Sarah Palin

I've read her book and really like Sarah Palin and her values. She was speaking at a Tea Party even a few weeks ago so we decided to go, along with about 50,000 other people! It was craziness, traffic was awful and we missed her talk. :( We listened on the radio as we were crawling along, but I was really sad not to get to see her. Still, the energy was fun and nice to know we aren't the only conservatives out there!

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Finding Joy in the Journey

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Finding Joy in the Journey

Keep trying for this....

Since having our second child, I have really worked on being better at not rushing the days along for the next big weekend, or milestone, or vacation, etc. I have really been trying to enjoy and appreciate the journey, something I was REALLY awful at before I had Hunter. Before, if I had a million things to do around the house and errands to run, even just simple things like laundry, and if a friend called to go to the park, I wouldn't go. How sad is that?! Laundry is ALWAYS there, my time with my kids isn't. I just re-read this talk by President Monson from the October 2008 conference. I'll copy some of it here, but here's the link for the entire article. It's really great!!!! Ok, it won't copy, so I'll do it as a seperate post above.

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-to your surprise-miss them profoundly. Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important-and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us. Send that note to a friend you've been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say I love you more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of what if and if only. The bittersweet tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

Easter Egg Hunt

Hunter, 14 months

Reagan and buddy Chloe

The Easton Family--the twins, Mara & Amia (NICU Friends), Neelie, Talon, Hunter is in the stroller in front of the twins, Ari & Reag

Getting ready for the hunt

Reagan with our cute friends-- The Almanza Kids and the Lichty Kids

Cooper, Chloe, and Reagan getting ready to run!!

Our ward playgroup had an Easter Egg Hunt the other day. We had a great turnout and the kids had a blast!! This was Reagan's first hunt that she did it all by herself and actually cared. We have such a fun ward and the playgroup coordinator is so great to think of fun things for the kids. Success!!!

Reagan Rose & Hunter Nicholas

Holy cow, how old are my kids?!!! Lately, I've thought that so many times. Reag is my little buddy and such a HUGE helper. Sometimes more than I want, but mostly really great. She's my little runner and is definately great at bossing Hunter around, I mean taking care of Hunter. :) She's really smart and funny and very observant and has a great memory. And she's really funny!! And she'll cuddle with me still. I love you Baby Girl!!!!

My little helpers. Reag ALWAYS helps when I bake and Hunter just likes to be with us.

So, can I tell you how much I love this kid. His personality is so sweet and he's such a mama's boy... I love it!! It is kinda hard sometimes, but overall, I just appreciate him so much. Lately he seems very old to me and really boy, not so much baby anymore. He always sits with his legs crossed (so did Reag) and it's one of my favorite things.

Another Family Fun Weekend!!

So, most people know that I refer to our house as Hotel Holt because we have people staying with us constantly. It's so much fun and we love it!!!! The following weekend of having the Foster's here, we had a quick overnighter with Nick's sister Andrea, her husband Calvin and new baby Madison. It was quick, but we made the most of it with lots of good fun, great company, and tons of fun!!! Construction Game till 2 anyone?! :)

Loke, Andrea, Eric & Gaby

Awesome Aunt Loke with Tyler, Hunter, McKayla & Reagan

Awesome!! Please note Tyler on the ground under the kids! No, I don't mean Hunter, Tyler. Underneath the kids! :) Don't worry, we got a good picture though!!!

Dogpile!!!

Calvin, Madison & Nick

Andrew, smiling to get it over quickly! :)

Family Fun Weekend

Bowling with family!

What a stud!

Phil, Nick, Eric & Gaby

Jaxon, Brynly & Reagan having so much fun.

Nick and Reag sneaking into the Grand Garden Areana at the MGM.

Eating at the Rainforest Cafe---so cool!!!

Foster Family eating at the Rainforest Cafe

Watching the lions at the MGM Grand

M&M Factory

We had family in town visiting this weekend. Nick's cousin Phil and his cute family. We love them and always have SO MUCH FUN!!! Come back soon!!!!!!

Bunco

Bunco is such a fun time to get together with fun ladies and a little competitive spirit. We always have a blast, eat yummy food and have a blast talking before and way after the game is over. This month it was at my house. So much fun!

Hail....In Las Vegas

Yep, that's right, I said hail. In Las Vegas, in March! Crazy!!!!

Variety Show

So the other day, United Blood called to see if I could make an appointment to donate. I have been a donor since high school and VERY much believe in donating. My husband on the other hand is a complete weiner! :) (He'll say it himself, so it's okay that I do too.) He's a pretty tough guy, 6"4, 230 lbs and not usually scared of many things, but needles! He's ridden bulls, flies planes, killed rattlesnakes, but can't handle a needle. Let's just say he had a hard time when I got the epidural with Reag, then again when they tried to get my IV started with Hunter and had to try 15 times, he about died. Seriously, couldn't look. Needless to say, he doesn't donate. As they were scheduling me, they said that I would get two free tickets to a variety show in town. We have been to it before and knew it was something Reag would love. I put the lady on hold and essentially begged Nick to do it for the tickets. We could take Reag and a friend for some one-on-one with her. That kinda worked, but the nail in the coffin was when I said, "You know, thank goodness someone donated for Hunter when he needed blood transfusions." If begging doesn't work, try guilt! :) It worked, he signed up. We go to the appointment, mine goes fine. They missed his vein, it stung really bad and finally they pulled it out. He gave them another shot, but they didn't want to traumatize him so that he would never try again. Little do they know.... totally traumatized and he says never again. So in the end, Nick was tough and we got the tickets! Reagan took her friend Chloe. McDonald's, a show, and making wishes in a fountain--what could be better when you're 4 and 5?