We're Back!!!

Me and my girls in the river Two peas in a pod
Love this picture...minus the boogies.

Well, we just got home today from Washington. The girls and I left about a week and a half ago. We went and stayed in Moses Lake for a few days with Collins family and then went up to the cabin for a much needed family reunion. We haven't had that side of the family all together for I think almost 4 years. CRAZY! We have had parts of the family, but not everyone. It was SO fun. In our 5 years of marriage that was my first trip to the cabin. It was BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely breath taking scenery. It is right on the river so the kids could go play and they had a blast even though it was FREEZING cold water. We got there on Tuesday and left on Saturday. Collin flew in and drove himself down on Thursday and I am so thankful they let him off work to go. The week was great except for Friday night. Alysha started feeling sick late afternoon and then started puking around dinner time.... then through the night Me, Nena, Jared, Beckham, & Mom all lost it too. By Saturday Hendrix, Collin and Dad all caught it. What a mess. Luckily it was only like a 24 bug. I am feeling pretty much back to normal. Then last night was our last night all together and we were saying our goodbye's and Beckham fell and hit his head in EXACTLY the same spot in mom and dads house that split Marlee's face and cut his little head open. Poor kid had to go in and get 4 staples in his head. Love you Beckham! Anyways, over all we had a GREAT time, Marlee LOVED seeing all her cousins and we hope to do it again soon!Mikkel blowing bubbles in his hands....impressive!
Kenna cuddling aunt Nena Alysha and Mom chillin'
My sweet pea Nena is ridiculously talented....is body art a talent?
With daddy in Lake Ponderay
Mars Bars and Honey Bunz...yeah, they both got their mama's booties
These two were too funny, watch out world! A little chilly....but she did good!
Is it just me, or is this every mans dream? Yeah, that's hot.

Jared brought his sniper rifle....it was actually really fun to shoot!

Even with ALL that extra fat...she still FROZE in that water...not happy.
I took about 200 pictures up there, so even though this is a TON, I had a lot more!

Honestly?

Today I am tired. We flew into WA yesterday to be with the Earls for a little reunion this week. I am in a room with the two girls, it has a crib and queen bed. So, Marlee and I are sharing a bed. Anyway....the day started at 4:45 a.m. when I had to get up to get us ready to go to the airport.  I got the girls in bed by about 9:00 p.m. Well, I got to bed about 10:30 and Kenna woke up for the first feeding at 11:30.  Then again at 2:00 and then Marlee woke up at 3:00 a.m. and started crying and telling me her ear hurt. I got her some meds and hot cocoa and she finally went back down about 3:45. Then Kenna woke up again at 5:30 to eat and then up for good at 7:00 a.m. Wow, definitely not enough sleep. Kenna has been waking up every hour and a half in the night. I don't know what her deal is, but it is KILLIN' me! I don't know if she is at the age where I should let her "cry it out" or not....Anyway, if anyone else has experienced this and has any good advise, let me know!

Wow

I swear almost every day Marlee says something that makes me laugh, cringe, or think "where did she hear that?" Well, today was no exception. We got home from playing all day today so she's a little crazy. She is leaning over Kenna and talking to her and playing with her. Well, she freaks out about something and throws herself back and hits her head on the couch... she immediately looks at me, and starts crying and says "why'd you push me mom?" WHAT THE!?!?!? She then says "if you push me again...you go to time out". Wow. What a little stinker.......

*This picture has nothing to do with the story, but I took it over the weekend and just loved it. You can't help but smile at a face like that. She is such an angel.

To the Dads I Love....

There are so many men that have influenced me and my life. I just wanted to give a shout out to my top 3.

My dad is kind of a quiet man. Growing up, he would always give us "the talk" when we did something wrong. He would sit us down and let us know that he was disappointed and we may get punished every now and again, but he would never scream at us or spank us...that I can remember at least, lol. He is such an intelligent man. He is someone that I have ALWAYS looked up to. He is very strong in his beliefs and taught me the value of hard work from day one. He has always had his priorities in line and has been an amazing provider for our family. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me the ups and downs of life and always being an amazing example.

I got my second dad in 2003. When I met the Earls in Feb of 03', I automatically bonded with Tom. He quickly became my friend, and luckily things worked out so he became my father-in-law. I TRULY love him like my own father. They are SO different, but they both teach me every day. Tom is so patient, and the eternal optimist. He is always there to calm me down when I start stressin' and to see the good in every situation. He is kind, loving AND we watch all the same shows so we can talk reality TV for hours.

Dad #3. Collin. Sometimes Collin is not the most focused person. I was a little nervous when we had Marlee if he would be very helpful, or just like another child. Lol, he is great. He is so sweet with Marlee and Kenna. I love nothing more than seeing him come home from school or work and watching the girls faces light up. He is a good disciplinarian but also so tender and loving. He loves to cuddle and even though he doesn't like to admit it, he is a sucker for his princesses. I can't wait til they are older and can learn and laugh with him. I know they will be close.

Thank you all for your love of me, and my kids. You are amazing men and I don't know what I would do without you. Happy Fathers Day!

5 Years

Right after the Ceremony
Mr and Mrs Collin Earl Today is our FIFTH Anniversary. It is SO hard for me to believe that 5 years ago today, I married my soul mate. Its crazy to think about what has happened and changed since that day. I was 20 when we got married, Collin was 21. We have moved from Washington, to Idaho, then to Colorado, and have landed now in South Dakota. Collin has had 5 different jobs, and 2 internships. We have two beautiful daughters. We have made some of the greatest friends between moves and miss all the ones we have moved away from.

It has been an AMAZING 5 years.

Coppin' a feel fresh outta the gate!


Do you even recognize these guys...yeah, thats Collin in the middle....weird.


For our anniversary this year I took on the planning because Collin has been working such crazy hours. He has a GPS in his car for work, so yesterday afternoon I just sent him a text with an address on it. He came straight from work, and it led him to the Marriott at Flat Irons mall. He came in a found an assortment of all his favorite snacks...and me of course. I also got him a Spa package with 4 visits and a game he really wanted for the WII. I think he was pretty impressed!
We went to PF Changs for dinner and then back to the hotel....you know, to get some sleep...

We slept in a little bit this morning and then went to the mall. We went out for breakfast and just walked. I got a new shirt and some new shoes....WAHOO...and then we went for a walk outside, the area is beautiful! We headed off to lunch and OF COURSE as we are walking up to the restaurant, his phone rings and he had to go to work, so no lunch but the rest of it was great!(at the mall today)

Happy Fifth babe. You are the love of my life and I feel so lucky to have you for eternity.

I love you.

Family

I took this picture Tuesday night. It was one of those strange natural phenomenons.

I had never seen anything like it. Like there was a crack in the glass of the skyor something.

Two completely different shades of blue.

What a whirlwind of a week. One week ago today was a pretty average Sunday. We got the phone call from Collins parents that evening that Aunt Tami was in the hospital and not doing well. Monday morning we got the call that she had passed and started making preparations to get to WA for the funeral on Friday. We are lucky enough to have a pilot in the family so we got some buddy passes ordered and made our way to the airport early Thursday morning. We got there plenty early and the chaos began. We waited through 2/ 30 minute United lines, then a 30 minute security line. When we got to the front of the line we handed them the passes and discovered that BOTH had my name on them and they would not let us through security. Collin RAN back to the United desk and got a new one but by the time he made it back to security and we RAN to the LAST GATE on the concourse our flight was leaving. We waited 3 1/2 hours for the next flight out and they told Collin he wouldn't be able to get on the plane in a T-Shirt. So, we found his hoodie and were good to go....so we thought. About 20 minutes before the 2nd flight the desk attendant let me know that he would not be allowing me on the plane in flip flops. Are you KIDDING me? I explained out unfortunate circumstances and he said "sorry, I suggest you find other shoes". So, I RAN once again back to the main terminal to the CROCS stand and had to pay $35 for some shoes. Unbelievable, but we made it and that is what is important.
The weekend, was crazy busy. We went right to Grandmas house from the airport and saw everyone, then changed and went to the viewing and then to Uncle Dave and Aunt Peggy's house for dinner. Friday we went to the funeral, then the cemetery, then to the luncheon and lastly to Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Becky's for dinner. It was so great to be with everyone. Aunt Tami was just one of those people that was full of life. On Friday Dad (Tom) put on some Dianna Ross that he had told us earlier in the day he and Tami would always dance to and the ENTIRE family started a dance party. It was awesome.
I can't think of any other way that Tami would have wanted the day to end.
It was one of those weeks that make you really think about what is important in life. It was so good for us to all be together. I am so thankful for my family, and that I was so easily accepted into the Earl family, they are one of a kind, and I am proud to be one of them.
We made it back yesterday just in time for me and both my girls to get SICK, I have not felt this crappy in a long time!! We coughed all through the night and have been struggling all day...but at least we made it through the weekend.

5 Months!

You gotta love the chubby baby cleavage!

Believe it or not, there was a time when I was pregnant with her, when I worried that I wouldn't be able to love her as much as I love Marlee. I was so sure that my heart would explode right out of my chest if I had to love another sweet baby that way. I don't know how, but the transition with Kenna was so easy and natural. Not only do I love her, but I love her every bit as much as I do my #1! She is a joy, and I can't believe that my sweet little monkey is FIVE months old today. She is still such an angel, I love having her to wake up to every morning. She truly is my Sunshine. No matter the weather outside, it is always bright and warm where ever she is. I love you Makenna!