Mini-Vacation!

Doug and I planned a last min trip during his spring break to Dallas. Its only 2 hours away and we thought, why not? We planned some super fun activities and now Bella is old enough to really enjoy the activities as much as we do. We left Wednesday mid morning (no rush) and got to Dallas around one in the afternoon and headed straight to Ripley's museum. Bella was so cute when we got there. She was dying to go inside the "castle." and kept saying "i wanna go in the castle!" "come on!" how cute is she!?

We went inside and it was a lot bigger than we thought. They had a mirror maze, a wax museum of famous people, a laser game and a Ripley's museum history section. Bella really enjoyed all of it. we let her walk with us and she was amazingly good until the end only because she was so tired. We left and headed to our hotel. After we settled in we decided to get freshened up and go out to dinner. we looked up some places to eat from the show dinners, diners, and dives and OMG best idea ever! we went to a Hamburger place named Twisted Root Burger (the best hamburger place in Texas.) and it sure was good! Doug was very happy with me for picking such a Delicious place to eat lol.

On Thursday we planned to go to the zoo and the aquarium. However the Dallas zoo was way bigger than we expected and we didn't make it to the aquarium that day. But the zoo was every ones favorite part of the trip hands down! Bella is still talking about seeing all the animals:) we saw i think 10 giraffe's, 4 elephants, 2 gorillas, a couple rhino's and those where just my favorite! Bella's favorite part was the kids zoo. It had tons of rocks to climb, a horse and camel to ride and her absolutely favorite part was the water area. we didn't plan on her getting wet but we did bring extra clothes for her in case of accident so that worked out perfectly because she went from getting her legs wet to sitting in the water and getting soaked!

We also got to feed some birds. It was really neat! you pay for bird good extend your arms and they land on your arms and you can feed them. I was okay with one but then 3 landed on my arm and i started getting nervous so Doug took a turn. Bella really loved them but one bird tried to peck her so she didn't want to pet anymore after that just watch. It was really fun!

Our last and final day was loads of fun too! we went to Lego land! we stood in line for about an hour but luckily it was kinda early so Bella just wanted to sit in her stroller and watch a movie while we waited (phew!) and we got pretzels while we waited so it really wasn't bad at all and time went by fast. We got inside and rode on a cool game ( a lot like the toy story game in Disney world) and well...Bella like it and Doug LOVED it! he totally beat our score and was proud. We saw a cute 10 min 4D movie inside and played with LOTS of Lego's and I'm pretty sure Doug won the best dad award ever. Bella and Doug played together the  ENTIRE time! He even helped her sing a little karaoke because she was nervous. We left there after about 2 hours and had all the intentions in the world of going back since we could come in and out as we pleased without having to stand in line anymore but we ended up walking threw the whole mall that Lego land was in and we went to the aquarium (that was also in this mall) but it was a bit of a bust. super tiny and very crowded. I think we where in it for maybe 20 minutes. but by that time we where tired and ready to head home.

we really had such an amazing time together! and every night we where all exhausted! Bella is still chatting about the animals and today asked if we could go to "eggo land.'' i love memories like these and cant wait for many many many more! especially since we know Doug isn't going anywhere far any time soon for any other holidays, birthdays, etc. life is good!

Happy Valentines Day!!

This year was THE BEST valentines day EVER! Doug and I spent three different days to celebrate. First we went on a date a week before to buy new running shoes. We both needed and wanted new running shoes and what better way to get motivated then to get matching cute shoes!? It was so fun and just nice going out just the two of us. Then on actual valentines day Bella and I both got flowers and Balloons and i really did LOVE my flowers but what i loved more than that was Bellas face when she realized that she got her own flowers from daddy! Her face was just amazed, and happy. She really did feel special and it was so adorable to see her face light up. I had also made doug a cute picture frame that says "i love you because..." and you write on the oustide what you love about them. Its such a cute and fun idea to make eachother feel loved and luckily fo rme my husband likes that kind of stuff so he was happy:). We ordered heart shape pizza, drank some sparkling cider and enjoyed valentines day as a family loving eachother! It truly was a FUN and perfect Valentines day. And thirdly Doug and i went on an official v-day date the next saturday. We swapped kids with some friends so they could go out friday and we would go out the next day. Doug and i went to Olive garden one of our fav restaurants and then watched "The Vow." I was super excited because doug and i have been talking about watching it since we saw the first preview. We had such a good time and i really appreciate the little and much needed one on one time we have. I couldnt have asked for a better husband and valentine<3

Happy New Year!

This year I finally cracked down and gave myself some much needed goals! Every year im too scared to set goals for myself but i finally did. These are a few of my goals in no paticular order.

1. Be patient with Bella ALWAYS! i know this is not possible but ive gotten so much better at not being angry and just calmly talking to her when shes in trouble. Im still stern but patient and again calm and she listens so much better. I feel like a btter mother already.

2. Be a more loving and thoughtful wife. I have been blessed with a very adoring husband. He is always bringing home cute suprises, sending me sweet text messages and just overal very loving. I am not as awesome as him and for a while i struggled with making my marriage as big of a priority as being a mother but now i realized its just as important! so watch out doug cute notes and thoughts are going your way! haha

3. cooking dinner more often. And i have! ive learned so many recipies off pinterest and cooking has been a lot more fun. I have been very proud of myself and i feel like my family is eating better because we dont go out to eat junk as often.

4. Be more organized and clean. So far so good. ive been pretty proud of myself. my biggest struggle is still laundry but were getting better and so far its only february so i have 10 more months to master it.

5. Pray with my husband every night.

6. Go to Church every sunday.

7. Workout out 5 days a week and eat more veggies.

8. Go back to School.

9. Make Family Home Evening a priority.

Trampoline Time!

We Just moved to Texas again and the weather is usually nice but every now and then a cold day or two. We havent been here during the summer yet but we hear its super hot and i believe them. Doug and I have been talking about getting our gymnastic loving princess a trampoline when we moved here and im happy to say we finally did! Im happy to report Bella loved it as much as we thought! We have a hard time getting her off and we couldnt be happier. Doug and I both grew up with amazing trampoline memories and we cant wait for it to get super hot outside so we can put a sprinkler underneath and and just have a blast! Bella's new favorite sentence, "Wanna jump with me!?"

Welcome home doug!

Doug came home late last night and i couldn't be happier! Bella stayed the night with grandma Simpson so we wouldn't have to keep her up and this morning when we picked her up she was very happy to see BOTH of us. she was pretty shy at first but all smiles. we went out to breakfast w my in-laws and molly, it was so nice just chatting w everyone but I'm pretty sure everyone was just fighting for Doug's attention (smile.) after Doug and i went and hung out w my parents and finally Bella and I got him all to ourselves! we went and did a little Christmas shopping and ended our night watching Christmas movies and the three of us cuddling:). Bella wont let him out of her sight now and having him home feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! What a great way to start christmas week!

Its beggining to feel a lot like christmas!

A month ago Doug called me to let me know he was going to be home in time for Christmas. Ever since then Ive been so excited for Christmas! Last Friday Bella and i kicked off the holiday by going to my mother in laws work party. it was sooooo fun! Her work rented out the majestic theatre and when we walked in they handed us a baggy full of treats. they where so cute! We got some popcorn and drinks and watched Rio. Which was an adorable movie by the way. When the movie got out Santa was waiting for us and all the kids got to sit on his lap (or in Bella's case by his side) and then got another bag of fun little toys. We had such a blast! We ended up spending the day with Grandpa and Grandma Simpson and we even got Bella a beautiful nativity set she can play with. It was so fun!

Sunday night we got into the holiday spirit a little more. I went to my moms and made some delicious sugar cookies. We made homemade frosting and decorated them and just had fun. My mom's neighbor and our friend Lynn came over too and we where just able to chat and laugh. Bella pretty much played with my dad the whole time but i know that as she gets older and if we keep these fun traditions she'll eventually love them just as much and will always remember them. Doug will be home in 4 days and then it will REALLY feel like Christmas. I cant wait!

My growing girl.

Bella is just a growing little bee these days. she says 3-4 word sentences and can hold a conversation with you. She knows the color pink, yellow, purple, black, blue, green, white but has trouble with red. she counts to 17 and some of her ABC's. she can jump with both feet and land on both feet. She does somersaults, rolls on her side, and can balance on the balance beam by herself! she knows how to jump on the trampoline. She can drink out of a regular cup but tends to spill a bit. She sleeps in a toddler bed now. She's really good at talking on the phone. She can put her pants, shirt, socks, even gloves on by herself and some shoes. She can name almost everyone she's ever played with. She also reminds me to pray before we eat dinner and before bed. she fold her arms and says "heavenly father, thanks for day..." and then waits for me to add in (smile).

Some of my favorite sentences that she says are, "Mom, i NEED that..."

"No Chicka i princess! (or Bella, or mommy, whoever she wishes to be at that moment.)"

or my absolute favorite she'll come up to me wherever i am force herself on me and hug me and say "i love you, love you more, i love you" over and over again:)

She talks a lot and getting smarter every day! I love love LOVE watching her learn and grow. Being a mom is my calling in life<3