Cherry Blossoms blooming all around D.C.

It was one of those days where we were dying to get out and enjoy the sunshine as quick as possible. I needed the sunshine on my face and T & H had to experience the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Our morning held other plans but as I jumped back in the car I just started to drive. I knew exactly where I wanted to be despite the fact that there was a storm coming in. If I didn't go right then, the storm would wash away the beautiful blossoms.  Could I make it there before the 4pm storm? What about naps? Both girls fell asleep quickly in the car so there was no turning back for me. I knew there would be traffic but I didn't let it bother me and surprisingly it really didn't seem that bad- or I was just so focused I didn't notice it too much. 

It turned my day around to see these beautiful creations and to be there with my girls. 

To my relief, the storm didn't come until later that night which meant we saw them at the perfect time. 

Now as we drive around, Taryn says, "Mom look!!! Cherry blossoms! They are so beautiful! It looks like popcorn. But we can't eat it." 

Skipping Rocks

There's a fun little place nearby that we call secret park. To get to the park, you cross a bridge and enter a forest area that, once the trees have leaves on them, is completely hidden. We discovered it early last summer and have already returned many times. A few weeks ago, Tyson decided Taryn is the perfect age to learn how to skip rocks! So the "perfect rock hunt" commenced and we all took turns throwing in our "perfect rocks." I have to say, I have never seen a rock skip as many times as it did that day for Tyson. He's got skills :)

Our sunny Spring weekend!

We LOVED this past weekend and all the sunshine it brought! It fills my soul and makes me all sorts of happy. We can't get enough of this gorgeous weather!! We all have sun kissed cheeks from trying to get out of the house every moment we could. In between sessions of General Conference, we explored  outside through the beautiful green grass and amazing flowers that are popping up everywhere! We're looking forward to the Cherry Blossoms blooming this week!

 Hiding from pictures? Or a scary dragon ?

Content to play while sitting on the floor during Conference forever! Hadleigh is such a good baby!

A one man band! Taryn decided to join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and give them a little boost in the instrument section :)

Hadleigh will never have a lack of toys while Taryn is around. Taryn keeps her supplied with many many backups. She's also quick to share her beloved ponies, barbies, and Emi doll.

This walk outside in our "backyard" was when Tyson and Taryn discovered a snake! Lil' T could spend hours throwing pebbles into the water while standing on the little bridge. She will collect them diligently and declare that  "this rock is the perfet size!!" :)

Lemon Blueberry rolls thanks to Our Best Bites for inspiration. Taryn will be the first to volunteer if you ever need help kneading ( & poking) your dough.

Anyone else do this- I tend to dress Taryn and Hadleigh similar to me almost every day! My sister has pointed this out to me. Colors/ stripes/ dresses/ shorts etc….I don't do it on purpose and I don't even realize it until mid day when someone says, "Oh cute! You're matching." 

Not planned. 

But I'm glad others think it's cute :)

Haines Point Park. 

A little gem of D.C. with it's beautiful location and great play structures & picnic areas.  We decided to see if the Cherry Blossoms were peeking out a little early on Sunday between sessions. A few trees were in bloom but the we will have to wait patiently for the rest this coming weekend. 

Such a fun family filled weekend! I'll take more of those any day :)

Playing with Grandma

Hadleigh was so content in Grandmas arms all weekend long. Poor girl was still getting over a nasty cough but with Grandma, she was calm and happy.

Taryn woke up early each day and would say, "Mommy, it's sunny time! Time to play!!!!" Even though she was up later in the night than normal theses past few nights playing with grandma and friends, Taryn still managed to wake up bright and early- earlier than us which is weird!!- and wanted to play with Grandma. It's a lot more fun when Grandma helps dress you, plays catch with you, and does anything with you, really! Grandmas are just so much fun! She missed Grandpa a lot and constantly asked about where he was.

I can't believe it's already been a week since she left! Taryn always talks about her grandparents, cousins, and aunts- saying she wants them to come to our house. A few times a week she grabs any kind of bag she can, fills it with toys, and tells me she's leaving to visit her cousins, grandparents or aunts. It cracks me up every time! Oh how I wish it was that easy to see them!!

When Grandma comes to town

We are grateful to Grandpa Smith gave Grandma such a great birthday present- A quick trip to see the Virginia Smith's before they leave in May. It's really crazy to think that when they return from their 18 months to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Albania, Hadleigh will be two years old and Taryn will be almost 5 years old!!!

  We are so happy for them. 

The night Grandma flew in we made homemade pizzas. Taryn was so excited to help pat and roll out her very own pizza dough. She picked her own toppings, spread out the pizza sauce (after making a happy face with it first!!) and put them where she wanted. She chose pineapples, mozzarella cheese, red sauce, and artichokes which surprised me but she ended up taking the artichokes off her pizza when it was finished. 

After we had eaten our own pizzas, I went to bathe the girls and Tyson finished up the pizzas so we could have them again for lunch the next day. He loved every second of rolling, saucing, topping, and baking those pizzas. He had a serious cooking bug bite him that weekend. He also made Sunday dinner- pastel de papas, an Argentine dish he used to eat all the time as a missionary in Argentina. It was so delicious!!! 

"It disappeared!"

Today Taryn had something in her hands

 I asked her what it was 

She smiled at me

Dropped whatever it was

Clapped her hands together excitedly

Wiggled her fingers around and said,

"It disappeared!!!" 

With one giant goofy smile on her face

I love that funny girl!

The ups & downs of our last week of March 2014

"Ta-Da!!!!!"

We had so much playtime indoors this week with play dough, beads to make necklaces, painting, baking, tea parties and reading our huge stack of library books. 

We tried to make the most of our time while we were stuck indoors with bad weather and then bad coughs/fevers. Us girls like to share our germs I guess because we all got the same yucky cough, sniffles, and fevers. But don't worry, Tyson wanted to join the sick train too except he decided he wanted Pink Eye?!??!!! 

I really didn't think adults could get that on their own. But OH!!!! how glad I am that it was Tyson who got it, not one of the girls. It's easy for Tyson to wash his hands, not touch his eye…or anything in the house really, and he takes the eye drop medication like it's nothing. 

Really, I am so glad the girls didn't catch it!!!

So we're happy to see these past few days coming to an end. Also, we're happy that Spring is poking it's head out to say hello with warmer temperatures and maybe a few sunny days!!

After our move, I found my tea set from when I was a little girl. I have been looking forward to finding it and giving it to Taryn to play with. It's already been giving some more cracks and we've had a few break but it's nothing some Krazy glue can't fix. I know this set won't last forever, but I am just so happy I could share it with Taryn (and hopefully Hadleigh if the pieces aren't too far gone by then!) 

I was teaching Taryn that we keep pinkies up when we drink tea. While taking pictures, this is how she decided to put her pinkies up. :) Almost every time I have the camera out now, Taryn asks to take my picture. It's really fun to see life through her eyes.

 Hadleigh will always give Taryn the biggest smile when she has the camera!

Taryn's picture taking always includes a few dozen of Hadleigh 

Taryn is a fish and I'm pretty sure Hadleigh is heading in that same direction. These two love their bath time. Yes, there is a TON of water to clean up after. I figure we are just making up for not having a bath tub all these years. 

This particular necklace was made and worn with pride!!!!! She wanted to show everyone her necklace  and asked to wear it to bed!

Discovering a different library so we could switch things up a bit.