~ A Fun Trip to the Aquarium ~

Hannah and Lilly both have a love for animals, so we decided to take a trip to the local aquarium. 

Looking at the stingrays.

Hannah loved seeing the real Dory. 

The aquarium had these really cool glass bubbles the kids could pop up in. 

Hannah loved them. 

Both the girls loved seeing the penguins.

Hannah looking at the Otters.

Sleepy girls at the end of the day means the trip was a success. 

~ Smashed Fingers and A Temple or Two ~

Today, I became an official Utah licensed driver. I took my written "open book" test and passed with flying colors. With it being an open book test, I would have been extremely embarrassed to fail. The embarrassment came seconds later when the employee handed me my temporary license. 

Has anyone seen that show called The Middle? There is this episode where Sue can't take a good school photo. They are ridiculously bad. When I saw my picture, I immediately thought about that episode. Yep, I am Sue. I don't dare put a picture up of what it looks like, so just imagine big wide eyes and a half creepy smile. . . . no joke. 

After this happy and equally mortifying experience, I needed some chocolate, English chocolate. So Aaron and I loaded up the girls and headed into Salt Lake City. 

After we bought our chocolate and got back in the car, Hannah accidentally smashed her fingers in the car door. She had a good cry, cuddled with Daddy, and enjoyed her chocolate. Luckily, her fingers aren't broken and she didn't smash any of her nails. She also got a special treat at Lush for being so brave.

We then took a walk around the Salt Lake Temple. . . . . . and maybe caught a pokemon or two.

We then took advantage of IHOP's $1 short stack pancakes for dinner. We ate way too much, so decided to walk around the Prove City Center Temple. I love being so close to the temple. Hannah told me, as we were walking around, that she wanted to marry her Daddy in this temple. There were a couple of brides having their photos taken and Hannah loved watching them. 

The girls finished the day with a long soak in the tub.

~ Motivational Monday #16 : My favorite name is Mummy ~

This quote by Elder Neil L. Andersen has been on my mind for a while now. Probably because I have been asked again and again if I work or just stay at home. 

Just stay home!? Hello, I get to live my dream by being a Mother who "just stays home."

 Yes, it is hard, and there are countless days when I feel like a total failure.
However, becoming a mother has drawn me closer to my Heavenly Father, and I know I am doing his work. People may think they will lose their identity when they become a mother, but I know I have found the person I was always meant to be.
 I love being a Mum.

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow, 

For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

- Author Unknown

Book Recommendation - I am a Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson

Look at these cuties. . . 

  

  

Why would I want to be anywhere else?

Pioneer Day Fun!

We had a blast at the Provo Pioneer Day Celebration! They had tons of free activities for kids including pony rides, petting zoo, scavenger hunt and lots more. We finished the day eating some delicious Navajo Fry Bread!!!!

A Fun Quick and Easy Science Experiment

Today we had a lot of fun testing to see if this experiment actually worked!?

Can you stick pencils through a bag full of water without the water leaking out? 

idea found at paging fun moms

~ Quick and Delicious Summer Dinner ~

 My Mum asked me to come up with something we could eat with some steak. Being that it is summertime and incredibly hot, I didn't want to eat anything too heavy. So Hannah and I prepped some veggies and voila! The result was some delicious vegetable kebabs - cooked on the grill outside and the leftover veggies and asparagus roasted in the oven. All I did was lightly coat the vegetables in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Simple yet delicious! 

To roast the asparagus - cook in 425 degree oven for 12 minutes. 

~ Our laid back 4th of July ~

Let's clear something up - I was born in England and I am extremely proud to be English (unless it involves cheering for our rubbish football team.) I think my heart will always be in England and the memories it holds. However, I am (technically and legally) an American. I love living here. I love that out of all the American guys I could have ended up marrying, I married a Marine. It doesn't get much more patriotic then that, and I love that I have little girls with American accents. This truly is a great nation, and I am blessed to call it home. 

So, do I celebrate the 4th of July? Sure. I dress the family (including myself) in red, white, and blue. I get together with family and enjoy eating hamburgers and hotdogs. I watch sports on TV, and once in a while venture out to see the fireworks (I actually hate really crowded places.) A couple years ago, my family and I went to the beach and stayed for the fireworks! There were so many people there at the beach and because of it we got stuck in the parking lot for over two hours!! It was still a fun day though. Next year, I am hoping to take the girls oh and my baby boy (craziness) to see a proper 4th of July parade. 

I don't tend to dwell on the fact that this is a holiday celebrating kicking English butt; however, I do appreciate our military and all the sacrifices they and their families make. 

Now with all that being said here was my laid back 4th of July.

It began with arguably my favourite breakfast - doughnuts! 

I then got the girls dressed in their red, white and blue. I took forever trying to get Hannah's hair done as she is a fidget and is constantly wiggling. Lilly; however, loves to get her hair brushed but as you can see it really doesn't take that long. One day she will get more hair. . . . . right?

The hardest part is getting the girls to sit, smile, and look at the camera at the same time. FAIL! But I was happy with these two pics.

We then went a did a little shopping. Don't be fooled by the bag - Bath and Body works put my $3 foaming hand soap in it. I know so weird but oh well. I then decided to treat myself (or my Mum did) to a double chocolate chip frappuccino  from Starbucks (not a coffee drink.) Delicious! 

We went to a couple others places before returning home and prepping for dinner. We had chips, dip, hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad etc. If I hadn't been so hungry, I would have taken a minute to take a picture. You will just have to trust me when I say it was yummy!

I didn't take the girls to see any fireworks; however you can see them in the distance from my parents house. Hannah loved watching them. 

All in all it was a fun day.

Here are some pictures from 4th of July's past

2015

2014

2013

2012

and if you are wondering why Aaron isn't in any pictures. . . . we have only spent two 4th of July's together. One in 2011 and one in 2015. . . . sigh. . .  oh well maybe next year : )

~ 16 Weeks Pregnant with Baby Boy Craig ~

Almost half way there! 

I still can't believe that I am having another baby. Not to mention a boy! Are they much different from girls? 

I still do not have a name for this little guy - well actually I do have a name, I am just waiting on my husband to agree on it. I told him that he has until the baby is born to come up with a better name. I know he won't and I know he likes my name, but he enjoys teasing me! Good thing I love him. 

One thing I have noticed for sure is I am a lot bigger with this baby then my last two. At eighteen weeks pregnant with Lilly, you couldn't even tell I was pregnant! This baby has made his presence know a lot sooner. I feel big already! I am trying to make sure I am eating healthier, so I don't put on too much weight. However, sometimes I just can't resist a McChicken sandwich and delicious salty french fries. I am also trying to drinking plenty of water. At every doctors appointment, I have been told to DRINK MORE! 

Overall, I am feeling good and excited to be adding a boy to our little family.

In case you were wondering . . . .

Weight gain : I started this pregnancy a lot heavier then with Hannah and Lilly at 145lbs. I am currently weighing in at 149lbs!

Maternity clothes : Yep! Although, I still fit into my skinny jeans which makes me feel really good about myself.

Sleep : How good I sleep really depends on how good Lilly Belle sleeps. 

Movement : I haven't felt him yet. 

Cravings: All the delicious yet terribly bad for you stuff - McChicken sandwich, french fries, and my biggest craving - salt and vinegar chips.

Sickness : Still taking that anti - nausea pill . . . . . . every morning :(

Symptoms : Just the occasional mood swing here or there. 

Belly Button/Ankles : Hoping my belly button stays in and my ankle remain beautiful.

Emotions : Anxious, Excited. Lots going on in our family life at the moment so my stress levels go up and down quite often. 

Looking ahead : Looking forward to our big move to Utah next month!

click here to read all about my 18 week pregnancy update with Lilly Belle

~ Shower of Heavenly Blessings ~

I randomly stumbled upon this video a few weeks ago when I was in the thick of a very hard time. I couldn't understand why my family was not being blessed. We were praying, reading the scriptures, going to church, doing all we could to get through this hard time. This video made me see that Heavenly Father is continually showering my family (and each of us) with his blessings, especially during this time in my life where I felt hopeless and lost. 
I am thankful for this simple reminder of love from a ever present father in heaven. 

~ It's a Boy! ~

Towards the end of March, I decided to take a pregnancy test. I was genuinely shocked to see a positive result. It took a couple minutes to wrap my head around a third baby, but the excitement soon took over. I told Aaron who was equally as shocked and excited. We decided to keep it a secret until we had our first scan. 

The nausea and vomiting didn't start until mid April. Luckily, I had some medicine left over from my pregnancy with Lilly Belle. I did have to make a quick trip to the Emergency room once I ran out. I am finding out that it is becoming more and more difficult to get medicine for nausea and vomiting because the side effects it could possibly have on the baby. I honestly don't know how I would survive pregnancy without them. 

My first scan put my due date around the 20th of November. I switched doctors quickly after that visit so will get a new due date at my next appointment. As of today, I am around 15-17 weeks pregnant. 

Leading up to this latest scan, I had no idea if it was a boy or a girl. I honestly didn't mind either way. I thought another girl would be nice because I have everything all ready to go. I also thought a boy would be nice cause I already have two beautiful girls. Aaron wanted a boy and so did Hannah. She kept telling me she would be so disappointed if it was a girl because she wanted a little brother. Once we found out it was a boy, I had a very happy husband and a very happy big sister!

I was also very happy, and as time went on my excitement grew. I know it is not coincidence that we are having a boy. I know he is meant to come to our family at this time. 

We still don't have a name or any really in the mix. Hopefully, over time he will get one. 

We are excited to meet this little guy come November.