I have been dreading the month of March for a while now. Scared that I would just be at home consumed in my own self pity while the world continues on around us. And on top of that, March is Cody's busiest month where he had a lot of over night trips planned. 

But let me tell you, it hasn't been nearly as bad as I've been anticipating. In my mind I've been planning on being sad because of the reminder that two of my neighbors are due on the exact same day that I was. Planning on eating a lot of ice cream and crying over stupid chick flicks and any movies with newborns. But not once have I sat down with a carton and not once have I cried about it. Who am I right now? I cry at commercials! That's probably a top five reason why we don't have cable.

A big reason for this is that we've been a lot busier than I ever imagined we'd be at this time. Which is a good thing, the girls have been loving it. 

I was planning on running a race the last weekend in February but decided against it last minute. We still kept the rest of the plans for the weekend of visiting family and has a blast. 

While Cody was at meetings in Logan we visited with my sister in law, the girls constantly ask when we can go back and visit them and their bunnies. 

Kate fell asleep eating pizza!

Next was staying with grandmas! Ellie loves hearing and telling stories right now! She comes up with some really great ones! Listening to Russian folk tales! 

We wanted to take the girls to the Provo city open house on a Saturday morning. It was terribly busy and we decided the few hour wait to get inside wasn't worth it but we were still able to tell Ellie all about the temple as we walked around the outside. 

The afternoon was spent at the park with cousins before we headed home! 

The next week Cody was headed up to the Boise area for a couple days. He called Tuesday morning asking if we wanted to come, we packed and were out the door in an hour! He had meetings in the morning and then was done by about noon or one everyday.

These girls loved staying at a hotel, watching tv and staying in pajamas until later in the morning. 

 

We visited cousins, went swimming in the pool and even went to the zoo! 

We made a deal with Ellie that if she would walk the entire time that we would let her ride the carousel. The entire time she would rush is so she could ride the "miracle round" (merry go round). By the time we saw all of the animals it was closed. "You should have listened to me and let me ride it when I said earlier!" Sassy pants. 

Cody made a deal with her that she could buy a little toy, we were already headed to target. I went to find a new swimsuit and they set out in search of a new small toy. Kate picked a little animal, Ellie was carrying a Barbie with puppies!! They agreed that she would give him all the money in her piggy bank. When we got to the car I asked how much Cody thought she had, last time he had counted with her she had $17. Well she has since spent quite a bit of that and only had maybe $5 total. She sure tricked him! 

Tired out from playing hard all morning with cousins! 

A trip to Boise would not be complete without a pit stop to watch the dogs at pet smart! 

This past week we've had a library date, pillow fights, living room tent camping. 

I also made jam for the first time ever!! And it actually turned out! 

And this weekend my parents and sister's family came to visit!! 

My parents brought a few little surprises for the girls. One of the surprises was little bunny "sling slots" They got good at them fast! 

We played at the park, don't eat Pete!, had the first picnic with hamburgers of the year (thank you 60 degree weather!) and showed them Shoshone falls. There wasn't nearly as much water as there usually is, the kids were more entertained with the giant hills to roll down anyways! 

A few funny stories and pictures from the past few days. 

Anytime Ellie wants something that Kate has she just tells her that her baby doll is crying, Kate drops everything and runs to her baby. Ellie's got this big sister stuff figured out! 

Ellie kept trying to crawl through Kate's legs. The first two times Kate got knocked over because she's not tall enough. She's a quick learner and just started sitting on Ellie every time she would try it. 

Ellenors legs are getting strong. She was a little disappointed that we only rode two miles, she wanted to go farther. 

Cody was talking about eating Panda Express for lunch a couple weeks ago. I couldn't justify spending $30 on one meal (spur of the moment) so we decided to make it instead. So. Much. Better! I don't know why I used to love eating out so much! 

Two funny things Ellie has said on Saturday. #1. "Dad you can't drink all the milk, we won't have any left for the rest of the week. #2. You have to be careful with your little kids! Your being too rough! (Said after she got wiped out from Cody throwing a pillow at her!)

Morning snuggles were interrupted by dad's tickles, she didn't mind at all! 

They loved dancing at the Valentine's Day dance at our church. They both cried when we had to leave at 9pm because there were still people dancing. 

Speaking of Valentine's Day. I convinced Cody to get me a dress instead of flowers or candy. He still got me candy, he's the best! 

More puppies from the library...

Making valentines for dad while mom eats half the batch of cookies. Don't pretend like you don't do it to! 

If I tell the girls we are going to watch a mommy show Ellie asks if it's a good show, house show, or Sofia show. Sofia wins a lot when these two are fighting over what to watch because it's one kid show I don't mind watching. 

That made a boat! 

Last week we caught a stomach bug. It was miserable! Kate slept on our floor and every time she moved I was up. Thank heavens we are over that now! Let's hope we've got our fix in for the next three years! 

It also warmed up into the thirties so we took advantage. Ellie is getting pretty good at running, she ran for over a quarter mile without stopping!!! I can't wait to sign her up for a kids race and get her very own medal! 

Library time! We can't leave without reading for a few minutes first. 

It was in the mid thirties again so we headed to the park after school one day. Unfortunately it's not kept up during the winter, there were no two swings next to each other that weren't broken. A slide is missing from the toddler section and is now just a shoulder high drop off (my shoulder height!)

Ellie and I butt heads a lot, we are very similar. Sometimes I am so proud of who she is and others I'm embarrassed that she has some of my negative traits. But the best thing about this is the relationship she is able to have with her dad. Every night he lays by her and they have a chat about everything that happened that day, some days I hear giggling, some days it's crying. But it's always sound advice from the most amazing man. I hope some day these girls realize just how lucky they are to have him!

My parents came and stayed with us for a couple days while Cody was away on a work trip. My mom used to travel a lot when we were younger and would always bring us a surprise. You had to sit with your hands out and eyes closed so you could get your surprise. We'd even wait up until midnight just to see what she brought. And of course say hi to our mother that we missed dearly! 

Sour cream was heavenly! Cody despises the stuff, I'm trying to eat it all before he gets home and throws it out! Can't waste good food! 

The girls love a Russian show called Masha and the Bear (it's on Netflix translated into English). Babushka and grandpa brought it in Russian to watch and it was more entertaining hearing mom translate and use funny voices! 

Blini for breakfast! (Similar to crepes but Russian) And my first time trying Nutella! It's completely acceptable to eat it on everything... At least in my house it is. 

The girls are already asking when they are coming again but are excited to visit them at the end of the month, I won a race entry in Utah. 

Poor Kate. Hanging out with mom is so exhausting, it was only 11:15am to!