Fathers & Sons camp out, YTP events and staples in Taryn's little head

Our family tent getting it's first run at camping!

Our friend's son helped point out a frog at Fathers and Sons

Tyson was super excited about going to Fathers and Sons this year. He hasn't been in years and though we worried for a bit that no one from our ward would be able to go, it turned out great! We got to test out our new tent because -GASP- we didn't have one! We've been wanting to go camping as a family for a long time and this summer we've been preparing little by little (because camping supplies are expensive if you're not careful!) I've been doing lots of research on tents, sleeping bags (because I was the only one in the family who had one) and other camping gear and we've been buying a piece here and there for the past several months. Its super exciting and the girls were really bummed they couldn't go camping with Tyson on this round. I was actually really happy Tyson gave everything a dry run before we headed out as a family. He came home with a list of camping gear we should eventually get that would making the experience better for everyone. 

Tyson attended a YTP event (Young Trade Professionals) at the Denmark Embassy. He came home wanting to work for the Lego Company :) I have to say that though Denmark is taxed like crazy (about 50% of their income!!!!!!) they are super happy people! :) I wouldn't mind living there!

In the embassy, Tyson came across this portrait of President Obama's face made of rolled up newspaper created by a Danish man. 

STAPLES!!

We took a trip to the zoo and had a fantastic time. We met up with our friends and enjoyed being with them. We made a pit stop RIGHT before leaving and while sitting on a picnic style bench, Taryn flipped backwards (not sure how- she wasn't monkey-ing around or anything!) and smacked her head on something. She jumped up so quickly and started crying a very high pitched- not normal cry - and rubbed the back of her head. I knew it was bad instantly and I had to fight back tears before I even got over to Taryn. I picked her up and set her on my lap, and rubbed the back of her head. That's when I noticed the blood on the ground and realized this could be REALLY bad. I pointed out the blood to my friend and then discovered my hand was covered in blood too. My friend immediately went to First Aid and within just a bit we had two police men, two first aid workers, and two EMT's surrounding us asking questions and looking at Taryn's wound. They all agreed that the hole in the back of her head needed stitches or glue. We got the bleeding to stop and Tyson was able to metro over to the zoo from his work in 10 minutes and then help us drive us to Urgent Care. 

The doctor told us that Taryn needed stitches and she freaked out! So they said staples would be faster (though more painful) but it would be easier to do with her freaking out. Taryn tried to run out of the room when they came in to do the staples. She was in hysterics and it took everything in me to restrain her (plus another nurse) and lets just say that the topical anesthesia doesn't work at all!But thankfully it takes only about 30 seconds to do staples (a huge plus!) but they are just like regular staples and can get mangled and mis- fire. One of Taryn's staples was mangled in her head like a cork screw. Strangely enough, that was the only staple that didn't hurt coming out! The doctor put in 3 staples but tried 4 times, having to shoot the stapler at the sink to get it working again. 

A week later we got the staples removed to find out that the wound reopened and was "fresh." Which means no swimming in pools, splash pads or lake swims until mid July. That's FOREVER!!!!!!! We're trying to fin ways to keep Taryn's head dry - like a swim cap- so that we can at least get her wet during hot days! 

Ugh!!! I really hope that next time we have to do this (cause I know there WILL be a next time for us eventually) the girls will handle it better!

Daddy daughter dates!

Crazy haired girls! The girls and Tyson had an early start to their Saturday a few weeks back in order to fit everything into their day together. 

First stop- Target. Tyson needed to run and errand there and it just happened that they were doing a special coloring event for kids that morning. The girls got to color, they were given snacks, and stickers!

After some park adventures, they stopped for ice cream at McDonald's and those girls were super happy! Tyson reported that it was a busy day but the girls were awesome and had a lot of fun.

Tyson is in charge of bed time so I can get to work at night. He has them in such a great routine!  He's made it easy for me to jump in on days when I'm home and the girls love getting time with Tyson at the end of his work day. Sometimes I get these cute photos via text after I get to work :)

Last weekend, Tyson took the girls on the Metro and they were in HEAVEN!!!!!! There was no big destination at the end, just being in D.C., eating their lunches at the Hirschhorn Gallery, and then a ride on the carousel! 

Lunchables for lunch! I remember having a love for lunchables too at their age. It's a "special" treat for the girls which is a nice way to not have them around too much. 

So excited for a ride! With all the rain we've had (15 days straight!!!!!) we are happy to squeeze in all the outdoors fun we can while the rain is on pause!

I love that Haddie walks around saying, "...on a daddy- daw-ter date!" and Taryn will come home and say, "This was the best day ever!" 

Mother's Day 2016

Mother's Day weekend was just great! We enjoyed a relaxing day together, got outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather, and Tyson cooked a super yummy dinner! 

The girls made the sweetest Mother's Day gifts- a homemade necklace from Taryn (pictured above) which I wore all weekend long, cute paper Flowers made from Taryn's hands, an adorable heart shaped hand tracing of Haddie's hands from Nursery, a cute new shirt from Tyson and lots of love. I went to Taryn's Mother's Day brunch and got super emotional when Taryn was singing the cute songs and when she explained each bead on the necklace she gave me and why she chose the stickers on the envelope. It was the sweetest! Haddie was loving all the dancing and singing so she joined in too! 

Preschool Mother's Day performance. I promise Taryn was super happy I was there! :)

And these bloopers because sometimes it's super hard to get everyone looking at the camera without a silly face- but those silly faces are the best!!! I almost like these better than the original picture at the top of this post. 

We went for a walk around Roosevelt Island on such a perfect day. The weather was cool and the sun poked out from behind the clouds and made for a glorious day.  

Over looking the Potomac Rive and Georgetown University in the background, or Hogwarts as we call it! 

We found a new path we'd never taken before and enjoyed seeing many birds, a baby rabbit, frogs, bugs, fish etc.... Being outside in such a gorgeous place really makes us happy. We love living here! 

I am very grateful for my opportunity to be a mom. It's the hardest thing I've ever done but it's also been the most rewarding. I love our two precious girls and their individual personalities. I strive to be better for them as they inspire me daily. I'm thankful for my mom who taught me so much ad loved me and for my mother-in-law who raised a wonderful man. We are blessed to know so many wonderful women in our lives and there are several whom I look up to every day.

I love these sweet memories we get to create with our families and how we can take the time to celebrate moms everywhere. 

Haddie in her car seat- mostly sleeping

I couldn't believe how many car seat pictures I had of Haleigh from the past few weeks, especially while she was sleeping! Naps were gone a LONG time ago for Haddie, but she still takes a cat nap in the car between errands & events occasionally. Sometimes I plan leaving an event around 1:30-2:30 because if everything is timed right, I can sometimes get her to take an hour long nap!

I love those perfectly folded hands!

Just too cool for school! 

Dressed in her Sunday best.

Complete relaxation right there. I wish I could just fall asleep while someone else drove me around everywhere. 

And Tyson snapped this one, with granola bar in hand. Just yesterday she had a half a sandwich, untouched, in her hand but she was fast asleep. 

I love that sleepy head!

Fun around with the Smiths in the last few weeks

Taryn is convinced that Saturdays were made for donuts. So every once and awhile, we go with it :)

Duck donuts!! Hot a fresh and SO YUMMY!

That pose again! Haddie is in a huge dress phase and will sometimes wear the same dress 2-3 times a week, or changes the dress she is wearing 2-3 times (much to my dismay and discouragement, but hey, sometimes I have to pick my battles) The dress must twirl. It just has to!

Tyson is apart of our ward soccer team. Yay!

We ate brunch at our friends house before General Conference and she had a Snow White dress that I tried on to show the girls. Haddie was in love!

One of the things I LOVE about D.C. is how many young professionals there are. They dress very well and thankfully, they like to switch up their wardrobes a lot! Every so often there is a free clothing exchange where I go on my own little shopping spree. That cardigan and button up shirt are from the exchange and I love them! It's like having a personal shopper pick out things in your size that you might not choose yourself (Like Stitch Fix) but without paying for it. 

The necklace was a birthday gift from my sister who found it at a steal of a deal at New York Co. 

I'm trying to get better at gradually updating my wardrobe, accessorizing, and doing my hair more often. I'm getting better!

Haddie and Taryn love playing at the parks with friends and thankfully we live in an area with fantastic parks everywhere and friends who are willing to meet up and play!

During one of our crafts, Taryn decided to to create her own! 

Never leave a sleeping toddler along with Daddy ;)

I found this photo Haddie took of Taryn on my phone. I'm sad it's blurry but you can still tell how gorgeous Taryn is. 

And this is the one I found that Taryn took of Haddie. Just relaxin' 

And the one Taryn took of me as I was hard at work going over our budget. I was super focused I guess. 

Their imaginations run wild! They decided that their animals had surgery and needed cones, or "Cones of shame" as we all them thanks to the movie, "Up"

After baths, Taryn pulled out this book and started "reading" it to her. we've been working on her phonics, letters and reading so I'm happy to see her put it to practice (even just a bit!)

Another beautiful day at the park with friends!

Our saturdays sometimes take us to areas of the DC Metro Area that we've never been . When we spot an amazing park, it's just top hard to pass it up! This one was really fun and interesting!

Taryn, who seems like such a big girl here, doing her daily letter and writing practice. 

Face timing with baby Margot and my sister Mackenzie! Always fun!

We were at story time and it took Haddie a bit of time to warm up to so many kids all around her. So I tried to get her warmed up by taking pictures....not sure it worked though. Eventually she was dancing to the songs with the rest of the kids!

We discovered this free soft play room above Taryn's preschool so now we are extra motivated to drop off Taryn early so we have more time to play here. 

Lover of the swings!

We received this book in the mail one day and had to do some detective work to figure out it was from a friend whom we refer to as our "Birder expert." Such kind surprise that we are in love with. 

So a word of caution: 

If your friends move in and out frequently and are always offering food and housewares up for grabs, be sure to read the food labels BEFORE using them. I thought I grabbed a bag of powdered sugar. Oh nope, I didn't. It was a bag of corn starch! As soon as I put it in my Peanut butter frosting (making a birthday cake for friends) I knew it didn't look right. Thankfully, I was able to scoop it all out and thankfully I had enough powdered sugar on hand to complete the recipe! 

That was a close one!