful morning.  The girls had green pancakes for breakfast and put on as much green as they could find.  Savanna kept calling her outfit a "leprechaun suit."

Our weather has been absolutely dreamy.  We spent the morning walking around the lake, headed to a special St. Patrick's Day story time at the library, and a picnic lunch.  The blossoms are out and spring has sprung!  Hooray for a fun Saint Patrick's Day and an enjoyable spring day!

another tooth lost

Heidi's other bottom tooth has been loose for awhile and it has been driving all of us a little batty.  Tonight it was quite literally hanging by a thread and while she wanted it out, she was too afraid to pull it.  I finally just pulled it...basically I touched it and it fell out.  She was mad at first, but then you could see the relief on her face and through her body language. She even admitted that she really wanted me to help her, but was too scared to admit it. Poor sweet thing has the same anxiety her mama has when it comes to the unknown.  I'm sorry baby!!  She is so excited to show everyone her missing tooth at school tomorrow.

Caimbree.  Oh Caimbree. Every night after scriptures and prayers she climbs into one of the girl's beds.  It's usually Savanna's bed, tonight it was Heidi's bed. While I sing to the girls she snuggles her sister of choice and then Jeff takes her after he gives the girls hugs and kisses while I finish singing.  Tonight, as soon as Jeff said her name, she snuggled Heidi super tight and then started hiding her face.  She cannot stand leaving her sisters at night.  It is so sweet.  I am planning on putting her with one of her older sisters soon after we move in...she just doesn't like to be left out and loves feeling like she is a big girl.  It is indescribable the amount of joy her little spirit brings to our home.  She is doted on by everyone in our family and I am so glad the Lord knew we needed her so badly.  We may be slightly biased, but we sure think we lucked out with three little angels!

little helpers on a rainy day

The temperatures have been amazing and we have spent loads of time outside this week.  The temperature is still warm, but the rain came today.  It was pouring most of the day.  When we start feeling sad about the rain, Heidi likes to remind us the rain is the reason we live in such a green place. She can be such an optimist sometimes!  Tile was being laid today and I had to run to the house to choose how the tile in the master bath was going to be laid.  Just walking up into the house and back we were drenched!  When we got home, the girls wanted to change into something dry before helping make dinner.  They looked so cute in their footie pajamas.  They all love to be a part of making dinner and I love having their help, even if it takes a little longer.  It will be nice to have an island again so there is more room for my three little helpers!

house progress

I haven't posted much about the house lately, but it is moving right along.  The sheet rock and mudding and taping are now complete.  The siding and stone are going up on the outside, and some tile is going in this week.  Here are a whole heap of pictures that probably aren't super interesting, but I want to remember this part of construction.  This first one is obviously the entryway.  When you walk in to the right there is a room that we will use as the piano room, just like in our other house.

This is the hallway upstairs.  There are two bedrooms, a bonus room, a bathroom, an awesome attic, and two linen closets upstairs.

This little room is off of the great room downstairs and will be used as an office/craftroom.  We are in the process of figuring out how we are going to do cabinets, desk area, etc.

This is Savanna's room upstairs, and it is my favorite bedroom.  It has two windows that have a great view and overall the room just has so many options for furniture placement.  Eventually I think two of the girls will be in this room.

Bonus room.  Once we get a pull out couch, this will also be the guest quarters.  It is a great space and we love the way the builder found ways to utilize space.

More of the bonus room...it's going to be a great play space.

This is Savanna bouncing around Heidi's room.  The closet in her room is ridiculously big. We had to do some rearranging to make this room work because of the third car garage we added, but Heidi is pleased as punch with her choice of this room.  It's actually funny because there was no fighting, they both picked which room they wanted and thankfully they were different rooms haha.  Although, I have a feeling after sharing a room for a year they will both have a little separation anxiety from each other.

This is after you come in from the foyer.  There is a fireplace that will have stone up to the vault and it opens into the kitchen.

The kitchen and great room...oh how I love this space so much more than our other house.  I mean, I did love my other kitchen/great room, but I like this one much better.

These two little sweeties were at the house with me today meeting with the shower guy while Heidi was at school.  They were so cute and are very, very often found holding hands.  Melts my heart.

This is the dining area right off of the kitchen.  I love all the windows around.  There are french doors leading out to a covered patio.  Jeff is going to build me a 7 foot farmhouse table after we move in and I can't wait!  He loves woodworking and is super excited about the project as well.

Finally, this is the garage area.  Jeff will use the third car garage as his little workshop and the car and van will go in the two car sections.  I think trim is the next thing on the list, but it might be a 2-3 week wait for the guy we are using.  Our builder assures us he more than worth the wait.  I can't wait to see the trim details and we really all just cannot wait to get moved in and settled in our new home!  We absolutely love our builder and are thrilled beyond words at how everything is coming along.  We hope to have lots of visitors once we get settled!