February In Review

Birthday time! My sweet fam made me feel really special on my birthday. Jordan was more then happy to help me blow out the candles on the cake. What a good helper. Natalie is a little confused about the whole candles on cake idea. 

Here, Daddy and Jordan are working on the cake. Gotta make sure those sprinkles go on just right. 

Jordan put in the candles that spell Happy Birthday. Can you tell? I love that the "A" in happy is almost lost in the cake. Way to go J Man. 

Happy Valentines Day! We had fun making valentines for each other, making/eating sugar cookies and sharing them with neighbors, and it doesn't hurt to get some roses too. Thanks sweetie!

Bath time! Jordan and Natalie get so excited about bath time. If one of them is having a bath the other wants to get in too. 

I always think Natalie looks adorable after every bath when she is wrapped up in a towel, so we finally got a picture of it. So adorable. 

Sleepy baby. 

Here are some pictures of when I needed to wake Natalie up before she woke up on her own. She was so out of it, that of course I had to take some pictures to document this funny moment. I can see her looking the same way getting up for school as a teenager. 

Sis and Bro hanging out together. 

Jordan really wanted to hold Natalie... she was mostly ok with it. I like his proud big brother smile. :)

Hair time! I have been trying to do more then just brush Natalie's hair lately. Here is my first attempt at pig tails. She actually sat and let me do her hair for a few seconds, which gives me hope for the future. She might actually let me do her hair, unlike myself with my Mom (sorry about that Mom, in my defense... I don't remember giving you a hard time).

Jordan even got into that hair time. He had fun clipping berets onto a head band. He'll be really embarrassed about this picture someday... but I think it's a cute memory. We always have fun times in the simple things at our house. I love it.

 "Is Dad home yet?" 

At the end of the day the kiddos can't wait for their awesome Dad to come home so they can go play, dance, wrestle, or jump on the bed with him. Dad's with young kids really should feel like rock stars when they come home... because they are in the eyes of their kids. 

Gilbert Temple

We had the wonderful blessing of being able to attend the Gilbert Temple open house. Though it was a busy time (handling two active kiddos) with lots of people coming and going, there was still a very peaceful and sacred feeling inside of the temple.  

While walking through the temple, I was impressed at all of the breathtaking stain glass everywhere. Inside the temple there was a very obvious theme of agave art. Agave is a plant that is seen here in the desert often. It is a plant that looks a lot like an aloe vera plant, but it also has a long (up to 26 ft tall) flower that shoots out the top. 

Here Natalie and Daddy are walking around the temple. Aren't they just the cutest?

Temples always have some sort of water feature and of course no kid can go without touching it. Our kids are no different. They had a blast touching the water and I am happy to announce no one fell in. Yay! That's a success for us (reference Portland, Oregon Temple.. not so lucky)!

Here is a view of the temple that shows a closer look at the beautiful stained glass. Temples always draw our gaze heavenward; physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Here Preston is tossing Natalie in the air. I was lucky enough to catch a picture of her joy and laughter. She loves it! Jordan had fun climbing on anything that would get him up high. Good times all around. 

Here are the cutest kids ever! 

I think it's so sweet that Jordan put his arm around his sister. It is also fun to note that what Jordan and Natalie were wearing just happened to match with the flowers behind them. We love our sweet kiddos so much and are so grateful to have the knowledge that we are sealed to them for all eternity. 

It was wonderful to be in one of Heavenly Father's holy temples where sacred promises can be made that will last forever. The spirit was strong, calm, and oh so happy. Families are forever. How thankful we are for temples. 

Holiness to the Lord. The House of the Lord.