Spring Break/Easter 2013

We had a bittersweet spring break this year. Dallin's younger brother, Bradley, left on his mission to Bogota, Colombia for our church and we won't get to see him for 2 years. There is absolutely no other place we would rather he be, but it's still a hard thing. We know he is going to be an amazing missionary and we love him!

Sunday, March 24, he gave his farewell talk in church and then immediately after, we had a luncheon at Dallin's parents home. Tons of family was there and it was so wonderful to see everyone! We love family get-togethers, they're the best!

Cousins, but really, they look like twins.

Bradley then left for the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Bogota on Tuesday and we hung out with Dallin's family until Wednesday, then we headed to Pasco to visit my family. I got to see my awesome nieces and nephews rock their track meets and enjoy crazy hot weather and then, I got to enjoy all 4 of us getting sick! Head colds all around. So amazing. The Saturday before Easter Sunday, all four of us were in the Urgent Care getting prescriptions for our nastiness. We had to miss the annual Calaway Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma Calaway's which we were so bummed about, but we didn't think anyone would really appreciate us contaminating them. Thankfully we are all alive and well now!

Dallin also got to celebrate his 29th birthday while we were visiting my parents! It was very low key, but it was great. Claire got to help him blow out his candles and taste his cupcake. She enjoys all things sweet.

Dallin decided that he was going to let me stay in the Tri-Cities with my parents while he came back to school, so he left Easter Sunday. We didn't get any family pictures to show off our cuteness, but I did get a couple pictures of me and the kids in our Sunday best! We'll hopefully do better at the family pictures next year! We spent Easter with my sister-in-law's family (who are also our really good friends) and enjoyed way too many homemade orange rolls, coconut cream and banana cream pies and lots of Easter Egg hunting goodness.

This was Claire's first Easter doing an egg hunt and she thought it was about the best thing ever. Every time she saw an egg, her face would light up and then she would get a huge grin when she realized all those eggs were filled with candy. Needless to say, her diet on Easter was pretty much candy. It was a proud mommy moment for me.

I spent the rest of the week just hanging out with my mom and dad, brothers and sisters and had a blast. My nieces and nephews all decided they wanted to do a bake sale, so my mom, sister-in-law, her mom and her sister-in-law all made goodies to sell and they ended up making over $200! The kids were thrilled and thought it was the coolest thing. The weather {kind of} cooperated, meaning it was sunny and pretty warm, but that famous Tri-City wind decided to join in on the fun. Regardless, it was an awesome day!

Claire and her favorite person, cousin Sarah! She missed her a lot. They got to go to Vegas for spring break, so we only got to see them on Friday at the bake sale.

I finally met up with Dallin on Friday and we spent the weekend with his parents and got to watch General Conference. I love General Conference weekend. The talks are always so uplifting, inspiring and there is always something said that I really need to hear. I am grateful for living prophets and for their beautiful words and testimonies.

So now we're back to real life where I have to cook my own meals (I swear, I revert back to being a kid when I am home and my mom just takes care of me, it's really pathetic. Oh, but she also helps me lose weight while I stay at her house, which is NOT pathetic. Thanks, Mom!) I have mountains of laundry, and all the responsibilities that come with being a mom and wife. Life is wonderful, we are getting ever closer to graduation (T-Minus 3.5 weeks!!) and the job search is going strong! We're so grateful for family, friends and the hope and peace the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to our lives.

Slowly but Surely...

I think I'm getting the hang of this 2 kids business. Kind of. We have a new normal here at our house, but it's a great normal and I'm loving it. Declan is already 2 1/2 months old! When did that happen?! I'm scratching my head trying to figure it all out. Time is going by so fast, I just know graduation is going to be here before we know it and then we'll officially be in the real world. With a job, (hopefully) and a bigger living space (maybe) and a yard? (perhaps). Regardless, we'll be done with school.

DONE.

FOREVER.

HALLELUJAH.

We're excited.

But anyway, back to the kids. Claire is thoroughly enjoying her role as big sister and helps me with Declan as much as possible. "Claire, can you go get the remote for the tv?" "Claire, please don't stick the bottle in his mouth, he doesn't need it right now." "Claire, don't poke your brothers eye, please." "Claire, can you get Decky's pacifier? No, don't stick it in your mouth!" All joking aside, she is a good helper and she adores "Gucky/Decky". The poor kid gets more kisses between the two of us, and he is probably sick of it, but I just can't help it. Those cheeks! They're just so kissable!

Declan is sleeping through the night now, usually going to bed around 10:00-11:00 and waking up around 6:00-7:00. I know, I am so spoiled. I feel so lucky. And I am finally getting more sleep, so I'm able to function better. My house, however, still looks like it is somewhat of a disaster zone. Laundry and a very energetic 2 year old can do that.

Declan is such a happy kid. Holy cow, he's sweet. He just smiles all the time, occasionally laughs, and every once in a while just wants to be held and makes it known to us all. He eats like a champ and at his two month check up weighed in at 12 lbs, 1 oz and was 22 3/4 inches long. I think he's gonna be bigger than Claire, though that's not hard to accomplish, as she is a little wisp of a thing. He captures the hearts of all he encounters, especially when he busts out that dimple. I will never be able to refuse that boy anything with a dimple like that! He's lost quite a bit of hair, but more is growing in and he's getting super long eyelashes. I'm only slightly jealous. Why do boys always get the long eyelashes?!

Oh, important note: We blessed Declan on March 2. It was a Saturday (it worked better for everyone than doing it in Church on Sunday) and Dallin did a beautiful job. We had quite a bit of family there and we felt so blessed that everyone came. Saturdays are busy! So it meant the world to us that everyone dropped all they had going on to be there. I borrowed a blessing outfit from my sister Tara,  and Declan looked so handsome. It was a very special day.

So, right now, that is life. We're job hunting, raising kids, finishing school, going to church, trying to fulfill our callings and loving life. Overall, life is just good.

And now, the pictures!