GRADUATION!!!

We did it!! We survived college and still love each other! ;) I am so thankful we are finally done with school and we are both eager to move on to a non-student married life. I think I am most eager to have weeknights open. It will be so nice to go out during the week and not have to worry about paying a babysitter! Kevin's last final was on Thursday night and he walked on Friday morning. Wahooo.... it's OVER!!

We are SOO proud of Papa Bear!

That's him walking down to his seat... right in the center

The girls did SOO well for such a LONG commencement

We had to buy our tickets and to make it worse, we were limited to only 5 tickets!

We were so far back the girls didn't actually see "Andrus, Kevin" graduate (yes they said it backwards!!) so I took them to see him after he sat down

By far my favorite picture of the day. Priceless.

Photo Shoot

My. Girls. Are. Adorable.

See for yourself!

Big Girl

Charlie's hair finally long enough for pigtails! I love it and she looks like such a BIG girl. Darling!

Bye Bye Bottle

We did it! Charlie is officially off the bottle. Phew! We have been waffling back and forth on taking it and giving it back and then taking the pacifer, too. It's just too easy. BUT, after a week straight of a wet bed and pee pee sheets- I was done. So, we let the milk run out and she saw the milk was "ahh gon" and that means no bottle. She did pretty well and is getting better about sleeping and staying in bed without it. As you can see, she tends to sneak out and fight the system... just a little. But, man, isn't she cute?! Next step: taking the pacifier... then potty training!

Tao & Wyatt Arrive

Mothers' Day weekend was quite the event in our family. We had not one, but TWO babies born into the family! My oldest brother, Ron, had his 1st boy and 4th child - Mattao Joseph Thomas (that gives me hope! A boy after 3 girls!!) on May 8th. My baby sister, Shannon, had her 1st baby, Wyatt Thomas Henderson on Mother's Day. What a gift for Shannon! Annie had Tao at home (her 3rd home birth) and Shannon ended up having to go C-section because Wyatt was stinking big! We are VERY happy and excited for the new additions to the family. The boys are catching up with the girls (8-5). Congrats ladies, we love you and your beautiful babies!!

Mattao Joseph Thomas, 5/8/10 9lbs, 10 oz, 22 in. in Moab, UT

Wyatt Thomas Henderson, 5/9/10 9 lbs, 13oz, 20.5 in. in San Ramon, CA

(I was hoping to be able to watch his birth, but he chose otherwise!)

Monkey Bread

I have finally discovered monkey bread! Seriously, this stuff is the GREATEST. It is like eating the center of a warm gooey cinnamon roll 10x over. I can't believe I have never tried it before. This has quickly become a Fam favorite. YUM-EE!

My little monkeys decided to steal some bread when I wasn't looking... can't say I blame them!

Awe....

These are kind of random pics, but when I look at them, I just sigh and am so thankful for my little girls. I love them so much and they are SOO much fun. Where does the time go?

The Letter "P"

I am doing a little preschool co-op with some girls in the ward. It is a perfect little group of 5 girls that are ALL great together. They play well and get along wonderfully- keys of having a successful group! Last month I was in charge of the letter "P." I called the wonderful PTown PD and had an officer come and talk to the girls about safety and Police officers. It was a hit! He brought them goodie bags, let them sit in his car, and even sounded the siren and lights for them. Thanks Officer McNeal!

We colored our own police hats and badges before he got there.

Hopefully this is the only time they will each sit in the back of a police car!

Saying Thank you and Goodbye!

Summer is on it's way....

One reason we love Summer: Corn on the cob. 'Nuf said!

Mandy Visits

I have to admit, I love when friends from my childhood come and visit. There is something about reverting back to my former "free from the stresses of parenthood, married life, and all that responsibility" self. Old memories are remembered and new ones created. Thanks for the visit Mandy and the GNO w/ LaReen. Seriously, why doesn't everyone just move to me and I can be crazy all the time?

Mandy Sue w/ Mason - he is such a handsome little fellar!

At the park that was halfway between our houses growing up

We went downtown P-town and were SERIOUSLY disturbed by all of the new statues on the sidewalks. This was the only one "imitating" art. The others were of people doing random things... walking a dog, washing a window, etc. They were frightening. Serious.

Surprise Shower - April 15th!

Shannon, my Dad, my Uncle Mark, me (and Carson soon) all work in the same office. I have to admit, I love working with my family. I love carpooling too. ;)

A few ladies on Shannon's accounting team decided to throw her a surprise shower. It would have been a surprise if my uncle Mark didn't spill the beans about 2 hour before they did it and if my dad didn't make up some lame excuse for staying at work longer on 4/15 when all the work was done! In our office, tax day in one HUGE sigh of relief. It really isn't too stressful. Most of the work has been done and anyone at that point has their return on extension. So, what better day to throw a surprise shower? PLUS, this was supposedly going to be her last day of work. It should have been, too. Those last few weeks, I hate to admit, Shannon-- you looked beat! Love you sis!

Applesauce and the Flu

I have to say that I am becoming quite the little domestic. Apples were on sale for $0.50/lb. so I sprung on them and bought 80lbs to make homemade applesauce to can. Thankfully, Kevin was able to help... a little. My parents were out of town so I took over my mom's kitchen. A gas stove is the only way to go when canning a lot of fruit. The whole day started off quite nicely. Kevin was using the peeler to peel and prep and I was doing everything else. That was at 10am. But lunch time, the baby was puking/spitting up and had diarrhea. Kevin was sick and running to the bathroom. I was getting nauseated. Poor Chantelle had to sit in a poopy diaper for at least 2 hours while I got the nerve and stomach to change it. The following 3 days we were all hit with a major flu, but mostly Kevin and Tilly. She was sick for weeks with it. It was awful. I, thankfully, only was sick for the afternoon and then was well enough to care for the others. Good health is a blessing- no matter WHAT you have. This is never more apparent then when you don't have it! Till next time flu....

31-Derful!

Yes, it's true. I am 31. It's going to be a great year, too. I can just feel it. Already, things are UP in our little world. It is great. My Bday was on a Saturday this year so Kevin planned a big surprise. Sadly, his little adventure was cancelled and changed last minute when Chloe woke up puking and my friend Tami called and said she was in the ER for bleeding (she's preggars). So apparently, Kevin had arranged for the afternoon to go shopping and dinner w/ our friends Tami and Lynn in SJ at Santana Row. Bummer. It sounded like fun. Instead we tended to our sick little tyke and wondered who would be next. Thanfully, she was fine by the afternoon and we ended up going to dinner at a Fondue restaurant (SOO YUMMY!!!) and going to a movie. It was a great night and thanks to Karen for watching the girls so Kevin and I could have a night out!

Charlie Turns 2!

Charlie is TWO! I can't believe it. I am happy to say she is growing up. Let me explain. She is a handful and quite the mischievious child. As she gets older and is starting to talk more, she is getting A LOT easier to handle and a lot less stressful to watch. That being said, I LOVE her like crazy. She is HILARIOUS and is so completely different from Chloe. I now understand how parents can love each child the same, but differently. Once again, Kevin was the party planner for her shindig. We only invited family over for cake and ice cream to celebrate--that was more than enough. I had to work that day, so Kevin thankfully made the cake and got it all together. He even got our new flip video camera (thanks to our nice tax refund!). Unfortunately, we were still learning to use it, so the videos and pics are ALL on high resolution and came out choppy AND blurry (I am still irked about that!). I only have a few pics, but hope to add to this post later when I steal some from the Gmas... We love you CHARLIE!!

Birthday Kisses! I sure love this bundle of energy.

She loves her cake!

Umbrellas

It was rainy and Chloe had to go outside and use her new umbrella. This girl is CRAZY about pink. I remember being little and loving to play outside when it rained. I'm totally over it now, but am glad my Chloe loves it!