Friendcation, Blue Bonnet, Juan's job- more thoughts and pictures!

My blogging has been replaced by Instagram, so find me on there if you want to keep up more regularly! I do have a lot of pictures that I never posted and so I'll come and post on here and chat away about my thoughts and feelings. Just not weekly like I used to.

 First off Blue Bonnets. This is the first time I've gotten a real photo shoot done since we've been here, but we have taken pictures every year: 2012, 2013, 2014.

Today I wrote my nieces on their missions. They are serving missions for my church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sadie is serving in California and Brooke is in Nicaragua. I wrote that there is always something to worry about, always something that can keep me up at night with anxiety, but the truth is we are happy. We are blessed. We are grateful. And I can always chase away those dark thoughts with the knowledge that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and I have complete faith and trust in that plan. So fair warning, this post will continue to be super happy and ideal-looking, but please know that we have our things just like everyone else.

 

We had the best vacation with our friends to Galveston. We went with friends to Galveston in 2012 2012 again and 2013 also, skipped last year because a few of us had newborns. It was so good to be back! And to watch the kids be big enough to play with friends! They played Rapunzel and ponies and barbies. And after the kids went to bed at night, we stayed up and played reverse charades, pot, battle of the sexes. We talked and laughed and ate a lot of junk. We went to the beach during the day and out to lunch and took a ferry ride. We stopped at the Blue Bell factory on the way. It was such a memorable trip! My dear dear friends, I am so grateful to have them.

 Amelia started back up at dance.

 Oscar cracking me up at the grocery store.

 I love this picture of me and Jen. She is a great friend and someone I admire and want to be more like.

 Easter with great friends.

 Working on his fitness.

 I got an iPhone and am turning into a little bit of a selfie maniac. I cannot help it. All these memories I am capturing! A lot of me and Juan. I'll cherish them forever.

 Posing in front of the Round Rock. 

 Maya's smile that sings to my soul.

 Amelia and her love of bugs. She loves a rolly poley or a lady bug.

 Amelia's preschool field trip to the firehouse!

 I ran a 5k with Kasee and Amber! I was so proud of myself, I went in wanting to run the whole way and to get my fastest average pace. And I achieved both! My pace was 10:34.

 We went to the poppy festival in Georgetown this weekend and ate corn dogs and Frito pie and danced to a live band and walked around checking out booths. It was a 93 degree day, we are getting hot over here.

My girls.

April was a month of changes. Juan started his new job and it is going well! Sometimes we laugh about what a grown up job it is. He is so capable and prepared and I am proud of his hard work. But we still feel like kids. 30 year olds with three children of our own, I guess we are not kids anymore. I also put in my most miles running this month. I have started running 4+ miles in the mornings and last week I ran 6 days and put in 19.95 miles that week. Me. I wouldn't have believed it. I do enjoy the running, but I mostly enjoy getting out by myself. My kids are wonderful and it is nothing to complain about being surrounded by adorable children all day, but I do like my time alone. I love to be outside, enjoy the green grass and the blue sky and the wind on my face. It is very therapeutic. Last week was an enigma, I do not intend to run 6 days a week. But I am so glad that I enjoy it so much. 

Thanks for sticking around if you got this far. I hope you enjoyed the link-ups, I love going back in time. 

Our Girl Amelia

 Amelia had a birthday! I think this girl is the best little girl around. She is just a delight. So sweet and so wonderful. Her newest thing is "I hope you have a good time!" That is what she says to us when we put her down to bed. She is so sweet.

 I think we look alike in this one.

 I took Amelia to Kindergarten registration last week and we got to tour the school. She got a little antsy during the tour, which was led by 4th graders who happened to be very thorough. But we loved her school and she is getting excited to go to the big school after summer.

 Small detour to talk about these cuties. Oscar doing his evil eye that he often gives strangers. But he does not break. And it is not usually accompanied by a smile. And below, my current favorite picture of Maya.

 This picture is the best. I asked them to pose for a picture and Maya loathes pictures so much sometimes, that she went boneless. Ha!

 Amelia decided to clean the house today for daddy. She picked up the toy room, her room, the kitchen table, and the family room. She even went around with the hand vac and spot checked each room. Life saver.

 She is very sweet with her friends. Quiet and reserved, but just so kind and excited about her friends.

 She and Maya play barbies for hours on end. They are up playing barbies right now when I put them to bed over an hour ago. I love to hear their imaginations go wild.

 But Amelia's most favorite thing to do is crafting. Coloring, drawing, stickers, scissors, glue. Our table is constantly covered in "projects". And we love it so much.

 Amelia is very logical. We talked about cutting her hair and her first reaction was no way! And then I told her it would be cooler in the summer, easier to brush through after swimming, and that it will grow back. I asked her to think about it. A few hours later she said, my hair will grow back mom? And decision made, we cut her hair.

 She is sporty. She loves to run and do races with Juan and Maya. She is great at catch and riding her bike. She loves to try anything new that is active.

 She loves to laugh. She has this fake laugh that just cackles on when she thinks Oscar is doing something cute, but then it turns into a real laugh because she always makes me laugh. 

 She is funny! She has a dance she does where she rolls her arms and kind of hunches over and moves from side to side. Can't explain it, but she does it to make us laugh or if she won something. She also lip syncs in the car, and rocks out while she does it. I love to watch her through my rear view mirror.

 And some other gems from the last few weeks:

 Park pictures!

 Girls on a mission.

Girls night out to see Cinderella!

We just love our girl. Happy Five Amelia!