Nashville anyone?

In April, Jenny orchestrated a trip to Nashville to surprise Jolie for her marathon. We were all bummed that Jenny couldn't run in Bosten, but were thankful that meant we got to see her and the girls for a weekend getaway. For Jennifer, Riley, Ella and me, it was our first trip to Nashville. Although it was a quick trip, only 36 hours including travel time, we all had a great time and were successful at the original task of surprising Jolie...yea! Plus, we got to spend time with Beau, an added bonus!


Ella loved Riley. i think she needs a brother...or he needs a little sister. No pressure, Jennifer:) This is Jolie's cheer section for the race. Thank goodness for Jenny, who was able to understand the race route and pick the perfect spot to surprise Jolie. It was great watching all the runners go by, waiting to see Jolie and freak her out with all the unexpected guests.

This is a forcast for Jolie and Beau in a few years...just kidding, or am I? Beau was such a great sport as he put up with all the ladies interupting his weekend! And, for the record, Beau is hillarious:) This is Ella enjoying her 1st Cheetoe, compliments of Jennifer. I have to say it was a life-changing moment for her...I could see it in her eyes, can't you?

Outside a great evening dinner at Hard Rock. Hanging out at the airport before the big trip.


This was Ella's first trip on an airplane. She was such a good girl and was charming the pants off of everyone sitting near us. This is us with our crazy caravan of "stuff" after we got off the plane.


Riley and Ella cheering on their favorite runner of the day. Ella in her first cowgirl hat. This was quite the giftshop and we had to atleat try hat on while in Music City.

Somethings never change. If this same group of girls visited Nashville 10 years ago or 20 years in teh future, we would have posed for this same silly picture in exactly the same way. Jenny and Jennifer in their new tanks...I really need to think about getting some new friends:)


If you look in the background, you will notice the flashing lights of a highway patrol. Apparently we were driving on the freeway late at night with no headlights. We will blame it on the rental car and call it a day. Jennifer and me loading up the cart for the trip home. We got plently of offers for help, but no one knew who they were talking to.

Dad's Big Day

Over spring break, I spent the day with my parents to help them get the house ready for the eventual move. Eric graciously agreed to keep both girls for the WHOLE day. Really...I left at 7:30am and didn't get home until after they were in bed. As if that wasn't enough, he then got quite brave and decided to take them to Animal Kingdom. This was very impressive, considering that he had never left the the house alone with both girls...let alone spearhead a trip to Disney. And he even had the thought to document the day with a few pictures. I continue to be impressed.

Ella's new pleasure is pulling Grace's hair. It started as her defense strategy at home, but has escalated. The stroller is her favorite because all she has to do is lean forward a bit and she gets a hand full of Grace's hair with ease. Any pony tail Grace has is always pulled out before we reach our destination. She above picture for a great example of the post-hair-pulling hair style.

Ella seriously loves the Disney Characters. She always smiles at them and loves to kiss and touch them. It is so cute...mostly because Grace wasn't that way. She always wanted to see them, but after standing in line for 30 minutes and finally getting our turn, Grace would see the character and freak out. Repeat 2-3 times per Disney trip. She is getting better:)

Maybe not!

A to Z

Heather, if you ever questioned my love for you, you no longer have to. I am generally morally opposed to completing these things (way too much pressure for me), but for you I would do anything!


A-attached or single: Definitely attached to Eric, Grace and Ella. And to my favorite Reef sandals:)

B-best friend: Eric...I know I sort of have to say that, but he does rank pretty high on the list. Plus, all may lady friends are wonderful.

C-cake or pie: Most surely cake...never been a pie girl, not even on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Honestly, though, I don't love either.

D-day of choice: Any day when we get to spent time together as a family.

E-essential item: Toothbrush (no explanation needed), Reefs, and Cell phone...even though I can't seen to answer it regularly.

F-favorite color: Black. It's not as dark as it sounds, I just really like black.

G-gummy bears or worms: Bears! Haribo are hands down the best. Although gummy anything works for me.

H-hometown: I claim Florida as home. My parents are still in Windermere, but St. Cloud is where we have planted some serious roots...house, job, babies, church...

I-indulgence(s): Cherry Slurpee...it always does the job:)

J-january or july: July, because Eric is off from work and we have lots of family time. July also seems to be a pretty productive baby month for us.

K-kids: Grace...she will be 3 in July. She is completely full of life and has a head of crazy curls to match. Ella will turn 1 in July. She is quite possibly the cutest, sweetest baby ever. Really.

L-life is incomplete without: my little ladies.

M-marriage date: December 20, 2002

N-number of siblings: I'm the 3rd if 4.

O-oranges or apples: I would normally say apples. However, the last few navel oranges I've had have been pretty dang good.

P-phobias or fears: Something bad happening to one of my girls...I am totally freaked out by the idea of one being kidnapped. It borders on obsessive.

Q-quotes: Are you kidding...I rarely recall my name on a regular basis, let alone some phrase said by someone who is very likely more intelligent than I am.

R-reason to smile: too many to count.

S-season of choice: Spring. Anyone who lives in Florida knows that summers here are way over rated.

T-tag: My BYU ladies.

U-unknown fact about me: I actually have a bit of a sailors mouth. I am quite good at keeping the inappropriate language to myself, but on the rare occasion I embarrass myself and cause Eric to roll his eyes.

V-very favorite store: Target, of course.

W - worst habit: Nail biting. Yes, I am nearly 27 and I still bite my nails.

X-x-ray or ultrasound: Ultrasound. So many reasons why...no radioactive issues, immediate images, motion, and because that's how you get to see your little ones:)

Y-your favorite food: Anything from Cafe Rio in Utah. I have tried to duplicate the recipe and have come quite close, but nothing beats the real deal.

Z-zodiac sign: Taurus. I fit the bill for sure.