Better later than never

So, I know it's been like 2 months since I blogged. I don't know why, I just lost interest in blogging for a while. Anyway, I'm back.
This has been a really long couple of months. My brother, Matt, moved back in with my parents. He found out shortly after moving back that he has testicular cancer. Now, I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone but we're really glad it's a treatable form of cancer. He has had two surgeries and will start chemo when his incision heals.
Brad has been soooo busy studying. Need I say more? No husband=sad wife. The only thing that keeps me going and loving and supporting him is knowing that there IS an end. What's a few more years anyway, right? Phew. We'll make it.
Hannah has been cutting teeth and hasn't been the happiest camper ever. She sure is adorable. She talks so much now! Her most common words are "puppy" and "guck" (stuck). You could ask her any question and her response would be "yeah". It's so funny. Preston will ask her "Is it good, Hannah?" Hannah-"yeah" Preston-"Are you having fun, Hannah?" Hannah- "yeah" Preston-"Do you want to go outside, Hannah?" Hannah-"yeah" You get the picture. She's super cute with her please and thank you's. Whenever I give her something she says "elcome, Mommy" Love her. She walks around on her tippy toes all the time too. We aren't sure why she does that but it is so funny! Makes her look so dainty all the time. Always on her toes. She loves babies and puppies more than anything.
Preston is such a handsome little man. He is super smart too. He's going through some fun phases. Most importantly...he's finally potty trained!!!!! 100%! My friend, Mel told me I should put him in a cold shower if he poops his pants. It killed me...but it only took one shower and he was done doing that! Hasn't had an accident since! Preston loves to trace things. He traces his name very well now. We've been practicing. He loves to paint, color and do constructive things. He also loves to play the Wii. Brad got it for his birthday and Preston gets more use out of it than he does. He loves to play Candyland too, although it doesn't last a full game and he only likes to get the picture cards. Preston is so much like his Dad and has so much character. He's always laughing and smiling. Love that kid.
I have just been trying to keep busy to keep my mind off of being husbandless. I see now how easy it is for medical students to get divorced. NO that is not even on my mind. I could just see how difficult it is for a family. We are doing fine and would never even consider that.
My bow business is starting to get better. I sure have fun doing that. I like doing constructive, crafty things so this is a good outlet for me. I never get bored of making bows...each one is different and unique and I like that. Still a counselor in Young Women and I've been enjoying that. Still love taking pictures. Just got a new camera and I'm loving that.
My birthday is on Wednesday. Sheesh. 31? Really? Where has time gone?
Brad takes the board exams on July 2nd and July 8th. Boy will we ALL be glad when that's over!!! We are planning a trip to Disneyland for the week after that and boy will we need it BADLY! It'll just be nice to be a family again!
Just a few fun pics of the kids. Hannah is always with her blankie so I added one of those. The last one of Preston was taken with my new camera! Woo hoo! And one of the kids favorite things to do...play in the water. This particular time Preston was getting Hannah. She actually loved it.

Baseball game and first swim

Yes, we're crazy and took the kids to the pool today! I got Hannah's swimsuit in the mail and wanted to try it on her. Hannah loved it! She kept saying "pretty pretty" and running around. So, Preston decided he needed his on too. So, he went up and got it and we put it on for him. Then he insisted on going swimming. So, we figured we would just let them play on the steps. They had so much fun! It was pretty cold but it really didn't phase them much. I'm sure it would have if they were all the way in. Hannah was kicking her feet and squealing. Preston played with his watering can the whole time. We only stayed for about 20 minutes.
I have to add that I looked at like every swimsuit online. I wanted Hannah to have the cutest suit!! I found this on at Sears of all places and I think it just looks super cute on her and it was only $8!!
Hannah looked so stinkin' cute in that new swimsuit of hers. She just melts my heart.
Also added some pictures from the baseball game we went to last week. Brad's singing group from school, "Docappella" sang the national anthem there so we all went. It was pretty fun. We were cold though. It was kind of a cold windy night. But we had fun. Preston still talks about it and about the guy that fell down. Ha ha. That's what he remembers from the game, I guess.

Slacking

I've been slacking on the blogging thing lately. I'm working really hard with the little free time I do have to get my bow business moving a little more.
We had a busy week last week. We went up to Utah to visit and to do a bridal shower for my sister in law and I took her bridal pictures as well. I enjoyed visiting. It just always goes by so fast when we're there.
I enjoyed conference weekend so much. I love chilling out with my family and feeling the spirit as we hear the wonderful messages. I have really enjoyed Elder Holland's talks the last couple conferences. He is such a powerful speaker. They all are, really.
Brad had all last week off and then had mon-weds off this week. Super nice to spend time with him and the family.
The kids really enjoyed Easter this year. They loved hunting for eggs. They had to open them all right away to see what was inside. They've had so much sugar lately!!
We went to an Easter egg hunt and had one in the backyard. They liked it so much the first time I did it again for them.
I dressed them up on Easter even though we didn't have to go to church. I just wanted some in their outfits. I love dressing my kids up so much! Hannah was such a little princess and she KNOWS when she looks cute. Preston always looks so handsome when dressed up with his glasses and hair done. I have cute kids. I know that.
Brad is busy studying for the board exams that are in July. I can't imagine all the work he has to do to get ready for that.
I'm busy with bows, young women and being a mom. I love being busy. I have been pretty tired lately though.
Hannah talks so much now! I love hearing what she says. This morning she was walking around the house saying "Daddy go?" (where did daddy go?) She knew he had been around for a week or so and was confused as to why he wasn't here this morning. She LOVES puppies and talks about them ALL the time. She got a barking puppy from Grandma Tina for Easter. It's her favorite toy.
Preston says the funniest things. One of our recent favorites is that Brad did a Family Home Evening Lesson on Easter and the resurrection. He showed pictures of Jesus on the cross and we talked about how he died and everything. At the end he asked Preston "So how did Jesus die?" Preston responded with "He crossed the street" HA HA. Guess that one didn't sink in...not that we were expecting it to.
I love being a mom. I love my husband. I love the gospel. I love my life.

having fun and eating dirt

Priceless pics of the kids loving each other. I love those very rare moments. I actually got Preston to give Hannah a hug, although it looks like he's ready to choke her and he put his arm around her and Hannah thought that was funny.
Hannah decided to eat dirt out of the flower pot today. She didn't like it but when she saw herself in the mirror she thought it was pretty funny. After I cleaned her up she found some water outside to play in and got all wet then I turned around and she had two rocks in her mouth. Oh that girl!!!

Our Fun Day

The kids have been really restless lately and we've been to the park a lot. We went to this park in Boulder City today. They have a duck pond and Hannah is obsessed with any animal right now. They had so much fun. Hannah was squealing. I wish I had the video camera with me, but these pictures will have to do. Then we went to DQ to get some lunch and ice cream. While we were there, for the first time EVER Preston actually TOLD me he had to go potty. I usually have to guess and just run him there. He went right in and went! Making progress! Thought these pictures turned out so cute. They are getting so big! I love the pic of them holding hands. The pictures I get of them together they are usually hitting each other and grumpy. So, I'm happy to get a good one of them HAPPY TOGETHER.

Preston's prayer

"Our Father. Thank you blessing, two blessings. Thank you two mommies, two daddy's, two Hannah's, two Preston's. Thank you two temples. Two happies. Thank you two Grandmas, two house, two Grandpas." *(Brad was helping him and he added two to everything. So, Brad said "bless us to be good and stay in our bed") He said "I get out of my bed. Thank you two Jesus. *(at this point we were laughing because instead of two beds he said "I get out of my bed." but everything else was "two".)* He was cracking us up. Don't know why he added "two" to everything but we sure got a kick out of it. Bless his little heart. Every night when we say "who is going to say the prayer" Preston always says "ME!!". He loves to say it. I need to record more of what he says. It's so cute.
Today we were out running errands and I had to run into the beauty supply store to get some clips for an upcoming craft show and they were out of the clips. So, as we were walking out of the store he said "Mommy, is this store broken?" I said "Well pal, they didn't have what I needed." He so "Ooooh. OK. (giving me thumbs up) You Rock Momma!" He cracks me up!!

How I made the shoes

Here is the link that I found the template for the shoes.
shoe
I just printed the pattern onto cardstock and cut them out. You just fold it and glue it together. Then, I had a whole bunch of flowers and stuff from my hairbow stuff and I just embellished them with those. I'm glad you all like them! The girls did love them as well.