If you're looking for our big news....

For the few people who are still trickling in to see what the big news is from the email I sent, don't worry- our big news is not Jacey dressing up in my clothes. Posting the REAL big news started me on a blogging streak to play catch-up from the last month or so, and doing so pushed the important post to halfway down the second page. If you want to see what we've been up to for the last month, read away. Otherwise, just go to the next page and scroll down. It won't hurt my feelings, I promise :)

Dress-up

The night we got home, I didn't have time to completely unpack before I put Jacey to bed. She fell asleep in our bed, and when we went in to move her later, this is what we found. She found the pile of clothes that I hadn't put away yet, and put them on over her pajamas. Pretty stylish, don't you think?

I am SO spoiled....

Mom and I in the Marriott center, waiting for Sis. Beck's talk

The "Daffer girls" reunion :) Linda, Joleena, Marissa, me, Mom, and Karah

My sister-in-law Natalie had a great idea last fall for us girls to all attend Women's Conference at BYU together. My mom thought it was a wonderful idea and was the one to make it happen. We were sad that it didn't work out for Natalie to come with her school schedule, but it was still a wonderful weekend. Women's conference was wonderful, of course. The speakers were all great and attending things like that always encourage me to try just a little harder to be a little better. Adding to the fun was the fact that my Aunt Linda was there with most of her girls (we missed you Em!) one of which was my college roommate at BYU. It was fun to be back on campus again, and I had major flashbacks to my own college days, especially being there with Marissa. We had fun laughing about old stories and funny things that happened. Racing to the classes that I wanted to attend before they filled up, taking all of my own shortcuts, and even eating at my old favorite restaurants brought back old memories as well. Most of all it was fun to have that time to spend with just my mom and I, something that we don't have very often. Thanks again Mom! I had the best time!

A BEAUTIFUL spring day

We are adjusting from spring being perfect weather but not quite as pretty to spring being beautiful but pretty rainy at times. So... when we get the PERFECT spring day (sunny, 80 degrees) we go outside in the morning and never come inside until bedtime. One perfect spring day just happened to fall on a Monday, and we had the perfect family night at the park. We had a picnic dinner, played on toys, then had a family soccer game. It was a wonderful day and makes me look forward to summer even more!

We did the Puyallup!

We've been looking forward to the Puyallup fair, a tradition of Dan's from growing up around this area. A few weeks ago was the Spring Fair, a much smaller scale version of the "real" Puyallup fair. Our kids, not knowing any different, were just as thrilled to attend this one. We enjoyed our fair food, went on rides, saw the reptile exhibit, and saw a magic show.

Broden's first "real" ride ever. I don't think he was really tall enough for it, but when they made him stand against the pole he wouldn't stand still so they just let him go through. I didn't realize until we got up there that we only had enough tickets for one of us to go, so I sent him on by himself, thinking I'd just watch to make sure he did ok, and if he didn't I could probably get them to let him off. Then they shut all the doors and I realized Broden isn't even tall enough to see over the door, so I couldn't even see his head. I was slightly nervous during the ride that by the end I would have one traumatized little boy, but he came off all smiles and giggles!

Jacey and Broden loved this little canoe ride- the only one he was technically big enought to go on. Too bad we had to wait an hour for it!

Jacey and I on the ferris wheel. Jacey was pretty sure she could see our friends in Texas from the top.



Broden's first experience with cotton candy. Do you think he liked it? :)

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Happy Easter!

We had a fun Easter weekend this year. Saturday morning was the ward Easter egg hunt and breakfast. It took Broden awhile to realize that he didn't have to stop to open every egg after he picked it up, but Jacey knew the drill and filled one basket, then came back and got her cousin's basket to fill as well. Later that day the Easter bunny came to our house and the kids opened their baskets. Sunday morning they were both excited to wear their fancy new clothes, and Jacey was just as excited about her accessories (the lace gloves, purse, and hat that she just knew her dress wouldn't be complete without, and Grandma completely agreed!) as she was her dress. We love Easter, and are so grateful for the real reason to celebrate. We love our Savior and are so blessed to know that lived, died, and was resurrected for us!

One more picture I just couldn't resist posting....

Week in Toledo

My Grandma Johnston with my kids and I

Grandma Johnston's spring break was last month, so the kids and I decided to make a trip out of it and go down to Toledo for a few days to spend some time with her and my dad. It was so fun! We packed it full of lots of fun things. The first day we went down to Portland, picked up my Grandma, and went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory with my aunt and cousin who I haven't seen in a couple years. Then we did what we do best...went shopping! My mom spoiled my kids and bought them darling Easter clothes. The rest of the week was lots of visiting, catching up, eating, (my mom is SUCH a good cook!) and fun. Dan joined us on Saturday morning. We had beautiful weather while we were there, which was perfect for wagon rides down to the end of the road and back, laying in the backyard looking at the clouds, and riding bikes. It was such a relaxing week, and I'm so glad we were able to go!

Weekend with some Dallas friends

We knew that we missed a lot of our friends from school, but until you see them again sometimes you don't realize how much! We were excited to find out that Dallas had his acupuncture exam in Portland, and even more excited when him and Abi flew into Seattle so we could spend the weekend with them. The first night we drove down to Portland, stayed with our friends Clint and Jen (also from school), and had lots of fun catching up with their family. The next day during Dallas' exam we went to Multnomah Falls, and had fun in Portland. We found a new restaraunt that we liked right on the water and would love to go back there next time in Portland. Then we came back up north where Dallas and Abi stayed one more day with us and we did the Seattle thing. It's so fun to see good friends, even if it's only for a couple days!

Seattle Aquarium

We were brave and ventured up to the aquarium during spring break on the $2 day. Craziness!! If it was a better aquarium I would say it would have been worth it to pay full price and not fight the crowds. I was a little disappointed in the attractions, especially since Seattle is such a waterfront city. It was fun to be down around the waterfront, but it would have been nice if they would have had an octupus, sharks, or something a little more exciting than a lot of salmon! :) I'm told the aquarium at Point Defiance is actually better, so we'll have to check that one out next. All in all, it was still a fun day and got us out of the house!

Looking older...

I realized after some comments on my previous post that I haven't posted any pictures of Jacey's new look. I bit the bullet and chopped her hair. After the initial shock, I love it. I miss all of the fun ideas I used to use off of all the cute hair blogs out there, but we had been using those little elastics for so long that her hair was starting to break and I felt like we just needed a fresh start. It's hard to tell from the picture, but my sister-in-law's sister-in-law (did I lose you?:) gave her a cute A-line bob with lots of cute layers in the back. I think it's darling and makes her look older.

Another thing that is contributing to the "older" look on Jacey is her newly missing tooth. OK my dental wife friends out there, ask your husbands if that's normal. I don't know when I expected her to lose her first tooth, but it wasn't yet! She was thrilled, and we had a lot of fun with our first visit from the tooth fairy.

The news everyone's been suspicious of, but just waiting to hear....

....We're having a baby! We're expecting the newest member of our family in November, and couldn't be more thrilled! I have officially hit my 12-week mark, and it's a good thing because I don't think I could have kept the secret much longer. I've learned that it's much easier to keep a pregnancy to yourself when you're feeling good, which I always have in the past (for the most part). For some reason this pregnancy decided to bring with it every possible symptom full speed ahead. Fortunately I am just beginning my second trimester and fully expecting a very near end to all the unfavorable early-pregnancy symptoms :) Jacey and Broden are so excited! I realize Broden looks like he could care less, but in his defense I took those pictures after he had already been sleeping for an hour. I forgot that I meant to take them before he was in bed and was bummed because I thought I was going to have to wait until tomorrow. Lucky for me, but unlucky for him, he fell out of bed and woke up anyways. I seized the opportunity for the photo shoot to make our announcement and he did not give me his most cooperative smiles. Jacey is really hoping for a girl, but Broden wants a boy. We told them yesterday, and I am grateful that we waited until we were ready for EVERYONE to know. I was congratulated today by many complete strangers at church, all of whom mysteriously serve in primary. Hmm....