A Peek at the Poulsens

I can't believe I can't come up with a better title for this post than UTAH but there it is. I've waited a few weeks to compose this post - partly because real life came at us real hard when we got back and I haven't had a chance, and partly because it's overwhelming to log such a big experience with all its pictures and happenings. Things I was nervous about before the trip: how the drive would go if the kids would sleep at all in the hotel managing Stockton Amazingly, the kids were absolute ANGELS in the car. Seriously couldn't have done any better than they did. They were calm, cool, and collected the entire 12-13 hours, starting at 4am. I was so proud of them! We didn't have any potty accidents (although Natalie did pee on the side of the road once haha), and they weren't whiny or needy at all. They were content to watch movies and look out the window and fall asleep and just wait patiently.  Bless my mom for letting us steal her ...

Sam and Hayden stopped in Nebraska on their way to move to Provo from Arkansas. We have been so happy to spend time with them! We'll do our traditional penne rosa dinner tonight and hope to see them again soon.  We went to the zoo! (With Mimi, too!) Natalie wore her swimsuit and was thrilled to get splashed  We saw the aquarium, desert dome, and rainforest this time. Next time we planned petting zoo, butterflies, and splash park. Sam and I noticed we were representing our schools with shirt/hat. Didn't even plan it. Also, I feel short. For family night we took the kids to Pranch (Pizza Ranch) and it wasn't a total disaster. Typically we avoid sit-down restaurants as a family because it's so hard to keep Stockton in a seat, and Jack too, but Pranch sounded fun and spontaneous and we mostly made it work. I'm always sort of relieved when it's over haha. We leave tomorrow for Utah! Poulsen family vacay!! I've been feeling anxious ...

My mom got Natalie this ballet outfit for Christmas with the intent to have her take lessons, but we never looked further into it. Natalie wanted to get all dressed up like a ballerina yesterday, complete with hair, and she took it very seriously. I can't believe how grown-up and beautiful she looks!  Isn't she just perfect? I love my pretty, curious, helpful girl SO much.  We had a rough few days after preschool ended, but once we got used to the new routine we all settled in just fine. Natalie loves doing projects, planning activities, and scheduling outings. She is learning how not to ask for everything at the store, or to do every fun thing every day. I feel more proud of her every day, she's just so completely wonderful and I'm so grateful she's mine!  Stickers, pioneer dress-up, and a nice outfit she wanted to go show the neighbors but they weren't home so I sent them this picture I can't remember why/where we took this picture, but ...

Max got a cat! Ripley is 9 weeks old and super fuzzy and teeny and cute. We had a (horrible) cat growing up named Tee who bit and scratched us and only loved my mom. We didn't get a new one because turns out I'm super allergic and Max and I fought about it here and there but I always won because, well, him wanting a cat didn't trump my shriveled lungs. Now that I've been out of the house for 8 years I felt like it was time to give up my anti-cat fight and make Max's dream come true. Hopefully with an allergy pill and not touching him, I'll be fine. Fingers crossed. The kids went CRAZY for Ripley. They love him too much haha. Natalie is learning to be gentle; Ripley is learning to run away from Jack. Stockton calls him "Rip-uh-wee" and yells at him "HIII RIPUWEE!!!!" or "RIPUWEE, WHERE ARE YOU!!!??" It's comical and entertaining. You can't really tell quite how small Ripley really is...he's tiny!!! He s...

I'm in baby heaven. Three of my friends have had babies within a month and it's glorious. I'm finding it to be very satisfying to enjoy their babies while I don't have my own currently - every time I've been around babies the past 5 years I've been distracted by my own, but now that Jack is 2 and definitely not a baby I really feel like I can love on and fully be with these babies. To be truthful I thought I'd be more jealous, but mostly I'm just happy for my friends and happy to help while I'm not in that particular mode right now.  Camille <3 (doesn't Austin look good with a baby?) And the Beddes twins! I couldn't believe I was holding TWO newborn babies. It was insane. Tuli and Jorji couldn't be more sweet. Side note: How do you handle kids getting out of bed when they are supposed to be going to sleep? I know I need to be consistent and firm but when Natalie slips out of bed and calls to me in her little high Natalie-v...