End of Summer

Today we went to the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Phippen as well as cousins Grace and Gabe. Emma doesn't get to play with these cousins very often as Grace lives in California and Gabe...well he lives in Salt Lake and we have not one good excuse as to why we don't play more. We need to work on that! I have never seen such happy 4yr olds who just thouroughly enjoyed every aspect of the zoo. When asked what her favorite thing was Emma responded "the baby Giraffe!".
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa P for giving my girls such great memories!


This is what the boys did while we were at the zoo. Thanks Danielle!
(I know I post a lot of pictures of them sleeping but honestly, it is so adorable how they fit together like puzzle pieces!)

Easter Eggs and Boys Together

This week has been crazy to say the least. Not as crazy as last week but a very close second!
Thanks to all our babysitters this week. Both Kent and I have amazing family that stepped up this week and helped make sure our girls had a great time and were very well taken care of. Aunt Hannah even dyed Easter eggs since of course I forgot! Thank goodness to great aunts!!!:) I just honestly want to thank everyone who has helped out this week and offered help to us this week. We have been really blessed! I don't know what I would do without all of you!

Today Mack and Morgan were reunited! It was so much fun tonight to go up for our date night to only one hospital and get to see both boys! The Dr at McKay actually called and said that their NICU received another "bundle of joy" (his words, not mine!:)). He also told us that Mack must have enjoyed the ambulance ride so much that he ended up getting off oxygen en route. Also since Mack came back they let Morgan out of the incubator so they are both in the open air crib together!!!

We have another potential problem though. Kent and I both thought we would know who was who but honestly, we were a little bit stumped at first. The nurse asked us if they were identical and we told her that we didn't think so. She was surprised and said that she would have guessed that they are identical. What do you think? Can you tell who is who? (Mack has the little jacket with the hood and Morgan doesn't).
I won't lie to you. I also felt an overwhelming sense of tiredness! I can't believe we have twins let alone boys and that I get to take care of them with my other girls!!! Exciting and very overwhelming! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kent was especially great tonight. He took the boys in his arms and gave them a little "pep" talk for the future. I won't tell you everything he said but he did tell them that when their older sisters start to date that they need to be pests and scare off any other boys that might be coming into our house. I just laughed and told him that the girls will be the ones who are watching out for the boys not the other way around.

In all we are really grateful though with everything so far and look forward to having the entire family under one roof. For now though, we will take 2!:)
Happy Easter!!! Hope you all have a great weekend!

My Little Equestrians

For those of you who don't know this little known fact about me, I used to ride horses. When I was in grade school I was a member of Crestwood Pony Club, which is an organization that teaches young kids how to care, ride and compete in English riding. Growing up in cowboy country did not really make you popular among the horse people and to be honest I never really LOVED it like my sisters did. Which is why I find it so interesting that my family is into horses once again this time with a small shetland pony, a huge Norwegian Fjord and a husband and dad who is allergic to horses. Yes, Kent has told me that I am solo on this route of lessons.

So yesterday Emma had another riding lesson at Grandma's barn on Pocket with her awesome teacher Mitchell. (another Pony Cluber, and a lot better than me!) Then today Claire had her therapy session on Rebekah Dill at the National Ability Center. Both of my girls are doing great and really enjoying the horses. I am enjoying the time that I get to spend with them riding. It is amazing how things come full circle isn't it.

I have included two pictures, one of Emma on Pocket and the other of Claire on Dill. You will have to click on Claire's picture to see her but yes, she is riding the horse backwards. Something I never did or tried!

Emma, my Prima Donna

This past month has flown by so fast I can't believe that next week is October! We have had a great month playing, starting preschool, decorating for the fall and just enjoying our time.

In the past month Emma decided that she was going to be a ballerina for Halloween. I don't have any idea where she got this idea but am more than happy to buy a ballerina costume that will actually work or when she starts dance! So today we went to the store to pick out her leotard and I realized (I don't know why I didn't catch on before!) that she had definate opinions about her costume. I was naturally going for a long sleeved leotard while she as insistant on have a sleeveless black one. We made a compromise and she got the sleeveless but realizes that she will need to wear a sweater when the actual day comes around! She looked so cute today trying it on and then for the past 3 hours just dancing around and showing me what she could do. I don't think I ever was that excited about any Halloween costume I had. In my family you always had to go to the basement and figure out a costume from the hand me downs. I was never anything really exciting and I don't think my mom ever made or bought me a costume. I didn't realize that there was anything different!:)

On a side note, Claire this past Tuesday took 5 steps on her own!!!! Yes, I know that it was only 5 but she was holding the hula hoop at kindermusic and all of a sudden she was walking. Of course when she realized that she had done it she fell down crying but I am so thrilled! The day of not having to carry her everywhere is coming soon. I can feel it:)