Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

We had such a fun weekend in Utah, it was so hard to leave!!! Having Daddy come and surprise us was the best thing ever! It was easier to say goodbye since we know he is coming home for good in a week!

It was hard to say goodbye to all our fun sisters in Utah too-

Miss you guys!

Friends!!!!!

We took a trip to Utah this weekend to visit our dear friends, the Hrebiceks, who are adopting their sweet baby Nate! We hadn't met him yet and they hadn't met Jack, so we thought it the perfect time to get together. Little did we know, Dad decided last minute to hop in the Prizm and drive up and surprise us! It was the best surprise I've ever had! I literally hugged him for two minutes and wouldn't let go! This was going to be the BEST WEEKEND EVER!!

We met up with Sarah and her fam at Applebee's at the Gateway Mall in SLC. We used to go there often to shop when we were in college, so it was really fun to go back with our families and reminisce a little. Jack was instantly in love with Sarah. Who wouldn't be??!?!

And then he crashed. Such a funny boy!

Nate & Jack love each other

We were lucky enough to have sun and a little bit of warmth, so the kiddos played a little in the fountains!

Freezing in their wet clothes, but oh so happy :)

I love our family!

Miss this girl so much! I wish we could live closer!

Handsome

Timberland vest courtesy of Aunt Stacy :)

No More Thumb Suckers

My little Ellie girl decided she was ready to give up the thumb. We put on matching bandaids to help her remember that she didn't want to suck her thumb anymore.

Then we headed to Fred Meyer to pick out her prize for reaching her goal. She found the most amazing Hello Kitty purse and necklace she had ever seen and had to have them! So we picked out some stickers and a softie to hold on to when she was feeling like she needed her thumb, came home, made a chart, and she got right to work!

With only two little incidents, she completely gave up the thumb with no "encouragement" (nagging) from mommy- what a big girl!

She earned her booty in just 8 short days because she did so good! She carries her little Hello Kitty purse with her all around the house and everywhere we go- I'm so proud of my sweet girl!

It's amazing to see the confidence this has given her- she had a hard task to face and she did it!

Tortillas

Aunt Stacy, aka Betty Crocker, came over for dinner and we had fajitas with one small problem.... no tortillas! This did not faze Stacy. She just set to work making some! Then the girls got involved.....

Ellie's tortilla was... interesting.....

Brook of course made a heart tortilla

More Time Alone

Face Time with Daddy- whole fist in his mouth!

Capital high puts on a race each year for the elementary schools in their district. Brook was so excited to race!

She did awesome! She was racing against K-3 and still came in with the first quarter of the group!

Daddy sent me flowers to wish me a happy weekend.

He sure knows how to make a girl feel special

Missing our Dad a lot

We love our Grammy!

I got to work on the kitchen cabinets finally!

Before:

After:

Brook had to miss school for a day because we lost the car keys for a full 24 hours!

Our owl family is complete! They were made by Gramma and Papa Perry.

While Daddy's Been Gone...

Jack took a liking to the Packers

We had a few sleepovers...

We got to meet "big nosed fathead Ellie"

we swam with cousins at the YMCA

Grandpa made us face pizzas

We blew Daddy kisses goodnight

and told him we loved him!

We bought a trampoline to keep Mom's sanity

Mom attempted to follow in Dad's footprints of shape pancakes

and we visited with Grandma & Grandpa a LOT!

She's Six!!!

Our little Brookie girl is SIX!!!

Her birthday got started three days early with a package in the mail from Daddy- he was so sad he wouldn't be here to celebrate with us, so he spoiled her rotten! Her own jewelry box, and $20 gift card to her favorite restaurant, Noodles, nail polish, sun glasses, a bracelet, and Kung Fu Panda 2!

Then on Saturday, Grandma & Grandpa helped us throw an epic Artist Party....

.... complete with BOUNCY HOUSE!

And a pottery wheel!!!

We invited all her cousins 5 and up and threw pots, made clay sculptures, painted, bounced, decorated sugar cookie palettes, threw more pots, ate hot dogs, and generally had a great time!

For her birthday breakfast, Grandpa made her some smiley face waffles with strawberries and whipped cream- her favorite!

For her birthday dinner, she ordered roast, mashed potatoes, asparagus, corn on the cob, and watermelon! Love my healthy little girl!

She wanted Grammy & Papa to join us as well as Aunt Becky and Aunt Stacy & Uncle Michael & Lincoln. It was a birthday feast!

I'm so proud of my sweet big six year old! She tries to include everyone, is a friend to anyone who will let her be their friend, shares her things, even when they are special to her, smiles & laughs alot, has amazing artistic abilities, and is my little girl! 

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! 

We Love You SO MUCH!