Yup, we're moving

Well, more like packing... we are on our way and it is fun to see everything get packed away in boxes.

And fun to de-clutter!

The best part is that we have friends who moved recently and they gave us all their boxes~! They are a family of 7, so needless to say we have plenty of boxes to spare.

RyRy and Blessings

Sorry for lack of posts. Baby showers (for friends), packing, preparing and having a garage sale, and more packing has been taking up a lot of time.

So here are some cute pictures I snapped today. Ryann was posing for me and asking if I would take her picture. I told her we should do her hair first, but she wasn't going to have that.

My loves bring me such joy. While there are lots of struggles in life...

(ie moving when you don't want to, losing a home, stuck in the middle of a lawsuit, not being able to stay at home with your babies all day long, working full time with an hour commute both ways, getting over sicknesses, not getting the job you want, not getting the raise you need, living far away from family, missing your nieces and nephews, having hospital privileges take FOREVER, high malpractice insurance, having a daughter who just started wetting the bed (cara), being too tired and being woken up at least once a night from a child, not having enough time to clean the house, feeling guilty about letting my girls watch too much TV, etc etc etc)

...We are so blessed and I am happy.

My little sister asked me yesterday why everyone has such perfect lives. She then went on to explain that all we ever see on the blogs and Facebook are the happy and good things. And I replied that we don't blog about our trials because those aren't the things we want to remember. There are trials in EVERYONE'S life. Not just our own. Everyone has struggles and there are struggles out there that I hope to NEVER EVER have. I will take my bad with my good, because without the bad I would never know the JOY that my family can bring. Without the sorrow and the struggles I wouldn't appreciate the things that I do have.

I am so thankful for the blessings in my life. I am thankful for all of my family:

My immediate family, extended family, in-laws, work family, church family and so many more.

Packing Away

Wow, packing is tough but liberating.

We are moving to a place about the same size, but with WAY LESS STORAGE since Rich has put in a ton of storage space in the garage and in the attic. So, we are getting rid of those things you really don't need. The boxes below are what is ready to be moved to the new place.... still lots to go.

We are getting rid of them by holding a garage sale this weekend!~ Hopefully the last one I will ever have! Below is a start of our stuff to sell. We need to get rid of all of our baby girl clothes. Both girls have worn all the clothes and they are worn and tattered and we just don't have room.

But I guess if I want to guarantee a third girl for the Hamilton family in the future this is the way to do it- get rid of everything!

Haha, I am sending up some fun stuff for Devyn and Miss Hazel though. Because I couldn't just get rid of all the cute stuff.

Hungry Hippos

This is our new favorite game. No joking, Cara is freaking awesome at it. Count those marbles. Cara is the winner EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

Ryann usually gets second place and Rich and I come in pretty close to last.

I don't know about Rich, but there is no holds bar on this hungry hippos game. I go all out, and I still lose big time.

Like Yeah

Just a little sneak peak of our future home.

:) We are pretty excited about leaving the world of home ownership and heading off into rental land.

No Joke.

We don't have to replace our AC unit. We don't have to replace our carpet. The garage door that is breaking? Yeah- don't have to fix that either.

We don't even have to mow our lawn or pick our weeds!

Upside down in our house by over $100,000. That's right! Don't have to worry about that anymore either.

Some day we will get back into the world of our own home. But until then... Rich's honey do list is about 30 items smaller.

Temple Day

Yesterday Rich's little sister Vicki went to the temple. We were so excited and happy for her so we went with her and then afterwards we went with the girls and Vicki and Grandma Mingo out to celebrate.

Ryann celebrated by putting together this awesome puzzle. She made me take a picture of it and promise to put it on the computer. There Ryann- I kept my promise.

We didn't get any pictures together at the temple, so we tried to take some pictures at the restaurant. Rich was the photographer.

Really? Sorry that these are the only pictures to celebrate this memorable day.

We love you auntie Vicki!

5 and Feeling Alive

Also feeling very spunky. This girl loves posing for the camera and having me take pictures of her. This is at a restaurant in Mesa called the Landmark. Tomorrow I will blog a little about that.

Anyway, these pictures were too funny not to post.

Love me some Ryann. She has been so sweet lately that I can barely stand it. I feel like I am just watching her grow up every day.

Go Niners

We are packing and packing and sorting and organizing and donating lots and lots of stuff. I have spent more than my fair share going through baby clothes. Cara found this little 3-6 month gem and decided that she was wearing it all day.

Uh- Go Niners?

Jesus' Father?

My cute Cara, said something hysterical last night. Once she said it I was laughing so hard at Rich to grab the camera so we could document it for the blog. Oh my Cara Kay.

Cara got a valentine in the mail from Grandma.

She opened it and there was a five dollar bill in it.

Cara squeals with delight and says,

"I GOT MONEY!!"

She opens up the $5 bill and looks at Abraham Lincoln and says,

"Look Mom, it is Jesus' father on my money."

Life Goes On

Sometimes it is hard to believe that life goes on after birthdays and holidays.

This princess is having a hard time remembering that life isn't all about her.

And this princess below somehow thinks that after Ryann's birthday is her birthday. And it is... but not for another 2 months! She keeps running around saying, "Today is my birthday???"

Good thing she is cute.

Yesterday I brought her to work with me because Rich wasn't able to stay home and watch her. Since she had strep we did the whole 48 hours of antibiotics thing before sending her to preschool today. She is still coughing, but hopefully that subsides soon. At least she hasn't had any fevers and she is finally starting to eat more.

Being at work with my was kind of tough. She got really bored and she was really tired. She saw a few patients with me, watched some movies, played outside where another medical assistant was watching her, took a nap on the doctor's couch, colored and hammed it up. The office loved her but she was super ready to go home by the time I was finished.

And here is Ryann saying "THANK YOU!" to auntie Katie and uncle Cory and cousin Dean for her awesome mermaid bowl. So cool.

Be My Valentine

I can't imagine having a better Valentine. Look at this stud.

How sexy is a father who will wear a princess crown while playing "pretty pretty princess" with his daughters?

Not gonna lie- it makes my heart melt.

I am so happy for such a loving husband and father for my girls.

We have our struggles, ups and downs, but he is more than I could ever ask for. I love him more every day and he is constantly surprising me with the sweet things he does for me and his girls.

Thank you and Happy Valentine's Day Rich!

Happy 5th Birthday

All throughout the day today I have been replaying in my mind Ryann's birth. I think that a birthday for a child is one of celebration but also of reflection. I smile when I look back and remember the events that happened on the beautiful day she was born. I am so thankful for how things went and how I was able to share those special moments with so many people who mean so much to me in my life.

(here she is with her hair done and a special birthday flower in her hair. She wanted me to take a picture so you could see the flower)

Ryann was shocked today when Auntie Erin told her that when she was born she came out naked. HAHA! I guess I never thought to tell her that.

(Thanks for the boots auntie Erin! Thanks for the dress Grandma!)

Ryann had such a fun day today. She went to daycare and they made her a birthday crown, had birthday cookies, made a birthday card with horses on it, and I do believe they made her feel like a birthday princess. Rich also picked her up early and took her to a movie- A special Daddy Daughter birthday date.

(Ryann and Cara- very cute of Ryann, but seriously Cara?? Get that apple out of your mouth!)

We finished off the day with a few happy birthday songs on the phone, some facetime, and a special pink birthday donut.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and this birthday girl had a fabulous 5th birthday!

Sucker

It is so confusing to a little kid when you have a birthday party a different day than their birthday. Do you just tell them it is their birthday when they have their party? or do you try to separate it all out?

All I know is that I am a sucker. She has opened almost all her presents but I am totally holding out until tomorrow to give her the last gift from Rich and I as well as a present from Auntie Erin. This horse blanket was from us though. She immediately took her old blanket and said, "So, what do I do with this? Can I give it to Cara?" I laughed and told her we would keep it for her.

She also has some more presents to open from Grandma Mingo, but those will have to come at a different day.

Party at the Park

What is the best part about having a birthday party at the park? You don't have to clean your house before and after a party!

I asked Ryann if it was okay if her party was at a park this year and she said, "Sure mom" then she asked if it could be themed horses. I said the ever so often heard, "We'll see" and she didn't even notice that there wasn't a horse decoration in site.

We played with balloons

We painted beads and made necklaces

We broke open the dragon pinata

(well, Rex did, but come on- since when do 5 year-olds break open a $9 pinata from target?)

We ate some birthday cake

And of course we opened presents. It is so much fun that in her little 5 years all of her friends know her so well. She came home with ponies and princesses and wait... that sounds like every other 5 year old girl. Well, I guess it was overwhelmingly my little pony toys. And that my friends, is Ryann.

Sick Day

Last night Cara was coughing so hard that she threw up. I was upset and nervous because Rich was out of town. Usually when a kid is sick he can stay home and work from home. I can't. There is only one of me in the office and I usually have about 35 patients to see each day. Fridays are the worst because everyone is trying to get in before the weekend. I have a ton of calls and it just wasn't possible for me to call in sick.

So I buckled up, packed some bags the DVD player, tons of snacks and told Cara she was going with mommy to work. She sat on the floor and cried. She said, "I want to go to Rachel's house."

I spent the next few minutes trying to convince her that she was sick with her cough and she couldn't go to Rachel's. I reminded her that she would have fun with mommy at work.

I drove the girls to Mary and Rachel's house and I left Cara in the car while I took Ryann up to the house. I explained what was going on and my dear friend Margaret told me that it was no big deal and that she would take Cara.

I hemmed and hawed but I really knew it wouldn't work out well with Cara. We went to Cara and asked her what she wanted to do. Without hesitation she said she wanted to play with Rachel.

Can you see why??

Cara and Rachel playing with toys on the bed.

Cara pretending to be sick by lying on the bed with Rachel.

Seriously awesome- cupcake ice cream cones. I wanted to stay home from work too!

Thanks Margaret for all the help you do for us! The girls love you and your girls and I know for fact that Rachel is Cara's BFF.

5 year old Interview

Thanks to my cousin Anna for this great idea!

5 more days until my baby turns 5. The sweet thing that graced her way into our lives 13 days before her due date. The silly nugget who turned me into a mother. The one baby who slept somewhere around 21 hours a day. The miss independent I want to do it myself except if it means eating my food cause then I want someone to spoon feed it to me while I dance around the table.

She has no idea how much joy she brings into my life.

What is your favorite color? Pink, red, blue, and purple

How old are you? 4, almost 5

Who is your Best Friend? Cara (at least her mom keeps telling her!)

What is you favorite Toy? A horse

What is your favorite Fruit? Pears

What is your favorite T.V. Show? I don't know

What is your favorite Movie? My little pony

What do you want to be when you grow up? Horse trainer

What is your favorite Treat? chocolate

What is your favorite Game to play? slicing fruits- ipad game

What is your favorite Book? Scooby Doo

What is your favorite kind of Cereal? Lucky Charms

What is your favorite Song to sing? I am a child of God

What is your favorite Outfit to wear? horse shirt

What is your favorite Animal? Horse

What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas and Halloween

What is your favorite Thing to do outside? Swing on the swings

What is your favorite thing to eat for Dinner? Meatballs

What makes you Happy? Mommy giving me a surprise toy

What makes you sad? if mommy is mean

What is your mom’s name? Brittani

What does your mom do during the day? work and help babies come

What is your dad’s name? Rich or waffle

What does your dad do during the day? Goes to work and works

what do you like to eat? waffles, mushrooms, bacon

What don't you like to eat? bugs and scorpions

Who are your friends? Abby, Colton, Oliver, Cara, Kennedy, Ruby, Jaidin, Jillian, Mary

Where is your favorite place to go? Zoo

What is your favorite thing to do? Color and watch a movie

What do you like about your Mom? Makes me laugh

What do you like about your Dad? Makes me laugh too

What do you like about your Sister? she plays with me

What does (sister/brother) like to do? go to the park

Broom Ride

Tonight basically went like this:

"RYANN~ Stop touching the broom and eat your dinner."

.

"RYANN! Stop riding the broom around the kitchen."

.

"RYANN and CARA! Stop playing with the broom and get back to the table. It is dinner time."

.

"DID YOU HEAR ME??"

"But mom, we just want to be like Harry Potter."

-says Ryann

hence the picture because once she said this I thought it was cute and let them play around the house for awhile.

You Asked For It

Ask and ye shall receive. Auntie Vicki asked about flamingos and elephants.

We spent some time with the flamingos.

Here is Rich and Cara trying to copy the monkey statue. I think they did a good job.

Ryann and the elephant

And the girls playing with the monkey. Cara kept grabbing it's nipples and saying, "look mom! BOOBIES!"

Crazy kids.

Ride 'em Cowgirls

In attempts to make my pictures look "cooler" like the instagram app on the iPhone- which I of course don't have, I touched up these photos a little bit.

Turn my little girls into old fashion cowgirls while they were at the zoo.

I don't think I mentioned that Ryann wore her elephant necklace and brought her giraffe to the zoo. Those were the animals that were the most important for her to see.

Zoo: Part 1

I told Rich today that I had to take a lot of pictures of the girls at the zoo. He looked at me and asked why. I told him it was because since we hardly ever go, we need to have good solid evidence that we took them to the zoo when they were younger.

It started out with Cara saying, "TAKE A PICTURE OF ME!!"

Then it led to Ryann saying the same thing, then Cara and then Ryann and on and on the day went of me taking pictures of them.

The funniest part is that most of the pictures are of them on non-zoo animal related activities. Oh well, at least they had fun!

Bragging Time

Look at my cute little Hazel... a perfect 9lb 10oz ball of sassy attitude!

Good job Devyn and Jason! I miss you and I am so sad to be missing her blessing this weekend, but know that we love you and can't wait to hear all about it.

Painting

We are trying to teach Cara the art of not mixing your paint.

It isn't working so well.

But she sure is cute when she paints!