Spring is almost here!

We have been having so much since we have been back in Arizona. Kyle was on break for the past week and we had so much fun. We didn't really do a whole lot and it was awesome. We kicked off spring break with Kyle having Jury duty, and then I followed up the next day by doing my jury duty. Kyle almost got picked for a jury, but they released him after they found out I had jury duty the next day and that we had a 2 year old and a 1 year old at home. Then I fought horrible traffic, and heavy snow to get downtown the next morning. I sat in a big room with hundreds of other people for 4 hours before they sent everyone home. All the court cases had canceled for the day. So that was nice. I read an entire book. Although I was anxious to get home and be with my family, it was nice to get to sit and do nothing for a few hours. 

The rest of Spring Break was spent potty training little miss Abby. And she did great! We started Wednesday and by 10 on Wednesday morning I was done. She didn't seem to be getting it. She wanted to sit on the toilet, but she didn't know how to actually make herself go, until it was coming. Then it finally clicked and she has done great since then. We are still struggling at night. She doesn't realize she is going. She is passed out and doesn't even wake up while I'm changing her clothes and bedding. So we'll see how that goes. I had a good friend give me some amazing advice. When she potty trains her kids she pulls out this little gumboil machine that she fills with their favorite candy. Every time they go they get a coin to put in and get to get some candy. I love that idea because Abby's two favorite things are "coins" and m&ms. So that has been a huge help. I'm so proud of her. She has shared an m&m with her little sister each time too. How adorable is that? She is a good big sister and a wonderful little girl. We just love her. 

I made Abby this "let it go" cape out of extra fabric that I had laying around. She loves it so much. I want to make her a better one in fabric like Elsa's. 

We have had some very nice weather lately, with a few cold snowy days in-between. We have taken advantage of the warm days and spend as much time outside as possible. It's so nice. 

The day after we got back into town Kyle took me to Jim Gaffigan. It was so much fun! We left the girls with my Aunt JoJo. I was so grateful she was able to watch them. They had so much fun with all of my little cousins. Kyle and I got to the theater early so that we could walk around and find somewhere fun to eat. It was so much fun to be downtown walking around with him. He is my best friend and I love the moments that we are able to go out alone! We always have so much fun together. We ate at Tokyo Joes which was interesting. And Jim Gaffigan was hilarious. It was so much to laugh that hard for over an hour. 

It was a wonderful spring break. We will really enjoy these school breaks while we can, we only have them for a few more years! We have been welcomed back to school this week with 2 big exams. So we won't be seeing Kyle until Thursday night. It was so amazing to have him all to ourselves for an entire week. We love that man so much. This morning Juliet was saying "daddy" and Abby told her "Oh Jules he's at school!". They know how hard he works for us. We are so lucky!

Our Sweet Juliet

Sweet, sweet Juliet,

You have been such a joy to have in our home. We are so grateful every day that we have you. I had mema take your 1 year pictures when we were in Arizona for Christmas break. It was so much fun. It took us all of 5 minutes because you are so sweet and love to smile for the Camera. I am so grateful she was able to capture who you really are in these pictures. You are a sweet, curious, joyful little thing. We all can't get enough of you. You have been a peaceful presence in our home since your arrival. Your big sister really adores you, more than you would like actually. Although the more and more mobile you get, the more you enjoy playing with her. You always wake up with a smile on your face. You are now 15 months old and you can say uh-oh and daddy. You are walking everywhere and it is the cutest thing ever. When you were first learning to walk you would get so frustrated every time you fell down. It was sad and cute at the same time. One of our absolutely favorite things about you is your big hugs and kisses. You love to hug and you will give us big hugs with both arms around our necks, or the sweetest little side hugs. The best part is that you give them willingly. We don't hardly ever have to ask for them. You give the biggest open mouthed kisses too. It is kind of gross, but so sweet that we don't mind. You have so much love to give, and we love that you are so affectionate with all of us. You get really excited about things. Like really, really excited. You make this really funny face and wave your arms around and sometimes scream. The best part is that it doesn't take much to get you excited. You show an insane amount of excitement for a bottle, or your favorite movie (which happens to be Frozen). Your happy attitude is very contagious. You have a great power over the tone in our home. You help to make me happy, and to help me enjoy my job. You are hardly every fussy. We've had about a month of fussiness from you lately and it has been very out of character. You are always happy. If you miss a nap, it doesn't matter. You're happy. I hope you always keep that joyful personality. You are starting to learn to pull hair and bite when necessary to get your sister off of you. But you love to hug her and be wherever she is. I love the two of you guys together. You are always laughing and squealing together. I can't wait until you start talking because your conversations are going to be the best. Seeing you walk around has made me realize that you aren't going to be my little baby forever. You love playing with little baby dolls and you love all the other babies in church. You have a very tender spirit. You will touch lives for the better and I'm so grateful that I get to be a part of your life. Thank you for teaching me to be kinder, sweeter and more positive about things. Thank you for teaching me even more about being happy. You are only 15 months old and already you have changed my life so much. I can't wait to learn more about you as you grow. Thank you for being apart of our family. You are the greatest Jules and we LOVE you!

Love, 

Mom, Dad and Abby

Arizona Trip

Dear Abby and Jules,

One time I flew down to Arizona with you guys from Colorado. We even brought Kaity with us. It was so nice to get out of the snow and freezing cold weather. Our excuse for going down was so that I could run the Phoenix half marathon with Kaity and Grandpa. We had the funnest trip. You guys were so good and had a blast playing with everyone. It was hard to not have Daddy with us, I got really worn out. Its hard being a single parent. But it was so worth it. 

Here are all the pictures in no particular order. 

You girls fell asleep on the way to the Hope Arising golf tournament. I sat in the car for about 20 minutes so that you guys could get some sleep. You were so worn out by the end of the trip you would fall asleep almost every time you guys were in the car. Abby, you would ask to go to bed every night. It was so cute. And I had no problem obliging you.

Tragdon was the cutest uncle to you guys. He loved to get his ipad to watch mickey mouse videos with you guys. He was so patient with you guys wanting to play with him and touch his stuff. He is a sweet little kid. I just love him. You guys had fun playing with Halee and Lacee too. Those kids all just love you guys. 

Flying home, hanging out at the airport. I flew home by myself with you guys. I was so nervous, but I didn't need to be. You guys were awesome. Abby you are finally over your running away stage. You stay by me, you don't just take off running as soon as your feet hit the ground. I really appreciate it! 

One of our first nights there we went to the waffle truck that is sometimes in the parking lot of ALA. It was AMAZING! I mean seriously one of the best things I have ever had. I got one that had nutella, strawberries and whipped cream on top. I got you guys some cinnamon ones. And you guys loved it. It was so fun. Although Juliet ate most of my strawberries. 

Abby and I went swimming almost every day while Juliet napped. Sorry Jules! Abby loved it, but she would poop every single time we went swimming. Drove me nuts, its so hard to change a wiggly toddler in a wet swim suit and swimming diaper. 

This was my view one morning when I woke up. I love sleeping with my little Abby girl, other than the fact that you kick and thrash around when you sleep. I seriously had bruises all over my legs. But some nights you would just snuggle right up on me. So sweet. 

Abby you were seriously exhausted every night by the time we went to bed. You partied hard every single day. One night we went to Sonic with my old friend Cassie Levi. It was so fun to get to see her. You guys were really good, but at about 8:30 Abby hopped off the bench and said "Mommy, Its time".  We laughed pretty hard at that, but you really were so tired. In the 5 minute drive from sonic to Mema and Popis you were passed out. I changed your diapers and changed you into your clothes without it even phasing you. It was pretty funny. 

Cute little babies in the bath. You guys are at the funnest stages right now. You play so well together. Juliet you were just starting to take steps when we went to Arizona. It was so fun to watch you practice and learn to walk while we were down there. 

Watching Frozen on the plane on the way to Arizona. Look at how sweet you guys are together. You are the best of friends... most of the time. 

Popi fell asleep while we were all talking one night. I took this picture without him knowing and then I sent it to him. He woke up when he got the message with the picture. He was not amused. ;)

We went and ate at Cafe Rio one day with everyone. It was amazing! Gotta love that place. You guys were so cute there. Abby, you wouldn't leave your shoes on. Little stinker. I'm sure people think I am the worst mom, but you seem to be happy. 

You sweet girls playing together at grandma's house. I love it. 

Daddy came down for our last weekend to play in the golf tournament. Abby was so tired that she fell asleep on daddy within second one afternoon. 

Abby would make us all "dinner" up in the loft. It was the cutest thing. She had so much fun playing with all of Halee and Tragdon's toys. Your little imagination and words are the cutest things. You are always surprising us and making us laugh. 

Sweet happy Jules! You have a serious ability to make people feel happy and loved. Your hugs and smiles are the perfect recipe for a good day. Everyone just fell in love with you while we were there. 

The winning team for the golf tournament. Popi was supposed to play with them, but he had a friend pass away earlier in the week and he was in Tucson for the memorial. Daddy and Ty had so much fun playing together. The weather was perfect. 

Lacee passed out in the car. Apparently we weren't the only ones that were worn out. 

One of the days Popi watched you little girls so that I could go to the Temple with Mema, and Grandpa and Grandma Great. It was so fun for me to finally get in the Gilbert Temple. It was a beautiful experience. I will always cherish this picture. In this picture all three of us are the young women presidents in our ward. Three generations! How cool is that? It was so fun to talk about activities and ideas together. I love these women and I am so grateful I have such wonderful examples in my life. 

Hanging out in Grandma and Grandpa Cordner's backyard. It was so fun to get outside and I could hardly keep Abby inside. 

Flying home on the airplane. I had two different people after the flight tell me they were very impressed with how you guys did. I was impressed too. A few little melt downs, but you guys were great. I was so grateful! 

Me and Grandpa at the finish line of the half marathon. It was so fun! Grandpa stayed with me the entire time. I really love running with him. He keeps me motivated and positive. I beat my old time by about 45 seconds. Which doesn't sound like a huge improvement but it really was. My other half marathon was all down hill, this one was all flat. So it was a huge time improvement. I was so proud of myself. I never stopped to walk, not one time! 

Another day Mema watched you guys so I could go hang out with Lacee. We did a little shopping and then got pedicures. I had two toenails from the race that I was going to lose. They were black and really nasty. I think I really grossed out the nail lady. 

Me and Kaity at the finish line. She was 12 weeks pregnant! Crazy lady, but she rocked it! I was so proud of her and so grateful that she was there with me. 

In front of the temple with my grandparents and my mom. So much fun to be there with my family. One night I took you girls to walk around the grounds with me. I got emotional thinking about all the happy memories we would have there together. I really hope to be inside there with you guys one day. I hope that this will become your temple. It's breathtakingly beautiful. 

Me, Kaity, Grandpa and grandpa's friend at the starting line. It was freezing cold, windy and rainy at the starting line. That was not the funnest thing ever.  

The view of the temple from the waffle truck. So gorgeous. It was so fun to be so close to the temple. We were constantly driving by it. Abby loved it! She would always point it out every single time we passed by. 

I love this picture not only because it shows Abby and aunt Lacee playing together, but tragdon has the coolest photobomb. Love that little boy. 

It was such an amazing trip. We got to do so much and make some amazing memories. We also got to see my awesome friend Rachel and her cute kids. It was so much fun. It is awesome being with family, but it has been so nice to be reunited in Colorado with our little family. I know that you girls won't remember this trip, but I want you to know how much fun it was and how special it was to have you guys there with me. Love you girls so much! And thanks to everyone in Arizona that made it such a special trip!