Texas

12 hours in the car with our two little kiddos and a little dvd player for Brighton and Lee Child audiobook for me and Austin and it actually went really well. Our trip was jam packed with lots of fun little things that we were able to do. Cheesecake factory, swimming, duck pond, disney store, merry go round, story time at the library, swimming again, the zoo, cabelas, and me and Austin even got out of the house twice for a mall date and movie date. That was a welcome suprise. Brighton is in love with Keda the old family dog. Poor dog was getting worn out by Brighton but every morning he woke up PUUUPPPYYY!!!!!!!!! He loved her and chased her all through the yard. About twenty times a day he got up and started chasing her. Our newest little niece had her blessing while we were there and she looked so precious. We got to see Courtney and Johns new house which was really beautifully decorated and furnished. Robert Landes came down to play with me and Austin we just love him he is blast. Me and Austin got to go on a date and we went to the mall and actually got to go IN any store we wanted for as long as we wanted it was awesome. There was an awesome sport store that had lots of awesome signatures from the greats that was really cool. And they had a old nintendo store and lego store lots of things and places to go here. Aubrey stole Brightons heart and now whenever he sees her picture he says BREE BREE :) Her arms are sore I am sure but he loved having her attention. All in all a great trip but I am glad to be home again.

Kim and Aleena

Duck pond

Horsies Mom!!!

Ricahrdsons, Stocks, and Houghtons

Robert!!!



Swimming

Early 2 year old Birthday

Breee!!!

My favorite

Conquered the zoo

Kids are FINALLY Well!!!

Well after two terrible months of my two little ones both being super sick I am proud and so happy to say that they are well. Little Leena got RSV and Bronchitos while we were away in Indiana from her adorable brother who was also quite sick that whole trip. So after an adventure to the ER with her and many sleepless days and nights and lots of breathing treatments later she is well. Brighton after returning to Iowa got the weirdest stomach bug...couldnt keep anything down for days and was getting exhaugsted from lack of hydration and seeing a toddler throw up repeatidly is a mix of sadness for them and overwhlemed by the laundry that needs to be done because of it. After 2 days in the pediatric wing of the hospital with the tiny room that had no AC and having baby Leena in tote he is finally eating and drinking and playing again. Its still very fresh in my mind unfortuantly and will go down in my journal as the worst worst worst time in my life...but I made it through it and I am so greatful for healthy kids.

Spring has sprung here in Iowa and its been beautiful. We have been having Brighton play in his big back yard and walking around our awesome subdivison. I love being close to parks and fields for him to play in but most of all I just love our backyard. Austin has been grilling and we love eating supper on the deck. Aleena has her ears pierced and I absolutly love them and think they are adorable. I had my ears pierced as a baby so its very normal to me.

I did get some fun time with my sister Diana who taught me how to make bows and I really enjoyed it! Plus Mom has tons and tons of all sorts of ribbon so it was endless possibilies. We had a photo session with all the cousins and it was so much fun trying to get them still and happy but we did get some cute ones. Disney on Ice was tons of fun and the kids were as perfect as we could have hoped for. We are planning a trip to Texas this month to visit Austins family and we should get to meet our newest niece which we are super excited for. I am dreading the 14 hour drive with the kids and my constant source of annoyance my back. But when we get there we are hoping to go swimming and on walks in the great park and most of all the ZOO!!!  So I will update after our texas trip till then here are some of our newer pictures.