Our Annual Bainbridge Island Getaway

This past week was our annual vacation to Bainbridge Island with the whole Ogden family of now 27! There is no other place in the world that is this relaxing and peaceful yet completely exhausting! We exhausted ourselves everyday, but I would not have wanted it any other way. This trip was especially important to us with the blessing of Taylor. We love this little girl so much and she has such a special place in our family. We decided to have the blessing outside which made for such a beautiful setting. The spirit was so strong and there was so much peace. The cousins sang "I am a Child of God" and Chris gave her a wonderful blessing.

So we arrived on Saturday and it only took minutes for Emma to pick up from where she left last year...thowing rocks into the water! It was so warm when we got there, which made for perfect wakeboarding weather. We quickly realized how much Emma loved the boat...she'd cheer on whoever was out in the water to get up and try again and..."no go home!!".

We spent the next few days relaxing, playing outside, chatting by the fire while making smores, and eating some really good food.

(Emma with her "cousin crush", Max)

Tuesday we had a dance party and any time I can see my dad dancing makes for a great day and of course Emma was one of the last standing. Other highlights... seeing dad water ski and going out on the kayak with mom and Emma.

Wednesday we were able to start catching crabs and we also caught Taylor smiling on camera!

Thursday was a rainy day...so naturally we decided to load all the kids up on the boat and take it over to a neighboring town, Poulsbo, for what else but ice cream! Emma tried out the billie cart and went exploring with Jack and the adults went for the late night real ice cream at Mora.

The 4th of July

(Our 3 new little additions to the family~Taylor, Bailey, Lexi)

Probably my favorite day on the island. Emma and I took a walk up the driveway and came within feet of a deer. We locked eyes and then I took off not sure of what his next move would be! Wish I had a picture! Then it was time for another not so successful attempt at a picture of all the kids, this always makes for a good laugh. During naptime, I was determined to just sit and enjoy the view outside. It was perfect...sisters, sudoku, and a cup of hot chocolate! That night was our annual CRABFEST...last I heard we had caught 31 crabs! And there's nothing like a fireworks show over the water firing off our own while being able to watch all the neighbors' shows all while enjoying one of John's oreo shakes!

Our last full day was jam packed! In the morning, we took the boat over to Poulsbo again but this time to get pastries. This is one of my favorite things to do and I think it's going to become a tradition.  For lunch, the families split up to go eat and our little family went to Isla Bonita...of course in true Ogden fashion, most of the family ended up there all within 15 minutes of eachother, which I found hilarious. After lunch, it was off to Bon Bon, a candy store that I have to visit every year! I love their dark chocolate almond brags and of course Emma picked out the first thing she saw! Later that day, I decided to take a try at driving the boat. Lets just say that it wasn't very successful. We ended the day with awesome fish tacos, Emma and Todd bonding over basketball, the 3 toddlers thowing rocks and little crabs while immitating Chris which for some reason made for some over exaggerated hip movements, Chris taking Emma on the kayak per her request and she loved it!, and another late night of games...some which shall remain nameless.

Thank you Mom and Dad for sharing your little piece of heaven on earth with us! We had a great time and wish we were still there!

I'm a big kid now!

So we made the big transition from crib to bed on Saturday.  I kept telling Chris that it felt like Christmas Eve to me, besides being up much of the night, I was just super anxious to see how she would do.  And I'm happy to report that she did great!!  And as we speak, she is taking her nap and I haven't heard or seen her for 2 hours!  I am relieved...until someone with more experience tells me that this is normal and to just wait a few weeks (kind of like when you bring home a new baby!).  Please tell me if that's the case, I wouldn't want to get myself too excited!  I was a little worried at first when she started searching around the house for her crib and "jingle bears" and she looked slightly confused when I laid her down but I think she's figured out that this bed thing is a pretty good deal as far as comfort goes.   I love tucking her in, she snuggles up to her pillow and loves to have the blankets pulled up around her.  She just looks like such a big big girl.    She hasn't figured out yet that she can actually get in and out of the bed on her own.  She just babbles away waiting for me to come and get her in the morning. I hope she always considers that a rule!  We are still waiting for her actual bed to be delivered but here's a snapshot of our big girl in her big girl's bed! 

Next up...the dreaded potty training!!

Shake, Shake, Shake

Emma has become obsessed with our homemade Disneyworld video which she now appropriately entitles "Shake". Specifically she is fascinated with Jasmyn's hip shakin' little number and is determined and so concentrated on getting it just right. She'll even look over her shoulder to check how her backside is doing as she compares it with the video. We've always been entertained by Emma's dancing, but she has taken it to a whole new level.

Happy Father's Day!

Our girls are so lucky to have Chris as their dad. I know they will grow to love and admire him as I love and admire my own father. Thank you for all that you do! We love you!

We Survived...kind of.

After a crazy few weeks with the move and trying to figure out what was going on with Taylor's eating (and just for fun throw in a few colds, flu, broken finger) it was time for a trip to Arizona! Our poor little baby has been through so much in her short little life but I am so grateful for all the prayers, fasts, and blessings...I know that has helped me to get through this without completely losing it and I know it led to finding answers. She is now on medication for reflux and I feel like I have a whole new baby! She even gave us her first real smile which happened to be right after she received a blessing, it was such a sweet and tender moment. The smiles have continued and have become more and more interactive. She is looking around much more and to my amazement, loves to just lay and kick around on the ground more than being held! Definitely a week of firsts!

We had a great time in AZ and I am so grateful for all the help and rest I received! Emma of course loved the one on one time with grandma and papa...she was in the pool everyday and even convinced grandma to take an "after pool tub" with her. I wish I had a picture but mom wouldn't allow it. She loved looking for bunnies and is still talking about it and of course she drank a ton of grandma's chocolate shakes! I did some much needed therapeutic shopping, went out to lunch with the girls, and best of all was surprised by Chris on my birthday and we went out that night with NO kids! Thanks Mom and Dad!! We also got to celebrate Jazzy's birthday and baptism day with her...we are so proud of you Jasmyn! Here are a few of my fav pics...









See you guys in Bainbridge! If you haven't heard, we will be blessing Taylor up there on Monday, June 30th.

SYTYCD Weekly Top Pick

Mia Michaels is so inspiring. Not my favorite dancers but definitely my favorite routine. Make sure to watch tonight's result show...Wade Robson choreographed the group number.

Peaceful

Happy Birthday Meg!

I hope you have a wonderful day. You are just as beautiful as the day I met you. I love you! -Chris

The best 4 years...

Our 1st Summer Pool Day!

Since it's warming up here (I use the term "warming" loosely being an Arizona girl!), our Park Day is now a Pool Day and we had such a fun time! Emma was so excited to see her little friends as was I to see mine! Taylor slept through the whole thing and Emma was big enough to play on her own in the kiddie pool, giving me the much needed chance to chat with friends. The best part about it all was that I learned this pool is within walking distance to our new home. That's right, we are moving next week...I really need to coordinate my babies with our moving schedule a little better! But I expect we will be spending many days at this pool...it's going to be a great Summer!

I'm amazed...

I just had to show off what my friend, Lyndsey, made for Emma... "Crayon Cozy"

She just whipped this up today in between taking care of 2 kids (under 2!) and making us an amazing four course dinner. And P.S., it was the first time she's ever made one...such a clever idea and so so cute! Thank you also for remembering my little Emma, that means so much to me! And you absolutely have to stop cooking for us...Chris is totally figuring out that I have no cooking skills!
Your cupcakes were so so good...THANKS!! You're the best!

Cheese!

What a photogenic family. Mom, would you like me to print out a copy for you?! I really need to work on my girls' smiles!!

1st Week

It was a great first week, a difficult day today having to say goodbye to my parents...nothing I ever like to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you Mom!! I don't know what I would have done without you and it was so fun to have Dad join the party on Thursday! Thank you for all the food, cleaning and especially for all the special attention you both gave to Emma! She was lovin' it!!
Taylor is doing great...gaining weight, giving me 4 to 5 hours of sleep each night, working on building up some pretty strong lungs...we are just loving her and think she's getting cuter each day!
So the big question, how is Emma doing with all this...these are some moments of hope I hold on to...

At dinner a few nights ago, Emma said the prayer and it was so sweet..."Father, thank you...food...baby sister...amen"

And then there are other moments which aren't as promising...

I think this picture speaks volumes!!

I love my girls so much, I just could not imagine life without them.

She's arrived!

We are so excited to introduce our newest addition to our family, Taylor Lucille, born Friday May 2nd at 10:21 in the morning. Named after her Grandma and Great Grandma, she weighed in at 7lbs 10oz and is 20 inches long with lots of dark curly hair ("lots" for any Ogden or Adcock!). There are moments that we think she looks just like her big sister but her long face definitely gives her her own distinct look. She is precious and perfect and we are so happy to finally have her with us!

This is Emma meeting Tae-Tae for the first time...I'm so grateful they have eachother! Emma is very eager to help, loves to feed her and hold her and is very concerned when she cries. I think she'll develop into the role of a big sister and mommy's helper in no time! She just needs to get a little more comfortable with the idea of sharing mommy! I was so proud of Emma for surviving a crash course in being without mommy and daddy! A big thank you to Grandma and Papa Adcock for coming in the middle of the night and to Alisa for enduring a plane ride with Jack to stay with Emma for the weekend :) I know she had so much fun and it made it much easier for me knowing she was in such good hands! Now we are so excited to have Grandma Judy here for the week...!!!!

I realized last night as Emma got to bed a few hours later than normal that there is not going to be a dull moment in this house for some many many weeks! But we are so grateful for a healthy delivery and baby and we feel so blessed to have two beautiful girls!

More to come...but I need to get a quick nap!