Royal Treatment

Part of the joy of being prego at 35 is swelling feet. 

My feet are killing me by the end of the night.

These little angels decided that they were going to help my poor little piggies feel better.

SWEETHEARTS

Soccer time

We were just having a delightful time hanging out at jj's soccer game enjoying the wonderful weather.

I thought I should share these pics since they are adorable.  

Love this one.

Papa and JJ

Mowing lawns and sidewalk art

It is crazy to me how fast time flies.  I remember when I was younger and my oldest cousin would mow my grandparents lawn.  I remember thinking when we had JJ that I hope he gets the same opportunity with his grandparents.  I remember Nana making tuna sandwiches for John after a job well done.  Then Granddaddy and Nana would sit and chat with John.  I always thought that was such a neat thing.  Well the day has arrived and JJ is now mowing my parents yard, and getting that precious one on one time with his grandparents.  We headed over for family night because Jeron had to stay late for work.  JJ is going to do a great job.  I know he wants to do a good job for them.  It will be a lot of hard work but this is a good thing for JJ. 

The girls had a great time decorating the driveway with sidewalk chalk. 

Emma does some pretty awesome pictures

Ellie was thrilled just to be outside and in her swimsuit

Elsie spent time working on her letters especially the letter H.

She too loves to be in her swimsuit. 

JJ did a pretty good job and hopefully this is something he finds rewarding because of a job well done. 

Grandma's Birthday Party

After Kylie's games today we headed over to Jeff and Tara's to have a birthday party for Grandma Jan.  It was a lot of fun.  We had yummy food, the kids played volleyball and other games in the yard and we just had a nice night. 

Kylie and Mac

All the kids having a blast in the back yard.  I love how Ellie is totally ready for the volleyball to come. 

Happy Birthday Grandma.  We love you.

A day with everything

Today was a crazy day but a good day.  The kids cousin Kylie was playing softball in K-Town so we decided it would be fun to go hang out at some of the games.  I am still on take it easy so I was a bit nervous but it sounded so nice.  The weather was perfect and who doesn't love to watch a good game. 

I let Ellie ditch school so she could go see Kylie play.  The older two were not as lucky. 

After our big outing we had to take Ellie back to school and I took pictures of her class in the library.  I can't believe we are almost done with the yearbooks.  After yearbooks we picked up the kids and headed to Kylie's next game.  After the game everyone came back here and jumped on the trampoline.  It was a lot of fun.  When Jeron got home Jan took us to dinner at Olive Garden.  It was so yummy.  I have been craving that for a while now.  When we got home it was time to get the little ladies to bed.  JJ slept over at Jeff and Tara's with his cousins and Emma opted to stay home because the little ladies felt bad they didn't get to go.  (She is a sweet sister)  I left Miss Emma reading on the couch while I got the girls down and when I came back out this is how I found our sweet little lady.  

She looked so sweet.

She must have been exhausted. 

She slept there the whole night.

Don't worry I did move the book.

Miss Independent

Ellie has become little Miss Independent. 

She pretty much does what she wants and usually it is fine.

Today Jeron and I were off talking and things were going on in the kitchen.

We came in to find that Ellie had gotten out the ice cream.

She had gotten out a bowl, and spoon.

She even scoped it herself.

My favorite part though was that she put sprinkles on it.

I will have to say I don't approve of ice cream before dinner

but in this case I will make an exception.

Sometimes I just need a little snuggle too.

Lately things around here have been a little on the dull side.  I am feeling like I am very prego and it is taking a toll on this little lady.   She misses me carrying her, playing games on the floor, coloring on the floor, running around.  Right now she has the "no fun mom".  This is really hard on me.  So tonight when she wanted to sleep with me I decided that I needed the snuggles just as much as she did.  It is so exciting to have a new little baby on the way but it does also make me miss my other baby too.  Elsie is going to be a wonderful big sister but she has been my baby for the past four years.  I hope her and I will be okay with the change. 

Soccer season is fast upon us.  We thought our first game was going to be a warm one but boy were we wrong.  The day was beautiful and sunny and then we pulled into the parking lot and the wind started howling.  We got out set up and then came the rain.  We hurried back into the car and watched JJ play from there.  He scored a goal and this is the first time I have honked the horn to cheer.  We were all so excited. 

Silly little ladies

They sure make me giggle.  They just love to do silly things.  Elsie is always so good about including Ellie in all of her adventures.  They are great sisters.

Diva Delight

This is a common scene around our house.  These girls are having so much fun together.  I love watching these little ladies play together.  I hope they can always have a close relationship.

Jump Jump Jump

We made a family night out of setting up the trampoline.

I think the kids had a lot of fun doing this.

They all really pitched in and helped to get the job done.

Reaping the rewards of their hard work.

Easter Time

Easter this year was a bit different at the Snow home.

Usually we just get baskets for the kids but we decided to throw a twist.  

In each of their baskets there was a Scavenger Hunt note.

They were pretty excited to find their baskets, find the hidden eggs, and search the yard for their new

TRAMPOLINE!!!!

Only I might be lying about the excited part.

My kids lack this emotion.

But they were happy to get one. Haha.  I was more excited than them.  

Easter always means new digs for the kids. 

Poor JJ got a suit for his birthday so his new digs were not for Easter, but he still looks handsome. 

After church we headed over to Mama and Papa's house for more fun.

The kids each got a gift to find and a Easter sack full of candy.

I love that my mom and dad give them a book about the Savior every year.  

They are helping build our church library collection and it reminds my kids what they should be thinking about on Easter.  This year the older two got a video and the younger two got the book.

My mom made a delicious lamb dinner.  Mmmm we love lamb.  JJ even uses the green jelly like papa.

For some reason I never remember to buy the malted milk balls.

I'm glad my mom and dad do because you have to paint your lips blue on Easter.

It is a MUST!

After the festivities we headed down to Grandma and Grandpa's. 

Grandma changed things up this year and had guessing jars for the older kids.

Then she had Emma help her set up an egg hunt in the back yard for Elsie and Ellie.

Ellie didn't want to do it but Elsie had a lot of fun finding everything. 

Happy Easter

To Dye for

Dyeing Easter eggs is always a favorite at the Snow home. This year we did 40 eggs.  Yikes!  That is a lot.  It is fun to see their different personalities when they get to work.  JJ is very creative.  He comes up with great ideas like using tape to make cheetah stripes.  Emma is very meticulous.  She spends a lot of time on one egg.  Ellie is quick and if you aren't watching closely she will crack her egg in her swift moves.  Elsie is still new to it so it is just fun to put it in the water and watch it change color. 

Here is daddy helping Elsie learn how to do it.  She was able to do it on her own pretty quickly.

I feel bad that I didn't get JJ's finished product but I got a great pic of him with dad.  Here are the final eggs for the girlies. 

Yes, I was there. 

Here is the family picture.

The cute kiddos

The goofy bunch

Hoppy Easter everyone.

Goodbye Uncle Tommy

Most people don't know who their great uncles and aunts are but I have been fortunate in my life to not only know them but have good relationships with them.  One of my Great Uncles in particular always seemed to be there for holiday's and family get togethers.  Uncle Tommy is my grandma's brother.  He is a great guy and I really enjoyed when he was around.  He was a very giving and caring person.  He would bring the oddest trinkets for us when we were little and he continues this for my kids.  I remember one time he gave JJ a pair of headphones and a mini boombox.  JJ thought that was so cool.  He always called JJ sweet pea.  He would tease my kids with his dentures by taking them out.  My kids would always ask him to do this for them.  He will be missed but I am so happy that he is reunited with his parents and siblings.  We love you Uncle Tom.

One thing that is neat about funerals is it brings families together.  It was great to see my Monson side.  I love these guys. 

My brother and my cousins were the second shift of pall bearers.  They had to bring the casket up a pretty steep hill.  He served in World War II after the war was over.  He was there for the clean up which really impacted his life.  He saw things no one should ever have to see.  I love ceremony.  One of the ceremonies that I love is when they fold the flag and present it to the family.  They presented the flag to my Great Uncle Joe, Tom's brother.

Since Tom didn't have any kids his nieces and nephews stepped up and really helped out.  My mom did a great job of arranging the music.  It was a very beautiful service. 

David was my only brother to be a pallbearer.  Michael and Smitty were missed

So was Maren.  Tommy loved Maren. 

After the funeral we all headed to Crown Burger for Matt's (cousin) birthday and to hang out with each other.  

Tom, I hope you find the best fishing hole in heaven.

Ellie and her BFF Kaiya

This year at Ellie's school she has made a new bestie.  This has been the best thing ever.

Ellie has had "friends" along the way but they always outgrow her.

This leaves her brokenhearted and lonely.

This year the school that Ellie goes to changed their boundaries for special needs kids.  

This meant that Kaiya was now in our boundaries. 

They {LOVE} each other.

It is the sweetest thing ever.

Well today was our first official play date.  They were excited but I don't know if they were nearly as excited and Kaiya's mommy and myself.  It really is the start of something wonderful.

We made colorful volcano's.  The girls really liked doing this.

We played outside

We played the piano

We just had so much fun.

It really was so great to have Kaiya over.  Ellie was thrilled.  Elsie loves Kaiya too.  Actually all of us do.  

We will have to continue doing this.

After Kaiya left and all the kids sent their friends home I was in need of a much needed rest.

I'm so tired.

Just a day in the life of Ms. Ellie

Miss Ellie has been having nose bleeds and they are really heavy over the last 24 hours.  Tonight it was happening about every 20 minutes.  After a quick phone call to Uncle Garner we decided to take her to the ER to see what they could do for her.  Before we went Garner had us spray some Afrin in her nose to stop the bleeding. 

Ellie was just fine.  The ER doc let her go because of the Afrin.  So, it probably was a wasted trip except that Ellie did have a pretty easy time and she got a slushy. Maybe every once in a while it is good to have a noninvasive ER visit for her.  She left beaming ear to ear.